The Empress’ Livestream

“A letter sent by your lord? What did he write?”

Yang Si couldn’t contain his curiosity and stretched his neck to have a peek at the letter in Wei Ci’s hand…he wondered what was written that made him so happy.

Not unless… his brows were raised briefly; he felt an additional layer of emotion known as nosiness within his heart. When he focused his eyes on it, he was filled with disappointment.

“Isn’t it just that Feng Zhen is willing to stay… so what, does this man have such exceptional, out of this world abilities that this makes you so happy?”

Wei Ci toned down the joyful spirits on his face and said seriously, “Ci isn’t rejoicing over Zi Shi’s decision to stay on.”

Yang Si was surprised and asked, “Oh? Why then?”

Wei Ci answered, “Zi Shi’s usual wastrel-like actions, practically none can convince him to control himself. Nonetheless, he has promised the lord to give up his addiction to Hanshi powder.”

This is true love, this…

A wave of shock passed through Yang Si’s eyes, he isn’t a stranger to Hanshi powder. It is known that taking it often will lead to addiction, if any untoward incidents happen in the process of consuming the powder, death is a serious consequence. Even so, there are people who hold it as of utmost importance because the process to give up one’s addiction is extremely painful. Most people cannot persevere and they continue to use Hanshi powder to numb themselves.

Nonetheless…whether Feng Zhen agrees to give up his addiction or not, how is it related to whether Wei Ci is happy or not? Having noticed the troubled expression on Yang Si’s face, Wei Ci smiled, saying, “Giving up on Hanshi powder isn’t a day’s work. He will have to suffer much.”

After Yang Si heard this, he shivered uncontrollably. What made him happy is solely because Feng Zhen is about to suffer? Why is he so black-hearted?

Wei Ci continued, “Jing Rong doesn’t understand. After you see Zi Shi face to face, then you’ll know.”

The people around are worried sick for his health, but the person himself can’t be bothered. He indulges in vices and wastrel ways; how can one not be infuriated?

Yet now Feng Zhen is in deep trouble. If Wei Ci was momentarily unhappy, he will let himself down for being worried sick over Feng Zhen previously.

However, …

Straightening his expression, he looked at the letter in his hands with depressed eyes. He briefly lifted his brows doubtfully.

Yang Si asked him, “What’s wrong with you?”

He calmly replied, “Ci didn’t imagine Zi Shi to have such talents, he consumed the powder for over 4 years…”

He thought what the huge fuss was, then answered, “He truly lives a stubborn life, he still has the energy to find trouble even after consuming the powder for 4 years. Moreover, he’s clueless about how to take care of himself.”

Wei Ci discreetly shook his head. He didn’t mean it like this, but he could not explain the details to Yang Si.

In his previous life, he lived in seclusion at Zhongzhao’s Bianzhou and he communicated with Feng Zhen using letters. When he was first exposed to Hanshi powder, he was already past 30 years of age, yet how old is he now? Shockingly, he has already been taking Hanshi powder for 4 and a half years. Moreover, he is addicted to it and this is truly discouraging and incomprehensible.

Speaking of which… he seemed to have forgotten something? A flash of insight crossed Wei Ci’s mind, in that split second, his consciousness was heightened!

Hanshi powder!

This item was indeed the hype of the times, but back then the nine prefectures and five countries were already dejected and there was no solution. Some jaded aristocrats used Hanshi powder to numb themselves, it was efficacious and Hanshi powder spread far and wide uncontrollably.

Estimating the timeline, for a person to consume Hanshi powder so frequently, it will occur only after 3 to 5 years. In his previous life, Feng Zhen heard from others that consuming Hanshi powder could boost one’s constitution but currently he only wished to die in his pleasures.

Before this, Hanshi powder was solely circulated in the small circle of the sons from wealthy families, it was never so widespread.

How about presently?

