Chapter 79
"Huh?" Qianqing stared blankly with wide eyes, her tears vanishing as she belatedly burst into laughter.
Hey, she knew her son missed her!
In Weiyang Palace, after Lingwu left, a mother and son remained facing each other.
Qianqiu said smugly, "His Majesty said that my son has been thinking of his mother so much these days that he can't eat or drink..."
"Mother, do you know that I'm usually fine, but I cough up blood every time I cough? What's wrong with me?" Qianqing interrupted hurriedly, his handsome face full of pleading!
Qianqiu's smug face froze for a moment, and after realizing something, her face was filled with horror!
"My son, what's wrong with you? I'll go beg His Majesty to send a royal physician to take a look!" she said, and quickly ran off!
Fortunately, Qianqing knew her mother's temper well and stopped her early, "No, it's not Aqing... it's... Mother, please tell Aqing first, do you know what the symptoms are?"
Qianqiu, however, was still filled with anxiety. "You're sick, how can you delay? Listen to me, Mother will go and beg His Majesty..."
Qianqing rubbed her temples, then gave a stern rebuke:
"mother!!!"
"..."
"You said..." Qianqiu began weakly.
Qianqing repeated it again, but this time Qianqiu pondered it with some doubt.
"If it's not poisoning, then it's a sign that only a person on the verge of death would exhibit..."
Qianqing's body went limp and he stumbled backward, his lower back slamming against a magnificent jade-inlaid screen. Pain shot through his back, and he finally came to his senses, asking slowly and deliberately, "Even the imperial physician can't cure him?"
Qianqiu, mindful of the strict separation between men and women, dared not approach, her face filled with heartache.
"I've seen many things in the army, but in the end..." Qianqiu shook her head, her face filled with reluctance.
"Then..." Qianqing asked almost helplessly, "How many days do I have left to live?"
"If these symptoms appear, it can last for a year at most, or as little as a few months at least."
Qianqing closed her eyes, seemingly in extreme discomfort.
After a moment, he raised his head and gazed at Qianqiu, his tone firm.
"Since the imperial physicians can't cure her, I'll find a way myself. There must be a way!" Her Majesty is blessed with good fortune.
Just before leaving, Qianqiu remembered the things he wanted to tell Qianqing.
She reminded him in a very soft voice, "My son, Her Majesty is a wise ruler who cares about the world and the people. She has no fear of my Qian family... I know that when you entered the palace, I was worried that Her Majesty would harm our family. Now, so many years have passed and Her Majesty still favors my Qian family. My son, you must not harbor any resentment towards Her Majesty."
"I know." Qian Qing smiled lightly, her eyes welling up with tears.
How could he not know? His Majesty cared for the world and thought of the nation in every word and deed. Over the years, there had only been a few women in the harem. His Majesty was the best person in the world. How could he have any dissatisfaction with her?
Night fell, and stars were few and far between.
Ling Wu stood by the window, hands behind her back, gazing at the distant horizon with a long, thoughtful look.
Then another bowl of herbal medicine was served.
This time, Lingwu shook her head and refused, saying, "There's no need to eat these futile things anymore."
During this time, Xi Ruoyu and Qian Qing often send her various medicines. Fortunately, they are all very clever and make them into snacks and medicinal dishes, which taste quite delicious.
Jing Chun's grip on the tray tightened, the strong, bitter taste of the medicine in the bowl seeping into her heart.
It is bitter, and it is useless.
"Alright, Your Majesty, would you like to paint some more?" Jing Chun suppressed the slight tremor in his voice.
"No need, summon the palace painters tomorrow."
The next day.
The lotus blossoms on the lush green branches are delicate and beautiful, their pink color bringing joy to the heart.
The woman standing in the middle had her black hair half-tied up, revealing her slender neck. Her skin was snow-white and delicate, so smooth it seemed like it could be broken with a touch. Her eyes were gentle as water, but her whole being exuded a domineering aura.
Her beauty was unparalleled, unlike any ordinary person.
On the right was Xi Ruoyu, dressed in black just like Ling Wu. He turned his head slightly, his usually cold and aloof face now showing tenderness for the person beside him. His restrained demeanor was subtly softened by a hint of attraction, making him quite eye-catching.
On the left was a flamboyant young man in red, his slightly raised chin exuding a captivating languor. His appearance was exceptionally beautiful, and even more so because of the hidden emotions in the eyes of the woman beside him.
