"Water..." Pei Jing, who had been unconscious for a long time, slowly woke up. He was gently helped up and then warm water was poured into his mouth.
Pei Jing swallowed the water, leaned against the arm of the person supporting him, his eyes not yet fully open, smiled, and said in a hoarse voice, "You're finally back."
He was in and out of consciousness, and every time he woke up he would ask if Jiang Chuting had returned. He had asked no less than six times before he finally saw her.
"Yes, I found the He family's descendants and got the medicine." Jiang Chuting said, taking out the medicine bottle he had been hiding in his bosom.
Even Pei Jing was slightly surprised, and raised his eyes to look at him, asking, "So fast?"
Previously, Jiang Chuting only said that he might know the whereabouts of the He family and would go out of the palace to look for them. Unexpectedly, he found them in just one day.
Pei Jing asked curiously, "Did you know them before?"
Jiang Chuting said in a light tone, "I helped you out once, so we have some connection."
Pei Jing was convinced and couldn't help but chuckle before saying, "You really are something else. How come you've helped everyone? With such concern for the country and its people, I should really give you an official position."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuting's lips twitched, and she smiled in response.
"Let's not talk about it now, take your medicine." After helping him sit up, Jiang Chuting uncorked the medicine bottle, poured out a red pill, and held it to his lips.
Pei Jing didn't speak, but stared at him intently for a moment, then glanced to the side twice, and suddenly said, "Something feels off to me."
"What's wrong with it?"
Pei Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, a look of doubt appearing on his pale face, and asked, "Where is my mother?"
If the medicine is truly found, his mother will surely come.
Jiang Chuting replied, "The Empress Dowager has been taking care of you these past few days and has fallen ill from exhaustion. She is currently at Cixi Palace."
The reason was plausible, but the inexplicable sense of unease still lingered. Pei Jing and Jiang Chuting locked eyes for a moment, then glanced at the pills in his hand, pushed his hand away, and said, "Bring the imperial physicians in; I want to ask them."
Jiang Chuting didn't move and asked him, "Are you afraid I'll poison you?"
"You have countless opportunities to poison me," Pei Jing said with a sneer. "The problem is that it's not as simple as just harming me."
His alertness left Jiang Chuting speechless for a moment.
Before he could call for help, Pei Jing spoke up himself: "Someone, come here, give me..." His eyes widened suddenly, and his body froze.
He was immobilized by Jiang Chuting's acupoint technique, rendering him unable to move or speak.
Without pausing, Jiang Chuting put the red pill into his mouth, closed his jaw, and swallowed it as it rolled down his throat.
Jiang Chuting reached out and untied Pei Jing's robe, only to hear him roar, "What exactly did you feed me?!"
"This medicine can save your life. You'll slowly recover in two days. But..."
"Just what? Tell me!"
He's already taken the medicine; he'll find out sooner or later, so there's no need to hide it anymore.
Jiang Chuting looked back at his bloodshot eyes and said in a low voice, "However, after you take this medicine, you cannot see the person you admire. Otherwise, if you fall in love, it will endanger your life."
The meaning of those words was self-evident. Pei Jing stared intently at him, then leaned over the bed, trying to vomit up the medicine.
Jiang Chuting quickly reached out to help him up, stopping him from spitting it out: "It's no use. The medicine has already dissolved and started to take effect after you took it. You can't spit it out."
Pei Jing's temple throbbed with anger. He shoved him aside, his eyes red-rimmed as he glared at him, gritting his teeth and saying hatefully, "Jiang Chuting, you're too naive. You think I'll let you go like this??"
Jiang Chuting said with a wry smile, "Xiao Jiu, you are the ruler of a country. You need to be clear-headed and think carefully about whether your life is more important or my life is more important."
Pei Jing lunged forward, grabbing his collar tightly, tears streaming down her face. She glared at him fiercely, saying, "You've been by my side for almost two years. I love you, I respect you, and I've compromised for you time and time again. Who else in my life have I been this good to? Do you still think you're unimportant to me? You forced me to take the pills without even asking me. Is this how you treat me, just to satisfy your own selfish desires?! You really want to leave me like this?!"
"I asked you, would you eat it?"
"I won't eat it!"
He was too emotional, so Jiang Chuting grabbed his wrist and tried to persuade him: "Calm down first."
How could Pei Jing remain calm? He was using too much force, and his hands began to tremble uncontrollably: "Because of Lin Zhi, right? You want to take this opportunity to leave me and run off with him, right? Let me tell you, I will absolutely not let you have your way!"
