Chapter 306 Giving Medicine
Qiu Heng's heart sank heavily.
Xue Han failed to put the incense pill into the Boshan censer.
What made her heart sink was not only Xue Han's failure, but also the fact that the person who came out with him was Brother Ling.
Even though I can't ask anything right now, a guess still pops into my head: Was Xue Han's failure because of Brother Ling?
Yes, if we're talking about who understands her best in Changchun Garden, besides Xue Han, it's Brother Ling, who has been with her for years.
Her insistence on attending the Immortal Gathering Banquet must have aroused his suspicion. He was an exceptionally intelligent man, and even if he didn't know the specific plan, he only needed to keep an eye on her and Xue Han when something unusual happened at the banquet.
When did Brother Ling start to suspect her?
Qiu Heng stopped staring at Xue Han and Ling Yun, and instead lowered her eyes and clenched her fists tightly.
Was it the Crown Prince who avoided the witchcraft calamity, causing the forces behind Master Miaoqing to realize that someone had given the Crown Prince a warning, thus leading them to suspect her and Xue Han?
Xue Han rescued the Crown Prince from the great fire during the autumn hunt. And the mastermind behind the arson was now easy to guess – it was the person behind Master Miaoqing.
Is Brother Ling as obsessed with the path to immortality as Emperor Jingping and thus particularly admires Master Miaoqing, or is it that the forces behind Master Miaoqing have promised the Kang Prince's Mansion some benefits?
Qiu Heng bit her lip hard, the faint taste of blood spreading in her mouth, but it couldn't compare to the pain in her heart.
She didn't believe it.
Brother Ling, who did not believe in integrity and uprightness, was blinded by the so-called immortality and power.
But why did he ruin Xue Han's plans?
Perhaps she was overthinking it; they just happened to be out together.
Qiu Heng comforted herself in this way, then looked up at Ling Yun.
He was watching her quietly.
Qiu Heng felt a pang of pain in her heart, and that last shred of self-deception vanished in an instant.
He knew that Xue Han, who remained in the palace, would harm Emperor Jingping, so he stopped Xue Han.
What will he do after this banquet?
How will she deal with this kind of Brother Ling?
Qiu Heng forcibly looked away and gazed up at the sky.
The exotic fragrance had long since faded, and several cranes searched and lingered before gradually taking flight.
The girl, gazing up at the crane, suppressed her burning tears, her heart turning cold.
She is not invincible, especially since the blade came from someone she trusted and was close to.
The crane flew away.
Emperor Jingping was delighted by the flattery and compliments and returned to the palace.
The tables on both sides of the main hall were empty, but piled high with fine wine and delicacies.
Soon the ministers returned to their seats and whispered among themselves, clearly still discussing the arrival of the crane.
Qiu Heng listened to the scattered whispers drifting into her ears and tucked her fingertips together.
Using exotic fragrances to attract cranes was a fallback plan. When discussing it with Xue Han, they had considered that failure would actually make Master Miaoqing's claim of seeking immortality more convincing.
Emperor Jingping will trust him more, and some officials will waver and echo his words. Miaoqing Zhenren's words will carry more weight in Emperor Jingping's heart.
But the opportunity to get hands-on experience is too rare, and time is so tight, I really don't want to miss it.
She cherishes every opportunity and is determined to give it a try.
Killing a tyrannical ruler is always risky.
She had considered failure, but she never imagined that it would be because of Brother Ling.
"Aheng, is something on your mind?" Princess Rongning took Qiuheng's hand. "If you're having any difficulties, I'll help you."
Qiu Heng's lowered eyelashes fluttered slightly as she looked at Princess Rong Ning.
Princess Rongning, having experienced the journey to Xijiang, is like a sharp knife, but gently wrapped in its sheath.
"I was shocked by the arrival of the crane. Could it be that there really are immortals in this world?"
Princess Rongning glanced at Miaoqing Zhenren, who was standing beside Emperor Jingping, a look of disgust flashing in her eyes. She said in a low voice, "I don't know if it's true or not, but it can't be like this..."
Even if immortals have no pity for the common people, they wouldn't bewitch emperors to skip court, would they?
She didn't understand why so many learned adults didn't know what she could clearly see.
The drum music had changed to a new tune.
Emperor Jingping's initial excitement at the arrival of the cranes gradually subsided, and he began to think about the highlight of today's banquet.
"My beloved ministers."
As soon as he spoke, the room fell silent.
"My rapid recovery is all thanks to the elixir refined by the True Immortal. All of you present here are pillars of our Great Xia Dynasty. Today, at this gathering of immortals, I invite you all to take the elixir together and seek immortality."
Emperor Jingping's impassioned voice echoed in the hall, and the expressions of the assembled officials were quite interesting.
The rumors are true; His Majesty really will bestow upon them elixirs at the Immortal Gathering Banquet, allowing them to consume them on the spot.
Most of the ministers present looked tense and helpless.
Even if the crane were to descend today, the idea of immortality would be utterly absurd.
But seeing Emperor Jingping's fanatical expression and reddened eyes, the words of advice that were about to come to his lips were swallowed back down.
Offering advice at this point would likely cost you your life.
The sudden silence made Emperor Jingping frown: "Hmm?"
This "hmm" immediately brought some officials back to their senses, and they hurriedly stepped forward, knelt down, and shouted, "Your Majesty, we thank you for your divine grace!"
With someone taking the lead, regardless of their true thoughts, everyone present bowed down and said, "Your Majesty, we thank you for your grace."
Emperor Jingping smiled with satisfaction and announced loudly, "Give me the medicine."
The music faded, ethereal as if from beyond the clouds. One by one, palace maids entered carrying brocade trays in one hand, placing jade bowls containing elixirs before everyone.
The elixir that Emperor Jingping needed to take was not to be mixed up with that of others, and at the instruction of Master Miaoqing, it was personally served by Lingyun.
"My lords, please."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Everyone picked up the pill placed in front of them. Some were curious, but most gritted their teeth and slowly put the pill into their mouths under the watchful eyes of Emperor Jingping.
Emperor Jingping swept his gaze across the entire room, his eyes lingering for a moment on Qiu Heng as he watched her take the elixir.
The girl lowered her eyes, and you could see a pink and white begonia flower pinned in her hair; it was hard to tell whether it was a silk flower or a fresh one.
Thinking this, Emperor Jingping put the elixir into his mouth, chewed it, and showed an expression of enjoyment.
The aroma of the medicine seemed stronger than before.
Emperor Jingping wiped his mouth, feeling the familiar warmth in his stomach, and asked with a smile, "What do you all think?"
"Upon consuming the elixir, I immediately felt warmth throughout my body and a sense of lightness... I kowtow in gratitude to Your Majesty for bestowing this divine favor!"
Several officials skilled in flattery rushed to express their opinions.
Those who were initially skeptical began to waver as they experienced changes in their bodies.
After taking this elixir, I felt completely refreshed. Could it really be a miraculous medicine?
Seeing the reactions of his ministers, Emperor Jingping was even more pleased and looked at Qiu Heng with a smug expression: "Princess Suiyun."
Qiu Heng stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your subject is here."
"How do you feel after taking the elixir?"
"Like drinking celestial dew."
"I remember you were ill last year, and Consort Yu—" Emperor Jingping sighed as he mentioned Consort Yu, "She has always been thinking of you. I bestow upon you ten elixirs, hoping that you will recover and be able to visit the palace often to keep Consort Qiu company, so that the Consort Yu's affection for you will not have been in vain."
Upon hearing this, Xue Quan, who knew Emperor Jingping best, felt a jolt in his heart.
(End of this chapter)
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