Chapter 80 Chapter 80 Seasickness, Falling Sick
Lan Nongnong's eyes widened in surprise, her tone filled with disbelief. "You've been ordered to leave the capital on official business, and I can accompany you? Is this in accordance with the rules? What if the censor reports me?"
"Hahaha."
Qin Jingyao laughed out loud, then suddenly pulled her onto his lap. He leaned back against the soft pillow, his head tilted slightly upwards, gazing at her. He gently scratched the tip of her nose with his finger, his hand still protecting her waist as he spoke with a smile, "Silly Nongnong, since I've asked you this, I'm sure everything will be fine. Besides..."
As if finding her concern particularly endearing, the smile in his eyes deepened. "Officials on official business, unless it's confidential business, may bring their families along. The censors, don't make a fuss about such a trivial matter."
Lan Nongnong heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Her body gradually relaxed, her eyes suddenly lit up, and a bright smile appeared on the corners of her lips. "Then I'll go! I haven't traveled far since I came to Beijing. It's rare for you to go on business, so it's a good opportunity for you to take me with you to travel around the beautiful land of Sheng Dynasty!"
Her eyes were full of joy as she eagerly asked, "When are we leaving?"
"Leaving next month."
Qin Jingyao was moved by her joy, his eyes warming. "We'll first follow the canal south and arrive in early September. On the way back, we'll take the land route and head straight back to Beijing."
However, Lan Nongnong's smile faded after hearing this. Her brows furrowed slightly, her shoulders slumped slightly, and her bright energy instantly faded. Without waiting for his question, she whispered her concerns, "We're leaving in July, and six months from now it'll be the height of winter. I'm still taking medication, and with my current health, how can I possibly endure the winter journey? Besides, I've never been on a boat here before, and I'm not sure if I'll get seasick..."
Her voice grew lower, filled with hesitation, yet it was clear she had been feeling depressed for a long time. She knew her body might not be able to handle it, but she still couldn't bring herself to say "no."
Qin Jingyao had already carefully considered these concerns. Given her current condition, a long journey, even in the cold winter, would be unbearable. But for him to separate from her and leave her alone in Beijing was absolutely impossible.
As for the question just now, "Do you want to go?", her answer will never change the predetermined outcome.
Qin Jingyao stood up, gently squeezed her hand, and asked with a smile: "Do you want to go like this?"
Lan Nongnong glanced at him with a hint of annoyance. "It's obvious that you want me to go with you. I was seriously considering this matter, and you're teasing me. In that case, it's better not to go. I don't want to endure the hardship of the journey."
As she said that, she pushed him away and tried to get up.
Qin Jingyao couldn't bear to see her upset and distressed, so he quickly raised his leg to stop her, then embraced her with his long arms, coaxing her back in his arms, "Madam, don't be angry, it's all because of your careless words. I really don't want to be separated from Nongnong for a moment, I just hope to be with you forever."
He took her hand and explained carefully, "The carriages, horses, boats and ships are all prepared according to the palace regulations. Mo Chou will also accompany us. This trip will make your journey as comfortable as home. I hope your madam will be magnanimous and forgive me this time, okay?"
Lan Nongnong glanced at him sideways, and finally smiled, "Since you are so sincere in admitting your mistake, I won't hold it against you this time."
Before she finished speaking, the slight irritation on her face had vanished without a trace, and she began to ask with great interest about the local customs, products, and climate of the places she was passing through. She also discussed with him what to bring, the number of people to travel with, and the servants in the mansion. She also wanted to have a small farewell gathering with friends such as Princess Baozhen and Madam Fu, and muttered about what gifts to bring back...
She spoke with great enthusiasm, and the light in her eyes made people's hearts soften. They felt that everything could be done according to her wishes, but they were still afraid that what she gave was not enough.
---
A month flew by in a flash. Lan Nongnong didn't have to worry about transportation, food, or lodging. She simply instructed her servants to pack her belongings and rest up. Before leaving, the couple were supposed to attend a banquet at the palace, but Qin Jingyao thoughtfully took the extra mile for her.
