The medicine in Lin Zikui's body was covered with a mask in order to make him unconscious, not to swallow it, so the medicinal properties were not that strong.
But he still felt extremely uncomfortable at the moment. He couldn't open his eyes, his mind was unclear, and his body was hot from the inside out. Lin Zikui vaguely felt that there was someone beside him, calling his name, telling him not to be afraid.
This familiar voice made him feel at ease.
Disoriented, he seemed to be floating in boiling water, but suddenly he felt a hand taking off his clothes. Lin Zikui struggled violently: "No, get out, get out..."
Xiao Fu had never seen him say the word "get out" before. He was stunned for a moment, then he clasped Lin Zikui's five fingers distressedly, and kept saying, "Lin Lang, it's me, it's me, it's me."
Slowly, Lin Zikui's breathing calmed down: "Xiao Zhaoling..." His voice was nasal, and he asked sadly: "Is it you?"
"Yes, it's me."
Lin Zikui seemed to realize what was going on. Although his mind was a little unclear, he still turned away and said, "Don't touch me."
"You need me now." When Xiao Fu's somewhat cold fingers touched her, Lin Zikui's legs bent, his body slightly arched, and he looked a little embarrassed. Xiao Fu lowered his voice: "Do you believe me?"
Lin Zikui first said "hmm", then shook his head: "No, no..."
"Okay, then wait for me."
Xiao Fu let him go, then stood up, opened the drawer, rummaged around for a while, and finally found a box of "Jade Cream" prepared for him by his mother.
When he came back that day, the room had been cleaned out. His Dingbei Marquis Mansion had been abandoned for seven years with no one living in it. It was only in the past few days that it began to be renovated.
Xiao Fu had everything he needed. He opened the lid of the Yurong Cream and smelled it. Of course, he could not smell anything.
After washing his hands, he scooped up a piece, rubbed it between his thumb and index finger, and it dissolved quickly.
Lin Zikui was lying on his bed, feeling very uneasy, as if in a dream. He heard him leave, but didn't know where he went. He wrapped himself in the cloak under him, so he didn't hear any sound, but couldn't help shouting: "Xiao Zhaoling..."
The voice was very soft. Xiao Fu heard it and strode over. He sat down and said, "I'm here."
Xiao Fu covered Lin Zikui's whole body with the quilt, and with his hands, he melted a large piece of jade cream, which turned into an oily texture.
Lin Zikui was trembling because of him. Xiao Fu asked: "Are you cold? Did I do it too hard? Then I'll go a little lighter."
Lin Zikui was silent, as if in pain. He pursed his dry but red lips, but his eyes were wet through the white cloth covering his eyes.
Xiao Fu was extremely distressed upon seeing this, and clasped his five fingers with one hand, interlocking them tightly. Lin Zikui could not help but hold his hand as well, very tightly.
Xiao Fu said: "...I know you don't want to, just forget about it when you wake up. It's safe here, no one will see it, no one will know."
Not long after, Lin Zikui curled up and was completely silent, and the five fingers that were clasping Xiao Fu's palm slowly loosened.
Xiao Fu tucked in the corner of the quilt, tucked his toes that were curled up due to the cold, and then found a towel to wipe his hands.
Lin Zikui's palms were sweating a lot, and all the sweat flowed into his hands.
Xiao Fu asked him: "Are you feeling better now?"
Lin Zikui turned away and hid his face in Xiao Fu's furry black cloak. It was unclear whether it was out of embarrassment or shyness, but perhaps it was more of embarrassment.
Xiao Fu silently brushed away the sweaty hair on his forehead. He lowered his head but did not dodge.
Xiao Fu gently placed his fingers on his hair and asked him, "Lin Lang, are you hungry? What do you want to eat? I'll have someone make it for you."
He still didn't say anything, so Xiao Fu could only sigh: "Then I'll follow the doctor's instructions."
But Lin Zikui didn't eat anything. Because his eyes were blindfolded and he didn't move, it was impossible to tell whether he was asleep or awake. But Xiao Fu could hear his breathing. Sometimes it was heavy, which meant he was awake, and sometimes it was light and even, which meant he was asleep.
