Chapter 24 "Your Highness, the Prince has ordered that husband and wife..."
"Don't worry, sister-in-law, we'll find out sooner or later." Ling Xun had just entered the room when he overheard their conversation. Seeing Bai Xuerou's cold expression, he comforted her.
Bai Xuerou pressed her forehead, remaining silent.
Ling Xun looked at Ling Zheng lying on the bed, his gaze shifting slightly.
He was a master of Gu poison techniques and had never given up practicing them over the years, even while serving in the army. As his status rose, he acquired more rare treasures and was able to concoct more Gu poisons, thus continuously refining his skills.
He had checked it when he came in the afternoon, but he didn't see any other traces.
The same thing happened again this time; there was still nothing there.
Was it really just a sword wound? Or was the poison so cleverly and subtly applied that even he couldn't detect it?
Intelligent people are often suspicious, and Ling Xun didn't believe that such a coincidence could really happen.
Ling Xun put the matter aside for the time being, looking at the weary Bai Xue Rou with some concern.
Due to her personality, the exhaustion Bai Xuerou felt from these troublesome matters far outweighed her physical fatigue. If Bai Xuerou had a choice, he thought she would rather go hiking than deal with this mess.
He told the maid to prepare a cup of warm water.
Bai Xuerou doesn't actually like drinking tea, especially sencha. Even when she does drink tea, it's usually brewed tea.
However, since no one was prepared at the Zhizhuo Institute, Ling Xun asked for water.
"Sister-in-law, have some water." Ling Xun handed Bai Xuerou a teacup.
Bai Xuerou took it wearily and sipped it gently, taking small bites.
The hot water she swallowed brought some warmth to her chilled body.
Bai Xuerou didn't want to speak at this moment, but she had no choice but to.
The news of Ling Zheng's fever could not be kept secret after the imperial physician was sought. Who knows what kind of commotion might occur outside? For now, Ling Zheng was still lying in bed, and they could only rely on Ling Xun.
Ling Xun agreed and immediately went out to call someone to make arrangements.
As they were talking, the strategists entered, and with a single glance from Hou Feng, Ling Zheng's personal guards silently withdrew.
Everyone desperately wanted Ling Xun to avoid getting involved in the Marquis's affairs, but with Ling Zheng currently unconscious, it was only natural for Bai Xuerou, as the Princess Consort, to entrust her younger brother with these matters. They couldn't say anything, only thinking that they should have a proper talk with Ling Zheng when he woke up, and that they needed to restrain the Princess Consort a bit.
Her relationship with Ling Xun was a little too good.
Hou Feng suppressed his thoughts and looked at Ling Zheng, who was lying unconscious on the bed with a face full of pain. He felt a little uneasy.
The fever caused by swords and blades is extremely dangerous; most of the wounded soldiers perished because of it, and the prince...
These strategists had practically placed their lives on Ling Zheng's shoulders. If something were to happen to him, and given their previous animosity towards Ling Xun, things would likely become very difficult.
Hou Feng frowned slightly, suppressing his worry.
After Ling Xun made the arrangements and went inside, the doctor was also invited in. Everyone's diagnosis was the same as the doctor's, and they said there was no problem with his prescription. As for those things, they found nothing.
It was really just a fever caused by the sword wound.
Right now, Ling Zheng has to make it himself, but the doctors are all optimistic about this, after all, he is young, strong and healthy, and has a good foundation, so there shouldn't be any problems.
Everyone was extremely anxious, but after hearing what he said, they could only suppress their patience and wait.
First, administer acupuncture, then administer medication, and then apply a wet compress with a handkerchief to try to bring the body temperature down.
Bai Xuerou didn't sleep at all during the rest of the night, keeping an eye on the maidservants as they worked until dawn.
Ling Zheng's fever finally subsided a little, and he regained his senses, which relieved everyone.
"Chunniang, what's wrong?" Ling Zheng asked with concern, looking at the exhausted Bai Xuerou.
He felt utterly exhausted; previously, only his chest ached, but now almost his entire body ached. He felt hot and sticky all over; if he were healthy, he would have noticed his fever. But now that he was sick, his reactions were sluggish.
Bai Xuerou sighed, her gaze towards him both indifferent and concerned, a complex mix of emotions.
She went up and sat on the edge of the bed, and told him what had happened last night.
"This commotion was a bit too big, and it was my fault for not handling it properly," she said.
"If there's anything wrong, you should see a doctor when you're sick. I should thank you." Ling Zheng said with a smile. He was indeed a little dissatisfied, feeling that Bai Xuerou was not cautious enough. But at the same time, he valued his life enough, so that little bit of dissatisfaction dissipated.
