Chapter 303 New Opportunities
Qiu Heng sat quietly with her eyes lowered.
Xue Han raised his hand and placed it on her shoulder: "My adoptive father has always been loyal to the Emperor. He can't do it himself."
Let alone an adoptive father, how many people have the courage to kill their own ruler?
Even if it's a foolish or tyrannical ruler.
"I'm not discouraged, I'm just amazed that there's no shortcut, and I still have to find a way to do it myself."
Xue Han grasped Qiu Heng's hand: "Ah Heng, let's do it together."
"This foolish emperor doesn't even attend court these days; it seems he'll have to wait until the Dragon Boat Festival to make a public appearance."
According to tradition, Emperor Jingping would watch the Dragon Boat Race during the Dragon Boat Festival.
However, such situations are heavily protected, making it difficult to find an opportunity to take action.
Qiu Heng and Xue Han repeatedly refined their plan, searching for that sliver of possibility of success.
Plans can't keep up with changes. Before the Dragon Boat Festival even arrived, news suddenly spread that Emperor Jingping would be hosting a banquet for his officials at Changchun Garden.
The cause was related to the sudden encirclement of the Eastern Palace by the Imperial Guards that day.
Through an unknown source, the officials and nobles learned the real reason why the Eastern Palace was besieged.
"Have you heard? His Majesty suddenly felt unwell. Master Miaoqing sensed an evil aura in the Eastern Palace. His Majesty personally went to the Eastern Palace and dug something out from under a cassia tree in the inner courtyard—"
The official listening was so startled that he blurted out, "A puppet?"
The official who brought up the matter shook his head meaningfully: "If it were a puppet, wouldn't that be a complete upheaval?"
"What was dug out?"
"The clay dog that the late Empress gave to His Highness the Crown Prince is a folk item used to ward off disasters and seek good fortune."
"It's alright, it's alright."
"What do you mean 'good'? Master Miaoqing also said that the Emperor's poor health is due to the late Empress's resentment. That day, Eunuch Xue led people to the Eastern Palace for the second time and smashed all the things the late Empress left for the Crown Prince, and even cut down that cassia tree..."
After a moment of silence, the listener's voice trembled: "This time it wasn't a puppet, but what about next time?"
No one is a fool. The so-called "Miracle Master Miaoqing" is spreading heretical rumors and misleading the emperor. This is clearly a conspiracy against the crown prince.
Look at how many people were implicated in the witchcraft and sorcery saga throughout history.
This is not just a crisis for the Crown Prince alone; under the hurricane, no one dares to say they won't be swept up. And once swept up, they will be utterly destroyed.
Some officials firmly supported the crown prince, some did not want to see the country in turmoil, and others feared that they would be implicated. The officials gathered in front of the palace gates, requesting an audience with Emperor Jingping.
Emperor Jingping was busy with alchemy and seeking enlightenment, and still felt that there wasn't enough time. He barely managed to squeeze in a meeting with his ministers, but after hearing a lot of advice, he flew into a rage and stormed back to the Hall of Longevity.
"These idiots are all short-sighted."
The ministers dared not speak too directly, and instead advised Emperor Jingping to return to his duties, befriend virtuous ministers, and distance himself from petty men. But to Emperor Jingping, this sounded extremely harsh.
"Uncle, please don't get angry and harm your health," Ling Yun advised gently.
Emperor Jingping nodded with satisfaction: "Among my many nephews, I have always had high hopes for you, and now it seems that I was right after all."
One by one, they came to criticize his path to immortality, but only Yun'er stayed with him, supported him, and shared his ideals and pursuits.
"If those people were half as sensible as you, Yun'er, I wouldn't be so annoyed."
Ling Yun laughed and said, "Since I have been by your side, listening to your teachings and taking elixirs, I know that you are incredibly powerful. Those officials did not mean to displease my uncle, they just don't understand."
Emperor Jingping's heart stirred.
His nephew's words reminded him that those fools bothered him precisely because they didn't understand. If they discovered that taking elixirs refined by a true immortal could prolong life, they certainly wouldn't hold him back anymore.