Half asleep and half awake, the redness on Lin Zikui's face had faded, but he was still very uneasy. He was sweating all over, and his inner clothes were wet.
At three quarters past midnight, Yan Sui finally brought Mr. Xie out of the palace. Following closely were a dozen or so Jinyiwei.
When they arrived at the gate of the Duke of Changguo's Mansion, Yan Sui refused to let them in and said nonchalantly, "I will take the Third Master in to see my uncle first. You guys just wait here."
The Jinyiwei were the emperor's personal guards and had never received such treatment from other officials. However, the other party happened to be the prince of the Yunnan Palace, so it was inconvenient to have a conflict.
Commander Huang could only nod and say, "Please bring the Third Master out as soon as possible, my Lord."
When he saw Yan Sui bringing Third Master Xie in, he turned around and ordered his subordinates, "Go and guard the side door and the back door. Don't let Third Master Xie escape!"
Emperor Wen Tai was worried that Xie Lao San would leave, and the pain from the poison would be too great for him, so he had to ask the Jinyiwei to keep an eye on him.
Xie Lao San had a lot of grievances to say, and when he saw Xiao Fu, he accused him, "Xiao Zhaoling, you came up with a good idea! Why did you let me enter the palace?"
Xiao Fu didn't answer, but just grabbed him and went into the house: "Third brother, please show him, hurry up."
It was rare for him to speak like this. After hearing this, Xie Laosan said nothing and sat down to feel Lin Zikui's pulse. He removed the white cloth and looked at his eyes. When he touched Lin Zikui's eyes, he suddenly woke up and shook his head desperately.
"It's me, Master Lin. I'm Doctor Xie! I gave you worms to eat before! Do you remember?" Xie Lao San comforted him, "I'll take a look at you. Don't worry, I'm a famous doctor in Jianghu, and I will definitely cure you."
Lin Zikui shook his head vigorously and pushed his hand away.
Xie Laosan looked back at Xiao Fu and said in a low voice: "It seems that we need to light some calming incense. He is not in the right state and will not trust anyone."
Xiao Fu felt distressed when he saw this, so he did as he was told.
Candles were lit in the room, and the light was flickering. Lin Zikui could feel it and see two blurry black shadows. The closer one was Doctor Xie, and the farther one was Zhao Ling.
His lips moved soundlessly.
Miss Zhao Ling...
Soon, Xie Laosan's consultation was over. He pulled Xiao Fu out and said, "The left eye is fine. It was pierced and there is a shallow small eye. The right eye has a scratch. Your court doctor treated it very well. Zhao Ling, remember the poisonous insect I fed him before? That's what I have been nursing for ten years. His eyes will slowly get better. It's not a big deal."
Xiao Fu asked directly: "Slowly, how long will it take?"
"I estimate, about half a year. He should take the medicine I prescribed for him. I will also take care of his health. This child has been studying for many years, and his body is very weak."
"Half a year..." Xiao Fu nodded, "Okay."
Xie Laosan: "He often has nightmares now. He is greatly stimulated. I don't know who did this to him. Remember not to stimulate him."
"Won't."
Xie Lao San: "Then I have to go back to the palace. The emperor has sent Jinyiwei to follow me outside, and he wants me to be back at midnight."
"If he wants you to come back at 11:00 p.m., then you should come back at 11:00 p.m. Lin Zikui still needs you to boil medicine for him. Let those bastards of the Imperial Guard wait and stand there all night." Xiao Fu's face turned cold when he heard the word "emperor". "Let's see who dares to come in and ask for someone!"
"...Oh, so I'm going to boil the medicine?"
Xiao Fu said "hmm" and pushed the door open again. Lin Zikui had actually sat up by himself. He had no other external injuries and was dressed neatly. Xiao Fu had helped him put them in order. He huddled in the corner of the bed. When Xiao Fu entered, he called out, "Miss Er... Zhao Ling."
The turn was strange. Xiao Fu heard it, but he remained calm and said gently, "It's good that Lin Lang is awake. Doctor Xie has gone to boil medicine for you. I just made dinner for you. I'll feed you."
He brought a bowl of chicken soup to feed Lin Zikui. The spoon was against his lips. Xiao Fu let out a long "ah" and motioned him to open his mouth: "Is it hot? Why doesn't Lin Lang drink it?"