He had finally reached this position, becoming the Prince of Zhenbei, and with the prospect of conquering the Central Plains looming, he naturally didn't want to die here.
Bai Xuerou smiled slightly and then brought up Ling Xun's matter again.
“It happened so suddenly, I was worried there might be something unusual happening in Beppu,” she explained.
"You've arranged everything perfectly," Ling Zheng said again, always speaking to Bai Xuerou with great patience.
In his heart, he naturally didn't want Ling Xun to get too involved in the affairs of the Prince's mansion, as that would be tantamount to encroaching on his territory. But he also knew that things had happened suddenly, and Bai Xuerou would naturally turn to the trusted Ling Xun. And with him in trouble, those outside were indeed stirring up trouble, and only Ling Xun could stop them.
Otherwise, he couldn't rely on the advisors and guards around him. Not to mention Bai Xuerou, even he himself couldn't fully trust these people.
Who knows whose informant might be among them?
Thinking about it this way, Bai Xuerou's arrangement was actually quite appropriate.
Ling Zheng only needs to ensure his own safety. Once he recovers, whatever Ling Xun did will naturally be taken back.
Therefore, when the strategist brought up the matter of restraining the princess after Bai Xuerou left, Ling Zheng did not say anything.
He believed that Bai Xuerou might be angry, but she was gentle by nature and would never harm him.
At the same time, he ordered his men to summon the three generals for a meeting.
Generals Hou Fengdao and his two companions had arrived long ago. They had come to visit before and had already been settled in by the Princess to rest.
As soon as they were speaking, someone went to invite them.
On the bed, Ling Zheng spoke to Ling Xun again, saying:
"It happened so suddenly. Thank goodness you were here. I'll have to rely on you from now on." Ling Zheng's voice was gentle, without a trace of malice or fear, and could even be described as full of trust.
Ling Xun spoke, his voice calm yet tinged with concern, saying, "Brother, please don't say that. This is what I should do as your younger brother."
Judging from their conversation, they seemed to be on friendly terms, with no trace of hostility.
But everyone in the room was Ling Zheng's confidant, and they naturally knew that ever since the Sixth Prince returned to the manor a few days ago to discuss the Prince's marriage alliance with the Lang family and strongly supported the Princess, the atmosphere between the two had become tense.
The princess wanted a divorce, but the prince resolutely refused to agree. However, he was unwilling to give up the marriage alliance with the Lang family, while the sixth prince clearly stated his support for the princess.
There were undercurrents in the relationship between the three of them, but they just hadn't broken off all ties yet.
If this drags on, things will inevitably escalate, and the prince and the sixth prince will have to fight it out.
Unexpectedly, at this critical juncture, the prince was assassinated.
It's unclear whether the Sixth Prince was involved in this assassination attempt, but the Prince had previously given orders that regardless of whether he was involved or not, it had to happen...
This is a golden opportunity.
With the matter of Sixth Prince resolved, the Princess's opinion... is no longer a concern.
Among the crowd, Hou Feng was the one who could best understand Ling Zheng's impatience and regret.
He regretted that he had stood by and watched as Liu Langjun became Wei Yi's apprentice.
But who would have thought that the once insignificant illegitimate son would rise step by step to his current position?
Even Hou Feng, whenever he thought about it, couldn't help but marvel at the mysterious and unpredictable nature of fate.
While everyone inside was talking, Bai Xuerou first asked two of the doctors to stay and guard the house, and the others to go and rest. She then rewarded the servants who were serving inside the house and began to discuss the trivial matters of the mansion with the steward.
The preparation of medicinal herbs and the movements of the servants in the mansion were all investigated. Several people who made unusual movements were seized, and after questioning, they were found to be informants of other households.
Just then, the three generals were invited in.
"Your Highness." The three bowed. Although Bai Xue Rou was young, they would not fail to show proper etiquette as long as she was the Princess Consort of Zhenbei.
"Generals, there's no need for such formalities. The Prince has something to discuss with you, so please come in quickly." Bai Xuerou raised her eyes, but under the watchful eyes of everyone, she dared not look at them for long, only exchanging a glance with Wei Yi.
Wei Yi then followed the two generals into the inner room where the family lived.
Bai Xuerou watched them go inside, then sat there, lost in thought.
She and Wei Yi would meet every now and then, but each time it was a fleeting moment. In a daze, the last time they met properly and had a proper conversation was when Wei Yi was by her side as Bai Shan.
At that time, he had a full beard, and no one could tell that he was actually very handsome, which saved Bai Shan, who was later replaced, a lot of work.
