Chapter 111 Call Me Yunzhou
Chapter 111
The eunuch who came to deliver the imperial edict this time was not the eunuch Song who came to deliver the gifts according to the empress dowager's order a few years ago, but an unfamiliar young eunuch who said his surname was Lin.
After the imperial decree was announced, Qi Jingyan bowed in his wheelchair and took the order. Meng Yuning then led Yi'er and everyone else to slowly stand up.
Eunuch Lin did not dare to be negligent. He immediately brushed his sleeves and bowed, performing a solemn ceremony to Qi Jingyan and Yier.
After Qi Jingyan made a gesture to support him, he turned to Meng Yuning and bowed respectfully, being extremely polite.
After a few polite greetings, the group moved to the Qingke Hall.
Qi Jingyan offered Eunuch Lin a seat and had tea served. Then he asked with concern, "Is the Empress Dowager in good health these days?"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Lin quickly and gently set down his teacup, bowed slightly, and replied respectfully, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is old and has not been in good health in recent years. Although she has no serious illness, she has been plagued by minor ailments."
"Your Majesty is in poor health and seriously ill. The Empress Dowager was deeply concerned and personally stayed by his bedside for several days. This inevitably strained her health and caused her to catch a cold and she is now bedridden."
Upon hearing this, Qi Jingyan's brows knitted slightly, a look of worry on his face. "What did the imperial physician say? Is the Empress Dowager's condition serious?"
Seeing Qi Jingyan's profile tense up instantly, Meng Yuning's heart sank. She then noticed Yi'er beside her quietly grabbing the corner of her clothes. She calmly held the boy's cold hand, offering wordless comfort. But her gaze remained concerned as she turned to Eunuch Lin, awaiting his response.
Seeing this, Eunuch Lin hurriedly bowed and took a half step forward, speaking in a slower tone, "Your Highness, please be at ease. The day I left the capital, the Empress Dowager's cold had mostly subsided, and she was in much better spirits."
"The Empress Dowager specifically instructed me to tell Your Highness that she is being meticulously cared for by elderly people like Nanny Tao and Eunuch Song, so Your Highness is asked not to worry too much."
Qi Jingyan nodded slightly: "That's good."
Eunuch Lin added, "By the way, the eldest daughter of the Cai family is even more thoughtful. For the past few years, she has been living in a temple outside the city, fasting and praying for the Empress Dowager every day. The Empress Dowager, grateful for her filial piety, issued an edict three months ago to summon her to the palace to accompany her. Now she often chats in the Cining Palace to relieve her boredom."
Meng Yuning looked at Qi Jingyan, and seeing that his slightly frowned brows gradually relaxed, her heart finally settled down a little.
The Empress Dowager has experienced many ups and downs, and her methods and vigilance are incomparable to ordinary people. Ordinary conspiracies and tricks cannot get close to her.
I was afraid that someone would tear off their skin and come to harm me openly. Now that I have the extraordinary skills of Sister Zhao by my side, I will be safe.
Qi Jingyan nodded and asked, "What's the situation on your side, Your Majesty?"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Lin's expression grew even more respectful. He lowered his voice slightly and replied, "Your Majesty is in the prime of life and has always been in good health. However, at the end of the autumn of the previous year, for unknown reasons, he suddenly fell seriously ill. The officials at the Imperial Hospital did their utmost to treat him, but there was no improvement."
"It was a complete coincidence. Just when everyone was at their wit's end, His Majesty went through great pains to find a miraculous doctor among the common people. Miraculously, the doctor treated a disease that was difficult for the Imperial Hospital to treat, and His Majesty gradually recovered. Within a month, he was back to full health."
Meng Yuning and Qi Jingyan exchanged a glance and couldn't help but ask, "That doctor, is his surname Su? Does he look and dress like a foreigner?"
Eunuch Lin was surprised and said, "That's right."
Meng Yuning nodded: "Eunuch Lin, please continue."
Eunuch Lin replied, "From then on, His Majesty placed complete trust in that doctor. Not only did he grant him special privileges to enter and leave the palace, but he also consumed the 'golden elixir' he refined daily."
