Chapter 104 - 103: The Substitute Bride 19

Chapter 104: Chapter 103: The Substitute Bride 19

Upon reaching the foot of Qiong Mountain, Ji Xiaosong alighted from the carriage.

"Miss, how about I accompany you up the mountain to get the herb?"

Zixi held a straw-woven basket, her face filled with worry.

"You can’t go. I have to go up this mountain alone."

With that, Ji Xiaosong left Zixi behind and started up the mountain alone.

As she climbed, Ji Xiaosong used her Spiritual Power with every step, waving away the golden light that poured down on her, dispersing it to either side.

When she finally reached the summit, she saw it: the Clear Spirit Grass, right in the center.

However, the Clear Spirit Grass was only a single bud. She had to wait until it was in full bloom to pick it; only then would its medicinal properties be at their peak.

Ji Xiaosong stood guard nearby, waiting. By midnight, the flower had finally bloomed.

She took a swordsman’s step forward. The Clear Spirit Grass seemed to sense the threat and began to tremble, trying to escape.

Ji Xiaosong quickly spoke in a soft voice, "Clear Spirit Grass, don’t be afraid. I don’t mean to harm you. I just need your flower for a medicine to save someone."

The Clear Spirit Grass didn’t seem to believe her, still poised to flee at any moment.

Ji Xiaosong hastily added, "If you trust me, I can take you with me. I have a wondrous space, full of Spiritual Energy. It’s the perfect place for a Spirit Grass to grow, and you’ll surely thrive there."

The Clear Spirit Grass paused slightly, as if considering Ji Xiaosong’s words.

"Who are you trying to save?"

"My husband."

"Huh? You can understand me?"

"Of course. I too am a plant that gained sentience. Through a fortunate encounter, I was able to take human form and walk this world."

"I only have one flower. If you pick it, I won’t have it anymore. But I can go into your space. After I’ve produced seeds, grown again, and blossomed, I can give you the flower for your medicine. How about that?"

The Clear Spirit Grass had a one-track mind and couldn’t think about such convoluted matters.

All it knew was that if the woman before it picked its flower, it wouldn’t be pretty anymore.

Waiting for the next bloom would take another whole year.

’And being on this lonely mountain without a flower to show off would be so boring!’

"Of course. Time flows faster in my space. If you want to go in, I’ll have to move you, root and all. Are you willing?"

"I’m willing... I think?"

The Clear Spirit Grass didn’t know what the difference was. As long as it could survive, it was fine.

Its flower could cure a hundred poisons of the Mortal World, so all humans wanted it. It had always done its best to hide, but it never expected to be caught by this fellow spirit.

’Well, what’s done is done,’ it thought. ’She seems to be one of my own kind. Maybe she’ll treat me well.’

"I’m willing. Go ahead and dig me up."

Ji Xiaosong was overjoyed when the Clear Spirit Grass agreed.

With a wave of her hand, only a hole remained where the Clear Spirit Grass had been.

She followed the Clear Spirit Grass into the space, wrapping it in a needle of white light.

Upon entering the space, Ji Xiaosong moved quickly toward the sunniest spot.

It was a patch of land brimming with life, with abundant sunlight and dense Spiritual Energy.

Ji Xiaosong carefully placed the Clear Spirit Grass on the ground. Then, her hands danced as she cast a Spell to loosen the soil, creating the most suitable growing environment for it.

Next, she drew a clear stream from the space’s Spiritual Spring and gently watered the Clear Spirit Grass’s roots, allowing it to fully absorb the moisture and Spiritual Energy.

After doing all this, Ji Xiaosong gently stroked the Clear Spirit Grass’s leaves and said, "Grow well here. I will come to see you once every day."

"The Spiritual Energy here is indeed abundant. I like it very much. You can go. Don’t worry about me."

The Clear Spirit Grass swayed its little white flower, its voice light and cheerful.

Having settled the Clear Spirit Grass, Ji Xiaosong exited the space.

She had originally calculated the timing perfectly; today was supposed to be the day the Clear Spirit Grass bloomed.

It had been hiding and moving around constantly. Ji Xiaosong had only divined that it would flee to Qiong Mountain, so she had come to try her luck. She never expected it would actually agree to leave with her.

Now that she had lucked out so spectacularly, this trip to Qiong Mountain had yielded an unexpected harvest.

When Ji Xiaosong got back down the mountain, the first thing she saw was Zixi sprawled casually on the roof of the carriage, basking in the moonlight.

’That girl,’ Ji Xiaosong thought. ’The night dew is so heavy, why doesn’t she know to sleep inside the carriage?’

Hearing Ji Xiaosong’s footsteps, Zixi woke up instantly.

She looked around warily, only letting out a sigh of relief when she saw it was Ji Xiaosong.

"Miss, you’re finally back."

Zixi leaped lightly from the carriage roof and ran to Ji Xiaosong’s side in a few steps.

"Yes. We’re heading back now. I’ll drive, you go get some rest."

"Miss, how could I let you drive?"

"It’s not like you don’t know what your Miss is capable of. Besides, I just need to channel some Spiritual Energy into the horse. It will take us back on its own after that."

"That’s true. Miss, in that case, let’s get some rest. You climbed the mountain all day, you must be tired."

After speaking, Zixi took Ji Xiaosong’s arm and began to pull her into the carriage.

Before getting into the carriage, Ji Xiaosong didn’t forget to channel Spiritual Energy into the horse, and she also left it a pile of Spirit Grass.

Well-fed and full of energy, the horse set off, carrying the two of them toward the Eastern Palace.

Just as on the way there, the journey took half a month. They finally arrived at the Eastern Palace.

Over the past half-month, Ji Xiaosong and Zixi had faced daily assassination attempts. Fortunately, thanks to the Barrier Ji Xiaosong had set up, none of the assassins succeeded, no matter who they were or what methods they used.

At this time, the Emperor and Empress, along with other members of the Royal Family, were all waiting at the Eastern Palace.

When they saw Ji Xiaosong emerge from the carriage holding a transparent crystal box, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The fact that she was holding something meant that there was a cure for Chu Qingyun’s poison this time.

"Greetings, Father Emperor, Mother Empress."

Ji Xiaosong began to bow to the Emperor and Empress, but before she could complete the gesture, the Empress immediately helped her up.

"Good child, we are all family. There’s no need for such formalities. Have you brought back the medicine for Qingyun? When can he be cured?"

"Replying to Mother Empress, your daughter-in-law has fulfilled her mission. I have brought back the Clear Spirit Grass and can administer the antidote to Qingyun now."

"Quickly, quickly! Do we need to wait on the side?"

"If Mother Empress is worried, you may come with me."

Chu Qingyun had been blocked by the other family members and only now managed to squeeze through from the back.

"Song, I can’t sleep at night when you’re not by my side."

He took Ji Xiaosong’s hand, his heart finally settling.

’Heavens knew how torturous this past month had been. Without his fragrant wife by his side, every night felt as long as a year.’

’She was finally back. Now he wished he could just tie Ji Xiaosong to himself.’

"Qingyun, the most urgent matter right now is to cure your poison. The Clear Spirit Grass requires a fresh flower for the medicine; we can’t afford any delays."

The Empress also stepped forward and said, "Yes, yes, that’s right. Qingyun, go to your bedroom at once. We’ll administer the antidote now."

The Empress took Ji Xiaosong’s hand and started walking forward. As long as Chu Qingyun’s poison remained uncured, she couldn’t rest easy for a single day.

Just then, a doorkeeper hurried in to announce, "Reporting to Your Majesty, King Wu has come to pay a visit."