Duanmu Yao finally discovered that she was the humiliated party seeking more embarrassment for herself! Han Yunxi had never left this courtyard and even found the Wall-Hitting Ghost. But she purposely dragged out the time while a clown like her ran all around the mountain.
âHan Yunxi, youâŚyouâŚâ Duanmu Yao was both disgraced and irritated as she pointed a finger at Han Yunxi, almost too angry to speak. âYouâŚyou cheated! Youâre from a medical family so youâre experienced with medicinal ingredients, while Iâm completely ignorant. This isnât fair! I donât accept it!â
Han Yunxi long expected that this princess had no credit to her words. She looked towards Pill Fiend. âYour Excellency Pill Fiend, you have to stand up for whatâs right.â
Right now, Han Yunxi pleased Pill Fiendâs eye no matter how he looked at her. His weird and ambiguous voice issued a warning. âHeheh, Princess Changle. Youâre the one who said the rules were very fair before the competition. If you go back on your words now, this excellency will be very unhappy.â
Duanmu Yao didnât know about the complexity of things and wanted to keep arguing, but Duanmu Baiye held her back and tightly clutched her wrist. âEnough, this isnât a place to make trouble.â
Pill Fiend might have been an eccentric that was vaguely sinister, a crazy talking chatterbox, but he wasnât easy to provoke. After being disgraced once, Duanmu Baiye didnât want to gamble with his namesake, which he couldnât afford to lose, nor make the issue into a big deal.
Imperial brother was a little angry, while Duanmu Yaoâs heart held a hundred different displeasures. Still, he turned her back and obediently withdrew the box with the Seven Stars Caterpillar Grass. As soon as she placed it in her brotherâs palms, tears began to flow from her eyes. She gave a resentful glare at Long Feiye and Han Yunxi before turning away and running outside.\nHan Yunxi, I hate you. I definitely wonât let you off next time!
Duanmu Baiye gave the Seven Stars Caterpillar Grass to Pill Fiend and said coldly, âYour Excellency Pill Fiend, if you accept this you have to agree that Iâm a man of my words.â
Pill Fiend revealed his emancipated hand and dragged the object into his robes before giving a strange, cackling laugh. He didnât pay any more attention to Duanmu Baiye.
âDuke of Qin, may we meet again in the future,â To his credit, Duanmu Baiye still possessed some manners and even managed to bow with his hands clasped before his chest. Though he spoke to Long Feiye, he was looking at Han Yunxi in silent warning. Han Yunxi, you truly are a remarkable woman. Too bad you hurt Yao Yao and humiliated this crown prince. You better not end up in my hands one day!
After that, he flicked his sleeves and left. Han Yunxi had seen even scarier warnings and wasnât frightened at all. There were misgivings on her mind as she replied, âIf you bet, you must be prepared to lose. How is this accepting defeat?â
Pill Fiend gave an eerie smile as he hid away the Seven Stars Caterpillar Grass. âQin Wangfei, this excellency is wholeheartedly convinced of your win.â
Immediately, Han Yunxiâs hair stood on end as she unconsciously hid behind Long Feiye. This weirdo had accepted her, but she was hesitant to accept him. Long Feiye handed over the poison python snake dan and reminded him, âYour Excellency Pill Fiend, you should take out the Life Blood Pill now.â
Seeing Long Feiye, Pill Fiendâs expression immediately turned haughty as he replied, âJust wait.â
He proceeded to walk leisurely into the masterâs quarters and took a long time before coming back. There was only a single brocade box that he sluggishly opened to reveal a small Life Blood Pill resting inside. Close up, one could even smell the scent of fresh blood. This was the Life Blood Pill that Gu Beiye had mentioned. Han Yunxiâs eyes shone as she prepared to take it, but Pill Fiend quickly took it back with a mischievous laugh. âQin Wangfei, tell me where in the courtyard the Wall-Hitting Ghost is and Iâll give you this, howâs that?â\nHan Yunxi stood dumbstruck, but before she could speak, Long Feiye cut in. âGu Qi Sha, are you going to go back on your word?â
âThis excellency wasnât speaking with you,â Pill Fiend said coldly, changing his expressions faster than one changed books.