Although this trip was for the emperor's inspection, it was not an urgent matter. In addition to the palace guards, there were also hundreds of guards accompanying him.
Qin Jingyao, fearing her travels would be inconvenient, prepared three carriages just for daily expenses. Lan Nongnong also brought some playthings and books, mostly glass and porcelain, which commanded a carriage all to herself. Including the carriages for the master and servants, the family convoy totaled ten vehicles. Once the imperial envoy's procession joined them, they left the capital in a grand procession.
Not long after leaving the city, Qin Jingyao dismounted his horse and got on the carriage and came to her side.
-
The emperor originally wanted to have the crown prince accompany him on the inspection tour. While this wasn't a real achievement, it would add to his credentials for the future and also serve as a check on powerful ministers. However, as soon as he mentioned this idea to Empress Guo, she dissuaded him, saying, "The crown prince is young and might not be able to endure the long journey."
The emperor, now over fifty, had been taking elixirs for over a year, and although his spirits had returned, his appearance had aged rapidly. Because he was so absorbed in this path, even those close to him, such as the empress, dared not offer any advice.
In old age, people fear death most; even emperors are not immune to this. If it were misinterpreted as a curse on the emperor's lifespan, it would be a grave sin that would implicate the entire clan.
In the early years, in order to avoid being considered as relatives of the emperor's wife, the Guo family voluntarily resigned from their official positions and went into business, moving their entire family away from their homeland. The emperor was deeply pleased with this and, out of consideration for the Empress's friendship, he provided much support to the Guo family's business, which flourished day by day.
Now, apart from Gu Yan, there are no other descendants of the Guo family serving as officials in the court. However, Gu Yan alone is enough to stabilize the court and unite the ministers.
If the Crown Prince were to accompany Gu Yan on his inspection tour, he could still take care of any mishaps along the way. However, if the Emperor were to make a mistake, Empress Guo would be unable to handle the situation alone. Therefore, regardless of the circumstances, one of Gu Yan and the Crown Prince must remain in Beijing.
Although the emperor was unaware of the empress's deeper meaning, he understood that the crown prince was the foundation of the dynasty and could not afford to lose him. Though he was in good spirits thanks to the effects of the elixir, he was ultimately old. Even if another prince was born, he would no longer be able to carefully nurture him. Ultimately, the responsibility of the inspection was fully delegated to Qin Jingyao.
The regulations for this trip were second only to those for the emperor, and a three-story official ship towered over the river. The carriage drove straight onto the deck, and only then was Lan Nongnong allowed to disembark.
It was a fifty-mile journey from the city gate to the ferry. Lan Nongnong had not experienced such bumpy rides for a long time. In addition, her body could not adapt to the ride after boarding the boat. The moment her feet touched the ground, her knees softened and she collapsed.
Qin Jingyao saw her face was pale, her lips were tightly pursed, and a deep wrinkle had formed between her brows. She was so distressed that even her fingertips were trembling, and her heart seemed to be tightly gripped. Ignoring the officials who came to ask for orders, he shouted for Mo Chou to come quickly and hurried up to the second-floor bedroom with her in his arms.
“--I’m not going…”
Lan Nongnong's voice was as thin as a thread, "The boat hasn't started yet... let me go... I feel uncomfortable--"
Waves of dizziness and nausea washed over her. She opened her mouth to vomit, but nothing came out, leaving only her throat spasming. Silent tears slid down, soaking the front of his shirt.
At that moment, the ship rocked slightly. This slight movement was like a raging storm to her. Her ears suddenly buzzed, and her internal organs felt as if they were out of place. When the dizziness subsided, a more intense pain swept over her, wringing her heart and making it stop suddenly.
"...Please..."
She closed her eyes tightly and even breathed lightly, fearing that even the slightest vibration would aggravate the pain in her head. "If I stay any longer... I'll die..."
The faint plea fell into his ears, every word like a knife. Qin Jingyao tightened his arms, protecting her in his arms, even his fingertips turned white from the force, but he didn't dare to move her even a little.
