Chapter 303 Crane Arrives
Xue Quan had to be wary of Qiu Heng, fearing she might go mad and attempt an assassination.
As a result, that brat rolled her eyes at him.
Xue Quan closed his eyes.
I'm not angry. No one cares if I'm furious. Anyway, that brat can't get close to the Emperor.
"My beloved ministers, today I have prepared a banquet for immortals, where we will not be bound by formalities and may speak freely." Emperor Jingping smiled as he raised his wine cup.
He wasn't wearing a dragon robe today, but a wide, bright yellow Taoist robe. His posture was relaxed, making him look more like a Taoist monk than an emperor.
The officials hurriedly raised their wine cups, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The sheng and xiao flutes began to play, like celestial music. One after another, beautiful young palace maids with their hair styled in flying fairy buns and dressed in colorful clothes filed in, their dance as light and graceful as fairies.
Emperor Jingping would sometimes engage in deep discussions with the immortal Miaoqing, and at other times inquire of his ministers about their views on seeking immortality and enlightenment.
Most officials frowned secretly upon hearing this, but dared not show it on their faces, and had no choice but to agree when asked. Of course, some officials were excited and infatuated, which made Emperor Jingping laugh heartily.
Whether it was genuine or not, the scene gradually became lively.
Qiu Heng knew she couldn't wait any longer.
Since there was no chance to put the incense pill into the Boshan furnace, which was closest to Emperor Jingping, let's try another plan.
Across the faces, Qiu Heng met Xue Han's gaze and nodded almost imperceptibly.
Xue Han subtly withdrew his gaze.
"I'm going out for a bit." Qiu Heng said to Princess Rongning and Princess Jiayi, took a few steps back, and quietly slipped out from behind the crowd on this side of the main hall.
It's perfectly normal to go to change clothes and wash your hands during such a grand feast, as long as you don't make a fuss.
Princess Rongning's gaze fell on the figure walking out of the hall, and a question arose in her heart.
Is Ah Heng just going out for a short while?
For some reason, she thought of the Lantern Festival.
That night was so thrilling, it's unforgettable.
Is there something else Ah Heng plans to do at today's banquet?
However, reason quickly dismissed this overly bold speculation.
This is a royal banquet meticulously prepared, with arrangements made in every aspect; it's nothing like the throngs of people at a lantern festival. If anything were to happen at such an event, there would be no way to escape.
Xue Quan also noticed that Qiu Heng had left.
It can be said that Qiu Heng was the person who captivated Xue Quan's heart the most at this banquet, even surpassing Emperor Jingping.
There was no other way; having learned of the girl's "great achievements," Xue Quan dared not let his guard down.
She went out!
What are you going out for?
"Xue Quan?"
Emperor Jingping suddenly shouted, drawing Xue Quan's attention back.
"This servant is here."
"What are you daydreaming about? Do I have to call you twice?" Emperor Jingping said, somewhat displeased.
Xue Quan hurriedly said, "This servant was completely mesmerized by Your Majesty's discourse with the True Man, as if listening to celestial music."
"Haha, you're a person with potential."
"This servant is foolish and has only received His Majesty's favor." Xue Quan appeased Emperor Jingping, but when he looked back, the figure had already disappeared.
Stepping out of the main hall, Qiu Heng glanced sideways at the half-person-high auspicious beast incense burners standing on both sides of the hall.
Wisps of smoke billowed from the beast's mouth, rising into the air. A breeze carried the fragrant mist into the hall, mingling with the incense smoke already inside to create an even richer aroma.
Qiu Heng had been surrounded by fragrance for many years, but this mixed scent made her uncomfortable, and she twitched her nose.
In front of the palace square, guards stood solemnly, protecting the safety of the nobles inside.
When Qiu Heng returned from her stroll, she flicked her wrist as she walked toward the palace gate, and a palm-sized object silently dropped into the incense burner.
Inside the incense burner, an object covered in a layer of mud burned slowly. It took a long time for the mud layer to crack open, revealing the incense inside.
The fragrance exhaled from the beast's mouth gradually mixed with a hint of exotic aroma, rising straight into the air.
By this time, quite some time had passed since Qiu Heng entered the hall.
Xue Quan noticed Qiu Heng enter immediately, and only breathed a sigh of relief after glancing at her as she returned to her seat.
That brat is really making him die young!
"Aheng, have some snacks. You haven't eaten much." Princess Rongning was relieved to see that Qiuheng had returned safely.
Qiu Heng picked up a cherry pastry, took a bite, and smiled, "It tastes pretty good."
The county magistrate of Jiayi whispered, "I don't think it tastes as good as what Fangzhou makes."
"Jiayi likes the pastries Fangzhou makes. I'll tell her when we get back..."
As the three chatted, more people went out and came back, and Qiu Heng's brief departure didn't seem abrupt at all.
Suddenly there was a commotion outside the hall.
Emperor Jingping was engrossed in his speech when he heard the commotion. He frowned and looked towards the palace gate, asking with displeasure, "What happened outside?"
An official who had just left rushed in, his expression excited: "Your Majesty, several cranes are circling in the sky above the palace. It is an auspicious sign from the heavens. A celestial messenger has descended! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
"Really?" Emperor Jingping stood up in surprise.
Officials sitting near the palace gate looked out and exclaimed in surprise.
"A crane really did fly in!"
In Taoism, cranes are regarded as the mounts of immortals, symbolizing the attainment of immortality and longevity. Today's banquet is called the "Meeting of Immortals Banquet".
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingping could no longer contain himself and immediately strode outside.
Upon seeing this, the assembled officials quickly rose and followed.
"Let's go take a look too." Qiu Heng pulled Princess Rongning and Princess Jiayi up on either side.
As Xue Quan followed Emperor Jingping out, he kept an eye on Qiu Heng. He only felt more at ease when he saw her get up as well.
As Emperor Jingping stepped out of the main hall, he saw several snow-white cranes circling and calling in the air, their postures as ethereal as immortals.
"The arrival of the crane signifies the promise of longevity. Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
Amidst a chorus of congratulations, Emperor Jingping felt as if he were floating on clouds, his eyes unwilling to leave the soaring cranes for even a moment: "Excellent, wonderful!"
While the officials rushed out of the hall, Xue Han, standing in a corner, silently went against the flow and walked towards the Boshan furnace, which was closest to Emperor Jingping.
A figure blocked his way.
"Lord Xue." Ling Yun, dressed in a blue Taoist robe, spoke in a clear voice, his smile as pure as the bright moon.
Xue Han paused, a perfectly timed look of doubt in his eyes, but his heart sank slightly.
Changchun Garden is a royal garden where cranes roam freely. The unique fragrance produced by burning a secret blend of spices will attract the cranes to the outside of the main hall, where Emperor Jingping will surely come out to watch.
And this is his and Ah Heng's chance.
Looking at the ethereal Prince Kang before him, Xue Han knew they had failed.
No, Ah Heng did what she could; it was he who failed.
Xue Han felt a chill in his heart, but his face remained impassive.
Ling Yun stepped closer and asked with a smile, "A celestial envoy has descended; won't Lord Xue go out to see him?"
Xue Han paused for a moment, then said calmly, "I was just about to go take a look."
"Let's go together then." As he spoke, Ling Yun had already walked to Xue Han's side.
Xue Han nodded slightly: "Please, Your Highness."
"Please, Lord Xue."
The area outside the hall was already crowded with people, gazing up at the cranes circling gracefully.
Qiu Heng, who was watching the palace gate, saw Xue Han and Ling Yun walk out together and vaguely felt that something was wrong. Then she saw Xue Han shake his head slightly.
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