At that time, she had just learned about the novel's content and made the decision while her thoughts were still in a tangled mess.
At that time, she still held onto a sliver of hope, thinking it might be a joke played on her by ghosts and gods. Then came year after year, until now.
Ling Zheng is about to die.
Bai Xuerou closed her eyes slightly and sighed, seemingly with endless sorrow. Among the Zhenbei Army were three generals: Wei Yi, General Liu Meng, and finally, Guan Zhongkai.
Needless to say, Wei Yi and Ling Xun, being master and disciple, would naturally favor him. General Liu, though obedient, was not particularly respectful, which inevitably caused him dissatisfaction. Only Guan Zhongkai, whom he had taken with him when he joined the army and who had always followed the late king's instructions, carefully assisted him.
Regardless of the circumstances, Ling Zheng was seriously injured, and the three generals expressed their concern and care. After exchanging greetings, Ling Zheng told them about the arrangements for the future and the things to be wary of.
In particular, I would like to reiterate that you all should help Ling Xun guard against those with ulterior motives.
They claimed to be helping, but in reality, they were taking precautions.
The meaning wasn't explicitly stated, but those who are interested understand it.
Wei Yi remained as calm and unmoved as ever, Liu Meng seemed oblivious to the deeper meaning, while Guan Zhongkai responded with the most serious and solemn tone.
The group then left.
"Sixth brother, go see off the generals. Cunrui, you go too." Ling Zheng's face was pale, his lips were so pale they were almost bloodless, and he gave the instructions with a slightly unsteady breath.
The three generals are the backbone of the Zhenbei Army, so they cannot be neglected.
Ling Xun is one thing, but Ling Cunrui is Ling Zheng's personal guard leader, which is enough to show how much he values them.
The two then personally saw the three generals off.
After Bai Xuerou and the housekeeper had settled all the trivial matters, Ling Zheng had already discussed things with the strategists inside. Bai Xuerou went in to visit them, and the two tacitly avoided mentioning the Lang family's affairs.
Everything seems to be the same as before.
Ling Zheng held Bai Xue Rou's hand, sighing at her hard work and urging her to take good care of herself. Bai Xue Rou told him to rest well and recover soon.
The two seemed to still be in love, but only Ling Zheng could clearly sense that Bai Xue Rou's gaze was still distant.
We can never go back to the way things were.
But it doesn't matter. As long as they can stay together, with time, Chunniang will eventually understand his feelings, understand—
She is the most important person in his heart.
The Lang family girl was merely a stepping stone for him to climb the social ladder; the best of everything would belong to Chunniang.
Ling Zheng thought this with such conviction.
Ling Zheng was still ill, and he only had some energy now because of the medicine. However, he was still not strong enough. After exchanging a few words with Bai Xuerou, he began to feel drowsy again.
Bai Xuerou tucked him in and, seeing that he had fallen asleep, got up and left, unable to hide her weariness.
"Your Highness." Yu Zan, who was waiting outside, came over to help her, and with a gesture, drew a circle on her arm with her fingertips.
Bai Xuerou's heart, which had been pounding, finally relaxed—
The jade hairpin was sent by Wei Yi, and she maintained a secret connection between Bai Xuerou and Wei Yi.
Ever since Ling Zheng returned home injured yesterday, Bai Xuerou had been on tenterhooks, worried that someone might have noticed and traced it back to Wei Yi. She had instructed Yu Zan to keep an eye on any news from outside. Her action now indicated that the matter had been resolved satisfactorily without any problems.
She was immediately relieved.
"Sister-in-law," Ling Xun called out.
Bai Xuerou realized she was already at the door. She had been preoccupied with something these past two days and was in a daze.
She looked up; it was still a rainy day. She didn't check the time, but it should be morning. The world was still dark and gloomy, everything seemed faded, and there was a sense of gloom.
Ling Xun always wore black, his skin was so white it was almost translucent, and his eyebrows and eyes were striking. In this gloomy weather, he looked like he could be in a ghost movie.
He's a handsome ghost.
"Let's change into a different color later," Bai Xuerou said casually, feeling exhausted. Then she asked, "Why haven't you gone back yet?"
Ling Xun glanced at his clothes and replied, "I'll take my sister-in-law."
He wondered what clothes he should change into later.
Bai Xuerou doesn't have a particular preference for colors, but she is selective. Needless to say, she likes to look at bright colors when she's in a bad mood, like the black he's wearing. In her words, it makes her feel depressed.
How about silver-gray?
Ling Zheng is sick right now, so it's inappropriate for him to wear something too bright.
