CH 29

Lin Qingyu met his father’s disciple, Hu Ji, in the front hall of the Lin Residence. Hu Ji came from a poor family. When he was studying in the Imperial Medical Office, he could only afford to eat one meal a day. Once, when Father Lin had gone to the Imperial Medical Office to give a lecture, he ran across him hiding in a corner desperately gulping down water to stop his hunger. Having pity on him, Father Lin found him a job cleaning the library. With this little money, Hu Ji was able to complete his studies. Afterwards, he entered the Imperial Hospital, and was taken in by Father Lin as his student ad shown great care. To him, Father Lin was tantamount to a second parent. And so, no matter how difficult the task assigned to him by Father Lin, to him it would be an un-shirkable duty. 

After exchanging greetings, Hu Ji took out two incense boxes from the medical box. “The red spices are the ‘Feng Qiu Huang’ used by the Empress; the brown spices are the ‘Sheng Chazi’ used by Concubine Chen. As for His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, he is not in the habit of using incense.”

Lin Qingyu took the incense boxes and smelled them one after the other, “Doctor Hu, have you done any study on spices?”

Hu Ji said modestly, “I know a little bit.”

“What is your opinion on these two spices?” 

The items used by the nobles in the palace are naturally unparalleled. Feng Qiu Huang can help one concentrate energy and calm the mind. It promotes health and soothes the nerves. Sheng Chazi has the effect of helping one reach enlightenment and stabilizes the blood. Both incenses are palace secret formulations. Without the Emperor’s explicit permission, no one is allowed to use it.” Hu Ji said, with a hint of lingering fear in his eyes, “Yunxiu Guniang from Fengyi Palace and Xiao Kuanzi from Changle Palace took great risks to steal these samples. I hope they may be of use to Young Master Lin.”

Lin Qingyu pondered for a moment, then asked, “Why doesn’t the Crown Prince use incense?”

Hu Ji said: “The Crown Prince experienced the battle for succession and witnessed the death of the third prince due to poisoning. And so, he’s very careful about what he eats. According to the maids of the Shang Shi Bureau, all meals in the Eastern Palace are prepared by the kitchen of the Eastern Palace. It never passes through anyone else’s hands.”

“I see.” Lin Qingyu said, “Thank you, Doctor Hu, for your hard work.”

Hu Ji said immediately, “Young Master Lin is very polite. The Pan Yuan had provided me with the chance to rebuild. It is an honor to be able to share Master’s worries.”

Father Lin has helped and rescued far more than just one or two people. Lin Qingyu himself also wondered how his parents, ever so kind-hearted, could give birth to a “wicked person” like him.

Lin Qingyu found Lu Wancheng in the guest room and showed him the two boxes of spices that Hu Ji brought. Lu Wancheng asked, “Is there any problem with these two incenses?”

“No. But in pharmacology, good medicine and good medicine can result in something highly toxic when mixed together. I think the same holds true for spices.” 

Xiao Cheng wasn’t like Lu Qiaosong. As Hu Ji said, everything sent to the Eastern Palace must be strictly investigated. The livening-up medicine he’d used last time wouldn’t be able to enter the Eastern Palace. The only way was to send in something seemingly harmless, have it react with the things that Xiao Cheng often comes into contact with, allow it produce a poison that would quietly eat away at Xiao Cheng’s body bit by bit.

Lu Wancheng couldn’t help sighing when he heard these words. “Study well the sciences and you can travel fearlessly to any corner of the world. This is a truth since time imemorial.”

“Truth is useless.” Lin Qingyu pressed down his lightly on the space between his brows, “Xiao Cheng doesn’t use incense. Even if he does, what we send won’t make it into the Eastern Palace.”

Lu Wancheng played with the Buyao that Lin Qingyu had given him. He said, “If you can’t send things in, can you send people in?” 

The tacit understanding had gradually become stronger and Lin Qingyu almost immediately understood what Lu Wancheng meant, “We’ll still need an opportunity for this matter.”

