divorce
The first thing Lin Huai'en hated most in his life was being coerced by others. This time was an exception. From the beginning, Lin Huai'en was arrogant and wanted to bite Di Shaoze a few times, but later, he gradually restrained his temper.
Because Emperor Shaoze had become so much more obedient, like a little wolfhound with its tail between its legs, he not only placed Xue Dingchu on the imperial ship and ordered Doctor Li to treat him personally, he also allocated supplies from all over the country to fully support Guangling's fight against the epidemic.
The change from a tyrant to a benevolent ruler only required Lin Huai'en to resign from office once. Even Lin Huai'en did not expect that his resignation would bring such a huge change to Emperor Shaoze.
Now, Lin Huai'en can guard Xue Dingchu on his sickbed every day through a thick barrier; he can also comfort the sick villagers and feel that everyone is actively taking medicine and recuperating, and is slowly approaching the hope of life.
Lin Huai'en felt a little better and gradually regained his appetite.
In between his busy schedules, Di Shaoze would often come, using IOUs to "blackmail" Lin Huai'en, urging him to eat and take his medicine on time. However, Di Shaoze's condition worsened. Overwork and excessive worry had left him ill, his eyes dark and bruised, his face almost pale.
Lin Huai'en couldn't bear it and said, "Your Majesty, please go and rest first. I will keep my promise and drink all the medicine."
Di Shaoze picked up a candied date and gently stuffed it into Lin Huai'en's mouth, then scooped up another spoonful from the medicine bowl, "No, I feel at ease only when I see you drink it mouthful by mouthful."
Di Shaoze frowned slightly, his heart aching at Lin Huai'en's attempt to drive him away. At this point, this was the only thing he had left to get closer to Lin Huai'en. He didn't want to lose even this little chance.
Lin Huai'en's eyes moved, and he stopped talking to drive the guest away, continuing to drink the medicine one sip after another.
It was such a strange sight to have one patient feeding medicine to another. Lin Huai'en stared at Di Shaoze's pale lips, and guiltily wondered if Di Shaoze's hand holding the bowl was secretly shaking, but he was too embarrassed to show it.
The bowl gradually emptied...
After Lin Huai'en finished feeding the medicine, he saw Di Shaoze's thin lips move twice, and felt that he seemed to have something to say, so he waited quietly for him to speak. But after a long while, Di Shaoze still didn't speak. He put down the bowl, stood up, and walked towards the door.
Di Shaoze no longer spoke to Lin Huai'en.
Looking back on the past, Di Shaoze always overstepped his bounds, overstepping his bounds, and becoming overly close to Lin Huaien. But ever since Lin Huaien resigned, Di Shaoze finally recognized his proper place, maintaining the superficial courtesy between monarch and subject, and no longer interfering too much in Lin Huaien's affairs.
The relationship between the two finally returned to the way it should have been.
Intellectually, Lin Huai'en thought this was a good thing, but emotionally, he felt a little suffocated. He hadn't done anything to offend Di Shaoze, so why did Di Shaoze take the initiative to distance himself from him and treat him as an outsider?
Besides, he wasn't some little cat or dog that could let Di Shaoze get close to him or distance himself from him as he pleased. Thinking of this, Lin Huai'en also got angry and simply treated Di Shaoze in an even colder way.
In the afternoon, four imperial physicians, along with a group of local medical officers, waited outside the study. They waited until the palace servants went into the room to clear the dishes before they lined up one by one and entered the study.
The imperial physicians first paid their respects to Emperor Shaoze, then nodded to Lin Huai'en, "Your subordinates pay their respects to Your Majesty, Lord Lin."
As the chief medical officer, Imperial Physician Li took the lead in describing the patients' overall condition. Then, Imperial Physician Wen took his turn, explaining that the patients' symptoms were similar to those of the Loulan patients, suggesting that this epidemic most likely originated there.
As soon as Loulan was involved, the medical officers' expressions darkened. Once the epidemic involved two countries, the situation became much more complicated and thorny. Furthermore, the epidemic couldn't be delayed; it was like a lit cannon in the hands of another country.
"Your Majesty..." At this moment, Fox Princess suddenly rushed in, her face drooping. "A month ago, the Kingdom of Loulan actually developed a cure for the epidemic. My brother wrote to say that he is willing to offer this recipe to Your Majesty, but he has a condition."
Di Shaoze rubbed his forehead and said doubtfully, "Your brother's prediction is quite accurate."
"The fox princess explained, 'I noticed that the old woman had similar symptoms.' I wanted to share your Majesty's worries... so I couldn't help but write to you and ask you, my brother."
