Chapter 64 Chapter 64 The warmth of the palm of my hand began to spread.
Shortly after Xu Qing'an arrived with the medical supplies, Xun Yang and the imperial physicians worked together to stabilize Zhang Fan's condition. However, the danger to his life was not completely eliminated, and the situation would depend on the next two days.
Zhang Fan's current physical condition was not suitable for movement, so Shangguan Xu granted him the grace to recuperate in the palace.
Similarly, Xu Qing'an and Xun Yang also stayed as personal caregivers.
When Xun Yang went downstairs with the imperial physician to rest, he found a chance to ask Xu Qing'an about the situation in his mansion. Xu Qing'an answered him in a low voice, saying that he had met Gu Chou.
Xun Yang breathed a sigh of relief, and then complained that it was a good thing that Xu Qing'an arrived in time, otherwise he would not be able to continue acting here, because with his medical skills, the medical instruments sent later were actually dispensable.
Xu Qing'an knew how difficult it was for him and expressed his gratitude.
Xun Yang also understood that Xu Qing'an was in a bad mood, so he smiled comfortingly and left first.
——
After everyone left, Shangguan Xu asked, "Do you want to stay here?"
Xu Qing'an slowly lifted his eyelids and looked over, saying softly, "Mr. Zhang is my teacher, so I should be waiting here. Besides, he needs someone by his side these next two critical days."
From today onwards, the teacher-student relationship between Zhang Fan and Xu Qing'an is no longer a secret.
Although there is no shortage of manpower in the palace, I still feel uneasy about leaving the lives of my close ones to others.
Shangguan Xu understood what he was thinking.
However, she also felt that his eyes at this moment contained more than just worry about Mr. Zhang. Although he looked tired, his eyes were still bright, so bright that it seemed as if they could shine through her and see clearly what she was thinking.
Shangguan Xuyin asked in response to his gaze, "Do you... have something to say to me?"
Xu Qing'an, as if awakened, instantly retracted his inappropriate gaze: "No."
After a moment, he softened his tone and added, "Mr. Zhang is still in danger. I'd like to wait until he's better before discussing other matters."
Shangguan Xu naturally understood his feelings and hummed lightly, "I hadn't anticipated what had happened to Mr. Zhang. His health is more important right now. I'll send more people to look after him over the next two days. With Doctor Xun and the other imperial physicians here, you don't have to worry too much."
Xu Qing'an was silent for a moment. "His actions today were truly beyond my expectations. I've known him for many years and have never seen him so agitated and angry as he is today."
"I know that although he may have seemed inactive in recent years, he has actually always been concerned about public affairs. He is behind all the policies related to people's livelihood. Although he came from a humble background, he has witnessed much of the suffering of the people. Therefore, since becoming an official, he has been committed to changing those difficult situations."
"He knew full well that these things couldn't be done superficially. If others noticed his actions, they might even affect the normal progress due to conflicts of interest. Therefore, he had always maintained a low profile. However, today's decree was so contrary to his original intentions that he could no longer tolerate it. In a fit of rage, he rammed his head against the pillar."
Xu Qing'an lowered his head in silence, a look of self-blame on his face as he said, "But I also know that his actions today were also because he saw that I was under pressure from Prime Minister Su, and he wanted to divert attention and help me escape danger."
Yes, at that time Xu Qing'an was put in a dilemma by Su Wang. No matter what he answered, whether he chose to write the decree or not, he would offend people, and either be directly hated by the aristocratic families, or be cursed by the world later.
Shangguan Xu sighed, "You two have been teacher and student for nearly twenty years, and you are his youngest student. Naturally, he wanted to protect you. Moreover, Su Wang's methods today were indeed sinister. Did you ever think of a way to break them?"
Xu Qing'an pondered: "Actually, I should agree to his arrangement."
"I know what kind of outcome he wants, so I won't reject his plan outright from the start. Drafting documents, issuing decrees, and ensuring their implementation takes time. Therefore, if he truly wants to fully implement his decree, it won't happen overnight."
"This is also why he risked losing the support of the people at the bottom by proposing a new order in the Shuo Dynasty. He also knew that all this would take time, and once there was time, there would be a chance to maneuver. However..."
"However, he didn't expect Mr. Zhang to be so tough on this matter. He would not tolerate any chance that might allow the new policy to be implemented." Shangguan Xu spoke for him after Xu Qing'an's weak voice.
