Phoenix Totem – Chapter 7

Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com 
Project:  Phoenix Totem (凤凰图腾） | Author: Huaishang (淮上)  | Rating: Mature
Trigger Warnings: Non-con, rape, underage, grooming, age gap, abuse of authority, problematic gong, harem politics, depression, suicide, murder, death.
Tags: Abusive obsessive love, Imperial Court and aristocracy, Strong x Strong characters,  Jianghu grievances

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Chapter 7 What is there to fear about death

FOR THE BEST READING EXPERIENCE, WE RECOMMEND READING THE CHAPTERS IN THE ORIGINAL FORMAT INSTEAD OF THE WORDPRESS READER.

The previous dynasty’s Imperial Physician Lao Junmei had been retired at home for many years., and the previous Emperor had bestowed a luxurious and spacious mansion on the outskirts of the city. This grand elder ^[1] spends all day at home enjoying his time with his grandchildren, growing flowers and rearing birds in his free time, and spending his days in comfortable leisure.

This calm existence was not shattered until the moment a gold-inlaid, green awning-covered, camphor wood carriage stopped in front of the main gate. Lao Junmei personally led his family to prostrate themselves at the entrance, shouting out “Long live the Emperor ^[2]” thrice, he then continued,” This subject in accordance with the imperial decree – welcomes the Emperor!”

The Qianwan Emperor jumped out of the carriage and reached inside to grab something from the inside, it was just that the chiffon carriage curtains somewhat obscured the view inside. Everyone buried their heads very low, and after a long time, although there still wasn’t any movement, some of the braver children secretly lifted their eyes to peek.

At a glance, those with acute eyesight would see the Qianwan Emperor resolutely drag a person from the carriage with one arm. That person however was making a great fuss, grabbing the Qianwan Emperor’s hand and pushing it away and outwards. The Emperor coaxed him quietly, but after a while ran out of patience. He raised his arm to pick him up by the waist, then without so much as a ‘by your leave’, carried the man outside and strode into the mansion.

Lao Junmei’s old face remained motionless, he steadily stared at the ground. He saw the Emperor’s bright yellow dragon shoes move past him on the ground, and then only did he hear the senior Eunuch Zhang Kuo’s shrill voice saying,” By the Emperor’s decree, you may rise ^[3]–”

Everyone kowtowed heavily once before standing up with their heads still bowed,” Thanks to the Emperor for his grace ^[4]!”

The Qianwan Emperor after all was someone who had become Emperor by waging war on horseback and couldn’t be bothered to pay close attention to such empty formalities. He walked with big strides into the main hall, then dropped Mingde on the enormous seat of honour, and then cautioned him in a low tone,” If you dare to embarrass me in someone else’s house, then try it and see what happens!”

Shangguan Mingde struggled somewhat miserably and was carried in by the Qianwan Emperor all the way inside. His face was flushed red, the bottoms of his eyes moist and dewy. Anyone looking at him would feel an itch within their heart, as well as heartache for his sorry state. The Qianwan Emperor’s heart softened, but before he could even say anything further, he heard Mingde’s frosty reply,” – This subject has received the order.”

That expression was practically saying: Emperor you have some self-respect ^[5]! Move a little further from this subject!

The Qianwan Emperor felt a little frustrated and annoyed by this, he laughed grimly, and patted his shoulder,” If this beloved subject ^[6] can be aware of his own limitations, it will suffice.” 

Lao Junmei wore the Institute of Imperial Physician’s formal court dress and respectfully knelt on the ground, pretending not to have seen anything that was going on above. When he saw the Qianwan Emperor walk over, he spoke in a low voice,”  The little noble person ^[7] that your Majesty mentioned would be sending over for treatment, is this little gongzi?”

The Qianwan Emperor sneered at this, saying,” This person has a sharp and vicious tongue, and he likes to pretend to be brave and compete with you in ruthlessness. The Imperial Physician must deal with him carefully.”

Lao Junmei looked at the xiao-gongzi who hadn’t even reached the age of his adulthood crowning ceremony ^[8]. All wrapped in a snowy white fur coat with only half of his face revealed. A pair of eyes so sharp that they could send a chill down one’s spine, but his eyes and brows were as beautiful as a picture, peerlessly cold and handsome. He had, after all, spent a long time in the palace, and had already been witness to all manner of absurdity, hence he didn’t find it strange that the Emperor had a beautiful youth by his side. Hence, with a single glance, he understood the situation, and hurriedly replied,” This old subject wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare.” 

He went forward and stretched out his hand to take Shangguan Mingde’s pulse. That little gongzi’s was still extremely angry, hence he retracted back his head, and turned his head to the side, not uttering a word. Lao Junmei felt that this child must have been favoured too conspicuously, and thus must have been beaten by some niangniang to teach him a lesson and vent her frustrations. Although he did not altogether approve of it, his expression remained unchanged, and he respectfully said, This little noble person, may I trouble you to stretch out your hand, so that this old subject can take your pulse and assess your condition.”