Lu Wancheng smiled and said, “I’ll look for the opportunity, and you find the catalyst for the reaction. When bro-… Husband and wife are of the same mind,  they’re a blade sharp enough to even sever gold.”

Lin Qingyu’s lips ticked up slightly. “Okay—that’s right,” he remembered something, and beckoned to Huan Tong, “Remove the luohan in my room and replace it with a small bed.”

Lu Wancheng was taken aback. “Qingyu?” 

Lin Qingyu delivered the reason that he had thought of in advance, “Given your current condition, a mishap may happen at any time. You can’t be left without someone watching you. Hua Lu is a girl and propriety limits her. While Huan Tong is not meticulous enough in his work. After thinking about it, it is still better to keep you by my side. ”

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Lin Qingyu imagined the scene for a moment, a complicated expression on his face. 

Huan Tong couldn’t help muttering in his heart: “Young Master Hou is really promising.

Lin Qingyu plunged headlong into studying the incenses. His body was dyed with all sorts of fragrances every day. Formulating incenses was a whole different study. Although he has a foundation in pharmacology, it wasn’t easy to understand its subtleties in a short period of time.

The two stayed in the Lin Residence for a few days during which news from the palace that the Emperor intended to choose a concubine for the crown prince.

It was said that it was Wen Guogong who first brought up the matter. Wen Guogong believed that the Crown Prince having already reached the age of weak crown, had long been old enough to marry a wife and take on a concubine. Three years ago, the Empress Dowager passed away, and the Crown Prince had just entered the Eastern Palace, the matter of his marriage was delayed due to filial piety. Now that the period for filial piety has passed, it was time to turn their thoughts once again to his marriage. The wife of the crown prince was to be the future Empress, so in this matter they should be cautious and not act too hastily. However, they could choose one or two concubines for the crown prince in the meanwhile to take care of the internal affairs of the Eastern Palace, so as to share the worries of the crown prince. The Emperor pondered this matter deepy and gave the Empress full authority to select the concubine. 

Although she is only a concubine, she would still be the crown prince’s first concubine, giving her great status. In the future, she would at least be a guifei. Naturally, they couldn’t simply just choose anyone. Her character, appearance and family background must all be carefully considered. After some deliberation, the Empress drew up a roster for the Emperor to look over. Among them, there was included the name of Lu Niantao, the daughter of Nan’an Hou.

The noble ladies on the roster each have their own merits. In the end, they were to be the crown prince’s concubine so the Emperor meant to let the prince choose himself.

Lu Niantao felt hope mixed with fear when the news spread to the Nan’an Hou’s Mansion. The happy thing was that if she capture the eyes of the crown prince, the hard times for her and her mother would come to an end. Her worry though, was that she had already once crossed paths with the crown prince in Fengyi Palace, and the crown prince hadn’t even spared her a glance. All his attention had been on Lin Qingyu. Wanting to stand out from the all the other noble ladies was easier said than done.

Fortunately, they were prepared in advance, and the gift they secretly sent to Changle Palace came in handy. Chen Guifei’s eunuch aide delivered news that the Emperor had caught a cold during the hunting trip and had yet to recover, his condition sometimes good, sometimes bad. The crown prince personally copied the Buddhist scriptures 300 times to show his filial piety and was planning to send it to Changsheng Temple to burn and pray for blessings. 

This news, Xiao Kuanzi of Changle Palace also told Hu Ji and Hu Ji in turn, told Lin Qingyu. Once Lu Wancheng learned about it, he immediately said two words, “Personal connections.”

In late autumn, worshippers were teeming in Changsheng Temple, there was also a sense of coldness and bleakness. The wild geese were flying south, the days were getting cold and dismal, grasses turned brown and leaves began to fall.

Lin Qingyu helped Lu Wancheng out of the carriage, and Huan Tong pushed the wheelchair over. A little monk walked towards them. Clasping his hands together in salute, he said, “Young Master Hou, Lin Shaojun, thank you for coming all this way.”

He sounded as though he had been waiting for a long time. 

