Chapter 29
Lin Qingyu met his father's disciple, Hu Ji, in the front hall of the Lin Mansion. Hu Ji came from a poor family. When he was studying at the Imperial Medical Bureau, he could only eat one meal a day because he was short of money. Once, Lin's father went to the Imperial Medical Bureau to give a lecture and saw him desperately drinking water in a corner to stop his hunger. Feeling sorry for him, Lin's father immediately found him a job cleaning the library. With this little monthly salary, Hu Ji was able to complete his studies. Afterwards, he entered the Imperial Medical Service and was accepted as a disciple by Lin's father, where he was well taken care of. Father Lin is like a second parent to him. He had no choice but to follow Lin's father's orders, no matter how difficult they were.
After some pleasantries, Hu Ji took out two incense boxes from the medical box: "The red incense is the 'Feng Qiu Huang' used by the Queen; the brown incense is the 'Sheng Cha Zi' used by Concubine Chen. As for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, he has no habit of using incense."
Lin Qingyu took the incense box and smelled them one by one: "Doctor Hu, do you know anything about spices?"
Hu Ji said modestly, "I know a little bit."
"What do you think of these two spices?"
"The things used by the nobles in the palace are of course the best of the best. Fengqiuhuang can calm the mind and nourish the spirit; Shengchazi can open the orifices and stabilize the blood. Both spices are secret medicines of the palace. Unless the emperor rewards them, no one is allowed to use them without authorization." Hu Ji said, with a trace of fear in his eyes, "Miss Yunxiu of Fengyi Palace and Xiaokuanzi of Changle Palace took a huge risk to steal this little sample. I hope it can help Master Shanglin."
Lin Qingyu pondered for a moment, then asked, "Why doesn't the prince use incense?"
Hu Ji said: "The Crown Prince experienced the struggle for the throne and witnessed the Third Prince's death from poisoning. He is now very careful about his food intake. According to the maids in the Imperial Food Bureau, all meals in the East Palace are provided by the East Palace's small kitchen and never passed through the hands of others."
"I understand." Lin Qingyu said, "Thank you, Doctor Hu."
Hu Ji said hurriedly, "Mr. Lin, you are too polite. The judge has given me a new life, and it is my honor to share his worries."
Father Lin has helped and saved more than one or two people. Lin Qingyu was also somewhat curious as to how could his parents, who were such kind-hearted people, give birth to such an "evil man" as him.
Lin Qingyu found Lu Wancheng in the guest room and showed him the two boxes of spices that Hu Ji brought. Lu Wancheng asked: "Is there anything wrong with these two spices?"
"No. But in pharmacology, good medicine mixed with good medicine can become poisonous. I think the same is true for spices."
Xiao Cheng is not like Lu Qiaosong. Just as Hu Ji said, everything sent to the Eastern Palace would be strictly checked, and the incense he prepared last time would definitely not be allowed into the Eastern Palace. Unless something seemingly harmless is sent in, allowing it to react with the things Xiao Cheng often comes into contact with to produce poison, silently and bit by bit eroding Xiao Cheng's body.
Hearing this, Lu Wancheng couldn't help but sigh: "Learn math, physics and chemistry well, and you won't be afraid to travel around the world. This is an eternal truth."
"The truth is useless." Lin Qingyu gently pressed his forehead, "Xiao Cheng doesn't use incense. Even if he did, our things wouldn't be able to be delivered to the East Palace."
Lu Wancheng was playing with the hairpin that Lin Qingyu gave him, and said, "If we can't send things in, how can we send people in?"
The tacit understanding grew stronger, and Lin Qingyu almost immediately understood what Lu Wancheng meant: "This matter still requires an opportunity."
Lu Wancheng smiled and said, "I will look for the opportunity, and you will be responsible for finding the catalyst for the reaction. Brother... When a husband and wife are of one mind, they can break metal with their strength."
Lin Qingyu raised the corners of his lips slightly: "Okay - by the way," he remembered something and called Huantong, "Remove the couch in my room and replace it with a small bed."
Lu Wancheng was stunned: "Qingyu?"
Lin Qingyu brought out the excuse he had thought of in advance: "You may get into trouble at any time, and you need someone by your side. Hualu is different from you in gender, and Huantong is not careful enough. After thinking about it, I think it's safer to leave you by my side."
Huan Tong asked in disbelief: "Young Master?"
Lu Wancheng smiled slowly, and his eyes seemed to be full of spring when he looked at Lin Qingyu: "Then when we return to the Marquis' Mansion, we will also replace the couch with a bed. Or, just ask the carpenter to make a new bed." Lu Wancheng gestured up and down, "Make it a bunk bed, I will sleep on the lower bunk, and you sleep on the upper bunk..."
Lin Qingyu imagined the scene and had a complicated expression.
Huan Tong couldn't help but mutter in her heart: The young marquis is really promising.
Lin Qingyu dove into spices, and every day her body was scented with a different aroma. Using incense is a profound art. Although one has a basic knowledge of pharmacology, it is not easy to master its mysteries in a short period of time.