Mingde remained silent as if he hadn’t heard. Lao Junmei had good self-restraint, so he said,” If you ^[9] do not stretch out your hand, how is this old subject assess your condition and prescribe medication?”

The Qianwan Emperor strode over, with one hand grabbing Mingde’s shoulder, the other hand yanking on his wrist, forcibly pulling it over. This action had been carried out a little too vigorously, and Mingde’s leg kicked out toward the Qianwan Emperor. The high and mighty supreme ruler gritted his teeth and took that kick,” ……Yo! Are you rebelling?”

La Junmei hurriedly retreated by half a step, said,” Pardon my offence,” and then avoided the imperial yellow silk pressed against Mingde’s wrist. Upon taking his pulse, his qi and blood were weak, his pulse erratic and disordered, and the sea of qi within his chest flared hotly – he must have suffered severe injuries. Lao Junmei frowned as he felt the pulse, lightly put down Mingde’s wrist, knelt down, and asked,” Pardon my offence, gongzi should remove his clothes to let this old subject examine his injuries.”

Mingde sneered at this, saying,” Daren saying such words, how would I dare to? Today the world is at peace and the palace is well. Yet you ^[9] say that I am injured. Then you tell me where did these injuries come from? Are you implying that I was involved in a street brawl, causing trouble and injuring others?”

Lao Junmei was confused and muddled by these words. But the Qianwan Emperor upon hearing that Lao Junmei wanted to examine Mingde’s wounds, had felt a sense of panicked displeasure arise in his chest. Subconsciously, he still felt that Mingde was his person. His person was so beautiful was to make others envious, and that was just his face; But if one had looked at his face and also wanted to look at his body, then that absolutely could not be borne.

The Qianwan Emperor coughed once, and said,” That……”

Even before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Lao Junmei’s fierce glare and brusque words,” What kind of words are these, gongzi! Medical practitioners have the hearts of parents. Since you ^[9] have come here in search of treatment, then you are this old subject’s patient; even if you were involved in a street fight, causing trouble and injuring others, that is the local authorities’ business and has nothing to do with this old subject. This old subject’s only thoughts are that I hope to be able to cure gongzi’s injuries. What does the rest of it have to do with me? Gongzi using such words as ‘fighting and brawling’ to pressure me, truly is a great insult and slander to the medical practitioner’s intent!”

“……” Mingde was dumbstruck by this, and stared at Lao Junmei for a while, before slowly undoing his clothes,”……Da…Daren, please forgive my offence.”

Lao Junmei had originally thought that the injury was merely the outcome of having been beaten by a rod or perhaps a whipping – that kind of common palace punishment-inflicted injury. Unexpectedly, once Mingde’s clothes fell to the ground, one could see the foot ^[10]-long knife wound over his heart, which had been bandaged carelessly, with blood seeping steadily out through the bandage; in addition to this, the area over his lungs was slightly bruised looking, which was a physical manifestation of him forcibly mobilizing his martial arts to suppress his internal injuries, after having been wounded by the impact of another person’s neili.

With this glance, a discerning person would be able to tell that these injuries were left by a martial arts expert. Hence, he again examined this little gongzi’s pulse, although the pulse beat feebly, however, his true qi flowed faintly, and there was still some neili that supported his heart.

Lao Junmei was secretly stunned by this, could it be that this weak and frail, exceedingly beautiful little gongzi ge-er, was actually a deeply hidden and unrevealed martial arts expert? He knew that once martial artists had reached a certain level, while on the surface, they may look extremely skinny and too delicate to even withstand strong wind, they actually may have consummate skills. However, he would never have expected that this little ge-er who looked like the Emperor’s exclusive piece of meat ^[11] would actually be such a person. 

The Qianwan Emperor’s expression fell at this, and he asked,” Is the Imperial Physician-daren merely going to stare and not treat?”

Lao Junmei was suddenly startled by this and hurriedly bowed down,” Your Majesty, pardon my offence. The external injuries are easy to treat, but the internal injuries will be more difficult to cure; this old subject has examined his pulse. This gongzi’s internal qi and blood are stagnant due to pent-up frustrations, and the depression cannot be allowed to extend further. If we are to resolve the internal injuries, it is likely that he would have to undergo some suffering.”