Jiang Chuting said bitterly, "It has nothing to do with Lin Zhi. Xiao Jiu, you'll die if you don't take your medicine."
"High-sounding! That's not what you really think." Pei Jing's hair was slightly disheveled, and he growled in a hoarse voice, "Besides, if I have life but can no longer have feelings, do you think there's any meaning to my life?!"
Jiang Chuting was shocked and looked at him with her eyes slightly wide open.
He had always believed that Pei Jing truly loved him, but before that, he thought Pei Jing was a clear-headed person with a strong sense of purpose.
For example, no matter how much Pei Jing says he loves him, he will still get married and have children to stabilize the situation. He is obsessive about relationships, but there are many things in his life that are more important than love.
Jiang Chuting had considered that in this situation, he would be angry, try to find a balance, and make a choice. But he never expected him to say something like that.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think it's strange that I think this way?" Pei Jing seemed to see through his thoughts quickly, and gave a bleak, low laugh. He asked, "Chu Ting, do you think that emperors are destined to be unable to feel emotions, to be cold-blooded and heartless, and to endure endless loneliness forever? Isn't my heart made of flesh? Don't I feel sadness?! How am I supposed to live the rest of my life without being able to see you? Hmm?"
The last "hmm" was tinged with a hoarse sob, and his eyes revealed vulnerability and confusion.
Jiang Chuting was also feeling uneasy; a deep sense of bitterness brought tears to his eyes.
Pei Jing threw himself into his arms, and Jiang Chuting paused slightly before hugging him back.
“Xiao Jiu, I truly have no romantic feelings for you, but you are my disciple. I assure you of this; my concern for you outweighs any selfish motives. You are still so young, and your master does not want to see you die.”
Upon hearing this, Pei Jing's original hatred and grievances mingled together, and his heart pounded as if it would burst. With tears streaming down his face, he questioned, "There was still time, why didn't you wait a little longer?! There must have been a way to have the best of both worlds."
Jiang Chuting gently patted his back, just like coaxing Xing'er: "Every day we delay increases the danger. Besides, your situation is too special, and no one can guarantee that we can find a second solution."
"But I'm not reconciled." Pei Jing's warm breath brushed against his ear, tears soaking his clothes, and he choked out, "I'm really not reconciled, why, why do you have to do this to me..."
Jiang Chuting sighed softly, and tears silently fell as she closed her eyes.
After a while, feeling that the person in his arms had calmed down a bit, Jiang Chuting softened his voice and said, "Xiao Jiu, let go. Let's end our fate here."
"Don't even think about it!" Pei Jing abruptly released him, his face streaked with tears, but his eyes were filled with a chilling, predatory light. "I will absolutely not let go. If you dare to leave while I'm unconscious, not a single person in the Nine Heavens will live!"
"I'm not leaving, but what about you? Are you out of your mind?"
"I'd rather die than lose you." Pei Jing's gaze was resolute and unwavering: "Once I recover, I will definitely find a solution."
Jiang Chuting shook her head and said to Pei Jing, "Xiao Jiu, don't you understand? You can tolerate me, but the others in the palace can't."
The Empress Dowager was actually waiting in the side hall. Feeding Pei Jing medicine was something neither the Empress Dowager nor the Empress would do, because Pei Jing would hold a grudge afterward. No one else dared to do it either, so in the end, only he could do it.
In this way, all the hatred and resentment in Pei Jing's heart were transferred to him.
Then the Empress Dowager played the role of a loving mother who couldn't bring herself to kill her son, but instead drove him away. Pei Jing would have no reason to blame her later.
The Empress Dowager has promised not to let Pei Jing implicate his relatives and friends, and even promised to help Shao Shu and Shao Jun's family overturn their case. The only thing she wants him to do is to give Pei Jing the medicine and then go as far away as possible, never to set foot in Jincheng again for the rest of his life.
Pei Jing retorted angrily, "With me here, let's see who dares to touch you!"
Jiang Chuting's eyes stung with tears. After looking at him for a moment, she said softly, "Xiao Jiu, you must take good care of yourself from now on."
These were practically his final farewells. Pei Jing's heart churned like a raging storm, and she gripped his wrist tightly: "I won't let you leave. You dare to take a single step?"
Pei Jing, panting heavily, suddenly grabbed his face and leaned in to kiss him, but before their lips could touch, he clutched his chest, which was suddenly throbbing with pain, and coughed up a mouthful of blood. Sweat, tears, and blood mingled on his cheeks, and he collapsed into Jiang Chuting's arms, looking disheveled and in agony.
