Chapter 257 The Great Wizard's Daughter
"Doctor, why is your face so red?"
An Zhicheng frowned as he looked at the man who suddenly appeared in the front yard. "What? Did you get scalded by boiling water? Do you want me to go get a bottle of medicine from Mr. Du?"
"It's none of your business. Go get busy." Xie Suzhou wiped his flushed cheeks with his sleeves. Not only did the blush not go away, but it became even redder. Seeing An Zhicheng was about to leave, he asked again, "Hey, why are you leaving? What are you doing?"
An Zhicheng looked back in surprise, "Didn't you tell me to get busy?"
"Did I tell you that?" Xie Suzhou paused, looking a little embarrassed. "Go get a carriage. I need to go to the palace."
"...Yes." An Zhicheng scratched his head and muttered softly, "Doctor, is there something going on? Why is he so nervous?"
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Qinzheng Hall
"Sending troops to the border for support is not difficult, and I agree." The emperor lowered his eyes and looked down, frowning and asking, "But why is Lord Xie's face so red? Do you have a fever?"
"No..." Xie Suzhou lowered his head and pretended to be calm. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I just wore too much clothes, so my face is a little rosy."
"I see." The emperor finally felt relieved and sighed. "Sending troops is fine, but isn't it inappropriate for the Zhao family's daughter to accompany the army?"
Of course it’s inappropriate!
Very inappropriate!
Xie Suzhou protested furiously in his heart, but his face remained calm. "Your Majesty, Ah Cheng can lead a small group of soldiers and follow from a distance. She is a doctor, and with her around, we can solve a lot of problems."
The emperor frowned and thought for a long time before saying, "Well, if this is her own decision, I will approve it."
Xie Suzhou knelt down and said in a loud voice, "I have one more thing I would like to ask for Your Majesty's grace."
The emperor waved his hand, signaling him to stand up. "My dear, if you have anything to say, please stand up first."
"I would like to ask the Emperor to allow me to accompany the army."
The emperor was stunned for a moment. "Why is that? How could a scholar like you go to the battlefield?"
"Your Majesty, the battlefield needs a military advisor. Although I don't know martial arts, I know a thing or two about military tactics. My younger brother is among the troops heading to the northwest. If I were with him, we would have a better understanding of each other." Xie Suzhou said seriously, "I want to join the army simply to see the world and share more of the burden for Your Majesty and the prince in the future. I beg Your Majesty's permission."
Listen,
This sounds better when spoken than when sung.
Yan Ci pursed his lips and rolled his eyes at him imperceptibly.
Even if he said everything, he did it just to see his sister-in-law!
He keeps saying he is loyal, but in fact he is just afraid that Ah Ming will seduce his younger sister-in-law.
If the emperor doesn't know about this evil person, how could I not know about it?
The emperor pondered for a long while before nodding gently. "Well, it wouldn't be a bad idea to let you go, my dear. I've thought it over and decided that I should lead the army myself this time."
"Your Majesty... leads the army in person?" A moment of panic flashed across Yan Ci's face. Just as he was about to speak to persuade him, "Father, your dragon body—"
"Ci'er, it's nothing." The emperor waved his hand, smiling kindly. "Yesterday, I was only wearing my inner garments and Xie Aiqing's cloak as I sat on this dragon throne, facing off against all the officials. You didn't see it, but those old guys' faces were more interesting than each other."
"In the past, they insisted on me appointing a crown prince, or the eldest son of the legitimate wife. Now that I have Ci'er to rescue me, they are like ducks with their necks pinched, unable to utter a single word." The emperor seemed in a good mood and spoke lazily, "I have been claiming illness for so many days, and Zhang Pu has been taking over the government. Now the northwest is invading repeatedly. If I don't lead the troops in person to boost morale, I'm afraid the people will lose their confidence."
Yan Ci had no choice but to respond in a low voice, "Yes, what the emperor said makes sense."
Under the palace wall, Yan Ci and Xie Suzhou were walking side by side when they happened to meet the third prince coming towards them.
"Second brother, thank you, Young Master." Yan Mu saluted politely, and Yun Ya, who was standing behind him, also bowed symbolically.
"No need to be so polite, Third Brother." Yan Ci held his arm and helped him up, smiling, "Is everything okay in Pingyang Palace?"
"Everything is fine." Yan Mu pursed her lips and smiled, a little embarrassedly saying, "It's hard for Second Brother to still remember me. The palace servants who used to serve me have returned. It's hot in summer, so we put a large piece of ice in the palace. Father also sent someone to send us an ice jar. Life has become much better now."
"You don't fight or compete, which is quite different from Concubine Zhe. Father knows it all." Yan Ci patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "The Lin family has made meritorious contributions despite their crimes. I will do my best to plead with Father. As long as I can get Concubine Zhe out of the cold palace, even if it means being demoted to a commoner and sent out of the palace, I can use the money you gave me to buy a courtyard and then open a shop."
"With a son like you who cares about her and helps her, life will never be bad."
Yan Mu's eyes flashed with emotion, "Second brother... I..."
"Brother, no need to say more." Yan Ci smiled at him as he did when they were little, as if doting. "Everything outside has been dealt with. Huo Beiting was killed on the spot, and a man named Suo Meng was captured alive. I heard he was the Little Khan of Northwest China."
Yun Ya's brain went blank with a buzzing sound. She stared at Yan Ci and lost her ability to react.
Xie Suzhou noticed her, his calm gaze fell on her, with a glint of inquiry in his eyes.
Yan Ci straightened his brother's clothes and whispered, "The Emperor has been very busy lately. Elder Zhang is practically staying in the palace. He's almost sleeping there, and his shoes are practically emitting sparks. Wait for the right opportunity. I, your brother, will speak for you. Don't worry, you won't have to wait too long. I've also informed the people in the cold palace and left some money. They'll treat Concubine Zhe well."
Hearing this, Yan Mu finally felt relieved, tears flashing in his eyes, "Imperial brother, your kindness is so great, I will never be able to repay you."
"We're family, why are you being so formal?" Yan Ci chuckled, treating him like a child. "Remember to visit Father and share his worries. Do what you can, even if it's just running errands. Father is thinking about you, so don't overthink it and become estranged from him."
"I will keep your words in mind, my brother." Yan Mu nodded repeatedly, then asked softly, "My brother, how do you plan to deal with that little Khan of the Northwest?"
Yun Ya hurriedly raised her eyes and looked at Yan Ci, her nails digging deep into her palms.
Yan Ci had no doubts and told him everything he was thinking, "He's just a prisoner of war. He'll be punished a little, but his life won't be harmed for now. But if Northwest doesn't surrender anytime soon, then we can't be sure."
"That day, when we killed over 500 Northwestern barbarians at Cuiyun Mountain, a cowardly person revealed that Somon was interested in making a marriage deal with Huo Beiting." Xie Suzhou lowered his eyelids, his peripheral vision still focused on Yun Ya. He spoke calmly, "He wanted Huo Beiting to promise that when he ascends the throne, he will raise a Northwestern woman as his empress."
"I heard...she's the daughter of some great wizard from the northwest."
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