Chapter 143: Liu Li Arrives in Youzhou

Autumn had arrived in the Pavilion of Autumn Clipping, yet rather than fading, the season's chill and melancholy grew only deeper.

The rooms were filled with the fragrance of sweet osmanthus drifting in from the courtyard. Heyu disliked flowers, yet she could not bring herself to view those osmanthus trees with annoyance, for they had been planted by Liu Li.

Once, Heyu had loathed heavily scented blossoms, rejecting all flowers entirely because their fragrance was too much to bear.

As the sole female disciple of the Medicine King, Heyu shouldered heavy responsibilities, holding a deep reverence for scents and guarding her sense of smell with utmost care. Yet, she came to realize that compared to the loss of smell, heartbreak was far more agonizing.

Before she ever met the Empress Dowager, Heyu believed that Liu Li was the only person in the entire world who could sway her emotions. No matter how vast the world was and how many people filled it, she lived a carefree and joyful life, caring only for Liu Li's every movement, every smile, and every frown.

Later on, however, Heyu discovered a terrifying realm within the imperial palace—the depths of human hearts. Compared to all other terrifying things, the malice and darkness hidden in human hearts were too much for her very senses to endure.

The hearts of others, and even her own heart, were so terribly difficult to fathom, so terribly hard to navigate.

"I had hoped to accompany him for a lifetime, yet by a twist of fate, I have encountered the very person I least wished to see!"

Heyu smiled, her expression bitter and sorrowful. It was not that she was unwilling to meet her birth parents; rather, she was simply unprepared, and had never imagined such a meeting would occur amidst this environment, under such identities and backgrounds.

Drawing forth rows of silver needles, Heyu felt a tear slip down her cheek. "Master, could all of this be false? And yet, I have looked into the mirror countless times, and know that it is all too real!"

Heyu loved healing the sick not out of inherent kindness, but because it allowed her to encounter numerous people and gather their blood.

Her master had once said that in this world, blood alone could directly and simply reveal ties of kinship.

When she was found in the main hall of the Xihai Prefecture, she had been ignorant and innocent of everything, possessing only an exceptionally sharp sense of smell, which led the hall to have her study medicine. By a fortunate twist of fate, Heyu touched the heart of the Medicine King, becoming his only female disciple and inheriting his vast medical expertise.

After years of rigorous cultivation and refinement, Heyu finally emerged as the chief medical officer of the Xihai Prefecture, her reputation soaring far and wide.

Heyu had treated countless people and drawn blood from many, yet she had never uncovered even the slightest clue about her origins. This habit had long since become an inseparable part of her life, something she could not let go of, even though she no longer cared to know who her parents were.

The Pavilion of Autumn Clipping was dreadfully quiet. Aside from the sound of her own sighs, Heyu heard the faint approach of footsteps.

In a flurry, she put away her silver needles, tidied the table, and pulled out a pile of medicinal herbs to study.

"So late at night, and still studying by lamplight? How truly diligent of you!"

Heyu smiled, remaining entirely unfumed. "What brings the Empress Dowager here instead of sleeping to preserve her beauty?"

Every meeting between them felt like a game of chess—matched opponents facing each other, where every single step was fraught with peril.

The Empress Dowager walked over to Heyu's side and sat down with a smile. "The Emperor has been away all day. Have you heard the news coming from outside?"

Heyu calmly continued reading her book and replied, "I have remained in the Pavilion of Autumn Clipping all this time and have never heard any idle gossip."

"Oh? True enough, I heard you dismissed your maids and haven't bothered to find new ones..." Seeing no reaction from Heyu after a long moment, the Empress Dowager changed the subject. "Is news concerning the Emperor also considered mere idle gossip?"

"Since the Empress Dowager has something to say, why not speak plainly? Why beat around the bush?" Heyu maintained her composure, initially suspecting the Empress Dowager had come to foist new maids upon her.

In truth, ever since Heyu had resolved to meddle in court politics and enter the fray of power struggles, she had no intention of employing outsiders. After all, this was the imperial palace, and she could only trust herself.

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, sighing, "Your cold and forthright demeanor is so very much like my own. No wonder they say we are cut from the same cloth!"

Heyu started, casting a sideways glance at the Empress Dowager. "Never say I am like you again!"

"Very well, let us talk of the Emperor instead! Seeing you looking so absent-minded, you must miss him terribly, no? The consorts in the inner palace are all in an uproar, yet you remain calm and unruffled. How truly impressive!"

