Xi Rong didnât consider it for long and gave Lin Qingyu his answer. He agreed to Lin Qingyuâs three conditions. He ordered someone to deliver the Tianji Campâs token to the Generalâs mansion and as prince in charge of the supervision of the country, he entrusted Gu Fuzhou with the responsibility of guarding the capital.
âIsnât he a little too willing to agree?â Gu Fuzhou tapped the table with the Tianji Campâs token. âIt doesnât seem like Xi Rongâs style.â
Lin Qingyu agreed, âHeâs definitely left himself a way out.â
When he put forward those three conditions that day, he didnât actually expect Xi Rong to agree. Given Xi Rongâs ambition, how could he stand being surrounded by wolves restraining his actions once Xiao Jieâs ascends to the throne? Xi Rongâs willingness to agree now was simply because he and Xiao Jieâs position was unstable and for the time being, they could not do without the his and Gu Fuzhouâs support. In his time once the time was right, if he truly wanted to pull down the bridge after crossing the river, he could simply think up of a way.
âDonât you have a way out yourself? ââIf Xiao Jie and Xi Rong wonât listen, then theyâll be replaced.â, these were your words.
Lin Qingyu looked at the token that could mobilize all of the Tianji Campâs elite assassins. âThe emperor only has so many sons. Weâve gotten rid of Xiao Cheng, if we replace Xiao Jie, thereâs only one left.â
Gu Fuzhou was using the Tianji Camp token to tap out a rhythm. He said sleepily, âA dullard as emperor? It would simply be unreasonable.â
âI wouldnât want to do anything unreasonable either. I hope Xi Rong would be more obedient and not force me to replace them. â Stop that tapping.â Lin Qingyu couldnât bear it any longer, âAre your hands so empty that you simply canât go without having anything to play with?â
Gu Fuzhou stopped and pretended to feel wronged. âWeâre already dating, why is Doctor Lin still so fierce?â
Lin Qingyu said with a smile, âIâm only saying the truth, why is that being âfierceâ?â
âIâm bored so naturally Iâm going to find something to play with.â Gu Fuzhou said casually, âYou wonât accompany me. All day long, you play around with medicine and politics. And yet you still find time to play around with my feelings, Doctor Lin. Oh, I once again find myself envious of that love-addled couple in the North.â
Lately, Lin Qingyu has been busy dealing with the different parties and truthfully didnât have time to play with Young Master Jiangâs feelings. Gu Fuzhou no longer needed to go to morning court and he didnât go to the palace very often. On the other hand, Lin Qingyu went to the palace every day; even staying overnight at the Imperial Hospital when things were very busy. Gu Fuzhou has been spending many nights alone in that bunk bed and it was inevitable that he would have some complaints.
Lin Qingyu asked, âWhy, you want to be love-addled as well?â
Gu Fuzhou shrugged. âHow could I when love-addled isnât what Doctor Lin wants? I want to become Doctor Linâs type â a mature man.â
Lin Qingyu teased, âWell, I count salted fish among my dislikes but it hasnât made you any more diligent.â
âThe only thing I can say to that is, itâs a testament to my ability that despite my being salted fish, I have managed to make the Dayuâs number one beauty fall for me.â Not only did Gu Fuzhou not feel any share, rather he was quite proud of it. âYou like me already. Itâs too late for regrets.â
Lin Qingyu sighed softly. âIâve miscalculated.â
Gu Fuzhou smiled and said, âDonât be like that. I may be salted fish but I support you in all your endeavors. You can proceed with all confidence and boldness. If something goes wrong, you can come to me and I will help you deal with the aftermath.â
Lin Qingyu said, âI canât go to you unless something goes wrong? Didnât you say youâre bored. If so, I have a lot of work for you to do.â
âForget it.â Gu Fuzhou lay on the table and waved his hand, âUnless itâs for you, Iâd rather stay at home to get moldy than go to work.â
Lin Qingyu raised his hand and gave a barely there touch to the shallow scar on Gu Fuzhouâs forehead. âIf you handle these things well for me, then I will have time to play around with your feelings.â
Gu Fuzhou raised his eyebrows. âIs this true? Then give me your written pledge.â
Lin Qingyu laughed, âWhat would you like me to write?â
Gu Fuzhou brought out pen and paper. âWrite down that after Iâm done handling these matters for you, you have to stay with me at the mansion for an entire day, twenty-four hours. One hour less and that doesnât count as a day.â
A few days later, the civil and military officials discovered that the guards in the palace had quietly been changed. Most of these guards were unfamiliar faces. They patrolled the palace day and night in shifts. They guarded the eight palace gates, the twelve east and west palaces, the six bureaus and twenty-four divisions. Some busybodies went asking about and learned that the new batch of imperial guards had personally been selected and gathered by General Gu. Each and every one was loyal and devoted to the general.
