Chapter 84 A Deep-seated Resentment Arises in the Withered Four
*
The next day, in the Imperial Study.
As Xu Heng was reviewing memorials, Princess Zhaohui rushed in: "Father, didn't you want to summon me to meet the envoy from Western Qi?"
This was something he had told her five days ago, and he had specifically instructed her not to be late for the appointment.
The emperor first put down his pen, then glanced at the water clock, and finally looked at Zhao Hui: "Yes, I've been waiting for you."
Zhao Hui stepped forward and personally helped the emperor change his clothes. As they left together, the emperor couldn't help but instruct her on how to assist in the administration of foreign affairs: "Later, you must observe their character, learn their etiquette, proclaim the emperor's authority, and show benevolence..."
The princess smiled broadly and nodded repeatedly in agreement, but inwardly she couldn't help but criticize: yesterday she issued the edict to choose an heir, and today she's personally instructing him.
As was customary, the audience was held in a side hall of the Chuigong Hall, where incense smoke filled the air and the throne stood majestically. Princess Zhaohui stood quietly by her side, her demeanor graceful and dignified.
After the envoys finished their greetings and were reading the gift list, they suddenly heard a cracking sound overhead. It turned out that the huge beam above the dragon throne had broken. Instantly, a corner of the side hall collapsed, and dust and wood chips poured down like a waterfall, while rubble rained down.
"Father!"
"Protect the Emperor!"
Xu Heng heard two exclamations almost simultaneously. One was from the bodyguard Chu Xiong, who, despite leaping, was still quite far from the dragon throne and the golden steps. The other was from Princess Zhaohui, who stood in front of Xu Heng as if shielding him with her own body.
Xu Heng was startled, hesitated for a moment, then suddenly pulled Zhao Hui down to cover him. Tiles and broken wood clattered and crashed against his back and legs. Xu Heng's dragon robe swept away the broken tiles that had fallen from Zhao Hui's temples, preventing her from getting hurt.
He was suspended in mid-air, thinking that Zhao Hui was safe under his protection. But Zhao Hui suddenly collapsed, and Xu Heng's heart sank as well, as if he had stepped into thin air. He also smelled the blood. Before the guards could surround her, he turned Zhao Hui over and saw that she was vomiting out blood that covered her face.
Did he not see clearly at that moment, but she was still hit?
Ignoring the excruciating pain in his back and legs, Xu Heng felt that his previous suspicion and wariness of his daughter were utterly ridiculous: "Someone, summon the imperial physician!"
He ordered the eunuchs to move Zhaohui outside the palace. He wanted to follow, but found that his left leg seemed to be broken and he could not move.
Xu Heng was about to stop when Zhao Hui stretched out her right hand from the palanquin, her five fingers reaching out to grasp: "Father—"
At this moment, Xu Heng's heart was breaking. He dragged his broken leg, supported by the imperial guards, to accompany Zhao Hui to a safe place outside the palace. The imperial physician still hadn't arrived, so he couldn't help but urge him on. He then ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the side hall's collapse, and then he had to comfort the envoy. Just as he was enduring the excruciating pain and carrying out these tasks one by one, he suddenly saw Wang Yuying rushing towards him.
Her face was deathly pale, and her eyes were filled with anxiety. Xu Heng couldn't help but feel a jolt in his temples.
Wang Yuying went straight to Zhao Hui's side. Xu Heng saw her talking to Zhao Hui while slightly shaking her head, a gesture she only made when she was extremely uneasy.
Sure enough, Wang Yuying raised her head after a short while and glared fiercely at Xu Heng.
Xu Heng's heart sank. His relationship with her was truly like rowing against the current, difficult to advance but easy to retreat.
The imperial physicians rushed over to examine Xu Heng, but Xu Heng said in a deep voice, "Save the princess first."
Then he remembered that men and women were incompatible, so he changed his mind and sent the only female doctor to treat Zhaohui.
He had the imperial physician examine him and found eight cuts on his back and a fractured tibia in his left leg. The physician was about to treat him, but Xu Heng raised his hand and pressed it, indicating that he should wait.
