Chapter 299 Slander
Unable to see the Crown Prince, Xue Han immediately sought help from Xue Quan.
Xue Quan pondered for a long time: "His Majesty has decreed that no one may visit the Crown Prince, and no one can disobey His Majesty's will. Here's what we'll do: there's a eunuch in the Eastern Palace who listens to me. If you have anything to say to the Crown Prince, have him deliver it to him. Remember, don't reveal your handwriting; only write the most important things..."
The Crown Prince was not allowed to leave the Eastern Palace, and officials from outside were not allowed to visit him, but palace servants were free to come and go.
"Thank you, Father."
Xue Quan sighed, "What are you thanking me for? We're all in the same boat."
Xue Han paused for a moment.
Although the meaning is similar, they seem to be on the right path...
Not long after, the crown prince received a wax pill from a palace attendant.
The prince crushed the wax pill, revealing a rolled-up strip of paper inside. He opened it, read it, and then gripped the paper tightly. His expression was not one of horror, but rather disbelief.
He was only temporarily confined to his quarters for displeasing his father, so why would he receive such a bizarre secret letter?
But this secret letter was sent to him by Xue Han.
Ever since Xue Han saved him during the autumn hunt that year, the Crown Prince had been grateful and had become increasingly close to him. As their contact increased, his appreciation and trust for Xue Han grew even stronger.
Xue Han wouldn't just casually send him such a secret message.
The crown prince sat quietly for a long time, then brought the secret letter to the candlestick and watched it burn to ashes.
The Crown Prince's confinement order brought about new changes in the court.
The courtiers naturally assumed that they had simply returned to the state before Emperor Jingping fell ill, but that was not the case.
Although Emperor Jingping felt much better, his mind turned to pursuing immortality. Without the crown prince overseeing the country and not wanting to deal with government affairs, he appointed several ministers to discuss political matters, including Prince Fu.
After making these arrangements, Emperor Jingping ordered the Taoist Master Miaoqing to reside in the palace so that he could be summoned at any time.
A forthright minister advised Emperor Jingping to focus on state affairs and not to indulge in the pursuit of immortality. Emperor Jingping was furious and immediately dismissed the minister from his post. Those officials who pleaded for him were either demoted or punished, and gradually no one dared to speak out anymore.
On the shore of Qinglian Lake, Qiuheng inquired about the situation in the palace.
"The current emperor hardly attends to state affairs, spending all his days discussing the path to immortality with the True Immortal Miaoqing. His adoptive father is usually by his side as well, and occasionally he is rewarded with a spiritual medicine..."
Hearing Xue Han say this, Qiu Heng couldn't help but worry: "If Eunuch Xue hears these things every day, won't he start to believe them after a while?"
As the saying goes, "One who is near ink becomes black."
Xue Han looked puzzled: "No, that's not true. Every time we meet, my adoptive father laments that we're in the same boat."
Qiu Heng: "..."
“My adoptive father told me quietly that the Emperor was suddenly feeling unwell, and that the True Person Miaoqing would be holding a prayer ceremony for him.”
Qiu Heng's expression changed slightly: "I'm afraid Master Miaoqing is going to use the blessing ceremony to cause trouble."
Every day, Xue Quan would relay the details of Emperor Jingping's interactions with the True Person Miaoqing to Xue Han, but this time it was noticeably different.
Inside the palace, at the Hall of Longevity.
As Master Miaoqing was chanting scriptures, her body suddenly swayed, and a line of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
Emperor Jingping, who was observing the ritual, was shocked: "What's wrong with the Master?"
Ling Yun, who was assisting with the ritual, also changed his expression: "Master—"
Master Miaoqing steadied herself and did not immediately respond to Emperor Jingping's words. Instead, she closed her eyes and made some calculations before slowly opening them.
"Your Majesty has been frightened." Master Miaoqing bowed respectfully.
Emperor Jingping's face paled slightly: "Why is the True Man spitting out blood?"
Master Miaoqing said solemnly, “I just recited scriptures to pray for His Majesty, and I have suffered a backlash.”