For the first time in his life, he hated himself for having power but not being able to calm the storm, let alone bear any pain for her.
However, even though the ship had not yet started, he could not send her off!
Not to mention that the envoys who were seeing the emperor off were watching the ceremony on the shore, just leaving her alone in the capital was absolutely impossible!
Since she couldn't take the boat, they would go overland instead of by sea. As for the delay, he would apologize to the emperor.
"I know Nong Nong is feeling uncomfortable,"
He lowered his voice to a whisper, a barely perceptible plea in it, afraid to disturb her. "Just bear with me for a moment. Mo Chou will be here soon. Once he's relieved your symptoms, we'll disembark and take a carriage as soon as we reach Yingzhou Ferry. We won't take the boat anymore, okay?"
Lan Nongnong was trying her best to resist the overwhelming discomfort and failed to hear the deeper meaning of his words.
At this moment, neither of them had expected that these words would come true. She never took a boat again in her life, not because she didn't want to, but because she couldn't.
---
After Mo Chou finished acupuncture, he whispered to the man who had been guarding the bed, "My lord, Madam is weak. The rocking of the boat is only a little bit for ordinary people, but it is extremely tormenting for Madam. Acupuncture can only temporarily relieve the symptoms and induce sleepiness, but it is not a long-term solution. Moreover, given Madam's condition, I am afraid she will have difficulty taking medicine, and even eating will be difficult. I dare to suggest that for the sake of Madam's health, we should quickly escort her back to shore while we are still in the harbor."
As a physician, Mo Chou had originally disapproved of his wife's journey. Her cold hadn't healed, and now she was suffering from a new cold. Her stagnation was further depleting her vitality. She should have been resting, yet she insisted on entering the palace to receive the title. Even a healthy body would have struggled with the ceremony, let alone her already exhausted condition.
As expected, not only was his vitality severely damaged, but he also suffered a leg disease and was unable to walk for many days. All the recuperation he had done in the past period of time wasted.
If the human body is compared to an urn, the vital energy is the water within. Madam, this urn, had cracked since the first time she caught the cold. Although it had been repaired somewhat by recuperation, the next cold shattered all the repairs.
The cold evil is like a leech clinging to the bone, constantly corroding the walls of the jar, causing the cracks to deepen and widen. At this point, even if you try to repair it, it will only be a superficial facade, while the interior is already riddled with holes and vulnerable to any further attack.
The imperial appointment had placed the urn under undue stress, adding new cracks to the old ones. Repeated wear and tear had left the urn riddled with crisscrossing fissures. Even with its barely repaired appearance, it was like a leaking bladder; even the most precious medicinal herbs would dissipate through the countless cracks, ultimately fading from its vitality.
Now, the fatigue of traveling by boat and train is like placing a cracked jar in a bumpy state, causing the vitality that was originally slowly flowing away to flow out faster.
Even if we switch to a carriage, the jolting, though less severe than boat travel, will still worsen the wear and tear on our health. Madam, though still young, has already become so decrepit. Even if we take good care of ourselves from now on, we won't be able to withstand even the slightest bit of cold when winter arrives.
I'm afraid I won't be able to leave that warm glass palace for the rest of my life.
Human body temperature naturally adapts to the environment it inhabits. Just as northerners can tolerate severe cold but fear intense heat, westerners can withstand the scorching sun but cannot stand the chill. Madam, having lived in this warm and cozy environment for so long, her body has long become accustomed to a specific temperature, making it difficult for her to adapt to changes in the outside world. Even surrounded by a floor heater, it wasn't the warmth she was used to, and her body couldn't bear it.
After all these hardships, Madam's body could no longer withstand the constant strain. Even with the nourishing exercises, her mental energy was insufficient to sustain the training. This cycle would continue, and her physical condition would only decline.