Lin Qingyu said, “Did Little Teacher know that we were coming?”

The little monk said with a smile, “Lin Shaojun overestimates this little monk. It was the National Teacher who told this humble monk that there were to be distinguished guests at the Changsheng Temple today. And so, he had me wait in front of the temple.”

Lu Wancheng and Lin Qingyu looked at each other and said, “Little Teacher, are you sure that we are the ‘guests’ mentioned by the National Teacher?”

The little monk gestured for them to proceed inside. He smiled but said nothing. 

The three followed the little monk through the main hall and all the way to the back mountains. The little monk said, “Speaking of which, Madame Hou and the Second Young Lady Lu also arrived at the temple today. They should currently be reciting scriptures and praying to the Buddha in the family hall. Would Lin Shaojun like to greet them?”

Lin Qingyu said indifferently, “It seems that Young Master Hou is the only one invited by the National Teacher.”

The little monk bowed. “I ask that Lin Shaojun not blame this humble monk.”

Their reason for coming this time was for Xiao Cheng and Lu Niantao’s autumn wind dewdrops. Lin Qingyu didn’t want to disrupt the plan because of this National Teacher’s sudden appearance. “Wancheng?” 

Lu Wancheng said, “Go ahead, I’ll go see what this Half-immortal Xu is up to.”

After separating from Lin Qingyu, the little monk brought Lu Wancheng and Huan Tong to the door of one of the monks’ quarters. “Young Master Hou, please. Patron Huan Tong, may wait at the door with me.”

Sandalwood incense was lit in the room and the smoke rose in spirals. The Dayu’s National Teacher, Xu Junyuan stood with his hands behind his back. He had about him the aura of a transcendent being.

“Young Master Hou,” Xu Junyuan turned around and looked at him with an elegant smile, “Long time no see, I trust that you have been well since we last met.” 

“You trust that I’ve been well…” Lu Wancheng laughed, “Does the National Teacher think I look well?”

“Young Master Hou has indeed lost a lot of weight compared to Qingming last April.”

“So, I ask that the National Teacher please get to the point. The time of one who is terminally ill is extremely precious and I don’t want to waste it on meaningless things.”

Xu Junyuan smiled and said, “Young Master Hou’s frame of mind seems to have changed a lot. The last time I saw the Young Master Hou, what I saw was a person who had transcended life and death, someone who wouldn’t mind spending some time to talk with me.” 

Because he now had someone and somethinkg he cared about, time had also become meaningful. At very least, he couldn’t die before Xiao Cheng.

Lu Wancheng smiled. “Then I shall be taking my leave.”

Xu Junyuan immediately said, “Lu Wancheng’s fate – this name, this Eight Characters, no matter how many times I calculate it, the result say that his life will end in the twelfth lunar month of this year.” He shook his head and sighed, “It is a pity.”

Lu Wancheng looked at Xu Junyuan for a long time, as though he wanted to see through him: “It’s written in the book, that National Teacher Xu possess some real ability and learning.” 

“Oh?” Xu Junyuan raised his eyebrows slightly, “Dare I ask Young Master Hou, what you are talking about?”

Lu Wancheng didn’t answer. He pushed the wheelchair to the desk, took a pen and wrote ten characters on the paper. “Then, let me ask the National Teacher to help me calculate again.”

After half an hour, Xu Junyuan personally pushed Lu Wancheng to the back wing and sent him back to Lin Qingyu. Just as he was about to withdraw, Lu Wancheng stopped him and asked, “Regarding the things National Teacher has said just now, how certain are these things?”

Xu Junyuan said ambiguously, “If the will of Heaven doesn’t change, then it’s a hundred percent. If the will of Heaven wishes to change, then what can I do?” 

Lu Wancheng smiled and said, “As expected of the national teacher, you words bring more enlightenment than endless days of study.”

Xu Junyuan left with a smile. Lin Qingyu asked, “What did he tell you?”

Lu Wancheng hesitated for a while and said, “We’ll talk about this later. What about Liang Shi and Lu Niantao?”

