Chapter 80. Whose son-in-law is so benevolent...?
Yun Kui hadn't expected him to suddenly bring this up, and instinctively clenched her fingers. "I..."
He Bailing was also somewhat uneasy, "How did Your Highness learn of this solution?"
Sheng Yu was also puzzled. The Crown Prince had only made a few probing questions and had not mentioned the solution to the Gu worm.
Furthermore, Feng Yu claimed he could remove the curse from Your Highness, which most likely meant he was a dying man trying to buy time to threaten Your Highness into releasing his wife. He didn't mention the method of removal, so how did Your Highness know about it?
The Crown Prince said calmly, "If Feng Yu and Emperor Chunming want to deal with me, they can't possibly leave that Gu doctor alive. There is no cure for this Gu. The only way now is to lure out the Gu worms and kill them. Only then can my headache be completely cured. Otherwise, it will be a lifelong problem."
He Bailing sighed, "There is indeed such a record in the Poison Classic, but the risk is too great. Does Your Highness really want to try it?"
Yun Kui quickly added, "I can stay with Your Highness the whole time and won't let anything happen to you..."
Looking at the girl's worried expression, Sheng Yu pondered the deeper meaning of her words.
She said she wanted to stay with the Crown Prince forever.
Could it be that the young lady doesn't want to go home with him and wants to serve in the palace for the rest of her life? Or does she want to stay in the harem as a concubine after His Highness ascends the throne?
The crown prince gazed at her for a moment, then said, “My mind is made up; there’s no need to persuade me further.”
As long as the Gu worm is still in his body, he will never be able to live like a normal person. Even the most ordinary spice could drive him mad and cause him to lose control.
He bears the weight of the nation on his shoulders, striving to become a monarch revered and trusted by all, while also reassuring his beloved that her husband, whom she can rely on, is at least a healthy person, free from illness and disaster, and emotionally stable, rather than someone constantly on the verge of losing control.
Yun Kui's eyes stung and reddened, and she struggled to hold back her tears.
Cao Yuanlu glanced at her, then at Sheng Yu, "That girl these days..."
Yun Kui did not want to leave the East Palace. She wanted to know His Highness's safety at all times, and she never had any intention of returning to the manor with Sheng Yu...
The crown prince was silent for a moment, then said, "Stay here, I have something to say to you."
This was said to Yun Kui.
The people in the hall exchanged glances. Sheng Yu concealed his surprise and followed the others, bowing as he left.
The Crown Prince sat on the couch and beckoned to her. Yun Kui obediently walked up to him and was then slowly pulled into his arms.
The man's warm breath brushed against her ear, and they simply held each other without saying a word.
Yun Kui spoke softly, "Your Highness, is it really necessary to remove the curse? I've been by your side the whole time, and I can control it. If Your Highness is determined to remove the curse, what if something unexpected happens..."
The prince said, "You didn't know before, but now that you know I have Gu worms inside me, aren't you afraid?"
Yun Kui shook her head. "I'm no longer afraid of Your Highness. I'm only afraid that Your Highness will be in danger, and that you will be in pain. I'll stay in the East Palace so I can help Your Highness at any time."
"Yes, you can help me," the prince said with a smile, "but I'm afraid that the Gu worms will be lured out and then scared back by you. If this keeps happening over and over again, will I even be able to cure them?"
Yun Kui bit her lip. "Then I'll go back to the side hall. I can resist seeing Your Highness and wait for your news there."
The prince gently stroked her hair. "But I can't help wanting to see you, what should I do?"
Yun Kui felt as if a piece of her heart had collapsed, and a lingering, tingling pain spread through her.
The crown prince was silent for a moment, then asked, "You don't want to acknowledge him, and you don't want to go back to the manor with him?"
Yun Kui said in a low voice, "I don't know either."
Even though she knew he had his reasons and that he hadn't had an easy time these past years, what did the suffering she and her mother endured matter?
Even if he wanted to make amends, his mother's life was beyond saving.
She had stumbled and struggled her way up over the years, never relying on him as her father; he was a stranger to her.
Should she go back with him and live under the same roof as this father in name only?