"Mr. Zhang may seem soft-hearted, but he also has a strong character."
After she finished speaking, Shangguan Xu saw Xu Qing'an suddenly looking at her deeply.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Xu Qingan said quietly, "Your Majesty, do you think a minister like Lord Zhang is a loyal and good minister? A loyal minister of the imperial court?"
Shangguan Xu frowned when she heard this. She thought he was trying to take credit for it.
However, what Xu Qing'an was thinking about were the ministers and assistant ministers who had been harmed by the Ministry of Works before.
However, Zhang Fan had a near-death experience this time, so it was only natural for Xu Qing'an, as his student, to ask for credit and comfort for him.
Thinking of this, Shangguan Xu softened his voice and said, "Of course, people like Mr. Zhang should be respected nowadays."
Xu Qingan smiled nonchalantly.
He said, "I will guard this place. Such a big commotion has occurred in the court today. I believe there are still many things waiting for Your Majesty to deal with."
Today's events were truly a coincidence. Shangguan Xu had plans for the aristocratic families, and Su Wang Jingye had similarly sought ways to win over the aristocratic families. Now, Shangguan Xu really needed to confirm whether the people she had originally associated with the aristocratic families were still useful.
She responded softly: "Okay, if you need anything, just call the palace maid outside."
Xu Qing'an also nodded and said yes.
——
Zhang Fan finally overcame the difficulties and escaped from danger.
During these two most difficult days, Xu Qing'an barely closed his eyes and stayed by the bedside to wait.
"Aren't you going to sleep yet?"
Shangguan Xu exclaimed when he heard that Xu Qing'an did not go to rest after Zhang Fan woke up.
I originally thought he was just a heartless person, but this time he really did his best for his mentor.
Qing He continued, "However, when Master Zhang was awake just now, he had specifically asked him to rest. He couldn't refuse Master Zhang's wishes, so he temporarily returned to the bedroom assigned to him. He had instructed the palace servants to call him back after Master Zhang had rested, and he would continue to guard by his bed."
"It seems he still wants to endure it." Seeing that it was already late at night, Shangguan Xu couldn't help but sigh. She thought for a moment and said to Qinghe, "Forget it. Go and tell the palace servants not to let him go tonight. Then go to the kitchen and help me prepare something."
——
In a palace not far from where Zhang Fan was recuperating, a young man was sitting on a table, leaning on his armrests with his hands supporting his forehead.
Perhaps because he didn't want to sleep too deeply, Xu Qing'an just sat there with his eyes closed, resting.
Shangguan Xu stopped Qinghe outside the hall and carried the tray in by himself.
The light in the hall was bright enough to sway your vision through your eyelids, and there was a sound when the hall door opened and closed.
Xu Qing'an opened his eyes.
Shangguan Xu saw his tired eyes looking at him, so he kept walking and walked to his side and gently put the things down.
"Why don't you sleep on the couch?" Shangguan Xu sat on the other side and took out the glass bowl from the tray while speaking softly.
Although Xu Qing'an looked tired, his eyes were still clear as he watched her every move.
"It's hard to wake up after sleeping on the bed for a while."
"Then let's take this opportunity to sleep a little longer."
"No, I can't sleep any more."
"Why?"
"I still have to go to Mr. Zhang's place to guard it."
"He's out of danger. You really don't have to do this."
The young man was silent for a moment, then lowered his eyes and said, "I owe him too much, and I should have paid it back."
Shangguan Xu looked up at him. "How can there be any talk of debt between a teacher and a student? He's your teacher, and it's normal for you to support each other. Why bother calculating who owes whom? He protects you, you respect him, and you stick by him in times of crisis. This should be the best relationship between a teacher and a student. Why bother talking about debt?"
Xu Qing'an opened his eyes upon hearing this, but after only glancing at her, he lowered his gaze to the bowl of food she brought.
"Is the Empress serving longan and lotus seed porridge?" He did not continue the previous topic.
"Hmm," Shangguan Xu said, "You haven't slept well for a while, so it's inevitable that your Qi and blood have been depleted, which has strained your mind and body. Longan nourishes the heart and spleen, and replenishes Qi and blood. Lotus seeds can also nourish the heart and calm the mind. So I asked the kitchen to make this longan and lotus seed porridge. I heard you haven't eaten well these past few days, so it's just the right thing to warm your stomach."