“They…” 

Lu Wancheng saw someone approaching from a distance, and abruptly interrupted Lin Qingyu, “Qingyu, you must hate Xiao Cheng a lot, don’t you?”

Lin Qingyu gave him a strange look. “Is there a reason you’re asking?”

Lu Wancheng smiled a little shyly. “Then if you had to be kissed by a man, would you rather be kissed by Xiao Cheng or by me?”

Just hearing the words “by Xiao Cheng” made nausea rise in Lin Qingyu’s stomach and he looked at Lu Wancheng as though he found him offensive. But thinking that Lu Wancheng didn’t have long to live, he tried his best to put away his bad temper and said as calmly as possible, “I choose neither.” 

“Sigh, just choose one,” Lu Wancheng won’t give up, “It’s only ‘if’.”

Lin Qingyu didn’t know what was so important about this question, why Lu Wancheng was so insistent on having him say “I choose you”.

“I’d rather die.”

Lu Wancheng whispered, “Qingyu…” 

“Fine, fine. I choose you.” Lin Qingyu reluctantly said, “Can you stop it?”

Lu Wancheng didn’t know where the strength came from, but he stood up from the wheelchair and said with a smile, “Remember what you said.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Qingyu felt a tightness around his waist. Lu Wancheng had unexpectedly wrapped his arms around his wait. The familiar medicinal incense mixed with sandalwood penetrated into his nose. Before he could react, he saw Lu Wancheng bowing his head, leaning in close to him.

Lin Qingyu snapped back to his senses. He put his hands against the other’s chest, trying to push the person away. But if he really did push him, Lu Wancheng might really just die. 

At this moment, Lu Wancheng whispered in his ear, “Someone’s watching.”

Someone?

Lin Qingyu understood, the strength behind his hands gradually weakened and finally he changed what was to be a push into a hug. He closed his eyes while clinging to Lu Wancheng’s shoulders with both hands.

Long eyelashes swept across the tip of Lu Wancheng’s nose. Itchy; his lips barely brushed against Lin Qingyu’s cheek. 

It was just a borrowed kiss.

He didn’t know how long it took but he eventually felt Lu Wancheng straighten up. Lin Qingyu slowly opened his eyes, his long eyelashes couldn’t hide the look of loss and unease in his eyes. Seeing it, Lu Wancheng breathing stuck.

Lin Qingyu calmed down and asked in a low voice, “Is it him?”

“Qingyu,” Lu Wancheng said slowly, “There seems to be something a little wrong.” 

“What?”

“My heart is beating so fast, I’m almost out of breath…”

Lu Wancheng was already shaky, Lin Qingyu instinctively stretched out his hand and pulled him into his arms. “Wancheng?”

The two almost fell together. Fortunately, Lin Qingyu steadied the both of them with his knees on the ground. 

Lu Wancheng’s face was pale, but his ears were strangely red. He knew that he was about to faint but he had something he needed to say before he lost consciousness.

Lu Wancheng grabbed Lin Qingyu’s robes and desperately spit out a few words, “Do not princess-carry me…” After speaking, he tilted his head and promptly fainted in Lin Qingyu’s arms.

Lin Qingyu: “…”

Huan Tong had come looking for the two young masters. Seeing this scene, he thought that the Young Master Hou was ill for the umpteenth time. With fire burning his eyebrows, he said, “Young Master, what happened to the Young Master Hou?!” 

After Lin Qingyu checked Lu Wancheng’s pulse, he didn’t know what expression to show for a while. “He was too weak to bear the excitement, so he temporarily lost consciousness. It’s not a big problem, let’s just wait for him to recover.”

Huan Tong hit the truth on the head. “But with the Young Master Hou’s temperament, what could have possibly gotten so unbearably excited?”

Lin Qingyu’s cheeks slightly warmed. He forced himself to calm down and said, “Who knows with him? Carry him into the room to rest.”

When Huan Tong left with Lu Wancheng on his back, Lin Qingyu said coldly, “Since Your Highness is here, why hide in the dark?”