Han Yunxi gave the prescription to Emperor Tianhui, making sure to emphasize the importance of the Life Blood Pill. She secretly mused that no matter how the Emperor Tianhui obtained the pill, itâd take around 10 days to half a month. During that time, she could return to the Duke of Qinâs residence and relax. With her bearing such a heavy responsibility, see how Grand Concubine Yi or Murong Wanru dare to treat her then! Moreover, she even had an excuse to find Imperial Physician Gu and freely enter the imperial physiciansâ courtyard.
There were plenty of medical books there and a great many medicinal ingredients. To her, this was the perfect Taobao[1] warehouse! After delivering the prescription, Han Yunxi released a breath, butâŚ
Emperor Tianhui placed the paper down and looked towards Long Feiye. âDuke of Qin, the Pill Fiend Valley isnât an ordinary place. You should take a trip there personally.â Though his tone sounded conversational, anyone who heard could tell that it was an imperial edict.
Long Feiye still had his ice-cold poker face as he nodded. âYes.â
Han Yunxi glanced at him and couldnât help but gloat at his misfortune. Giant Ice Cube, ah, Giant Ice Cube, so much for looking on unconcernedly. Now the disasterâs been brought to the fish in the pond[2]. The Life Blood Pill wasnât so easy to buy! If he couldnât get it, then heâd take all the blame!
âYour majesty, the imperial physician courtyard has all the other ingredients needed for this prescription. Yunxi and Imperial Physician Gu can prepare them quickly. When the Life Blood Pill arrives, weâll immediately start treatment,â Han Yunxi said sincerely.
Emperor Tianhui nodded his head. âThen weâll wait for the Duke of Qinâs good news.â After this, everyone scattered. Han Yunxi used the excuse of finding Gu Beiyue to make up the prescription to stay behind, while Long Feiye left without paying her further attention.\nThe empress departed with the empress dowager, her heart laden with care. âMufei, thisâŚchenqieâs heart is in disorder. Can or canât we trust Han Yunxi!?â
The empress dowager wasnât confident either and remained silent before heaving a long sigh. âIf this lass can really cure Tianmo, then Iâll definitely put her to heavy use!â
When Lady Tianxin saved the empress dowagerâs life back in the day, the empress dowager gave Han Yunxi to the Duke of Qin. In actuality, she was leaving a chess piece by his side so Han Yunxi could act as her planted spy. Who knew that the girl would grow up ugly and talentless, or that Han Congan couldnât heal the crown prince?
The empress nodded her head and said no more.
â
Han Yunxi arrived with an empty stomach back home only when it was very late. As soon as she entered the gates, she was summoned by Grand Concubine Yi. The grand imperial concubine and Murong Wanru had been restlessly waiting all day for news. What did it mean for Han Yunxi to return peacefully home?
âHow is the crown princeâs situation? Treatable?â Grand Concubine Yi came straight to the point.
Han Yunxi was bewildered. Hadnât Long Feiye returned first? Unless he didnât go back home? She didnât muse on it much and looked at Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanruâs expectant faces. A flash of disdain swept past her eyes before she pretended to sigh and hesitate.
âSister-in-law, just what happened? Mufei and I have been worrying all day,â Murong Wanru asked in distress.
âNothing much happened. It is what it is,â Han Yunxi replied mildly.
âWhat is what it is?â Grand Concubine Yi couldnât bear it.
âItâs not a serious issue. I have a way to treat it,â Han Yunxi finally laid bare the facts. She didnât miss the shock in Grand Concubine Yiâs eyes, much less the flash of jealousy in Murong Wanruâs face.\nThose who wanted to laugh at her expense would always get laughed at instead!
âSo you mean that youâve cured the crown prince?â Murong Wanru couldnât resist asking.
âIâm still missing one ingredient before the treatmentâs less of a problem. Itâs only that this item is very difficult to find, so it must be bought from the Pill Fiend Valley.â Han Yunxi was honest.
