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When Empress Chen Zhao left the palace, she used the highest standard of imperial procession and ritual, a grand display seemingly designed to let the entire city know: even if I am unwell, I will still visit Grand Historian Changsun, despite my illness.
Wu Ruian rode a white horse, walking beside Emperor Chen Zhao’s imperial carriage. Along the way, as soon as Emperor Chen Zhao showed any sign of coughing, An Suyun would offer warm, lung-moistening herbal soup to suppress the cough.
As soon as the herbal soup went down her throat, Emperor Chen Zhao stopped coughing; the effect was excellent. By the time the retinue was almost at the Changsun Manor, Emperor Chen Zhao had already drunk the appropriately warm medicinal soup three times.
After finishing, she couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “This medicine has remained at the perfect temperature, as if it had just been brewed and left for a moment. You are thoughtful.”
“Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty.” An Suyun respectfully nodded, took the medicine bowl, and then, at the rear of the procession, said to Shi Yulin, “You are thoughtful and meticulous. From now on, you may often serve before His Majesty.”
“Yes, Yulin will strictly follow Auntie’s arrangements.”
After the imperial carriage arrived at the Changsun Manor, the current head of the family, Changsun Qi, led the three clans and four relatives to kneel at the entrance to greet the Empress. The Empress did not linger for pleasantries; after alighting from the carriage, she hurried to Changsun Wugou’s courtyard.
Changsun Wugou’s courtyard was in the north corner of the Changsun Manor, facing a lake on three sides, and was very quiet.
The windows and doors of the room were covered with thick curtains, and besides a candle in the corner, there was not a trace of light elsewhere. In addition, the entire room was permeated with a strong, lingering smell of medicine that assaulted the nose and eyes.
As soon as Empress Chen Zhao entered the room, she frowned and said, “Why aren’t the windows opened for ventilation?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, my father cannot bear light and cannot stand wind. Please forgive him, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Chen Zhao heard that this was due to his critical illness and immediately waved her hand, indicating: “No matter.” With that, Emperor Chen Zhao walked straight over and sat by Changsun Wugou’s bed.
She held Changsun Wugou’s hand, leaned down, and softly called in his ear, “My dear minister, I have come to see you.”
Changsun Wugou’s closed eyes stirred, his eyelashes trembled for a long time, before he slowly opened his eyes. Just that one act of opening his eyes seemed to have exhausted all his strength.
Emperor Chen Zhao saw it, felt the pain in her heart, and knew that Changsun Wugou’s life was indeed nearing its end.
“Your Majesty… this minister… ah ah ah…”
“What are you saying, my dear minister?” Emperor Chen Zhao leaned in again, but still seemed unable to hear clearly.
“Ah ah ah…” Changsun Wugou gripped Emperor Chen Zhao’s hand, his eyes fixed on Changsun Yuming in the corner, his mouth continuously making hoarse cries.
Emperor Chen Zhao, seeing the affection in his eyes, knew that Changsun Wugou was likely worried about his only legitimate granddaughter.
“I promise you, my dear minister, Yuming will surely have a good man who loves and protects her, and she will also have a respected status among the people.”
“Ah… ah ah…” Changsun Wugou raised his hand, pointing at Wu Ruian beside Emperor Chen Zhao, but he still couldn’t utter a complete word.
Wu Ruian didn’t quite understand what he meant, but a dying man’s words and actions naturally inspire a sense of reverence. Moreover, the person before him was a founding elder, someone whom even the Imperial Mother held in great esteem.
Wu Ruian walked over, bent down, and put his ear close to his mouth before he could clearly hear what he was saying.
“Take… take good care of… Yuming.”
Only Wu Ruian heard that sentence clearly.
But Emperor Chen Zhao also guessed it.
Emperor Chen Zhao had actually always heard rumors about Changsun Yuming. It was said that after Wu Ruian’s disappearance, she wept constantly, growing thinner day by day. Her affection for Wu Ruian was well-known throughout the world.
Wu Ruian neither nodded nor shook his head, only saying, “Grand Historian Changsun, please take care of your health and rest assured.”
Wu Ruian’s meaning was clear.
He didn’t want to make reckless promises. Even more, he didn’t want to marry Changsun Yuming.
Everyone around remained impassive, only Changsun Wugou’s face looked rather unwell. And Changsun Yuming continued to cry ceaselessly.
Half of her tears were for her grandfather, and the other half were for Wu Ruian.