Bai Xuerou was just saying it casually. She never deliberately interfered with Ling Xun's choices when he was young, let alone now that he's older.
It will be fine when we return to Zhiwei Courtyard. The room will be decorated to her liking, so it won't make a difference if Ling Xun glances at it once or twice.
She didn't pay much attention and didn't refuse Ling Xun's offer to see her off. As she walked out, she asked, "How's the situation outside?"
Ling Xun walked beside her, smiled upon hearing this, and said confidently, "The commotion is quite significant, but it's all under control and won't cause any major trouble."
As for Ling Zheng bringing up the three generals, it wasn't troublesome for him at all. The Ling family's affairs couldn't be separated from those few anyway, and he'd been planning to consult them anyway; now, with Ling Zheng involved, it was even more convenient.
"I'm relieved to hear that," Bai Xuerou breathed a sigh of relief, then added, "But just in case we have to be careful, remember to be cautious."
She had high hopes for Ling Xun, hoping he would inherit the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion after Ling Zheng's death. Her affection for him was one thing, but the most basic reason was that, compared to her other brothers with different intentions, Ling Xun's ascension would be most beneficial to her.
However, this cannot be said directly, otherwise Ling Xun might become suspicious.
Bai Xuerou thought this, unaware of the turmoil in Ling Xun's heart as he looked at her repeatedly to confirm that she had no suspicion or wariness whatsoever.
Ling Xun was seriously injured, and he knew without a doubt what the people around him would think, but his sister-in-law didn't.
Why?
Bai Xuerou spoke, then hesitated slightly—
"What's wrong, sister-in-law?" Ling Xun noticed it the moment he saw her and asked.
Bai Xuerou sighed softly and said in a low voice, "Your brother was suddenly attacked, you... be careful."
Although neither brother had told her about the discord between them, she wasn't stupid; she could guess even if she wanted to. When Ling Zheng was injured, her first worry was that something might have gone wrong with Wei Yi and leaked the information. Now that Wei Yi had assured her there was no problem, she began to worry about Ling Xun.
If this matter could be pinned on Ling Xun, it would undoubtedly be a win-win situation for Ling Zheng.
Bai Xuerou even speculated that, for Ling Zheng, the identity of the real murderer was not as important as being able to subdue Ling Xun.
Ling Xun was slightly taken aback, not expecting Bai Xuerou to say that.
He knew Bai Xuerou cared about him, but he also knew that he couldn't compare to Ling Zheng in her heart.
That's normal. They were husband and wife, and he was just a half-brother she took in out of kindness.
Does my sister-in-law's current statement mean... she's gradually giving up on my brother?
Ling Xun suddenly felt a surge of joy.
As they spoke, they arrived at Zhiwei Academy.
After returning to the courtyard, Bai Xuerou assigned tasks to several maids around her and arranged shifts for them to take turns doing them, resting whenever they had free time.
We don't know how long Ling Zheng's matter will drag on, we can't just keep enduring this.
After quickly eating something, Bai Xuerou was finally able to rest. Once she lay down on the bed, she briefly drifted off into thought. Back in modern times, she was a master of staying up late, unable to fall asleep before 2 AM and still feeling refreshed in the morning. But in this world, after so many years, she had developed a habit of going to bed early and waking up early. However, she couldn't stay up past midnight.
The thought had barely crossed her mind before she drifted off to sleep.
Bai Xue Rou felt like she hadn't slept for long before being woken up by her maid.
"Your Highness, the Prince has a fever again." Jin Tao and Yin Gui went to rest first, and Zhu Cui was watching over her. She helped Bai Xue Rou up, took the handkerchief and handed it to her, while telling her the whole story.
Before leaving, Bai Xuerou left someone at Zhizhuo Institute to send any messages there.
About an hour after Ling Zheng's fever subsided, it started to rise again. The doctor said that this was normal, and then the fever returned to the previous level.
Then Zhu Cui woke up Bai Xue Rou.
The handkerchief was cool, and Bai Xuerou covered her face with it, instantly waking up.
It was already afternoon. She managed to sleep for a little over two hours, then got up, washed up, and went to Zhizhuo Courtyard.
Then came another night of turmoil.
Ling Zheng's fever kept coming back, and on the first day, the doctors were able to keep it under control. But on the second day, the same thing happened, and they started to get worried. By the third day, they were even more anxious and whispered to Bai Xuerou that things might not be going well.
Not only did his fever recur, but his wound also wouldn't heal; it kept festering and wouldn't stop. If it continued like this, and the infection spread to his internal organs, he would be beyond saving.
Bai Xuerou swayed and then fainted.
