Chapter 281 Tea
The person in front of her didn't change much in expression or tone, but changed how they addressed her.
Ever since the revelation of Consort Yu's true identity, when no one else was in the room, Consort Yu never called her Princess Suiyun; she either called her Qiuheng or her younger sister.
And now, even without a third person present, Consort Yu is calling her Princess Suiyun again.
Having secured a continuous supply of antidotes and destroyed spy strongholds in the capital region, is Consort Yu, no longer subject to anyone, about to sever the sisterly bond between them and revert to being a favored concubine and an ordinary noblewoman?
With this guess, a slight disappointment rose in my heart like a tiny bubble, only to burst quickly under Consort Yu's cool, autumn-water-like gaze.
If we can keep to ourselves and not interfere with each other, that would be good too.
Quickly adjusting her mindset, Qiu Heng replied with a smile, "I'm glad Your Majesty is satisfied."
Upon hearing the title "Your Highness," Consort Yu's expression shifted. After a brief silence, she spoke: "The county magistrate taught me how to weave straw butterflies before, but I haven't learned it yet. Teach me again today."
Qiu Heng nodded gently: "Okay."
The carefully selected grass leaves, some yellow and some green, are spread out on the table.
Qiu Heng casually picked up a green blade of grass.
Consort Yu suddenly spoke up: "It's autumn, let's weave a golden butterfly, golden butterflies are more beautiful."
Qiuheng readily accepted the good advice and changed the grass leaves.
"Your Majesty, we need to pass this end through here..."
When Emperor Jingping walked in, he saw the two of them huddled together, one teaching earnestly and the other learning diligently.
He raised his hand to signal the palace servants not to announce it, then stood with his hands behind his back, watching quietly, a smile unconsciously playing on his lips.
Although Qiu Heng had her back to the door, she had noticed it as soon as Emperor Jingping stood there. Since no one spoke, she pretended not to know and her tone became even gentler and more patient as she taught.
Consort Yu also noticed Emperor Jingping, but pretended not to see him and continued weaving butterflies.
After an unknown amount of time, Consort Yu held up the butterfly in her hand: "Is this all right?"
Qiu Heng looked at it and smiled, praising, "Your Majesty has done a very good job."
Consort Yu brought the butterfly in her hand together with the butterfly in Qiu Heng's hand and sighed, "It's still not as good as the county magistrate's."
"Your Highness is very skillful and has learned very quickly. Just make a few more."
"Then I'll weave a few more." Consort Yu smiled gently, her eyes fixed on a pair of butterflies. "Butterflies come in pairs, so let's weave another pair in green."
A burst of laughter erupted.
"My beloved concubine is in high spirits today."
Consort Yu then noticed Emperor Jingping and said, "His Majesty has arrived."
Qiu Heng curtsied and said, "Your subject Qiu Heng greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingping walked over with light steps, picked up a pair of butterflies placed on the table, and praised, "My beloved consort is skillful and quick to learn."
"It is thanks to the magistrate of Suiyun County that the princess has done a good job." Consort Yu glanced at Qiu Heng with a smile. "This concubine should offer the magistrate of Suiyun County a cup of tea."
At that moment, a palace maid brought tea and served it to Emperor Jingping.
Emperor Jingping picked up his teacup and took a sip with a pleasant expression.
"Bring two more cups of tea."
Soon, a palace maid brought two cups of fresh tea.
"The county magistrate of Suiyun taught me incense making and straw weaving, so he can be considered my half-master." Consort Yu raised her teacup with both hands. "I toast you."
The palace maid held a tray with only one cup of tea left, and presented it to Qiu Heng.
Qiu Heng reached out, picked it up, and brought it to her lips.
Consort Yu called out softly, "Princess?"
Qiu Heng shifted her gaze from the tea to Consort Yu, her heart turning icy cold.
Thanks to her years of living in the Great Xia Imperial Palace, she gained some knowledge about tea. She might not be able to tell from the first taste where it came from, but the finest tribute tea would never have a hint of off-flavor.