The Crown Prince said, "The Eastern Palace will be in great danger during this period."
Today, at the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, he and Emperor Chunming have completely broken off relations. Now that Feng Yu is in his hands, Emperor Chunming must be afraid that he will reveal the truth about the Battle of Langshan. He will either strike Feng Yu first or remove him as the crown prince to eliminate future troubles.
As for Sheng Yu, he was not of paramount importance to Emperor Chunming, and the Sheng family was safe for the time being.
He smiled and said, "You saw it today. He is highly skilled in martial arts and could easily handle a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Of course, he can protect you."
Yun Kui recalled the scene of him descending from the sky on the Imperial Street; he was indeed heroic and exceptionally handsome.
This was when he was over forty years old. Twenty years ago, he must have been incredibly handsome and dashing. No wonder his mother was willing to do anything to give birth to him.
The Crown Prince said, "You also want to see him, don't you?"
Yun Kui's eyelashes trembled slightly. "But I don't know how to face him. Should I hate him? Or should I forgive him and accept his compensation without a second thought?"
The Crown Prince said, "He only has one daughter, you. Whether it's to make up for his mistakes or because he genuinely wants to love you, you should accept everything he gives you. Regardless of whether you acknowledge him as a relative or not, these things originally belonged to you."
Seeing that she remained silent, the Crown Prince continued, "If you are unwilling, I will not force you. During this period, I will make proper arrangements for your accommodation and send people to protect your safety."
Yun Kui clenched the handkerchief in her hand, hesitated for a long time, and finally whispered, "Since he said that, why did he specially arrange to do something else?"
The Crown Prince hummed in agreement and gently rubbed the corner of her eye with his fingertip. "If you don't feel comfortable living here, or if you don't want to acknowledge him, you can come back anytime. As I said, the Eastern Palace is your home."
Yun Kui raised her head: "Then does that mean I won't see Your Highness for a long time?"
The crown prince cupped her face and kissed her cheek. "I won't keep you waiting too long. I'll finish these things as soon as possible and then come to take you back to the palace."
Yun Kui gently traced his forehead with her fingertips, her eyes stinging and red.
She didn't know where the Gu worm was hiding. This poison had tormented him for over twenty years. It had been cruelly buried inside him since he was born. She dared not think about the pain it must have caused; just thinking about it brought tears to her eyes.
"Your Highness, are you in danger?"
"No," the prince reassured her with a kiss on the cheek, "I promised to come and pick you up, and I won't break my promise."
Yun Kui said, "If the method to remove the Gu is too painful, Your Highness must not force yourself. Summon me back at any time. Even if I can't remove it, it doesn't matter. I'll be there for you from now on."
The prince's lips curled up slightly. "Mm."
This was almost the first time the two had been separated, and the Crown Prince still had some words of advice to give: "I will send someone to protect you closely, so try not to go out during this period of time."
Yun Kui nodded obediently.
The Crown Prince said, “Take that black jade thumb ring with you. Seeing the ring is like the Crown Prince’s personal presence. The secret guards sent there are at your disposal.”
Yun Kui sighed inwardly, as expected, that thumb ring could still hold its own.
The Crown Prince said sternly, "Stop looking at other men, especially your father's subordinates."
Yun Kui: "Hmm..."
Putting everything else aside, she had always thought that the Embroidered Uniform Guards were the most prestigious guards in the entire imperial city. Apart from the commander with the blue face and fangs, all the others were tall, mighty, and handsome.
As she was thinking, she suddenly felt a chill on her neck, and only then did she belatedly realize that this person could read minds! He knew what she was thinking!
She looked up and met the man's deep, dark eyes. She quickly hugged his waist, rubbing her face against his chest muscles. "I won't look at anyone else! I just can't bear to part with Your Highness..."
"You can't bear to part with him?" The Crown Prince's face darkened. "Then how about we come here a few more times and have Sheng Yu wait outside for a couple more hours?"
Yun Kui: "..."
"You wicked prince!"
The prince held her by the back of the neck, his thin lips pressing deeply against hers. His undeniable dominance slowly transformed into a tender, lingering caress, their hot breaths mingling, neither wanting to let go first.
