Chapter 257: A Guest Visits Tonight (Part One)

Chapter 257: A Guest Visits Tonight (Part One)

"Princess..."

Yun Ling had just spoken.

Please Su RAO to get into the carriage.

Yun Ji was leaving, and if Su RAO were to stay alone, it would be unreasonable, so she had no choice but to get into the carriage as well.

The carriage carrying Yue Hua left the palace of Zhu Xian, heading not towards the city gates but to Qingfeng Pavilion, returning there.

Su RAO was completely perplexed—did Yun Ji intend to leave or not? What did his words mean?

"Aren't you supposed to be leaving?"

Silence filled the carriage for a long time until they entered Qingfeng Pavilion, whereupon Su RAO finally spoke, asking about her confusion.

If Yun Ji were to leave, she needed to prepare in advance. At this moment, she could not leave.

"I thought RAO RAO wouldn't speak to Yun Ji anymore."

Yun Ji chuckled:

"Yun Ji has no intention of leaving today."

"Not leaving?"

Su RAO was even more confused, unable to understand Yun Ji's words.

If he wasn't leaving, why did he say those things to Mo Ying...

"Could you explain it better..."

Bang...

A sudden bang echoed from the backyard of Qingfeng Pavilion.

It was the sound of a medicine pot exploding.

Today was Emperor Wei's birthday banquet, and Prince Yi had invited Master Huishan and Mr. Bamboo, but Master Huishan, being a monk, had withdrawn from worldly affairs and did not attend.

Mr. Bamboo also did not go.

He would rather spend that time making more potions. Moreover, Emperor Wei's condition seemed to fascinate Mr. Bamboo to the point of neglecting sleep and meals.

This explosion was already the several times since Mr. Bamboo began researching treatments after examining Emperor Wei's condition.

Due to this sudden explosion, the conversation between Yun Ji and Su RAO came to an abrupt end.

But Yun Ji said one last thing: "There will be a guest tonight."

This explained her confusion.

Although Su RAO still didn't fully understand how the guest's arrival was related to Yun Ji's departure, she did not ask further.

Since Yun Ji wasn't leaving, it wouldn't affect what she was doing, so she wouldn't pry into his actions any more.

Having promised not to interfere with Yun Ji's matters, she naturally wouldn't ask more questions.

Then Yun Ji and Su RAO went to Mr. Bamboo's temporary laboratory within Qingfeng Pavilion.

"Haste makes waste; Mr. Bamboo seems a bit restless these days."

Though Yun Ji couldn't see, he could easily imagine the scene.

The laboratory must be a mess, with broken pots and scattered herbs everywhere.

Master Huishan and Mr. Bamboo were both covered in dirt and ash.

"Amitabha."

Master Huishan's face was smeared with gray ash.

"My friend is right; haste makes waste. I've tried to persuade Mr. Bamboo. Perhaps it was my fault to let him visit the palace of Zhu Xian."

Master Huishan spoke to Yun Ji, while Su RAO's gaze fell on Mr. Bamboo, who was busy picking up the shattered pieces of the medicine pot. More specifically, her attention was drawn to a trumpet-shaped flower in his hand.

The flower resembled a trumpet, with a milky yellow mouth and a faintly moon-white base, a beautiful sight.

It looked like a flower but was actually a medicinal herb. Since it hadn't been put into the pot yet, it remained intact.

With just one glance, Su RAO quietly withdrew her gaze.

Her almond eyes showed a flash of understanding.

Mandala flower.

In Mr. Bamboo's hand was a mandala flower with hallucinogenic properties. Though highly toxic, it could be used medicinally in small quantities to relieve pain and induce anesthesia, typically for making anesthetic powders.

Using this herb in a potion suggested that Mr. Bamboo intended to combat Emperor Wei's poison with its toxicity, but it might be futile.

From Su RAO's observations throughout the day, Emperor Wei appeared in high spirits, yet his complexion now showed a bluish-black tinge, indicating that he had taken the pills in small doses over time.

Day by day, year by year, the poison had seeped deep into his organs, and he had developed resistance to other drugs. The method of using toxins to counteract toxins might not be effective.

After cleaning up the broken pieces, Mr. Bamboo stood up and walked to Yun Ji's side.

With a sigh:

"Indeed, I understand that haste makes waste, and as a physician, I know well that impatience and restlessness only lead to wasted energy."

"Since Master Zhu is aware of this, why not set aside your current tasks? Emperor Wei's condition cannot be resolved in a day or two, so there is no need to rush."

Yun Ji offered another comforting word.

"The Prince is wise. I should indeed take a moment to calm myself."

Master Zhu nodded.

Their exchange seemed normal, yet Su RAO suddenly felt that there was an underlying meaning in Yun Ji and Master Zhu's words, something only they understood.

The explosion had destroyed the medicine jars and the concoctions, leaving Master Zhu and Master Huishan disheveled. They went to tidy themselves up.

Yun Ji instructed Yun Feng to prepare dinner for Master Huishan and Master Zhu.

...

At that moment, inside the palace of Zhu Xian, in Emperor Wei's chambers.

Emperor Wei, who had caught a chill, did not take any cooling and detoxifying medicine. Instead, he sat facing Empress Rong.

His face showed no emotion, completely ignoring Empress Rong's gloomy gaze.

After a brief glance, he walked to his desk, laid out a sheet of paper, weighed down the corners with a paperweight, and began to paint.

He composed himself, entirely disregarding Empress Rong's presence.

"You may have disrupted things today, but how many times can you do so? I have plenty of opportunities, and this one doesn't matter."

With these words, Empress Rong rose and left with dignity.

As she took her first step, Emperor Wei spoke:

"My dear, I am fine. You must be tired today, so go rest. Shao will look after me. Take Ling'er back; she must be frightened by me. Tonight, stay with Ling'er and reassure her that her father is alright."

The meaning behind these words...

Ling'er was outside, and whatever conflict we have, we must not let her notice.

"Since Wei Lang does not want me to see him weak, very well. I will listen and rest. I will call Shao in to accompany Wei Lang. Tonight, I will take care of Ling'er, and tomorrow morning, I hope to see a refreshed Wei Lang."

Empress Rong left these words.

Because Emperor Wei did not want Empress Rong to see him in such a 'sick' state, she obediently left.

The words exchanged between Emperor Wei and Empress Rong were not just for each other but also for Xianmu Yaling, Rong Feng, and the imperial physicians outside.

"Mother, is Father alright?"

As soon as Empress Rong stepped out of the inner chamber, Xianmu Yaling hurried forward, knowing that both Empress Rong and Emperor Wei were putting on a show for her, but still pretending to be unaware.

Rong Feng, standing nearby, also expressed concern, understanding why Xianmu Yaling had red eyes earlier and why Shao had been so cold toward Empress Rong.

"Aunt, Uncle..."

"It's nothing serious, just a bit of a chill."

Facing her daughter and nephew, Empress Rong softened her expression, acting as a caring elder. She touched Xianmu Yaling's face before turning to Shao.

"Shao, go check on your royal brother, but don't say much. Let him rest early and avoid tiring himself."

"Your Highness, please rest early as well. Your subject understands."

Shao entered the inner chamber, patting Xianmu Yaling's shoulder as he passed by, seemingly offering comfort, but only they knew it was a silent message to endure.