Here, Shen Xiaoyan’s face turned ugly upon hearing Lin Xiaowei’s words.
It wasn’t because Lin Xiaowei’s words had struck a chord with Shen Xiaoyan.
It was because Shen Xiaoyan could not stand others slandering her child.
No one knew better than she herself what her child would become in the future.
Even if Lin Xiaowei had only spoken casually, or was using it as an analogy, Shen Xiaoyan still felt extremely unhappy.
And as a consequence of others making her unhappy, naturally she would not make others happy either.
“As for how my child treats me in the future, that’s none of your concern, Consort Hua. That’s a matter for decades from now. By then, it’s uncertain if you’ll still be Consort Hua, don’t you think?”
When Lin Xiaowei heard Shen Xiaoyan’s words, her first reaction was that Shen Xiaoyan was complimenting her.
Even if she wasn’t Consort Hua in the future, she might have become Empress, or even achieved her dreams.
However, upon further thought, she realized Shen Xiaoyan’s words didn’t mean that.
After carefully considering it, Lin Xiaowei understood.
Shen Xiaoyan meant that even if, in the future, her own survival was a question, there was no need to worry about what kind of person Shen Xiaoyan’s child would be.
Enraged to the point of being half-dead by Shen Xiaoyan’s words, Lin Xiaowei gritted her teeth, preventing herself from saying anything more excessive.
She had merely used Shen Xiaoyan’s child as an analogy, and Shen Xiaoyan held such a grudge. It seemed Shen Xiaoyan was not someone easy to get along with.
Since that was the case, it was best not to offend her further.
Lin Xiaowei lowered her head and remained silent. To outsiders, it appeared as though Shen Xiaoyan was being arrogant, deliberately making things difficult for Li Shan, and forcing Lin Xiaowei, an imperial concubine, to kneel before her, a commoner with no title.
This was clearly an act of bullying.
Once more people gathered to watch, and she spoke a few more words, perhaps under public pressure, Yi Zhixie would hand over the Holy Water.
Lin Xiaowei, who was thoroughly angered by Shen Xiaoyan, had forgotten that she had warned herself upon arrival that Yi Zhixie did not respond to coercion and disliked being threatened.
But the current Lin Xiaowei had completely forgotten this.
Shen Xiaoyan naturally knew this, but why should she remind her?
She still held a grudge about Lin Xiaowei’s earlier remark about her child.
Thus, by a twist of fate, Lin Xiaowei missed her final opportunity.
No, it couldn’t be said that she missed an opportunity, but rather that there was no opportunity to begin with.
She had merely lost out more thoroughly.
Shen Xiaoyan was too lazy to continue wasting her breath with Lin Xiaowei, so she simply turned around and entered the courtyard.
Huo Si, who had been following behind Shen Xiaoyan, did not enter with her. Instead, he stood his ground, blocking Lin Xiaowei, who was attempting to follow.
Lin Xiaowei watched Shen Xiaoyan’s receding figure, her eyes filled with venom.
However, she was helpless and could only grit her teeth and continue kneeling, hoping to move someone in the courtyard.
As Shen Xiaoyan walked back to the rear courtyard, a question had been occupying her thoughts.
It wasn't until she saw Zheng Wei that she voiced her confusion.
“Tell me, why does Sima Zhu insist on the Immortal Spring Water, and even give it a name like ‘Holy Water’? It’s hilarious.”
As Shen Xiaoyan spoke, she couldn’t help but laugh uncontrollably.
This couldn’t be blamed on her; it was genuinely funny.
Although ordinary people who consumed Immortal Spring Water did experience the healing of hidden ailments and an increase in lifespan, it shouldn't be called Holy Water.
Zheng Wei held Shen Xiaoyan in his arms and said in a low voice, “What’s so strange about that? Those in power cherish their lives immensely. When they learn of something that can extend their lifespan with no side effects, they will undoubtedly try to obtain it.”
Shen Xiaoyan nodded in understanding.
This was similar to what she knew from her previous life about families keeping several private doctors. Even if their lives were not in immediate danger, they would still employ highly skilled private doctors for regular consultations to ensure their health.
Having figured it out, Shen Xiaoyan no longer dwelled on the matter.
After all, everyone feared death, the degree simply varied.
Furthermore, their differing statuses led to different reactions.
A person struggling to survive would have no inclination to seek Holy Water.
Indeed, Sima Zhu was simply too idle.
“Do you think there’s a way to keep Sima Zhu busy, so he stops pestering us for Holy Water?” Shen Xiaoyan suddenly said.
Zheng Wei thought for a moment and then smiled, “I have a good idea.”
After speaking, Zheng Wei leaned in and whispered into Shen Xiaoyan’s ear.
Shen Xiaoyan nodded repeatedly as she listened to Zheng Wei’s words, and finally, a satisfied smile appeared on her face.
“Good, we’ll do it this way. Wait for me, I’ll go now.”
After speaking, Shen Xiaoyan stood up and rushed out.
The method Zheng Wei proposed was not difficult to execute.
