Chapter 73 She knew

Xue Han rode at full speed and stopped in front of a courtyard on the outskirts of the city.

The courtyard gate was open, and an elderly man could be seen arranging medicinal herbs.

The aroma of medicine wafted through the air, and Xue Han went inside.

The old man looked up at the noise, somewhat surprised: "Why are you here?"

Xue Han approached and said, "Uncle Xu, I need your help with something."

"What could you possibly want from me, kid?" Uncle Xu's tone was sharp, but his expression was friendly.

Xu Bo was originally a royal physician who was imprisoned for failing to treat a prince. He was rescued by Xue Han by chance, but unfortunately, he became lame. Disheartened, he moved here and lived a semi-secluded life.

Xue Han took out a small box and handed it over: "I would like to trouble you to check these incense pills."

Many fragrant materials are also medicinal materials; blending fragrances is like blending medicine.

Uncle Xu opened the small box and saw three small bags inside, each containing fragrant pills with different scents and colors.

"Uncle Xu, I want to know if using these three kinds of incense pills in pairs or all three together will harm the body."

Because Emperor Jingping took Yuan Chenghai's death very seriously, these incense pills have been inspected and found to be without problems.

Xu Bo gave Xue Han a deep look. His years as a royal physician had taught him not to ask any more questions, and he simply nodded: "Okay."

"Thank you, Uncle Xu."

"Are you going to wait here, or come back later?"

How long will it take?

"It will be at least evening."

Xue Han couldn't help but think of the pastries Hu Si was about to receive. He knew that besides red bean cakes, there would also be meat pies, both of which were his favorites.

After a moment's hesitation, the boy said, "I'll wait here."

Uncle Xu nodded, took the box containing the fragrant pills, and went to the room where medicine was prepared.

Xue Han sat down in the courtyard and waited until the sun was about to set.

The door creaked open, and the boy, who had been lost in thought, suddenly stood up.

Uncle Xu was startled: "Why are you so jumpy?"

It seems the results of the investigation are very important to this child.

Xue Han strode over: "Uncle Xu, have you found anything?"

Uncle Xu stared at the boy for a moment, then nodded secretly: the result is indeed very important to this child. He just didn't know whether the result would be good or bad for him.

But this is not something a cripple like him, with one half of his body buried in the ground, should be concerned with.

"Nothing was found."

"No?" Xue Han was stunned, unsure whether to feel relieved or disappointed.

Xu Bo's long-numbed heart suddenly felt a surge of curiosity: was this something he wanted to see or not?

"Whether it's used in pairs or in threes, there's no problem. If there's anything special about it—" Uncle Xu paused, intentionally watching Xue Han's reaction.

The boy, however, had already composed himself: "What's so special about it?"

"The incense balls are of exceptionally high quality, and the person who made them is a master."

After a brief silence, Xue Han took the incense pills that Uncle Xu had left over: "Thank you, Uncle Xu. I'll come to see you again next time and bring you some snacks."

Uncle Xu should like the sweet and soft red bean cake.

"Go away, go away, stop bothering me." Uncle Xu waved his hand impatiently.

Xue Han entered the city before the city gates were locked and returned to the Imperial City Guard.

Hu Si, an orphan, was resting in the Imperial City Guard. Upon seeing Xue Han return, he hurriedly greeted him: "Sir, you're finally back! Let me tell you, this time Miss Qiu Liu not only sent red bean cakes but also meat pies, filled with pork. One bite and they're so fragrant and juicy..."

Seeing Hu Si's beaming face, Xue Han's eyes darkened: "You ate it all?"

Sensing danger, Hu Si took a step back and held up one finger: "One—"

You only ate one?

The boy's expression relaxed: Hu Si actually kept his mouth shut this time.

Hu Si chuckled awkwardly and took another step back: "I've saved one for you."

Xue Han: "..."

"I've saved the red bean cakes for you; I know you love them. Ah, I'll go get some snacks." Sensing something was wrong, Hu Sifei ran off quickly.

Only after Xue Han ate the last remaining reheated meat pie did his heart, which had been in turmoil, finally settle down.

It seems he misunderstood; the incense pills used by the women of the Yuan family had nothing to do with Yuan Chenghai's death. In other words, Miss Qiu Liu had no connection to Yuan Chenghai's death.

He really does overthink things.

In the center of Lengxiang Residence, Granny Yu was complaining to Granny Wang: "Granny Wang, next time you send snacks to the young people, why don't you go instead?"

That time, I delivered it to someone, and at least I wasn't worried about being seen by someone I knew. But this time, they actually arranged to meet under the banyan tree outside the Earl's mansion.

She was acting suspiciously, like a thief, constantly looking back. This chore was simply unbearable!

Mama Wang is Qiuheng's wet nurse. Before Qiuheng was brought back to the Marquis's mansion, she was ignored by everyone. Now, thanks to the fact that the sixth young lady is highly regarded by the old Marquis, and that the sixth young lady herself is quite capable, coupled with the pastries made by Fangzhou, she has begun to receive a lot of compliments.

Both emotionally and in terms of interests, she was firmly on Qiu Heng's side. Since the young lady had given the task to Granny Yu instead of her, there must be a reason.

When Wang Mama refused, Granny Yu tried to reason with her, saying, "I am a governess, and it would be very inappropriate for people to see me like this."

Madam Wang quickly reassured her, "It's alright, it's alright. Not long ago, the young lady pulled the hair off the fourth young master of the Xiping Marquis's mansion, and the whole capital knows about it. People probably don't have high expectations for the young lady's upbringing, so don't worry."

Granny Fish: !

"The young lady is back." Fangzhou, who almost laughed out loud, greeted Qiuheng with a smile as she entered the room.

Whether it's day or night, there are always times when the girl is not at Lengxiang Residence. As for where she goes, the people at Lengxiang Residence have long understood not to ask.

"Girl, have some water."

Qiu Heng took the cup Qing Luo handed her and drank a few sips: "I'm going to rest for a bit. You all go about your business."

Once inside the room, Qiu Heng sat down on the bed and, leaning against the headboard, pulled a small crumpled piece of paper from her sleeve.

She went out today to convey the next steps of the plan to Tao Da and the others, and then received a crumpled piece of paper from Nie San Niang.

The room was well-lit. Qiu Heng slowly unfolded the crumpled paper and read the message on it, but remained motionless for a long time.

Xue Han went to the Yuan residence and took away items commonly used by the women, including incense balls.

Those items should have been checked after Yuan Chenghai's incident, so why did Xue Han suddenly do this?

It was after I saw her at Qinglian Lake yesterday—

Qiu Heng tightened her grip on the crumpled paper, realizing that Xue Han suspected her.

She closed her eyes, and memories of yesterday flooded her mind.

He cared about the strange illness she made up on the spot, would take her away, would feel shy and helpless because of unexpected physical contact, and would also suspect her without making a sound.

As expected of Xue Han, the Imperial Envoy.

Fortunately, she had said before that she would be very careful.

The girl, who was sitting on the bed, slowly opened her eyes and gently touched her chest with her hand.

The faint yet lingering strange feeling that arose here last night due to our unexpected embrace has finally dissipated little by little.

"Xue Han—" Qiu Heng murmured the name.

She said she wanted to save him and repay him. But what if he ruined his own plans?