Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

In early summer in Chang'an, the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of gardenias. The chirping of cicadas rose and fell in the branches of the Imperial Garden, adding a touch of restlessness to the sweltering summer heat. Golden sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, as if draping the magnificent palace in a light veil.

Consort Yang leaned against the railing of the Agarwood Pavilion, her slender fingers unconsciously tracing the exquisite carvings. She gazed at the shimmering Taiye Pond, a faint melancholy in her eyes. A gentle breeze stirred, ruffling her flowing black hair and carrying the delicate fragrance of lotus blossoms from afar.

"Your Highness, what's wrong? Is something on your mind?" The maid Chun Tao, carrying a plate of fresh fruit, walked lightly to Yang Guifei's side and asked with concern. Her voice was soft, as if afraid of disturbing the concubine's thoughts.

Yang Guifei slowly turned her head, offering Chun Tao a faint smile, yet unable to conceal the melancholy in her eyes. She sighed softly, "It is the season for lychees to ripen, but I am in Chang'an, unable to taste the flavors of my hometown. It's inevitable that I feel a pang of longing."

Upon hearing this, Chun Tao's eyes flashed with understanding. She knew that the Imperial Concubine had grown up in the south and had a special fondness for the lychees from her hometown. Every year when the lychees ripened, the palace would send fresh lychees from Lingnan by fast horses to soothe the Imperial Concubine's homesickness.

“Your Majesty need not worry, the lychees will be ready soon,” Chun Tao comforted her, her voice full of hope. “Perhaps we can eat them tomorrow.”

"I hope so," Yang Guifei said softly, her gaze turning to the distance again. "But these lychees are delicate, and the journey is long. Even with the fastest horses, some losses are inevitable." Her voice carried a hint of helplessness and disappointment.

Just then, the tranquility of the Agarwood Pavilion was broken by footsteps. Consort Wu Hui, surrounded by a group of palace maids, gracefully entered the pavilion. Today, she was dressed in a magnificent purple palace gown, adorned with a gold hairpin, her steps elegant, and a polite smile on her face, yet she could not conceal the smugness in her eyes.

"Oh, isn't this Consort Yang? Why are you standing here in a daze?" Consort Wu Hui walked up to Consort Yang with a smile, her voice tinged with a hint of teasing. "Is something troubling you? Tell me, perhaps I can help you!"

Consort Yang glanced at her indifferently, without saying a word. She knew that Consort Wu Hui had always been at odds with her, and that she was definitely not here with good intentions. She forced herself to remain calm, not letting her displeasure show on her face.

When Consort Wu Hui saw that Consort Yang was ignoring her, a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it. She continued, "I've heard that Your Highness has been having a poor appetite lately. Is it because you're missing the lychees from your hometown?"

As she spoke, she clapped her hands, and a palace maid immediately brought out an exquisite silver platter filled with bright red lychees, emitting an enticing aroma. Upon seeing the lychees, Yang Guifei's pupils constricted slightly, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

"These lychees were just transported from Lingnan this morning by fast horses; they're incredibly fresh," Consort Wu Hui said proudly, her eyes gleaming with victory. "I specially sent some to the Imperial Concubine so she could try them."

Consort Yang took a deep breath, suppressing her inner turmoil. She knew that Consort Wu Hui was deliberately showing off in front of her, trying to humiliate her. But she was unwilling to show weakness in front of Consort Wu Hui, so she could only suppress her grievances and say calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, Consort Hui, but I am not feeling well recently and should not eat lychees."

Consort Wu Hui, however, had no intention of letting her off the hook. She continued, "Your Highness, it's such a pity. These are the best lychees from Lingnan. It would be a shame to miss them." As she spoke, she picked up a lychee, slowly peeled it, and then put it in her mouth, savoring it carefully. A look of delight appeared on her face. "Mmm, it's so sweet and delicious, so juicy, a true delicacy!"

Seeing Consort Wu Hui's smug expression, Consort Yang felt even more distressed. She clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, but she still endured it, not letting out a tantrum. She knew that in this treacherous imperial harem, any loss of composure could become a weapon used against her.

Zhu Rong, who was standing to the side, witnessed all of this. Although she had only known Yang Guifei for a short time, she already considered her a friend. Seeing Yang Guifei being wronged, she also felt indignant.

"Xiaobai, what should we do? I have to find a way to help Consort Yang!" Zhu Rong asked anxiously in her heart, her eyes darting back and forth between Consort Yang and Consort Wu Hui, her mind racing with ideas.

"Fool, don't be impulsive! This harem infighting is not something you can interfere with," Xiaobai warned, her voice filled with worry. "If you act rashly, you'll only make things worse."

“But I can’t just stand by and watch the Imperial Concubine be bullied!” Zhu Rong said, her eyes gleaming with determination. “I have to think of a way to make Consort Wu Hui taste the humiliation she deserves!”

"You have a way?" Little White was a little curious. It knew that although Zhu Rong was sometimes reckless, she could often come up with some unexpected ideas.

