Lin Qingyu met his fatherâs 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. âThe red spices are the âFeng Qiu Huangâ used by the Empress; the brown spices are the âSheng Chaziâ used by Concubine Chen. As for His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, he is not in the habit of using incense.â
Lin Qingyu took the incense boxes and smelled them one after the other, âDoctor Hu, have you done any study on spices?â
Hu Ji said modestly, âI know a little bit.â
âWhat is your opinion on these two spices?â
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 Emperorâs explicit permission, no one is allowed to use it.â Hu Ji said, with a hint of lingering fear in his eyes, âYunxiu 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.â
Lin Qingyu pondered for a moment, then asked, âWhy doesnât the Crown Prince use incense?â
Hu Ji said: âThe Crown Prince experienced the battle for succession and witnessed the death of the third prince due to poisoning. And so, heâs 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 elseâs hands.â
âI see.â Lin Qingyu said, âThank you, Doctor Hu, for your hard work.â
Hu Ji said immediately, âYoung 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 Masterâs worries.â
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 âwicked personâ 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, âIs there any problem with these two incenses?â
âNo. 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.â
Xiao Cheng wasnât like Lu Qiaosong. As Hu Ji said, everything sent to the Eastern Palace must be strictly investigated. The livening-up medicine heâd used last time wouldnât 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 Chengâs body bit by bit.
Lu Wancheng couldnât help sighing when he heard these words. âStudy well the sciences and you can travel fearlessly to any corner of the world. This is a truth since time imemorial.â
âTruth is useless.â Lin Qingyu pressed down his lightly on the space between his brows, âXiao Cheng doesnât use incense. Even if he does, what we send wonât make it into the Eastern Palace.â
Lu Wancheng played with the Buyao that Lin Qingyu had given him. He said, âIf you canât send things in, can you send people in?â
The tacit understanding had gradually become stronger and Lin Qingyu almost immediately understood what Lu Wancheng meant, âWeâll still need an opportunity for this matter.â
Lu Wancheng smiled and said, âIâll look for the opportunity, and you find the catalyst for the reaction. When bro-⌠Husband and wife are of the same mind, theyâre a blade sharp enough to even sever gold.â
Lin Qingyuâs lips ticked up slightly. âOkayâthatâs right,â he remembered something, and beckoned to Huan Tong, âRemove the luohan in my room and replace it with a small bed.â
Lu Wancheng was taken aback. âQingyu?â
Lin Qingyu delivered the reason that he had thought of in advance, âGiven your current condition, a mishap may happen at any time. You canât 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. â
Huan Tong said in disbelief, âYoung Master?â
A smile slowly appeared on Lu Wanchengâs face. Looking at Lin Qingyu, his eyes appeared as pools reflecting a spring scenery. âThen when we return to the Hou Mansion, we will also replace the luohan with a bed. Or, weâll have the carpenter make a new bed.â Lu Wancheng gestured up and down, âWeâll have him make a bunk bunk. Iâll sleep in the bottom bunk, you sleep in the top bunkâŚâ
Lin Qingyu imagined the scene for a moment, a complicated expression on his face.
Huan Tong couldnât help muttering in his heart: âYoung 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 wasnât 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 princeâs first concubine, giving her great status. In the future, she would at least be a guifei. Naturally, they couldnât 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 Nanâan Hou.
The noble ladies on the roster each have their own merits. In the end, they were to be the crown princeâs concubine so the Emperor meant to let the prince choose himself.
Lu Niantao felt hope mixed with fear when the news spread to the Nanâan Houâs 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 hadnât 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 Guifeiâs 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, âPersonal connections.â
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, âYoung Master Hou, Lin Shaojun, thank you for coming all this way.â
He sounded as though he had been waiting for a long time.
Lin Qingyu said, âDid Little Teacher know that we were coming?â
The little monk said with a smile, âLin 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.â
Lu Wancheng and Lin Qingyu looked at each other and said, âLittle Teacher, are you sure that we are the âguestsâ mentioned by the National Teacher?â
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, âSpeaking 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?â
Lin Qingyu said indifferently, âIt seems that Young Master Hou is the only one invited by the National Teacher.â
The little monk bowed. âI ask that Lin Shaojun not blame this humble monk.â
Their reason for coming this time was for Xiao Cheng and Lu Niantaoâs autumn wind dewdrops. Lin Qingyu didnât want to disrupt the plan because of this National Teacherâs sudden appearance. âWancheng?â
Lu Wancheng said, âGo ahead, Iâll go see what this Half-immortal Xu is up to.â
After separating from Lin Qingyu, the little monk brought Lu Wancheng and Huan Tong to the door of one of the monksâ quarters. âYoung Master Hou, please. Patron Huan Tong, may wait at the door with me.â
Sandalwood incense was lit in the room and the smoke rose in spirals. The Dayuâs National Teacher, Xu Junyuan stood with his hands behind his back. He had about him the aura of a transcendent being.
