Chapter 278 The Third Autumn
Qiu Heng carefully put the book away and left the palace early the next morning.
Willows swayed outside the palace, where Xue Han waited.
Qiu Heng walked towards him: "I guessed you would come looking for me."
She saw the bloodshot veins in his eyes.
Didn't you sleep well last night?
"I can't sleep." Xue Han's voice was a little hoarse, a result of staying up all night. "Let's go for a walk by the lake, then I'll take you home."
The two walked to Qinglian Lake.
Qinglian Lake, rumored to be haunted, was unusually quiet after the Ghost Festival. Lotus leaves covered most of the lake's surface, and pink lotus blossoms were either open or closed, creating a breathtaking scene.
Qiu Heng handed the booklet to Xue Han: "Last night, the imperial physician made an antidote pill according to the prescription. Consort Yu took it and it worked. He gave me this booklet."
Xue Han opened it, looked at it, and closed it with an astonishingly bright look in his eyes: "With these, the Northern Qi's decades of infiltration and operations will definitely suffer a heavy blow. Ah Heng, you've worked hard these past few days."
Dealing with someone like Consort Yu is a nerve-wracking experience.
"I'm fine. But you, how did you manage to get yourself into this state?" Qiu Heng gently tapped the corner of Xue Han's eye.
Xue Han smiled and said, "I'm alright, it's just that I got scolded quite a bit while I was helping Uncle Xu study the prescriptions."
"Thanks to Uncle Xu this time. What does Uncle Xu like? I'll prepare a gift and visit him later."
"Uncle Xu really likes the pastries made by Fangzhou. If I had to say which one he likes the most—" Xue Han paused.
What do you like the most?
Xue Han put his arm around Qiu Heng and whispered in her ear, "I would love to have a niece-in-law as soon as possible."
Qiu Heng was stunned for a moment before realizing who this niece-in-law was.
"Looks like you're still not tired, and you still have the energy to be glib." Qiu Heng pinched Xue Han.
Xue Han grabbed her hand, her voice tinged with grievance: "I haven't slept much for two days, and I haven't been glib or slick; I've just been telling the truth."
"Go back and get some sleep." Qiu Heng raised her hand to cover Xue Han's lips. "You're not allowed to kiss me."
It would be too embarrassing if Fangzhou found out again.
Qiu Heng returned to the Yongqing Marquis's residence. No one knew about the thrilling events that had taken place in the palace in the past two days. After that, she was not summoned to the palace by Consort Yu again, and life suddenly became peaceful.
August arrived quickly, and the news that the Imperial City Guard had eliminated several Northern Qi spy strongholds and arrested many spies shocked the court and the public.
Emperor Jingping was overjoyed and promoted Xue Han's official rank by one level, bestowing upon him generous rewards.
Xue Quan looked at Xue Han with eyes full of satisfaction: "I never expected you to do so well in the Imperial City Guard."
As a eunuch with no family support, his greatest wish was for the emperor to live a long and peaceful life, so that he could have a long and happy life.
The Northern Qi, which was eyeing the Great Xia with covetous intent, was truly despicable.
"It is the father who gives the child the opportunity."
"Good, good, good." Xue Quan patted Xue Han's shoulder and said "good" three times. He thought to himself that his adopted son was good in every way, except that he was in love with Qiu Heng.
Strangely enough, everyone in the capital knew that the two were a couple, but Han'er never asked him to propose marriage to the Yongqing Marquis's mansion.
"You've almost finished what you were doing, so relax a bit. In a couple of days, accompany your father to Lingwei Temple."
"Yes," Xue Han replied, a slight stirring in his heart.
My adoptive father has been visiting Lingwei Temple much more frequently lately, and the reputation of that Miaoqing Zhenren is growing day by day.
Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Xue Han accompanied Xue Quan to Lingwei Temple and witnessed the grand occasion of the Dharma assembly presided over by Master Miaoqing. He returned with a sweet fragrance and met Qiu Heng.
The agreed meeting place was still Qinglian Lake. As soon as they got close, Qiuheng smelled a faint sweet fragrance: "You went to the Taoist temple? You stayed there for quite a while, didn't you?"
The sandalwood incense that clings to the clothes is of the highest quality.
