Chapter 147 The King of Chu

After the maid and others had settled in, they stood by the bed to serve them. Lin Changning and the other officers, who disliked people getting close, sent them away.

Qi Rong was sent back to his own Zhengsong Courtyard, where Wen Zhi and Zhi Qi had been waiting for him for a long time.

Only after the royal physician examined them again did the princess and Li Mingxiu feel relieved.

The princess sat by Qi Rong's bedside, gently tracing her nephew's features. Her deceased elder sister had left her only son, and if he were to die, she didn't know how she would face her sister in the future.

Qi Rong had taken the pills on the way and was currently unconscious. The princess lifted her nephew's clothes and was furious when she saw his skin, which had old wounds that had been healed and new ones had appeared.

We made this kid give up Daxing and go back to Taiyuan a while ago. We even reserved a good place for him, but he insisted on staying in Daxing.

Border troops are important, but nothing can compare to the lives of children.

This child was so determined to cling to Daxing that he wouldn't let go. If Mingxiu hadn't arrived with his men in time, he probably would have lost his life on the spot.

The princess wiped Qi Rong's body and asked, "Have all the generals of Daxing been settled?"

Li Mingxiu cupped his hands and said, “Reporting to Mother, they have all been settled in the outer courtyard. Everything is complete. I have ordered maids and servants to attend to them. The physician is also in the courtyard examining them. Except for Lin Xiaoqianhu, who was treated by his own cousin who accompanied him, the physician has examined the injuries of the others and they are no longer in serious condition.”

The princess tucked the blankets around Qi Rong and nodded: "The soldiers are all good. It hasn't been easy for them to accompany A Rong all this way. Don't mistreat them."

Li Mingxiu nodded: "I understand, Mother. Arong's letter mentioned a commander named Lin, who is only fifteen years old this year. He is strong enough to lift a tripod and is extremely loyal. I took a look when I went there, and he is indeed a capable man. After they recover from their injuries, I intend to keep this man in the Chu King's Guard."

The princess nodded: "You can make your own decisions on these minor matters, just let your father know."

Li Mingxiu nodded in agreement, and the two exchanged a few more words before leaving the courtyard.

When the King of Chu, who was preparing his army in Taiyuan, learned that the Qi Rong had returned to the palace, he rushed there without stopping.

This time, the young man relocated nearly 40,000 border residents, including many young and strong men. Taiyuan gained both fame and practical benefits, and the King of Chu was very happy.

Upon hearing that A Rong had returned to the manor today, the King of Chu abandoned his work and headed back home.

Upon arriving at the outer courtyard, he found his princess waiting in the hall. The moment he saw her, King Chu knew something was wrong.

The princess smiled kindly and warmly: "Your Highness is back? I have prepared some fine tea for you. Please sit down and have a taste."

King Chu's smile froze. He watched as the maids around him retreated, then forced himself to sit down in a chair. "Rong'er returned home today, and I heard she was injured. As her uncle, I should at least go and see her, shouldn't I? Your Highness, why don't we go together?"

The princess, without changing her expression, poured the tea she had prepared in front of the Prince of Chu: "I have already gone to see Rong'er. The physician has given her medicine, and she is sleeping now. It would be best if Your Highness did not disturb her."

He then gestured to the King of Chu that he could have some tea. The King of Chu picked up the teacup and immediately put it down, scalding himself so much that he touched his earlobe.

The princess sat down and stared at the King of Chu with a smile: "What's wrong? Is the tea I brewed not good?"

The King of Chu hurriedly shook his head: "How could that be? I'll drink it now, I'll drink it now."

As he spoke, he picked up the teacup and slowly blew on it before taking a sip. As the hot tea entered his mouth, the King of Chu frowned. Luckily, his hands were thick with grease, otherwise his fingers would have been burned red.

The princess doesn't like to cause trouble, so this sudden change must be because she's unhappy about A-Rong's injury.

After King Chu finished his internal monologue, he had also drunk almost all of his tea.

Princess Chu lowered her eyes, her exquisite and noble face showing a hint of sadness: "Your Highness, I have already sacrificed Shu'er's life for you and me. A'rong is my elder sister's only child. This marriage has already cost my elder sister her life. Now only A'rong is left. I will make sure that A'rong will live a life without worry. Your Highness, all important matters are decided by you. I only hope that at the crucial moment, my child will not lose his life."

The King of Chu sighed, turned around, and embraced his queen: "I understand, I understand everything. I assure you, our children will be safe..."

Having appeased his queen, the King of Chu hesitated in the courtyard. It was not a good time to go to A Rong's place now, as she was resting and going there would inevitably disturb her.

After hesitating for a moment, the King of Chu walked to the outer courtyard, where he happened to run into Li Mingxiu, who had visited Lin Changning.

Chu Wang beckoned to his son: "Where did you go?"

Li Mingxiu bowed respectfully, his clothes now changed into casual attire, and said, "Reporting to Father, I visited several commanders of the Daxing tribe in the outer courtyard."

The King of Chu turned his head with interest: "What about Rong'er's men?"

Li Mingxiu nodded: "Yes, Commander Zhou, Commander Zhang, and Commander Ma are all here."

Li Mingxiu paused for a moment: "The junior officer who killed Zhang Bo is also here, but he was seriously injured while saving A Rong and is unable to move around easily. My son has already inquired about it."

The King of Chu turned his head: "Is it really as A Rong said? That he has the strength to lift a tripod?"

Li Mingxiu's face showed a hint of speechlessness: "Father! Arong would not lie about such a thing. This person protected Arong's life in the Tartar army, so he is naturally not an incompetent person."

The King of Chu rubbed his hands together, a hint of excitement on his handsome and noble face: "Is he still awake? Take your father to see him. He's a natural-born general. Your father has never seen many like him in his entire life."

Li Mingxiu couldn't help but roll his eyes at his father: "It's fine to examine the person after they've fully recovered, but they're seriously injured right now. What kind of situation is this?"

The King of Chu clicked his tongue twice: "You're lecturing your father now? I know better. Take me there. Such a talented person has come to our Chu royal residence. It would be foolish to leave him here unattended. Lead the way!"

Li Mingxiu shook his head and sighed: "Please, Father."

As he spoke, Chu Wang led Lin Changning and the others to their courtyard.

Lin Changning and his group were living in a detached courtyard house in the front hall. The courtyard had two side rooms on the left and right and a central hall. Lin Changning was living in the brightest central hall.

Commander Zhou and Commander Zhang were originally guards of the Prince of Chu's mansion, so living in the outer courtyard was like being at home. Commander Ma, on the other hand, was a border soldier from Daxing, and he lived in the east wing with Lin Changning.

After eating the meal brought by the maid at noon, the group returned to their rooms to rest. Although they were all roughnecks, their injuries were quite severe, so it was best to allow them to fully recover.

Lin Changning, supported by Shilang, leaned against the bed. With nothing to do, she asked a maid for a book and started reading.

Seeing that Lin Changning had gotten himself into trouble, Shilang went down to prepare medicine for the others. The royal physician was naturally quite skilled, and he had benefited greatly from following him these past few days.

Just as he stepped outside, he bumped into the Prince of Chu and his heir, who had come to visit. Shilang raised his voice and said, "This humble subject greets Your Highness and Your Highness."

The King of Chu waved his hand: "No need for formalities. You must be Commander Lin's cousin. Is Commander Lin here? Has his injury improved?"