âYoung Master Hou,â Xu Junyuan turned around and looked at him with an elegant smile, âLong time no see, I trust that you have been well since we last met.â
âYou trust that Iâve been wellâŚâ Lu Wancheng laughed, âDoes the National Teacher think I look well?â
âYoung Master Hou has indeed lost a lot of weight compared to Qingming last April.â
âSo, I ask that the National Teacher please get to the point. The time of one who is terminally ill is extremely precious and I donât want to waste it on meaningless things.â
Xu Junyuan smiled and said, âYoung Master Houâs 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 wouldnât mind spending some time to talk with me.â
Because he now had someone and somethinkg he cared about, time had also become meaningful. At very least, he couldnât die before Xiao Cheng.
Lu Wancheng smiled. âThen I shall be taking my leave.â
Xu Junyuan immediately said, âLu Wanchengâs fate â 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.â He shook his head and sighed, âIt is a pity.â
Lu Wancheng looked at Xu Junyuan for a long time, as though he wanted to see through him: âItâs written in the book, that National Teacher Xu possess some real ability and learning.â
âOh?â Xu Junyuan raised his eyebrows slightly, âDare I ask Young Master Hou, what you are talking about?â
Lu Wancheng didnât answer. He pushed the wheelchair to the desk, took a pen and wrote ten characters on the paper. âThen, let me ask the National Teacher to help me calculate again.â
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, âRegarding the things National Teacher has said just now, how certain are these things?â
Xu Junyuan said ambiguously, âIf the will of Heaven doesnât change, then itâs a hundred percent. If the will of Heaven wishes to change, then what can I do?â
Lu Wancheng smiled and said, âAs expected of the national teacher, you words bring more enlightenment than endless days of study.â
Xu Junyuan left with a smile. Lin Qingyu asked, âWhat did he tell you?â
Lu Wancheng hesitated for a while and said, âWeâll talk about this later. What about Liang Shi and Lu Niantao?â
âTheyâŚâ
Lu Wancheng saw someone approaching from a distance, and abruptly interrupted Lin Qingyu, âQingyu, you must hate Xiao Cheng a lot, donât you?â
Lin Qingyu gave him a strange look. âIs there a reason youâre asking?â
Lu Wancheng smiled a little shyly. âThen if you had to be kissed by a man, would you rather be kissed by Xiao Cheng or by me?â
Just hearing the words âby Xiao Chengâ made nausea rise in Lin Qingyuâs stomach and he looked at Lu Wancheng as though he found him offensive. But thinking that Lu Wancheng didnât have long to live, he tried his best to put away his bad temper and said as calmly as possible, âI choose neither.â
âSigh, just choose one,â Lu Wancheng wonât give up, âItâs only âifâ.â
Lin Qingyu didnât know what was so important about this question, why Lu Wancheng was so insistent on having him say âI choose youâ.
âIâd rather die.â
Lu Wancheng whispered, âQingyuâŚâ
âFine, fine. I choose you.â Lin Qingyu reluctantly said, âCan you stop it?â
Lu Wancheng didnât know where the strength came from, but he stood up from the wheelchair and said with a smile, âRemember what you said.â
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 otherâs 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, âSomeoneâs watching.â
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 Wanchengâs shoulders with both hands.
Long eyelashes swept across the tip of Lu Wanchengâs nose. Itchy; his lips barely brushed against Lin Qingyuâs cheek.
It was just a borrowed kiss.
He didnât know how long it took but he eventually felt Lu Wancheng straighten up. Lin Qingyu slowly opened his eyes, his long eyelashes couldnât 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, âIs it him?â
âQingyu,â Lu Wancheng said slowly, âThere seems to be something a little wrong.â
âWhat?â
âMy heart is beating so fast, Iâm almost out of breathâŚâ
Lu Wancheng was already shaky, Lin Qingyu instinctively stretched out his hand and pulled him into his arms. âWancheng?â
The two almost fell together. Fortunately, Lin Qingyu steadied the both of them with his knees on the ground.
Lu Wanchengâs 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 Qingyuâs robes and desperately spit out a few words, âDo not princess-carry meâŚâ After speaking, he tilted his head and promptly fainted in Lin Qingyuâs arms.
Lin Qingyu: ââŚâ
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, âYoung Master, what happened to the Young Master Hou?!â
After Lin Qingyu checked Lu Wanchengâs pulse, he didnât know what expression to show for a while. âHe was too weak to bear the excitement, so he temporarily lost consciousness. Itâs not a big problem, letâs just wait for him to recover.â
Huan Tong hit the truth on the head. âBut with the Young Master Houâs temperament, what could have possibly gotten so unbearably excited?â
Lin Qingyuâs cheeks slightly warmed. He forced himself to calm down and said, âWho knows with him? Carry him into the room to rest.â
When Huan Tong left with Lu Wancheng on his back, Lin Qingyu said coldly, âSince Your Highness is here, why hide in the dark?â