Han Yunxi replied, âBut what if I donât want to?â
EhhâŚ
Pill Fiendâs eyes grew dark as his killing intent flashed in an instant before being hidden away. He took a deep breath before offering up the Life Blood Pill with two hands. Afraid that heâd change his mind, Han Yunxi quickly accepted the item and carefully stored it away. Afterwards, she took a deep breath. Now that the most crucial ingredient was in her hands, Long Tianmoâs sickness was basically half-way cured. With this in hand, of course they had to rush back. More likely than not, the Eastern Palace must be getting worried by now.
Yet Pill Fiend followed them all the way to the gates, sidling over with a laugh. âQin Wangfei, just tell me. You really found it, right?â
Han Yunxi gave a mysterious smile. âHehe, Iâll tell you when I come back next time.â
Pill Fiend wanted to pester her some more, but Long Feiye turned around to give him a cold glance. Pill Fiend felt killing intent rising around him and narrowed his eyes at the dangerous aura before falling back. When Han Yunxi and Long Feiye left the valley, Pill Fiend didnât stop them but watched from a distance until their forms vanished. Only then did he give a loud burst of laughter.
Unexpectedly, this sound was not only charismatic, but low-pitched and pleasant to the ears. It was obviously the voice of a young man. His hands emerged from the black robes, as mild and white as jade, the fingers slender and attractive. They were nothing like the emaciated joints of before. Even the precious poison python snake dan and Seven Stars Caterpillar Grass in his palms couldnât compete with those alluring fingers. He stood thoughtfully muttering to himself, subtle traces of a smile on his face.\nâHan YunxiâŚheheh, interesting! Weâll meet again in the future!â
âŚâŚ
On the way back, Long Feiye asked Han Yunxi, âWhere was the Wall-Hitting Ghost?â
Han Yunxi didnât expect this guy to be curious too, but she remained secretive. âNot telling you.â
His expression turned stiff at her unexpected answer, but it quickly returned to its usual coolness. The two of them hurried back and reached Tianningâs capital at morning three days later. Long Feiye and Han Yunxiâs absence these few days had really worried the emperor and empress. If it hadnât been the Duke of Qin who took the necessary person away, then everyone might have thought that Han Yunxi had fled.
It was only morning, but the court was filled with people. Emperor Tianhui came over as soon as he finished court assembly. The empress dowager and empress had been keeping closeby, and even Han Congan hadnât left. He respectfully remained behind the empress dowager, afraid to speak out about his grievances. Gu Beiyue was in the room looking after the crown princeâs bedside.
âYour majesty, your majesty. The Duke of Qin and Qin Wangfei entered the palace and theyâre coming this way.â
As soon as Long Feiye and Han Yunxi entered the palace gates, Eunuch Xue had ran and stumbled over to report.
Emperor Tianhui rejoiced. âDid they bring the Life Blood Pill?â
Hearing this, Han Congan grew anxious, his restless eyes staring at Eunuch Xue for an answer. Han Yunxi already did a penetrating analysis of the illness situation, and even insisted that she wasnât wrong. Yet Han Congan was forced into speechlessness. Even now, he still didnât believe in Han Yunxiâs diagnosis! With the Life Blood Pill on hand, Han Yunxi would be able to start treatment. As soon as that happened, theyâd know where it was him or Han Yunxi that was right! There was a child inside the crown princeâs stomach. He wanted to see how Han Yunxi could turn that child into poisonous blood!\nEunuch Xue was in a bind. âYour servantâŚyour servant forgot to ask!â
Actually, it was more like Eunuch Xue didnât dare to ask. What kind of qualifications did he have to ask His Highness Duke of Qin? Even if he had them, His Highness Duke of Qin wouldnât spare him a glance.
