Chapter 192 Heart to Heart
When Concubine Xu and the Fourth Prince were around, the Emperor cried so hard that his heart was broken. He recalled the scenes of the past when the father was loving and the son was filial, and the family happiness was so great that he couldn't bear to scold them.
After they left, the emperor sat alone in the empty hall, feeling very unhappy.
If he said that he didn't know what the Fourth Prince and Concubine Xu were planning, he would be deceiving himself, but this time he did favor the Crown Prince, so much so that he couldn't be tough in front of these two people.
When Eunuch Li came in, he saw the emperor sitting on the dragon throne with a tired look on his face. The emperor has always been an energetic man and never treats himself badly. It is rare to see him like this.
Eunuch Li whispered, "Your Majesty is tired. Would you like to lie down and rest for a while?"
The emperor shook his head and suddenly asked, "How have I treated them over the years? Why can't they just obey me?"
Eunuch Li thought to himself, one of them is the crown prince, and the other is the beloved fourth prince. They had to be obedient when they were young, so it would be strange if they were still obedient now. After all, they were just pretending in front of His Majesty before.
But he didn't dare to say so. He only said, "Your Majesty, the child has grown up and it's inevitable that he has more thoughts."
"Yes, they have all grown up." The emperor sighed and fell silent again.
Suddenly, the emperor looked up and asked, "How is Xiaojiu these days? I heard he was sick a few days ago. Is he better now?"
Eunuch Li quickly said, "The Ninth Prince is in good health. He just had a cough before, but he has recovered long ago."
The emperor nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile: "Empress Yu is young, but she takes good care of the child."
Mentioning this, the emperor's brows were filled with sorrow again, and he added, "If the second and third brothers had survived, I wouldn't have to worry so much now."
Eunuch Li didn't dare to interrupt. The reasons why the second and third princes died young were unknown.
Fortunately, the emperor just sighed, quickly stood up and said, "Let's go see Xiaojiu."
He has been busy with official duties these days and has been troubled by the matter of the Fourth Prince and the Crown Prince. He has not visited his newborn child for several days. Now he feels nostalgic when he thinks of him.
The emperor walked all the way to Jinxiu Palace. Before he entered, he heard Concubine Yu humming a song. When he walked in, he saw Concubine Yu holding the child in her hands and coaxing her with a gentle smile on her face.
When the emperor saw this scene, he liked it even more and walked in with a smile.
It seemed that Yu Fei just saw him, and she bowed with a smile, but before she could go down, she was helped up.
The emperor reached out and teased the child. Seeing him smacking his lips with an innocent look, his previous depression dissipated a little. He smiled and praised, "Yu Fei, you have raised Xiao Jiu very well."
Concubine Yu smiled and handed the child to the wet nurse beside her. Then she said with a smile: "Look at what your majesty said. Xiaojiu is my own child. Naturally, I am so eager to give him a child."
While they were talking, the palace servants had already prepared tea and snacks. Unlike other people's palaces, Concubine Yu's palace was less luxurious and more peaceful and fresh.
After taking a sip of tea, the emperor smiled and said, "It's still quiet here with my beloved concubine."
Concubine Yu glanced at him with a reproachful look and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, did you come here just to have some peace and quiet?"
The emperor smiled and said, "Of course not. I am also concerned about you and your son."
The two chatted and laughed for a while, and the emperor couldn't help but sigh again. Concubine Yu's eyes flashed slightly, and she walked behind the emperor with a smile and began to massage him slowly.
The emperor breathed a sigh of relief, and after a while he held her hand and said, "Let the palace maid come, so as not to tire you out."
Concubine Yu said, "I am just a woman, I can't help Your Majesty in any way, I can only make Your Majesty feel more comfortable."
"Every time I see Your Majesty frowning, I become unhappy too. I ask for nothing but Your Majesty to be happy every day. Your Majesty, please don't blame me for being short-sighted and only seeing these things."
These words were very straightforward, but they just happened to suit the emperor's wishes. He pulled Concubine Yu into his arms, stroking her hair, and said, "If everyone cared about me as much as my beloved concubine does, my life wouldn't be so busy."
Leaning in the emperor's arms, Concubine Yu's eyes were cold, but her voice was still tender: "Your Majesty, are you still worried about the incident at the palace gate?"
"What, you heard about it too?" The emperor's hand paused.
Concubine Yu was oblivious to this and continued, "This matter has caused such a stir that even people in the cold palace know about it."
After saying this, Concubine Yu continued, "Now that the matter has been resolved, why should Your Majesty still be troubled by it?"
The emperor sighed and said, "If only it were that simple."
Concubine Yu looked up at him and said, "You are His Majesty, the ruler of a country. If you are unhappy, just punish them. Don't let your anger damage your health."
The emperor felt that Concubine Yu was young and inexperienced, and she had been protected by him since she entered the palace, so she could not see through the conspiracy behind these things. But the more Concubine Yu was like this, the more he felt pity for her.
The emperor never mentioned the matter again, but became more affectionate with Concubine Yu.
Outside the palace gate, the fourth prince escaped, but the crown prince's reputation was ruined.