"Little Jiu!"
"It hurts, my heart hurts so much..." He was trembling all over, and sweat was pouring down his face.
The Love Flower has already started to take effect.
Jiang Chuting's face was stained with his blood, her hands frozen in mid-air, too afraid to touch him. Just then, the Empress Dowager and the Empress rushed in. In the chaos, Jiang Chuting was pushed aside by the Empress Dowager, who glared at her angrily and shouted, "Aren't you leaving?!"
Jiang Chuting took two steps back, glanced one last time at Pei Jing, who seemed to have fainted, took a deep breath, and turned to leave.
Yuanxi stood outside the palace gate and saw Jiang Chuting come out. Her eyes were as deep and calm as the sea.
At this moment, the imperial physicians were coming and going, and with so many people around, Jiang Chuting didn't want to talk to her. He simply nodded in greeting as he approached and quickened his pace.
Just as the two were about to pass each other, Yuanxi said in a very low and quick voice, "After you leave, be sure to head straight south. The gods will protect you."
Jiang Chuting paused almost imperceptibly, then continued walking out.
He initially planned to take Xing'er back to the Nine Heavens, but if they went straight south as she suggested, they wouldn't be able to go back.
If Yuanxi was able to accurately predict the timing this time, then was there a special purpose in guiding him in the right direction?
Jiang Chuting was also puzzled for a moment. She raised her eyes and found that someone was blocking her way.
It is Mo Lin.
Jiang Chuting stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the man in front of him, and suddenly felt confused: "Why are you stopping me?"
Pei Jing was able to remain safe after he left, never expecting that Mo Lin would cause trouble.
Mo Lin said solemnly, "Whether or not to let you leave should be decided by His Majesty himself when he wakes up."
"Are you showing no respect for the Empress Dowager?"
"I am loyal only to His Majesty."
Jiang Chuting didn't want to waste any more time with him. Her eyebrows twitched, and she raised her voice slightly: "Mo Lin, do you think you can beat me?"
“I won’t fight you. I’m just here to give you my final advice.” Mo Lin sighed briefly, looking at him with a complicated expression. “Even if he can’t have you, he won’t let you be with Lin Zhi. Lin Zhi is doomed. You can’t save him. If you stay, Lin Zhi might still have a chance to live.”
Jiang Chuting said expressionlessly, "Are you done? If you're done, then move aside."
Mo Lin clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and finally stepped aside, then watched helplessly as he strode away.
Jiang Chuting went to the Imperial Observatory to wake up Wei Jia, who was dozing off. Wei Jia, still half asleep, only heard Jiang Chuting say, "Leave the palace." Without saying a word, he eagerly followed behind him.
Jiang Xian was already waiting at the city gate with Xing'er by the hand, and the carriage was ready.
Xing'er hadn't seen Jiang Chuting for several days. Her eyes and nose were red and swollen, like a pitiful little white rabbit. She let go of Jiang Xian's hand and rushed into Jiang Chuting's arms, hugging him tightly and sobbing as she kept calling out, "Daddy, Daddy..."
Jiang Chuting held Xing'er, whose face was covered in tears, and led Wei Jia into the carriage, while Jiang Xian and the coachman drove them out of the city.
Wei Jia teased Xing'er for a while with a smile, finally making Xing'er laugh and ask Jiang Chuting, "Where is Master taking us to play?"
Jiang Chuting glanced at his oblivious apprentice, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Wei Jia, you will never return to the palace again. Are you willing to let go?"
For the past two years, he's been serving as an official in the palace, enjoying good food and fun, and has been quite happy. Leaving now will definitely be difficult for him.
Wei Jia's dark eyes darted around for a moment before he asked, "So, does that mean I won't be able to see my junior brother anymore?"
"Um."
"Ah..." Wei Jia looked regretful.
"You can't bear to part with him?"
Wei Jia nodded: "He's actually very good to me." Although the two still bickered at the drop of a hat over the years, they had developed some affection for each other. However, although Wei Jia was reluctant to leave, her master was still the most important person in her heart. She rested her chin on her hand and said: "If I don't want to go back, then I won't go back. I will miss my junior brother often in the future."
There are advantages to being simple-minded. Not being greedy for wealth or fame, Lord Wei, who had served as an official for two years, left just like that, carefree and unrestrained.
