Chapter 48
Lin Qingyu asked Xiao Songzi to help him keep an eye on the situation in Qinzheng Hall. But Xiao Songzi was only a eunuch charged with delivering meals. He was only ever in Qinzheng Hall for a short time every day and the information he could get was limited.
Lin Qingyu pieced together these scattered clues. The only thing that was certain was that the message “If Odd, change; if even, remain the same” came from either Xixia or Yongliang and that Xiao Cheng summoned the Imperial Academy scholars to Qinzheng Hall to decipher this code.
The thought of going to Yong Liang to find that person did cross his mind. But when he thought about it calmly, it was obviously not a wise move; not to mention that Yong Liang was a long way from the capital, taking at least a month to go there and back. Even if he did go, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack without any clues to go by. It would be better to stay in the palace and find some clues.
At this time, Lin Qingyu was in no hurry. It was good that that person was alive. No matter how difficult the situation was, but as long as they were live, they would meet again. What’s more, he has long understood that person’s temperament. He may be lazy, but when it came conspiracies and tricks, he was no match for him.
He believed that that person would do everything possible to get back to him. He didn’t have to go anywhere. He’ll just wait for him where he was.
He also didn’t know… how that person looked like now. Old or young, male or female, beautiful or ugly. Jiang liked looking at beauties, he once ranked the most handsome men in the capital. Lu Wancheng was already considered a rare handsome son of nobility but it still wasn’t as good as his original appearance. When Jiang had reappeared in front of him on the seventh night after his death, he made it a point to emphasize this fact. It showed that he was very satisfied with his appearance. If he had transmigrated to have an ugly appearance this time, Jiang had probably gotten so angry that he vomited blood. He might not even have the face to appear in front of him.
If he had become a woman, given his character, after a period of inner struggle and pain, he had probably calmly accepted it. Maybe he could even find a man to marry him who would let him just lie down, eat and drink. Then, if that were the case… better to just marry him.
Thinking of this, a long-absent smile reappeared on Lin Qingyu’s face. His eyes were clear like water and his cheeks were brighter than the blooming peonies. Hu Ji, who’d been watching him, couldn’t help but be entranced.
Hu Ji couldn’t help asking: “Imperial Physician Lin, why are you so happy?”
The corners of Lin Qingyu’s lips rose slightly. “It’s been a hundred days since my husband’s passing. Is this not worth being happy about?”
“This…” Hu Ji quickly retracted his gaze, not daring to look at him again. Although beautiful people were beautiful; ordinary people would never have the fortune to have them. He himself was certain he never would have this blessing and so he didn’t even dare to entertain any delusions.
As the two were talking, an eccentric sounding voice came from behind them, “Is engaging in idle chatter part of your duties?!”
The speaker was naturally none other than Chu Zhengde. Since last time when Lin Qingyu was called to Fengyi Palace, Chu Zhengde found him more and more offensive to look at. This treatment extended even to Hu Ji, who was close to him.
The Imperial Hospital was a place where they placed great importance on seniority. They were subordinate officials and naturally they couldn’t blatantly disobey Chu Zhengde. Hu Ji closed his mouth, feeling embarrassed. Lin Qingyu was in a good mood and didn’t feel like bothering to argue with the old fool.
Not long after, a eunuch from the Eastern Palace came to the Imperial Hospital, saying that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was feeling unwell. Lin Qingyu was being summoned to the Eastern Palace to provide diagnosis and treatment.
The first time, he could bear with it; the second time, he was driven to the edge of his forbearance. Chu Zhengde said angrily, “It has always been I who looked after the health of the master of the Eastern Palace. If not I, then Hu Ji. Lin Qingyu is of little talent and shallow learning, how could His Highness request him for diagnosis and treatment?” Both the Empress and the Crown Prince have bypassed him, looking for Lin Qingyu instead. This was nothing short of a slap to the face!
Lin Qingyu said indifferently, “It seems that Imperial Physician Chu wishes to be the one to go and give the diagnosis and treatment to the Crown Prince. If Imperial Physician Chu wants this blessing, then by all means.”
The East Palace’s eunuch said coldly, “Who among us could possibly guess His Highness’s intentions? We simply need to obey his orders. Could it be that you intend to disobey and disrespect His Highness?”
Chu Zhengde stomped his foot. “It just doesn’t make sense!”