The Qianwan Emperor replied impassively,”……what has that to do with anything. As long as he can be cured, then it’s fine. A bit of suffering won’t do him any harm. “

Lao Junmei glanced over at Mingde. This little gongzi’s face didn’t seem to have any perceptible emotions. If one had to find words to describe it, then the words ‘cold and indifferent’ were an adequate summary. It was at this moment that the old Imperial Physician sighed inexplicably. A person of the Imperial family was covered in riches and honour, others would only see the incomparable glorious view. In truth, only he would know how much pain and suffering he’d had to endure.

Lao Junmei had held a position within the Imperial Physician Institute for many years and was extremely proficient at treating internal injuries. Shangguan Mingde was young and vigorous, and when he had been injured he hadn’t tried to avoid it. Instead, he forced himself to endure and hold his ground. While his prestige hadn’t been lost, he had suffered great internal damage. He originally was full of worries, and with the addition of the pressure from his injuries, his depression was exacerbated. To alleviate him fully would be extremely difficult.

Not only would it be difficult, but he would have to undergo much suffering. He was forced to swallow a hundred-year-old human-shaped ginseng every day, and then he would be kneaded and massaged with a heavy hand until the congestion was forced to disperse. Then he would be steamed in a herbal bath to stimulate his blood circulation. This manner of treatment lasted for half a month. Mingde is young and his body is frail, it is very difficult for him to endure this pain which is like ten thousand thorns piercing his body. Then Lao Junmei treated him on the first day, he couldn’t bear the excruciating pain, his consciousness became muddled, and he tried to strike the top of his own head ^[12].  Luckily the Qianwan Emperor was by his side, and grabbed his wrist with one hand, effortlessly binding it to the head of the bed.

Mingde was tormented to his limits by the pain, he struggled desperately and begged the Qianwan Emperor,” I don’t want to be treated! Let me die! I don’t want to be treated!”

The Qianwan Emperor watched him. That effect of the ginseng was too strong, and Mingde’s entire body couldn’t bear it. He burned so much that his cheeks were flushed red. At first glance, there was indeed some resemblance to the dazzling beauty of peach blossoms.

He stretched out an arm to gently hug Mingde to him, he didn’t use a lot of strength but was able to contain all his struggles within his embrace.

That day, Mingde had been fumigated thoroughly with medicine, and drowsily and dizzily fell into a  deep sleep. The Qianwan Emperor had just gotten up, when he heard someone knock on the door lightly from the outside, saying,” To report to your Majesty, there’s an unusual situation in the palace.”

Unusual? These words are too vague. The Qianwan Emperor glanced over at Mingde, then got up and walked out of the room. He lowered the volume of his voice, and asked,” What is unusual?” 

The shadow guard replied,” Within the Cold Palace, the Guifei niangniang‘s fetal qi has been disturbed……the imperial offspring ^[13] is in danger.”

Mingde waited for half a day but Lao Junmei didn’t arrive. He sat on the chair and read a currently popular romantic and chivalrous novel, after reading for a while, he felt impatient but still didn’t see any sign of the old Imperial Physician.

“Where’s the Imperial Physician-daren?”

The boy servant was extremely respectful as he served the tea, and finally, he replied,:” Gongzi please wait a little longer. The Imperial Physician-daren has gone to the palace.”

Mingde suddenly sat upright, and smiled faintly as he asked the boy servant,” Gone to the palace? Who’s fallen ill?”

The boy servant rubbed his hands, and mumbled vaguely,” Who knows? The going-ons in the palace, servants like us, haha……”

Mingde gently patted at the boy servant’s hand, and silently took out an entire piece of silver and handed it to him. The boy servant was flustered and withdrew his hand hurriedly, only to feel that that piece of silver was the weight of two taels, and was so excited that his face flushed redly,” How could can it be proper for gongzi to go to this expense! How can it be proper!”

Mingde shook his head slightly and motioned for him to speak up. The boy servant looked around and saw that there was no one else nearby. He hurried closer and whispered,” It’s said that it is the Guifei niangniang who had previously angered the Emperor and banished to the Cold Palace. Her maiden family is the Ding-shangshu ^[14], and she’s currently pregnant with the Emperor’s child. Being sent to the Cold Palace was only for show, and she’ll definitely be released. Gongzi sees since that boss‘s fetal qi has been affected, the Emperor had my family’s Daren rush over at night to administer treatment. It is clear that he still attaches great importance to that unborn imperial offspring…… Is gongzi aware? Yesterday night， there was already some news of it from the palace, they say that my family’s Daren took her pulse and has confirmed that…it is a prince！“

The boy servant laughed “Hehe”, then he suddenly caught sight of this gongzi’s hand on the armrest of the chair, in that instant, it was clenched so tightly that his blue veins looked like they were about to burst. That fair, slender and beautiful hand, for a moment, looked extremely ferocious and frightening.

He was shocked by this and raised his eyes only to see Mingde smile faintly, saying,” It’s nothing. Thank you very much.”