These words made Grand Concubine Yi release a breath while Murong Wanru curved her lips up mockingly. âIâve heard of the Pill Fiend Valley. Its master is His Excellency Pill Fiend, a very unreasonable eccentric. He never shows anyone his face and eight to nine people out of ten come back from him empty-handed. Some people even have to offer up their lives before they can get medicine.â
The agitated Grand Concubine Yi calmed down at these words. âIs that so. Then itâll be quite troublesome to treat the crown prince.â
Han Yunxi agreed immensely and nodded her head. âThatâs exactly so, very troublesome!â Yet she soon changed the topic. âHowever, his majesty sent His Highness Duke of Qin to ask for it. As I see it, it shouldnât be such a difficult task now, right?â
Her words left Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru stunned.
Immediately, Grand Concubine Yi angrily struck the table. âWhat? He told the Duke of Qin go to Pill Fiend Valley?â
Han Yunxiâs expression was both innocent and earnest as she nodded. âIf the Duke of Qin goes, he can definitely get the pill. His majestyâs decision canât be wrong.â
Grand Concubine Yiâs stomach knotted itself up as her hands suddenly curled into fists, narrowly resisting the urge to slap Han Yunxi. Yet the words, âhis majestyâs decision,â forced her to swallow her anger. By her side, Murong Wanru had already lost all reason.\nEveryone knew the Pill Fiend Valley was a bad place where purchasing medicine was difficult. What if the Duke of Qin came to an untimely end there? What if he didnât manage to buy the medicine? Wouldnât he have to bear the burden of this crime?
Why did something that was clearly Han Yunxiâs calamity ended up falling to him instead?
If she knew earlier that things would turn out like this, she wouldnât have spread all those rumors to ruin Han Yunxi. Murong Wanruâs repentance was enough to turn her intestines green. Even her face had taken on a sickly pallor.
After being tired out for a whole day, Han Yunxi felt her spirits suddenly refreshed by the sight of mother and daughter mute with bitterness they couldnât express. For a while, she forgot all her exhaustion.
âMufei, the emperor commanded chenqie to rest well these few days in preparation for the crown princeâs treatment. Itâs getting late, so chenqie will take her leave now.â So speaking, she made a respectful bow before carelessly turning to depart.
Grand Concubine Yi was angry enough to erupt at any time, her fists exposing blue veins against her skin. But she couldnât do anything to Han Yunxi. The emperor wasnât someone she dared to provoke.
âJust who was it that spread those lies! They deserve to die!â Grand Concubine Yi said in rage.
Murong Wanru jumped, not daring to utter a word.
â
Han Yunxiâs steps were quick and light. This was her first time living in an imperially ruled world where she thought the emperorâs power was a really good thing! Once back at the Hibiscus Courtyard, she halted when she noticed that Long Feiyeâs rooms were dark.
That guy hadnât returned, so where had he gone?
He couldnât have hurried directly to Pill Fiend Valley? Wasnât that too fast?\nShe chewed on her lip as she mused. That guyâs martial arts is so good, he shouldnât have any troubles there. Moreover, his namesake is so widespread that that Pill Fiend, Gu Qi Sha, might leave him some face.
Her thoughts eased her conscience as she elegantly walked towards Leisurely Cloud Pavilion. The chambers were well-lit, making Han Yunxi assume that little Chen Xiang must have worried and lightened the lamps to wait for her return. Even though Chen Xiang was a servant, the thought of someone expecting her at home gave her a warm feeling.
âLittle Chen XiangâŚâ Han Yunxi called out before she even entered the doors. She was starving and wanted Chen Xiang to find her some food. âLittle Chen Xiang, youâŚâ
But as soon as she stepped inside, she saw little Chen Xiang standing by the door with her head bowed. By the table was a certain fellow steeping his tea. From this angle, she could see the steam curling up from the teacup as the beautiful figure sat there like a painting.
It reallyâŚwas unreal.
âLong FeiyeâŚâ Han Yunxi couldnât help but mutter. The person inside the rooms was none other than the Duke of Qin, Long Feiye, who seemed to be expecting her.
âMistressâŚhis highness has been waiting for you for a very long time.â Chen Xiang reminded her under her voice before Han Yunxi recovered her wits. Waiting for a very long time? He couldnât have come here right after leaving the palace?
She hastily walked over. âChenqie pays respects to your highness.â
Long Feiye poured himself some tea and didnât even raise his eyes, saying mildly, âYouâve finished up the prescription?â
âUn,â Han Yunxi answered, heart pounding like a drum. She couldnât figure out why this fellow had come. Though she knew he had a sharper mind than the emperor, he still shouldnât know about the true nature of the crown princeâs illness. Whatâs he here for?\nUnexpectedly, Long Feiye rose and said, âThen get your things ready to accompany your lordship to Pill Fiend Valley.â
âWhat?â Han Yunxi asked in surprise.
