Chapter 652 Don't be afraid, we'll be together.
Jiang Nuanzhi naturally didn't care what An Dehai was thinking; she simply turned her head to look out the window. At this moment, the snow had gradually stopped, but the scattered snowflakes, swept up by the wind, seemed to make people feel even more uneasy than when the snow was falling.
Jiang Nuanzhi composed herself, picked up the cloak and helped Xuan Ting put it on, then spoke again:
"It's almost time. Xuan Ting, it's time for you, the Crown Prince, to go and see your father, the Emperor."
Xuan Ting was stunned. He looked up at Jiang Nuanzhi, pursed his lips, and clearly reflected Jiang Nuanzhi's face in his misty eyes: "Aunt Nuan, will you always stay with me?"
"meeting."
"Xuan Ting, don't be afraid, we're together."
Under the leaden sky, even the wind seemed to grow heavy and stagnant.
Chengqian Palace is situated on the long steps leading to the former court, covered with a layer of white.
The palace walls were towering high, and only two figures could be seen walking outside.
Jiang Nuanzhi wore a dark official robe, the hem of which was covered in mud, but his back was straight. He was holding hands with Xuan Ting, who was wrapped in a black fox fur coat.
Xuan Ting followed her step by step out of Chengqian Palace, his body tense, yet his steps were swift and decisive, showing no sign of hesitation.
Two figures stood with relaxed backs, resolute yet carrying a hint of loneliness, as if even the wind and snow were making way for them.
An Dehai stood behind, mesmerized. He immediately set off to chase after them, unaware that this scene had remained in his heart for many years. He would recall it repeatedly, and even on his deathbed, he could not forget it.
The Qianqing Palace.
Before they even entered the gate, a palace maid in the shadows reported, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has returned. She just entered the front hall and brought Grand Tutor Fang back with her."
Xuan Ting's eyes flashed upon hearing this, and he looked at Jiang Nuanzhi.
The two exchanged a glance, and Xuan Ting continued, "Did you see clearly? Grand Tutor Fang and Jiang Ren have both returned?"
"Your Highness, this servant cannot be mistaken."
Xuan Ting waved his hand after hearing this, "Go down."
After the person left, he frowned and looked at Jiang Nuanzhi: "Aunt Nuan, your news is indeed correct. The old ancestor has returned. Now it seems that Father Emperor's plan to bring Baozhu into the palace has failed."
It's hard for Xuan Ting not to understand.
Whether it's him or Baozhu, they are both good medicine for the Emperor.
The reason why the Emperor was so eager to bring Baozhu into the palace was probably because he never thought about taking his own life.
Even so, he still couldn't help but feel a sharp pain in his heart.
"Xuan Ting."
Jiang Nuanzhi gripped his hand with a little force.
Xuan Ting met Jiang Nuanzhi's worried gaze and forced a smile: "Aunt Nuanzhi, don't worry, I'm fine. Let's go in. I also want to hear what the Ancestor and Father Emperor have to say."
Jiang Nuanzhi nodded: "Okay."
"Where is the Ghost Doctor? Where is Grand Tutor Fang? Where is Jiang Nuanzhi? Where have they all gone?"
The emperor opened his eyes shortly afterward. This time, he was in excruciating pain and his eyes were red. He pushed away the bowl of soup that was offered to him.
This feeling of life slipping away is not good at all.
The Emperor clenched his fists tightly and growled in a low voice, "Li Quan, do you want your head? Where is Grand Tutor Fang? Has the princess been brought back?"
"Tsk, my good grandson, how come you've become so ill and irritable?"
Suddenly hearing a familiar yet unfamiliar voice, the emperor's pupils contracted sharply, and he squinted as he looked up.
He was facing the Empress Dowager's dignified and elegant face, without the slightest wrinkle.
In that instant, the Emperor's initial surprise turned into understanding, followed by a sarcastic smile: "What wind blew the Empress Dowager back?"
The Empress Dowager casually tossed the half-spilled bowl of soup onto the table beside her, flicked the medicine stains off her clothes, and said with a hint of nonchalance, "You've really gotten worse. Before, you always greeted your grandmother respectfully, showing great filial piety. Now, why are you giving her such a hard time? Weren't you going to see Grand Tutor Fang and the others? Your grandmother has brought them back for you..."
As she spoke, she glanced at the two people standing with their hands at their sides behind the emperor.
The Emperor's expression suddenly turned cold, his face stiffened, and with a casual glance, he saw that the Empress Dowager was followed by Grand Tutor Fang and Jiang Ren, who had come with her, and both of them had a strange look on their faces.
"Your Majesty, we wish to bring the princess back, but the Empress Dowager is adamant in her refusal and has even threatened her life. Left with no other choice, we have returned to report to Your Majesty..."
When Grand Tutor Fang noticed the Emperor's gaze, he bowed and replied, his brows furrowed, revealing his unease.
Although Grand Tutor Fang was still unsure why the Emperor had brought the princess back, he knew clearly that the princess seemed to be of great importance to the Emperor. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager wouldn't have attached so much importance to it. However, he simply couldn't figure out the key to this matter.
The Emperor glanced coldly at Grand Tutor Fang, then looked at the Empress Dowager and asked, "Grandmother, what are you doing? Does Grandmother have to interfere if her grandson wants to bring his daughter back to the palace?"
The Empress Dowager's face was full of kindness as she gently took the Emperor's hand, as if to comfort him, and said slowly, "Grandson, you are not feeling well right now. I have consulted the imperial physician, and he said you are not well because you are too agitated. So I have taken the liberty of letting the princess rest at the General's Mansion for a few days. Once you are better, I will naturally bring the princess to see you."
You don't know, ever since you fell ill, I've been so worried about your health that I can't eat or sleep properly.
Jiang Nuanzhi and Xuan Ting were mingling among the imperial physicians. Perhaps because they weren't on guard against Physician Que and his group, or because they had long intended to silence them, no one paid them any attention.
She discreetly observed the Empress Dowager from within the crowd.
I had actually crossed paths with someone from her side once, when she sent someone to fetch Xuan Ting. I just never imagined the Empress Dowager would be so young. Her hair was piled high, she wore magnificent robes, exuding an air of elegance and nobility, and her face barely showed any wrinkles. She looked like a beautiful woman in her forties.
In contrast to the Empress Dowager's healthy complexion, the Emperor looked gaunt and thin, with only skin and bones remaining. His hair had turned much whiter, and he appeared to be several years older than the Empress Dowager before him.
Enraged, the Emperor's chest heaved violently. His gaze was fixed on the Empress Dowager, and he abruptly pulled his hand away from hers: "Grandmother, you are truly cunning."
While others may not know, the Empress Dowager probably knew best how to perform this secret technique.
He was careless, forgetting what happened when he first ascended the throne. He also forgot the methods of his grandmother.
Seeing his pale face, the Empress Dowager's smile deepened: "I know you are worried about your child, and I feel sorry for him too! Don't worry, I have sent people to protect the child well, and nothing will go wrong."
"Besides, isn't Xuan Ting by your side? By the way, how is Xuan Ting's health? Back then, your health was damaged before you ascended the throne. Xuan Ting is a good boy, and he is in good health, which is better than yours. If something really happens to you, I will do my best to assist him."
"Oh, by the way, did you ask the Ghost Doctor to take good care of his health?"
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager thoughtfully pulled the Emperor's blanket up a little, smiling kindly, but her eyes held no warmth and a hint of sarcasm.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's pale face turned even paler, and his fingertips turned bluish. He pointed a trembling finger at the Empress Dowager, and after a while, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
(End of this chapter)
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