Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Watching the Falling Lotus Leaves in the Fields (Part 1)

Jade railing stands alone, listening to the whispers of the wind, 

practicing martial arts in vain, waiting for the voices of old friends; 

Suddenly hearing the guest's return, startled, the sword drops, 

yet casually watching the feelings of longing.

 

The clouds in the west, with their enchanting fiery red hues, devoured the setting sun. Unnoticed by anyone, a 

carriage sped through the bustling market, heading straight for the palace. "Who goes there?" At the palace gate, 

the guards stopped the carriage, only to see Si Cang Qing emerge from within. 

On this trip, Si Cang Qing went under the pretext of a private visit to the Nanjiang Dam, and few people in the 

court knew the truth.

The guards immediately bowed and made way, and no one dared to peek inside the carriage.

Before they reached the Eastern Palace, the carriage suddenly stopped halfway, and Si Cang Qing heard a 

commotion ahead, followed by a familiar call: 

"Master..."

Slightly taken aback, Si Cang Qing immediately got out of the car. He saw Feng Lan, whom he hadn't seen for 

nearly two months, looking at him with a face full of joy. The bright red palace attire made his face appear flushed

as well. 

"Lan," Si Cang Qing called out softly, his cold voice carrying a hint of fluctuation.

I didn't want to appear overly sentimental, but I couldn't suppress the emotions surging from the depths of my 

heart. They were real and overwhelming. Feng Lan took a couple of steps and then threw himself into Si Cang 

Qing's arms, lowering his head to inhale the familiar fragrance of this person. Two months of longing surged 

forth. 

He murmured again, "Master..."

Since they met, they had never been apart for so long, not realizing that such love was so deeply ingrained, as if it 

had melted into their very bones. Unintentionally, at the slightest turn or a single word, they would suddenly miss 

that person.

"Mm." Si Cang Qing's eyes softened as he reached out, lifted Feng Lan by the waist, and then turned to get into 

the carriage. Suddenly seeing Feng Lan, a faint emotion stirred within him, a feeling often referred to as joy.

Inside the car, one person seemed accustomed to it, eyes straight ahead, a faint smile playing at the corners of their

mouth, fiddling with their abacus; the other person, however, couldn't suppress the look of astonishment on their 

face.

TianBi vaguely guessed that the man being held in Si Cang Qing's arms must be the Crown Princess, who had 

been shrouded in mystery. Along the way, having not interacted with the world for many years, he always heard 

people enthusiastically discussing the Prince's grand wedding from a few months ago during their tea and water 

conversations. Such a sensational event even made him feel a bit of admiration and curiosity.

Si Cang Qing... 

TianBi once again seriously scrutinized the young man who was effortlessly holding a big man. This person, 

clearly as cold as ice, usually expressionless and silent, didn't seem human at all. Now…

He could clearly sense that beneath the person's expressionless demeanor, there was joy and tenderness. 

This kind of tenderness subtly permeated the entire space, and even he, as an observer, could clearly feel it.

Perhaps TianBi's scrutiny was too direct, and Feng Lan, realizing only later that there were others in the carriage, 

couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. Just a moment ago, he was practicing martial arts, and upon hearing the 

news that Si Cang Qing had returned to the palace, he rushed over without a second thought, and in a moment of 

excitement, he made such a bold move in public…

He slightly dodged Si Cang Qing's kiss, awkwardly speaking up, "Master, this must be the divine doctor..." 

Suddenly stopping, Feng Lan stared in awe at the man before him, unable to imagine that such a... beautiful man 

existed in this world! Truly beautiful, not like the cold and hard handsomeness of Si Cang Qing.

Quickly recovering, Feng Lan's face showed a hint of embarrassment. 

"Hmm." Si Cang Qing replied lightly, not even lifting his head, and continued to kiss the swirl of Feng Lan's hair.