After a moment's thought, Emperor Jingping said to Master Miaoqing, "Master, prepare enough spiritual medicine. I want to hold a banquet to welcome immortals. Each person who attends the banquet will be given a spiritual medicine so that they can personally experience its wonders. This will make the ceremony for appointing the National Preceptor even more sincere."
Upon hearing Emperor Jingping mention the ceremony for bestowing the title of Imperial Preceptor, Master Miaoqing no longer hesitated.
A healthy person who takes a small amount of the elixir will feel warm all over and full of energy, which is just the right time for him to become famous.
"Xue Quan, you draft the banquet guest list. Don't have too many people. Take into account civil and military officials, members of the imperial family and nobles."
"yes."
The banquet for immortals was scheduled for the end of April.
Xue Han was on the guest list.
"Aheng, give me that incense pill. I'll act according to the situation."
A palace banquet requires a great deal of preparation, from the seating arrangement to the placement of incense burners, nothing can be taken lightly.
Qiu Heng was unwilling to miss the banquet: "I heard that the guest list was drawn up by Eunuch Xue, and there are also female guests on it. Xue Han, could you please ask Eunuch Xue to add me?"
Xue Han told the truth: "My adoptive father said, don't even think about it."
Qiu Heng sighed, "If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have made things clear that day."
Not only did it fail to persuade Xue Quan, it also created more obstacles.
"There are only a few imperial concubines among the female guests at this banquet. Even if it weren't explicitly stated, you wouldn't be on the list, so don't be upset."
Qiu Heng handed over the brocade bag.
Xue Han reached out to take it, but the hand that was holding the brocade pouch wouldn't let go.
Xue Han chuckled: "Aheng?"
Qiu Heng reluctantly let go: "Be careful. If there's no chance, that's fine. There's still the Dragon Boat Festival."
The excitement of dragon boat races is not much different from that of the Lantern Festival, and it is certainly better than the opportunity for a palace banquet.
The most important thing right now is time.
Emperor Jingping's demise is inevitable; the more time he has left, the more dangerous it will be for the Crown Prince.
After parting ways with Xue Han, Qiu Heng and the others waited on the road that Ling Yun would inevitably take on his way back to the Kang Prince's Mansion.
"Aheng, what are you doing here?"
Unlike Miaoqing Zhenren, who lived in the palace, Lingyun would leave the palace and go home before the palace gates were locked each day.
"Brother Ling, I heard that the Tian family is going to hold a banquet for immortals at Changchun Garden."
"Um."
"Could you please tell Brother Ling and Eunuch Xue that I would like to participate?"
Ling Yun's gaze, gentle as water, fell upon Qiu Heng's face: "Why has Ah Heng suddenly become so fond of joining in this kind of fun?"
"I've always liked lively atmospheres; it's Brother Ling who prefers quiet."
"Is Ah Heng just here to join in the fun?" Ling Yun asked casually.
Qiu Heng pursed her lips: "It is said that the Emperor will bestow spiritual herbs at the Immortal Gathering Banquet. I want to see just how magical these herbs are that Brother Ling is so eager to pursue."
"Are you that curious?"
Qiu Heng nodded: "I'm very curious."
Ling Yun remained silent for a while, then smiled and said, "Alright, I'll go and talk to Eunuch Xue."
Qiu Heng was stunned.
Her reason was weak, and I thought I would have to pester her a lot, but I didn't expect Brother Ling to agree so easily.
His quick agreement made her feel uneasy.
"What's wrong with you?" Ling Yun asked with a smile.
Qiu Heng composed herself: "Oh, I was wondering if Eunuch Xue would refuse..."
"It seems that Eunuch Xue has already refused." Ling Yun raised his hand to pat the girl's head, but then silently lowered his hand.
Compared to when she was in Suiyun County, she had grown much taller and was now a real young woman.
"Don't worry, Eunuch Xue will agree. I will speak to him in front of the Emperor."
"Thank you, Brother Ling." Qiu Heng curtsied. "I'll head back now and wait for your news."
(End of this chapter)
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