Northern Zhou Dynasty, Luoyang.
The news of Emperor Zhou's death spread throughout the land on the seventh day after his death. During these seven days, Qiao Yu purged the court before ascending the throne.
On this day, Lin Jing finally arrived at the Northern Zhou palace with Qiao Xiuyu's token.
At that time, Qiao Yu was reviewing memorials when he heard that someone was holding his seventh brother's token and requesting an audience at the palace gate. His first reaction was that someone was impersonating him.
Then he remembered that Qiao Xiuyu's token was very special, almost impossible to counterfeit, and...
When the man requested an audience, he said: "...I am an elder of the Seventh Prince's fiancée. My name is Lin Jing, courtesy name Wuchen. I have come here specifically to request an audience with the King of Northern Zhou to discuss the marriage between the two of us."
The wedding.
Qiao Yu knew that the Princess of Heyang's parents had both passed away, so it was reasonable for her to call an elder.
This elder's name sounds familiar; it's exactly the same as the name of that legendary doctor from Southern Chen.
Empress Dowager Cheng also heard the news. She was both happy and worried. She was happy that her youngest son could finally marry a lady, but she was worried that the person was an imposter and might be an assassin. What if the person hurt her eldest son?
Qiao Xiuyu also understood this principle, but under his strict rule, the palace was practically impregnable. Unless a very close person had murderous intent, it was impossible for other assassins to sneak in.
Thinking this, Qiao Yu had someone bring Lin Jing over.
...
Lin Jing was somewhat uncomfortable as she was thoroughly searched from head to toe before being led into the council hall.
Qiao Yu was sitting at the head of the table, still reviewing memorials, when he saw a handsome young man walk in. If he hadn't been informed in advance, he would have thought he was a talented young man from the family of some minister.
Qiao Yu observed Lin Jing discreetly for a long while before smiling and asking, "May I ask if you are Lin Wuchen?"
Lin Jing suppressed her discomfort and wanted to offer a bow, but was helped up by Empress Dowager Cheng who rushed over: "The divine physician has come from afar with good intentions, so there is no need for a bow—Defu, offer the divine physician a seat!"
A palace eunuch named Defu hurriedly brought a chair for Lin Jing. Lin Jing was taken aback for a moment, then bowed to Qiao Yu and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty. I have come here on the behalf of Princess Heyang to treat Your Majesty's illness."
When Empress Dowager Cheng heard of Lin Jing's great name, she had a feeling that he was here. She had met Lin Jing once before, but Lin Jing probably did not remember her. Empress Dowager Cheng rushed over and, upon seeing Lin Jing's face, which was still young and handsome after more than ten years, she immediately understood that he had probably come to treat Qiao Yu.
Qiao Yu was stunned for a moment, then looked at Lin Jing: "Are you really that person from Qingcheng Mountain... You look quite young."
Qiao Yu's tone contained no hint of disdain or disappointment, but rather intense curiosity. Therefore, Lin Jing did not feel offended and chuckled, "Indeed, my face always makes people mistake my age. I am thirty-six years old now."
Qiao Yu paused for a moment, then said to Empress Dowager Cheng, "Mother, please go out first. I want to talk to Physician Lin about my condition."
Empress Dowager Cheng assumed that Qiao Yu didn't want her to worry, and thought to herself that she would ask Lin Jing privately later, so she left without hesitation.
No sooner had Empress Dowager Cheng left than Qiao Yu said, "Thank you for your kindness, Princess Heyang... but I do not wish to be treated."
When Lin Jing heard him not use "朕" (the imperial "I") and instead use "我" (I, the "I"), she understood and then smiled and sighed, "He Yang was right after all."
Qiao Yu hadn't expected Lin Jing to react this way. He was gentle by nature, and upon hearing this, he smiled with interest: "How did Princess Heyang find out?"
Lin Jing glanced at Qiao Yu, her gaze gentle: "Then I will be bold and speak the truth—if I have offended you in any way, I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Qiao Yu raised an eyebrow: "Please speak freely, Divine Doctor."
Lin Jing pondered for a moment, then said, "He Yang said in his letter that, based on the Seventh Young Master's description of you, you are probably determined to die—you are a person who yearns for freedom and does not covet power. Even as a prince, you do not love imperial power or the country. You only care about your family, and you are a rare exception among all royal families throughout history."
At this point, both of them were amused by the phrase "pure stream".
Qiao Yu rubbed her forehead, her eyes sparkling with delight: "Princess Heyang is truly a wonderful person!"
Lin Jing continued, "She couldn't bear to let the Seventh Young Master worry about your health, so she asked me to treat your illness and help you maintain your health, because she is also someone who cares about her loved ones. You lived the first half of your life for your family, and you fought for the throne for your family—Heyang said that she is willing to help you, so that you can live for yourself and fight for yourself in the second half of your life."
Qiao Yu was stunned.
Live for yourself for once...?
He heard his own voice sound somewhat dazed: "How can I live for myself?"
Lin Jing said, "I heard that you love the gentle beauty of the Jiangnan water towns and the leisurely life in the countryside. If you want to leave the palace to take a look, then Princess Heyang is willing to help the Seventh Prince ascend to the throne of the Northern Zhou Kingdom."
Qiao Yu's pupils contracted; he could hear his heart beating very fast.
Lin Jing smiled and continued, "And I will stay with you until you have recovered."
Qiao Yu couldn't deny that she was moved.
But there are no free lunches in the world, and certainly no free lunches. So he pondered for a moment, then instead of answering, asked, "What kind of person is the Princess of Heyang?"
Lin Jing raised an eyebrow: "The county princess is currently leading troops in Shuocheng, and has almost wiped out the Western Turks. You could say she is a brave and skilled warrior; the county princess also composes poems and paints every day, and lies in the courtyard with the Seventh Young Master to watch the stars. You could say she is a gentle and kind person; she and her brother are equally adept at navigating both the high court and the remote countryside. You could say she is a worldly and sophisticated person..."
He paused, then looked at Qiao Yu meaningfully: "She now commands 150,000 merchants' troops, and that number continues to grow. She also has 100,000 Li family troops in southern Yunnan under her control..."
As Qiao Yu looked horrified, Lin Jing slowly spoke: "She is ambitious, but she also values personal relationships—Princess Yang trusts the Seventh Young Master, and she also trusts you. This is a gentleman's agreement; she promised to protect the Qiao family and also promised that the future ruler of the country will have half of the Qiao family's bloodline."
Qiao Yu was inwardly shocked, but soon he laughed heartily and said, "What a gentleman's agreement!"
After a long while, he looked intently at Lin Jing and teased, "What reason do I have to refuse? She holds the most powerful army in the world in her hands, she cherishes my beloved younger brother, she knows the beautiful scenery of my dreams and is willing to help... What a clever combination of coercion and enticement!"
Although coercion and bribery are not pleasant words, Lin Jing could tell that Qiao Yu had no negative emotions; he was genuinely happy.
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