At the same time, Xue Ying, the old eunuch who has been serving the emperor for many years, suddenly wished to retire and return home. As soon as he left, the eunuchs and maids of the emperorâs palace were also changed. Now, Eunuch Lai Fu of Fengyi Palace was in charge.
The Empress waited all day long before the dragon bed. Though the other concubines and princesses wished to also serve the ill emperor, she tactfully turned them away, sending them back to the harem, saying that the emperor needed his rest and was not in any condition to see people. Both in court and in the inner palace, save for those of Fengyi Palace, the only other person who could see the emperor was Imperial Physician Lin of the Imperial Hospital.
Everyone knew that a great change in the palace was about to take place.
On this day, General Gu, who had not been in court for a long time, along with his wife, showed up at the Ministry of Revenue. The Nanâan Hou, who was then Minister of Revenue, personally received him. Among these civil servants, Gu Fuzhou, dressed in the clothes of a military official, was particularly conspicuous. He even wore a sword around his waist.
Gu Fuzhou asked the others to withdraw for now, leaving them alone with the Nanâan Hou. Nanâan Hou said anxiously, âThe General graces our minstry with his presence. What noble errand might have brought you here?â
The Nanâan Hou has been serving for many years and throughout all those years, he has never participated in party disputes. He served the emperor, his only support. Now that the emperor was seriously ill, his backer at the verge of collapse, he grew even more careful, overcaution in all matters big and small. Whether the new emperor turns out to be the Crown Prince or King Ning, he would be able to keep his own glory.
Gu Fuzhou looked at the man he used to call âFatherâ now walking on thin ice and felt a little like laughing. âMaster Hou has not seen my wife for a long time. Perhaps you would like to pay him your greetings?â
The Nanâan Houâs expression froze. He, a noble of the highest rank, has fallen to a point that he had to pay his greetings to an imperial physician; not to mention that this imperial physician was once the male wife of his household.
Lin Qingyu said, âGeneral, if we could kindly move on to business?â
âAlright.â Gu Fuzhou said, âThis General has something I donât understand and so I came here to ask the Nanâan Hou.â
Nanâan Hou said, âGeneral, please feel free to ask.â
Gu Fuzhou found talking too tiring, so he handed over the right to speak to Lin Qingyu, âMadam.â
Lin Qingyu said, âConcubine Chen has been banished and the Crown Prince is seriously ill. King Ning has been supervising the country for a long time. As such the General is wondering why, given the situation, has none of the civil servants come forward to declare their position.â
The Nanâan Hou froze for a moment. Lin Qingyu has already made his views very clear. He had long had a hunch that this matter would fall on him. Previously, Lin Qingyu had threatened him with the matter of the illegal salt business to asked him to implore for the Fourth Princeâs title as king. He thought that what the Fourth Prince was asking for was nothing more than the position of a feudal king. Now, it was evident that Lin Qingyu had already at that time, set up a chess game and invited him into an urn.
Nanâan Hou said, voice cold, âThe prime minister is the head of the civil ministers. Prime Minister Cui has yeet to make his position known. How could I possible dare to declare my own?â
Lin Qingyu disagreed, âThis matter is easy to handle. You can go and discuss this with Prime Minister Cui. Together, you can come forth and write a memorial to the emperor.â
Gu Fuzhou said, âThe Madam is right.â
The Nanâan Hou showed signs of reluctance. âThis⌠what does the General wish me to write?â
Gu Fuzhou, seemingly accidental, brushed his hand against the handle of his sword. âMaster Hou is a smart man. There should be no need for me to speak so bluntly.â
Nanâan Hou wiped the sweat off his brow. Gathering up his courage, he said, âAlthough Concubine Chen has committed a big mistake, she has not implicate the Crown Prince. His Majest shows no intention of giving up on the Crown prince. If I, simply because the Crown Prince is ill and King Ning is currently supervising the country, ask his Majesty to revoke the Crown Princeâs position, would I not be accused of sailing with the wind and currying favor with those in power?â
Lin Qingyu said: âMaster Hou must be joking. How could this possibly be considered as sailing with the wind and curring favor with those in power? The General simply wishes for you to â go where the tides dictate.â
Gu Fuzhou nodded. âThe Madam is absolutely right.â
The Nanâan Hou was stunned. âGo where the tides dictate? ButâŚâ
âThat day, when Master Hou asked on behalf of the Fourth Prince that he be grated his title, you have already boarded His Highnessâ ship. At that time, the Fourth Prince had no political merits, he had none of the Emperorâs favor. Despite this, Master Hou extended his help and His Highness has always kept this kindness in mind. Now, His Highness has his achievements, the heart of the people. Is Master Hou certain that he wishes to disembark at this time, to withold his help instead of being this shipâs helmsman?â
The Nanâan Hou seemed moved. Hints of being swayed appeared in his eyes.
