Chapter 304 The Feast of Immortals
The next day, when Ling Yun went to the Hall of Longevity again, he spoke to Xue Quan in a voice that Emperor Jingping could hear: "My younger sister is very curious and would like to attend the Immortal Gathering Banquet. Could Eunuch Xue arrange a seat for her?"
Xue Quan had noticed Emperor Jingping's favor towards Ling Yun these past few days. He was about to nod when he heard him say this when he suddenly realized, "Which sister is the young master referring to?"
Don't think he forgot. Princess Jiayi is the younger sister of the Prince Kang's heir, and Qiuheng is the adopted sister of the Prince Kang's heir. Both of them are younger sisters.
"My younger sister, Qiuheng."
"I'm afraid this is inconvenient—" Xue Quan said with a troubled expression. "There are only a few ladies present at the Immortal Gathering Banquet. Although Miss Qiu is a county princess, it is not appropriate for her to be with the ladies. What do you think, Your Highness?"
Having failed to get him to agree through Han'er, she's now trying to get through to the Prince of Kang's heir. What exactly is Qiu Heng up to?
She wanted to kill the emperor!
A tiny voice screamed in Xue Quan's mind, making him tremble with fear and wish he could cover his ears.
Emperor Jingping was chatting with the Taoist priestess Miaoqing when the words "Sixth Miss Qiu" drifted into his ears. He turned to look at the two who were whispering to each other.
"Yun'er, what are you talking about? I heard you mention Princess Suiyun."
Xue Quan's smile froze as he quickly considered how to respond.
Ling Yun spoke up: "Reporting to my royal uncle, Aheng heard that she could hear the way to immortality at the Immortal Gathering Banquet and was very eager to do so. She begged me to take her to see the world, so I shamelessly asked Eunuch Xue for an invitation."
Emperor Jingping's eyes flickered: "Oh, so Princess Suiyun is also interested in the path to immortality?"
For some reason, he thought of that night on the Lantern Festival, when the girl in the dark blue cloak was slender and had a pale face with almost no lips, simple and pure, yet possessing a stunning beauty.
“Aheng had been ill for several months. Although she recovered, her vital energy was depleted, so she became interested in ways to prolong life.”
Upon hearing Ling Yun's words, Emperor Jingping remembered.
That girl has been sick for several months. She used to cause trouble all the time, but since she got sick, she's been quiet.
Come to think of it, that girl was sick for several months, and he was sick for several months too, which is quite a coincidence.
Thinking this, Emperor Jingping inexplicably had the idea of meeting Qiu Heng.
The idea was kept secret, but fortunately Ling Yun brought it up, which suited his mind perfectly.
"In that case, make arrangements for Princess Suiyun."
"Your Majesty, there will only be one noble lady, Princess Suiyun, which will be difficult to arrange." Xue Quan did not expect Emperor Jingping to speak like this, and struggled to find a solution.
Emperor Jingping glanced at Xue Quan with displeasure: "What's wrong with that? Invite Jiayi along too. They're both Yun'er's sisters, we can't show favoritism. By the way, I remember Rongning and Princess Suiyun have a very good relationship, send an invitation to Princess Rongning as well."
Xue Quan opened his mouth, but then fell silent: "Yes..."
After arranging for someone to send out the invitations, Xue Quan found Xue Han, pointed at him, and asked, "Qiu Heng went to great lengths to attend the Immortal Gathering Banquet, what exactly is she trying to do?"
Xue Han looked completely innocent: "Didn't Aheng say she couldn't go?"
"She asked the Prince of Kang's son for help!" Xue Quan's heart pounded, feeling that something terrible was about to happen. "Could it be that she wants to assassinate the Emperor at the Immortal Gathering Banquet? Don't be so naive. It's impossible to assassinate the Emperor in such a setting."
"Since it's impossible to succeed, Father, there's no need to rush."
Xue Quan paused, then gritted his teeth and said, "So you're not afraid of failure? You'll have to exterminate your entire family!"
"Aheng is not an irresponsible person who drags others down. Father, don't worry, she just wants to join in the fun."
