Chapter 294 Adoration

Chapter 294: Adulation

Xue Quan wanted to cry, but couldn't. In a daze, he returned to his private residence outside the palace and leaned weakly against the bed.

He clutched to his chest the bottle of miraculous medicine gifted by Master Miaoqing. In his ears, the physician's words echoed.

A drug fierce as a tiger or wolf—what a drug fierce as a tiger or wolf!

Xue Quan pulled the bottle from his chest and raised it high, wanting to hurl it to the ground with all his might. But his arm remained raised for a long time before finally dropping weakly.

What use was smashing it?

The Emperor had already taken this medicine, and Master Miaoqing had leaped to become the Emperor’s new favorite. Was he supposed to go before the Emperor right now and tell him the medicine was harmful?

Not to mention that, given how well he knew the Emperor, the man simply wouldn’t believe him—or rather, wouldn’t want to—but what if he did believe?

A chill rose from his heart, spreading through his entire body.

If the Emperor believed, he, as the one who presented the medicine, would be the first to die!

But if he did nothing and let the Emperor continue taking it, the Emperor’s body probably wouldn’t hold out much longer. By then, he would still face death.

Frustration, pain, resentment, regret... a tangle of emotions tormented Xue Quan beyond measure.

"Father."

Xue Quan shifted his gaze toward the door, but didn’t respond.

Xue Han walked over and sat by the bed.

"Is Father unwell?"

Shocked and weak, Xue Quan suddenly erupted with irrational fury, raised his hand, and slapped Xue Han.

Xue Han didn’t dodge, nor did he touch his cheek. Calmly, he asked, "Has Father consulted a physician?"

"Xue Han!" Xue Quan pointed a trembling finger at him. "Why do you have to cause me trouble!"

"What does Father mean by that?"

Xue Quan glared viciously at Xue Han. "You wretched pest! Couldn’t you have pretended not to know? If you hadn’t spoken, how could I have fallen into such a dilemma?"

He would rather have known nothing. When the Emperor’s time came, whatever his fate, at least it would be quick—not this prolonged torment.

To pretend ignorance would betray the Emperor; to speak up would cost him his life instantly.

Even if death was inevitable, he didn’t want to die now. He could put things off one day at a time.

He was simply a coward who clung to life.

The more Xue Quan thought, the angrier he became at Xue Han.

"Father, I told you because I was afraid you would keep taking that dangerous medicine and damage your health."

Xue Quan’s fury seemed to deflate like a punctured balloon. He stared blankly at the adopted son before him.

This was a child he had taken a liking to at first sight, raised with meticulous care. But they shared no blood ties, and besides, he himself was a eunuch.

He liked him, valued him, yet also guarded against him, suspicious of him.

And now, Xue Quan suddenly felt a glimmer of joy.

Even if these words were a lie, hearing them made him a little happy.

The emotions that had collapsed because there was no way forward or back gradually calmed down.

"Is that truly what you think?" Xue Quan stared intently into Xue Han’s eyes.

"You raised me... Of course I hope Father stays healthy."

Xue Quan’s lips trembled, and the corners of his eyes grew moist.

He had made one wrong move, and it doomed any good outcome. The best he could do was protect Han’er.

"Han’er, I’ll ask the Emperor to transfer you to a border town. Leave the capital—this place of trouble—as soon as possible. When that day comes, don’t let me implicate you."

Xue Han shook his head. "I don’t want to leave the capital at a time like this."

Xue Quan’s face darkened. "Don’t act on impulse."

"I’m not acting impulsively. Father has forgotten, I saved the Crown Prince’s life. The Crown Prince is magnanimous by nature. When the day of the Emperor... comes, Father still might have a way out."

A glimmer of life returned to Xue Quan’s lifeless eyes, but it soon faded. "It’s not that easy."

"As long as there’s even a shred of hope, I won’t abandon Father and go far away."

"Han’er—" Xue Quan grabbed Xue Han’s hand tightly, his throat feeling as if blocked by a stone, aching and choked.

"Father, don’t persuade me."

Xue Han knew that deep down, he wasn’t as filial as he appeared, but his wish for his foster father to have a good end was genuine.

"Father, I suspect Master Miaoqing didn't offer the medicine to the Emperor just to get ahead."

"What do you mean?"

"Taking that dangerous medicine, the Emperor won’t last long. When that day comes... Master Miaoqing won’t just lose his chance at the title of National Preceptor—he may even face death. He probably has other preparations. I’d like Father to keep an eye on how he acts around the Emperor and make plans accordingly."

Xue Quan slowly nodded.

Word soon spread that Master Miaoqing of Lingwei Temple was about to be granted the title of National Preceptor.

Instantly, Lingwei Temple became a gathering place for nobles. Burning incense was just an excuse; the real purpose was to cultivate closer ties with Master Miaoqing.

Among them were those of high rank and power, not seeking to gain the Emperor’s favor through him, but simply drawn by Master Miaoqing’s skills.

Master Miaoqing wasn’t only profound in Daoist arts but also refined miraculous medicines that could strengthen health and prolong life!

Don’t believe it? Then how had the Emperor, who had been ill for months, recovered so quickly?

And there was also the Heir of Prince Kang, frail and sickly since childhood. It was said that after begging for Master Miaoqing’s miraculous medicine, his health improved, and he even knelt to be taken as a lay disciple.

For a time, Master Miaoqing’s fame soared to unprecedented heights. Rumors about him drew wide attention. As a result, news that an imperial physician named Wang, after finishing his house calls, slipped into Qinglian Lake on his way back and still had not been recovered—like a little stone thrown into water, barely caused a ripple.

Of course, among the common folk, stories about water ghosts in Qinglian Lake looking for replacements became more intense.

When Qiu Heng heard that Ling Yun had been accepted as a lay disciple by Master Miaoqing, she could hardly believe it.

Brother Ling has become a registered disciple of Master Miaoqing?

Yes, Master Miaoqing is not undeserving of his reputation in Daoist arts, but concocting and offering powerful drugs to Emperor Jingping—whether for fame or at someone else's instigation—shows his ambition and desire.

Big Brother Ling is indifferent to fame and fortune; why would he get involved in this?

Qiu Heng couldn't understand, so she went to ask.

As the adopted daughter of Princess Kang, Qiu Heng had easy access to Prince Kang's residence, so she went straight there, using the excuse of visiting County Princess Jiayi.

"A Heng, it's been so long! What have you been busy with?" County Princess Jiayi warmly took Qiu Heng's arm, speaking with a hint of reproach.

She had sent two invitations to A Heng, but A Heng always said she was busy.

"Actually, an old illness flared up, and I just got better after resting for a few days."

County Princess Jiayi looked concerned. "Was the previous illness not fully cured?"

"When you're sick for so long, a few problems are inevitable; I'll take my time recovering. How has Big Brother Ling been lately? Has his headache recurred?"

When Qiu Heng asked about Ling Yun, County Princess Jiayi couldn't help smiling. "Big Brother's headache hasn't come back lately."

"That's great! Did he find a famous doctor?"

"Brother took a miraculous pill given by Master Miaoqing, and his headache hasn't come back."

Qiu Heng's heart sank, but her face showed nothing. "The pill is that effective? Is Big Brother Ling at home? I'll go see him—maybe I can even ask him for one of those pills."

"Big Brother has gone to Lingwei Temple."

Seeing Qiu Heng's disappointment, County Princess Jiayi suggested, "I'll come with you to Lingwei Temple to look for him."

"Okay."