"Fine, I'll send people out right away to search. We must find a way to save Concubine Xian," Hua Yueye waved his hand, signaling the person to leave first.
When he returned, Su Qingwen was already asleep. The weak firelight cast on her face, and the flickering candlelight elongated her shadow.
On normal days, she was always a lively and rambunctious person. Now, however, she was as quiet as a puppet. Hua Yueye held Su Qingwen's palm tightly, his heart aching, and secretly swore that he must save her.
Early the next morning, Hua Yueye issued an imperial edict, offering a reward of ten million taels of silver for the Snow Lotus of Tianshan.
When the court officials heard this news, they immediately became agitated. After all, Su Qingwen was a "notorious vixen." Wouldn't it be better for her to die? To go to such great lengths to save her was truly laughable.
Gao Quan fanned the flames on the side: "Humph, the emperor has really fallen for that brat. I didn't expect him to go to such lengths to save her. Is he really that muddle - headed?"
"What should we do now? Don't we all have to follow the emperor's will?" The Minister of Revenue shook his head and replied helplessly.
"Humph, let's play it by ear. I don't believe Hua Yueye can turn the world upside down," Gao Quan calculated secretly, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
During the court session, Hua Yueye specifically emphasized this matter: "Concubine Xian is seriously ill. If any of you here have information about the Snow Lotus of Tianshan, come and report it."
"Your Majesty," Gao Quan swaggered forward. "Everyone knows that Su Qingwen is a demonic concubine. Why do you still want to save her? Maybe it's the will of Heaven that she should be taken away."
"That's enough!" Hua Yueye scolded in a low voice. "Don't say such things again. I've said that she's not a demon. If anyone says so again, I'll kill him myself!"
After saying this, Hua Yueye quickly turned around and left.
Gao Quan sneered. So what if Hua Yueye was angry? He couldn't stop the public's criticism.
After returning, Gao Quan spread this matter widely. The storytellers in the capital had received a lot of benefits from him. They deliberately portrayed Su Qingwen as a once - in - a - millennium demon, as if she was extremely evil.
The common people knew nothing and could only believe these unfounded rumors. For a moment, public outrage was hard to calm down. Everyone said that Su Qingwen was a fox spirit who had bewitched the emperor.
The situation became more and more intense. Hua Yueye had heard a lot of rumors. Seeing that the search for the Snow Lotus of Tianshan seemed to have hit a dead end, he felt despair growing in his heart.
He looked at Su Qingwen on the sickbed. Her face was a bit pale. He held her wrist and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't take good care of you."
"Fool, are you apologizing to me now?" Su Qingwen blinked her eyes and suddenly spoke.
He had thought she was asleep. Unexpectedly, she suddenly woke up. Hua Yueye looked at Su Qingwen in shock, his face changing slightly.
"It's okay. Maybe it's fate," Su Qingwen's tears fell involuntarily. She stared intently at Hua Yueye and instead comforted him, "Do you know? I once imagined what it would be like to live with you. But it's a pity that I can't accompany you anymore."
"Don't say anymore. You should rest well now," Hua Yueye couldn't bear to see her like this, as if she was bidding farewell. He bit his lip tightly, his expression pained.
There was still some time. He was sure he would find the whereabouts of the Snow Lotus of Tianshan.
"Your Majesty," at this time, Li Ruhua walked in from outside. Her eyes subconsciously swept over Su Qingwen on the sickbed. A hint of disdain flashed in her eyes, and then she said, "Actually, I once read about the Snow Lotus of Tianshan in a book. But it said that because the place where the Snow Lotus grows is extremely cold, it's very difficult for ordinary people to get there."
Li Ruhua lowered her head, making an innocent look. In fact, she came here today with the intention of stimulating Su Qingwen. If Su Qingwen was greatly stimulated, she would surely die soon. Then wouldn't she be able to take her place? It was really a good thing.
Just as she was thinking, Hua Yueye frowned and said unhappily, "Li Ruhua, there's no need for you to say such things. I know that the Snow Lotus of Tianshan is hard to find, but it's not impossible. What do you think this will make Qingwen think?"
Li Ruhua was startled by his stern words. She shrank back suddenly, lowered her head aggrievedly and shed tears: "Your Majesty, why do you speak like this? I'm just stating the truth."
"Forget it," Su Qingwen had already accepted the reality. She wouldn't be easily stimulated now. Anyway, her health was so poor. What hope was there?
"Don't quarrel because of me. The rise and fall of fate are arranged by Heaven. I accept it," she said weakly and leaned against the side.
Suddenly, a coppery taste welled up in her throat. With a sweet taste in her mouth, Su Qingwen felt her body start to twitch. Was the poison flaring up again?
Li Ruhua had never seen her like this before. She was also terribly frightened. She immediately took two steps back and looked at her in horror.
"Someone, quickly call the imperial physician!" Hua Yueye shouted angrily outside.
Immediately, many eunuchs and maids rushed out. Seeing the chaos here, Li Ruhua naturally didn't want to stay any longer. She slowly walked away from the side, patted her chest, and cleared her throat with a lingering fear.
"Miss, you've seen. Now we don't need to do anything. We just need to watch her die quietly," Xiao Cui said maliciously.
Hearing this, Li Ruhua nodded slightly. "By the way, have there been a lot of rumors about Su Qingwen these days? You don't need to do much. Just casually reveal these rumors to her. Or, arrange some uprisings outside the palace from time to time."
Since Su Qingwen was about to die, she might as well help her get rid of her misery quickly. Thinking of this, a smug smile appeared on Li Ruhua's face.
"Don't worry, I know how to do this. I'm very experienced," Xiao Cui nodded and quickly agreed.
After hearing Li Ruhua's arrangement, Xiao Cui left the palace overnight and completed the tasks Li Ruhua had told her. First, she found a few strong men and bribed them with silver, saying that they should cause a big stir at the market entrance the next morning, preferably to arouse public indignation.
The people Xiao Cui found were well - known hooligans. They were willing to do anything for money. Seeing the benefits, they immediately nodded happily and promised to complete the task.
"Good," taking advantage of the night, Xiao Cui sneered smugly and then disappeared into the night.