Further to the right is Zi Sangqi, with a nonchalant and lazy smile on his lips. His deep blue eyes are unfathomable, as if they hold the stars of a summer night, captivating all who behold him.
Then, on the far left, was a delicate and lovely face. Yun Ji's original childishness had faded, and over the years, his brows had been tinged with nobility. The young man carried the spring breeze, and one could vaguely smell the aroma of white tea.
The group of artists remained silent, but their hearts were filled with excitement.
They went through layers of selection to enter the palace. They had painted countless people before, but never had they felt such exhilaration!
Even any one of the figures in this painting could be someone they've been searching for for a long time, yet still haven't found!
The woman in the middle, if she weren't an emperor, they would have gladly paid a hefty sum to have her painted as their subject.
The five remained silent for a long time, with only the sound of lotus leaves falling and the fragrance of flowers filling the air. The emotions and tenderness deep in their eyes were also fully expressed in the painting.
The little servant, hiding behind a willow tree in the distance, blinked slightly, and a last tear slid down his cheek, shining brightly for a moment in the light before quickly disappearing.
The following year.
Despite their desperate search, Xi Ruoyu and Qian Qing were ultimately unable to save their wife's life.
She remained gentle and aloof, yet the deep affection in her eyes captivated the hearts of countless young men.
Xi Ruoyu finished sewing the last stitch, but the smile she had practiced a thousand times still appeared before Ling Wu's eyes, accompanied by tear stains.
Lingwu wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and murmured to him, "Did you prick your hand?"
As she finished speaking, she lifted Xi Ruoyu's finger and saw the dense bruises on the fingertip.
That was clearly not the first time, and it was clearly not something that had just been inserted.
Ling Wu paused slightly, then looked up at Xi Ruoyu.
"With so many people in the Three Textile Offices, they wouldn't dare to tamper with my phoenix robe. Ruoyu doesn't need to do everything for me personally."
A smile bloomed on Xi Ruoyu's lips.
"Ruoyu isn't good at sweet talk, but at least she's decent at embroidery. However, she can't compare to the three textile workshops; His Majesty has to make do with such crudely made purses and sachets..."
Before Lingwu could speak, he quickly stood up, his back to her: "Ruoyu also embroidered a garment for His Majesty. Would you mind if my wife took a look?"
"Okay." Ling Wu nodded.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching.
Even after she passed away, she still added a touch of desolation to the Mid-Autumn Festival of the Qi Dynasty.
She couldn't see Xi Ruoyu's expression, but she could feel the sadness and sorrow emanating from him. She sighed, "Ruoyu, you don't have to be like this."
Xi Ruoyu paused as she reached for her dress, pretending not to hear.
It was a light blue dress with a subtle sheen, embroidered with green bamboo that moved with every step, so lifelike that one could almost see the inner patterns through the pale green bamboo leaves.
It is clear that they went to great lengths.
When Lingwu changed into it, the blue lotus pattern could be faintly seen as she walked.
But Lingwu knew that Xi Ruoyu's focus was on the bamboo leaves embroidered all over the skirt.
Green bamboo, elegant and graceful, symbolizes longevity and peace.
longevity……
"Does my wife like this outfit?" Xi Ruoyu turned around, smiling.
"Very good." Lingwu praised, then asked, "When did Ruoyu learn embroidery?"
Xi Ruoyu was stunned for a moment, "I learned it a long time ago."
There are also the Four Books and Five Classics, and precepts for men...
However, after reading many different books at the Phoenix Palace, he realized that the world was not bound by convention.
And all of this originated from the wife.
"Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. What kind of mooncake filling would you like to eat this year, my lady?" He smiled gently, his aloofness gone.
At this moment, Lingwu suddenly wondered whether it was a good thing or a bad thing for Sang Lingwu to promise him the position of queen.
"Would Ruoyu like some flower cakes?" Lingwu asked, gently stroking the bamboo leaves on her skirt.
Xi Ruoyu's eyes dimmed, but she still obediently agreed: "Then Ruoyu will have someone prepare flower cakes."
"No need, I will do it."
"Wives-owner meeting?"
"Yes, it was taught by an old friend." She just didn't learn it in person; she figured it out through tasting.
Xi Ruoyu felt a pang of sadness. "An old friend, is he a man?"
Ling Wu was amused, finding it rare to see Xi Ruoyu display such a human side.
"A woman, a free-spirited woman who is not afraid of any rumors."
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