Chapter 293 Tell Xue Quan
Having survived a great ordeal, Xu Bo was particularly averse to mentioning matters of the palace.
For example, when Qiu Heng was poisoned, or when Xue Han brought him the antidote pills to study, he never asked about the details.
But he couldn't help asking anyway.
The death of Consort Yu was a major public spectacle, and even if he tried to cover his ears, it was no use. Naturally, he also heard that the Emperor was ill and the Crown Prince was overseeing the country.
At this point, it's not hard to guess who is taking the so-called miraculous medicine that Xue Han brings.
“Young Xue, I advise you not to bring this matter of medicine to the Emperor’s attention.”
Why does Uncle Xu say that?
Xu Bo pointed to the porcelain bottle containing the remaining half-pill, a mocking smile on his lips: "How will you prove to the Emperor that there's something wrong with this medicine?"
Before Xue Han could answer, Xu Bo smiled: "Let the imperial physicians examine the medicinal properties? Most people in the Imperial Hospital don't seek merit, but rather to avoid mistakes. This medicine has already been used by the emperor; who would dare to tell the truth? They'll just say some plausible things to gloss over it, to avoid getting into trouble. By then, you'll only be digging yourself into a quagmire. Besides—"
"Besides what?" Qiu Heng asked in agreement.
"Besides, is His Majesty willing to believe it?"
Qiu Heng really wanted to applaud Xu Bo.
The word "willing" is quite ironic.
Emperor Jingping wielded supreme power, indulging in extravagance and pleasure. He wished these carefree days could last forever. Even though he felt he was well, and even though he was still lying on his sickbed, he refused to believe that his days were numbered.
Telling him the truth will likely result in him being unable to accept it and becoming angry and ashamed.
"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Xu." Xue Han cupped his hands in thanks.
"You two should go back to the city." Uncle Xu looked at the two of them with an inscrutable expression.
After leaving Uncle Xu's residence, Qiu Heng asked Xue Han, "What do you plan to do?"
"I'm wondering, what was the purpose of Master Miaoqing presenting such a miraculous medicine to the Emperor? Was it just to seek temporary favor?"
With Emperor Jingping dead, even the greatest imperial favor is nothing but a mirage, a futile effort.
"I'll go back to see my adoptive father first." Xue Han raised his hand and gently stroked Qiu Heng's cheek. "Aheng, the situation is unpredictable right now, so don't rush to the front."
"Okay, go ahead." Qiu Heng smiled and nudged Xue Han, but she wasn't as relaxed as she seemed.
Three of the five traitors have been eliminated, and Consort Yu is also dead. Now, Emperor Jingping's health is failing, and the change of imperial power is imminent. It is impossible for her to remain uninvolved.
It should be said that the moment that will truly determine whether she succeeds is about to arrive.
Xue Han headed straight for the imperial city. As he entered the palace, he encountered Master Miaoqing, who was leaving the palace. It was Xue Quan who was seeing Master Miaoqing off.
"Father."
Xue Quan smiled and introduced Xue Han to Master Miaoqing: "This is my son, Xue Han, whom you have met before."
Xue Han bowed in greeting.
Master Miaoqing was kind and said, "Young benefactor Xue is also a person with wisdom. You can come to Lingwei Temple to discuss the Dao more often in the future."
After exchanging pleasantries, Xue Han silently followed Xue Quan to escort Master Miaoqing out of the imperial city. The two then went to the Imperial City Guard to talk.
"Han'er, you must not neglect Master Miaoqing from now on. His Majesty has already issued an edict appointing Master Miaoqing as the Imperial Preceptor, and the investiture ceremony will be held soon."
Xue Han's eyes narrowed: "So fast?"
Xue Quan chuckled: "His Majesty has been ill for several months, and it was all thanks to the True Man Miaoqing that he recovered. His Majesty appreciates the True Man Miaoqing's lectures and discussions, so it is only natural that he is honored as the National Preceptor."
