Chapter 293 Tell Xue Quan

Chapter 293: Telling Xue Quan

Uncle Xu, having narrowly escaped death, was especially reluctant to talk about matters within the palace.

For instance, when Qiu Heng was poisoned, or when Xue Han brought him the antidote pills to study, he never asked for details.

But this time, he couldn't help asking.

Honored Consort Yu died in a way that drew everyone's attention—there was no ignoring it. Naturally, he had heard that the Emperor was sick and the Crown Prince was handling state affairs.

At such a time, Xue Han brought him so-called miraculous pills, and it wasn't hard to guess who was taking them.

"Xue Lad, I advise you not to bring this pill business up in front of the Emperor."

"Why does Uncle Xu say that?"

Uncle Xu pointed to the porcelain bottle containing the remaining half pill, a mocking smile on his lips. "How will you prove to the Emperor that this pill is problematic?"

Before Xue Han could answer, Uncle Xu chuckled. "Have the imperial physicians analyze the pill? Most people in the Imperial Hospital just want to avoid trouble, not earn merit. This pill has already been taken by the Emperor. Who would dare speak the truth? They'll only brush it off with harmless words to avoid trouble. By then, you'll just dig yourself deeper into trouble. Moreover—"

"Moreover what?" Qiu Heng asked in support.

"Moreover, is the Emperor willing to believe it?"

Qiu Heng wanted to applaud Uncle Xu.

The word "willing" was painfully ironic.

Emperor Jingping wielded supreme power, indulging in extravagance and pleasure, wishing this happy life could go on forever. Forget thinking he's recovered—even if he were still bedridden, he wouldn't want to believe his time was short.

Telling him the truth would likely result in refusal to accept it, and he would fly into a rage.

"Thank you for the warning, Uncle Xu." Xue Han cupped his hands in a salute.

"You two return to the city." Uncle Xu looked at them with an unreadable expression.

Leaving Uncle Xu's place, Qiu Heng asked Xue Han, "What do you plan to do?"

"I'm thinking about Master Miaoqing's purpose in offering such miraculous pills to the Emperor. Was it just for temporary favor?"

If Emperor Jingping died, even the greatest imperial favor would be like a flower in a mirror or the moon's reflection on water—empty and fleeting.

"I'll go see my foster father first." Xue Han raised his hand and gently stroked Qiu Heng's cheek. "A Heng, the situation is unpredictable now. Don't throw yourself into the forefront."

"Got it. Go quickly." Qiu Heng smiled and pushed Xue Han lightly, but inwardly she wasn't as relaxed as she appeared.

Of the Five Traitors, three had been eliminated, and Honored Consort Yu was dead. Now that Emperor Jingping was at death's door, and the handover of imperial power was around the corner, she couldn't stay out of it.

In truth, the moment that would truly determine her success—or failure—was fast approaching.

Xue Han headed straight for the imperial city. As he entered the palace, he encountered Master Miaoqing leaving, escorted by none other than Xue Quan.

"Father."

Xue Quan smiled and introduced Xue Han to Master Miaoqing. "This is my son, Xue Han. You've met him before, Master."

Xue Han cupped his hands in greeting.

Master Miaoqing was affable. "Xue benefactor also has a natural affinity for the Way. You may come to Lingwei Temple more often to discuss the Way."

After some polite small talk, Xue Han quietly followed Xue Quan as they escorted Master Miaoqing out of the imperial city. Then the two went to the Imperial City Bureau to talk.

"Han'er, from now on, you must not disrespect Master Miaoqing. His Majesty has decreed that Master Miaoqing be appointed National Master. The appointment ceremony will take place soon."

Xue Han's eyes narrowed. "So soon?"

Xue Quan chuckled. "His Majesty has been ill for months and has recovered entirely thanks to Master Miaoqing. Hearing his lectures on the sutras, His Majesty greatly admired him. Appointing him National Master is only natural."

Master Miaoqing's rapid rise to prominence was largely due to Xue Quan's help. It was also good for Xue Quan that Miaoqing was appointed National Master.

Xue Han noticed the joy on Xue Quan's face, but his heart felt heavy.

At this point, even if his foster father believed what he said, there was no way back from this.

Xue Han took from his pouch the handkerchief that held the pill and slowly unfolded it.

Xue Quan immediately recognized it as the miraculous pill concocted by Master Miaoqing. He stared at Xue Han suspiciously.

"Father, I had a very experienced physician examine this pill. It is no miracle drug, but a harsh, draining medicine that saps one's life energy."

"Impossible!" Xue Quan's face darkened. He slammed the table and stood up. "Where did you find this physician? How can you trust just anyone's word?"

"Father, this is a matter of grave importance. How could I be reckless in my conclusion?"

Xue Quan slumped back into his chair, staring fixedly at the pill lying on the handkerchief.

He had already taken one pill himself. After consuming it, he felt comfortable all over, refreshed, as if he had boundless energy. How could this be a harmful drug?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

"Before I presented the miraculous pill to His Majesty, I had an imperial physician check it." Xue Quan's face was frosty; he found it hard to believe Xue Han's words.

This pill made the Emperor feel good, it made him feel good, and the imperial physician had checked it and found no problem. Why did his adopted son now say it was a harmful medicine?

And what would that make him—the one who presented such a harmful drug to His Majesty?

Xue Quan didn't dare think further. He fixed an icy stare on Xue Han.

"Father, which imperial physician did you ask to examine it?"

Xue Quan frowned, reluctant to answer.

"Father, I am your only son. No one wishes you well more than I do." Xue Han met that chilling gaze earnestly.

The ice in Xue Quan's eyes wavered, cracking. He uttered a name: "Imperial Physician Wang."

Imperial Physician Wang?

Xue Han immediately thought of how Imperial Physician Wang had once followed Honored Consort Yu's orders to visit Qiu Heng at the Earl Yongqing's residence.

This Imperial Physician Wang, bowing to authority, could act for Honored Consort Yu, so naturally he could act for others as well.

"Imperial Physician Wang is highly skilled and has a personal acquaintance with me. He wouldn't lie on such a matter."

"Father, have you considered that Imperial Physician Wang might have been bribed?"

"You mean to say that Master Miaoqing bribed Imperial Physician Wang to claim his pills were safe, and then used my hand to present them to His Majesty, to get ahead in life?" Xue Quan said this, but his expression was skeptical.

"The fact is that Master Miaoqing's pills are harmful. Father, if you don't believe it, you can quietly find a good doctor to check them."

Xue Quan braced both hands on the table, his tone extremely cold: "I'll find a different doctor to re-examine them. But Han'er, you must promise me one thing."

"Father, please speak."

"Not a single word of this must ever be leaked."

"Don't worry, Father. I understand how serious this is."

Xue Quan drew a deep breath and marched out of the Imperial City Bureau.

Rest assured?

He was so shocked by his adopted son's words he could barely breathe. Rest assured? Bullshit!

Out of caution, Xue Quan did not seek out another imperial physician. After leaving the palace, he disguised himself and visited a renowned doctor.

The doctor was highly skilled and experienced. He examined the pill Xue Quan had brought and hesitated to speak.

"Please speak freely, Doctor," Xue Quan said, pushing a silver ingot over. "You don't know who I am, and once I get my answer, I won't be coming back."

Hearing this, the doctor felt relieved. He pocketed the silver and shook his head with a sigh. "This is a violent, harmful drug that makes patients look like they're getting better—but it's poison..."

Xue Quan had already felt a sense of foreboding when the doctor hesitated. Upon hearing the term 'dangerous drug,' all hope vanished, and his blood ran cold.

It was over—completely over. He would be the death of the emperor!