Qingying secretly sent out a letter, inviting Xie Jiaoying into the palace.
Xie Jiaoying bowed as soon as she entered, and Qingying quickly helped her up, saying, "There's no need for such formalities between us."
Xie Jiaoying smiled sweetly, "Alright, what brings Your Majesty here?"
Qingying pulled her to sit down.
"As you probably already know, the Emperor intends for you to marry into the Prince Yu's household. What do you think?"
At this point, Xie Jiaoying immediately lowered her face. "To be honest, I know everything about what happened between you and Wei Dongchen. Although he used to be a playboy, he has reformed and is indeed a good match for you. However, you know me. I can't tolerate any dishonesty. Since he is in love with you, I would never do something like offering my affection to someone who doesn't reciprocate, and instead become a widow."
"Are you really not interested in him at all? You don't need to worry about me. I've been in the palace for two years now, and my connection with him has long been severed. We have nothing to do with each other in terms of marriage."
Xie Jiaoying shook her head. "I really don't like him at all. The man I want to marry must have a heart full of only me."
“Now I understand.” Qingying patted her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry, no one can force you if you don’t want to. I’ll handle this.”
Xie Jiaoying was overjoyed. "Thank you so much. You've really saved me from this urgent problem."
"You're my good sister, so of course I want you to be happy." Qingying smiled gently and teased, "But seeing you like this today, with that spring-like smile, do you already have someone you love?"
"This..." Xie Jiaoying rarely put on a shy expression, "You noticed that..."
"Tell me quickly, whose son is it that has managed to make you, this iron tree, bloom?"
"Please don't blame me for what I'm saying," Xie Jiaoying said, pursing her lips, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Qingying immediately realized that this person must be someone she knew, and perhaps even someone she had some grudge against.
After hesitating for a long time, Xie Jiaoying finally uttered a name, "Liu Chenglin".
"Huh?" Qingying was dumbfounded.
She couldn't understand why Xie Jiaoying would like that piece of char siu!
You don't understand him.
Qingying's eyelids twitched. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Really, it's quite a coincidence. Do you remember the other day when you asked me to investigate the Han family of Jinling?"
"Is he involved in this as well?"
Xie Jiaoying nodded. "When I went to Jinling, I accidentally fell off my horse on the way. He saved me, carried me back to the inn, and treated my injuries."
"So, that's how you two developed feelings for each other?"
"yes."
"But he is younger than you."
"What does it matter? It doesn't matter if he's young, as long as he's energetic."
"Cough cough..." Qingying couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
At this point, Xie Jiaoying suddenly became more serious. She lowered her voice and whispered in Qingying's ear, "I think Liu Chenglin must have found out something when he went to Jinling. I'll try to get some information out of him and then tell you in detail."
Qingying nodded. "Then I'll have to trouble you."
"Hey, why are you being so polite with me?"
After seeing Xie Jiaoying off, Qingying ordered Tongxia to prepare some food in the imperial kitchen. She changed her clothes and went to Yuqing Palace.
Since Liu Yu led Liu Chengfeng on the expedition, Wei Huaixu lifted her confinement. Although he did not restore her rank, he still gave her everything she was entitled to.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Palace, she walked in without any hindrance.
Wei Huaixu was reviewing memorials when he saw her approaching. He immediately put down his brush and asked, "Why are you here?"
"I'll bring you some nourishing soup. Yu said you've been so busy you haven't even had lunch yet. You can take your time reviewing these memorials. Don't overwork yourself."
"Okay." He waved to Qingying.
Qingying walked over, took the soup from Tongxia's hand, placed it in front of him, and opened the lid of the bowl.
"Try it, it's freshly stewed."
Wei Huaixu ate slowly and deliberately, finishing half a bowl before putting down his spoon. The serving eunuch immediately handed him a handkerchief, which he used to wipe his hands before ordering it to be removed.
"That's all you're eating?"
"Xie Jiaoying came by just now," he replied, seemingly unrelated to the question.
Qingying nodded.
"Are you here to ask me for help regarding marriage?"
"No, it was me who sent her the message."
Wei Huaixu raised an eyebrow. "You don't want her to marry Wei Dongchen?"
“It has nothing to do with Prince Yu’s son.” Qingying looked at him and said, “I only have Xie Jiaoying as my confidante. I hope she can marry the man she loves as she wishes, and I hope Your Majesty can grant her wish.”
Wei Huaixu stared at her silently for a long time.
The two stared at each other silently.
In the end, he gave in and said, "Jiaojiao, since it is your wish, I will grant it."
——
Within half a month, the imperial decree bestowing the marriage upon the Prince Yu's residence was issued.
The prince was betrothed to Wei Dongchen, the heir apparent of Prince Yu and General Zhenbei, and Su Muwan, the daughter of the Imperial Censor.
——
Baoyi Palace.
It was time for Liu Chenglin to go to the palace for a follow-up consultation.
Qingying looked at the person carefully taking her pulse and asked softly, "Tell me the truth, how many more years do I have left to live?"
"If Your Majesty takes good care of yourself, you should be able to live for another three to five years without any problem."
She has been taking medication these days. Although Liu Chenglin didn't elaborate, she was probably aware of her physical condition.
"Yeah?"
"Um."
"Three to five years is enough."
Liu Chenglin was surprised that she wasn't sad at all. He had seen too many people weeping bitterly because death was imminent, but rarely was he as calm as she was.
"Aren't you scared?" he couldn't help but ask.
"I'm afraid, of course I'm afraid." Qingying smiled and said, "But will being afraid prevent me from dying?"
Liu Chenglin choked for a moment, speechless.
Seeing him slowly tidying up his medicine box, Qingying had Tongxia and her men leave.
"You seem to have something to say to me."
Liu Chenglin looked around.
"Don't worry, there are no ears behind the walls here."
He then put down what he was doing, sat back down, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "You don't need to have Sister Ying test me. I can tell you everything I know."
"Oh?" This was unexpected for Qingying.
Liu Chenglin pursed his lips and said, "In the past, I was biased and stubbornly believed that you had taken Sister Shushu's place. Now I understand that you were forced into it. Moreover, Sister Shushu is not as kind and innocent as I thought."
"Did you figure it out on your own, or did Xie Jiaoying explain it to you?"
"Hmm...we have them all."
Qingying nodded. "I accept your repentance, but I will not forgive the harm you have caused me."
Liu Chenglin clicked his tongue, "You..."
"No one says that an apology will always lead to forgiveness, right?"
"Yes." He lowered his head with some regret.
"So this is all you wanted to tell me today?"
"No." He looked around again to make sure no one was there before lowering his voice and whispering, "The current emperor is not the real Wei Huaixu."
Qingying nodded. "I already knew that."
He paused, then asked, "How did you know?"
"I was in love with Ah Xu, so I know what kind of person he is."
"and you……"
"I will avenge Ah Xu," Qingying said firmly.
Liu Chenglin was shocked again, "But he is now..."
"So what if he's the emperor? He stole this position."
After a moment, Liu Chenglin said again, "I returned to Medicine King Valley and found in the files left by my master that he had gone to my master to get an antidote. The medicine was extremely potent, and he will likely never have any children in his life."
"Wh...what?!"
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