Chapter 126
A moment later, the servant heard some noises coming from the palanquin and looked up.
A figure in a light blue robe stepped out of the sedan chair. His brows were shrouded in a faint worry, but his demeanor was not arrogant. Instead, it made him appear as refined and elegant as the rumors suggested.
"How is your master's health?" Yan Qizhen asked casually after getting out of the sedan chair.
Although Yan Qizhen's status was lower than that of the other princes, he possessed a kind and compassionate heart that was praised by all the people.
If his birth mother hadn't been of lowly status, she would probably have been a preferred son-in-law for many powerful officials.
"In response to the Fourth Prince, my eldest princess has been very worried recently and has fallen ill in the past few days. The physician in the manor has already prescribed a remedy."
"Your Highness is blessed with good fortune; she should be fine in a few days," the servant said, bowing his head.
A fleeting glint of tears crossed Yan Qizhen's eyes as he spoke softly:
"Then shall I go to the palace to find an imperial physician?" His concern was evident in his words, and the servant felt that the Fourth Prince was indeed considerate of his princess.
But then the servant thought again that his master had just been leisurely playing chess, and it seemed that he did not intend to meet with the Fourth Prince.
Although I don't know the reason, I still have to listen to my master.
The servant immediately spoke up, replying to Yan Qizhen's words:
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The princess should be fine, so I will not trouble you any further."
"This servant will relay Your Highness's words to Her Highness the Princess."
Upon hearing this, Yan Qizhen knew he wouldn't be seeing Bai Yingning today, so he stopped pressing the matter.
"Since Zhaoning is unwell today..."
"Then I will come to pay my respects to Your Highness another day." He returned to his palanquin.
After Yan Qizhen's sedan chair had gone far away, the servant got up and returned to the mansion, intending to tell his princess that the Fourth Prince had left.
...
"Your Highness, why has Princess Zhaoning suddenly fallen ill?" A servant beside the palanquin asked.
"Where is the illness?"
"It's just that you don't want to see me." Yan Qizhen's voice sounded somewhat sorrowful.
"Then why..." The servant was puzzled. The Fourth Prince had come to see Princess Zhaoning as soon as he recovered from his injuries, so why was he turned away?
"Come another day."
The servant could not see Yan Qizhen's appearance through the sedan chair.
He assumed that the Fourth Prince might be feeling somewhat disappointed because he had been rejected by Princess Zhaoning.
However, inside the palanquin, Yan Qizhen was lightly turning a ring on his finger, and a sudden gust of wind appeared amidst the misty rain.
What's wrong with Bai Yingning today?
Yan Qizhen could naturally guess that Yingning wasn't really sick. Judging from the past, even if she were sick, she wouldn't refuse to see him.
But what happened?
Yan Qizhen pondered in the sedan chair. He had originally planned to come today to "explain" to Ying Ning, but he didn't even get through the door, let alone explain.
Bai Yingning's rejection was something he hadn't expected.
What could have happened?
Yan Qizhen thought it over carefully and didn't think that Bai Yingning would suddenly change her personality at this time because of other people's affairs.
If it weren't for some unexpected event...
It was because Bai Yingning was heartbroken by his neglect that she refused to visit him today out of spite.
Yan Qizhen gently touched his forehead. Thinking of this, the misty rain between his brows finally dissipated, and he regained his usual expression.
It seems I went a bit too far recently.
Not only have they failed to achieve their goal, but they are now showing signs of turning against it.
That's enough.
Fortunately, this matter is still recent, and the identity of Princess Zhaoning can still be of great use to me.
These past few days, I've spent some time and effort trying to coax Bai Yingning.
......
Upon hearing the servant's report, Yingning waved for him to leave.
Bai Chuning had already returned to his courtyard, so Yingning walked to the trumpet creeper and gently broke off a withered branch.
"Master, Yan Qizhen has gone straight back to the manor." 0067 immediately informed Yingning after seeing Yan Qizhen's movements.
"It's alright."
"I guess he'll come to visit again in a couple of days." Yingning threw away the withered branch, still in a good mood.
"Does he suspect that his master is lying to him?" 0067 said.
"Yes and no. Knowing his cunning, he won't believe that I'm unwell today."
"Then why did Master tell this lie?" 0067 watched as Yingning broke off another withered branch.
“A clumsy excuse is just to make him understand that I deliberately don’t want to see him,” Yingning continued.
"He would naturally think I was sulking, and it wouldn't be hard for him to guess that I was up to something."
"I'm afraid Yan Qizhen is currently thinking about how to reshape the relationship between us."
Yingning lowered her eyes, a hint of teasing in her expression.
Isn't this how Yan Qizhen treated the original owner?
The sudden drop in temperature after a sudden heat wave can cause people to feel extremely anxious, as if they are scratching their heads.
This is just to let him have a small taste.