Lin Qingyu went on, âSo long as Master Hou is able to win over peopleâs hearts on behalf of His Highness, convincing many of the civil ministers and censors to His Highnessâ side, not to mention being minister of revenue, he may even reward you with the prime ministerâs postion.â
Just as Nanâan Hou was hesitating to agree, Gu Fuzhouâs words allowed him to make his decision, âDo it for the glory of the Lu Clan, for your infant child not yet a year old.â
The Marquis of Nanâan took a deep breath, âHis Highness can leave the civil ministers to me.â
Not long after, a memorial composed by the Nanâan Hou and signed jointly by several officials was sent to the emperorâs palace. Lin Qingyu handed the memorial to the empress. âNiangniang, please see if everything is in order.â
The Empress looked at it and said, âEverything appears appropriate.â
âThen, let us have His Majesty rise.â
After many days, Lin Qingyu once again administered acupuncture to the unconscious emperor. When the Emperor finally managed to awaken, he looked with cloudy eyes to his bedside. âEmpressâŚâ
âYour Majesty.â The Empress said softly, âYou are awake.â
The emperorâs fingers moved. His voice was hoarse, rough as gravel, âThe Imperial Physician?â
Lin Qingyu said, âThis minister is here.â
An unknown incense was lit, itâs rich fragrance suffused throughout the room. The Emperor looked at Lin Qingyu, his expression gradually becoming dull.
âThis minister asked the Emperor back because there is something I would like His Majesty to do.â Lin Qingyuâs voice was very soft, as if talking to a child, âCan the Emperor do it for me?â
The Emperor nodded numbly.
Lin Qingyu gave a slight smile. âReally obedient.â He raised his eyes in signal and Lai Fu, waiting by the side, immediately carried a table and placed it onto the bed. The Empress helped the Emperor to sit up and handed him the imperial brush.
Once everything was ready, Lai Fu presented the jade seal. The Empress held the Emperorâs hand and stamped it on the edict. After doing so, the Emperor fell into slumber once again. The Empress indifferently covered him with the quilt. She said, her concern for herself, âYour Majesty, do not blame Chenqie. If you wish for someone to blame, blame yourself. If you had but spared the barest thought for Liâer, Chenqie wouldnât have resorted to this. Your Majesty has so many princes and princesses, but Chenqie only has Liâer. I am but a mother who wishes to be reunited with her son. Why are you so unwilling? No matter how much of a dullard Liâer is, he is also your own flesh and blood. WhyâŚâŚâ
As the Empress spoke, she began to choke up.
Lin Qingyu put away the edict and said, âNiangniang, His Highness the Sixth Prince is still waiting for you in Jinyang Garden.â
The Empress expressionlessly wiped away her tears. She said, âThe Emperor once said that Jinyang Garden is warm in winter and cool in summer. With its pleasant climate, itâs a good place to recuperate. That was why he sent Liâer to stay there. It seems to me that once the Third Prince, Xiao Cheng moves out of the Eastern Palace, it would be the perfect place for him to recuperateâŚHe wonât be coming back.â
Lin Qingyu nodded lightly. âYes.â
The author has something to say: âA person from ancient time transmigrates to the presentâ Mini-theater
Classmate Jiang and the Great Beauty made an appointment to meet at the mall. There were a lot of people in the mall, so even if it turns out to be some sort of scam, he wasnât afraid.
Classmate Jiang took the subway to the mall (sorry, seventeen-year-old high school students canât drive) and waited for a long time but saw no sign of the Great Beauty.
He sent a message to the stranger: Where is he?
Stranger: Your wife canât get in.
Classmate Jiang: ?
Stranger: He has no health code. = =
Translatorâs note: Iâm sorry, guys, but no updates next week. Thereâs been a lot of difficulties at work and theyâve kept me from translating. Hopefully, it eases up. Barring any unforeseen problems, releases should resume on the 26th. orz