Chapter 304 Bestowed Medicine

Chapter 304: Giving Out the Elixir

Qiu Heng's heart dropped like a rock.

Xue Han hadn't been able to drop the incense pellet into the Boshan censer.

It wasn't just Xue Han's failure that made her heart sink—it was also the person who came out with him: Brother Ling.

Even though she couldn't ask anything at the moment, a suspicion still popped into her head: Was Xue Han's failure because of Brother Ling?

True, if anyone in Changchun Garden knew her best, besides Xue Han, it was Brother Ling, who'd spent years with her.

She insisted on going to the Immortal Gathering Banquet, which must have made him suspicious. And since he was super smart, even without knowing the plan, once something went wrong at the feast, all he had to do was watch her and Xue Han.

When did Brother Ling begin to doubt her?

Qiu Heng no longer stared at Xue Han, nor did she look at Ling Yun. Instead, she dropped her gaze and squeezed her fists.

Was it because the Crown Prince had avoided the curse scandal, making the people behind Master Miaoqing realize someone had tipped him off, thus casting suspicion on her and Xue Han?

During the autumn hunt, it was Xue Han who rescued the Crown Prince from the fire. And the one behind the fire was now not hard to guess—it was the person behind Master Miaoqing.

Was Brother Ling just as hooked on immortality as Emperor Jingping, and that's why he respected Master Miaoqing so much? Or had the people behind Master Miaoqing promised some benefit to Prince Kang's mansion?

Qiu Heng bit her lip hard. A faint taste of blood spread in her mouth, but it couldn't compare to the pain in her heart.

She didn't believe it.

She didn't believe that Brother Ling, so upright and honorable, could be blinded by so-called immortality or power.

But why had he screwed up Xue Han's plan?

Maybe she was being paranoid—they simply came out together by coincidence.

Qiu Heng comforted herself like this and looked up at Ling Yun.

He was quietly watching her.

Qiu Heng's heart ached. The faint hope of self-deception crumbled to dust.

He knew that Xue Han, left behind in the hall, was going to hurt Emperor Jingping, and he stopped Xue Han.

So what was he going to do after the banquet?

How was she supposed to face a Brother Ling like this?

Qiu Heng forced herself to look away, looking up at the sky.

The weird smell was gone. Several cranes circled, hanging around, then gradually flew higher.

The girl watching the cranes fought back the hot tears in her eyes, her heart turning cold.

She wasn't invulnerable, especially when the knife came from someone she trusted and loved.

The cranes flew far away.

Emperor Jingping, grinning with pleasure amid all the sycophantic praise, returned to the hall.

On either side of the hall, the tables were empty of people but piled high with fine wine and delicacies.

Soon the ministers returned to their seats, whispering among themselves, clearly still discussing the arrival of the cranes.

Qiu Heng picked up bits and pieces of talk drifting into her ears and clenched her fists.

Using weird incense to lure the cranes was a fallback plan. When discussing with Xue Han, they'd thought that if it failed, it would actually make Master Miaoqing's claims of seeking immortals and the Dao more convincing.

Emperor Jingping would trust him even more, and some officials would waver and go along with him. Master Miaoqing's words would carry greater weight in the emperor's mind.

But opportunities to act were so rare, and time was so tight, that they just couldn't stand to miss it.

She cherished every chance and was still determined to try.

To kill that tyrant, how could there be no risk?

She'd thought about failing, but not that it would be because of Brother Ling.

"A Heng, do you have something on your mind?" Princess Rongning took Qiu Heng's hand. "If you're in trouble, I can help you."

Qiu Heng's lowered lashes fluttered slightly as she looked at Princess Rongning.

Having experienced the trip to Western Jiang, Princess Rongning was like a sharp sword, but one wrapped in a soft sheath.

"I'm just shocked by the cranes showing up. Could it be that immortals really exist in this world?"

Princess Rongning's gaze fell on Master Miaoqing, who stood by Emperor Jingping's side. Her eyes flashed disgust as she whispered, "I don't know if there are immortals, but it can't be like this..."

Even if immortals didn't pity the common people, they wouldn't trick an emperor into skipping court, would they?

She didn't understand. How come so many well-read officials couldn't see something so obvious?

The music changed to a new tune.

Emperor Jingping's excitement over the cranes gradually calmed, and he remembered the highlight of today's banquet.

"My dear officials."

At his words, the whole hall went silent.

"I've recovered my health so quickly, all thanks to the elixir refined by Master Miaoqing. You present are all pillars of our Great Xia. At today's Immortal Gathering Banquet, I invite you all to take the elixir together, to seek immortality."

Emperor Jingping's impassioned voice echoed through the hall, and the ministers' faces were a mix of reactions.

Rumors were true—the emperor really meant to give out the elixir at the banquet and make them take it on the spot.

Most ministers had stiff faces, filled with helplessness.

Even with the cranes descending today, talk of immortality was too absurd.

But looking at Emperor Jingping's fanatical expression and reddened eyes, the words of advice caught in their throats but got swallowed down.

To speak up and object at a time like this would likely cost them their lives.

The sudden silence made Emperor Jingping frown and go, "Hmm?"

That "Hmm" instantly brought some officials back to their senses. They quickly stepped out, knelt, and shouted, "Your subject thanks His Majesty for his grace!"

With someone taking the lead, no matter what they really thought, everyone present knelt: "Your subject thanks His Majesty for his grace."

Emperor Jingping smiled in satisfaction and called out, "Give out the elixir."

The music softened, ethereal as if from beyond the clouds. One by one, palace maids entered carrying brocade trays, placing jade bowls containing the elixir before each guest.

The elixir for Emperor Jingping was naturally not to be confused with that of the others; at Master Miaoqing’s signal, Ling Yun personally presented it.

“Ministers, help yourselves.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The officials each picked up the pill before them. Some were curious, but most braced themselves, slowly bringing the pill to their lips under the emperor’s watchful gaze.

Emperor Jingping swept his gaze across the hall, pausing briefly at Qiu Heng's seat, just in time to see her swallow the elixir.

The young woman kept her eyes lowered; he noticed a pale pink crabapple blossom pinned in her hair—he couldn't tell if it was silk or real.

As that thought crossed his mind, Emperor Jingping put the elixir in his mouth and chewed it with obvious enjoyment.

The fragrance of the medicine seemed even richer than what he had taken before.

Wiping the corner of his mouth, Emperor Jingping felt the familiar warmth spread through his abdomen and asked with a smile, “Ministers, how do you like it?”

“As soon as the immortal pill entered my stomach, I felt warmth all over my body and lightness in my limbs... I humbly thank Your Majesty for granting this celestial fortune!”

A few sycophantic officials scrambled to offer their praise.

Those who had been skeptical felt the change in their bodies and started to waver.

After all, the elixir did make them feel thoroughly comfortable—could it really be a miraculous medicine?

Watching the reactions of his ministers, Emperor Jingping grew even more pleased. Buoyed by a sense of elation, he turned his gaze to Qiu Heng and said, “County Princess Suiyun.”

Qiu Heng stepped forward and knelt: “I am here, Your Majesty.”

“How do you like the elixir?”

“It was like drinking heavenly dew.”

“I recall you were ill last year. The Honored Consort—she—” At the mention of Honored Consort Yu, Emperor Jingping sighed mournfully, “She's always thought of you. I grant you ten elixir pills. May you enjoy good health and strength, and come to court often to keep Beauty Qiu company. That would be worthy of the Honored Consort’s love for you.”

Hearing this, Xue Quan, who knew Emperor Jingping best, felt a chill run down his spine.