The maidservant hurriedly supported her, and seeing that she couldn't be woken up, she wanted to call a doctor. However, Bai Xue Rou had already managed to stay awake.
"I'm fine." She was pale.
"How could this be? So many doctors, so many good medicines, and nothing worked? Did it have no effect at all?" Bai Xuerou was angry and unwilling to accept it.
The doctors remained silent.
They have tried everything they can, but this is something that is beyond human capability.
This infection is really serious, no less so than a deadly poison. I wonder what that person did with the knife.
"Please forgive us, Your Highness, we have truly done our best," the doctor pleaded.
Bai Xuerou remained silent, her eyes closed and her forehead resting on her hand.
She wasn't a bad-tempered person; that last sentence was just her way of venting her anger, and she couldn't say anything more.
"Sister-in-law." Ling Xun, sitting beside Bai Xuerou, leaned over to look at her and called out with some concern.
"Why don't you go and rest first? Mr. Hou and the others are here, so nothing will happen. You haven't had a proper rest these past few days and you're already very tired. After a good night's sleep, you'll have more energy to handle these matters."
Bai Xuerou opened her eyes and looked at him, forcing a smile, "I'm fine."
"His Highness must not be harmed." She then looked at the doctors and said, "I urge you all to do your utmost. If you come up with any solutions, please report them immediately, and the Prince's Palace will find a way. You gentlemen are also very knowledgeable; if you have any brilliant ideas, please speak up."
The doctors immediately agreed, and the advisors responded one by one, but in the end, no one came up with anything convincing.
Ling Zheng's condition is already very serious. At this point, it's not something that can be solved just by thinking of a solution.
Over the next two days, Ling Zheng's condition worsened and showed no signs of improvement.
It was another evening. After settling in, Bai Xuerou returned to Zhiwei Courtyard. It was a continuous rainy day, and the rain could start anytime, like now.
Raindrops pattered on the black tiles as the two walked through the corridor amidst the sound of rain.
Ling Xun walked beside Bai Xue Rou, knowing that she was too upset to talk, so he didn't say anything.
But then I remembered the afternoon—
Ling Zheng is waking up less and less now, and for shorter and shorter periods of time.
This afternoon, he was only awake for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.
But this time when he woke up, he didn't know what was wrong. He didn't even pay attention to the strategists. Ling Zheng held Bai Xuerou's hand and said:
"Chunniang, I just dreamt about the day you came of age..."
When he was seriously ill and recalled the past, it was an ominous time. Everyone in the room changed their expressions. Bai Xuerou looked shocked and tried to interrupt, but Ling Zheng insisted on continuing.
"That's the day I proposed to you."
These words touched Bai Xuerou, yet she still urged Ling Zheng to rest well. Ling Zheng gazed at her intently, as if trying to etch her into his very being, yet with unparalleled tenderness.
"Chunniang, I can't bear to part with you." He was filled with endless reluctance.
Bai Xuerou shed tears and tried to persuade her again.
Ling Zheng indeed stopped talking and began to converse with his advisors.
Ling Xun couldn't help but recall those events, and felt a dull unease in his heart.
He remembered Bai Xuerou when she was fifteen, of course, but the more he thought about it, the more resentful he felt.
Unwilling to accept that the two had no interaction at the time.
If he had known he would fall in love with her so much one day, he would have definitely, definitely, made sure to treat her well and let her wait for him.
It's just a five-year age difference.
But there's no going back, and no "what ifs".
When he realized he had fallen for her, she was already his sister-in-law.
The thought of this made Ling Xun feel unhappy and irritable.
Once outside the corridor, the two of them each held an umbrella and strolled through the garden.
The roads in the mansion are winding, and there are many ways to get back to Zhiwei Courtyard, but Bai Xue Rou loves the scenery and her favorite route is the garden.
The raindrops hitting the umbrella were clearer than the dull patter on the roof tiles. Bai Xuerou walked silently all the way to the Zhiwei Courtyard. When she saw the familiar gate, the fatigue she had been suppressing immediately surged up, and she almost desperately wanted to go back, wash up, and lie down in the soft brocade quilt.
"Sister-in-law."
Ling Xun called her name. Bai Xue Rou looked over, subconsciously expecting his words of advice and farewell, but instead saw Ling Xun gazing at her and whispering:
"Sister-in-law, is there anything you want to say to me?" Ling Xun asked.
Previously, Ling Zheng was only seriously ill, but after today's ordeal, it's practically as if he doesn't have long to live.
He had been waiting for Bai Xuerou to say something—a warning, a word of advice, or something else—especially since she hadn't said anything along the way, nor did she intend to.
But Ling Xun wanted to say something.
