Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1179 - 171: Cooperation with the Xie Family—A Plot from the Start

Centuries ago, a severe affliction of headaches plagued Empress Xie. What began as minor discomfort escalated over time, eventually incapacitating her to the point of immobility and mental cloudiness for days, sometimes weeks, after each episode. This debilitating condition cast a long shadow over her well-being.

As the malady worsened, so too did Empress Xie's overall health and her physical appearance began to betray her age prematurely.

Her vanity was well-known; Empress Xie placed immense value on her looks, keenly aware that her natural beauty paled in comparison to other consorts. Her sole advantage had been her youth, but the persistent headaches gnawed away at it, stripping her of her most prized asset and dealing a significant blow to her ego.

In her desperation to retain her youthful appearance in earlier years, she experimented with folk remedies, including the consumption of Purple River Car and deer fetuses. Later, she learned of the purported benefits of human placenta for maintaining a youthful visage, and spared no expense in acquiring and consuming it.

The continued ingestion of these animal and human placentas left her body emanating a potent, bloody odor. This scent permeated Zhao Yang Palace, prompting her to order the constant burning of heavily perfumed incense in a futile attempt to mask the pervasive smell.

During this period, the Emperor's visits to Zhao Yang Palace became increasingly infrequent, as he was aware of Empress Xie's disturbing dietary choices.

Despite her efforts, the consumption of various placentas failed to reverse the effects of aging. Frustration and anxiety mounted as she saw no results. It was at this crucial juncture that the legendary Divine Pill emerged. Empress Xie seized upon it as a miraculous cure, and it indeed delivered, not only banishing her headaches but also restoring a youthful glow to her appearance.

Witnessing her rejuvenated reflection in the mirror, Empress Xie was filled with an overwhelming joy, becoming utterly dependent on the Divine Pill. Even after the Emperor issued a decree forbidding its use, she continued to partake in secret.

The potential for madness induced by the Divine Pill was of little concern to Empress Xie; her sole focus was its ability to restore her youth and beauty, treasures she deemed more valuable than anything else.

Once the Divine Pill was destroyed, Empress Xie found herself unable to procure more. She rationed her remaining supply, but it dwindled rapidly. Terrified of reverting to her former aged appearance, she launched a frantic search for a suitable replacement.

Prince Jing, aware of Empress Xie's profound reliance on the Divine Pill and the potential for her to unravel without it, orchestrated the creation of counterfeit Divine Pills. He presented these fakes to her, claiming they possessed similar efficacy.

Empress Xie, in her desperation, believed the deception. However, the imitation pills offered only mild nutritional benefits, failing to alleviate her headaches or restore her youth. Shortly before the New Year, her headaches returned with a vengeance, forcing her to remain bedridden for over a month before a slow recovery.

Following the New Year's festivities, Empress Xie's spirits seemed to rally, yet her appearance remained stubbornly aged; she now looked a decade older than before her reliance on the Divine Pill. Daily, she resorted to heavy makeup to conceal the lines and imperfections that marked her aging face.

The failed rebellion of Prince Dai and Prince Han brought a slight improvement to Empress Xie's disposition. Subsequently, the demise of Noble Princess Consort Rong brought her further joy, boosting her spirits. However, the departure of Zhao Yao from the capital alongside Princess Han caused a noticeable decline in her mood.

The primary reason Empress Xie had managed to avoid a complete mental breakdown in recent months was her consistent consumption of a special calming soup. This was not a standard imperial remedy but a brew brought by individuals from Southern Wei, which temporarily induced a state of mental tranquility and gentleness.

Upon Zhao Yao and Xiao Siyun's return to Swamp Prefecture, Prince Wei ceased Empress Xie's access to the calming soup. This withdrawal led to a significant worsening of her spirits and an increasingly volatile temper.

Recently, Empress Xie's pronouncements became increasingly erratic, particularly at night, when she would shriek about perceiving spectral apparitions.

To assuage Empress Xie's troubled mind, Prince Jing even summoned the most renowned Heavenly Master from the capital's temple to perform a rite of exorcism within the palace. The Heavenly Master provided Empress Xie with protective talismans and artifacts, which offered a few days of respite. However, just days ago, Empress Xie once again insisted she was seeing ghosts, specifically claiming to have witnessed Xie Wan transformed into a vengeful spirit, intent on taking her life.