Chapter 101 Birthday Drinking: Doing Everything Possible to Take Care of His Highness
When Yuan Hao entered, a considerable amount of time had passed, so much so that the wine on the table had been warmed several times.
"His Majesty has arrived." Feng Qing stood up to greet him.
"I reckon Your Majesty might come, and the wine is still warm. Today is my birthday; would Your Majesty do me the honor of having a drink with me?" he said gently.
Yuan Hao looked at the wine cup, sat down, and said to Feng Qing, "You seem to be in a good mood today."
"Your Majesty has arrived, and I am naturally delighted," Feng Qing said, personally pouring wine for Yuan Hao and placing a cup in front of each of them.
"This first cup of wine is to Your Majesty. To Your Majesty for your tireless work day and night for the country and its people," Feng Qing said, offering the wine cup in a gentle voice.
Yuan Hao took the wine cup but did not drink it. "This is what I should do."
Feng Qing smiled, picked up the wine cup in front of him, and slowly drank it. The warm wine flowed down his throat, instantly warming his internal organs.
"The second cup of wine is to wish the King of Qin a speedy recovery, so as to relieve Your Majesty's worries," Feng Qing continued to urge him to drink.
This time, Yuan Hao's expression changed slightly, and he drank the wine.
"You're still thinking about Yan'er's injuries on her birthday; you're quite thoughtful."
“The King of Qin is also the daughter of your servant, how could I not care about her?” Feng Qing watched Yuan Hao’s actions and smiled gently.
"And this third cup of wine is a toast to Your Majesty and your ministers for all these years of mutual support and companionship." He refilled the cup and continued.
"Does Your Majesty still remember our first meeting outside the palace?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Hao looked up at Feng Qing and asked, "Have I met Feng Qing outside the palace?"
His Majesty indeed remembers nothing.
The memories he had cherished in his heart for so many years meant nothing to His Majesty.
Seeing this, Feng Qing felt a mix of relief and a sense of melancholy, and couldn't help but laugh.
"Actually, it's nothing much."
“A long time has passed. Before I married Your Majesty, I saw you once at the hunting grounds. At that time, I was separated from my entourage and was almost hit by a horse, but Your Majesty saved me in time.”
“It was that rescue that I never forgot. Later, my mother asked us brothers in private who was willing to marry His Highness, and I was the first to step forward. It was because of this that my mother betrothed me to His Highness.”
"Your Majesty, I have always considered this marriage to you a gift from Heaven, and I am deeply grateful and cherish it all the more. Now that we have walked hand in hand for decades, how can this not be something to celebrate?"
"I'll drink this cup of wine first," Feng Qing said, and then drank another cup.
Yuan Hao: "Why haven't I heard you mention these things before?"
"These are just the thoughts of young men in their boudoirs, nothing special. I am too embarrassed to tell Your Majesty." Feng Qing shook his head, the smile on his lips unchanged.
Yuan Hao remained silent for a moment, then drank the wine. Through Feng Qing's face, for a fleeting instant, she seemed to see the image of that naive young man from many years ago.
Feng Qing: "Would Your Majesty like some more?"
"You're a little drunk, don't drink anymore." Yuan Hao, with mixed feelings, stopped Feng Qing's actions.
"If Your Majesty says I'm drunk, then so be it." Feng Qing put down his wine cup and watched Yuan Hao get up, then suddenly asked.
"Does Your Majesty wish to stay tonight?"
"I still have matters to attend to. You must be tired today, so please rest well. I will come to see you again when I have some free time," Yuan Hao said.
After seeing Yuan Hao off, Feng Qing went back and handed the wine to her trusted confidant.
"Get rid of all of these things," he said calmly, his expression fading.
The trusted aide asked worriedly, "Master, you knew the wine was poisoned, so why did you drink it?"
Feng Qing: "His Majesty is always cautious and suspicious. If I don't drink, she might not drink either."
The confidant hesitated: "But there's no antidote for that poison, and our master's health..."
"It's alright, it's just once and it won't matter. The remaining poison will have to be added to the food in several doses to be effective. I didn't drink much this time, so even if there is any damage, it should be limited."
"What does it matter if I shorten my lifespan as long as I can achieve my goal?" Feng Qing said.
To avenge his mother and for the sake of his Jing'er, Feng Qing was willing to trade his life for hers.
...
Now, let's talk about Yuan Yan.
She sent someone to inform Yuan Jing about the rumors spread by the sixth princess, Yuan Wen.
After Yuan Jing ordered his men to verify the information, his expression turned somber.
"Oh, so it was her who did it."
Yuan Jing, who had initially disregarded Yuan Wen, began to suppress this sixth princess.
Soon, in the imperial court, Yuan Jing's men began to attack Yuan Wen's father's family.
Yuan Jing and Yuan Wen also started arguing, attacking each other in front of the court officials, their words drawing sharp arguments.
"Enough! This is outrageous! What kind of behavior is this, making such a scene in the main hall?"
Yuan Hao frowned as he watched this scene and stopped the two of them.
If only Yan'er hadn't gotten into trouble. The sixth son is far less capable than Yan'er, and the eldest son has lost his composure ever since Sun Shijun was exiled, and he's become increasingly unruly lately.
Thinking of this, Yuan Hao suddenly felt a deep weariness and an indescribable disappointment.
As she thought this, her head throbbed as if pricked by needles, her vision blurred for a moment, and she clutched her forehead, her body swaying slightly.
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty..." The attendant was the first to notice Yuan Hao's unusual condition. Startled, he quickly stepped forward to help him up.
But in just a moment, Yuan Hao recovered from the dizziness.
