gnovel Chapter 173 Qin Mu heads to the Nujiang ferry, a place Empress Liyang must pass through!
Chapter 173 Qin Mu heads to the Nujiang ferry, a place Empress Liyang must pass through!
The paper contained only a few lines of text, written in neat but hurried handwriting:
"The assassin may be from the Dragon Elephant Sect. Qin Mu may make a move soon. If you encounter danger, you can take a Breath-Binding Pill to feign death, and I will find a way to get you. Take care of yourself, do not trust others easily, and tell me immediately if anything happens."
Every word was like a heavy hammer, striking Jiang Qingxue's heart hard.
Jiang Qingxue's hands trembled slightly.
She stared intently at the paper, countless images flashing through her mind.
For example, that thrilling moment in the Imperial Garden last night.
She slowly closed her eyes and clenched the paper tightly in her hand.
The piece of paper crumpled in her palm, much like her chaotic thoughts at that moment.
After a long while, she finally opened her eyes again.
My eyes were now filled with a cold, clear light.
She walked to the candlestick and held the paper up to the flame.
The flames licked at the paper, quickly engulfing it and turning it into ashes that drifted into the air.
After doing all this, Jiang Qingxue slowly stood up and walked to the window.
I opened the window, and the night wind rushed in, carrying the chill of late autumn.
She looked up at the northern night sky, where the stars were sparse and the moonlight was hazy.
Brother Dragon Elephant...
She whispered silently to herself.
I am sorry.
This time, I might... have to choose a different path.
It's not betrayal.
I just... want to live.
The moonlight shone on her face, making her usually cool and calm countenance appear exceptionally fragile, yet also exceptionally resolute.
She knew the road ahead was fraught with danger, that every step could be a trap, and that choosing Qin Mu meant what it meant.
But she had no other choice.
In this deep palace, in this vortex of fate, she could only grasp the most solid piece of driftwood in front of her.
Even if the driftwood itself is the greatest danger.
The night breeze blew by, lifting her moon-white nightgown.
The candlelight flickered inside the hall, casting her long, long shadow on the wall.
Lonely, resolute, and unwavering.
........
at the same time,
Inside Huaqing Palace.
Xu Fenghua sat alone in a rosewood armchair by the window, holding a cup of tea that had gone cold, but her gaze was fixed on the courtyard outside the window, her eyes wandering aimlessly.
Ever since returning from Yuxiu Palace, she has been restless.
Jiang Qingxue's eyes kept replaying in my mind.
Calm, detached, and even with a hint of relief that she couldn't quite understand?
wrong.
Xu Fenghua gently put down the teacup, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the smooth rim of the cup.
Her intuition has always been sharp.
Six years ago, it was with this almost instinctive intuition that she repeatedly escaped danger in the Jiangnan business wars, gained a foothold in the complex family network, and even secretly supplied countless supplies and intelligence to the Northern Territory.
And at this moment, this intuition is frantically sounding alarm bells.
Jiang Qingxue's eyes looked strange.
It wasn't a feigned calm, nor was it suppressed fear; rather, it was a kind of resigned indifference.
It was as if she had already made a choice and accepted all the consequences of that choice.
"She can't be relied on anymore..."
Xu Fenghua murmured to herself, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
She picked up the teacup to take a sip, only to find that the tea had already gone cold, leaving only a faint bitterness spreading between her lips and teeth.
The thought sent a chill down her spine, but she forced herself to analyze it calmly.
There is no substantial evidence, only intuition.
But intuition is often more reliable than evidence.
This is the conclusion she reached after six years in Jiangnan.
Those shopkeepers who outwardly treated her with utmost respect, those seemingly loyal and reliable employees, those partners who claimed to stand with the Zhao family through thick and thin…
Many people revealed their true colors based on her intuitive judgment.
And Jiang Qingxue...
Xu Fenghua closed her eyes, and many images flashed through her mind.
"Should we tell Longxiang?"
The thought had barely crossed her mind when Xu Fenghua forcibly suppressed it.
No.
Absolutely not.
Xu Longxiang has already suffered too much trauma.
This series of blows had already pushed Xu Longxiang to the brink of collapse.
If I were to tell him now, even Jiang Qingxue might not be reliable anymore...
Xu Fenghua couldn't imagine how Xu Longxiang would react.
He has already endured too much.
We can't add any more burden to him.
At least not until she confirms it.
Xu Fenghua took a deep breath and forced herself to clear her thoughts.
Observe first.
Let's observe for a while longer.
She'll make a decision once she has concrete evidence.
At that very moment—
"Your Majesty."