*
The Regent's Palace.
"Your Highness, the matter of this royal hunt is now entirely entrusted to you." The old eunuch with slightly graying temples bowed and said this, then glanced furtively at the person in the study.
The man held a wolf-hair brush, writing something on Xuan paper, and did not respond immediately.
The eunuch immediately said, "His Majesty's entrustment of this matter to the Prince is a sign of his trust in the Prince."
"Your Highness is His Majesty's right-hand man, and this old servant is very gratified to see this..."
"Eunuch Li."
Yan Chaoji put down the wolf-shaped weapon and interrupted him.
Eunuch Li knew that Yan Chaoji was in a bad mood, but if he failed to complete the task assigned by His Majesty, how could he dare to return to the palace directly?
So I had no choice but to speak frankly once again:
"Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for this old servant..." Eunuch Li bowed, looking somewhat haggard at this moment.
There was a long silence in the study.
Only then did Eunuch Li hear His Highness the Regent speak again:
"Put down the imperial edict."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Li immediately left the imperial edict behind, bowed to Yan Chaoji, and then left the palace.
After Eunuch Li left, the guards from the Regent's Palace came over upon hearing the news.
"Your Highness, the western tour has not yet been finalized, and His Majesty has entrusted you with the royal hunting expedition. This is..."
The western tour was already highly valued, and now there's also the hunting expedition.
Hunting was a matter of life and death for the royal family, and no mistakes could be tolerated.
Yan Chaoji brushed the Xuan paper aside and then picked up his brush to write some characters.
"His Majesty truly trusts the Prince." Wen Feng's tone was somewhat strange.
"The ruler is above, and the subject is below."
"Wen Feng, watch your words and actions." Yan Chaoji's stern voice, with a slight twitch of his eagle eyes, immediately silenced Wen Feng.
"Yes, Your Highness."
The royal hunting expedition and the western tour are both important and crucial tasks, and now both are on the shoulders of our prince. Hearing this, I truly cannot bear to see him suffer.
Hearing this, he fell silent. After Yan Chaoji put down the wolf-hair sword, he saw a single, unrestrained and elegant character written on the Xuan paper:
“掣”.
*
Yan Qizhen indeed came to visit two days later, accompanied by an imperial physician.
"Today, I have invited Imperial Physician Rong to come and check on Zhao Ning's well-being," Yan Qizhen said, sending a servant inside to deliver the message.
Before long, a servant from the manor came to report.
"Your Highness, my princess requests your presence."
Once Yan Qizhen calmed down, he immediately led the imperial physician and servants into the mansion.
Upon arriving at Chaolin Temple, one sees a person with a beautiful and ethereal appearance.
The person was dressed in purple, with the seven-jeweled exquisite bead on his forehead shimmering with light as he swayed. His hair was styled in a slightly upturned braid, and his skirt was embroidered with gold thread. A string of gold bells was tied around his waist.
It makes a tinkling sound, which is quite pleasant to hear.
Her eyebrows were thick and bold, and her slightly curved eyes held a hint of allure.
Such beauty truly belongs to a woman from a dynasty that did not belong to the Central Plains.
"Your Highness, Fourth Prince." She bowed.
Although she lacks the dignified gentleness of women from the Central Plains, she possesses a free and unrestrained spirit that rivals others.
This was the first time that Imperial Physician Rong had seen this so-called "Princess Zhaoning" from the Western Regions. Although he had heard a few times about Princess Zhaoning's beauty when he was working in the palace, he was surprised to learn that she was as beautiful as a fairy.
Looking at it today, it's clear that what they said was true.
Yan Qizhen immediately spoke up: "Zhaoning, there's no need for such formalities between us."
Listening to the Fourth Prince's words, Imperial Physician Rong couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions:
It was previously said that His Highness the Fourth Prince and Princess Zhaoning had a close relationship.
[It's even said that the person chosen for the marriage alliance with the Western Regions Kingdom is His Highness the Fourth Prince, so this matter is definitely not just a rumor.]
"Your Highness, I was unwell the day before yesterday and was unable to go out to greet you. I am deeply sorry for this. Today, I apologize to Your Highness."
When Ying Ning nodded and smiled faintly, the Seven Treasures Bead on her forehead twitched slightly, further highlighting the clarity of her eyes.
"It's alright, it's alright. I just learned that Zhao Ning was unwell, so I sent a letter to invite Imperial Physician Rong these past few days," Yan Qizhen said softly.
Yingning then knew that the person beside him was Imperial Physician Rong.
"Imperial Physician Rong, could you please check if Princess Zhaoning is unwell?" Yan Qizhen said softly.
As soon as Yan Qizhen spoke, Physician Rong immediately bowed and prepared to take Yingning's pulse.
"Thank you for your trouble, Physician Rong," Yingning said in thanks.
A moment later.
