Chapter 71b: Trick Someone at No Cost
The General’s Mansion already started to become bustling. In two days, Her Highness the empress would arrive. Very likely, a big joyous occasion would soon come to the General’s Mansion.
Luo Cheng was so happy that his mouth was unable to close. Thinking about how his wish would come true soon, how both of his daughters were married to the royal family, he really felt supremely glorious. Even though he was aged and was no longer able to bear arms, he no longer had to worry in the future.
And the one with the opposite reaction was Wang Xue Ru. She simply couldn’t stand staying at the General’s Mansion, so she just left for Fifth Prince’s Mansion to complain to her daughter. Hearing that Luo Qing Luan actually made the Empress so happy, so much so that she very possibly would be married off to the Crown Prince, Luo Qing Shuang was so angry that her eyes became red.
In the entire General’s Mansion, only Luo Qing Luan was most calm. As far as she was concerned, the Empress’ visit was the same as a sick patient visiting, that’s all.
That simply nonexistent master need to be created within these two days. Naturally, it would be up to her to play that role.
The clothes as well as makeup she needed for the disguise had already been prepared by Dai Yue early on. And at this moment, the table in front of Luo Qing Luan displayed numerous herbal medicines as well as some strange powders and a frightful looking little insects. Her expression was tranquil as she mixed.
The medicinal skills that the Ghost Doctor imparted to her naturally included gynecological treatments. It’s just that Empress Wang’s condition was a bit special. Not only was it necessary to use especially made pharmaceuticals, it also necessitated her use of the Ghost Hand Nine Needles acupuncture technique to stimulate Empress Wang’s acupoints, before she could restore her chances at conceiving.
Before Empress Wang arrived at the General’s Mansion, Luo Qing Luan needed to properly mix the medicinal ingredients. At that time, she’d only needed to give Empress Wang the acupuncture treatment. Only in this way could she cut down on the treatment time.
Two days later, two things happened which brought the court into heated discussion.
Firstly, the crown prince, Nangong Qing, took the initiative to volunteer for service on behalf of citizens who had been harassed at the border. He resolved to first lead fifty thousand troops to intimidate Nanyue. If anything happened, he would be ready to go to war and display their national prestige.
Secondly, Her Highness the empress wanted to make a visit to the General’s Mansion to see the hundred years old sago palm tree which only bloomed once every ten years.
The majority of court officials did not concern themselves much with the empress’ visit to the General’s Mansion. After all, with regards to the affairs of the nation, the eve of the crown prince’s departure for Nanyue was still much more important.
Western Chu’s Emperor considered the matter repeatedly and in conjunction with Nalan Ye’s opinions, he finally agreed to Nangong Qing’s journey to the border. The army was to formally set off in five days.
Empress Wang kept everything simple. She only brought a few eunuchs and palace maids as well as twenty some inner palace guards to the General’s Mansion. Her matter was already nearly forgotten by most people.
After having hoped for the visit for who knows how long, when Luo Cheng saw that Empress Wang really honored him with her presence, he smiled until his eyes narrowed into slits.
“I pay my respects to Your Highness. Please enter, Your Highness.” Everyone in the General’s Mansion were closely packed together as they kneeled formally in the front courtyard, happy from the bottom of their hearts.
“You may rise. No need to be over courteous.” Empress Wang smiled, but didn’t reveal anything. After she spoke a few words with Luo Cheng, her attention turned to Luo Qing Luan.
“Qing Luan, take good care of Her Highness, don’t be neglectful, got that?” Luo Cheng said promptly.
“Father, I understand.” Having always been waiting to see that so-called expert, Empress Wang simply didn’t have the inclination to waste time on Luo Cheng. She found an excuse and brought Luo Qing Luan to the back garden. She made it known that she wanted to speak personally with Luo Qing Luan.
Having prepared earlier, even Dai Yue didn’t follow along. Luo Qing Luan led Empress Wang to a set of sliding doors and said softly, “Your Highness, Master is inside the room. After you enter, please remember to ask less talk less. My master’s temperament is a bit eccentric. May Your Highness please forgive……”
“No matter. I understand.” How could Empress Wang care about this. As long as she could be cured and become pregnant, she was willing to pay any price.
“Then, Your Highness, I will wait at the door. Nobody else will come. Please be at ease, Your Highness.” Luo Qing Luan said submissively. No one could sense the bright flash through her eyes.
Just as Empress Wang pushed open the door, she quietly slipped away.
Within the room next door, an area was already partitioned off early on. Luo Qing Luan quickly changed, then sat behind a gauze curtain. When the Empress brought forth a sincere frame of mind, she entered and only saw room that wasn’t too bright. Behind the thin curtain sat a female figure.
The image wasn’t clear, but this actually made her seem more mysterious. It was the first time that Empress Wang had this kind of feeling. Her own future was in this person’s hands, but she already wanted to obtain this glimmer of hope regardless of everything.
“Master……” She called out softly, without the slightest trace of the majesty and noble air belonging to an empress. Empress Wang sat on a stool on the other side of the thin curtain, filled with hope as she spoke.
Deepening her voice, Luo Qing Luan answered, “I already know Your Highness’ reason for coming. Please extend your hand. I’d like to first check your pulse before we continue.”
“Thank you, great master.”