Zhu Rong smiled mysteriously and said, "Of course I do. Have you forgotten my secret weapon?"

Just then, Consort Wu Hui picked up another lychee and deliberately waved it in front of Consort Yang Guifei, saying, "Sister Guifei, are you really not going to try some? This was specially prepared for you by the Emperor."

Consort Yang, barely containing her anger, was about to speak when Zhu Rong suddenly stepped forward and said to Consort Wu Hui, "Your Highness, Consort Hui, I have a request."

Consort Wu looked at Zhu Rong with some surprise, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes. "Oh? What is your request?"

Zhu Rong took a deep breath and mustered her courage to say, "I have heard that Consort Hui is skilled in medicine. I wonder if she could examine Your Highness and perhaps find out why Your Highness cannot eat lychees?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Wu Hui's eyes flashed with a hint of panic, but she quickly regained her composure. She sneered, "Although I am skilled in medicine, I do not treat people indiscriminately. Besides, since the Imperial Concubine is unwell, the Imperial Hospital has surely already diagnosed her. I will not overstep my bounds."

Seeing this, Zhu Rong was secretly delighted. She knew that Consort Wu Hui didn't know anything about medicine; it was just her boasting. Now, by refusing to treat Consort Yang, she was undoubtedly contradicting herself.

Consort Yang also saw through Zhu Rong's intentions. She smiled gently and said to Consort Wu Hui, "Since Consort Hui is so skilled in medicine, why don't you help me take a look? Are you afraid that you won't be able to diagnose it and that it will damage your reputation?"

Provoked by Consort Yang's words, Consort Wu Hui became somewhat embarrassed and angry. She snorted coldly, "Fine, since my sister Consort says so, then I will give you a proper diagnosis!"

As she spoke, she walked up to Yang Guifei and reached out to feel her pulse. However, she knew nothing of medicine; she merely pretended to feel Yang Guifei's wrist before saying in a serious tone, "Your Highness is indeed feeling unwell and should not eat lychees. However, with a few days of rest, you should be fine."

Zhu Rong couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this. She knew that Consort Wu Hui was talking nonsense.

Yang Guifei noticed Wu Huifei's predicament and deliberately asked, "Then, Sister Huifei, what ailment do I have? And how should I treat it?"

Consort Wu Hui was momentarily speechless, stammering and unable to utter a coherent sentence. Just then, a palace maid rushed over and whispered a few words in Consort Wu Hui's ear. Consort Wu Hui's expression immediately changed, and she hurriedly said, "I have urgent business to attend to, I must take my leave." With that, she hastily left the Agarwood Pavilion.

Consort Yang smiled as she watched Consort Wu Hui's disheveled figure leave. Turning to Zhu Rong, her eyes filled with gratitude, she said, "Thank you, Noble Lady Zhu, for rescuing me from this predicament."

Zhu Rong smiled and shook her head. "Your Highness, you're too kind. It's all I should do." She paused, then added mysteriously, "Actually, I have another idea that might allow Your Highness to enjoy fresh lychees."

Upon hearing this, Consort Yang's eyes flashed with delight. "Oh? What brilliant plan does Consort Zhu have?"

Zhu Rong smiled mysteriously and said, "Please, Your Highness, come to my palace early tomorrow morning. I have arrangements to make."

The next morning, Zhu Rong got up early to prepare. Following Xiao Bai's instructions, she soaked the lychees she had prepared the night before in ice water and sealed them with honey.

When Yang Guifei arrived at Zhu Rong's palace, Zhu Rong had already prepared a plate of chilled lychees.

"Your Highness, please try this." Zhu Rong handed a plate of chilled lychees to Yang Guifei.

With some doubt, Yang Guifei picked up a lychee, peeled it, and put it in her mouth. Instantly, a cool and sweet taste spread in her mouth, much to her delight.

"This...this is lychee? How can it be so refreshing?" Consort Yang asked in surprise.

Zhu Rong smiled smugly, "These are chilled lychees that I treated using a special method. It not only preserves their freshness but also adds a refreshing coolness."

Consort Yang praised repeatedly, "Consort Zhu is truly clever; these chilled lychees are even more delicious than fresh ones!"

Just then, Consort Wu Hui arrived again. As soon as she entered, she saw Consort Yang tasting lychees, and her face immediately turned ugly.

"Your Highness, didn't you say you weren't feeling well and couldn't eat lychees?" Consort Wu Hui said sarcastically.

Consort Yang gracefully wiped her mouth and smiled, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Consort Hui. These are specially made chilled lychees by Consort Zhu; they are refreshing and good for your health. Would you like to try some, Consort Hui?"

Consort Wu Hui's interest was piqued upon hearing that the lychees were chilled. She picked one up, tasted it, and exclaimed, "Delicious! This method is truly ingenious!"

Seeing this, Zhu Rong was secretly delighted. She knew that she had not only helped Consort Yang this time, but had also subtly elevated her own status in the harem. Consort Wu Hui's praise of the chilled lychees was undoubtedly an affirmation of her talent.