TianBi also came to his senses, withdrew his probing gaze, smiled politely at Feng Lan, and introduced himself, 

"Cheng TianBi has met the Crown Princess. I have come this time to treat the Emperor." Since Si Cang Qing 

already knew his identity, he simply used his real name.

Skillfully concealing the astonishment in his heart, Feng Lan replied with a smile, "You can just call me Feng Lan,

Divine Doctor. I apologize for the trouble this time." Even though it had been nearly half a year since the grand 

wedding, he still wasn't used to being called the Crown Princess.

"Young Master Feng is too kind," TianBi said graciously, "TianBi is just an ordinary doctor, so there's no need to 

call me a divine physician." 

Both of them were modest and humble people; after exchanging a few words, they fell silent.

The atmosphere was a bit strange... 

Being tightly held in Si Cang Qing's arms, Feng Lan couldn't break free no matter how hard he tried. His face 

turned even redder, and he fell silent, feeling somewhat uncomfortable as Si Cang Qing gently kissed his hair tips 

and eyebrows.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before the carriage arrived at the East Palace. 

Feng Lan couldn't wait to leave Si Cang Qing's embrace, jumped off the carriage, walked ahead, and said to 

TianBi, "Young Master Cheng, I have already arranged your residence. Please follow me."

Si Cang Qing walked leisurely towards the study, while Qiu Ping Tian beside him laughed slyly, "Qing Di, look at 

you being so reckless, you've scared the Crown Princess so much that he doesn't even dare to see anyone!"

Si Cang Qing glanced at the other person strangely, "Reckless where?" 

Qiu Ping Tian looked at him gently and said, "In broad daylight, hugging a man and being all lovey-dovey, isn't 

that reckless?"

Si Cang Qing replied calmly, "So what?" He did things according to his own wishes, so why should he care about 

others' opinions?

After a moment of surprise, Qiu Ping Tian chuckled and shook his head, "If only I had your decisiveness, 

Qingdi!" Saying this, he revealed a thoughtful expression, his gaze deeply fixed on Si Cang Qing.

Si Cang Qing didn't say anything, just feeling the other person's gaze, with a slight sense of confusion in his heart: 

he didn't know when it started, but Qiu Ping Tian often looked at him with such a strange expression. 

Since there was no malice, he couldn't be bothered to investigate.

◇Cang Huan◇Seven Palaces◇

Inside the Huanao Palace, TianBi's expression was serious as he took the emperor's pulse.

Waiting nearby, besides Si Cang Qing and Feng Lan, was the emperor's personal imperial physician, Qiu Wei. 

The old physician's eyes sparkled brightly as he stared intently at TianBi. He was well aware of the emperor's 

condition, but this unbelievably beautiful young man before him was the heir of the Divine Doctor…

Withdrawing his hand, TianBi frowned slightly, hesitating whether to speak. 

Si Cang Qing noticed his difficulty and said lightly, "If you have something to say, just say it!"

TianBi's eyes were filled with concern as he stared fixedly at Si Cang Qing. After a long pause, he finally spoke 

slowly, "The Heart-Devouring Gu in the emperor's body has been there for too long, severely damaging his 

internal organs. I'm afraid..."

"Is there really no way?" Upon hearing this, Old Doctor Qiu hurriedly said, not caring about any etiquette. If even 

the heir of the Divine Doctor couldn't do anything, then the Emperor might be…

"Old Qiu, don't worry," Feng Lan timely reassured, "Let the Divine Doctor finish speaking."

The emperor gave a bitter smile, looking resigned. 

TianBi continued, "It's not that there are no solutions, but I'm not very confident. Moreover, if there's even a slight 

mistake, it could backfire, and at that time, the emperor would be in even greater danger!"

After a pause, Doctor Qiu looked delighted and said, "So, there is still a way?"

"It's very dangerous." TianBi looked at Doctor Qiu seriously, "Fight poison with poison."

Doctor Qiu was puzzled, "The emperor was poisoned by a Gu."