"Strangely enough, after taking the golden elixir, Your Majesty truly felt refreshed and his complexion became even more rosy than before. Therefore, despite the Empress Dowager's repeated pleas and the petitions from some senior ministers, Your Majesty still insisted on taking it."
At this point, Eunuch Lin changed the subject and sighed softly, "But since the second half of last year, the situation has changed."
"One morning during court, His Majesty was listening to a report when he suddenly vomited blood and fainted on the spot."
"Since then, I've often experienced dizziness and my attendance at court became increasingly rare. Four months ago, I was bedridden."
Meng Yuning listened quietly, recalling the plot of the original book in her mind. Although the time when Emperor Kangwen fell ill was slightly different from that in the book, everything that was supposed to happen still happened.
Qi Jingyan had actually known about these things all along, so he didn't ask any more questions. He just nodded and asked, "Does the Queen Mother have anything else to say?"
Eunuch Lin bowed and replied, "Ever since receiving the secret letter from Marquis Cheng'an, the Empress Dowager has intended to issue an imperial decree to summon you back to the capital to serve as care for Her Majesty. However, several senior officials in the court, especially the Third Prince and the Zhang family, have repeatedly and vigorously obstructed her efforts for various reasons."
"This time, the Empress Dowager issued two decrees. One was an explicit decree for the Third Prince to deliver according to the rules, and the other was a secret decree instructing this servant to secretly bring it out under the guise of procurement."
"Although we were secretly escorted by the guards from the Marquis of Cheng'an's Mansion, we still encountered many dangers and it took us several twists and turns before we arrived at Canghai County."
"The Empress Dowager has repeatedly warned you that the court is now controlled by the Third Prince and a group of ministers from the Zhang family who support him. Please be extremely careful in your actions."
Qi Jingyan nodded: "Okay, I understand. You've had a hard time on this journey, go down and have a good rest first. Tomorrow we will set off for the capital."
---
After Eunuch Lin and Mu Feng left, Meng Yuning thought that Qi Jingyan must have something else to discuss with Mu Yun and the other staff members. Without delay, she stood up and said, "Your Highness, I will go back and check the luggage to make sure there are no omissions."
Qi Jingyan nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hard work, An Ning."
Meng Yuning bowed to him and walked away quickly.
When they got outside, she said to Mu Ying, "Go to the County Magistrate's Mansion and tell Madam Bai that I have something important to discuss with her and invite her to come over."
After Mu Ying took the order and left quickly, Meng Yuning went straight back to Jingxinzhai.
He summoned Meng Jin and the others and instructed them, "The Empress Dowager's decree has arrived. We must set off for the capital tomorrow morning. Everyone should double-check to see if you have brought everything."
Everyone responded in unison.
Meng Yuning looked at the familiar faces and suddenly became serious. "This time when you return to the capital, Your Highness will still have to use a wheelchair as usual. You must remember that in front of outsiders, Your Highness cannot walk."
Everyone's expression was shocked, and they responded in unison: "I understand!" "I understand!"
Meng Yuning continued, "After spending the past few years in the mansion, I think you all understand the situation our prince is in. The capital may seem prosperous, but it is actually a place full of tigers and wolves."
"If anyone makes a mistake, not only will they lose their own life, but they will also drag the entire Prince Shen's Mansion into an abyss of no return. So from now on, everyone must be careful in what they say and do. Do you remember?"
Everyone answered loudly: "We will remember the young lady's teachings."
Seeing everyone's tense expressions, Meng Yuning softened her tone a bit, "Except for Mu Ying and Mu Li, you all grew up in Lingnan and haven't experienced the harsh cold of the north. By the time we reach the capital, I'm afraid it will be snowing heavily."
"Please be sure to bring along those thick clothes and cotton shoes I asked you to make a while ago. You need to add clothes as you go along. Be sure to take good care of your health."
"Your Highness, this journey is like walking into a sea of fire and swords. We can't be of much help, but we must not hinder you and become a burden to you."
Everyone was excited and nervous, clenching their fists and saying, "Yes."
Meng Yuning nodded and waved her hand: "Hurry and get busy."
A group of maids turned around and got busy with their work.
Mu Li was still standing in the corridor like a green pine. Meng Yuning looked up and asked with a smile, "Have you packed your luggage?"