For Changsun Yuming, today should have been the joy of a long-awaited reunion, but it was overshadowed by the grief of losing her grandfather. Her tears flowed like broken pearls, large and small, forming continuous streams.
Changsun Wugou, seeing this, clutched Emperor Chen Zhao’s hand tightly. Emperor Chen Zhao’s wrist was pinched painfully by him, yet she didn’t even frown.
“My dear minister, rest assured, today I will give you, and Yuming, an explanation,” Emperor Chen Zhao said hoarsely, but with clear resolve.
“I hereby issue an imperial decree, naming Changsun Yuming as Crown Princess.”
As soon as Emperor Chen Zhao uttered these words, everyone was stunned, and even Changsun Yuming was so shocked she forgot to cry.
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has not yet…” Before Changsun Qi could finish, Emperor Chen Zhao waved her hand and solemnly said, “My meaning is very simple: in the future, whoever wishes to be Crown Prince must marry Changsun Yuming as their main consort. In other words, whoever can marry Changsun Yuming will be the Crown Prince of my Xuanguan Kingdom, the future Emperor. I promise the Changsun family that no matter who becomes emperor in the future, Changsun Yuming will certainly be Empress.”
“Your humble minister thanks Your Majesty for your grace. Long live, long live, long live our Emperor!” Changsun Qi immediately prostrated himself, kowtowing in gratitude, then quickly pulled his stunned wife and Changsun Yuming down to kneel as well.
Only then did they react, kowtowing, “Your humble concubines thank Your Majesty for your immense grace.”
After Emperor Chen Zhao issued the decree, the hand Changsun Wugou had been gripping was released.
Changsun Wugou closed his eyes, lying there with a smile.
Emperor Chen Zhao knew he had gone to his grave with a smile, his soul returned to ultimate bliss.
“Grand Historian Changsun was benevolent and cared for the people in his lifetime, and offered fearless counsel. I issue an imperial decree to posthumously confer upon Changsun Wugou the title of Duke Wen Zheng, Prince Kangle. The Changsun family may inherit his noble title for generations.”
As soon as Emperor Chen Zhao spoke these words, everyone in the room immediately bowed and kowtowed again, shouting “Long live” three times.
The youngest, Changsun Yuming, hearing this, knew her grandfather had passed away, and her tears flowed uncontrollably, her sobs threatening to make her faint at any moment.
“An’er, take Yuming out first. I still have matters to discuss with Grand Historian Changsun Qi.”
Emperor Chen Zhao finished speaking, but Wu Ruian knelt upright, cupping his hands and saying, “Reporting to Imperial Mother, your son has been very tired for many days, and fears he cannot take on this responsibility. I ask Imperial Mother to permit your son to leave and return to his manor to rest.”
Emperor Chen Zhao’s face fell. This undoubtedly meant: “Your son has no intention of marrying Changsun Yuming, nor does he intend to become Crown Prince.”
Emperor Chen Zhao glared at him, then began to cough violently again.
Wu Ruian’s heart ached for Emperor Chen Zhao. After serving her medicine, and to prevent her from getting too agitated, he still complied with the imperial decree and took Changsun Yuming outside.
The two walked in the garden. Wu Ruian, seeing her weeping, found himself at a loss for words. After much thought, he could only manage, “Miss Changsun, the dead cannot be brought back to life. Please restrain your grief.”
“Yuming thanks Your Highness for your concern. Yuming is fine, please rest assured, Your Highness.”
“Hmm, that’s good then.”
The two walked aimlessly in the garden, Wu Ruian leading the way with a bewildered, death-like expression.
Changsun Yuming, seeing his pale face, naturally understood that being with her was an ordeal for him. So she said, “Your Highness, if you have something to do, please go ahead. Yuming will explain to Her Majesty for you.”
Wu Ruian stopped, turned to look at her, and asked, surprised, “Truly?”
“Mm.” Changsun Yuming nodded heavily. She stared at him with wide, reddened eyes, unmoving.
Wu Ruian couldn’t stand her gaze and immediately turned around, striding ahead.
Only when he reached the main gate did he turn back and say, “Then... this prince will leave. You, please take good care of yourself.”
“Yuming thanks Your Highness for your concern. Yuming bids Your Highness farewell.” Changsun Yuming lowered her head, but her hands were clearly covered in many glistening tears.