"Backlash? Why would there be a backlash? Could someone be using magic to harm me?"
Master Miaoqing's eyes flickered, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
"If you know anything, feel free to speak."
"This humble monk fears that Your Majesty's anxiety and fear may affect your health—"
Emperor Jingping sneered: "If the person who plotted against me is not found, it will have a greater impact on me. Master, I saw you making calculations with your fingers. Speak freely about what you have deduced."
Master Miaoqing lowered her head slightly: "During the ritual just now, I sensed an evil aura obstructing the ceremony. My divine sense followed the trail, and the source of that malevolent energy—"
Emperor Jingping listened intently, his body taut like a bowstring.
Miaoqing Zhenren said slowly and deliberately, “The source of that evil resentment comes from the Eastern Palace.”
Boom! Emperor Jingping felt as if the giant firecracker that had rushed towards Lehua Tower on the Lantern Festival had not exploded halfway, but inside his body, making him dizzy and burning inside.
Emperor Jingping stared blankly at the opening and closing of Miaoqing Zhenren's mouth, as if he hadn't heard what she said, yet it seemed as if it were frantically drilling into his ears.
Evil resentment, the Eastern Palace...
That wicked son, that wicked son!
Emperor Jingping gritted his teeth and strode out.
Stunned, Xue Quan hurriedly caught up: "Your Majesty."
How could you believe such idiotic talk! You must have gone stupid from taking all that medication!
Emperor Jingping paused slightly: "Xue Quan, immediately summon Zhu Qiang, the Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Guard, to lead troops to surround the Eastern Palace!"
"Your Majesty, isn't this a bit too serious—" Xue Quan could hardly believe his ears.
Did they directly dispatch the Imperial Guards of the Palace Guards to surround the Eastern Palace?
If something evil were found in the Eastern Palace, given the Emperor's rage, wouldn't he kill the Crown Prince on the spot?
Xue Quan wanted to suggest that the palace eunuchs could search the area first, or that the Imperial City Guards could be summoned—they were all on his side. But before he could finish speaking, Emperor Jingping kicked him.
"What are you still standing there for? I've always thought you were clever and considerate, why aren't you so quick-witted now?"
Xue Quan's heart skipped a beat, and he dared not say another word. He hurriedly went to deliver the imperial edict.
The Eastern Palace was quickly surrounded by the Imperial Guards.
Emperor Jingping strode in and saw the Crown Prince kneeling to greet him.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty." The Crown Prince, his face pale, slightly raised his head to look at Emperor Jingping, who was standing not far away.
The bright sunlight streamed into the courtyard, but that stern face seemed somewhat unfamiliar.
Emperor Jingping did not respond, but instead looked at Master Miaoqing.
"Can a true master find the exact location of the source?"
"I will try my best."
Miaoqing Zhenren muttered incantations, her fingers moving rapidly. After stopping, she turned her gaze in one direction: "The inner garden of the Eastern Palace, the wood has no ghostly aura, buried in the yin soil..."
Emperor Jingping stepped towards the inner garden of the East Palace, where he was greeted by a profusion of flowers and breathtaking scenery.
“There’s no ghostly aura—” he repeated Master Miaoqing’s words, then habitually asked Xue Quan, “Xue Quan, what do you think?”
Xue Quan resisted rolling his eyes and had to reply, "No ghostly aura...wait, are you referring to the osmanthus tree?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xue Quan saw Emperor Jingping's eyes light up and Master Miaoqing cast an admiring glance at him. He wanted to slap himself.
Couldn't his clever brain be a little less sharp?
Emperor Jingping's gaze fell upon a large osmanthus tree with a canopy in the northeast corner.
He still remembered that it was a sweet osmanthus tree, which the late empress had ordered to be transplanted when the crown prince moved into the Eastern Palace at the age of ten.
The late empress even pulled him along to water the plants.
Now, the late empress's face is long gone, and only this somewhat elegant and heartwarming old story is inadvertently recalled by Emperor Jingping.
He merely recalled that Emperor Jingping pointed at the osmanthus tree and sternly ordered, "Dig it up carefully for me!"
(End of this chapter)
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