The voice of Qiuyue, the personal maid, rang out from outside the hall, tinged with a hint of caution.
Xu Fenghua looked up: "What is it?"
"The Imperial Medical Academy has sent someone here, saying... to deliver medicine to you."
Qiuyue paused for a moment, then said, "It's a prescription for calming the mind and replenishing qi, written by Physician Wang, and he specially sent it over."
Xu Fenghua's eyes flashed.
"Let him in," Xu Fenghua said calmly.
"Yes."
A moment later, a young woman dressed in a blue physician's robe entered the hall carrying a medicine box.
The woman was in her early twenties, with delicate features and a gentle and calm demeanor characteristic of a doctor.
She was dressed in the standard uniform of a female physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, a light blue long skirt with a matching short jacket, a dark belt around her waist, and her hair was styled in a simple bun with only a wooden hairpin in it.
She carried the medicine box with a steady hand, her steps light yet deliberate, clearly indicating she had received excellent training.
"Your humble servant Lin Wan greets Consort Hua."
The woman knelt in the hall, her voice clear and respectful, her posture impeccable.
Xu Fenghua quietly observed her.
This is not Wang Jimin.
However, the fact that this person could deliver medicine on behalf of the Imperial Medical Academy and accurately locate Huaqing Palace indicates that she held a high position in the Imperial Medical Academy, at least someone trusted by Wang Jimin.
"Get up," Xu Fenghua said slowly. "Did Physician Wang send you?"
"Yes."
Lin Wan stood up, her hands at her sides.
"The Imperial Physician Wang said that some of the herbs in the prescription Her Majesty received from the Imperial Hospital today require special processing methods. The young pharmacist at the Imperial Hospital was worried that there might be some oversight, so he specially ordered me to personally deliver them and explain the usage to Her Majesty."
What she said was perfectly reasonable and watertight.
Xu Fenghua's heart stirred.
Wang Jimin was indeed quite vigilant.
He didn't come in person, but sent his apprentice instead.
This way, she won't arouse suspicion, and the message can still be delivered to her.
"Thank you for your trouble, Physician Lin." Xu Fenghua gestured for Qiuyue to take the medicine box. "Put the medicine down."
"Yes."
Lin Wan placed the medicine box on the rosewood table next to her, opened the lid, and took out several exquisitely packaged medicine packets.
"Your Majesty, this is dragon's blood. It needs to be dissolved in warm water and applied externally, once in the morning and once in the evening."
She pointed to one of the medicine packets and said clearly, "This is Jade Dew Ointment. It has an excellent effect on removing scars. Use it three times a day after the wound has scabbed over."
"These are the ingredients for the Yangrong Decoction for internal use. They need to be simmered over low heat for two hours, one dose per day, for seven consecutive days."
She explained everything in detail, speaking at a steady pace and with clear logic, befitting a conscientious and responsible medical officer.
"I understand." Xu Fenghua nodded. "Qiuyue, take Physician Lin down to receive the reward."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lin Wan bowed and followed Qiu Yue as she withdrew.
Once only Xu Fenghua remained in the hall, she slowly walked to the table, her gaze falling on the seemingly ordinary medicine box.
The medicine box was made of sandalwood, painted dark brown, and inlaid with copper ornaments on the edges, just like the medicine boxes commonly used by the Imperial Medical Academy.
Xu Fenghua reached out and gently brushed her fingertips across the surface of the medicine box.
Smooth and slightly cool.
Her fingers groped at the bottom of the medicine box and soon felt a tiny bump.
It was a tiny hidden compartment, concealed beneath the copper ornaments at the bottom of the medicine box; it would be impossible to find unless one was specifically looking for it.
Xu Fenghua's heartbeat quickened slightly.
She looked around to make sure no one was watching from outside the hall before carefully pressing the protrusion.
"Click".
A slight click of a mechanism was heard.
The wooden board at the bottom of the medicine box silently slid open a crack, revealing a tiny folded piece of paper inside.
Xu Fenghua quickly took out the note, restored the medicine box to its original state, then walked briskly to the inner room, closed the door, and leaned against the door panel.
Sunlight streamed through the window paper, casting a soft glow inside.
Xu Fenghua unfolded the note.
The note was very small, only the size of a palm, and the handwriting on it was as fine as a mosquito's gnat, clearly indicating that it was written with a special tool.
However, the handwriting is neat and clear, and it is indeed Wang Jimin's handwriting.
Xu Fenghua read intently.