Wu Ruian was vexed, feeling that his former prowess in charming women had vanished without a trace since he fell in love with Di Jiang. He wondered if this was good or bad.
After leaving Changsun Manor, Wu Ruian shook off all his attendants and went directly to Jiansu Medical Hall.
Jiansu Medical Hall was located at the end of Taiping Prefecture’s South Street. The banyan tree in its courtyard grew tall and lush, very eye-catching. It was almost a landmark, yet for the past three years, it seemed no one had been able to find such a medical hall.
Wu Ruian never doubted Lu Chenfei’s competence; the reason he couldn’t find the medical hall was certainly because Di Jiang had methods that couldn’t be revealed to outsiders. He didn’t want to ask questions, nor did he want to interfere. He just wanted to be simply with her, to trust her, to cherish her, and not allow anyone else to bully her. Even more, he didn’t want his own affairs to make her sad.
Since returning to Taiping Prefecture, Wu Ruian had barely had a good night’s sleep, and his entire demeanor showed an unprecedented weariness. Coupled with the recent events, he felt an invisible pressure threatening to overwhelm him.
Some things, perhaps, had already been put on the agenda, and he couldn’t escape them even if he wanted to.
________________________________________
…
After Wu Ruian entered the medical hall, he said nothing much. He greeted Di Jiang and went upstairs, collapsing onto her bed, and fell asleep.
“Shopkeeper, what’s wrong with His Highness?”
“He must be tired from the trivial matters of the past few days. Just let him sleep well.”
“Then I’ll go help His Highness take off his clothes!” Wen Yao said, drooling as she walked over. Di Jiang quickly pulled her back, yanking her.
“His Highness just fell asleep, don’t disturb him.”
“But don’t you have germophobia! He didn’t take off his clothes and…”
“Germophobia is for outsiders. Is it the same for him?” Di Jiang tapped Wen Yao, then shooed her out. Immediately after, she quietly closed the door herself and went downstairs.
In the evening, Shuxiang brought out trays of exquisite dishes from the kitchen, all specially prepared for Wu Ruian’s arrival. However, Wu Ruian had been sleeping and had not woken up yet.
“Shopkeeper, should I go wake His Highness for dinner?” Shuxiang asked.
Di Jiang shook her head and said, “Let him sleep. Go next door and invite Daoist Zhong and Chang Sheng to eat with us.”
“Yes.”
After Shuxiang left, Wen Yao returned.
She had been playing all afternoon, and as expected, she brought back another significant piece of news.
Wen Yao hesitated to speak, looking mysterious for a while, before finally unable to contain herself, she leaned into Di Jiang’s ear and whispered, “Shopkeeper, after you hear this, please don’t get angry or excited.”
Di Jiang raised an eyebrow, looking at her amused, “What is it?”
“I heard that Miss Yuming has been named Crown Princess!”
“Oh? Is that so?” Di Jiang was startled, then smiled, “Then congratulations to her.”
“But… why aren’t you anxious at all?!”
Di Jiang found it amusing and said with a wry smile, “What do I have to be anxious about?”
“Prince and Miss Yuming! The rumors are all over the place, saying that Miss Yuming waited for the Prince for a full three years, spent her days weeping, rejected all suitors from noble families, and I even heard that for the past year, Miss Yuming has been calling herself the Prince’s widow!”
“Nonsense.” Di Jiang sneered, “If Miss Yuming truly liked His Highness that much, she wouldn’t have believed His Highness was dead, so why would she call herself a widow?”
Wen Yao thought for a moment, then nodded, “That’s true!”
“You, you’re too quick to believe rumors. You should use your brain even when listening to gossip.”
Wen Yao nodded sullenly, but still felt something was amiss, saying, “But shopkeeper, I’m still a bit curious…”
“Curious about what?”
“Will Miss Changsun really become Empress?”
Di Jiang smiled faintly, saying calmly, “The legitimate daughter of the Changsun family has been raised as an Empress since childhood. There’s nothing strange about that.”
“Then His Highness…”
“His Highness is His Highness, what does he have to do with Changsun Yuming?” Di Jiang finished with a smile. Seeing Wen Yao still half-believing, she added, “Please put your heart at ease. His Highness… he only loves me.”
Di Jiang’s expression was composed and frank.
At that moment, Wen Yao suddenly felt that the shopkeeper, who seemed aloof and carefree, might not be truly so.
She was simply confident and had everything under control, looking down on everyone from the bottom of her heart…
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