Mu Li patted the sword at his waist and answered neatly, "I'm used to being light and simple. With just a sword and a bag, I'm ready to go at any time."
Meng Yuning recalled the moment she had glimpsed her and Mu Ying's bags the day before, which contained nothing but a change of clothes. She couldn't help but smile, "Well, you're always so carefree. But Meng Jin was thoughtful and had already packed everything you'd need for the journey."
Mu Li cupped his fists and smiled, "Your subordinate and A Ying thank you for your consideration."
Meng Yuning picked up the warm teacup on the table and sat quietly on the couch, watching Meng Jin and others busying in and out. Her expression gradually became solemn.
In Canghai County, the emperor is far away and Qi Jingyan is the king here. With him as her protection, she lives a free and comfortable life.
But when I return to the capital, I'm afraid life won't be so good.
But there is nothing to be afraid of. Since we have come here, whether it is good or bad, just treat it as an experience.
After Meng Jin and the others had packed everything, Mu Ying arrived with Mrs. Bai, the wife of the Chen County Magistrate.
Upon hearing the message, Meng Yuning immediately stood up to greet the person and personally helped him into the inner room.
Mrs. Bai glanced at the neatly stacked boxes in the room, grabbed Meng Yuning's hand, and her eyes reddened slightly: "Sister, are you really leaving tomorrow?"
Meng Yuning nodded: "Yes, we will leave early tomorrow morning."
Meng Yuning led her to sit on the warm couch by the window. After waving her hand to dismiss the attendants, she softly said, "Sister Bai, we are sisters, and I won't hide it from you. I'm going back to Beijing this time, and I don't know when I'll be able to come back. From now on, the business of the private restaurant will be entirely entrusted to you."
Madam Bai nodded and said, "I will run this restaurant diligently. If it makes a profit, we'll split the profits fifty-fifty. At the end of each year, I'll send someone I trust to deliver it to the capital."
She had said this before, and now she was still so stubborn. Meng Yuning laughed helplessly, and then sighed, her tone full of reluctance: "Sister Bai, in this Canghai County, the one I can't bear to leave the most is you."
Mrs. Bai's eyes welled up with tears, but she forced a smile: "Sister, when you leave, I only hope that you will have a bright future and never have to return to this remote place in Canghai County."
"But if in the future you grow tired of the capital's hustle and bustle, or if you grow bored of staying there, this restaurant will always be yours, and Sister Bai will always be there waiting for you."
Meng Yuning's throat choked, and he immediately understood the deep meaning of her words. His heart couldn't help but warm, and he reached out to hug Madam Bai, "Don't worry, sister. When I have established a firm foothold in the capital, I will prepare good wine and food to welcome you and the children to the capital to play."
Upon hearing this, Madam Bai tightened her arms, and with red eyes, she smiled and said, "Then I'll just wait to take advantage of you and see the prosperity under the Emperor's feet."
---
All the things in Jingxinzhai had been packed up. After dinner, Meng Yuning stayed in Yanfuju to rest.
She accompanied Yi'er to rest in the west wing. Yi'er was very happy. He rolled around excitedly in the quilt, held An Ning's hand and talked for a long time. He also asked An Ning to hum an old song for him, and then he fell asleep holding An Ning's sleeve.
After Yi'er fell asleep, Meng Yuning tucked in the corners of the quilt for him, quietly got up and went to the couch.
It was still a little chilly at night in Lingnan in late autumn. She wrapped herself in a quilt, tossing and turning in bed, thinking about the things she would face after returning to Beijing.
As I was tossing and turning, I heard someone whispering outside the window: "A Ning, are you asleep?"
When she heard it was Qi Jingyan, Meng Yuning sat up, moved to the window, carefully opened it, and saw Qi Jingyan standing outside the window.
She reached out and took his hand, and asked softly, "Your Highness, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Qi Jingyan pinched her fingers: "I can't sleep."
Even an outsider like herself couldn't sleep, let alone Qi Jingyan. Meng Yuning understood very well and felt a little distressed: "What should we do? We still have to travel tomorrow."
Qi Jingyan glanced at the quiet bed and said, "Yier is asleep, An Ning, can you come to the main room and keep me company?"