The two stayed in the Lin Mansion for a few days, and news came from the palace that the emperor intended to select a concubine for the prince.
It is said that it was Duke Wen who first brought up this matter. Duke Wen believed that the crown prince was already in his twenties and was old enough to marry and have a concubine. Three years ago, the Queen Mother passed away and the Crown Prince had just moved into the East Palace, but his marriage was delayed due to mourning. Now that the mourning period is over, it is time to reconsider the wedding. The Crown Princess is the future Queen, so she should be treated with caution and not act too hastily. But you can first select one or two concubines for the prince to take care of the internal affairs of the Eastern Palace and relieve his worries. The emperor agreed with this and gave full authority to the queen to select a concubine.
Although she is only a concubine, she is also the prince's first concubine with a rank. In the future, she will at least be a noble concubine. Naturally, she cannot be careless in her selection, and her character, appearance and birth must be carefully considered. After careful consideration, the Queen drew up a list for His Majesty to review. Among them was the legitimate daughter of Marquis Nan'an, Lu Niantao.
The noble ladies on the list all have their own merits. After all, she is the prince's concubine, and the emperor means that the prince should choose for himself.
When this news reached the Nan'an Marquis Mansion, Lu Niantao felt mixed emotions. What made her happy was that if she could win the prince's favor, the hard days for her and her mother would be over; what made her worried was that she had met the prince once in Fengyi Palace, but the prince never even looked at her, and all his attention was on Lin Qingyu. It was not easy for her to stand out from the other noble ladies.
Fortunately, they had prepared in advance, and the gifts they secretly sent to Changle Palace came in handy. The eunuch beside Concubine Chen passed on the news that the emperor had caught a cold during the autumn hunt and his health had been fluctuating. To show his filial piety, the prince copied 300 chapters of Buddhist scriptures and prepared to personally send them to the Changsheng Temple to burn them and pray for blessings.
Xiao Kuanzi of Changle Palace also told Hu Ji the news, and Hu Ji then passed it on to Lin Qingyu. After Lu Wancheng learned about it, he said two words on the spot: "Connections."
In late autumn, while the Changsheng Temple is bustling with incense, there is also a sense of coldness and desolation, with wild geese flying south, the cold sun bleak, and the grass and trees falling.
Lin Qingyu helped Lu Wancheng get off the carriage, and Huantong pushed the wheelchair over. A young monk walked towards them, clasped his hands together and said, "Young Lord Lu, Young Lord Lin has had a hard time on the journey."
The tone sounded as if he had been waiting for a long time.
Lin Qingyu asked: "Little Master, do you know that I will be coming?"
The monk smiled and said, "Mr. Lin thinks highly of me. The Imperial Master told me that a distinguished guest will be visiting Changsheng Temple today, and asked me to welcome him in front of the temple."
Lu Wancheng and Lin Qingyu looked at each other and said, "Young Master, are you sure that the 'distinguished guests' that the Imperial Master mentioned are us?"
The monk made a gesture of invitation but smiled without saying anything.
The three followed the young monk through the main hall and all the way to the back mountain. The monk said, "Speaking of which, today the Marquis's wife and Miss Lu have also arrived at my humble temple. They should be chanting sutras and worshipping Buddha in the Buddhist hall. Would you like to say hello to them, Mr. Lin?"
Lin Qingyu said calmly: "It seems that the Imperial Master only invited the young marquis."
The monk bowed and said, "Don't blame me, Young Master Lin."
The reason they came here was for Xiao Cheng and Lu Niantao's golden wind and jade dew, and Lin Qingyu didn't want the plan to be disrupted by the imperial master who showed up in the middle of the process. "Wan Cheng?"
Lu Wancheng said, "You go ahead, I'll go see what Xu Banxian is up to."
After parting with Lin Qingyu, the monk brought Lu Wancheng and Huantong to the door of a Zen room: "Young Marquis Lu, please come in. Donor Huantong, just wait with me at the door."
Sandalwood was lit in the Zen room, with smoke curling up. Xu Junyuan, the national master of Dayu, stood with his hands behind his back. At first glance, he looked like an immortal.
"Young Marquis Lu." Xu Junyuan turned around and looked at him with an elegant smile, "Long time no see, I hope you are well."
"I hope you are well..." Lu Wancheng smiled, "Does the Imperial Master think I look well?"
"The young marquis has indeed lost a lot of weight compared to April in Qingming."
"So please be frank, Imperial Master. The time of a seriously ill person is extremely precious, and I don't want to waste it on meaningless things."
Xu Junyuan smiled and said, "The young marquis's mood seems to have changed a lot. The last time I saw the young marquis, I saw a person who was beyond life and death. He would definitely not mind talking to me for a few more words."
Because of the people and things we care about, time becomes meaningful. At least, he cannot die before Xiao Cheng.
Lu Wancheng smiled and said, "Goodbye."
