Main story/13

## Chapter 13: Frame Empress

Rewards 15
File:Water Sword.png Water Sword
File:Water Hairpin.png Water Hairpin
Rewards 30
File:Water Shoes.png Water Shoes
File:Water Robe.png Water Robe
Rewards 45
 Recruit Paper 8

## 13-1 Affection

It was very hot in the summer months. Though you stayed inside and Yaner helped you cool down by fanning, you sweated and felt uneasy.

Player
Yaner, bring me another bowl oficed plum juice.
Yaner
(Frowned) My lady, you have drunk two bowls today! Too much iced drink is not good for your health, so I'm sorry I can't.
You were surprised that Yaner who always did whatever you said now became so "relentless". But you really wanted it. So you didn't give up and continued to persuade her.

Player
Because the food and drinks you make are so yummy! So l always wanna more. Just one more bowl, please. It's really too hot. If I don't have it, I may get sick.
Yaner
You said so last time! I don't believe you now! I can't help you with something else, but I shouldn't bother Wieyang with such trivial matters.
Her voice was getting lower at last. Apparently, she was bothered by something.

Ask her what happened
*Cool +5*
Player
(Patiently) What happened, Yaner?
Yaner
You have assigned Weiyang to do many things for you recently. I am not smart enough to help, so I hope I can take care of you…
She lowered her head and clenched her hands, looking so upset. You remembered that you relied more on Bihen than her last life. She only handled trivial matters. When you praised her, she was very happy. She was so nice and loyal to you. She even died for you. But you had given her a cold shoulder all the time back then. Thinking of this, you felt terrible.

Yaner
My parents died young, so I was raised by my uncle. Not until I came to your home and stayed by your side, did I really have a home.
Player
When my mom said she wanted to pick a body maid for me, all the others dare not raise their heads except you. You were staring at the sugar coated haws in my hand and wanted it so much.
Yaner
(Smiled) And you are so kind to give it to me without hesitation. Since then, I had made up my mind to be your loyal maid forever. But I am not able to help you much in the palace.
Player
(Held her hands) I do give more assignments to Weiyang these days. But it's because she has been here for a long time and known many things we don't.
Player
And you are the only one I trust. I feel safe and calm as long as you are here with me. If you really wanna help me, you can try to learn more. I expect to see your improvement.
Yaner
Yes, my lady!
After this conversation, you two became closer. As you were chatting, Honglian came in.

Honglian
My lady, Doctor Huang is here to do a routine examination.
Player
Tell him to wait for a moment. I need to get changed first.
## 13-2 Inquiry

You should dress properly in front of Doctor Huang.
Player
Yaner, fetch casual clothes for me.
Player
Doctor Huang may be coming. Let's wait for him outside.

## 13-6 Scheme

Due to the hot weather, many concubines felt unwell. So the emperor asked royal doctors to check on all concubines regularly. You chose Doctor Huang. And you trusted him more bynow.

Player
You should come tomorrow. Why are you here now?
Huang Yuanqing
I told them that I need to take tomorrow off to deal with personal business, so I have to do the routine examination now. In fact, I have a new discovery.
Player
Really? Is it about the coral bracelet?
Huang Yuanqing
Yes. I didn't find anything strange until one of the beads fell down to my tea by accident. The bead should have sunk to the bottom. Surprisingly, it floated.
Huang Yuanqing
I was confused, so I cut it in half with a knife. Then I found the bead had been hollowed out and filled with musk instead. He showed you the bead. You took a closer look at it and confirmed his words.
Player
Such a delicate hand made bracelet must cost the empress much effort and energy.
Huang Yuanqing
If you wear it every day, you will not be able to get pregnant. You must be careful, my lady.
Player
Luckily, the empress dowager gave me a pair of jade bracelets. So I only wore it for a short time.
Huang Yuanqing
Then I feel relieved. Now His Majesty adores you, so you need to be careful.
When you were nodding, you saw sweat on his face. He had run business for you several times on the hot day. It was quite tiring. Thinking of that, you appreciated it.

Give him a hanky to show gratitude
*Innocent +5*
You gave him a hanky and suggested him to wipe the sweat. Unexpectedly, he looked at you shockingly and then waved his hand. And he immediately took out his own hanky.

Huang Yuanqing
(Blushed) Hanky is your personal stuff, so I dare not offend you again.
Hearing that, you remembered that you gave him your hanky last time, which meant nothing to you. But the nerd remembered it so clearly.

Player
(Smiled) I feel sorry for troubling you several times. I know that you don't like gold and jewels, so I have obtained some rare medical books for you. I hope you can take them.
Huang Yuanqing stood there uneasily due to the hanky issue. But his eyes were lit up and he walked closer to you when he heard your words, leaving etiquettee behind.

Huang Yuanqing
(Exultantly) I am addicted to medicine. You must have spent much time and energy obtaining these books. I am honored to have them!
Player
(Couldn't help to laugh) I am glad that you like them. As for what we talked about just now, I am sure that you know how important it is.
Huang Yuanqing
No worries, my lady. I know when I should keep my mouth shut.

