Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1083 - 124: Empress Xie Takes the Divine Pill

Upon learning of the Divine Pill's existence, Empress Xie requested her brother, the current Duke Zhen, to discreetly purchase some for her. She figured getting just one pill would prove tough, yet Duke Zhen obtained them effortlessly.

The seller, hearing that Duke Zhen's estate sought the Divine Pill, took the initiative to deliver a bottle directly, urging him to sample them first. If they worked well, he could return for additional purchases.

Since Empress Xie demanded secrecy about the buyer, Duke Zhen posed as the one desiring it. He held no personal interest in the elixir; feeling youthful and robust, he saw no need for pills to enhance his vitality. Truthfully, the Divine Pill's steep price deterred him most—a single one cost a king's ransom, no mere hyperbole.

Ever since consuming the Divine Pill, Empress Xie's condition surged forward, her visage blooming with renewed vibrancy, shedding a full decade in appearance. For years, relentless headaches and frailty had ravaged her looks, etching deep wrinkles across her features. Daily Purple River Car intake failed to brighten her skin or smooth those lines.

Merely days prior, her persistent headaches flared up fiercely again. Trivial harem duties overwhelmed her; rising from bed proved impossible. Recovery demanded one or two months of bedrest.

Post-recovery from headaches, she emerged far more gaunt and elderly. Lavish cosmetics offered no cover for her withered countenance.

Gazing into mirrors each time, disbelief gripped her—that ravaged face couldn't be hers. Accepting such aged, unlovely decline tormented her soul.

In fury, she smashed every mercury mirror within Zhao Yang Palace, decreeing none should ever appear again.

When Zhao Yao first crafted mercury mirrors, Empress Xie cherished them. Post-illness, however, she loathed their unflinching clarity. She yearned for the forgiving blur of ancient copper mirrors.

With the Divine Pill's aid, Empress Xie resumed mercury mirror use. Watching her reflection transform—wrinkles on face and eyes gradually vanishing—she affirmed their superiority.

On this fifteenth day, concubines gathered at Zhao Yang Palace for respects. Empress Xie awoke at dawn, completed breakfast, and now sat for hair and makeup.

Jiang Chuan excelled at hairstyling. Past sessions left her tense, dreading Empress Xie's ire over stray hairs on the comb, which she'd conceal furtively.

Illness thinned the Empress's hair, making it fragile and prone to loss. Yet Divine Pill consumption reversed this—falling ceased, quality soared, easing Jiang Chuan's styling worries.

Empress Xie stared into the mirror, satisfaction swelling with every passing moment, delight evident.

"Your Majesty, your skin gleams like fine porcelain now, pale yet flushed with health," Jiang Chuan flattered mildly, though truthfully, Empress Xie's complexion had transformed, banishing prior sallowness. "Your sickness once robbed it of shine, dulling everything, yet today your face radiates fully."

Empress Xie caressed her cheek softly, lips curving in bliss: "Fewer wrinkles mark my face these days, I sense."

"Your Majesty, those subtle lines have nearly vanished," Jiang Chuan artfully arranged the hair, "keep with the Divine Pill, and you may recapture your nineteen-year-old bloom."

Empress Xie savored the words, "Reverting to nineteen? Unlikely."

"Your Majesty, soon Noble Princess Consort Rong won't rival you," Jiang Chuan spat resentment at the name, "your illness once let her taunt your years amid your pallor, but the Divine Pill's renewal leaves her the true faded one beside you."

Empress Xie's gaze hardened, tone icing over: "Today, Noble Princess will find real competition."

"Your Majesty, fear not—today I'll make you eclipse Noble Princess entirely," Jiang Chuan shone not just in hair but makeup mastery too.

Empress Xie lingered on her reflection, pleasure mounting: "Such joy has eluded me for ages." Vanity defined Empress Xie; among harem beauties, she ranked average, her edge youth alone. Illness eroded even that.