Especially after Ling Zheng reminisced about the past, he was particularly eager to know Bai Xue Rou's thoughts and feelings.
Bai Xuerou understood his meaning almost immediately.
She was somewhat stunned.
His gaze pierced through the rain and landed on Ling Xun's face, then slowly moved to look at everything shrouded in the misty rain.
Pavilions and towers, royal mansions and riches—countless people flocked to them, yet could not obtain them.
“No.” She gestured for the maids to step back, then looked at Ling Xun calmly and gently, and said, “You’re all grown up now, do whatever you want.”
"And if anything happens, I hope it's you."
"I'm tired too." Bai Xuerou's voice was very soft, as if she didn't even have the strength to speak.
Ling Xun felt a sense of relief.
He had never wavered in his determination to seize power from the Prince's mansion, but Bai Xuerou's understanding truly made him happy.
He was worried that Bai Xuerou would be angry with him.
"Sister-in-law, I'm sorry," Ling Xun whispered.
Bai Xuerou didn't laugh, but her gaze remained gentle as she looked at him and said, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Alright, it's late, and you've had a long day. Go home and get some rest. You'll have a lot to do tomorrow."
Ling Xun agreed, and the two went back to their respective places.
On the other side, Hou Feng watched the two leave and sighed inwardly.
If something were to happen to Ling Zheng, all his previous scheming would have been in vain, and he would have needlessly offended Ling Xun and Bai Xuerou.
Ling Zheng's condition deteriorated rapidly after that. By the eighth day, the wound was almost completely rotten, and the white bone in his chest and the scarlet chest cavity were visible.
Even so, they still managed to delay for two more days. On the morning of the tenth day, Bai Xuerou, sleeping in an empty room at Zhizhuo Temple, was frantically awakened by her maid—
"Your Highness, the doctor says the Prince is dying," Jin Tao said.
Bai Xuerou got up almost immediately, not even bothering to comb her hair, put on her outer robe, and went to Ling Zheng's room with her hair down.
The person on the bed had a flushed face and was breathing rapidly, one breath after another, yet it gave the impression that they were about to run out of breath.
The doctor cautiously reported to Bai Xuerou, his fear not being properly concealed and leaking out.
Bai Xuerou listened to him, staring blankly at the person on the bed.
The poison Ling Zheng was poisoned by was different from that of the late king. The late king's poisoning was like a slow, painful process, dragging on for several years before he finally succumbed to his illness and had the strength to arrange his affairs before his death. Ling Zheng's poisoning, however, was much faster, taking less than ten days from the onset of the illness.
"Sanlang," she whispered as she sat down on the edge of the bed.
You are too greedy; you want power but you won't let her go.
If they could have parted amicably and lived out their lives peacefully, why would they have ended up like this?
She can accept divorce, she can accept a respectful marriage, and she can accept that when feelings are gone, they can live separate lives.
However, she cannot accept losing her freedom, being imprisoned, and being controlled; she cannot accept having her memories altered after losing them, and spending the rest of her life in falsehood.
She chose to let Ling Zheng die.
Bai Xuerou groped and grasped Ling Zheng's hand. He had been sick for days, with a fever every day, and had lost weight rapidly, with his knuckles protruding.
His rapid breathing weakened, he couldn't catch his breath, and his mouth opened wide in vain, like a fish out of water.
Bai Xuerou shed tears and called out to him again and again.
"Sanlang, A Zheng, Sanlang."
Without a final burst of energy, Ling Zheng unconsciously straightened his chest, making a gurgling sound in his throat as he tried his best to inhale, but to no avail.
He couldn't catch his breath, lost all his strength, and collapsed onto the bed, lifeless.
On the second day of the seventh lunar month, Prince Lingzheng of Zhenbei passed away.
That time when the two reminisced about the past and talked about the marriage proposal when they came of age, it turned out to be the last time they spoke to each other...
Since then, Ling Zheng has been in a coma and has never woken up again.
When Ling Xun and his advisors arrived, they saw Bai Xuerou silently weeping, her tears dripping down and soaking her clothes.
"Sister-in-law!" Ling Xun said worriedly.
Hou Feng and the strategist who remained there exchanged a glance, confirming that nothing unexpected had happened. For a moment, they couldn't tell whether they felt relieved or regretful.
Neither Bai Xuerou nor Ling Xun made any inappropriate moves.
But ultimately, there are more regrets than anything else.
Previously, everyone tried every means to pin the blame on Ling Xun. Making something out of nothing is always easier than tracing the root cause. However, although Ling Xun was young, he was extremely meticulous and never gave them a chance.