Di Shaoze curled his lips and said nothing.
Doctor Li advised, "Your Majesty, the patients cannot afford to waste time..."
Emperor Shaoze said, "I have a personal grudge against Zi Wuye. He will never let this opportunity slip away. If I invite him here, it will definitely bring more harm than good to the dynasty and to me."
Lin Huai'en advised: "We should try our best to save the dying horse."
Di Shaoze lowered his eyes slightly, thought for a moment, and then looked at Lin Huai'en deeply, "I forgot. General Xue's illness can't be delayed. Lord Lin is determined to invite Zi Wuye. In this case, please go ahead."
Lin Huai'en was speechless. He was doing this not only for Xue Dingchu, but also for the other patients who had been infected. But Di Shaoze's misinterpretation made it seem as if he was forcing Di Shaoze to do this for Xue Dingchu.
Lin Huai'en advised: "Your Majesty should put personal matters behind state affairs. For the sake of the people, lower your posture a little."
Emperor Shaoze shook his head and said, "My grudge against him is not trivial. I once indulged his lust, ruined his reputation, and caused him to lose his position as Crown Prince. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he wants to gnaw on my bones."
Lin Huai'en's mouth twitched. Di Shaoze was so wicked. How could he never do anything for the people? Now he was causing great suffering to the people!
Just as Di Shaoze had said, Zi Wuye used the excuse of a bumpy road and delayed his arrival until the epidemic was at its worst. Judging from the timing of his appearance, Zi Wuye wasn't very friendly, and could even be said to be taking advantage of the situation.
When Zi Wuye entered the room, he didn't look at Di Shaoze, but only stared at Lin Huai'en. His purple eyes flashed with an evil light, and it was hard to tell whether he was observing, calculating, or something else...
Di Shaoze didn't like him staring at Lin Huai'en so blatantly, so he interrupted him forcefully, "Just speak directly. What are your conditions?"
Zi Wuye smiled and said, "I never said this offer was for you. This offer is for Lord Lin."
Lin Huai'en frowned.
Zi Wuye said, "I want you to choose, Di Shaoze or Xue Dingchu? You can choose the prescription, but if Di Shaoze is infected, our country is willing to give the prescription as a national gift. There is no other way!"
Hearing this, Lin Huai'en glanced at Di Shaoze fiercely, completely subconsciously. In a very short time, he estimated Zi Wuye's conditions, but quickly rejected them. Di Shaoze was in a weak body. If he contracted the disease again, he would be courting death.
You can't be complacent and think you can have the best of both worlds.
Di Shaoze met his gaze, reading the meaning in his eyes, and his heart began to sink. Di Shaoze's fists clenched under the table, feeling like he was being weighed on a scale, his value being measured by Lin Huai'en.
If his value is not enough, he will be abandoned by Lin Huai'en the next moment.
Zi Wuye stared at Di Shaoze's gradually despairing eyes, as if he was watching a good show, and his smile became more and more intense. "I'll wait for your answer in the wing room, no rush."
Di Shaoze could no longer hold on, his eyes red as he stared at Lin Huaien. Before he could speak, he interrupted him, "Don't say anything! I don't want to hear anything!"
Lin Huai'en's words came to an abrupt end.
Di Shaoze had never wanted to cry so badly before. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he fought hard to hold them back. Lin Huaien's gaze was like a knife, slicing him into pieces. It hurt, it hurt so much, yet he couldn't even cry out in pain.
Di Shaoze dug out the divorce agreement from the book... He had been putting it off for so long, he hadn't done it yet. He was foolish, always hoping for the best, keeping this unfinished document, thinking it still tied him and Lin Huai'en together.
But he didn't know that documents are ultimately false and human hearts are real. From the moment Lin Huai'en turned around in the hall that day, that relationship was gone without a trace left.
Di Shaoze pressed the ink pad and then pressed it under the document.
Di Shaoze closed his eyes, and a long tear slid down his cheeks. "Actually, when I was young, I once loved someone. Because I loved him so much, I did my best to pamper him and tried every possible means to drive away all rivals. In the end, I won his heart. However, I didn't cherish it. Instead, I was suspicious and jealous, and ruthlessly tore his heart apart."
"Later, he left without looking back, asking for nothing and leaving nothing behind. I wanted to prove his existence, but I found that I had no evidence at all."
"The only thing left is that I love him..."
Lin Huai'en's pupils dilated slightly, his heart suddenly pounding between his chest and lungs, vibrating several ribs, but he couldn't explain why...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