“I accompanied my adoptive father to Lingwei Temple. We stayed there for quite a while, and I didn’t have time to go home to change before coming here.”
"Lingwei Temple," Qiu Heng murmured, "Are there many people? Has anything unusual happened?"
"Many nobles went there, but nothing particularly noteworthy happened."
"The Lingwei Temple is more famous than the royal Taoist temple."
Xue Han nodded: "Yes, it's all because of that Miaoqing Zhenren."
"I've heard that Master Miaoqing comes from out of town. Xue Han, I'd like you to investigate where he comes from."
In a few months, Xue Quan will be delivering medicine to Emperor Jingping. The "miracle drug" that took Emperor Jingping's life is very likely related to the True Person Miaoqing.
Although she was determined to watch Xue Quan deliver medicine to the tyrannical emperor, she couldn't be completely ignorant of Miaoqing Zhenren, lest she find herself in a passive position.
Xue Han raised his hand and ruffled Qiu Heng's hair: "What are you talking about inviting her or not? Ah Heng, do you think there's something wrong with Master Miaoqing?"
"I have no idea."
The book doesn't record where Xue Quan's elixir came from, but almost all those skilled in alchemy in this world are Taoists. Since Xue Quan is close to the True Person Miaoqing, it wouldn't hurt to investigate her.
"Okay, I'll arrange for someone to investigate." Xue Han didn't ask any more questions, and gently kissed Qiu Heng's cheek. "Ah Heng, wishing you a peaceful Mid-Autumn Festival."
Mid-Autumn Festival is a day for family reunion, but unmarried couples can only spend it apart.
"Xue Han, wishing you a peaceful and healthy Mid-Autumn Festival."
The two exchanged well wishes in advance and then went home.
This is Qiuheng's third Mid-Autumn Festival since returning to the Yongqing Marquis's residence.
The first Mid-Autumn Festival was spent in a state of feigned compliance with Yongqing Bo, while the second Mid-Autumn Festival was spent in Xijiang, where fate was uncertain.
This Mid-Autumn Festival, Qiu Heng clearly felt something was different.
Having lost his ambition to curry favor and having been verbally attacked by the old lady for a long time, the Earl of Yongqing was listless and looked much more pleasing to the eye.
The first wife, Madam Zhao, was much more polite, and she no longer had the domineering air of the matriarch of the household when dealing with her.
The servants in the mansion made no attempt to hide their enthusiasm and respect.
What truly made Qiu Heng feel relieved was that three of the five traitors had been eliminated, the losses from the Southeast civil unrest were much less than recorded in history, the Western Jiang were caught in internal strife and could no longer take advantage of the Great Xia, and the Northern Qi had suffered a severe blow due to years of spies infiltrating.
Qiu Heng returned to Lengxiang Residence and sat opposite Fang Zhou in the courtyard, raising their cups to each other.
"Young lady, you look very happy today."
"Is that so?" Qiu Heng couldn't help but smile.
Fangzhou blinked: "Everyone says that a full moon signifies family reunion. Don't you miss Young Master Xue, Miss?"
"I don't want to, I just want to spend my life with Fangzhou."
"You're lying, young lady." Fangzhou grinned from ear to ear. "If I and Young Master Xue fell into the river together, who would you save, young lady?"
"Of course, save Fangzhou."
Seeing that Fangzhou still wanted to tease her, Qiuheng picked up a mooncake and stuffed it into her mouth: "Don't laugh anymore."
That night, Qiu Heng fell asleep in a good mood and had a series of beautiful dreams. Although she couldn't remember the details of her dreams when she woke up, the pleasant feeling lingered in her heart for a long time.
However, this relaxed mood did not last long, as the summons from Yu Chen Palace arrived again.
Qiu Heng couldn't guess Consort Yu's intention in seeing her, and after some preparation, she boarded the palace sedan chair.
Inside the Jade Palace, the fragrance of osmanthus lingered. Consort Yu smiled sweetly at the young girl who was bowing, saying, "It's been a while since I last saw you. Princess Suiyun looks even better."
"Your Majesty's beauty is only growing stronger every day."
Consort Yu waved her hand to dismiss the palace servants and said with a smile, "I heard that Xue Han has killed many people and eliminated many spies. The county princess has truly not disappointed me."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Heng's expression subtly changed.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