Lin Zikui hesitated for a long while, then shook his head, opened his mouth and drank the soup.
Just drink it.
Xiao Fu felt more at ease. Lin Zikui lowered his head and drank sip by sip. Finally, he asked him, "Miss Zhao Ling, where am I?"
"It's a house in Jinling. It's safe. No one will hurt you."
"Why am I here..."
"Remember the whistle I gave you?"
Lin Zikui remembered.
It turned out that he was the one who saved me.
"Thank you." He lowered his head and said hoarsely.
Xiao Fu did not ask him who did the bad thing. He put the empty bowl aside and wiped his mouth. Lin Zikui said hoarsely: "I had a very bad dream."
Xiao Fu touched the top of his head and said, "Since it's so bad, forget it."
"I dreamed of Madam Xiao, who asked me to break off the engagement with the Xiao family."
Xiao Fu's palm rested on his hair for a moment, then slid down naturally, patting him: "Dreams are the opposite of reality, you forgot it."
Lin Zikui did not respond. He could vaguely distinguish between reality and dreams, but he was not quite sure. Everything was very chaotic.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Xiao Fu took the initiative to ask, "Lin Lang, when do you want to marry me? The Lantern Festival is coming soon, so why don't we get married in the spring, when you're feeling better, ok?"
Lin Zikui was silent, then said: "I want to go back."
"Where to go back? Going to Xingzhiguan? I will take you back tomorrow."
Lin Zikui shook his head.
Xiao Fu's heart twitched: "Where are you going back to? I'll go with you wherever you go."
"I want to go back to Fengtai County," he said.
"Yes, going home..." Xiao Fu responded, "Then I'll take you back to sweep your parents' graves, and then come back to get married, okay?"
"I... won't come to Jinling anymore." His voice was dry and sad. "I broke the gift you gave me. I can't see anymore and I can't take part in the Spring Examination."
Xiao Fu paused for a moment, then said in a relaxed tone, "Doctor Xie said that you will be completely cured in half a year. The food he gave you is the most precious treasure in the world. If he said it would work, then it would work. He never brags. Besides, I promised you that I would make you pass the imperial examination and ride a horse through the streets. I, Xiao Zhaoling, keep my word."
“Miss Zhao Ling!” Lin Zikui’s tone became stronger, but the moment he finished speaking, his momentum suddenly dropped, and he said in a frustrated voice: “I’m sorry…”
"Shh." Before Lin Zikui could finish his words, Xiao Fu pressed his lips.
She pressed her index finger to her lips and said softly, "Lin Lang, please trust me for once, okay?"
Of course Lin Zikui couldn’t believe it, and he didn’t dare to believe it. He didn’t even know... who Xiao Zhaoling was. Did this person really exist? Was it a dream? What just happened... was it another dream?
He remembered everything, but layers of illusions enveloped his eyes, and Lin Zikui could not distinguish them. He only knew that he had studied hard for more than ten years, but ended up like this, being murdered by someone he thought was his friend...
Tang Mengyang clearly saved his life from Xu Dang back then.
He knelt in Shuntian Prefecture and beat the drum to appeal for justice, but Tang Mengyang pulled him up and said, "The officials will protect you. If you enter Shuntian Prefecture, you will die! If you want to sue, you can only file a complaint with the emperor!"
A good word is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold.
However, with the ups and downs of officialdom, the passage of time and the changes in the world, Brother Tang also became a member of Xu's party and had long lost his original intention.
Before this incident, Lin Zikui's character was as solid as a rock and could not be shaken.
In order to marry the second girl, he has to pass the imperial examination.
In order to overthrow the imperial court, he must win the top spot in the imperial examination, be fair in his official duties, and be upright in his conduct! No one can shake him.
He wanted to save the country from danger and rescue the people from dire straits.
But today, Lin Zikui suddenly discovered that he couldn't even save himself. The will suddenly collapsed and the army was routed. How can I endure this darkness alone where I can't see the dawn?
Perhaps, I will never see the light again...
However, there was a voice that kept ringing in his ears, asking him to believe him...
"Lin Lang, tell me, do you still want to take the imperial examination?"
