Rebirth of the Exclusive Herbalist

The next day at noon, the three siblings from the Su family, all dressed in their finest attire, boarded a carriage heading toward the imperial palace. This time, Su Qingqi and Su Qinghan shared the same carriage.

“Third Sister, are you nervous?” Inside the carriage, Su Qinghan turned her head to look at Su Qingqi, who was wearing a long dress adorned with begonia flowers and asked warmly with a smile.

Su Qingqi nodded, “A little nervous.” But in truth, she wasn’t nervous at all. She glanced at her second sister and silently mused to herself—Second Sister is dressed so flamboyantly; is she planning to outshine everyone at today’s Mid-Autumn Festival banquet?

Today, Su Qinghan’s delicate face was lightly powdered, paired with a pink narcissus dress adorned with scattered flowers and green leaves. She wore a golden hairpin with blue enamel flowers in her hair, ruby-studded gold earrings, and golden silk bracelets on each wrist. Sitting there, she exuded an air of opulence.

Su Qingqi’s gaze involuntarily swept over to her sister’s knees, secretly wondering if her second sister was wearing the ‘Easy Kneeling’ device.

Su Qinghan gently brushed her hair back from her forehead and smiled, “Third Sister, there’s no need to be nervous. Although His Majesty appears very dignified, he’s actually not that intimidating.”

“As for the Empress…”

As Su Qinghan continued talking about the various concubines, princesses, and princes in the palace, Su Qingqi quietly took mental notes of everything.

At the same time, a trace of doubt arose in her mind. Second Sister seemed to know too much. Maybe she hadn’t noticed it herself, but Su Qingqi wasn’t foolish. She had exposed so many flaws; how could they go unnoticed?

If the Fourth Prince had told Second Sister all of this, Su Qingqi wouldn’t believe it for a second. From the first time she saw the Fourth Prince, she knew he wasn’t the type to do such a thing.

If Second Sister had gathered this information herself, that was even more impossible.

As for Li Can, even if he were to talk, he wouldn’t go into such detail. What Second Sister was saying seemed more like something she had personally experienced.

Su Qingqi was shocked by her own speculation—could it be that Second Sister was not only from another time but had also been reborn? She kept this thought to herself, considering that she might need to pay more attention to her Second Sister.

If Second Sister really had traveled through time and been reborn, she would certainly know what events would unfold in the future of the Great Qing Dynasty. This information could be crucial.

At this moment, Su Qinghan might have been showing off her abilities in front of Su Qingqi, unaware that the younger sister she often underestimated had already figured out most of her secrets.

As the three of them entered the palace, a young eunuch announced their arrival. Soon, an older eunuch, around thirty years of age, dressed in a gemstone-blue robe embroidered with cranes and holding a horsetail whisk, came to lead them to the inner palace.

Su Qingqi obediently followed along without looking around. However, she noticed that Second Sister skillfully slipped a banknote to Eunuch Wei, who accepted it without hesitation.

“…”

The journey seemed especially long. Along the way, the passing eunuchs and palace maids greeted Eunuch Wei with respect, indicating that he held a significant position—likely a favorite of Emperor Kangjing.

Just then, a somewhat frivolous male voice suddenly rang out.

“Eunuch Wei, are these the children of Governor Su, summoned by my father?”

“Yes, Second Prince.”

“Which one is the Third Miss Su? Lift your head and let me have a look.”

Su Qingqi didn’t dare to raise her head, but she listened intently. Upon hearing the Second Prince’s frivolous tone mentioning her, she couldn’t help but be startled. Before she could look up, Su Qinghan’s sweet voice rang out.

“Your Highness, the Second Prince, my Third Sister is a bit shy. Please don’t make things difficult for her!”

“So, you’re the bold Second Miss Su who has taken a liking to my Fourth Brother? Indeed, you’re daring!” The Second Prince chuckled, eyeing the poised and dignified Su Qinghan before him, a hint of intrigue flashing in his eyes.

“You flatter me, Your Highness,” Su Qinghan replied with a charming and captivating smile.

This Second Prince was no ordinary man. If he had any interest in the throne, he would be the Fourth Prince’s strongest rival. If she could win him over to the Fourth Prince’s side…

Su Qinghan was already plotting away in her mind.

She didn’t notice that Eunuch Wei, standing beside her, had furrowed his brows. Suddenly, he felt the banknote from Miss Su Second was a bit too hot to handle.

“Second Sister!” Su Zhijin, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up, scolding Su Qinghan. He then turned to the Second Prince and bowed, “Please forgive my sister’s rudeness, Your Highness.”

The Second Prince waved it off, indicating he didn’t mind. Another woman with a bold spirit, he thought to himself. Poor Fourth Brother. He put away his fan, but his gaze shifted to the respectful Third Miss Su, who had kept her head lowered the entire time.

Just as he was about to say something, Eunuch Wei, seeing this, feared the Second Prince might do something inappropriate. Quickly, he brought up the Emperor, leading the three Su siblings away in haste.

The Second Prince was slightly disappointed that he hadn’t gotten a good look at the woman the Marquis Huaining was interested in. He wondered if she was more beautiful than his sister, Jiu’er.

As he turned to leave with his young eunuch, he suddenly noticed the Marquis Huaining, sitting in a wheelchair behind a rockery, watching him. Their eyes met, and the Second Prince, Li Yuanyi, raised an eyebrow slightly, smiled at his nominal cousin, and then walked away.

Marquis Chu watched the Second Prince’s departing figure, his expression a mixture of amusement.

Who would have thought that this seemingly frivolous and carefree Second Prince was actually a highly intelligent and astute man?

It was a pity that the Second Prince had no real interest in the throne.