Hu Ji knew vaguely what the Crown Prince’s thoughts were of Lin Qingyu. He said worriedly, “Imperial Physician Lin, you must be careful.”
“It’s alright.” Lin Qingyu put a porcelain bottle into his sleeve, “The Crown Prince is wary of General Gu, so he shouldn’t do anything to me.”
He and Gu Fuzhou had never met and Gu Fuzhou recognized his father as his adoptive father only because of his life-saving grace. Gu Fuzhou was far away in Yong Liang but he was able to shelter him under his illustrious military achievements, making it so that Xiao Cheng couldn’t lay his hands on him for the time being. Even if it was unintentional on Gu Fuzhou’s part, he deserved to be thanked in person.
Just in case, Lin Qingyu said again, “Won’t you go to Changle Palace to ask Concubine Chen to let you diagnose her pulse?”
Arriving at the Easter Palace, Lin Qingyu followed the eunuch to the side hall where the crown prince was resting. “Imperial Physician Lin, please.”
Lin Qingyu walked into the hall. Inside, it was like a fierce gale had passed through. Atop the mess as a wine case filled with empty jugs. Xiao Cheng was laying on his side behind the wine case. he had his neck tilted, pouring wine into his mouth. He looked both greasy and desolate.
Lin Qingyu knelt down and saluted according to customary etiquette. “Your Highness.”
Xiao Chen threw away the jug and staggered to his feet. He looked downed at him from above. “You’re here, you have the nerve to keep Gu waiting”
“This humble official would not dare.”
“What would you not dare? Gu can clearly see that you have a lot of nerve.” Xiao Cheng looked at him for a good long while, his eyes gradually becoming confused. He raised his hand, wanting to touch his face, “Your eyes…you were born with very good eyes.”
Lin Qingyu felt nausea in his stomach. He tilted his head to avoid Xiao Cheng’s hand. It was as though Xiao Cheng had been dealt a heavy blow. It seemed that he could now see clearly that the person in front of him wasn’t the one in his heart. “Jingchun would never look at a Gu with this kind of eyes,” Xiao Cheng’s mouth curved into a cruel arc, “If you were blind, I wonder if you would be more like Jingchun, eyes filled only with innocence.”
Lin Qingyu looked at him quietly, but in his heart, he was thinking up of countless ways to humiliate the other. Xiao Cheng gave him inspiration — blinding him was one way; or he could simply take out his eyeballs, that seemed quite interesting as well.
“Your Highness has drunk too much.” Lin Qingyu said, “This humble official will give you a prescription for sobering up.”
Xiao Chen roared, “Look at Gu!”
“If there is nothing else, this humble official will be taking his leave.”
Xiao Cheng suddenly grabbed his arm, his eyes widenening in anger. He said fiercely, “I am the Crown Prince. If Gu wants you, what can you do! Yes, you are the Gu Fuzhou’s adoptive brother. But would Gu Fuzhou dare embarrass me over an adoptive brother he barely recognizes?!”
Lin Qingyu’s eyes darkened and he unpextedly laughed out loud. “Then try it.”
He might not be able to escape this disaster but Xiao Cheng won’t be leaving the Eastern Palace alive either. It was a pity that he was going to die with this dog thing.
He suddenly remembered what Jiang had said on their wedding night: “Lin Qingyu…the beautiful imperial doctor who died in the Eastern Palace?”
I see.
So this was to be his end.
Xiao Cheng’s eyes were locked on his face, he still hadn’t let go but made no further moves. Just then, a figure walked in.
It was Shen Huaishi.
Unless their master was in trouble, a shadow guard wouldn’t just show up. Xiao Cheng narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “What are you doing here?”
Shen Huaishi knelt on the ground with a thud and slammed his head down. “I beg Your Highness… Please let Imperial Physician Lin go.”
Xiao Cheng observed the expressions of the two of them. He suddenly let out a strange laugh. “Say that again.”
Shen Huaishi said, “Your Highness has simply lost control from drinking. If he were sober, he would definitely not be like this.”
“You’re begging for him? You’re actually begging for him!” Xiao Cheng’s laughter grew louder and louder, not knowing which of them he was jealous of, “I finally understand why Little Qingyu was so kind enough to apply medicine for you, hahaha—”
Shen Huaishi’s voice trembled, “This subordinate knows that today is the Princess Jingchun’s birthday and His Highness becomes like this every year at this time…”
“Shut up.” Xiao Cheng looked grim, “Since you’re protecting him like this, why don’t you take his place instead!” After saying so, he pulled Shen Huaishi up and stretched his hand from Shen Huaishi’s chest.