Recalling the examination years ago, that scholar who took the exams stripped in public and took liberties with him, Wei Ci’s face turned deathly white. Master Liaochen’s words suddenly came to his mind automatically. Hanshi powder has fast forwarded many years to become a hype, it is probably related to those devils who stole Dongqing’s destiny.

“After being addicted to Hanshi powder for 4 years, it would have reached maturity. If one wishes to completely give up his addiction, he will have to suffer.”

In his previous life, Feng Zhen only took Hanshi powder for 1 to 2 years. Then Jiang Pengji forcefully put an end to it.

Based on his own memories, the process to kick the addiction is extremely painful. This caused a conditional fear against these words “Hanshi powder”. In this lifetime, he consumed it for 4 years… will his anguish in giving up the addiction be doubly painful?

Yang Si said mockingly, “Just continue to rejoice over his suffering. Knowing you is truly unlucky for Feng Zhen.”

One’s addiction to Hanshi powder isn’t as helpless as it is to drugs, the chances of completely giving up the addiction is also higher. However, not everyone is able to bear the excruciating pain, the desperate mental desire, the physical torture on one’s body. With such heavy pressure on both ends, the one with determination can overcome.

With mucus and tears streaming down, his muscles cramped and profusely pain, his digestive system going into convulsions, and having migraines and feeling nauseous….

Feng Zhen tried to kick his addiction, but the feeling was truly too painful, he bore with it momentarily but gave up eventually. He chose to bow to Hanshi powder.

As this point… how can Jiang Pengji allow him to give up?

Feng Zhen didn’t know what Jiang Pengji did to him. When his desire for Hanshi powder came, except for being able to move his eyes and the ability to think, his entire body felt numb and unable to move. He couldn’t even speak yet he was still mentally conscious and able to sense his entire body. When the addiction hit him, from dawn to nightfall, his sweat caused his inner and outer clothes to be drenched continuously.

Slowly, his bodily discomfort gradually dissipated, Feng Zhen took in deep breaths as if crawling back from the depths of hell.

“How are you feeling?”

Jiang Pengji entered from outside, a guard carried clean clothes and followed behind her.

He lay on the ground. He slowly regained control of his body but his limbs remained weak, even sitting up was difficult.

“I don’t wish to…talk to you…”

Feng Zhen’s face was full of perspiration, he shut his eyes because of exhaustion. He refused to recall the excruciating pain he experienced previously, moreover he couldn’t bear to remember the times when his addiction controlled him.

When his addiction hit him, his mind conceived a myriad of ways to kill Jiang Pengji. He was dying to drink her blood, feed on her flesh, he was crueller and crazier than a beast.

How could he have any rationality left?

“I got servants to prepare food that is light and able to neutralise the poison. After you wash up, please eat. In the next month, the frequency of the addiction occurring is higher and the time it lasts will be longer. If you don’t have enough strength and energy, I am afraid you cannot last.”

She said, “You should be thankful, your intake of Hanshi powder was rather controlled and you did not use it frivolously.”

Feng Zhen took Hanshi powder for more than 4 years. Yet his dosage was always low, the intervals between use were also longer. Only recently had it become more frequent and the usage also heavier. Otherwise, he would’ve already died hopelessly.

Jiang Pengji has an alert mind; she can secretly help him to maintain his consciousness and ensure that he safely overcomes this trying period.

After Feng Zhen heard this, his entire body shivered. Only once and he felt so terrible, if it will occur frequently over the next month, how can he withstand it?

“Can I have regrets now?”

He doesn’t want to kick the addiction anymore.

“No, if you can bear it momentarily, you’ll overcome.” Jiang Pengji witnessed how he lay on the ground helplessly then she laughed. “Recently, I fermented some wine, it far supersedes those that you drink daily as it is more fragrant and intense. Once you somewhat gain control of your addiction, I will treat you to two cups.”

Wine…

Feng Zhen smacked his lips, his tongue was dry. “I want to drink two cups now.”