Chapter 567: Inferior to a femme fatale (1/2)
Chapter 567: Inferior to a femme fatale
Only three doctors currently held the rank of Medical Sage, and the trio happened to make up the first three positions in the medical academy’s Council of Elders. Second and Third Elder were hard enough to meet with, to say nothing of the Head Elder. Moreover, they were asking them to do something against medical city’s own regulations. But since General Chu had brought up the idea, it meant he thought it was feasible.
“Third Elder Shen showed himself recently in a dispute between Pill Fiend Pharmacy and Medicine City. Suppose…” General Chu trailed off.
Chu Yunyi rejected the idea. “The implications of this project are huge. We need to make sure it succeeds, or else we’ll lose everything.” And that success didn’t merely hinge on inducing early labor, but the very secrecy of the deed itself. If someone ever made news of it public, the Chu Clan would be scorned by the world’s people. They had chosen to induce early labor because they were worried that time was running out. Otherwise, they could afford to wait those three extra months.
“There is one person we can count on,” General Chu lowered his voice and said a single name. “Lady Lianxin.”
After the events of Medicine City had spread across the continent, everyone knew that Lady Lianxin and Han Yunxi had long parted as enemies. The Mu Clan had been thoroughly beaten down in Medicine City as well, so it’d be very difficult for them to make a comeback. If Lady Lianxin could join forces with them, she would be able to get revenge and find another source of power to rely on beyond the medical academy. She was such an intelligent woman that she would never refuse their offer.
Lady Lianxin was only a fifth ranked Divine Doctor, but she had the skills to ask out any of the Medical Sage Elders for a meeting. Moreover, she would know better than them on which one could best keep a secret.
Chu Yunyi was thrilled. “We can’t afford to lose any time. Go make a trip personally. Qingge has Witch Aunt looking after all, so there’s no need to worry on her side.”
Long Feiye had already stirred up the Chu Clan into panic without ever stepping a foot into Western Zhou Country. They were even ready to induce early labor on the girl. What would happen after he reached Western Zhou for real?
—
Currently, Chu Qingge was still unaware about the early labor. She was pregnant with Emperor Tianhui’s child, but still spent her days pining after her beloved Highness Duke of Qin. Tonight was dark and still, yet she was sprawled on the windowsill, staring at the moon while deep in thought. Witch Aunt sat by her side while making her medicine.
“There are still 20 days until the fifteenth of next month,” Chu Qingge remarked.
“You’re not worried over the fact that he’s locked your brother up? I thought you’d hate him for it,” Witch Aunt was displeased at her indifference.
Chu Qingge turned to stare at her before breaking into a cold laugh. “Shouldn’t I be happy instead?” If there’s anyone I hate, it should be my own father and brother!
Witch Aunt was going to lecture her, but the sight of Chu Qingge’s fresh tears held her back. In the end, she had still raised this girl from birth as her aunt. After a period of silence, she finally intoned, “If you have to hate anything, hate the fact that you fell in love with the wrong man.”
“No!” Chu Qingge suddenly grew emotional, her voice rising. “It’s not a mistake! Even if I had to do it all over again, I’d still love him! All I hate is Han Yunxi. If it wasn’t for Han Yunxi, I wouldn’t be reduced to this state. If it wasn’t for Han Yunxi, maybe he would have spared me a glance!”
If it wasn’t for Han Yunxi, I would’ve never played the qin at the empress dowager’s birthday banquet and caught that old Tianhui’s attention. If it wasn’t for Han Yunxi, my birthright, looks, martial arts, and talents would definitely cause Long Feiye to pause after I expressed my feelings. He definitely wouldn’t reject me outright!
And if Emperor Tianhui hadn’t been interested in me, father and brother would have tried to set me up with Long Feiye instead.
That’s why, in the end it’s all Han Yunxi’s fault.
Witch Aunt stared at her hysterical niece, then recalled her meeting with Han Yunxi at the Poison Sect’s forbidden grounds. She couldn’t help but shake her head.
“Qing’er, rather than hate her…you should hate yourself instead…”
But Chu Qingge was too lost in her own grief and indignation to hear Witch Aunt’s words. Witch Aunt carried over her bowl of medicine and offered it to her instead.
“Hurry and drink this, it’ll be good for your body. If your health fails, you’ll have even less of a chance to fight Han Yunxi.”
Chu Qingge didn’t even glance at the bowl, much less drink its contents.
“If you want to tussle with Han Yunxi, you still have to keep your health up! The road before you is still long!” Witch Aunt coaxed.
Her medicine was purely to nourish Chu Qingge’s body and personally prepared by Witch Aunt herself. Before inducing early labor, she had to make sure Chu Qingge was healthy enough to take it. Although the girl herself was still muddle-headed, Witch Aunt knew that the Chu Clan would toss Chu Qingge aside as soon as she stopped being useful. Her prodding finally moved Chu Qingge to down the medicine as Witch Aunt looked on in helpless distress.
“Does Emperor Tianhui know of the Duke of Qin’s plans to visit Western Zhou?” Witch Aunt asked.
“Those imperial sons asked for an audience a few times, but all of them were denied entry. Even if they did get in, Tianhui wouldn’t be able to hear a word they say.” Chu Qingge might be inadequate in other things, but she was quite skilled at keeping Emperor Tianhui under her thumb.
She could earn a spot as a femme fatale in the annals of human history.
“That’s good, then,” Witch Aunt didn’t want to scold or rebuke Chu Qingge. If she can hold the fort here at West Liang, then let her have her fantasies. After seeing the Duke of Qin’s style in the flesh and experiencing his finesse first-hand, she was clear that he’d be an unforgettable man in many women’s eyes.