Chapter 193 Pills

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly investigate the truth as soon as possible."

In the guest room, Qi Yuxuan finished her eight-treasure sweet soup and listened to what had happened at the banquet. Only then did she feel relieved.

A few days ago, Ren Shun went to the Duan Prince's Mansion and found that the mansion was full of experts, with assassins, secret guards, and sentries all present. Before he could even go in to investigate Gu Linyan's location, he was discovered by the secret guards and almost lost his life in the Duan Prince's Mansion.

Although no trace of Gu Linyan was found, an unexpected gain was made.

Inside the Prince Duan's residence were several Taoist priests dressed in purple and gold robes, exuding an air of chivalry and otherworldly elegance. However, their eyes were dark and their appearance haggard, yet their eyes gleamed with excitement. In their hands, they held a brocade box as if it were a priceless treasure—

Before Ren Shun could see clearly, he was discovered and fled in a panic.

After leaving, he secretly followed a young Taoist boy who came out of the Duan Prince's mansion. From the things the boy bought, he deduced the possibility that the Duan Prince's mansion was secretly keeping alchemists.

Qi Yuxuan, however, was quite certain that there must be alchemists in the Prince Duan's mansion, and that they had been practicing alchemy for more than just a year or two.

Two days ago, in the west of the city.

The somewhat simple little house was simply furnished. An old-fashioned wooden table was placed in the center of the room, on which several yellowed musical scores were neatly arranged. Against one wall, there was a slightly old but spotless pipa.

Qu Qing and his daughter Qu Sisi were talking in the yard when they suddenly heard a sound coming from outside the door.

"Excuse me, do Mr. Qu and Miss Qu live here?"

A pretty female voice asked.

The father and daughter exchanged a glance, and Qu Sisi nodded because she felt the voice was familiar.

The door creaked open, and two girls stood outside, who, judging from their attire, were a mistress and a servant.

Qu Sisi exclaimed in surprise:

"Xiao... no, Princess Chang Le, what brings you here?!"

Qi Yuxuan smiled and said, "Speaking of which, it's been a while since we last met. I hope my uninvited visit hasn't bothered you."

"No, no, it's just that our home is rather simple, and I'm afraid we'll have to trouble the princess."

Qu Sisi hurriedly invited the people inside to talk, wanting to find a decent chair, but found that there were only two old, worn-out stools in the house.

"It's alright, I'll just stand here."

"I'm so sorry for neglecting you..." Qu Sisi smiled awkwardly, then quickly introduced to Qu Qing, "Father, this is Princess Chang Le. She kindly sent a doctor to treat your illness. Do you remember?"

Qu Qing maintained a gentle and composed expression throughout, his gaze slowly fixed on Qi Yuxuan, and he said neither servile nor arrogant:

"Greetings, Princess Chang Le. Please forgive my poor legs and inability to perform the proper greetings."

Qi Yuxuan nodded, her gaze falling on Qu Qing.

He was over forty years old, with a gentle and refined face. His eyes were like a deep and tranquil lake. His hair was neatly combed, and he wore a simple gray-blue robe. Even though it was June, he still had a thick blanket covering his knees. His slender hands rested loosely on his knees, displaying a rare elegance and affability.

"It's just a formality; I don't care about such things."

"Mr. Qu doesn't seem surprised that I came."

Qu Sisi was taken aback and looked at her father. Indeed, her father was too calm, as if he had long expected that Princess Chang Le would condescend to come to their home.

"Sisi, I remember there are still some drinks sold two streets away. Why don't you go and buy a few cups to entertain the princess?"

Qu Qing's method of getting rid of people was too obvious, and Qu Sisi complained with a hint of resentment:

"So Princess Chang Le came to see you. What a disappointment... Princess, please wait for me a moment while I go buy you a drink."

When talking to a smart person, words are never wasted. Qi Yuxuan smiled and nodded. After watching the slender girl leave, she thoughtfully closed the door behind her before turning to look at Qu Qing.

"The princess arrived later than I expected. Is she here to find that thing?"

He raised his hand and pointed into the room, the direction of which was a brocade box on the shelf.

"I have difficulty walking, so please help me get it, young lady."

Bi Sui, having received instructions from Qi Yuxuan, went inside and took down the brocade box.

The brocade box was opened by the chime, revealing the only exquisitely round pill inside.

"Ren Shun!"

Hearing the call, a tall, slender figure flipped down from the roof, startling Qu Qing.

"This is my bodyguard; he wants to see this brocade box."

Qi Yuxuan offered an explanation, and Qu Qing then handed the brocade box to the cold-faced young man who had suddenly appeared.

Ren Shun took it, looked it over, and then nodded to Qi Yuxuan.

This brocade box is quite old and worn. The gilding has worn off completely, and the carvings are almost worn smooth. Yet, it is exactly the same as the brocade boxes he saw in the hands of the sorcerers at the Prince Duan's mansion.

Therefore, it is clear that this box of pills must have come from the Prince Duan's residence.

"I had a serious illness a few years ago and for some reason lost many memories. I only remember that I can play the pipa, that Sisi is my daughter, and that I need to take this box of pills every day... Even when I was critically ill a few days ago, I never doubted this thing. It was only later that Doctor Pei saw it and told me that the reason I was critically ill was because of this pill. That's why I stopped taking it and put it away, waiting for you to come and find me."

"Why is Mr. Qu so certain that I came for this reason?"

"No, I'm not certain you came for the pills, but I'm certain you know me. Sisi told me you know me, which surprised me."

Qu Qing's slender, long fingers closed the brocade box, and then said:

"Over the years, I've remembered a lot of things, but I have no recollection of you. I can't even remember the Xiao family or the eldest princess. So I've decided to stop thinking about it. You'll come looking for me someday."

"But how do you know me, being so young?"

Qi Yuxuan lowered her eyes, choosing to avoid answering the question between fabricating a lie and telling the truth: "Mr. Qu, have you never doubted the origin and efficacy of this elixir?"

Never.

For someone who has lost their memory, following their instincts is the safest and most prudent approach.

Qi Yuxuan could understand, but she couldn't explain the reason.

If the pills were given to Qu Qing before she lost her memory, then why?

Why did Prince Duan give Qu Qing these life-threatening pills? Why did Qu Qing fall seriously ill, lose her memory, and leave Prince Duan's mansion?

Her mind felt like it had been forcibly stuffed with a ball of yarn, impossible to cut or untangle, and it was truly a hassle.

"Mr. Qu, could you please give me this elixir?"

Qu Qing nodded indifferently: "Take it if you want it. Anyway, I'm a cripple now, so it's good to be of help to you."

Bi Sui carefully put the brocade box away, and Qi Yuxuan tentatively asked:

"Mr. Qu, actually I also wanted to ask, over the years, have you recalled anything about Prince Duan?"

"Prince Duan?"

Qu Qing was taken aback, and a crack suddenly appeared in her long-composed expression.