Emperor Jianxi smacked his lips, then praised the Minister of Rites. The ministers glanced at the arrogant Minister of Rites with disdain.
Immediately afterwards, Emperor Jianxi awarded him some antiques, calligraphy and paintings, land and shops... and also rewarded Zhao Xi for his cooperation in handling the case. Finally, and most importantly, he rewarded Empress Xiaomin, because without her, Zhao Ying would not have had the opportunity to make meritorious service.
After saying this, Emperor Jianxi could no longer bear it and withdrew from the court.
Seeing this, Zhao Ying and Zhao Xi followed.
"Father, how is your health?"
Emperor Jianxi forced himself to wake up, pretending to be energetic. He patted Zhao Ying's shoulder with a smile and said, "Father is fine. He's just old and lacks energy. In addition, he has caught a cold and is a little sleepy."
Zhao Ying was half-believing and half-doubting. To reassure her, Emperor Jianxi looked at Zhao Xi and said, "If you don't believe me, ask your brother. Father has been ill for a long time. If he was seriously ill, he would have died long ago. This shows that there is nothing serious going on."
Zhao Ying's eyes were slightly sore. "Father, I won't leave. I will stay here to take care of you."
"You just came back from Dali. It's been a long journey. You should go back and rest first. I have your brother here to protect you."
Zhao Xi said calmly, "I will take care of father, you go back and rest first."
Zhao Ying's eyes swept across the faces of the two people one by one, and found nothing unusual. She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax.
"Okay, if the emperor has an order, I will come to the palace at any time."
After Zhao Ying left, Emperor Jianxi could no longer pretend to be calm. As soon as he stretched out his hand, Wu Yonggui immediately brought him a spittoon.
"vomit……"
Wu Yonggui turned his eyes away and shed tears silently.
Zhao Xi looked at the dark, medicinal-smelling waste in the spittoon, and his eyes flickered.
"Oh, what should I do? Your Majesty just drank the medicine!"
After Emperor Jianxi vomited, he lay on the couch exhausted.
Zhao Xi whispered, "Have someone boil the medicine again!"
"yes!"
Wu Yonggui stepped aside. Zhao Xi half-knelt before the dragon couch and wiped the corners of Emperor Jianxi's mouth with a handkerchief. "Is Father feeling better?"
Emperor Jianxi slowly opened his heavy eyelids and looked at Zhao Xi. His voice was hoarse and weak, "Xi'er, do you blame your father?"
Zhao Xi was startled, his throat suddenly swollen and sore. He swallowed hard and said, "No."
Emperor Jianxi didn't comment, but turned his head and looked at the gauze curtain above his head. "Originally, I was thinking that I could at least give you a few years to make it up to you and your mother..."
"I should have thought of this earlier. Huai'an helped me live longer. If it weren't for that opportunity, I might not have been able to wait and see you and your mother again."
"Father..."
"Xi'er..." Emperor Jianxi caressed Zhao Xi's face and smiled faintly, "You really look like father and mother. Haha... To tell you the truth, father also has his own selfish motives. Originally, among the princes, he favored Cong'er, but after learning the truth and seeing you, I felt that no one could compare to my Xi'er!"
"Xi'er, when I first saw you in the Golden Palace, I felt a connection and fell in love with you."
Zhao Xi's tears flowed silently like thin threads.
“Cough cough cough!!”
"Father, please stop talking. You will definitely get better! If anything happens to you, how will I explain this to Mother and Ying'er?"
Emperor Jianxi paused for a moment, his gaze growing darker as he stared at him. "No need to explain."
"You don't need to explain your identity to anyone!"
"After I pass away, just remember to treat your mother and your sister well. They are the people who love you the most in this world."
"Father, you will not die. I have already gone to find your daughter Huai'an. I am willing to exchange my life for yours..."
"Nonsense!" Emperor Jianxi scolded, "How could a father in this world want to extend his son's lifespan?"
"Xi'er, please listen to my instructions."
"Father, you speak, and I, your son, am listening..."
After Zhao Xi finished speaking, Emperor Jianxi did not speak for a long time. He raised his eyes and found that Emperor Jianxi was looking at him deeply. The sharp light seemed to break through the thin film in his eyes and see through his heart without blinking.
Zhao Xi subconsciously avoided his eyes.
Emperor Jianxi snorted softly, turned his head, and said with a relaxed expression, "Take the maidservant named Bao'er beside your mother back to your Dingwang Mansion."
Zhao Xi was startled, "Father, why is this happening?"
"At this point, if your mother is really going to die soon, it would be a blessing for me."
Zhao Xi hesitated to speak, and after a while he softly hummed.
"Okay, Father, I will take her back."
At this time, Wu Yonggui brought up the boiled medicine, "Your Highness, the medicine is ready."
Zhao Xi stood up and took the medicine, "Father, I will help you take the medicine."
Emperor Jianxi was propped up by Wu Yonggui. He half-closed his eyes and drank the medicine with difficulty.
Zhao Xi lowered his eyebrows and looked gloomy.
After drinking the medicine, Emperor Jianxi felt better. As soon as he felt better, he wanted to go to Kunning Palace. So after driving Zhao Xi away, Emperor Jianxi changed his clothes to cover up the smell of medicine on his body, got on the sedan chair, and rushed to Kunning Palace.
But when passing by the Imperial Garden, he heard a faint sound of a flute.
The concubines in the harem have various ways of competing for favor. Ambushing in the imperial garden, singing, dancing, playing the piano and the flute are really nothing new!
Wu Yonggui couldn't help but laugh in his heart. He had seen at least three or four such people, but the one tonight had the best skills. He didn't know which palace the queen was from to be so blind!
When the queen is away, no one can take away even a bit of the rain and dew, let alone when the queen comes back.
This person will definitely be disappointed, and may even be punished!
Just as he was thinking about it, Emperor Jianxi called out, "Stop!"
Wu Yonggui glanced at Emperor Jianxi in surprise. He frowned and looked shocked. Then he said anxiously, "Call the flute player to me!"
Wu Yonggui was stunned for a moment, "I obey your command!"
Then he ordered, "Quick, quick, search for the person for the emperor!"
After a while, a little palace maid was restrained by the guards with her arms held down at the feet of Emperor Jianxi.
Wu Yonggui's eyes went dark when he saw this. It was all because the current emperor was too self-disciplined that these guards had lost their sense of propriety. According to common sense, if the emperor happened to meet a beautiful woman at night and asked to see her, maybe even to have sex with her, how could he bring her here like a criminal!
But seeing that the emperor didn't say anything, Wu Yonggui breathed a sigh of relief.
"Raise your head!" Emperor Jianxi said in a deep voice.
The maid was lying on the ground, her figure graceful, calm and composed, without any fear. When she heard the sound, she raised her head boldly, and her dark eyes looked straight at Emperor Jianxi.
When he saw the little maid's face, the wrinkles between Emperor Jianxi's brows deepened, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes, but it was fleeting.
The maidservant didn't notice. Instead, she looked at Emperor Jianxi, smiled bitterly, and accused, "Your Majesty, have you finally recognized me?"
"This piece of music is called Rain Bells. My father personally taught Your Majesty and me when we were young. Your Majesty has been deceived all these years!"
"The woman who enjoyed the honor of being the queen and the exclusive favorite in the imperial chamber is actually a thief! She stole everything that should have belonged to me!"
"Brother Rui, you have to give Zhen'er justice!"
Emperor Jianxi's brows deepened slightly, and he pursed the corners of his mouth uncomfortably.
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