Xue Quan's lips twitched. He thought to himself, "I don't believe you two at all." But Qiu Heng's participation in the Immortal Gathering Banquet was a done deal, so he could only secretly resolve to keep a close eye on her.
Time flies, and early in the morning of the day of the Immortal Gathering Banquet, Qiuheng took a carriage to Changchun Garden.
The coachman was no longer Wu Qingzhou; he was replaced by Uncle Zhang.
Yesterday, someone from the Kang Prince's residence came looking for Wu Qingzhou, saying that his elder brother and sister-in-law had encountered an accident, and Wu Qingzhou had asked for leave.
"Sixth Miss, we've arrived at Changchun Garden."
When Uncle Zhang's voice came, Qiu Heng lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage.
Changchun Garden covers a vast area, with pavilions, terraces, and waterside pavilions, showcasing the grandeur of the imperial palace.
This was Qiu Heng's first time visiting Changchun Garden. She quietly observed the surrounding scenery as she walked, and was led by a palace attendant to the main hall where the palace banquet was being held.
Qiu Heng spotted Xue Han at a glance.
The moment their eyes met, she slightly raised her lips, then looked away and greeted the county magistrate of Jiayi who had arrived first.
"Jiayi is here so early."
Princess Jiayi said listlessly, "My elder brother said there would be few noble ladies attending the banquet, and told me to come find you as soon as possible."
Qiu Heng handed over a fragrant pendant, saying apologetically, "It was my idea to join in the fun that caused you this trouble."
Princess Jiayi happily accepted the sachet, sniffed it, and her eyes lit up: "With Aheng's sachet, this trip won't have been in vain."
“Aheng, Jiayi.” Princess Rongning walked over.
On such an occasion, etiquette could not be taken lightly. Qiu Heng and Princess Jiayi bowed in unison, saying, "Your Highness."
Princess Rongning disliked the title "Your Highness," as it reminded her of how she came to be a princess. However, once she left the palace, she had to remain composed no matter how offensive the title sounded.
Fortunately, Ah Heng was with me today.
The guests arrived one after another, some with smiles on their faces, others with serious expressions, and after taking their seats, they talked quietly with those around them.
The hall fell silent when a eunuch announced the news.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Emperor Jingping entered surrounded by a crowd, followed by Master Miaoqing, then Lingyun and another young Daoist, and then Consort Shu, Consort De, and others.
The ministers, watching this scene, felt it was absurd. Only when they heard Xue Quan cough softly did they come to their senses and bow, saying, "Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed with good health and may all the empresses be well."
Emperor Jingping sat down and raised his hand: "All of you, rise."
Qiu Heng secretly observed Emperor Jingping.
Compared to when they met on the Lantern Festival, Emperor Jingping before them was much thinner, with a ruddy complexion and bright eyes, giving him a rather energetic appearance. If one didn't know that he had been bedridden for months before taking potent medicine, one might truly believe he was well.
The current Emperor Jingping is like a candle flame in the wind; it may seem bright, but it is merely the last glimmer of light before it is extinguished.
Not far from Emperor Jingping, in a corner stood a Boshan incense burner, with wisps of smoke rising from the mountains and swirling around him, making his otherwise dignified face appear somewhat ethereal.
Qiu Heng gently touched the hanging purse with her hand at her waist.
At such a distance, there would be no opportunity to put the incense balls into the stove.
Looking at Xue Han's position, it's even further away from Emperor Jingping.
This trip might have been a waste of time.
"Aheng, what are you thinking about?" Princess Rongning asked in a low voice.
Qiu Heng lowered her eyes: "I was thinking that the Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon."
There's nothing to be discouraged about. If we can't find an opportunity today, we'll just wait a few more days.
“Aheng, that Eunuch Xue seems to be looking at you.”
Qiu Heng looked over expressionlessly and met Xue Quan's gaze.
They're just taking up such a good spot for nothing.
Thinking this, Qiu Heng rolled her eyes.
Xue Quan: ?
(End of this chapter)
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