Shen Huaishi’s eyes widened: “Your Highness?!”
“Why, you’re shy? And here I thought I wasn’t feeding you enough, so you go and fool around with other men under my nose!”
Shen Huaishi shook his head helplessly, “This subordinate has not…”
Lin Qingyu tightly clutched the medicine bottle in his sleeve, forcing himself to calmly think about countermeasures in this situation. Shen Huaishi was skilled in martial arts and he had the medicine in his hand. If Shen Huaishi was willing to cooperate, they might be able to…
At this time, a voice came from outside: “The imperial concubine is coming—”
Xiao Cheng paused and asked sharply, “Why has my concubine mother suddenly come?”
“The imperial concubine heard that His Highness was ill and she went to the Imperial Hospital to ask for an imperial doctor. She came specially to visit His Highness.”
“Why would my concubine mother make such a big fuss over nothing.” Xiao Cheng looked at Lin Qingyu, an ominous glint concealed in his eyes, “Unless someone had been adding oil and vinegar in front of her?”
Lin Qingyu stuffed the medicine bottle back into his sleeve and said calmly, “This humble official does not know.”
His drunkeness had subsided and Xiao Cheng regained some clear-headedness. He looked at Shen Huaishi, who was lying on the ground, a strange look flashed in his eyes. “Put your clothes on and order someone to make a cup of sobering soup.”
Shen Huaishi crawled up from the ground, holding together the lapels of his robes. Head lowered, he said, “…Yes.”
Lin Qingyu walked out of the Eastern Palace unscathed. In a deserted corner, he took a deep breath.
He couldn’t help thinking, if Gu Fuzhou hadn’t recognized his father as his adoptive father and he hadn’t gotten to know Shen Huaishi, would he have been so lucky today?
Without Gu Fuzhou, Xiao Cheng wouldn’t have had that moment of hesitation; had he not deliberately approached Shen Huaishi, not only would he have not intercede for him but he would have shown up when he attacked Xiao Cheng and plunged that blade into his neck.
He might have died in the Eastern Palace, under the Shen Huaishi’s sword.
In the dark, it was as if… as if there were these pair of hands pulling him from destiny’s outcome.
Lin Qingyu looked up at the sky towards the northwest. He said softly, “Is it you?”
Even if they were separated from each other, unable to see one another, that person was still protecting him in his own way.
For the first time in his new lease on life, Lin Qingyu suddenly lost strength and with the palace wall against his back, slowly crouched to the ground. “When are you coming back…”
It was night, Qinzheng Hall was brightly lit. The cabinet ministers were all gathered around a newly-arrived urgent missive from the northwest. All of them had solemn expressions on their faces.
Xiao Cheng tapped the table with his fingertips. He felt restless and the front of his head was aching from too much drink.
Not long after, Chu Zhengde walked in with Xiao Songzi leading the way. “Your Highness.”
Xiao Cheng wasted no time on nonsense. “Let me ask you, do you know of a poison called ‘Sky Spider’?”
“Your Highness, this is a strange poison from the North. If the poisoned person does not receive an antidote, his internal organs will be attacked by the poison, slowly causing organ failure until death.”
“Then is there an antidote for the Sky Spider?”
“Yes, but the antidote is extremely complicated.” Chu Zhengde told everything he knew. “We would need to use the thousand-year-old snow lotus from the north as a supplement. It should be ground into powder using warm jade mortar exclusively found in the Imperial Medical Office’s Thousand Herb Hall. The medicine should be given immediately after it is prepared. Only by taking this medicine can the poisoned person be detoxified.”
Xiao Cheng said, “You mean to say, this poison can only be detoxified in the Imperial Medical Office?”
“Exactly.”
“Alright, you may withdraw.”
After Chu Zhengde withdrew, Xiao Cheng said solemnly, “Don’t you think it’s strange that someone in Yong Liang would be poisoned by the Central North?”
The Prime Minister said, “Your Highness, the Tianji Camp has already confirmed the poisoning to be true. No matter how he was poisoned, our top priority should be to get rid of the poison first.”
Xiao Cheng’s face was ugly. He was completely unwilling but he had no choice but to compromise. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Deliver Gu’s decree, allow Gu Fuzhou to return to the capital immediately.”