"Mm," TianBi nodded, "Heart-Devouring Gu is an extremely toxic Gu worm, hermaphroditic, lurking in a person's

internal organs, continuously reproducing more Gu worms through the blood, until it invades the person's internal 

organs, and then the person will die."

Glancing at the emperor, TianBi looked a little reluctant, "Your Majesty, over the years, because of the miraculous 

medicine, the Gu worm has reproduced very slowly, but after so many years, it still penetrated deep into the 

internal organs."

"If we use poison to counter poison, we can utilize the Gu worm's natural enemies, the green silk Snake, and the 

supreme poison, the Ecstasy Flower, supplemented with other poisons," TianBi sighed. "Unfortunately, both the 

green silk Snake and the Ecstacy Flower are rare and extraordinary items, hard to come by." 

Upon hearing this, Feng Lan was overjoyed. "These two items, the master has a way to find them."

Everyone looked at Si Cang Qing in astonishment, but he slightly nodded his head. 

Qiu Wei raised his hand to stroke his beard, his face full of gratitude, "Heaven bless our emperor!" 

"But..." TianBi had a troubled expression, "Even if we find these poisons, we can't guarantee that we can 

successfully expel the Gu worms."

"Why?" 

"Whether it's the gu worms inside the emperor, the green silk snake, or the ecstasy flower, they are all extremely 

poisonous substances. Ordinary people simply cannot withstand the triple torment. If they can't hold on, then..." 

"They will die on the spot!"

After finishing, TianBi lowered his eyes, "It's all my lack of skill, unable to improve according to the methods left 

by my master..." 

"You can't blame the divine doctor," Si Cang JueTian, who had been listening silently, spoke with difficulty, "To 

have lived to this day, zhèn is already extremely gratified."

Si Cang Qing pondered for a moment, looked at the emperor, and directly asked, "Father, do you want treatment?"

He had personally experienced the power of the Ecstacy Flower and the Green silk snake, and that kind of 

sensation was indeed difficult for ordinary people to endure.

If the emperor does not seek treatment now and takes good care of himself, he might still live for another three to 

five years; if he undergoes treatment, he could live for another ten to twenty years if all goes well, but if it doesn't, 

he could die immediately. 

Either choice is extremely difficult.

The emperor smiled lightly, his expression calm, "Of course, I will treat it. Qing'er has put in so much effort for 

me, how could I back out at the last moment?" He turned his head to look at TianBi, his expression serious, 

"Divine Doctor, I will follow all your instructions. Please proceed without hesitation."

TianBi said nothing and could only nod. 

For a moment, the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive and melancholic. 

The gaze shifted from the emperor to Feng Lan, and Si Cang Qing broke the silence, "I will set off for Penglai 

Pavilion now."

Feng Lan paused for a moment, then replied, "Master, I'll go with you..."

Shaking his head, Si Cang Qing said calmly: "This trip is very rushed, and I haven't had time to arrange the affairs 

of the court. Everything is left to you and Liu Yi."

TianBi, listening from the side, interjected, "Your Highness, are you going to get the Green Silk Snake and the 

Ecstacy Flower?" 

Seeing Si Cang Qing nod, TianBi continued, "Your Highness, let me accompany you!"

The puzzled looks from the crowd made him explain again, "The Green silk Snake and the Ecstacy Flower are 

extremely difficult to survive once they leave their habitat. What I need are the Green silk Snake’s gallbladder and 

the Ecstacy Flower's pollen sac. The best way is to obtain them on the spot and then use medicine to preserve 

their properties."

"Since that's the case," Si Cang Qing stood up, looking at the other person, "you will accompany me." Then he 

turned to the emperor, "I will set off immediately and will return within twenty days!"

Author’s special Note:

[Note] The things about Gu and poison in the article are all made up by Xiuzi based on his mood. It is absolutely 

pseudoscience. Haha, don't verify its rationality. Just go away~~~~~

Previous  Front Page  Next