Only then did Long Feiye raise his eyebrows to look over. âIs there a problem?â
Yes! A big problem!
Itâs not a good place, so why am I going?
Han Yunxi had an answer long in her heart, but her face only revealed a difficult expression as she said helplessly âYour highness, chenqie doesnât know the Pill Fiend, so Iâm afraid I wonât be able to help and would just burden your highness.â
âYour lordship doesnât fear you being a burden,â Long Feiye said coldly.
Han Yunxi heaved a sigh. âBut chenqie still needs to discuss some details of the treatment with Imperial Physician Gu, so Iâm afraid thatâŚâ
âThe crown princeâs been ill for seven years. A few days more wonât make a difference, so you can discuss things when you get back,â Long Feiye said.
âYour highness, what if chenqie meets with an untimely end on the way? Itâll be hard to explain to his majesty,â Han Yunxi threatened boldly.
Sadly, while this could threaten Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru, it did nothing against Long Feiye. His words were very forceful. âThere wonât be any untimely ends.â
Han Yunxi fell into a slump, but still couldnât rack her brains to come up with an excuse to refuse. As a result, she changed to ask, âYour highness, why are you suddenly thinking of going with chenqie?â At least she could ask for the reasons.
As expected, Long Feiye didnât answer directly, but his voice turned ice-cold and unyielding. âIâll give you the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to prepare. Your lordship will be waiting for you at the back gates.â He turned to leave when he was done, leaving Han Yunxiâs face to fall as she stood stunned in place.\nLong Feiye, youâre relentless!
How was a single cup of teaâs time enough to prepare? But as it turned out, little Chen Xiang gave her pre-prepared luggage and a helping of light pastries to appease her hunger. Undoubtedly, Long Feiye had ordered her to do these things after steeling his heart to bring her along. Han Yunxi wanted to cry but had no tears, though Chen Xiang was plenty happy.
âMistress, I heard them say that his highness has never taken a woman out on a trip before. He doesnât even use female servants. Youâre the first one, you know.â
Han Yunxiâs mouth twitched. She estimated that she was probably the only woman in the world who understood that going out with the Duke of Qin wasnât good news.
âMistress, what kind of place is that Pill Fiend Valley? What are you going there for, and for how long?â asked the curious Chen Xiang as she sent Han Yunxi off.
Han Yunxi rolled her eyes. âIf youâre that excited, why donât you come along?â
A frightened young Chen Xiang immediately ducked back into the rooms, furiously shaking her head. She kept giggling until her face turned red. âIf your servantâs there, it wonât be convenient for you two!â
Han Yunxi looked wordlessly at the skies. This Chen Xiang was still young but such a little devil. Did she think they were going on their honeymoon? She helplessly shook her head, too lazy to explain as she waved goodbye and left. At the back gates, Han Yunxi saw a carriage.
Eh, this guy wasnât flying her over this time? She kind of liked the feeling of flying.
What was she thinking about now?!
Han Yunxi shook her head before getting into the carriage, only to see Long Feiye with his head propped in one hand, leaning lethargically to one side. She found a seat on the side and also leaned lazily against the side, thinking to herself, if weâre going, weâre going. Whoâs afraid of whom? Whatever happens, youâre responsible for bringing me safely back.\nBut then Long Feiye lifted his eyes to look at her before ordering icily, âWeâll take a shortcut to Snake Gorge first.â
Snake Gorge?
Han Yunxiâs heart had a bad premonitionâŚ
-o-
[1] Taobao (??) â could also mean to dig up treasures, but in this case itâs a reference to the Chinese online retailer site Taobao.
[2] the disasterâs been brought to the fish in the pond (????) â yangji chi yu, part of the Chinese saying ????????? chengmen guan huo, yangji chiyu, meaning that disasters with things associated with you will end up bringing you disaster too. It comes from a story where a city caught on fire. In order to save the city, people filled buckets of water from the nearby pond until they dried it all up, killing the fish inside. In this case, Han Yunxi sees herself as the city and Long Feiye as the (uninterested) fish who suffers disaster along with her.\n