Chapter 81
For as the moon rose, like a golden disk, what seemed poetic to others was painfully chilling for her.
Her body felt as if being frozen rigid. And this time, it was even more intense than before.
Frost gradually appeared on Zhao Shirou’s exquisitely made-up cheeks.
With every breath, cold air pervaded, directly causing a palace maid beside her to shiver.
But she still forcibly endured it.
Until the ceremonial rites to Heaven were completed and she had received the congratulations of the major forces of Liyang,
Zhao Shirou hurriedly left the high platform and went to her own palace.
In the past, every time the full moon rose, the Profound Yin qi in her body would start acting up. Her body would gradually freeze, like a shard of Profound Ice, even losing consciousness and falling into a comatose state.
Therefore, she had set up a formation in her palace that could condense yang qi to counteract the yin qi of the full moon, alleviating her symptoms somewhat.
But as soon as she entered the palace, a voice laced with slight playfulness and familiarity sounded from behind her: “This humble one greets the Noble Consort! Oh no, I misspoke. Congratulations to the Queen Dowager! Congratulations to the Queen Dowager for realizing her wish and becoming the mother of the nation!”
***
Hearing that familiar yet slightly playful voice from behind, Zhao Shirou’s delicate body trembled.
She hurriedly turned around.
A handsome face with a mischievous smile appeared in her eyes.
“Yang Chen! Why are you here?”
Zhao Shirou’s voice was tinged with panic.
Yang Chen had been in seclusion recently and hadn’t appeared. She had gradually forgotten their previous agreement. But now, seeing Yang Chen, she was suddenly reminded that she had agreed to be this scoundrel’s Dao companion. His sudden appearance could only mean one thing.
Yang Chen looked at her, his lips curling with amusement.
“I’ve come to congratulate the Queen Dowager! Earlier, on the high platform, your dignified and noble demeanor as the Mother of the Nation was so mesmerizing that I couldn’t take my eyes off you! Now that we have a moment alone, I naturally want to personally congratulate you!”
“Stop talking nonsense! Cough, cough!”
Zhao Shirou couldn’t help but cough, cold air escaping her mouth along with bits of ice.
“I don’t have time to discuss this with you! I need to activate the formation immediately! If you’re fine, then please leave quickly!”
As she spoke, Zhao Shirou waved her delicate hand, and a formation appeared within the palace. Several beams of light shone, gathering a crimson glow that raised the temperature in the hall significantly.
However, it still couldn’t suppress the cold aura emanating from her body. The clash of hot and cold made Zhao Shirou shiver, and a layer of frost began to form on her face.
“The Queen Dowager seems to be in great discomfort! Is it because of the full moon night that the yin qi in your body is rampant? Do you need my help to remove it?”
Yang Chen spoke quietly, his gaze fixed on her.
“Shut up! I don’t need you!”
Zhao Shirou glared at him, her eyes filled with caution. Although she knew Yang Chen could help her expel the yin qi, it required the union of a man and a woman. Even though she had agreed to be his Dao companion, she would never compromise unless absolutely necessary. Especially now, when her son had just ascended the throne and was still receiving the court’s obeisance. As his mother and now the Queen Dowager, how could she possibly do such a thing in the rear palace with this scoundrel?
No, she had to endure it. She couldn’t let him see her falter.
“Yang Chen, you should leave! I don’t like anyone around when I’m suppressing the yin qi!”
Zhao Shirou’s voice trembled. When the Yin qi in her body became uncontrollable, she sometimes fainted from the cold. This time was worse than usual. The moon had just risen, and she was still conscious. She worried that if the cold intensified and she fainted, Yang Chen might take advantage of her.
Yang Chen laughed at her words.
“Queen Dowager, I am your Dao companion! How can I leave you in this state? I’ll stay and take care of you! What do you say?”
“You scoundrel!”
Zhao Shirou’s eyebrows knitted together in anger and frustration, but she had no choice. The Yin qi inside her grew colder. She quickly sat cross-legged on the ground, using the fire attribute qi gathered by the formation to alleviate her symptoms.
Whoosh!
With each breath, cold air spread from Zhao Shirou’s mouth. The palace started to frost over, with ice flowers blooming everywhere. Despite the formation that gathered fire attribute qi, the entire hall quickly turned into an ice chamber. But Yang Chen remained unaffected by the cold.
Watching Zhao Shirou’s labored breathing, he observed with interest.
“Becoming the Queen Dowager has truly made you more noble! Let’s see how long you can hold on!”
Cultivators with a Yin body can progress quickly but suffer greatly from the cold. Zhao Shirou had practiced the Triple Yin Convergence Technique, storing a large amount of Yin qi in her body, making the cold even more intense and the pain more unbearable.
The moon in the sky grew brighter, outshining the stars. Frost formed on Zhao Shirou’s eyebrows and hair as another half-hour passed. The palace floor was covered in a thick layer of ice. Yang Chen felt a bit cold and activated his internal fire, releasing a wave of heat.
Because of Yang Chen’s presence, Zhao Shirou barely remained conscious. She instinctively wanted to embrace the warmth but resisted.
“Damn it! He’s definitely doing this on purpose!” Zhao Shirou cursed in her heart.
“Queen Dowager, tonight is special. The Yin qi in your body isn’t just influenced by the moon; it seems to be ready to erupt all at once. If that happens, you might not just faint—you could die from the cold!” Yang Chen spoke calmly.
Zhao Shirou was stunned. She felt the unusual turbulence within her. The three main acupuncture points storing Yin qi were trembling as if they would explode. If the Yin qi erupted, she would be doomed.
Damn it!
Zhao Shirou opened her beautiful eyes, seeing Yang Chen’s playful expression.
“Queen Dowager, I told you I could help remove the Yin qi. Anytime you need. But you have to come to me willingly.”
“You … scoundrel! I don’t need you!”
Zhao Shirou gritted her teeth, forcing herself to endure. She knew Yang Chen was doing this on purpose, trying to see her submit.
As moments passed, a sudden surge of yin qi erupted from her body. One of the acupuncture points couldn’t hold it anymore, releasing a torrent of Yin qi.
“Ah!” Zhao Shirou shuddered violently, coughing up blood mixed with ice shards.
“Queen Dowager, time is running out! If you don’t come over, you really might die!” Yang Chen hurriedly said.
“You are despicable!” Zhao Shirou glared at him, unwilling yet sensing death approaching. She finally gave in, extending her arms to embrace Yang Chen.