Imperial Physician Rong withdrew his hand and said, "Princess Zhaoning's illness is due to excessive worry and anxiety, which allowed the pathogen to enter her body."
"Your Majesty, I have prescribed a remedy for rest and recuperation. You should take it for a few days."
Yan Qizhen listened attentively from the side, and immediately arranged for a servant to go to the pharmacy to get the medicine after Physician Rong finished writing the prescription.
After Imperial Physician Rong went to the side hall for tea, Yan Qizhen spoke again:
"Zhaoning, are you still feeling unwell?"
His sky-blue satin robe was adorned with a delicate ink plum blossom design.
"Imperial Physician Rong is a master doctor. Zhao Ning has rested for a few days and is fine now." Ying Ning sat on the pear wood carved chair and looked at Yan Qizhen as she spoke.
"That's good."
"I thought..." The man in front of me, shrouded in mist and rain, spoke hesitantly.
“Your Highness, please speak freely,” Yingning said.
"That day, when I heard from the servant that you were unwell, I was very anxious, thinking it was because of me."
At this moment, Yan Qizhen did not refer to himself as "this prince," but subtly closed the distance between the two.
"Your Highness is overthinking it. Zhao Ning is just experiencing some culture shock after arriving in the Min Dynasty," Ying Ning replied with a smile, deliberately ignoring Yan Qizhen's words.
Seeing her like this, Yan Qizhen felt even more uncomfortable.
He hadn't expected that Yingning truly seemed unaffected by his grief, so he had no choice but to speak again:
"I was busy with affairs of the palace recently and didn't have time to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Min Dynasty with Zhao Ning. I have been thinking about it ever since."
"Once you have fully recovered in a few days, I will accompany you to Minshan to see the beautiful scenery of flowing water. Would you be willing, Zhaoning?"
Ying Ning's attitude left Yan Qizhen somewhat puzzled.
During their trip to and from the capital, the two enjoyed each other's company immensely, and even after arriving in the capital, they continued to correspond daily.
Yan Qizhen had intended to use this retreat as a strategy to advance their relationship, but he never expected to suffer a setback today.
"His Highness the Fourth Prince is very busy with affairs in his residence, so Zhao Ning need not bother him."
"If there is indeed an opportunity in the future, Zhaoning will definitely enjoy the scenery of flowing water with Your Highness."
Yingning neither refused nor agreed.
Yan Qizhen knew that Ying Ning's attitude was somewhat cold at this moment, so he spoke directly:
"I do not feel disturbed by Zhao Ning's company."
When Yan Qizhen spoke softly, a hint of tenderness appeared in his hazy eyes, making those who stared at him mistakenly believe that he had feelings for them.
When Yingning looked up, she saw his rather serious gaze.
Her phoenix eyes shone, and her red lips parted slightly: "Then Zhaoning will thank the Fourth Prince in advance."
*
Before the trip to Minshan was finalized, an invitation arrived in front of Yingning.
"The Empress's invitation?"
Bai Chuning asked curiously from the side. He hadn't tied his hair up with a crown today, but instead used a tail feather ornament to tie his hair, and a jeweled sachet was wrapped around his waist.
"Why is the Empress inviting my elder sister to the Empress's birthday banquet?" Bai Chuning asked.
"Perhaps Her Majesty the Empress has other plans for this birthday banquet." After Ying Ning closed the visiting card, she happened to see Bai Chuning's brown eyes.
"Other plans?"
"Could it be for His Highness the Crown Prince?" Although Bai Chuning was still young, he was, after all, part of the royal family and could see things clearly.
“Her Majesty the Empress loves her son dearly and would surely like to find a good marriage for His Highness the Crown Prince,” Yingning said patiently, ruffling his hair.
Bai Chuning understood immediately, but was still puzzled: "Elder sister, the position of Crown Princess is vacant."
"But given our current situation, how could my elder sister possibly be a suitable candidate for the Crown Princess?"
Moreover, the Crown Princess is destined to become Empress, and the people of the Min Dynasty would certainly not tolerate a foreigner.
“Her Majesty the Empress invited me, certainly not because she included me in the list of candidates for Crown Princess.” Yingning shook her head.
"What is the reason for that?" Bai Chuning asked very seriously.
"Ah Chu, you must think more broadly when making your decision."
"Her Majesty the Empress invited me this time because she wants to establish connections with the Western Regions."
“If we can make a connection, it will put more pressure on His Highness the Crown Prince in the future,” Yingning said.
"We can arrange this. If we can't openly arrange a marriage with His Highness the Crown Prince, then there's only one other person left."
Bai Chuning's mind suddenly clicked, and he immediately realized what was going on:
"Does my elder sister mean..."
"The Sixth Prince?!" Bai Chuning immediately understood.
The Empress has two sons: Crown Prince Yan Dingjun and the Sixth Prince Yan Jingxu.
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