Xu Junyuan immediately said, "Lu Wancheng's destiny - this name, this birth date, no matter how many times I calculate it, the result is that it ends in the twelfth month of this year." He shook his head and sighed, "What a pity."
Lu Wancheng looked at Xu Junyuan for a long time, as if he wanted to see through him: "The book says that Master Xu has some real talent and knowledge."
"Oh?" Xu Junyuan raised his eyebrows slightly, "May I ask what book you are talking about, young marquis?"
Lu Wancheng did not answer. He pushed his wheelchair to the desk, picked up a pen and wrote a cross on the paper: "Master, please help me calculate another fortune."
Half an hour later, Xu Junyuan personally pushed Lu Wancheng to the back room and sent him back to Lin Qingyu. Just as he was about to leave, Lu Wancheng stopped him and asked, "How sure are you of what the national teacher said just now?"
Xu Junyuan was vague: "If God's will does not change, then it is 100%. If God's will changes, what can we do?"
Lu Wancheng smiled and said, "You are worthy of being the Imperial Master. Instead of listening to your words, I would rather read more."
Xu Junyuan left with a smile. Lin Qingyu asked: "What did he say to you?"
Lu Wancheng hesitated for a moment and said, "We'll talk about this later. How are Liang and Lu Niantao?"
"they……"
Lu Wancheng saw someone coming from afar and suddenly interrupted Lin Qingyu: "Qingyu, you must hate Xiao Cheng, right?"
Lin Qingyu looked at him strangely: "Is there any need to ask this?"
Lu Wancheng smiled shyly: "If you must be kissed by a man, would you rather be kissed by Xiao Cheng or by me?"
Just hearing the three words "by Xiao Cheng", Lin Qingyu felt nauseous in his stomach, and he even disliked Lu Wancheng. Considering that Lu Wancheng would not live long, he tried to suppress his bad temper and said calmly, "I don't choose either one."
"Well, just choose one," Lu Wancheng refused to give up, "it's just if anyway."
Lin Qingyu didn't know the meaning of this question. Did Lu Wancheng have to ask him to say the words "choose you" in person?
"I choose to die."
Lu Wancheng whispered: "Qingyu..."
"Alright, alright, I'll choose you." Lin Qingyu said reluctantly, "Can you please be quiet?"
Lu Wancheng somehow managed to get up from his wheelchair and said with a smile, "You said so."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Qingyu felt a tightening around her waist, and it turned out that Lu Wancheng was hugging her waist. The familiar scent of medicine mixed with sandalwood entered his nostrils. Before he could react, he saw Lu Wancheng lowering his head towards him.
Lin Qingyu suddenly came to his senses, put his hand on his chest, and tried to push the person away. But if he strikes down with this palm, Lu Wancheng might really die.
At this time, Lu Wancheng whispered in his ear: "Someone is watching."
Anyone?
Lin Qingyu understood and the strength of his hands gradually weakened. Finally, he changed from pushing to hugging. He climbed onto Lu Wancheng's shoulders with both hands and closed his eyes.
Her long eyelashes brushed across Lu Wancheng's nose, making it itchy. His lips just brushed Lin Qingyu's cheek.
It was just a kiss.
I don’t know how long it took, but when I felt Lu Wancheng straighten up, Lin Qingyu slowly opened his eyes. His long eyelashes couldn’t hide the confusion and embarrassment in his eyes, which made Lu Wancheng’s breath catch.
Lin Qingyu calmed down and asked in a low voice: "Is it him?"
"Qingyu," Lu Wancheng said slowly, "something seems to be wrong with me."
"What?"
"My heart is beating so fast, I can hardly breathe..."
Lu Wancheng was already shaky, and Lin Qingyu instinctively reached out and pulled him into his arms: "Wancheng?"
The two of them almost fell down together, but fortunately Lin Qingyu supported himself on his knees and stabilized his body.
Lu Wancheng's face turned pale, but his ears were a strange red. He knew that he was about to faint, and before he lost consciousness, he had to explain something.
Lu Wancheng grabbed Lin Qingyu's collar and uttered a few words with great difficulty: "Don't be carried like a princess..." After that, he tilted his head and fainted in Lin Qingyu's arms.
Lin Qingyu: “…”
Huan Tong came to look for the two young masters. After seeing this scene, she thought that the young marquis had fallen ill again, and asked anxiously, "Young Master, what happened to the young marquis?!"
After Lin Qingyu checked Lu Wancheng's pulse, he didn't know what expression to put on for a moment: "He is too weak to bear the excitement. He fainted temporarily. It's nothing serious. We will just wait until he recovers."
Huan Tong revealed the truth in one sentence: "But with the young marquis's personality, what could make him so excited?"
Lin Qingyu's cheeks were slightly hot, and he tried to remain calm and said, "Who knows him? Carry him to the wing room to rest."
After Huantong carried Lu Wancheng away, Lin Qingyu said coldly: "Since Your Highness is here, why do you have to hide in the dark?"
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