Previously, as a long-term strategy, Mo Chou had proposed gradually lowering the temperature inside the heating mantle until it was eventually removed. However, His Excellency disagreed at the time. Now, the heating mantle cannot be removed. Furthermore, within ten years, during the cold winter months, Madam will likely find it difficult to walk.
Before this trip, when the master ordered him to accompany him and protect the lady's health, Mo Chou had already told him the truth. He had thought that because of the master's love for the lady, he would abandon this plan that would harm her health. But unexpectedly, the master insisted on doing so.
He had anticipated this outcome. He just didn't know if, seeing the pain his wife was in, he would change his mind.
"...No matter what method you use, you must ensure my wife's safety within the next two days."
Qin Jingyao lowered his eyes and glanced at him, speaking in a very soft voice, as if he was afraid to disturb the person who was lightly sleeping on the couch. But the coldness and hardness between the lines made Mo Chou's heart tremble.
"grown ups--"
Mo Chou was about to persuade her again, but Qin Jingyao had already turned his gaze to the woman on the couch, whose brows were furrowed even in her sleep. His gaze instantly melted into a gentle warmth. His words remained unchallenged, "No need to say more. Go and prepare some calming incense. Then, personally supervise the kitchen and prepare some warming liquid food. When we reach Bozhou in two days, we'll travel overland. We'll rest a day ashore, and you'll prepare a prescription to strengthen your body and replenish your vital energy."
He paused for a moment, his voice returning to a steady tone: "Inform Tongze when you leave, and set off immediately."
Mo Chou stood silent for a moment, as if frightened by his capricious decision, and secretly anxious about this unreasonable request. Finally, he lowered his eyes and bowed, without further argument, and replied in a low voice.
---
Lan Nongnong's initial dizziness had become a full-blown symptom after days of drowsiness. She felt as if she were constantly floating on water, dizzy and chest tight. But every time the discomfort began to clear, she would fall back into confusion. The prolonged drowsiness left her body like water-soaked cotton wool, so heavy she couldn't even lift it, and even the strength to feel the pain had dissipated.
Even after leaving the boat, the swaying sensation lingered. She forced her eyes open, but everything overlapped in her vision. Her lips and tongue were so numb she couldn't even swallow. It felt like a rope was constantly pulling at her skull, and as she regained consciousness, an overwhelming wave of discomfort washed over her.
His stomach suddenly cramped, and the next moment he was helped to the side and vomited.
The soup he had been fed during the past two days of drowsiness had long since been completely absorbed, and now he could only vomit out some acidic water. However, his stomach was still churning violently, and the pain of dry heaving was even worse than the actual pain.
After rinsing her mouth and washing her face, she raised her eyes with great effort and saw his face. Hatred surged in her heart, and she raised her trembling hand and waved it over.
However, she was powerless and ultimately failed to vent her feelings. Qin Jingyao saw through her intentions and knew that she was the cause of her suffering. He took the initiative to hold her drooping hand and brought it to his cheek, his eyes filled with heartache.
His voice was as gentle as spring water. "It's all my fault. I let Nongnong suffer like this. You have every right to be angry. But you are weak now. Remember, when you get better, I will let you beat, scold, and punish me, okay?"
Lan Nongnong's throat was choked with sobs, unable to speak. Even her breaths trembled. She suddenly closed her eyes, locking the tears beneath her eyelashes. She fell into his arms, exhausted, sobbing, "It's all your fault—it's all your fault... I wanted to get off the boat, but you refused—you made me suffer like this."
She gasped, her voice broken, "You must wait for my death to be satisfied--"
"Don't say that word!"
Qin Jingyao's eyes suddenly darkened. He immediately held her hand and gently touched the wooden frame of the bed, whispering devoutly: "God, please don't blame me. What I just said is not my wife's true heart. It cannot be taken as the truth."
He then held her firmly in his arms, his movements so gentle that she didn't want to feel even the slightest jolt. He wiped away the tears on her cheeks with his fingertips, but he didn't dare pat her back to comfort her, fearing that the slightest vibration would exacerbate her discomfort.