"It has been confirmed that the old eunuch seen in the palace is surnamed Cao and named Wei. He is 63 years old and has an old scar on his left eyebrow. He was recruited from outside the palace by the Imperial Household Department seven days ago and is currently in charge of cleaning and chores in the northeast corner of the Imperial Garden."
"This person's movements are elusive. Although he is disguised as an old man, his steps are steady and his breathing is long and even, as if he were a martial artist."
"Furthermore, according to the archives of the Imperial Household Department, Cao Wei was registered as a refugee from Jiangnan when he entered the palace, originally from Suzhou."
That concludes the note.
Xu Fenghua's hands trembled slightly.
Cao Wei!
Sure enough it was him!
The stubborn old man who, after learning that Jiang Qingxue had been sent to the palace, had a fierce argument with her, eventually broke off their relationship, and vowed to go to the capital alone to find Jiang Qingxue's whereabouts!
He actually managed to sneak into the palace!
And he even dressed up as a eunuch!
Countless thoughts flashed through Xu Fenghua's mind in an instant.
Why did Cao Wei want to enter the palace?
Was it to protect Jiang Qingxue? Or to take revenge on the Xu family? Or... to uncover a secret that has been buried for twenty-one years?
Has he already made contact with Jiang Qingxue?
Have I already told her the truth about the orphans of Yuehua Kingdom?
Did Qin Mu know of his existence?
If he knew, why didn't Qin Mu arrest him? Instead, he allowed him to move around in the palace.
One question after another coiled around Xu Fenghua's thoughts like a venomous snake, sending chills down her spine.
She recalled Jiang Qingxue's unusually calm eyes in Yuxiu Palace earlier that day.
Could it be... that Cao Wei has already met her?
Could it be... that she already knows about her past?
This speculation plunged Xu Fenghua into despair.
If Jiang Qingxue knew the truth, knew that the Xu family were her enemies who destroyed her country, knew that Xu Longxiang knew her identity but still sent her to the deep palace...
What will she do then?
Will they continue to help the Xu family?
Will she still have feelings for Xu Longxiang?
Will they still... trust her, "Sister Xu"?
Xu Fenghua dared not think any further.
She slowly closed her eyes, clutching the note tightly in her palm as if she wanted to crush it.
The pain in her palms kept her barely conscious.
Don't panic.
Do not panic.
Cao Wei's emergence brought both crisis and opportunity.
At least, she has now confirmed his identity and whereabouts.
What she needs to do next is not panic, but plan ahead.
First, she had to find a way to contact Cao Wei.
Whether he is friend or foe, she must find out his purpose.
Secondly, she needs to reassess Jiang Qingxue's attitude.
If Jiang Qingxue already knows the truth, then their relationship will be completely changed.
Finally, she had to find a way to get this message to Xu Longxiang.
Xu Fenghua took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes.
My eyes were now filled with a cold, clear light.
She walked to the dressing table, opened the makeup box, and took out the tinderbox.
"laugh--"
Flames leaped up and engulfed the note.
The ashes drifted in the air and quickly disappeared.
Xu Fenghua looked at herself in the mirror.
That usually calm and composed face was now filled with exhaustion and solemnity.
But she knew she had no way out.
No matter how treacherous the road ahead, no matter how many variables surround her, she must keep going.
For the sake of the Xu family.
For the sake of dragons and elephants.
And also for... the inextinguishable flame in her heart.
"Autumn Moon," she called out.
"Your Majesty." Qiuyue responded and entered.
"Take the medicine and brew it," Xu Fenghua said calmly. "I'm a little tired and want to rest for a while."
"Yes."
Qiuyue picked up the medicine packet, bowed, and withdrew.
Xu Fenghua stood alone by the window, gazing at the autumn flowers in the courtyard that were beginning to wither, remaining motionless for a long time.
The moonlight shone on her, making her light purple palace dress glow softly. She looked like a jade statue bathed in light, cool and resilient, yet exuding an indescribable loneliness.
The autumn wind outside the window was bleak, swirling a few fallen leaves in the air.
The days in the deep palace are still long.
But this turbulent game of chess has only just begun.
She had to proceed with extreme caution and could not afford to make the slightest mistake.
One wrong step can lead to total defeat.
She couldn't afford to lose.
Xu Fenghua slowly closed her eyes, suppressing all her emotions deep inside.
When he opened his eyes again, all that remained was a cold, resolute look.
Cao Wei, Jiang Qingxue, Qin Mu, Xu Longxiang...
She must play this game well.
No matter the cost.
And at this very moment.
Qin Mu had already brought Yun Luan to their destination.
This is the place that Empress Liyang must pass through on her way back to her country.
Nujiang River ferry crossing.