## 13-11 Fight Back

That night, you asked Weiyang and Yaner to come inside and told them about what you learned from Huang Yuanqing. They felt shocked and angry. They thought that you were lucky to take it off very soon.

Yaner
The empress is so bad! How can she do such an evil thing as the first lady of the nation? She doesn't raise the prince well and now she tries to hurt you! She wanna murder all the emperor's kids?
Weiyang
The emperor only had two kids--Princess Anle and the prince. He had them when he hadn't taken the throne. He had worn the crown for three years, but no new babies were delivered. It must be her!
Player
As their birth mothers don't end up well, We can know what kind of person she is. She wanna give birth to the emperor's first child after he took the crown, but she shouldn't hurt others.
Weiyang
I heard about a tragedy a month ago. I couldn't believe it when I just heard the news. But now it seems to be true.
Player
Really? What is it?
Weiyang
There was a Lady Chen who lived in the Hanliang Palace. She had been unwell since this spring and never went out. You may don't know her. We thought she had a minor illness. But she died suddenly.
Weiyang
I know a maid in her bedroom who told me later that Lady Chen was pregnant actually. She tried to keep it a secret. Unexpectedly, Jinzhi broke in that day, and then she "died" that night.
Yaner
(With a pale face) It's…so appalling.
Player
No one would believe what the empress had done before they see it with their own eyes.
Weiyang
Do you think we should tell the emperor all, my lady?
Choose an option
Tell him next time
Let him find out
### Option A (13-11)

Player
Even though the emperor suspects her, we don't have enough evidence to pull her down. So we need to lay low now and find an opportunity to knock her out later. Also, his majesty must have sensed it as well.
### Conclusion

Then you realized that it was one month ago when the emperor said he wanted you to help him stop the empress. You were not sure whether his decision resulted from this incident or not.

Player
The emperor may have known something. He must have his concerns if he keeps quiet all the time. Also, we don't have enough evidence to pull her down now.
Weiyang
OK, I will keep the words in mind and put the bead away so that they can be useful when you need them.
Player
Weiyang, when you go out, you go to the west market and find the most famous gynecologist. He is my mother's old friend. You tell him that I need a prescription that can help me get pregnant.
Yaner
All medicine contains some toxic elements. Are you trying to poison yourself for getting pregnant? How about consulting Doctor Huang?
Player
The empress is healthy but does not have her own child. She must be very anxious. It doesn't matter whether I take the medicine or not. It's her. She has set me up so many times. Now need to do something in return.
## 13-12 Lure Into

Player
Weiyang, come and help me take a bath and get dressed.
Weiyang
You have dressed up, my lady. Let's turn to the point.
Player
You are smart, so only you can do it. Days later, you go...

## 13-19 Prince Visit

While it was getting hotter and hotter, your appetite was getting worse. Honglian was so good at cooking that even the emperor praised her. For days, he came to your bedroom for dinner. This day, he came again. This time you wanted him to try something.

Choose an option
Fried shrimp with longjing tea
Iced cherry milk
### Option A (13-12)

Emperor
She is a talented cook and better than some of the cooks in the royal kitchen. This dish smells refreshing and tastes great. It's a good choice on hot days.
Player
If you continue praising her, she will blush.
Honglian
I just make it based on the recipe. It's my honor that you like the food I cooked.
Player
Your Majesty, you have eaten so much food she made. Should you award her?
Emperor
(Frowned) You ask for the award for her. How can I say no?
Player
Honglian likes food, so I hope you can give her some rare ingredients. Then you can try new dishes when you come next time. What do you say?
You chatted and laughed over the dinner. After the meal, Weiyang brought you a bowl of black decoction which smelt bitter. You frowned and then drank it all.

Emperor
You have recovered, haven't you? Why are you still taking decoction?
Yaner
Your Majesty, our lady was weak when she was little. Her mother was afraid that our lady may have difficulties having babies due to her poor health. So she got some useful medicine.
Yaner didn't make it clear, but the emperor knew the decoction was to help her get pregnant. After all, what bothered old ladies the most was having babies.

Emperor
(Teased) The decoction smelt bitter. It must be difficult for you to take. Even though you dislike it, you choose to take it every day. So you wanna have babies, don't you?
Player
I think such things are out of my control, but I don't wanna disappoint my mother.
Emperor
(Sneered) You are a good daughter.
While you were chatting, a noise came in from outside. You could hear a child's voice.

Chunxiang
My prince, His Majesty is having dinner with our lady. I am sorry I can't let you in.
Crown Prince
Get lost! Leave me alone! I got her butterflies! I must play with her one time!
### Option B (13-12)

*Innocent +5*

Player
(Covered your mouth) You have finished several dishes. Is the iced cherry milk so yummy?
You looked at him with a smile. Unexpectedly, his face turned pale suddenly. He put his hands on his lower abdomen and fell down from the stool. You didn't know what you should do. Then several guards broke in and held you down. They dragged you out of the room and sent you to jail.

His majesty had too much iced cherry milk and felt crummy, after waking up, he vomitted and felt chest tightness. Next day, he died because of dehydration. The empress charged you with murdering the emperor and sent you to Yeting Palace. She made you take poison to end your life.

Dead
Be cautious. Think over before you act.