Outside the palace gate, Sheng Yu stood with his hands behind his back, growing more and more anxious as he waited.
I said those things in a moment of impulse, and now the girl is in a difficult position. I don't know if she's willing to go back with me.
Since Your Highness has kept her here to talk, you must want to persuade her to go home. Otherwise, why would you go to all this trouble to find your daughter for him?
But he always felt that something was off about the relationship between the girl and the crown prince.
She was able to alleviate His Highness's headaches, so she must be a close attendant, far superior to ordinary palace maids. Yet today, during the assassination attempt on the street, His Highness held her hand tightly, and the two rode in the same carriage. Now, His Highness has dismissed everyone else, leaving her alone in his bedchamber to speak with him. Could it be...?
Just as Sheng Yu was about to ask Cao Yuanlu a few more questions, the palace door opened with a thud. He immediately stepped forward and saw the girl come out with red eyes.
Her lips also appeared to be red.
He wanted to ask her what she had thought, but hesitated and stopped, afraid of hearing a disappointing answer.
Yun Kui's lips were still a little numb from being kissed for so long. She gently pursed them, then looked up at Sheng Yu. After a long while, she said, "I'm afraid that my presence here will hinder Your Highness from removing the curse. I... I'll go back with you, sir."
Sheng Yu was overjoyed and quickly said, "Good, good!"
Although the unfamiliar "sir" was not the title he wanted, the fact that the girl was willing to go home with him was already a pleasant surprise, and he dared not ask for too much.
At this moment, the Crown Prince came out of the hall, and Sheng Yu immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness, this humble subject thanks you!"
The Crown Prince said, "During this period, I will send people to secretly protect the safety of the Sheng family. General Sheng can stay at the mansion to recuperate and await my news."
Sheng Yu immediately replied, "Yes!"
Yun Kui turned to look at the Crown Prince and whispered in her heart, "Your Highness, I'm leaving. Please take good care of yourself."
The crown prince nodded to her.
Watching the father and daughter leave, he suddenly felt a pang of regret. It wouldn't have been difficult to keep her in the palace and assign more guards to protect her.
This benefited Sheng Yu.
Not only did she give him a daughter so easily, but she also gave him a chance to make amends. What other son-in-law would do something so kind and righteous?
However, his smugness will only last for a few days. If he fails to appease the girl, he will personally go to her door and take her back. He will never be allowed to see his daughter again for the rest of his life.
Yun Kui finished packing her things in the side hall. Cao Yuanlu was about to step forward to help her carry them when Sheng Yu took them from her, saying, "Let me do it."
Cao Yuanlu was all smiles, naturally giving the emperor's father-in-law a chance to shine. Yun Kui felt awkward but didn't say anything.
The carriage stopped outside Donghua Gate, and Cao Yuanlu personally escorted the father and daughter onto the carriage.
The journey was conducted in silence.
Sheng Yu placed his hands on his knees, clenching and unclenching them repeatedly, then slowly exhaled and took the initiative to ask, "What... is your name?"
Yun Kui pursed her lips and said, "Yun Kui."
Sheng Yu guessed which two words they were and smiled, "From now on, shall I call you A-Kui?"
After a moment of silence, Yun Kui said, "Let's call her Yun Kui."
Sheng Yu's smile froze for a moment. "Okay, whatever you say."
Yun Kui sensed the disappointment in his tone and instinctively wanted to explain, but the words remained unspoken.
As the carriage entered the Imperial Street, the sounds of bustling vendors gradually reached my ears.
Sheng Yu lifted the curtain to look outside, then turned to ask her, "Are you hungry? Would you like some candied hawthorns? And all sorts of snacks and fruits, I'll have someone buy some to take back with me?"
Yun Kui shook her head, "Candied hawthorns are something only children like to eat."
Sheng Yu's eyes dimmed. He thought of her childhood, when she was living under someone else's roof and probably rarely even ate candied hawthorns. Later, when she entered the palace, she was at the beck and call of others and had no say in her own life. After thinking for a moment, he lifted the curtain and gave a few instructions to his subordinate, who immediately obeyed and left.