"I would rather shorten my life by ten years, just to make Nong Nong feel a little more comfortable at this moment. How could I bear to let you suffer?"
His voice was low and tense, full of pity and self-blame, "No matter how many mistakes I made, it's ultimately my fault. I promise Nongnong that I will never let you suffer even a little bit of bumpy ride again."
He gently supported the back of her neck, leaned over and kissed away the tears on her eyelashes, and asked in a low voice: "Do you have an appetite now?"
Lan Nongnong felt a little better at this time, and also felt her stomach was empty and sour, but she still didn't dare to move around, so she moved her fingers slightly.
Qin Jingyao felt relieved when he saw this, and immediately ordered his servants to serve the meal. The solemnity on his brow also disappeared.
Now awake, Lan Nongnong no longer wanted to rely on medication. To recover quickly, she needed to find a quiet, fresh, and non-stressful place to stay. Their temporary residence, the Bozhou Villa, nestled between mountains and rivers, with a garden of vibrant flowers, a spacious and quiet space, and pleasant air—it was exactly the perfect place for recuperation Mo Chou had described.
Qin Jingyao, after all, was under the emperor's orders and could not stay with her for long. He personally fed her some food, and when her dizziness subsided a little, he followed her wishes and ordered the couch to be moved to the corridor.
He lifted her up and laid her on the couch, carefully tucking in the quilt, and fed her half a cup of tea. Before leaving, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips, gently told her where he was going, and repeatedly instructed Mo Chou and his attendants to take good care of her. Only then did he leave with his entourage.
-
After disembarking at 9:00 PM, Lan Nongnong finally recovered by the end of the afternoon. The aftereffects of her coma lingered, and she was still unable to walk, but she could now sit up. She had someone prepare some food, and after a few bites, she was finally able to stand as darkness fell.
Qin Jingyao accompanied her for dinner, and after a short stroll in the courtyard, she retired to bed. After a good night's sleep, she woke up the next day to find her complexion noticeably improved.
The carriage's windows were raised, a thin veil draped over them. I don't know what trick he used, but even though the carriage was moving at a fast pace, the jolts were barely noticeable inside. Perhaps because I hadn't eaten well in the past two days on the boat, now that I'd recovered, my appetite had been piqued.
She is in poor health now and needs to eat small meals frequently. She doesn't have to stick to regular meal times, but can eat when she feels hungry.
The gauze curtains were blown lightly by the strong wind, but the soup in the bowls on the table did not spill at all.
It was a scorching July day, and the heat should have been unbearable, but she leaned against the window, letting the warm sun and gentle breeze caress her face, feeling a sense of relief. The weariness between her brows gradually melted away, and the corners of her lips lifted in a faint smile, no longer the pain and lethargy of yesterday.
Seeing her relaxed, Qin Jingyao's heart finally relaxed. After she finished her soup, he unfolded the map and pointed it out to her, explaining in a gentle voice, "Another fifty miles to Jiaozhou. We'll rest there tonight and continue our journey tomorrow. At our current speed, we'll reach Wuyin City in about three days. The night view there is breathtaking. If you're interested, we might as well stay the night..."
"But you're on official business this time, and because of me, you've changed your route to land, which is much slower than the original water route. If you stop any longer, won't it delay your journey even more?"
Lan Nongnong shifted her gaze from the map to him, and said softly, "Let's continue on our journey. When you're free from official duties, it won't be too late for us to make a special trip there."
Her tone was considerate and she took him into consideration in every way.
"Oh,"
Qin Jingyao's heart softened, and he smiled gently, "I blame you for not explaining it clearly. I made Nongnong worry about my official duties." Seeing fatigue on her face, he gently pulled her into his arms, stroking her back with one hand. "Tongze stayed on the boat with the token to act on my behalf. Everything has been arranged. We haven't delayed our work. If there is any important official business, I will definitely inform Nongnong first."
Lan Nongnong nodded slightly, as if she was finally relieved, then she closed her eyes and let her tiredness show.
