The Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.
Seeing Gu Lin lying on the bed, Gu Qingyan stood frozen at the doorway, hesitant to move forward.
The Queen Mother said that the person before her, whose breathing was barely perceptible and who had less than twenty days left to live, was his father.
"Go, go talk to him."
Jiang He patted Gu Qingyan on the shoulder. A man's knees are worth their weight in gold. Jiang He watched as Gu Qingyan walked into the house and then bent his knees and knelt down.
"Father."
From the time he could remember, he knew that he was the heir apparent of the King of Xiang, and that his father had died in that bloody battle.
The Prince of Xiang's mansion was so large that he was often afraid and would shrink himself into his study. Qin Wei told him that the study was his father's favorite place to stay besides the training ground.
At that time, he thought that since his father liked it, he would like it too.
“My name is Gu Qingyan. I have already turned ten years old this year. On my birthday, you cooked me a bowl of longevity noodles. I have read every book you put in the study of the Prince’s Mansion, and I have touched every weapon in the storeroom.”
As Gu Qingyan introduced himself, Jiang He outside the house suddenly reached out and covered his eyes.
“I have never held a grudge against you.”
Even...the palace servants dared to bully him at will.
“I was always afraid, afraid that I was not capable of wielding a sword, afraid that people would make fun of you because of my illness and weakness.” For Gu Qingyan, Gu Lin was the father he had truly missed for ten years.
Tears streamed down Gu Qingyan's cheeks and landed on the back of Gu Lin's hand, which was covered in blooming black petals. Gu Lin's fingers twitched almost imperceptibly.
“The swallows’ nests under the eaves of the Prince’s mansion are still there, the wooden soldiers you made in the courtyard are still there, and…” Gu Qingyan sobbed, “Father, please open your eyes and look at me, or go and look at them.”
Have you ever grown a flower yourself?
I tried my best to protect him, and I looked forward to seeing him in full bloom countless times.
Wouldn't you want to see the final result?
Thunder rumbled outside, and a few moments later, a fierce storm swept in.
In the courtyard, Mei Chu reached out and felt the impact of the raindrops. Perhaps even Heaven was speaking out on behalf of its master...
"But you're a liar."
Gu Qingyan pressed his face against Gu Lin's hand, the back of which looked terrifying, but he wasn't afraid at all.
"Why didn't you tell me the truth in Hengxian?"
Doctor Mei said that his father used his internal energy to save him in Heng County that time. It wasn't that he left without saying goodbye; he was poisoned and fell into a coma.
Gu Qingyan cried until his tears dried, silently took off his shoes and socks, and climbed into bed.
He snuggled into Gu Lin's arms; his father was ice-cold, so he would warm him up...
"Father, tell me secretly, was it Gu Heng who harmed you back then? Your son will avenge you."
Gu Heng is not worthy to be Gu Qingyan's father.
......
After meeting Gu Lin, Gu Qingyan seemed to have become a different person.
Ling Shan and Ling Hai told Gu Qingyan about the Lingxiao Pavilion's assets. Since their master was unconscious, they were determined to protect their young master.
The only thing they concealed was Gu Lin's identity as the King of Daning.
“Young Master, Her Majesty says you may arrest the people on this list.” Ling Hai spoke respectfully, but Gu Qingyan responded with an extremely cold reply:
"Kill them all."
"If the remnants of the Di Kingdom are not completely wiped out, they will cause endless trouble in the future." Gu Qingyan said calmly, "Let's deal with them quietly."
Ling Hai could vaguely see what his lord looked like when he was wearing the dragon robe.
Gu Qingling did not wait for the wizard, but still accepted Gu Heng's order and led an army of 100,000 men away from the capital towards Heng County with Zhao Song.
On the city wall, Jiang Yu held Gu Qingyan's hand, watching the 100,000-strong army slowly disappear from sight.
"Mother, Linghai told me that Lingxiao Pavilion has influential people in Da Ning."
Gu Qingyan looked ahead, "Brother, what does Mother think will be the outcome of this trip?"
"If the crown prince of a country were captured, it would surely be quite an exciting story."
Gu Qingyan's eyes flickered. "Mother is right."
He was also somewhat impatient to see what Gu Qingling would be like after being captured.
Ling Hai, who was hiding in the shadows, paused for a moment, then quickly disappeared and headed to Heng County. He had to rush back to convey the orders from his wife and young master—to capture Gu Qingling alive.
Upon returning to Zhaoning Palace, Wanji presented Jiang Yu with a letter, saying, "Your Majesty, this is from Guard Ling Shan, who asked me to give it to you."
After opening the envelope, a strange light flashed in Jiang Yu's eyes.
That night.
The Lingxi Palace was pitch black. Consort Rong huddled in a corner, terrified. Where was she...? Why was her Lingxi Palace so deserted?
Less than a month after taking the medication, Consort Rong's memories had not yet fully returned.
"Ling'er... Feng'er... Yao'er..."
Consort Rong called out desperately, but only endless darkness answered her.
"No, you have all betrayed me and are now turning around and recognizing the Empress as your mother!" A fierce look appeared on Consort Rong's face. Consort Rong angrily scratched her arm, grabbing the bloody scar, but Consort Rong still felt no pain.
"If I hadn't switched you with the Empress back then, would you have the good life you have today? A bunch of heartless bastards!"
Consort Rong cursed, wishing she could devour Gu Qingling and the other two alive the next second.
Suddenly, Consort Rong stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening in disbelief.
A sharp blade pressed against Consort Rong's waist, and a deep voice rang out:
"If you want to live, keep pretending to be crazy."
"I know...I know..."
"If there is a next time..." The blade was pushed forward threateningly, and Consort Rong shook her head repeatedly in fright, "I would never dare to do it again."
......
At the same time.
Inside the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence, Gu Lin's face suddenly flushed.
Under the suppression of the toxins, the veins on Gu Lin's arms bulged, and he kept muttering to himself.
Upon hearing the news, Jiang He rushed over wearing only his undergarments. A group of people surrounded Gu Linceng, their eyes filled with worry.
At this moment, Gu Lin felt as if he were having a dream. In the dream, he seemed to be in a furnace, surrounded by thick fog, and scenes appeared before him one by one.
Outside the dream world, Gu Lin trembled even more violently.
Mei Chu shuddered as she saw dark red blood seeping from the corner of Gu Lin's mouth.
"Dr. Mei..."
Jiang He glanced at Mei Chu's despairing eyes, unable to utter the rest of his words. After a long while, Jiang He finally spoke with difficulty:
"Tomorrow when you go to the palace, tell her that I have suddenly fallen ill and ask Her Majesty to come back to the manor to take a look at me."
Given the prince's current condition, if Ayu were to miss her last moments with him...
Jiang He's breath caught in his throat. He couldn't imagine what would happen to Ayu and Ayan if the prince were to die.
And what kind of chaos will Daqing fall into?
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