She waved her hand, signaling her attendants not to help her up, and then, taking advantage of her anger, she reprimanded Yuan Jing and Yuan Wen separately before leaving the court after finishing her business.
"Your Majesty, should we summon the imperial physician to take a look?" the attendant said worriedly.
"No need. I'm just too tired these days. I'll be fine after a rest."
Yuan Hao assumed he was simply overwhelmed by anger, having been provoked by Yuan Jing and Yuan Wen. Once he recovered and felt no discomfort, he did not summon the imperial physician.
However, the attendant's words reminded her.
"What did the imperial physician say about Yan'er? Whatever medicine is needed, get it from the palace. We must cure Yan'er as soon as possible," Yuan Hao ordered.
After that day.
Yuan Jing's suppression of Yuan Wen continued, using his power to press her step by step, gradually suffocating this young, inexperienced princess.
When Yuan Yan heard about the outcome of the fight between the two, he summoned Xue Lang, A Man, and the others.
"Judging from this, it's about time I woke up."
She gave Yang Lingyi a few more instructions and made all the arrangements.
So when the imperial physician came to treat him again, Yuan Yan felt that the treatment had been effective and slowly woke up under the physician's acupuncture.
The attendant who had come with the imperial physician was overjoyed and immediately reported the good news to the emperor.
"Good, good, it's good that Yan'er is awake." Even the usually serious Yuan Hao couldn't help but show his joy and said "good" several times.
She even considered that Yuan Yan was still injured and unable to travel, so she personally left the palace and went to the Prince of Qin's residence to visit him.
"Mother Empress!" The moment Yuan Yan saw Yuan Hao in the room, he immediately struggled to get up and tried to get out of bed to kowtow and pay his respects.
"Your subject is guilty. I was unaware of Your Majesty's arrival and failed to greet you... The room is filthy with the smell of blood. Your Majesty's precious body should not be here."
Yuan Hao personally supported her shoulders and pressed Yuan Yan back onto the couch.
"Yan'er, your injuries haven't healed yet, there's no need for such formalities."
Yuan Yan wept: "It was all those assassins. Your Majesty, I thought I would never see you again..."
"The Empress has already found out that the assassin who tried to kill you that day was a Wu Kingdom assassin." Yuan Hao tucked the blanket around her and patted her gently to comfort her.
"During the days you were unconscious, the Queen Mother wiped out and eliminated those spies from the Wu Kingdom. The assassins who injured you were all hunted down and executed by slow slicing... But even so, it still cannot atone for the suffering my son has endured."
Yuan Hao stared at Yuan Yan's pale lips, his brows furrowing even more, feeling that those assassins had died too quickly.
"Mother Empress, the Wu Kingdom is full of wolves and wolves. Their eagerness to assassinate me must mean they have other schemes. We must be careful and on guard." Yuan Yan reminded Yuan Hao, ignoring his own injuries.
"Your mother knows what she's doing. You're still injured, so it's important to recover first. Don't worry about these things; your mother will handle them," Yuan Hao continued to reassure her.
Yuan Yan gradually calmed down. As soon as she relaxed, her eyelids became heavy and she fell asleep while Yuan Hao was watching over her.
"Where is Qin Wangqing?" Yuan Hao stayed with Yuan Yan for a while longer until Yuan Yan was completely asleep before having someone call Yang Lingyi, who was waiting outside, in.
Yang Lingyi entered the room and knelt down, saying, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
"Lingyi, you've arrived," Yuan Hao said.
"Yan'er's life has been saved this time."
"But the imperial physician also said that Yan'er will need some time to recover. During this period, you must stay by Yan'er's side and take good care of him with the best medicine."
Yang Lingyi nodded solemnly, "Your subject understands, Your subject will do everything in my power to serve and take care of Your Highness."
"Lingyi, you are a good child. I entrust Yan'er to you." Yuan Hao nodded.
...
News of Yuan Yan's awakening spread.
"Thank God, His Highness the Prince of Qin has awakened!"
Many commoners and court officials were overjoyed. But others were disappointed, and a deep unease welled up in their hearts.
"Impossible. Yuan Yan was stabbed in the chest and has been unconscious for many days. Even a god couldn't save her from such a serious injury. How could she possibly survive?" Upon hearing his subordinate's report, Yuan Jing gripped the corner of the table tightly.
The subordinate official said, "I have learned that the Prince of Qin has indeed awakened, and even His Majesty has gone to the Prince of Qin's residence to see him in person."
Yuan Jing felt a lump in his throat: "This is the second time already. Why is she always so lucky to escape unscathed?"
The first time, Yuan Yan was assassinated and fell into the river but was rescued. The second time, an assassin stabbed her in the chest but failed to kill her... Was Yuan Yan really that lucky?
Yuan Jing's words carried a sense of frustration and resentment.
Yuan Yan was like a fishbone, deeply stuck in her throat.
This thorn was originally just a tiny thorn, but over time it gradually grew into something that could threaten its owner, constantly reminding Yuan Jing to remove it with intense stinging pain.
However, given the current situation, Yuan Jing is no longer able to remove the fishbone.
Yuan Yan has now established a mountain of achievements, both in the imperial court and on the battlefield, making it difficult for her to surpass him.
Yuan Jing was not unaware of the private discussions among some ministers.
When Yuan Yan returned victorious, some ministers spoke of him, first praising him repeatedly, then sighing involuntarily.
"His Highness Prince Qin is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and is excellent in every way, it's just a pity..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but everyone present could guess that she was saying it was a pity that Yuan Yan's background was inferior to Yuan Jing's, otherwise the position of Crown Princess would have been decided long ago.
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