Xu Qing'an smiled and said, "Your Majesty truly cares for your subjects."
"I'm not sympathizing with my subjects, I'm sympathizing with you." Shangguan Xu said suddenly.
Xu Qing'an's fingertips resting on the table bent noticeably.
He looked at her.
Shangguan Xu said sincerely, "To be honest, I don't know much about your teacher. He's kept a low profile for many years, and his way of dealing with people has made me pay less attention to him. Ultimately, Su Wang's new policy was actually aimed at me. If it weren't for the fight between him and me, I'm afraid the incident at the Sunrise Palace that day wouldn't have happened, and your teacher wouldn't have been seriously injured."
"I'm not a heartless person. I feel guilty about your teacher. And now that I see you serving your teacher all night long, I feel like you're making amends for me, and I've also implicated you."
Xu Qing'an lowered his eyes slightly. "These past two days, I've been so focused on taking care of my teacher that I haven't asked about the matters that Your Majesty and I discussed before. I wonder how Your Majesty's arrangements are going?"
Shangguan Xu: "Although Su Wang wanted to use the new policy to recruit aristocratic families, fortunately, the people he contacted are all old forces of the aristocratic families. This is different from our previous plan of combining with the emerging forces. Therefore, those people we originally contacted can still be used, and after this, their position will be more firmly in favor of us."
Xu Qing'an nodded. "The old faction has surrendered to Prime Minister Su. The new faction, unwilling to be crushed, has no choice but to follow the Empress. In this way, the Empress can be said to have turned things around, a blessing in disguise."
"What about His Majesty? Your Majesty has been busy with the affairs of the previous dynasty these two days. How has Your Majesty arranged things on his side?" He suddenly changed the subject.
Shangguan Xu was also slightly startled by his sudden change of tone, and felt puzzled: "After all, this matter has nothing to do with him, so he is just acting the same as usual."
Xu Qing'an: "Reading and practicing calligraphy?"
Shangguan Xu nodded: "I heard that he was planning to paint, but since you didn't come over these past two days, he gave up on it."
Xu Qing'an suggested, "Your Majesty, you don't need to be so obsessed with literature, calligraphy, and painting. As the ruler of a country, you should cultivate both civil and military skills. Your Majesty, why don't you arrange some martial arts lessons for him?"
His eyes were fixed on her face. "Besides...wasn't His Royal Highness Prince Zhao the Prince on horseback who guarded a region back then?"
However, upon hearing this, Shangguan Xu smiled helplessly: "To be honest, he did say that he wanted to be a great general who could wield a spear. That's why I arranged more literary classes for him. Otherwise, his heart would have long been drawn to martial arts."
"It seems that the Queen has high expectations for His Majesty."
"Of course, whether it's because of his status as the king of a country or because of our blood relationship and he calls me mother, I have to be responsible for him."
I tried again and again, but her expression remained normal, without any abnormality.
Could it be that she not only had no involvement in the "Civet Cat Substituted for the Prince" incident, but was even completely unaware of it? She still believed that the child who called her "Queen Mother" was the original Prince of Zhao?
Xu Qing'an closed his eyes.
However, at this moment, his hand on the table felt warm, but it gradually turned cold in an instant.
Why are her palms so cold?
Xu Qing'an suddenly opened his eyes and looked over.
But her expression was gentle and she was not affected by his actions.
"Let's drink the porridge first." She said softly.
In fact, Shangguan Xu's purpose for coming here tonight is very clear——
She came here to test him and win him over.
It is true that he expressed his feelings to her more than once, but because of his actions at those times, she did not dare to believe his feelings.
But it’s different now. The fact that he is devoted to Zhang Fan at least shows that he is a sentimental person. So she wants to try to see where his sentiments lie.
Moreover, after what happened with Zhang Fan, it was not only the new forces in the family that became more resolute in their stance, but also the student of Zhang Fan who had actually experienced this incident in front of her.
So she softened her stance, wanting to take advantage of his current moment of exhaustion to let down his guard and see what he was really thinking.
If she could use it completely, that would be the best. If not... she also has other plans.
Now, although she saw that he was looking at her, her covering hand did not move for a long time, and the distance between them was too far. She was actually not comfortable with the posture of leaning forward and extending her hand, so she prepared to withdraw it.
However, as soon as he moved, he was grabbed by the backhand.
Xu Qing'an held her hand, and the warmth from his palm began to spread to the back of her hand.
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