He refused to let go, saying, "If I don't let go, I'm afraid this is all a dream, and if I let go, you'll disappear."
After a moment of silence outside the curtain, Su Wan said, "Ah Jin, I also want to be with you forever. But... what if I told you that I have a serious illness and only two months to live?"
“I don’t believe you,” he said. “You’re lying to me.”
Su Wan said, "There are so many outstanding women in the world. If I really die, why don't you find another one to keep you company?"
He said, "You're not allowed to talk nonsense."
Su Wan said, "Everyone has to die eventually. Ah Jin, what if that day really comes?"
He said, "If that day ever comes, I will come to find you in the underworld."
Su Wan didn't bring up the topic again, her slender hand pressed tightly against his palm: "Ah Jin, go to sleep. I'll hold your hand right here, and we'll talk properly when you wake up."
As if that wasn't enough, another slender hand reached into the curtain and covered the back of his hand, the two slender hands interlacing their fingers and holding his hand tightly.
Those two slender hands were holding on so tightly, as if their entire lives had been dedicated to this moment of clasping hands.
He fell asleep peacefully.
When he woke up again, the lights in the room were already on, and the light shone faintly through the curtains.
He sat up abruptly and found that the slender hand that had been holding him was nowhere to be seen, but when he put his palm to his mouth and nose, he could still smell that faint fragrance.
If Su Wan really comes back, she will never leave him. She will lie next to him, pushing him off the bed, and make him cover her with a blanket again and again. Who is that woman holding his hand?
He lifted the curtain and said, "Someone come here."
Granny Cui walked around the screen to stand in front of him and said with delight, "Your Majesty can sit up now, that's wonderful!"
"And that woman?" he asked. "The one who fed me porridge."
Seeing that he understood everything as soon as he regained consciousness, Granny Cui knew she couldn't hide it from her master, so she quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, this was all my idea. When I saw that Your Majesty refused to eat, I came up with the idea of having someone impersonate the Empress..."
Wei Jingzhuo said, "Get up. You are devoted to me and have no guilt."
Then Granny Cui got up and handed a letter to Wei Jingzhuo: "Your Majesty, this is a letter left by that woman named Xiaoyi."
Wei Jingzhuo took the letter and sat down under the lamplight to examine it. The letter explained everything he needed to know.
After reading it, he sighed and said, "So it was her. Where is she?"
"She's gone, I don't know where she went," said Granny Cui. "She didn't even ask for the reward. It's so strange that there are people in this world who wouldn't care about ten thousand taels of silver."
Wei Jingzhuo said, "I am hungry."
Granny Cui was overjoyed, wondering what the letter contained that had actually made her master willing to eat. She turned and ran towards the door, saying repeatedly, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment, I'll have someone bring it right away."
Wei Jingzhuo put on his clothes and went out the door.
The courtyard was brightly lit, and a large group of people stood there, led by the Prime Minister. When he saw Wei Jingzhuo come out, he was overjoyed and quickly led the group forward to pay their respects.
Wei Jingzhuo said, "My beloved ministers, please rise. It was my willfulness that caused you all so much worry and trouble."
The Prime Minister said, "Your Majesty is only thinking of the Empress and has lost his appetite. What wrong has he done? We, his subjects, only hope that Your Majesty is in good health, which is a blessing for the people of the Great Jin."
Just as everyone was celebrating, Lin Qingfeng arrived with a General Li from Southern Chu, bringing an urgent letter from the Emperor of Southern Chu.
Wei Jingzhuo read Chu Yi's letter again, nodded, and said to General Li, "Please reply to the King of Southern Chu and tell him that I am aware of it and will take immediate action."
After General Li withdrew, Wei Jingzhuo instructed, "Issue the decree to prepare a banquet, and I will dine with all of you." The officials were overjoyed and expressed their gratitude.
The imperial kitchen had prepared a variety of dishes long ago, just waiting for Wei Jingzhuo to get up. In no time, tables, chairs, wine, and food were set out. Everyone sat down in order.
Wei Jingzhuo, having not eaten for a long time and suffering from a weak spleen and stomach, still drank porridge. He then offered wine to his ministers. After several rounds of drinks, Wei Jingzhuo said, "I have something to discuss with you all."
Everyone was overjoyed to see Wei Jingzhuo's condition improve. After drinking three more cups of wine, their excitement grew, and they all said, "Your Majesty, please give your instructions. We will certainly not disappoint you."
"I plan to build a star-gazing platform outside Yanxun Pass on the border of Jin and Chu, it will be eighteen stories high," Wei Jingzhuo said, looking at the Minister of Works. "Minister Sun, how many workers will be needed?"
The ministers were stunned and all looked at Wei Jingzhuo. The Minister of Works was even more dumbfounded.
Throughout history, neither the Jin Dynasty nor the Southern Chu Dynasty had ever built a platform exceeding five stories. Eighteen stories—is this some kind of ascent to heaven?
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