âUseless thing, hurry over,â the empress dowager rebuked, even more worried than Emperor Tianhui.
âYes, yes, yes, your servant will go right away!â
Just when Eunuch Xue was about to leave, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi entered, looking travel-worn and tired. Despite this, their bearing was still as elegant as before, especially Long Feiye. As soon as he entered the courtyard, his tall, proud form gave a feeling of pressure to all those present, well matched to the impressive dignity of an emperor.
Emperor Tianhui was anxious on top of being worried. He couldnât help but rush forward when Long Feiye entered, deeply concerned. âDuke of Qin, were your travels successful?â
âWith Imperial Brotherâs good fortune, everything ran smoothly,â Long Feiye made a slight bow with hands folded in front, Han Yunxi copying the motion by his side.
âHehe, then thatâs good, thatâs good. Both of you may rise,â Emperor Tianhui smiled. He didnât seem flustered, but the people around them were burning with impatience as they eagerly watched Long Feiye and Han Yunxi for news.
âThen, youâve brought back the Life Blood Pill?â Emperor Tianhui asked. The crowd tensed up at these words, especially Han Congan, whose forehead showed a crease. Within the room, Gu Beiyue and crown prince Long Tianmo both stilled, listening quietly. Long Feiyeâs face was expressionless. He didnât get anxious like everyone else, because the object wasnât in his hands.
Han Yunxi swept her eyes over the assembled people and was secretly delighted. Making you all wait is payback for this wangfeiâs hard trip. Her line of vision slid past Han Congan, whose heart leaped at the sight. What did this damned girl mean by this? Han Yunxi only delayed for a few seconds, but anxious people couldnât wait.\nâDuke of Qin, did you two get the Life Blood Pill?â the empress couldnât help but blurt out.
Long Feiye didnât speak, but look towards Han Yunxi as if to say, stop before it gets too far.
All right. Han Yunxi smiled and immediately withdrew the box from her sleeve, opening it up. âThis is the Life Blood Pill, we have obtained it successfully!â
In a flash, everyoneâs eyes fixated on the object. Emperor Tianhui didnât dare relax just yet, but hurriedly shouted, âImperial Physician Gu, Imperial Physician Gu, come.â
Gu Beiyue left the bedroom and made quick steps over.
âImperial Physician Gu, this is the Life Blood Pill?â Emperor Tianhui asked seriously.
Smelling the scent of blood and seeing its color, Gu Beiyue was certain and rejoiced. âTo reply your majesty, empress dowager, and esteemed empress, this is indeed the Life Blood Pill. The crown prince can be cured, congratulations to your majesty! Congratulations to your majesty!â
With Gu Beiyueâs assertion, everyone finally felt relieved. Now that the Life Blood Pill was on hand, Han Yunxiâs treatment could begin. Actually, neither Emperor Tianhui nor the empress dowager completely trusted Han Yunxiâs diagnosis, but compared to Han Conganâs diagonsis, they much preferred hers. Of course, this also counted as Emperor Tianhuiâs last chance for the crown prince. If he was cured, then everything would be fine. If he couldnât, Emperor Tianhui would have to abandon this crown prince.
The empress saw these formidable conditions most clearly. In Emperor Tianhuiâs eyes, there were plenty of sons available. But for the empress, she only had a single son in this crown prince. She didnât care whether Han Yunxiâs diagnosis was correct or if the crown prince had a sarcoma or baby in his stomach. She only wanted a result that would leave the crown prince unharmed.\nâHan Yunxi, then we can start expelling the poison now, right?â Emperor Tianhuiâs eyes revealed an anxiety he couldnât quite hide.
But Han Yunxi replied, âNot yet.â
What? The Life Blood Pill was already here, but it was still ânot yet?â
The crowd fell silent at these words. Even Long Feiyeâs eyebrows knitted as he looked overâŚ\n