The warm summer sun, the gentle breeze caressing her face, the soft whispers in her ears, all of this seemed to transform into a soothing melody. It gradually relaxed her body and mind. A faint smile played on her lips, her breathing gradually became steady, and she had fallen into a peaceful sleep.
Qin Jingyao gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, his fingertips gently stroking her cheek. When her breathing became heavier, he reached out of the window and gestured, and the carriage immediately accelerated.
Although he told her that the journey would be smooth sailing, could it really be without any impact? If that were the case, wouldn't it have been better to choose the land route directly and save her from this torture?
This time, on behalf of the emperor, he inspected the canal construction, not only to check the progress, but also to secretly investigate whether local officials were fully cooperating as reported, and whether they were lip service, cutting corners, or even oppressing the people, causing delays in the project.
This achievement, which should be recorded in history, must not be tainted with any stigma.
The older the emperor gets, the more he values his reputation after death. Now, eighty percent of his thoughts are on this channel, hoping to personally attend the sacrifice and offer comfort to the late emperor before Long Yu passes away.
For this purpose, a secret decree was even issued, stating that anyone who obstructed the construction of the canal could be executed first and reported later.
While the temporary change of route was a temporary solution, it was also a blessing in disguise. Such unexpectedness might even reveal a hidden truth.
The journey from then on followed a steady, slow pace when Lan Nongnong was awake, and a full-speed dash after she fell asleep. She seemed to be aware of the weight of her responsibility and, unwilling to let herself be delayed, she simply adapted to her physical condition and slept in the car more during the day.
Because she had enough sleep during the day, she felt more energetic every time she stayed at a place for the night, and she would often get off the car and take a walk with Qin Jingyao.
With this proactive approach, she never felt unwell again despite the fatigue of long journeys. She never asked why he stopped at different places or what he was doing, but simply took advantage of the rest time to organize the bottles and cans he brought with him or quietly strengthen his body.
The team stopped and started, arriving in the northwest in mid-September. A dry climate struck, and Lan Nongnong, now sensitive, immediately noticed the change in the air. That night, after staying at a guesthouse prepared by local officials and fellow travelers who had arrived earlier, the fatigue from the journey, coupled with the sudden change in climate and weather, caused her to fall ill again.
"...cough cough cough,"
Lan Nongnong lay on her side at the head of the bed, holding a handkerchief to her lips and coughing softly a few times. Her pale face, which had been sick, turned a faint red at the movement, and a thin layer of mist filled her eyes.
She sipped the tea, and when her breathing calmed down a little, she looked up at the man beside her. He was frowning, his eyes full of heartache.
Lan Nongnong smiled at him faintly, her voice slightly hoarse as she urged him softly, "I'm fine. I just haven't adapted to the climate here yet. Ahem—there are so many officials waiting for you outside. Don't let me ruin your work."
Seeing that he still had no intention of leaving, Lan Nongnong coughed lightly and reached out her hand, which he immediately grasped tightly. She gently scratched his palm, shook his hand, and patiently comforted him, "Dr. Mo and Biyu are taking care of me. What else do you have to worry about? Go quickly."
Compared to her time in Beijing, she had lost several inches. The dust of the journey hadn't marred her complexion; instead, her long illness had only deepened its radiant pallor. Half-leaning on the brocade quilt, her neck tilted slightly, her slenderness becoming even more apparent, as if it could not be broken.
Her eyes were half-closed lazily, her brows were unconsciously furrowed, and even her lips were so pale that they were almost transparent.
A sickly look had been lingering on her face for a long time, and her fingertips were always cold.
Qin Jingyao's Adam's apple rolled slightly, a subtle trace of guilt flashed across his eyes, and his heart felt empty and uneasy. He suddenly leaned over, took those two slightly cool and soft lips in his mouth, and kissed them gently until the warmth returned to his lips.
Then he gently captured her and entangled her passionately, as if only this kind of intimacy could slightly fill the surging void in his heart.
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The author has something to say: [hug] Sorry for the long wait, my dears. I was a bit busy at work today [heart][heart][heart]
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