To date, there has been no result.
If we could pull Ling Xun down—
The other young men in the Prince's mansion will need them.
What troubled them most about Ling Xun was that he didn't need them.
The strategists all fell silent.
No matter what a person is like in life, they are the same after death.
Bai Xuerou was filled with grief and ordered people to prepare for the funeral. Everything went smoothly, and by the afternoon, the mourning hall was ready and the funeral notices had been sent out.
Soon after, mourners began to arrive one after another.
When Lang Cheng arrived, Ling Xun personally received him. He was almost eighty years old and very old. He personally offered incense to Ling Zheng and also said his condolences to Bai Xuerou.
"Thank you," Bai Xuerou whispered, tears streaming down her face.
This was the first time Lang Cheng had seen the Princess of Zhenbei, whose fame had spread throughout Chang'an in just six months, so closely.
She is indeed stunningly beautiful.
I just don't know if it's really as harmless as it seems.
Lang Cheng glanced at Bai Xuerou and left.
Bai Xuerou could only weep.
After that, all the important officials of the court and the noble families were treated with the utmost respect.
Love or hate, everything, along with Ling Zheng's passing, quietly settled into the coffin.
After dealing with a group of aunts and brothers who spoke with hidden meanings, and seeing off Madam Wu, Bai Xuerou was almost completely exhausted, both physically and mentally.
Many people came to offer their condolences today after receiving the letter; their gazes toward her were either filled with pity or held a deeper meaning.
Not long ago, news broke that Ling Zheng was going to divorce his wife and marry a woman from the Lang family. But a few days later, Ling Zheng died. No matter what, Bai Xuerou can't escape suspicion.
Especially the concubines and brothers, even though they knew that with Ling Xun in charge, the title of Prince of Zhenbei would not fall to them, they still made a fuss because of their ambitions. They thought that if they could force Bai Xuerou to reveal her true colors, they could take the opportunity to defeat Ling Zheng.
Therefore, this day was incredibly lively.
Bai Xue Rou had anticipated this, but with quiet sorrow and Ling Xun's presence, she managed to handle it all.
Wu Shi, who had been recuperating at Huiyin Courtyard for many days, also came out. She hadn't liked seeing people lately, had lost a lot of weight, and looked rather unwell. Although she was still beautiful, she had lost some of her charm with the radiant Wu San Niang by her side.
As soon as Wu San Niang arrived, her gaze couldn't help but fall on Ling Xun.
The young man she secretly admired was about to become the master of the Zhenbei Army and a prince.
After offering incense, Madam Wu looked at Bai Xuerou and whispered words of comfort.
No matter how much others suspected Bai Xuerou was behind it, she didn't believe it. Putting herself in Bai Xuerou's shoes, she almost went with Ling Ji'an when he left; given Ling Zheng and Bai Xuerou's long-standing relationship, she didn't believe Bai Xuerou would do anything.
"Thank you, Mother," Bai Xuerou said softly, her voice slightly choked with emotion, tears streaming down her face.
Madam Wu wiped away her tears, offered a few words of comfort, and then left.
Wu San Niang carefully supported her, and after they had walked a distance, she couldn't help but secretly look back at Ling Xun, only to see the young man looking at his sister-in-law with concern, and she felt a slight sense of loss.
Wu patted her hand gently, then turned to look at her beautiful face. Recalling everything that had happened recently, she didn't think highly of Wu San Niang and Ling Xun.
She knew that young man somewhat; he was calm, gentle, and easy to get along with, but he seemed oblivious to women, never showing any interest. These days, San Niang had tried to get close to him quite a bit, but he remained unmoved, clearly having no interest in women.
Although a man's feelings are not static, this can still reveal clues.
Strangely enough, at the age when young people are prone to falling in love, no one like San Niang could move him. It's hard to know what kind of person Ling Liulang likes.
The troubles in the Ling family were just the beginning. Bai Xuerou knew that in the coming period, those with ulterior motives would try every means to find the so-called evidence they wanted and then bring Bai Xuerou down.
Meanwhile, outside, the generals also began to stir up trouble, questioning the cause of Ling Zheng's death and opposing Ling Xun's decision to inherit the title.
However, three generals in the Zhenbei Army, Wei Yi and Liu Meng, all expressed their support for Ling Xun.
The last general, Guan Zhong, was most loyal to the late Prince Zhenbei, Ling Ji'an. After Ling Ji'an's death, he always listened to Ling Zheng and protected him fiercely. Bai Xuerou had previously worried that he would become an obstacle to Ling Xun, but Wei Yi said there was no need to worry—
His loyalty was to Ling Ji'an and the Zhenbei Army.