"What on earth are you trying to say? Could something have happened to the Emperor?"

The Empress Dowager wore a resolute expression as she smiled and replied, "By afternoon, Gao Hai had already taken men out to search. Word is that the Emperor suddenly lost contact in Youzhou. Perhaps it has something to do with that crimson star? Isn't there one located in Youzhou?"

"What does that have to do with the Emperor?" Heyu frowned, asking with agitation, "What on earth has happened? Didn't the Emperor go to Eunuch Liu's hometown? How did he end up losing contact after reaching Youzhou?"

Seeing that Heyu had finally reacted, the Empress Dowager beamed with delight and slowly answered, "Eunuch Liu's hometown is quite close to Youzhou, you see. Besides, the First Prince is stationed in Youzhou. Wouldn't it be entirely natural for the Emperor to visit?"

Heyu looked at the Empress Dowager in terror, her expression instantly twisting into one of fury. "You people have interfered again, haven't you?"

"No, no, we have done nothing at all. At this very moment, we are just as anxious to find him! You hold evidence against me in your hands; how could I possibly break my word?"

Furious, Heyu slammed her hand on the desk and stood up, her gaze fierce and piercing, showing not a shred of fear toward the Empress Dowager.

"Heh, as if you would spare a thought for me! If you kill the Emperor and then dispose of me as well, wouldn't that suit your wishes entirely? Without the Emperor, I lose my value as a tool, don't I?"

The Empress Dowager smiled and shook her head, rising to walk over to the window and gaze up at the stars in the night sky. "You are of extraordinary significance to me. Solely because of your skills, I would not easily dispose of you. Once you are gone, who will care for my complexion?"

"Is it truly just for the sake of your face?" Heyu laughed bitterly, her heart filled with sorrow: *When you called me of extraordinary significance, I foolishly thought I held great weight in your eyes. It turns out everything was just my own wishful thinking!*

"You are still young; you do not understand how vital appearance is to a woman! I came here tonight simply to see how frantic you would become, so I could learn from it when facing others. Yet it seems anger is your predominant emotion?"

"Do you still need to learn? No one can ever find a trace of flaw in your acting! The Emperor is the Son of Heaven; naturally, there will be those who aid him. I will have the martial maidens of the Xihai Prefecture accompany me to search for him. You need not concern yourself with this!"

The Empress Dowager smiled, a trace of loneliness shadowing her expression. "Do you know why I never leave the palace? It is because I fear that if I were to wander off, no one would come looking, no one would be anxious, and instead, there would only be cheers of jubilation. Though the Emperor's life has been fraught with hardships, he has won the genuine devotion of many. True enough, everyone's trials are much the same; everyone experiences ups and downs, blessings intertwined with misfortunes, and none remain peaceful for long..."

Hearing this, Heyu's heart softened. She asked softly, "What is it you are truly trying to say?"

"Nothing much. I merely wish to advise you to carefully consider the suggestion I made. Do not leave the palace, for the Emperor has his own formidable protectors coming to his rescue. The High Priest has already notified Tianshan, and someone will be descending the mountain shortly. You should think deeply on whether or not you wish to enter the inner palace!"

Mountain ranges undulated endlessly, the water ran crystal clear, and the autumn river surface was breathtakingly beautiful.

Drifting along the river in a solitary boat, moving naturally with the gentle, unhurried current, Liu Li thoroughly enjoyed this natural serenity.

A single boat, a single man, quietly observing the mountains while letting his thoughts flow freely with his emotions.

Stepping out of the imperial palace and leaving the crowds behind, the solitude of nature truly brought a sense of ease and comfort.

Letting go of his worries and embracing the clear breeze, everything was peaceful and serene.

Liu Li was entirely unaware of the rumors spread by the Empress Dowager, nor did he care about the color of the crimson star; he acted as though he had truly lost the Blood Moon Divine Pearl.

In truth, he longed to cast off all constraints and had no desire to return to the imperial palace. The hearts of those within the palace were far too complex, filled solely with self-interest where neither truth nor falsehood could be discerned.

The scenery of mountains and waters was naturally comforting, and Liu Li felt as though he had drawn one step closer to the person residing in his heart.

"Those who practice asceticism in places like that must surely experience this same natural ease and tranquil harmony. Watching the mountains and waters, reading and cultivating—no wonder my eldest brother so desperately desired to attain the Dao. Such a life is truly far more joyous than plotting against one another and engaging in wearying struggles!"