His smile was extremely slight, but that fleeting tiny smile brought with it a heavy killing aura, instantly causing one to feel the chilling cold in their heart.

Lao Junmei was after all a miracle-maker doctor, after writing down a prescription and directing someone to prepare a bowl of anti-abortifacient medication. In less than ten minutes after the Guifei had drunk the bowl, the unborn child started to settle down, and she also started feeling sleepy. Zhang Kuo saw that the Guifei was now in good health, then hurriedly led the way, saying,” Imperial Physician-daren, please come this way. His Majesty is already waiting for you outside.”

The Guifei was drowsing at this time, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly in a charming smile. 

Really, so what about charming the monarch and bewildering the Emperor,  so what about □□ in the harem? She, a daughter of a high-ranking minister, is a dignified Guifei who is pregnant with the Emperor’s child. Even if she had been banished to the Cold Palace, there will definitely be an opportunity to stage a comeback ^[15] in the future.

Actually, she had deliberately caused a disturbance in the fetal qi. If the child was born safely, it is likely that it would be taken away and given to the Empress to raise. Then all her hardships would be in vain. Wasn’t there precedence to this? Eighteen years ago, Empress Mingrui had somehow angered the Emperor. At that time, the Emperor was young and high-spirited and had an extremely bad temper. He had immediately bestowed upon her the three-foot length of white silk ^[16], and she had died of strangulation. To the outside world, it was announced that she had died of a sudden illness. The crown prince that she had left behind was later handed over to the current Empress to raise. Had it not been for this adopted prince, the Empress who had not borne any children would likely have been removed from her position.

She could not walk the same path as Empress Mingrui. She only wanted to kick up a fuss large enough to let the Emperor take note of her, and wanted everyone to remember how much suffering she’d endured for this imperial offspring.

No one can even think about stealing the credit for giving birth to a prince from her. She was already the Guifei, and as long as she births a prince, the position of the Empress is not far away.

The Guifei slept in a lethargy for a while, and whilst in a daze seemed to see someone sit by her bedside. Her breathing was calm and drawn out. Although it was very faint, there was a bone-chillingly cold aura that constantly accompanied her, making the Guifei rest uneasily. Until the evening time, when she suddenly woke up. The pale setting glow of the sunset pierced through the tall carved wooden windows, and the crude furnishings in the room were merely indistinct blurry shadows. A mild voice of a youth rang out from beside her,” – Niangniang, I trust you have been well since our last meeting?”

The voice was gentle and quiet, one could even call it bashful and mild. The Guifei abruptly turned her head and saw a youth sitting in profile in the shadow of the flowers by the window. He smiled faintly whilst looking at her.

The Guifei suddenly got up, and even the pitch of her voice changed,” Who are you? Attendants! Attendants!”

However, her voice was softer than she had expected. She made gurgling noises in her throat but was unable to say anything else.

Her entire body sagged numbly onto the couch. The youth stood up and walked over, the Guifei was stunned by this, suddenly recognizing that this was the Shangguan Mingde whom she had tried to frame, but failed. 

But – how could it be him? Wasn’t he just an unfavored son of a Shilang? How could he have come in here? What does he intend to do?

Mingde stared into the woman’s panic-stricken eyes for a moment, then opened his mouth to ask,”……You want to become the Empress very much?”

To become Empress, to become Empress, that’s the dream of every female in the harem, is it not?

The Guifei was unable to make a sound, Shangguan Mingde lightly placed his hand on her neck.

“Xia-zhaoyi also wanted that very much.”

Mingde’s profile silhouetted in the shadow of the flowers was indistinctly seen, elegant and merciless.

The Guifei was suddenly reminded of Xia-zhaoyi’s demise, and in that instant, her entire body felt cold. That woman had been much more favoured than herself or the Empress, and her family background was also much stronger. One could say, that it wouldn’t be impossible for her to advance in status, or even become the Empress. At the time when she had died of a sudden illness, there were many rumours that the Guifei had done it, it was just that the Emperor doted on the Guifei and didn’t punish her; however, it was only she who was aware that Xia-zhaoyi’s death had entirely nothing to do with her.

Mingde’s hand gradually exerted force, and the Guifei could hear the bones in her neck make creaking noises.

“The struggles and intrigues of the Imperial Court were originally a situation where the ‘winner is king and the loser is a knave ^[17]’, therefore since your strength and influence are lacking, then there’s no one else to blame. Be at ease and go on your way.”

The Guifei tried in vain to brandish her nails, but she couldn’t even move her pinky finger. Her eyes bulged, and from her throat came gurgling noises, before her body finally sank down.

Mingde silently stared at her for a long while, then sighed,” ……only wish that in the next life, may you not be born in the Imperial family.”

He turned and strode out of the gorgeous and majestic grand palace gate.

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