He didn't want the Zhenbei Army to run into trouble more than anyone else, so even if Guan Zhong had doubts, he would still protect Ling Xun just as he would protect Ling Zheng.
As expected, no matter how much the generals loyal to Ling Zheng tried to cause trouble, Guan Zhongkai remained unmoved. He, Wei Yi, and Liu Meng immediately stood up to express their support for Ling Xun and quelled the unrest.
During dinner, Ling Xun told Bai Xuerou that the three generals had already submitted a memorial to the emperor, requesting that Ling Xun inherit the title.
Whether it's the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion or the Ling family, their true foundation lies with the Zhenbei Army.
The three generals submitted a joint memorial, stating that as long as the emperor and the powerful noble families who control the court haven't lost their minds, there won't be any problems.
"That's good." Bai Xuerou finally smiled, but it was only fleeting.
"Things outside are all up to you, so be careful," she instructed.
Ling Xun responded. At his age, he was no longer a child, but he wasn't an adult either. He was somewhere in between, someone who knew he was sensible, but whose parents could never truly let him go.
Bai Xuerou looked at him and couldn't help but say a few more words.
Ling Xun agreed as usual, showing great patience and composure.
Bai Xuerou belatedly realized that she had been nagging and shook her head.
“I’m nagging. I know you know what you’re doing, but I still can’t help feeling at ease,” she said.
“I know you mean well, sister-in-law. I enjoy hearing you tell me these things; I know you care about me. If you stop telling me these things one day, I’ll worry that I’ve done something to upset you,” Ling Xun said immediately.
These words couldn't be more sincere, and Bai Xuerou looked at him, wanting to laugh again.
"So, I can say whatever I want from now on?"
Bai Xuerou said this with the intention of teasing him, but Ling Xun seriously agreed.
She then smiled softly.
After dinner, Ling Xun offered incense to Ling Zheng and burned paper money for a while.
The things done after death are all for show, so he naturally wouldn't skimp on that effort.
It took a full half hour for someone outside to call him before Ling Xun finally left.
Only Bai Xuerou remained in the mourning hall. She knelt on a prayer mat, dressed in plain clothes and wearing a plain hat that fell down to one side of her face, burning paper money. The occasional flickering firelight illuminated her face, and the brazier she was tending made her feel warm, but the ice basin in the room made her feel cold.
The combination of hot and cold made Bai Xuerou feel somewhat uncomfortable.
But at this moment, she couldn't care less about her discomfort. Kneeling here, facing the silent, speechless, and unyielding coffin that was being used for a marriage of convenience for power, to make her a concubine and lock her in the backyard, she felt a turbulent turmoil in her heart, yet it was also like a tangled mess.
She seemed to have thought about a lot of things, yet she also seemed to have thought about nothing at all.
In the end, it all came down to one thought.
If there is a next life, let's not meet again.
In the darkness, the group carefully made their way through the secluded paths of the Prince's mansion to the courtyard where the body lay in state.
Leading the group was Ling Cunrui, the former head of Ling Zheng's personal guards.
Someone saw this and their heart tightened. They immediately and quietly retreated to a courtyard in front, where Ling Xun was talking with several generals.
This place was originally intended for entertaining guests, and business would be discussed in the study. However, the study in the front yard was where Ling Zheng passed away, and there was no time to set up a new one. Fortunately, the courtyard for entertaining guests was large enough and also had a place to discuss business, so we chose to do it here.
In the mourning hall, Bai Xuerou was lost in thought when she suddenly heard a hurried, low cry from outside, "You—"
It was Jin Tao's voice. Bai Xuerou subconsciously turned around and looked at the door.
In a flash, Bai Shan, who had been guarding outside, rushed in and stood in front of her. Then, Ling Xun's personal guard, Ling Cunrui, brought in a number of people carrying trays. Outside the door, several people held down her maid. In an instant, she thought of a certain possibility, and her face turned deathly pale.
The Prince's mansion was so large that the footsteps of Ling Cunrui and his entourage could be heard echoing in the spacious room. It was so large that Bai Xuerou had already stood up and calmly straightened her clothes when he arrived, her gaze fixed on the golden tray he was holding.
A stack of white silk, a pot of wine, and wine cups.
"Your Highness, His Highness has ordered that, as husband and wife are of one mind, and fearing that you will be lonely after he leaves, I will escort you on your journey." He strode up to Bai Xuerou and said in a deep voice.
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Author's Note: Is it possession or love? Even though Chunniang was made a concubine, he wanted to keep her by his side; he was reluctant to part with her before his death and wanted to take her with him after his passing.
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