Jiang Xian had to take care of his family and also wanted to keep Jiang Chuting informed about the situation in Jincheng. After seeing them out of the city, he returned home.
Jiang Chuting led Xing'er and Wei Jia south, and three days later they arrived in Guangling.
It's the place I arranged with Lin Zhi before.
Although no specific meeting place was mentioned beforehand, Lin Zhi arrived at Jiang Chuting's door with lightning speed as soon as Jiang Chuting settled into an inn.
He was dressed in a dark short-sleeved shirt and wore a straw hat. When he saw Jiang Chuting's face, he stared blankly for a long time. He pinched himself hard before realizing that he was not hallucinating or dreaming.
Chu Ting has really come.
Before coming, Lin Zhilai had prepared himself to wait at least a month, or even half a year, or several years. He was in agony every day, unable to eat or drink. He never expected that Lin Zhilai would arrive so suddenly.
Although Jiang Chuting showed no expression upon seeing him and remained quite indifferent, she tacitly allowed him to stay for dinner. Lin Zhi was both surprised and delighted, feeling as if he were floating on clouds, his life unreal.
"Brother, feed me." Xing'er handed him her bowl and spoon.
Xing'er seems to let whoever she likes feed her.
Lin Zhi was naturally overjoyed. Taking advantage of Jiang Chuting's inattention, he kissed his cheek and patiently fed him. Jiang Chuting watched quietly from the side and did not stop him.
When Lin Zhi was giving Xing'er a bath that night, he quietly sidled up to help. Xing'er giggled and splashed water on his face.
Lin Zhi smiled and reached out to pinch his nose: "Naughty!" Then he secretly observed Jiang Chuting's expression and found that he did not show any sign of chasing him away, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Although she couldn't believe it, Chu Ting's attitude towards him seemed to have softened a lot.
Lin Zhi dared not think too much or too deeply. All he could do now was cherish the opportunity and try to win Chu Ting back.
After washing Xing'er, Jiang Chuting dried her off, carried her to bed, and dressed her. Lin Zhi quickly followed and volunteered, "I'll do it, I'll do it."
He pulled the small clothes from his hands and put them on Xing'er on his own initiative. Jiang Chuting glanced at him calmly, then got up and walked away.
Wei Jia shared a room with Jiang Chuting, sleeping in a separate bed. He was carefree and fell asleep right after dinner, undisturbed by their conversation.
Jiang Chuting picked up the blanket that he had kicked off and put it back on him.
Lin Zhi's heart pounded wildly. After dressing and tidying Xing'er up, she pulled him into her arms and patted the back of his head. Out of the corner of her eye, she cautiously glanced at Jiang Chuting's figure, wondering if it was really as Zhao Chengyang said, that the breakthrough between the two of them lay in the child.
He's good to Xing'er, so will Chu Ting gradually accept him?
"Brother, I want to sleep together, I want to." Xing'er clung to him sweetly, and Lin Zhi, of course, couldn't wait. He looked at Jiang Chuting with longing in his eyes: "Chuting, I, can I stay and sleep with you...?"
Jiang Chuting ignored him and walked over to take Xing'er from his hands.
Xing'er squirmed and whimpered, "I want my brother, I want my brother to sleep."
Jiang Chuting withdrew her hand, her expression unchanged, and called his name word by word: "Jiang Chenxing".
Xing'er shuddered, her big, dark eyes fixed on him, and she nervously bit her fingers.
Jiang Chuting softened her tone: "Lie down and go to sleep."
Xing'er left Lin Zhi's embrace, lay down on her own, and pulled the covers up herself. Jiang Chuting glanced at Lin Zhi, who was still sitting on the edge of the bed. Lin Zhi immediately jumped up. He was already very happy today and dared not push his luck any further. He took a few steps away and said, "I, I'll go back to my room now."
As they gently closed the door, they couldn't help but linger and take one last, reluctant look through the crack.
After Lin Zhi left, Xing'er didn't make a fuss. She turned over in bed for a while and then fell asleep peacefully.
Jiang Chuting gazed at Xing'er's innocent and sweet sleeping face, leaned down, took his little hand and gently stroked it, his heart softening involuntarily.
The attraction of blood ties is mysterious; this child has a unique dependence and affection for Lin Zhizhen.
The father and son got along well, and he didn't intend to object or obstruct them. After all, what happened between him and Lin Zhi was a matter between the two of them.
As for the child, as long as it's within my control and acceptable, I'll let him have his own happiness.
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