The fact that Master Miaoqing was able to rise to prominence so quickly was inseparable from his help, and being appointed as the National Preceptor by the current emperor was also a good thing for him.
Xue Han took in the joy on Xue Quan's face and felt a pang of unease.
At this point, even if his adoptive father believed him, he was already in a difficult situation.
Xue Han took out the handkerchief containing the pills from his purse and slowly opened it.
Xue Quan recognized at a glance that this was a spiritual medicine refined by Master Miaoqing, and looked at Xue Han with suspicion.
“Father, I had a skilled doctor examine this pill. It’s not some miraculous medicine, but a potent drug that drains a person’s life force.”
"Impossible!" Xue Quan's face darkened, and he slammed his fist on the table. "Where did you find this doctor? How could you so easily believe what people say?"
"Father, how could I make such a hasty conclusion on such an important matter?"
Xue Quan slumped back into his chair, staring intently at the pills lying on the handkerchief.
He had already taken one pill, and felt comfortable all over, refreshed, and as if he had endless energy. How could this be a potent drug?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
"Before presenting the elixir to His Majesty, I had the imperial physician examine it." Xue Quan's face was frosty, finding it hard to believe Xue Han's words.
This elixir works well for the Emperor, it works well for him, and the imperial physicians have checked and found no problems. So how did it become a dangerous and potent medicine for my adopted son?
What became of him who presented the emperor with potent and dangerous medicine?
Xue Quan didn't want to think about it anymore, and his eyes, fixed on Xue Han, turned icy cold.
"Which imperial physician did Father consult?"
Xue Quan frowned, seemingly reluctant to answer the question.
"Father, I am your only son, and I wish you well more than anyone else," Xue Han said earnestly, looking directly into those eyes that could freeze a person.
The icy resolve in Xue Quan's eyes cracked, and he uttered a name: "It's Physician Wang."
Physician Wang?
Xue Han immediately thought of the time when Imperial Physician Wang had gone to the Yongqing Earl's residence to examine Qiu Heng, as instructed by Consort Yu.
This Imperial Physician Wang, because of his power and influence, could do things for Consort Yu, and naturally he could do things for others as well.
"Doctor Wang is an outstanding physician and has a personal relationship with my father. He would not speak nonsense about such a matter."
"Didn't Father consider that Physician Wang might have been bribed?"
"Are you saying that Master Miaoqing bribed Physician Wang to say that the pills he refined were without any problems, and then presented them to the Emperor through my hands, so as to achieve his goal of getting ahead?" Xue Quan said this, his expression not believing it.
"It is true that there is a problem with the pills made by Master Miaoqing. If Father does not believe it, he can secretly find a doctor with outstanding medical skills to test them."
Xue Quan braced himself against the table with both hands, his tone icy: "I will have the doctor examine me again. But Han'er, you must promise me one thing."
"Father, please speak."
"Not a single word of these words must be spread."
"Father, rest assured, I know what's important."
Xue Quan took a deep breath and strode away from the Imperial City Guard.
rest assured?
He was so shocked by his adopted son's words that he almost couldn't breathe!
Out of caution, Xue Quan did not seek out the imperial physician again. After leaving the palace, he concealed his identity and met a highly renowned doctor.
The doctor was highly skilled and knowledgeable. After examining the pills Xue Quan brought, he hesitated to speak.
"Doctor, please speak freely." Xue Quan pushed a silver ingot towards him. "You don't know my identity, and I won't come back after I get the results."
The doctor was relieved upon hearing this, put away the silver, shook his head, and sighed: "This is a potent medicine that can make patients appear to be greatly better, but it's a harmful substance..."
Xue Quan had a bad feeling when he saw the doctor hesitate to speak. After hearing the doctor mention the dangerous medicine, he lost all hope and felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
It's all over, it's all over, he's going to kill the Emperor!
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