Something has probably been added to this tea.
Qiu Heng never expected that Consort Yu would be so decisive and ruthless.
She looked at the pair of butterflies that Emperor Jingping had casually placed down.
"What is Princess Suiyun looking at?"
Qiu Heng withdrew her gaze and met those smiling eyes: "Looking at those butterflies."
Consort Yu was silent for a moment, then quickly recovered and said, "My weaving is not as good as the county princess's. When I can weave a pair that is no worse than the county princess's, I will give the county princess a pair so that she can see the progress of her apprentice."
As she spoke, she raised her teacup again and parted her lips slightly: "Thank you, Princess, for teaching me so much."
Qiu Heng held her teacup without touching it, while Emperor Jingping, who was watching with a smile, gradually developed doubts in his eyes.
"What happened to Princess Suiyun?"
Qiu Heng tightened her grip on the teacup. Amidst Emperor Jingping's questioning voice, she raised the cup with one hand and used her sleeve to shield her eyes with the other, saying, "Your Majesty is too kind. Thank you for the tea."
Before Emperor Jingping, she had no reason not to drink this cup of tea offered as a token of gratitude from Consort Yu.
Consort Yu's lips curled up even higher as she finished her tea and stared intently at Qiu Heng.
Qiu Heng put the empty teacup back on the tray.
"What else can the county princess compose?" Consort Yu asked affectionately, taking Qiu Heng's hand.
The wide sleeves slid down, revealing a section of the wrist.
Qiu Heng pursed her lips tightly.
Consort Yu didn't want to hold her hand, but rather to check her sleeves, fearing that she had just poured tea into them while raising her sleeves.
Her father and mother's own daughter, they are determined to take her life.
A surge of water rose up, which she forcefully suppressed. She heard her own voice sound faint: "That's all I can make up."
"That's truly a pity." Consort Yu released her grip.
Qiu Heng lowered her eyes: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have been out for a long time and wish to return."
"Your Highness has had a long day. Please go back and rest early," Consort Yu gently instructed the palace servants to escort Qiu Heng back to her residence.
"This humble woman takes her leave."
After Qiu Heng left, Emperor Jingping put his arm around Consort Yu and said with a smile, "My beloved consort and Princess Suiyun get along very well."
Consort Yu's gaze deepened as it fell upon the pair of butterflies: "Yes, we get along quite well."
Autumn is here, how long can butterflies live?
The palanquin moved smoothly and steadily toward the Yongqing Earl's residence.
Sitting in the sedan chair, Qiu Heng stuffed a handful of pills into her mouth, her face turning deathly pale.
Consort Yu forced her to drink poisoned tea in front of Emperor Jingping, so the poison wouldn't take effect immediately.
It wasn't a highly potent poison that would kill instantly, which gave her the opportunity.
The antidote pills she had just taken could alleviate the effects of most poisons, and she had secretly taken one while drinking tea.
I also want to thank the gentleman; knowing that she would face many risks upon her return, this antidote pill was one of her safeguards.
Unfortunately, it lacks specificity; it can only reduce toxicity, not completely detoxify.
"Princess Suiyun, we've arrived home."
Qiu Heng got off the sedan chair and hurried back to Lengxiang Residence.
Fangzhou was startled when she saw Qiuheng's pale face: "What's wrong, Miss?"
"Bring me a pot of warm salt water right away, and a basin too."
Fangzhou quickly prepared the things and watched as Qiuheng gulped down large amounts of water, then vomited while clinging to the basin, causing Fangzhou to burst into tears.
"Did the girl eat something bad?"
Qiu Heng, without time to explain, blurted out, "Water—"
She drank and vomited, vomited and drank again, until she could vomit nothing more and was almost exhausted. Suppressing her nausea, she took an antidote pill and said with trembling lips, "Fangzhou, don't be afraid."
(End of this chapter)
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