It was a rare day off, so Su Fengzhang made a special trip to the Liu family. Old Madam Liu had always been in poor health. Since Liu Wei's funeral, she had been bedridden and had lost all her energy.
She insisted on not moving, so Su Fengzhang hired two maids to take care of her. However, Mrs. Liu was old and had lost her son, and the imperial physician said that she was a sign of dying.
As soon as Su Fengzhang entered the door, he saw Liu Neng reading in the yard. The child had the same temperament as Liu Wei and seemed to be unable to sit still, but because Mrs. Liu was watching him on a recliner under the eaves, he had to continue reading.
As soon as he saw Su Fengzhang, Liu Neng jumped up and shouted, "Uncle, you're here!"
Old Madam Liu on the recliner coughed, and Liu Neng immediately sat down and read again.
Su Fengzhang smiled, went over to greet him, and then said, "Aneng is still young, there's no need to keep him under control all the time."
Madam Liu shook her head and said, "This child is just like his father. He loves martial arts and hates literature. He needs to be straightened out from a young age."
Su Fengzhang opened his mouth, but he also knew that Old Lady Liu was worried about Liu Wei's matter and was afraid that her grandson would also take the martial arts exam and die on the battlefield in the future, so how could he say anything to persuade her?
So, Su Fengzhang could only offer a few bland greetings. Old Madam Liu knew what he was thinking and said with a smile, "Thanks to you coming over from time to time, life is much better now than before."
Su Fengzhang just smiled. He happened to see the maid boiling medicine and went over to help. He added some more spiritual spring water into the pot when no one was paying attention. He did this so often that no one would notice.
Old Lady Liu looked at Su Fengzhang's back as he boiled the medicine, and the idea popped up in her mind again.
At the beginning, Old Lady Liu was still somewhat wary of Su Fengzhang. After all, she had never heard Liu Wei mention Su Fengzhang before. Besides, Liu Wei was dead, so who knew how long this relationship could last.
But as time went by, Old Lady Liu had to admit that this child was a man who valued friendship and loyalty. He was now the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and he could not go wrong as long as he sent someone to take care of others.
But Su Fengzhang still came over in person every once in a while, and every time he came he would personally make medicine for her. Even if he was her own son, he would not do this. Old Madam Liu also appreciated this favor.
If this is a show, then Old Lady Liu hopes he can keep doing it for the rest of his life.
But they are now orphans and widows, so there is no reason for anyone to care about them. Even for the sake of reputation, it is not worth the bother.
Su Fengzhang prepared the medicine and personally brought it to Old Madam Liu. He felt relieved when he saw her drink it.
The spiritual spring water is not omnipotent. It does not have the ability to bring the dead back to life. Su Fengzhang has verified this countless times.
Rather than a panacea, spiritual spring water is more like a nourishing tonic that moistens the body silently. It has a significant effect on healthy people with good health. However, if the body is deteriorating to a certain extent, the effect will be worrying.
Old Madam Liu was the latter. Every time Su Fengzhang used a large amount of spiritual spring water, it only made her body slightly better.
After drinking the medicine, Madam Liu held his hand and said, "Master Su, thank you for your hard work."
Su Fengzhang smiled and said, "It's what I should do."
"How can there be so many shoulds in this world?" Old Madam Liu sighed and added, "Lord Su has spent a lot of money and effort to seek medical treatment for an old woman like me, and to help Aneng find a master and seek guidance. I understand his kindness."
"If Madam Liu can live to be a hundred years old and Aneng can succeed in his studies, I will not be ashamed of Brother Liu." Su Fengzhang said.
Madam Liu laughed and said, "When you get old, you will eventually die. Life and death are determined by fate. If something happens to me, Master Su, don't worry about it."
"As for Aneng, he is the only child left by Awei in his life. If one day I am gone, please take good care of him, Lord Su." said Mrs. Liu.
Su Fengzhang hurriedly said, "Madam, why are you saying such discouraging words? Aneng is my nephew, and I will naturally take good care of him. Please relax, Madam. You still have to see Aneng get married and have children."
Madam Liu shook her head and sighed, "I'm afraid I won't be able to wait for that day."
Su Fengzhang also knew her physical condition, and felt heavy in his heart after hearing this.
After Liu Neng finished reading today's book, he ran to Su Fengzhang and acted coquettishly. Su Fengzhang smiled and started to test him on his homework.
Liu Neng was not really a good student, but he was hardworking and was considered diligent in his studies even though he was watched by Old Madam Liu.
Seeing that he answered smoothly, Su Fengzhang smiled and touched his head, praising him: "Not bad, worthy of reward. How about I buy you some candied haws later?"
"Uncle, I don't like eating candied haws anymore. Can we have some snacks instead? Snacks are softer and you can eat them with me." Liu Neng leaned against Su Fengzhang lovingly and said.
"Of course." Su Fengzhang said with a smile.
The two of them, one sitting and the other standing, were very close and looked like father and son.
Old Madam Liu looked at him, and the thought in her heart could hardly be suppressed. She suddenly remembered what Liu Neng said yesterday. He asked: Grandma, is my father like my uncle, so tall, so handsome, who will speak to him softly, take him to play in the yard, and take him out to buy delicious food!
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Author's words: Concubine Xu: I have plenty of ways to make the emperor forgive me
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