Meng Yuning thought about her repeated promise to Yi'er before going to bed that she would accompany him tonight. She didn't want to break her promise, so she said, "Then Your Highness, please come in. We will sleep in this room."
Then he changed his tone: "No, this bed is not wide enough, and the couch is not long enough. How about we carry Yi'er back to the main house?"
Qi Jingyan was a little reluctant: "Yier is so old now, and he has been sleeping alone for so long, it's okay to leave him here alone."
Meng Yuning: "But I promised Yi'er. Besides, we are all leaving. We will definitely not have the chance to sleep together as a group when we return to Beijing. Let's take Yi'er with us tonight."
Qi Jingyan couldn't argue with him, so he nodded and said okay, turned around, walked to the door and went into the house.
Meng Yuning had already put on her shoes and went to the bed to pick up Yi'er and the tiger-head quilt together. The six-year-old child was really a bit heavy. Meng Yuning saw that she could not hold him anymore, so Qi Jingyan hurried forward to take him, and the three of them returned to the main room together.
Qi Jingyan was about to put Yi'er on the couch, but Meng Yuning didn't let him. She pulled him directly to the bed, and the three of them lay side by side as they had done countless nights before.
However, Yi'er was placed on the inside of the bed by Qi Jingyan, covered with his small quilt, while Meng Yuning slept in the middle and was pulled into his quilt by Qi Jingyan.
Although the two of them had slept next to each other before, they always slept separately. This was the first time that Meng Yuning was held in his arms with her head resting on his chest.
Listening to the strong heartbeat, her heart couldn't help but beat faster. She was afraid that he would do something reckless, so she warned him in advance: "Your Highness, Yi'er is here."
Qi Jingyan tilted his head to look at her: "What's wrong with Yi'er?"
Seeing that the man was deliberately playing dumb, Meng Yuning reached out and pinched his arm, rolled her eyes at him, and whispered, "Don't do this nonsense."
Qi Jingyan laughed out loud: "A Ning, you're overthinking it. I didn't mean that."
Meng Yuning was a little angry and pinched him again, making Qi Jingyan hiss. She felt distressed again and reached out to rub him: "Does it hurt?"
Qi Jingyan was calm and composed: "It's okay, I'm used to it."
Meng Yuning was speechless. The way she said this sounded like she was always pinching him.
The two of them hugged each other quietly for a long time. Qi Jingyan asked in a low voice: "A Ning, are you afraid?"
Meng Yuning looked up at him, her eyes sparkling: "As long as you and Yi'er are here, I'm not afraid."
Qi Jingyan looked at her for a long time, then lifted her up, and when they were face to face, he said softly, "Don't worry, An Ning, I'll take care of everything."
Meng Yuning leaned over and kissed him on the forehead: "Qi Jingyan, don't be afraid, I will always be with you."
Qi Jingyan's eyes were deep, and his throat was rolling, but in the end he just kissed Meng Yuning on the forehead, "A Ning, from now on, you can call me Yun Zhou."
Meng Yuning then repeated, "Yun Zhou, I will always be with you."
Qi Jingyan smiled, picked her up from his body, put her on the bed, turned his face towards her, and held her hand: "A Ning, go to sleep."
Meng Yuning smiled and nodded: "Yunzhou, good night."
---
The next day, early morning.
Meng Yuning woke up as soon as the sky was getting light, and Qi Jingyan was no longer in bed.
She called Yi'er to get up, and the two of them hurriedly washed, changed their clothes, and packed up to go out. They found that the carriages, horses, and supplies were all ready, and the entire mansion was in a solemn and orderly state, ready to go.
She took Yi'er to find Qi Jingyan in Qingke Hall. The three of them had breakfast together. Then Qi Jingyan got in a wheelchair and the three of them left the mansion together.
After they boarded the spacious and comfortable carriage, the team of more than 200 people set off.
Just like three years ago, County Magistrate Chen and other officials had been waiting at the city gate. When they saw the convoy approaching, they all knelt down to see them off.
Qi Jingyan opened the curtains and nodded from afar. The team left the north gate of Canghai County and headed towards the capital in a mighty manner.
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