Chapter 83
Xi Rong didn’t consider it for long and gave Lin Qingyu his answer. He agreed to Lin Qingyu’s three conditions. He ordered someone to deliver the Tianji Camp’s token to the General’s mansion and as prince in charge of the supervision of the country, he entrusted Gu Fuzhou with the responsibility of guarding the capital.
“Isn’t he a little too willing to agree?” Gu Fuzhou tapped the table with the Tianji Camp’s token. “It doesn’t seem like Xi Rong’s style.”
Lin Qingyu agreed, “He’s definitely left himself a way out.”
When he put forward those three conditions that day, he didn’t actually expect Xi Rong to agree. Given Xi Rong’s ambition, how could he stand being surrounded by wolves restraining his actions once Xiao Jie’s ascends to the throne? Xi Rong’s willingness to agree now was simply because he and Xiao Jie’s position was unstable and for the time being, they could not do without the his and Gu Fuzhou’s 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.
“Don’t you have a way out yourself? –‘If Xiao Jie and Xi Rong won’t listen, then they’ll be replaced.’, these were your words.
Lin Qingyu looked at the token that could mobilize all of the Tianji Camp’s elite assassins. “The emperor only has so many sons. We’ve gotten rid of Xiao Cheng, if we replace Xiao Jie, there’s only one left.”
Gu Fuzhou was using the Tianji Camp token to tap out a rhythm. He said sleepily, “A dullard as emperor? It would simply be unreasonable.”
“I wouldn’t want to do anything unreasonable either. I hope Xi Rong would be more obedient and not force me to replace them. — Stop that tapping.” Lin Qingyu couldn’t bear it any longer, “Are your hands so empty that you simply can’t go without having anything to play with?”
Gu Fuzhou stopped and pretended to feel wronged. “We’re already dating, why is Doctor Lin still so fierce?”
Lin Qingyu said with a smile, “I’m only saying the truth, why is that being ‘fierce’?”
“I’m bored so naturally I’m going to find something to play with.” Gu Fuzhou said casually, “You won’t 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.”
Lately, Lin Qingyu has been busy dealing with the different parties and truthfully didn’t have time to play with Young Master Jiang’s feelings. Gu Fuzhou no longer needed to go to morning court and he didn’t 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, “Why, you want to be love-addled as well?”
Gu Fuzhou shrugged. “How could I when love-addled isn’t what Doctor Lin wants? I want to become Doctor Lin’s type — a mature man.”
Lin Qingyu teased, “Well, I count salted fish among my dislikes but it hasn’t made you any more diligent.”
“The only thing I can say to that is, it’s a testament to my ability that despite my being salted fish, I have managed to make the Dayu’s number one beauty fall for me.” Not only did Gu Fuzhou not feel any share, rather he was quite proud of it. “You like me already. It’s too late for regrets.”
Lin Qingyu sighed softly. “I’ve miscalculated.”
Gu Fuzhou smiled and said, “Don’t 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.”
Lin Qingyu said, “I can’t go to you unless something goes wrong? Didn’t you say you’re bored. If so, I have a lot of work for you to do.”
“Forget it.” Gu Fuzhou lay on the table and waved his hand, “Unless it’s for you, I’d rather stay at home to get moldy than go to work.”
Lin Qingyu raised his hand and gave a barely there touch to the shallow scar on Gu Fuzhou’s forehead. “If you handle these things well for me, then I will have time to play around with your feelings.”
Gu Fuzhou raised his eyebrows. “Is this true? Then give me your written pledge.”
Lin Qingyu laughed, “What would you like me to write?”
Gu Fuzhou brought out pen and paper. “Write down that after I’m 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 doesn’t count as a day.”
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 emperor’s 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 Nan’an 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 Nan’an Hou. Nan’an Hou said anxiously, “The General graces our minstry with his presence. What noble errand might have brought you here?”
The Nan’an 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 “Father” now walking on thin ice and felt a little like laughing. “Master Hou has not seen my wife for a long time. Perhaps you would like to pay him your greetings?”
The Nan’an Hou’s 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, “General, if we could kindly move on to business?”