He gritted his teeth and endured the pain, walking back to Zhao Hui's side and asking the female physician, "How is the princess?"
He deliberately lowered his voice to maintain his dignity, but out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Wang Yuying—she kept her head down and stared at Zhao Hui, never giving him a single look from the moment he arrived to stand beside her.
"Your Highness suffered a blunt force trauma from a heavy object, resulting in internal injuries and bleeding from the mouth," the female physician reported.
Xu Hengxin suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
"Your Majesty, the princess's health is not suitable for treatment in the open space of the palace, where she is easily susceptible to illness," the female physician suddenly spoke up again. "We humbly request Your Majesty's wise decision to move her to the inner palace immediately, so that we may do our best to treat her."
Xu Heng immediately agreed: "Go quickly."
The eunuchs came to carry the princess, and Wang Yuying followed the gurney. Xu Heng looked down at the mother and daughter. As Wang Yuying moved, his head turned with her, and his heart sank silently little by little.
"Your Majesty's health is compromised and should be treated promptly; there is no time to lose," several other imperial physicians pleaded, prostrating themselves on the ground.
Xu Heng pursed his lips, let out a sigh of relief, and was helped by the imperial guards onto the palanquin to return to Funing Palace.
The treatment was delayed, and the pain in my left leg worsened, causing it to swell rapidly. The bone setting was excruciating, like being cut in half. I had to grind my teeth to keep from screaming.
After the bone was set and medication was applied, the muscles and tendons in my left leg still felt weak and numb. My tibia even looked slightly misaligned, and I wondered if it would become deformed in the future.
Xu Heng lay in bed for a while, when he heard the eunuch announce that Princess Zhaohui was requesting an audience. He hurriedly propped himself up with his hands to sit up.
Seeing Zhao Hui running towards him, his heart warmed, but he was more worried. He frowned and said, "Who told you to come here? You're not well yet, don't run around. Go back and rest, don't make me worry."
Zhao Hui knelt down beside the bed: "Father, are you feeling better? I just heard from the imperial physician that your body has suffered a deep injury."
Seeing that Zhao Hui's eyes were bloodshot, clearly from crying, Xu Heng felt a pang of sympathy and scolded, "Incompetent doctor, you're speaking dangerously! I am perfectly healthy; I have never been seriously injured."
Zhao Hui sniffed, seemingly even more distressed: "It is my fault for not protecting you properly. As a child, I have failed to share my father's burdens and have instead caused trouble! I am an unfilial son, and may I die a thousand deaths to atone for it!"
He lowered his head and lay on the edge of the bed.
Xu Heng couldn't see Zhao Hui's face, but he saw her arching her back, clearly sobbing. He reached out and patted her back, saying, "Father has never blamed you."
Feeling his daughter gradually calm down, Xu Heng sighed, "It's your father's fault for not protecting you and causing you to get hurt. Don't cry, your internal injuries haven't healed yet."
The princess slowly raised her head, just as the medicine for her internal injuries was being brought in. Qingfu was about to take it when the princess turned and stood up, taking the medicine before Qingfu could. The emperor on the bed immediately stopped her: "Let them come."
The princess shook her head, insisting on bringing the medicine to the bedside: "Your child must personally serve Father."
The emperor closed his lips.
"I beg my father to grant my request and allow me to do my filial duty," the princess emphasized again.
The emperor didn't refuse any longer, leaning against the headboard and letting the princess feed him four or five spoonfuls. Wang Yuying suddenly burst in, her eyes blazing at the princess, completely ignoring the emperor: "Who told you to come here?"
She went a step further, speaking sharply to Zhao Hui: "The imperial physician just said your injury requires rest, why aren't you going back to lie down?"
The emperor glanced at Wang Yuying and then at the princess, and gently advised, "Listen to your mother, go back."
The princess then frowned and looked at the emperor, as if asking for help.
The emperor laughed and said, "Go back quickly. I will come to see you when I feel better."
