As the reputation of "Yuejing Pavilion" spread far and wide, Lin Yue thought he could relax a little and devote himself to the secret research of brocade handkerchief.
However, one morning, Ah Xiang rushed into Lin Yue's room, her face panicking. "Miss Lin, something's wrong! Someone from the Xia Palace has come to say that Lord Xia wants to invite you to his residence for a chat." Lin Yue was startled. She had no prior contact with the Xia Palace, so what could this invitation entail? But she knew she couldn't refuse, so she quickly packed up and followed the palace servants.
Entering the Xia family palace, Lin Yue saw Xia Zichen in a quiet courtyard.
Xia Zichen was dressed in a gorgeous brocade robe, his face handsome yet stern. He bowed slightly, motioning Lin Yue to sit down, and said, "Miss Lin, I've long heard of your name. I invited you here because I heard you've demonstrated extraordinary medical skills in treating the epidemic and are also knowledgeable about the mysterious brocade handkerchief."
Lin Yue was alert in her heart, but remained calm on the surface. "Mr. Xia, thank you for your praise. I only know a little bit. I wonder if you have any advice for me?"
Xia Zichen's gaze was profound as he spoke slowly, "To be honest, I recently discovered some fragments of ancient books in the palace's library. The contents recorded there seem to be related to the brocade handkerchief you're researching. Furthermore, as far as I know, although the epidemic has been brought under control, the root cause has not been completely eliminated. The Tang Dynasty..." His words revealed an unconcealable melancholy, "I'm afraid there will be a greater crisis."
Lin Yue was shocked and asked hurriedly, "Is what you said true? I wonder what is recorded in the fragments of ancient books?"
Xia Zichen stood up, picked up a yellowed scroll from the table beside him, and handed it to Lin Yue: "Look, this mentions an ancient sacrificial ritual that is related to specific constellations, and that constellation is very similar to the constellation changes in the brocade pattern you studied. Perhaps, this sacrificial ritual is closely related to the destiny of the Tang Dynasty." Lin Yue took the scroll, looked at it carefully, and his heartbeat quickened.
At this time, Ah Fu rushed over and said anxiously, "Miss Lin, something terrible has happened! Several people in the city have developed symptoms similar to the epidemic, but this time they are more serious. The medicine we developed previously seems to be ineffective."
Lin Yue stood up suddenly. "How could this happen? Young Master Xia, the situation seems urgent. I hope you can study this fragment with me and find a solution." Xia Zichen nodded slightly. "Miss Lin is absolutely right. For the people of the Tang Dynasty, I will do my best."
Returning to Yuejing Pavilion, the three immediately plunged into their research. Lin Yue laid out the handkerchief, the ancient text, and the fragments Xia Zichen had brought, comparing them repeatedly. Xia Zichen offered his insights, while Ah Fu helped organize the materials and passed out herbs. After several days and nights of intensive research, they finally discovered that the source of the epidemic was a hidden miasma, emitted by the earth in response to specific astrological shifts. And the ancient sacrificial rituals might hold the key to purifying the miasma.
Lin Yue looked at the information in his hand, frowning and looking worried. "But this sacrificial ritual requires many precious medicinal herbs and special instruments. How can we gather them all in such a short time? Moreover, the specific steps of this ritual are not fully recorded in the fragments."
Xia Zichen pondered for a moment and said, "As for the medicinal herbs, my Xia Palace can still provide some. As for the magical instruments, I will also send people to search everywhere. As for the ritual steps, we can look for clues in other ancient books."
Just as they were making intensive preparations, the epidemic spread again in the city, more and more people became ill, and the people fell into deeper panic.
Lin Yue was extremely anxious, knowing that time was running out. One day, while sorting herbs, she suddenly remembered the growth habits of a certain herb recorded in ancient books, which might provide clues to the missing steps of the ritual.
She excitedly shared her idea with Xia Zichen and Ah Fu. "I remember ancient texts saying that the herb grows in extremely cold places, and the surrounding environment has a strange correspondence with the astrological layout we're studying. Perhaps the ritual steps are also related to this environmental layout."
A hint of admiration flashed in Xia Zichen's eyes: "Miss Lin is indeed smart. Now we have a direction. I will immediately arrange people to go to the extremely cold place to explore." With the efforts of everyone, as the clues gradually became clear, the preparations for the sacrificial ceremony were nearing completion.
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