Sima Zhu had ascended the throne for five years, yet he was childless. For a young emperor, this was a cause for criticism.
After all, it was universally acknowledged since ancient times that a ruler with hidden ailments was unfit to reign.
Therefore, although Sima Zhu rarely mentioned it and did not show it, he was actually very anxious.
This was evident from his constant recruitment of women into his harem.
Unfortunately, despite taking in so many concubines, none had become pregnant.
This made Sima Zhu suspect if the problem lay with himself.
And what Zheng Wei had just suggested was for Shen Xiaoyan to secretly give Lin Xiaowei the Immortal Spring Water along with some medication to aid in conception, ideally to achieve success in one attempt.
This way, in a month, Sima Zhu would temporarily not have the time to seek Holy Water from them.
As for Lin Xiaowei, all her attention would be focused on her own pregnancy, and she would not have the energy to run around.
Shen Xiaoyan was pleased, and her pace naturally quickened.
Before long, she had walked out of the Four Seas House, a wooden tray in her hand. On the tray was an exquisite jade bowl.
The liquid in the bowl was clear and transparent, with a faint fragrance that was uplifting.
Shen Xiaoyan glanced at the liquid in the jade bowl again, ensuring there were no issues, and then quickly walked out of the gate.
Lin Xiaowei’s legs were already numb from kneeling, and she swayed as if about to fall.
Suddenly, she saw Shen Xiaoyan emerge, holding something in her hand. Hope flashed in her eyes.
Had Shen Xiaoyan relented?
Before she could ponder further, Shen Xiaoyan squatted down in front of her.
“You’ve been kneeling for a long time. Have a drink of water. Otherwise, if you faint by my door later, it will damage my reputation.”
Shen Xiaoyan’s words were quite infuriating, but Lin Xiaowei was truly thirsty. She ignored everything else, picked up the jade bowl, and drank the liquid clean.
Shen Xiaoyan was very pleased with Lin Xiaowei’s cooperation.
However, she also became wary of Lin Xiaowei.
Although she didn’t take Lin Xiaowei seriously and didn’t believe she posed any danger, the fact that Lin Xiaowei dared to decisively drink what she was given in such a situation, whether it was bravery or cunning, was exceptional.
Such a person still needed to be watched.
One careless moment, and she could strike.
While Shen Xiaoyan made up her mind, Lin Xiaowei was also feeling unwell.
After drinking the cup of water, Lin Xiaowei first felt an immense coolness, with a faint fragrance lingering in her mouth.
But then, almost instantly, the sensation of coolness vanished.
It was replaced by pain, like a raging fire.
This fire seemed to burn fiercely within her abdomen, as if it would not cease until she was reduced to ashes.
Unprepared, Lin Xiaowei suddenly endured endless pain, causing her body to tremble.
Even so, she did not forget to stare intently at Shen Xiaoyan, her hatred undisguised.
Seeing Lin Xiaowei like this, Shen Xiaoyan chuckled inwardly. Lin Xiaowei must think she was going to die.
It was just…
She wasn’t someone who did good deeds without seeking recognition. Since she had given someone a benefit, she naturally wanted them to know.
Otherwise, what if they still held a grudge against her in their hearts?
Thinking this, Shen Xiaoyan slowly opened her mouth.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m doing this for your own good. Didn’t you want Holy Water? Did you intend to take it back to Sima Zhu? Don’t you want to drink it yourself? What I gave you just now was Holy Water! I’ve also added fertility medication. Perhaps you’ll conceive when you return? Shouldn’t you be thanking me properly?”
Shen Xiaoyan’s voice was very low, audible only to her and Lin Xiaowei.
Xiao Maozi, standing behind Lin Xiaowei, glared at Shen Xiaoyan with resentment. He felt that Shen Xiaoyan must have given Lin Xiaowei some poison, given how Lin Xiaowei was in so much pain that she could barely kneel.
He wanted to step forward, but Huo Si stood in his way, blocking him.
Upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan’s words, Lin Xiaowei looked at Shen Xiaoyan in disbelief.
She harbored some doubt about the truth of Shen Xiaoyan’s words, but she recalled rumors from the palace that the Grand Emperor had suffered pain for a day and a night after consuming Holy Water before absorbing its effects, and had become much younger.
Thinking this, she believed Shen Xiaoyan’s words by seven or eight parts.
But why would Shen Xiaoyan treat her like this?
And what about the fertility medication Shen Xiaoyan mentioned? Although she had always wanted it, she had never told anyone about it, nor had she consulted an imperial physician.
How did Shen Xiaoyan know?
One doubt after another accumulated, even distracting Lin Xiaowei. She felt as though the pain in her body had subsided.
“Why are you…”
Lin Xiaowei wanted to ask Shen Xiaoyan why she had given her Holy Water, but the pain in her body prevented her from forming a complete sentence.
Shen Xiaoyan, however, understood what she wanted to ask and said, “Now that you’ve had the Holy Water, don’t come back. There’s only one portion of Holy Water. Now that you’ve drunk it, Sima Zhu will have none.”