Before she could finish speaking, Wang Yuying approached with a cold expression. The princess had no choice but to reluctantly put down her medicine bowl and leave the palace ahead of her mother. The emperor watched the mother and daughter's retreating figures silently, thinking they would just leave like that. However, Wang Yuying stopped at the palace gate and told Zhao Hui to go back first.
She watched them go for a while, then slowly turned around.
The emperor was somewhat taken aback by her actions.
She stood silently before the palace gate, facing the dragon bed. In the bright sunlight, she appeared darker, her face obscured, while Xu Heng's heart and breathing slowed down simultaneously.
Qingfu took over from the princess and fed her a spoonful of medicine. Xu Heng frowned slightly and said, "Leave it for now."
Qingfu quickly put the medicine bowl back on the table and retreated to a corner.
Xu Heng silently watched Wang Yuying approach until she reached the bedside.
Qingfu, with great foresight, moved a chair with a backrest and placed it behind her.
Wang Yuying glanced back and then slowly sat down.
Their eyes met, and after a moment, Xu Heng spoke with difficulty: "It is my fault for not taking good care of Zhao Hui, which has put her in a dangerous situation. I have failed you."
Wang Yuying blinked slightly, turning her head to avoid eye contact: "I heard from Yinyin... if you hadn't shielded her when the palace beam collapsed, eight or nine out of ten people would have been killed?"
Xu Heng felt a surge of warmth mixed with sadness, and his throat tightened: "As a father, it is only natural for me to protect my daughter in times of trouble."
"Where are you hurt?" Wang Yuying asked.
"A minor injury to the back and leg."
Upon hearing this, Wang Yuying glanced at the bed. The blanket covered his legs, so she couldn't see them. She was silent for a moment, then turned to the side, picked up the remaining half-bowl of medicine, scooped out a spoonful, and offered it to Xu Heng.
Her movements were always swift, so much so that he didn't even realize the spoon was already at his lips—or rather, he realized it but couldn't believe his eyes.
Is she going to feed him?
He unconsciously curled up the corners of his lips.
Wang Yuying glanced at Xu Heng and said irritably, "Are you going to drink or not? If not, then forget it."
"Drink, drink!" Xu Heng immediately opened his mouth, but when he saw her pull her hand away, he even subconsciously wanted to grab her, but then he withdrew his hand.
Wang Yuying held the spoonful to Xu Heng's lips again, and even from a distance, Xu Heng opened his mouth wide. He swallowed the medicine, but felt no bitterness. He thought back to the year he was diagnosed with heart pain, when he wanted her to feed him, but she pulled someone else instead.
When a person has completely lost hope and then their dream comes true unexpectedly, they feel it is all the more precious. Xu Heng's eyelids were sore that he could barely keep them open, and he thought that people are like medicine, and that he would recover slowly.
Wang Yuying fed him another spoonful, and he immediately swallowed it. After finishing the medicine, he said softly, "Thank you for your hard work."
Wang Yuying lowered her eyes and hummed in agreement. She then scooped up another spoonful, and Xu Heng smiled, opened his mouth, and swallowed it all.
She fed him spoonful after spoonful, and Xu Heng accepted it all with relish, his gaze always fixed on Wang Yuying. Her actions and expressions gave him the illusion that they were still at home in the northern frontier, and his heart was filled with tender affection.
He looked at the rays of sunlight streaming into the hall, bright and warm, which ignited a glimmer of hope in him: was there even the slightest possibility that she would fall in love with him again?
After all, he was able to fall in love with her again.
Xu Hengyang smiled, but then suddenly remembered the imperial edict from yesterday for selecting a member of the imperial family. If she had known about it, she would have turned against him again, and all her efforts would have been in vain.
He couldn't help but feel a little hesitant and wavering...
"Since Zhaohui came into my life, I feel that the days have passed by very quickly," Xu Heng suddenly sighed without any apparent reason.
Wang Yuying fed him a spoonful, thinking to herself: Bullshit, the days are like years, it's unbearable!
"I heard from Zhao Hui that you want to invite me to go boating on the lake and admire the willows?" Xu Heng asked.