He sighed and looked at Yun Kui: "These past years, it's all my fault. I really let your mother down. If I had known she was pregnant, I would have brought you here no matter what."
Yun Kui felt a lump in her throat and turned to look at the carriage curtain.
The Sheng family mansion was not far from the palace. In the past, Sheng Yu held the rank of third-grade official and was a capable general under the late emperor. He had a three-courtyard residence in a good location in the capital.
Sheng Yu didn't have any requirements for his residence. In Pengchengwei, he even lived directly in the garrison and lived with the soldiers.
The mansion in the capital had been in disrepair for many years, and since his return to the capital, everything had been kept simple. The steward of the mansion had only heard a few days ago that the master had a daughter who had been living away from home and would be returning to the mansion soon. He hurriedly asked craftsmen to repair the garden, cleared out the empty east wing room for the young lady to use as her boudoir, and also bought two clever maids to wait for the young lady to return to the mansion at any time.
The carriage stopped outside the gate of the Sheng residence. There was only one steward, two attendants who had come with him from Pengcheng, and two newly purchased maids, all of whom were already waiting outside the gate to greet him.
Yun Kui herself was a palace maid and was not used to such a scene, so she nodded to everyone with a restrained air.
When he was young, Steward Liu had also been on the battlefield. Later, he was injured in the leg. Sheng Yu saw that he had no children, so he kept him by his side.
He was dressed in a blue cloth robe and had a slight limp. When he saw Yun Kui, he smiled and his face was full of wrinkles: "You look just like me, as if you were made from the same mold."
Sheng Yu smiled and looked at his daughter: "Let's go in and take a look."
Yun Kui nodded. Fortunately, there weren't many people in the mansion, and everyone seemed very simple and approachable, which gradually eased her nervousness.
Steward Liu led the way, guiding the father and daughter through the hanging flower gate.
The courtyard was not as grand as His Highness's Songyuan Garden in Pingzhou, but it was still kept simple and clean, just like the residence of an ordinary official. In addition to a few tall and lush old trees, there were also peonies and tree peonies planted in the inner garden, which were in full bloom at this time of year. The soil was freshly turned, and it was clear that they had been transplanted not long ago.
Butler Liu pointed to a side room on the east side and said, "This is the young lady's boudoir."
Yun Kui never expected that the Sheng family would prepare her boudoir even though she had only met him today. Did they calculate that she would come back?
The corridor was filled with the sweet fragrance of jasmine, but when she opened the door, the interior decorations were a pleasant surprise.
The carved nanmu canopy bed had its sheer curtains rolled up, and the apricot-pink brocade pillows and mattresses were neatly folded. Next to the bamboo window was a desk with a jade brush rest and a rose quartz incense burner with dragon-shaped handles. The dressing table on the west side was filled with exquisite gold-painted mother-of-pearl boxes, and even jewelry, rouge, and face powder were prepared for her.
Sheng Yu said, "Time was tight, so we didn't have time to prepare much. I don't know much about girls' things either, so I just told them to pick out the good stuff. It's done a decent job. Do you like it?"
Yun Kui didn't know how to answer. How could she not like it? This was the boudoir of a noble lady that could only be seen in storybooks. She envied those ladies from noble families in the books and had even fantasized that if she had a father who was an official, she would also have such a beautiful and exquisite boudoir.
But now, no matter how good the things are placed in front of her, her mother can no longer see them.
Sheng Yu sighed, "These are things you should have had from birth. It's all my fault for letting you and your mother down."
Yun Kui's eyes stung, and she bit her lip tightly.
Sheng Yu wasn't in a hurry to wait for her response. He glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late. Why don't we have dinner first? Today is your birthday. I had them prepare it this morning. Whether you come back or not, your father has had someone prepare the meal for you."
Yun Kui then followed him to the dining hall next to the main hall.
Seeing the table laden with dishes, and a steaming bowl of longevity noodles topped with scallions and a poached egg, Yun Kui finally couldn't help but tear up.
She never imagined that she could have her own home, her own bedroom, a table full of delicious food waiting for her, and someone to celebrate her birthday with her.
But this day came too late.
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