Chapter 301 A New Opportunity

Chapter 301: New Opportunity

Qiu Heng lowered her eyes, sitting quietly.

Xue Han raised his hand and placed it on her shoulder: "Foster father has always been loyal to the current emperor. He cannot bring himself to do it."

Let alone my foster father, how many people have the courage to commit regicide?

Even if it is an unwise monarch, a tyrant.

"I'm not discouraged. I'm just lamenting that there really is no easy way. I still have to find a way to do it myself."

Xue Han held Qiu Heng's hand: "A Heng, we'll do it together."

"The foolish emperor no longer holds court now. It seems the next time he appears in public will be at the Dragon Boat Festival."

At the Dragon Boat Festival boat race, Emperor Jingping would watch according to tradition.

But such occasions are heavily guarded, making it difficult to find an opportunity to act.

Qiu Heng and Xue Han repeatedly deliberated and refined their plan, searching for that glimmer of success.

Plans cannot keep up with changes. Before the Dragon Boat Festival arrived, news suddenly spread that Emperor Jingping would host a banquet for all ministers at the Changchun Garden.

And the cause was related to the day when the Imperial Guard suddenly surrounded the Eastern Palace.

It was not known from whose mouth it spread, but the officials and nobility still learned the real reason why the Eastern Palace was surrounded.

"Have you heard? The current emperor suddenly felt unwell. Master Miaoqing sensed malevolent aura in the Eastern Palace. The current emperor personally went to the Eastern Palace and dug up from under a cassia tree in the inner courtyard—"

The official who was listening blurted out in horror: "A figurine?"

The official who brought up the matter shook his head meaningfully: "If it had been a figurine, that would have caused an upheaval!"

"Then what was dug up?"

"A clay dog given by the former empress to the Crown Prince, a folk item for warding off disasters and seeking blessings."

"Thank goodness, thank goodness."

"What's so good about that? Master Miaoqing then said that the current emperor's discomfort was caused by the former empress's resentment. That day, Eunuch Xue led a group to the Eastern Palace a second time, smashing all the items the former empress had left behind for the Crown Prince, and also cutting down the cassia tree..."

After a brief silence, the listener's voice trembled as he said: "This time it's not a figurine. What about next time?"

No one is a fool. Master Miaoqing's deceptive talk bewitched the ruler; this was clearly a conspiracy targeting the Crown Prince.

Look at history, how many people were implicated in witchcraft accusations?

This is not just a crisis for the Crown Prince. In a hurricane, no one dares to claim they won't be caught up. And once caught up, it means utter destruction.

Some officials firmly supported the Crown Prince, some were unwilling to see the country in turmoil, and some feared being implicated themselves. The ministers gathered at the palace gate, requesting an audience with Emperor Jingping.

Emperor Jingping was busy with alchemy and seeking the Way, always feeling he didn't have enough time. He reluctantly made time to see the ministers, listened to a bellyful of admonishments, flew into a rage, and returned to the Hall of Eternal Life.

"These fools are all shortsighted."

The ministers dared not speak too directly, euphemistically advising Emperor Jingping to return to state affairs, to draw close to worthy officials and stay away from petty men, but to Emperor Jingping, it all sounded unusually harsh.

"Imperial Uncle, please don't be angry and harm your dragon body," Ling Yun said gently, trying to soothe him.

Emperor Jingping nodded approvingly: "Among many nephews, I have always thought highly of you. Now it seems I was not wrong."

Everyone came to interfere with his path to immortality, only Yun'er accompanied him, supported him, sharing the same ideals and aspirations.

"If those people were half as sensible as you, Yun'er, I wouldn't be so annoyed."

Ling Yun smiled: "Nephew has been at the side of the True Man, listening to his sermons on scriptures, taking elixirs, and knows well the True Man's extraordinary abilities. Those officials did not intentionally offend Imperial Uncle; they merely do not understand."

Emperor Jingping's heart stirred.

His nephew's words reminded him that those idiots came to bother him precisely because they didn't understand. If they discovered that taking the True Man's elixirs could prolong life, they would no longer hinder him.