"It's not suitable right now, the wind is too strong. Let's wait until it gets warmer." Wang Yuying finished feeding the child and put down the empty bowl.
Xu Heng watched with a smile. That's exactly it—both agreeable and a little sharp, the kind of hook with a few barbs is the most alluring. It took him nearly twenty years to understand that all lovers in this world will encounter all sorts of conflicts after being together for a long time. Arguments and quarrels are just the seasonings of marriage. What needs to be done is not to avoid or choose a different partner, but to try to repair the relationship and stay together through thick and thin.
One eunuch took away the empty bowl, while another group of eunuchs, following the emperor's previous instructions, brought over the newly presented memorial.
Xu Heng glanced at it and his heart tightened. He was about to issue an order, but he coughed out a sound from his lungs before he could speak: "Put it there for now."
The eunuch acknowledged and waited until Wang Yuying finished feeding him and left. Once she was far away, Xu Heng picked out the list of imperial sons presented by Liu Sheyu from the memorial.
He sighed inwardly and threw the booklet into the brazier to burn it to ashes.
Thirteen days later, on the last day before the spring sacrifice, the emperor issued an imperial edict, stating that his eldest daughter, Princess Zhaohui Xu Luan, was kind and benevolent, intelligent and decisive, and possessed the qualities to inherit the throne. The ancient rites state that virtue should be the foundation of the state; now, following the ancient ways and for the sake of the long-term stability of the empire and the well-being of the people, Princess Zhaohui is hereby appointed Crown Princess, to rule the Eastern Palace.
*
In the Jade Cleansing Pavilion, the night was deep and the lamps were dim.
Wang Yuying's clothes were disheveled, and her black hair was spread out on the bed like a fan. She turned to the side, seemingly lost in thought.
Zheng Yangzhi sat on the floor by the bed, his hair disheveled, wearing only an open and unfastened white robe. He said in a low voice, "Yinyin has just been established, and there will inevitably be objections from the court and the public. To quell the disturbances, Yinyin herself needs to gain experience. It will take at least half a year before she can win over the people."
Upon hearing this, Wang Yuying's gaze sharpened, and she blinked. Yinyin in the side hall wasn't injured; the blood she vomited was merely from biting open the female physician's specially prepared sac. Having learned her lesson, she no longer used potent poisons that took immediate effect and would be detected. Instead, she mixed a colorless and odorless slow-acting medicine into the bowl, ensuring it was undetectable. She fed Yinyin a little, and then personally fed the rest, spoonful by spoonful, to Xu Heng, leaving not a single drop.
His "true" intentions were always fleeting and fickle; only a deceased emperor would not change his mind so easily and depose Yin Yin.
“His internal strength is profound, and with his practice of the Longevity Technique, it will take at least half a year for the poison to penetrate his bone marrow.” After saying this, Wang Yuying felt a surge of anxiety. Half a year more! How many years had Xu Hengsheng already wasted on her!
Zheng Yangzhi suddenly reached out onto the bed, grabbed Wang Yuying's left hand, and held it in his palm.
As he raised his arm, his sleeve slipped down, exposing more of his chest. Wang Yuying glanced at his wrists, arms, and body, and in the past ten days or so, she discovered that this man had a problem: when they were having sex, he liked her to pinch and press him down, leaving red marks all over his body. After a couple of days, when the marks had faded, he would insist that she press them down again.
Compared to ordinary people, Wang Yuying's hands were already extremely white, but Zheng Yangzhi's were even whiter, with prominent knuckles and veins, and his long hands completely enveloped hers.
His thumb brushed across her palm: "Based on my many years of experience in physiognomy, your lifespan is long and profound; you can live to be ninety-nine years old."
He just made it up again!
Wang Yuying scoffed: "When will you learn palmistry?"
As he was about to pull his hand away, Zheng Yangzhi grabbed it and continued, "So you haven't even reached the halfway point of your life yet."
Wang Yuying stopped smiling; he was trying to comfort her.
She didn't pull her hand away again, letting him hold it. Zheng Yangzhi slowly slipped his five fingers through hers, then bent them, and their ten fingers intertwined tightly.
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