“Alright.” Gu Fuzhou said, “This General has something I don’t understand and so I came here to ask the Nan’an Hou.”
Nan’an Hou said, “General, please feel free to ask.”
Gu Fuzhou found talking too tiring, so he handed over the right to speak to Lin Qingyu, “Madam.”
Lin Qingyu said, “Concubine 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.”
The Nan’an 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 Prince’s 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.
Nan’an Hou said, voice cold, “The 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?”
Lin Qingyu disagreed, “This 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.”
Gu Fuzhou said, “The Madam is right.”
The Nan’an Hou showed signs of reluctance. “This… what does the General wish me to write?”
Gu Fuzhou, seemingly accidental, brushed his hand against the handle of his sword. “Master Hou is a smart man. There should be no need for me to speak so bluntly.”
Nan’an Hou wiped the sweat off his brow. Gathering up his courage, he said, “Although 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 Prince’s position, would I not be accused of sailing with the wind and currying favor with those in power?”
Lin Qingyu said: “Master 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 — go where the tides dictate.”
Gu Fuzhou nodded. “The Madam is absolutely right.”
The Nan’an Hou was stunned. “Go where the tides dictate? But…”
“That day, when Master Hou asked on behalf of the Fourth Prince that he be grated his title, you have already boarded His Highness’ ship. At that time, the Fourth Prince had no political merits, he had none of the Emperor’s 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 ship’s helmsman?”
The Nan’an Hou seemed moved. Hints of being swayed appeared in his eyes.
Lin Qingyu went on, “So long as Master Hou is able to win over people’s hearts on behalf of His Highness, convincing many of the civil ministers and censors to His Highness’ side, not to mention being minister of revenue, he may even reward you with the prime minister’s postion.”
Just as Nan’an Hou was hesitating to agree, Gu Fuzhou’s words allowed him to make his decision, “Do it for the glory of the Lu Clan, for your infant child not yet a year old.”
The Marquis of Nan’an took a deep breath, “His Highness can leave the civil ministers to me.”
Not long after, a memorial composed by the Nan’an Hou and signed jointly by several officials was sent to the emperor’s palace. Lin Qingyu handed the memorial to the empress. “Niangniang, please see if everything is in order.”
The Empress looked at it and said, “Everything appears appropriate.”
“Then, let us have His Majesty rise.”
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. “Empress…”
“Your Majesty.” The Empress said softly, “You are awake.”
The emperor’s fingers moved. His voice was hoarse, rough as gravel, “The Imperial Physician?”
Lin Qingyu said, “This minister is here.”
An unknown incense was lit, it’s rich fragrance suffused throughout the room. The Emperor looked at Lin Qingyu, his expression gradually becoming dull.
“This minister asked the Emperor back because there is something I would like His Majesty to do.” Lin Qingyu’s voice was very soft, as if talking to a child, “Can the Emperor do it for me?”
The Emperor nodded numbly.
Lin Qingyu gave a slight smile. “Really obedient.” 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 Emperor’s 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, “Your Majesty, do not blame Chenqie. If you wish for someone to blame, blame yourself. If you had but spared the barest thought for Li’er, Chenqie wouldn’t have resorted to this. Your Majesty has so many princes and princesses, but Chenqie only has Li’er. 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 Li’er is, he is also your own flesh and blood. Why……”
As the Empress spoke, she began to choke up.
Lin Qingyu put away the edict and said, “Niangniang, His Highness the Sixth Prince is still waiting for you in Jinyang Garden.”
The Empress expressionlessly wiped away her tears. She said, “The Emperor once said that Jinyang Garden is warm in winter and cool in summer. With its pleasant climate, it’s a good place to recuperate. That was why he sent Li’er 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 recuperate…He won’t be coming back.”
Lin Qingyu nodded lightly. “Yes.”
The author has something to say: ‘A person from ancient time transmigrates to the present’ 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 wasn’t afraid.
Classmate Jiang took the subway to the mall (sorry, seventeen-year-old high school students can’t 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 can’t get in.
Classmate Jiang: ?
Stranger: He has no health code. = =