"I want to..." He answered involuntarily.
"But I can't do it," he whispered.
Xiao Fu: "You will do it."
Lin Zikui did not respond. The fire in his heart went out, leaving only a small spark, hiding quietly in the corner.
Xie Laosan's medicine was ready and brought to him. Xiao Fu fed it to Lin Zikui, who drank it without saying a word or complaining about the bitterness.
Xiao Fu knew that he hated the taste of medicine, so he took the initiative to stuff two candied fruits into his mouth.
"Not enough to tell me."
Lin Zikui nodded gently: "Okay."
The sweetness of candied dates spreads in the mouth.
Xiao Zhaoling...
He had read this name in his mind.
After the hour of Hai, the Jinyiwei saw that Xie Laosan had not come out yet, and his hand was already on the hilt of the knife.
If they don't come out, they won't be able to return to the palace to report, so they will have to force their way in!
Xie Lao San said to Xiao Fu, "The medicine is ready. How about I go into the palace with them? Zhao Ling, I have so many poisonous insects on me that I am not afraid of entering the palace at all. No matter how many dragons and tigers there are in the palace, what can they do to me?"
Xiao Fu shook his head: "Third brother, don't worry, I won't let you go, no one can touch you."
Snow fell on the long street, covering the tiles. Xiao Fu wore a woad fur coat on his broad shoulders, and his snow-white fox fur was ruffled by the cold wind. He stepped on the newly piled snow in front of the mansion, making a rustling sound, and finally stepped over the threshold of the Changguo Mansion, stopped, and said in a calm voice: "Commander Huang."
The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who was about to break in, held the Embroidered Spring Knife tightly in his hand, with deep fear in his eyes.
"Tonight, the Third Master will not go back to the palace with you. Go back and tell the emperor to come to Dingbei Marquis Mansion in ten days. I will let the Third Master help him get rid of the poison."
His calm voice was like a huge rock falling into the water.
Commander Huang was stunned: "W-what..."
Xiao Fu: "Just write it down and report back according to what I said."
This news was of great importance. Commander Huang was undecided and looked up at him.
Xiao Fu's face was very cold, and his eyes were naturally upturned and smiling, which made him look handsome and shrewd.
Today, he seemed to have suddenly shown mercy, his face sunk into a deep shadow, and he looked like a demon as he said, "If you Jinyiwei forcefully take the Third Master away today, I promise that the Emperor's Gu will stay with him forever. I will never go back on my words."
Commander Huang had seen today how powerful Mr. Xie Sanye was. He used a little trick and the pain was immediately relieved for His Majesty.
That's why Your Majesty would never let him go, even at the cost of his life. Prince Yan came to take him away. If the Queen Mother had not heard that it was the Duke of Changguo who was ill and tried to persuade her for a long time, Your Majesty would never have let him leave the palace.
After careful consideration, Commander Huang agreed first: "I will go back to the palace to report and reply to the Marquis as soon as possible."
Xiao Fu said nothing. He looked down upon them as they left, then turned and went into the mansion.
Xie Lao San, who was hiding behind the door, grabbed his fur collar and said in disbelief: "Xiao Fu, are you crazy? Do you want to cure the emperor's poison?"
"Third brother, what's wrong with detoxifying him? I'm not really detoxing him. I'm just tricking him."
"Then you...just said that! You scared me! The emperor killed your confidant and tried to kill you several times. You said you would torture him for the rest of his life."
Xiao Fu nodded expressionlessly and said, "I changed my mind. Let him die."
Xie Laosan: “…”
"Why do you suddenly want him dead again?! Didn't you say that Yuwen Duo and the King of Zhao would fight to the death? When did you change your mind? Did he make you angry today?"
"I just changed my mind." Xiao Fu always changed his mind quickly, and said innocently, "My Lin Lang has to take the spring exam, but the spring exam will be held in less than two months. He has to recuperate, so there is no way he can make it. Once the emperor dies, the spring exam will be cancelled during the national mourning period."
Mr. Xie Sanye was shocked.
Xiao Fu tilted his head: "Otherwise, who do you want me to kill? If Queen Mother Xiao dies, my father will be sad. It's better to kill Yuwen Duo. He is an idiot."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
