After several days of preparation, Prince An planned to set off to various places on behalf of the Emperor for a tour of inspection, and Meng Zhelan, persuaded by him, also decided to go with him.
More importantly, she genuinely wanted to travel around practicing medicine and collecting medicinal herbs from various places. She had a somewhat nascent plan that required on-site investigation.
The women's medical school is now on the right track, and she needs to experience the medical conditions in different places firsthand in order to provide richer and more practical cases for the school's teaching.
She possesses a profound understanding of medicine, not merely theoretical knowledge, but the ability to travel extensively to heal the hearts of countless people.
Tingfeng Courtyard
"Lan'er, do you really want to go with Prince An?" Meng Zhong disagreed with this move.
Although the two were interested in each other, they were not yet married, so it was ultimately inappropriate for them to go out together.
"Besides, the journey is long and there are too many unknown variables. How can you handle it alone?" Meng Zhong's tone was tinged with worry.
Meng Zhelan: "Father, have you forgotten the days when we wandered around? Your daughter is also trying to improve her medical skills."
“How can these be compared? Your girls’ college is doing very well now, why take such a risk?” Meng Zhong continued to persuade her earnestly.
Meng Zhelan shook her head: "Father, it is precisely because we have gone through trials and tribulations that I understand the breadth and depth of medicine even more. The girls' college is good, but it is only a corner of my medical knowledge inheritance. There are countless medical principles in the outside world waiting for me to explore."
She paused, her tone softening considerably.
She continued, "Father, don't worry, I am no longer the little girl who needed your constant protection. With Prince An and many guards accompanying me on this trip, my safety will be guaranteed."
He sighed deeply, "Alright, Lan'er, you've grown up and have your own thoughts and pursuits. Although I'm worried, I know I can't stop you. Just remember, no matter when or where, take care of yourself and come back safely."
Meng Zhelan: "Father, don't worry. Your daughter will definitely act carefully."
Meng Zhongyuan wanted to find Xiaoxi to persuade Lan'er, but he hadn't seen her for many days, nor had he seen her come to Tingfeng Courtyard.
"By the way, has Xiaoxi been very busy lately? Why haven't I seen her come back to Tingfeng Courtyard?"
Li Xi hasn't been to Tingfeng Courtyard these days; she must be busy with the trade fair. The president must be asking her for help.
“She’s busy. She’s still recovering from her injury from last time, and she’s already doing things for His Majesty. I suppose she can’t take care of anything else. Father, if you have time, go to the Li residence for me to check her pulse.”
"Okay, go pack your luggage. I'll feel more at ease with Tian Tian with you."
Li Xi did not appear until Meng Zhelan left the capital with Prince An.
Because at this time, she was led to the outskirts of the capital by the leader of the Red Lotus Sect. "Xiaoyue, the ninth day of this month is the day the emperor offers sacrifices to heaven. You need to do something for your godfather. This matter is related to my future."
When Li Xi heard him call her that, she felt a strong sense of rejection, but her body unconsciously took a step forward.
"Godfather, I will do my best to do what I can."
"Good, I knew you were reliable. So, when the time comes, you will..."
After she left, the Grand Protector appeared. "Master, should I follow her?"
"No need. Even if she resists in her heart, she will only obey my orders now." He was confident.
Since the founding of the Jingyuan Dynasty, every year on the Double Ninth Festival (the ninth day of the ninth lunar month), the emperor would offer sacrifices to Heaven at the altar, praying for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and national peace and prosperity in the coming year.
This day is not only a royal ceremony, but also a festival celebrated by the common people. They will climb to high places to enjoy the view, wear dogwood, and drink chrysanthemum wine to ward off evil and pray for good health and peace.
This year's Double Ninth Festival was especially lively both inside and outside the capital.
Incense smoke curled around the altar, and melodious music filled the air.
Emperor Wenyuan, dressed in a dragon robe with twelve imperial symbols, held a jade disc and devoutly prayed to the heavens.
Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred.
The ground began to shake, and the bluestone bricks around the altar seemed unable to withstand some invisible force, cracking open one after another.
"Protect the Emperor!" Someone shouted, and the surrounding guards quickly surrounded Emperor Wenyuan, protecting him tightly.
As the earthquake spread, the officials who participated in the sacrificial ceremony looked terrified and scattered to avoid danger.
The stone tablet on the altar was also shattered, and the cracks spread rapidly like a spider web before it finally collapsed with a crash, kicking up a cloud of dust and rubble.
The mountain in front began to shake and crack, with stones rolling down from the top of the mountain with a deafening roar, heading straight for the altar.
It only stopped rolling in front of everyone, and the earthquake also stopped by then. Everyone steadied themselves and looked at each other, filled with relief and confusion at surviving the ordeal.
The solemn atmosphere of the sacrificial ceremony was completely shattered by this sudden turn of events.
The huge rock stood majestically before them, seemingly inscribed with words.
"The earth shakes, the country is destroyed, and the family is ruined; Jiang will surely restore order."
These words resounded like thunder in everyone's hearts, and the originally solemn sacrificial ceremony was instantly replaced by panic and unease.
The crowd began to whisper and discuss, their eyes filled with worry and fear about their unknown fate.
An elderly priest, with white hair and beard, walked forward shakily, gazing intently at the inscription on the boulder.
He spoke slowly, his voice soft yet penetrating the clamor of the crowd: "This is an omen of heaven; destiny cannot be defied."
These words caused an uproar, with expressions of shock evident on the faces of the crowd.
Then, a shocking scene unfolded: the priest recklessly charged towards Li Xi's sword, blood splattering everywhere, heading straight for Li Xi's face.
Her face instantly lost all color, and her heart raced as if it would leap out of her chest.
Just as her mind was in turmoil, a voice echoed in her mind: "Kill the emperor!"
Almost at the same moment, a group of assassins dressed in bright red rushed towards the group.
The air was thick with murderous intent and a palpable sense of impending crisis, pushing the situation to the brink of collapse in an instant.
The sunlight seemed to be obscured by the sudden gloom, becoming dim and lifeless.
The assassins' red robes appeared even more eerie in the dim light, like the red spider lilies blooming in hell, both beautiful and poisonous.
They wore cold masks, revealing only their eyes, as if they had already disregarded life and death.
The lead assassin slowly drew a slender dagger from his waist, the blade gleaming coldly in the dim light, and shouted, "Acting on behalf of Heaven!"
Upon seeing this, the surrounding Imperial Guards immediately drew their swords, forming an impenetrable defensive line, their sword tips pointing directly at the approaching assassins, the crisp sound of metal clashing echoing in the air.
"Protect His Majesty!" a commander of the Imperial Guards shouted, his voice piercing through the surrounding chaos and fear, echoing like thunder through the sky.
He moved with lightning speed, charging towards the lead assassin like a cheetah, his sword flashing like lightning, aimed straight for the opponent's throat.
However, these assassins were clearly well-trained and exceptionally agile.
Faced with the fierce offensive of the Imperial Guards, they not only did not retreat, but instead moved among them with even more unpredictable movements, their daggers like the forked tongues of venomous snakes, specifically looking for weaknesses.
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