“Chu Yi, I’m a bit worried about Aqiu!”

Chu Yi replied, “If you’re worried, Marquis, you could go and rescue her.”

Marquis Chu nodded approvingly, “That’s a good idea. Let’s go to the Xuande Hall.” After a moment’s pause, he added, “On second thought, never mind. Let her get used to it in advance.”

Chu Yi: “…”

Ever since the Marquis met Third Miss Su, he’s been so unpredictable. What’s going on?

Eunuch Wei led the three siblings from the Su family to the entrance of Xuande Hall, where Emperor Kangjing was conducting state affairs, and then went inside to announce their arrival.

After a short while, Emperor Kangjing summoned them to an audience.

Su Qingqi followed her elder brother and sister into the hall, keeping her head lowered.

Once inside, the three immediately knelt down and said, “Your Majesty, this subject Su Zhijin (this subject Su Qinghan, Su Qingqi) pays respect to Your Majesty!”

“Rise,” a deep and authoritative male voice responded.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The three siblings stood up but kept their heads bowed.

Emperor Kangjing, seated on the dragon throne, observed the three Su siblings, particularly Su Yuanhong’s eldest son, who appeared strong and resolute—clearly a promising young man. It was a pity that he was already married; otherwise, he would have made a good match for a princess.

As for the second daughter, Emperor Kangjing had met her before and was impressed by her exceptional medical skills. After drinking the medicine prescribed by the Imperial Academy based on her recipe, he felt significantly better. This Second Miss Su had an excellent demeanor—he wondered if she had any other miraculous remedies.

Lastly, his gaze fell on Su Qingqi, the third daughter who had caught the attention of Ziyu. The Emperor’s interest was piqued as he looked at the quietly standing, delicate young girl. After asking them a few questions, he smiled and said, “You may raise your heads and speak.”

The three of them obediently raised their heads.

Finally, Su Qingqi saw Emperor Kangjing’s appearance. Although he was over fifty years old, he looked only slightly over forty. His features were sharp and his eyes deep, though he appeared somewhat thin. Despite this, he radiated an undeniable aura of authority.

“Clear and honest features, graceful and dignified—Ziyu has a good eye!” Emperor Kangjing rarely gave praise, but he couldn’t help complimenting her. Su Qingqi’s pure heart was evident.

Eunuch Wei, standing beside the Emperor, was surprised by this praise. He glanced at Su Qingqi, thinking that the Emperor’s compliment was quite fitting. He couldn’t help but marvel at Su Qingqi’s good fortune; with such a commendation from the Emperor, no one would dare underestimate her.

Su Qingqi, however, was momentarily taken aback, suddenly recalling that the Marquis of Chu’s courtesy name was Ziyu. She responded calmly, “Your Majesty flatters me.”

Emperor Kangjing nodded in approval. This young girl was not only young but also composed in her presence—a rare quality. It was no wonder that Ziyu had gone to the trouble of requesting an imperial decree for their marriage.

On the other hand, Su Qinghan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy upon hearing the Emperor’s praise for her third sister. She had prescribed remedies to improve the Emperor’s health and even presented additional medicinal recipes, yet all she received was a compliment for her “exceptional medical skills.”

Su Zhijin, the eldest brother, was pleased, thinking that the higher the Emperor’s impression of his younger sister, the better it would be for their family’s reputation.

As a diligent and self-disciplined ruler, Emperor Kangjing had summoned the three Su siblings to the palace for the Mid-Autumn Festival mainly to assess the character of the young girl who had caught Ziyu’s attention.

After asking them a few more questions, Emperor Kangjing instructed Eunuch Wei to take them to the Empress, who would arrange their seating at the evening’s Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

After they left, Emperor Kangjing fell into deep thought.

Master Liaokong had said that Su Qingqi’s birth chart was extremely compatible with Ziyu’s and that their union would bind their fates, breaking Ziyu’s curse of a short life.

If this were true and Ziyu was still alive in two years, perhaps he could marry Xiaojiu to Ziyu.

As soon as they exited Xuande Hall, Su Qinghan was called away by a palace maid dressed in green, sent by Consort Zheng.

Consort Zheng was the mother of the Fourth Prince, so it was natural for her to summon Su Qinghan.

Su Zhijin merely reminded his second sister to be careful before allowing her to leave with the palace maid.

The Empress resided in Weiyang Palace, which wasn’t far from Xuande Hall. It only took the time it would take to drink a cup of tea to reach there.

The Empress was of medium height, dignified, beautiful, and possessed a peaceful temperament, truly embodying the grace of a nation’s mother. The only regret was that she had no children of her own and hadn’t adopted any other princes to raise.

After Su Qingqi and her elder brother paid their respects, the Empress had them seated. She glanced at Su Qingqi and smiled warmly, saying, “I’ve long been curious about the girl who caught Ziyu’s eye. Today, I finally get to meet her in person!”

“What a lovely young lady!”

Su Qingqi lowered her head in embarrassment, surprised to hear both the Emperor and Empress casually refer to the Marquis of Chu by his courtesy name.

The lady-in-waiting standing beside the Empress covered her mouth and laughed softly, “Your Majesty, Third Miss Su is shy.”

The Empress chuckled and said to the lady-in-waiting, “Go and fetch some of the dragon musk that the Emperor gave me yesterday. Consider it my gift to Third Miss Su as a first meeting present.”

Su Qingqi quickly stood up, overwhelmed, and tried to decline the offer.

In the Great Qing Dynasty, only the Emperor and Empress were entitled to use dragon musk. As the illegitimate daughter of a second-rank official, how could she dare accept such a gift? If word got out, it could certainly stir up jealousy and resentment.