After a brief thought, Emperor Jingping said to Master Miaoqing: "True Man, prepare enough elixirs. I want to hold a 'Banquet of Immortals.' Each guest will be given one elixir, so they can personally experience its miraculous effects. Then, at the ceremony to appoint the National Preceptor, they will be more reverent."

Hearing Emperor Jingping mention the appointment ceremony, Master Miaoqing's hesitation vanished.

Healthy people who take a small dose of elixir will feel warmth throughout their bodies and have abundant energy, which would exactly boost his reputation.

"Xue Quan, you are to draw up the guest list. Not too many people, but include civil and military officials, imperial clan nobility, and representatives from all sides."

"Yes."

The Banquet of Immortals was set for the end of the fourth month.

Xue Han was on the guest list.

"A Heng, give me the incense pellets. I will act as the situation dictates."

A palace banquet requires many preparations, from seating arrangements to the placement of incense burners—nothing can be overlooked.

Qiu Heng was reluctant to miss this banquet: "I heard the guest list was drawn up by Eunuch Xue, and it also includes women. Xue Han, please ask Eunuch Xue if you can add me."

Xue Han told the truth: "Foster father said, don't even think about it."

Qiu Heng wrung her hands in regret: "If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have spoken so bluntly that day."

Not only did she fail to persuade Xue Quan, but she also added more obstacles.

"This time, the only women at the banquet are a few imperial consorts. Even if you hadn't spoken bluntly, you wouldn't be on the list. Don't fret."

Qiu Heng handed over the brocade pouch.

Xue Han reached out to take it, but she did not let go of the pouch.

Xue Han found it amusing: "A Heng?"

Qiu Heng reluctantly let go: "Be careful. If there's no opportunity, forget it. There's still the Dragon Boat Festival."

The excitement of the dragon boat race is no less than that of the Lantern Festival's, naturally offering better opportunities than the palace banquet.

But right now, the most important thing is time.

Emperor Jingping's collapse is inevitable. The more time he has left, the more danger the Crown Prince faces.

After parting with Xue Han, Qiu Heng waited on the path that Ling Yun must take to return to the Kang Commandery Prince's residence.

"A Heng, why are you here?"

Unlike Master Miaoqing, who lived in the palace, Ling Yun would leave the palace and return home before the palace gates were locked each day.

"Brother Ling, I heard that the Emperor is holding a Celestial Banquet at the Changchun Garden."

"Mm."

"Could you please ask Eunuch Xue for me? I want to attend."

Ling Yun's eyes, as clear as still water, fell on Qiu Heng's face. "A Heng, why have you suddenly gotten so fond of these lively gatherings?"

"I've always liked excitement; it's you, Brother Ling, who likes peace and quiet."

"Is the excitement the only reason, A Heng?" Ling Yun asked lightly.

Qiu Heng pursed her lips. "It's said that the Emperor will bestow miraculous pills at the Celestial Banquet. I want to see how miraculous the pills you pursue so eagerly really are."

"So curious?"

Qiu Heng nodded. "Very curious."

Ling Yun was silent for a while, then smiled. "Alright, I'll talk to Eunuch Xue."

Qiu Heng was taken aback.

The reason she gave was quite flimsy; she thought she would have to beg and plead, but unexpectedly Brother Ling agreed.

His ready agreement only made her feel it was too good to be true.

"What's with the dazed look?" Ling Yun asked with a smile.

Qiu Heng composed herself. "Oh, I was thinking whether Eunuch Xue would refuse..."

"It seems Eunuch Xue has already refused." Ling Yun raised his hand to pat the girl on the head, but in the end silently put his hand down.

Compared to when she was in Suiyun County, she had grown a lot taller; she was truly a grown young lady now.

"Don't worry, Eunuch Xue will agree. I'll speak to him in front of the Emperor."

"Thank you, Brother Ling." Qiu Heng curtsied. "Then I'll go back first. I'll wait for your news."