Chapter 170: One Night Passes
The lights lit in the palace courtyard were extinguished one by one again, returning to just one night light.
The night light was dim, and Yang Luo and Mo Zheng did not lie back on the bed again.
Yang Luo sat in front of the desk, suddenly pinching her own hand.
Mo Zheng laughed beside her: “What, you think it’s a dream?”
Finally met the Emperor.
Also asked the questions that had been lingering from past and present lives.
Just like a dream, right.
Yang Luo looked at the pinch mark on her hand: “I died once, and you encountered so much danger. If this is still a dream, we’re too miserable.”
Mo Zheng raised her eyebrow: “After extreme hardship comes happiness. We’ve been miserable enough; next it’s someone else’s turn.”
Yang Luo smiled, looking at her and nodding.
Mo Zheng smiled and asked: “This dad, you’re really not acknowledging him? I think he really wants to acknowledge you.”
Yang Luo looked toward the gradually lightening night sky outside.
“I died once, you encountered so much danger; just seeing dad and acknowledging him.” She said slowly, “Miss Yang is too cheap.”
……
…….
The sky brightened greatly, and news spread in the Imperial City that the Emperor was ill.
It was said that he had caught a cold from hunting, but there was no serious problem.
Imperial relatives and officials all submitted greetings. To avoid worrying the court ministers, the Emperor specially summoned some heavy ministers into the palace for an audience.
And Duke Ding’an.
Hearing this summons, Duke Ding’an himself was startled.
He had indeed submitted a greeting memorial, but why was the Emperor summoning him? He was neither an imperial relative nor a heavy minister!
“Father, what else could it be.” Yang Hui shouted, “Yang Luo caused such a big disaster. I think this time His Majesty is ill largely because he was angered, and His Majesty will surely punish Father severely.”
Duke Ding’an’s face grew even more unpleasant.
His eldest son Yang Shanshu, who had just returned home yesterday, still had fatigue on his face that had not faded, and he too had to furrow his brow in thought.
“It shouldn’t be, right.” He said, muttering, “The Master said it’s the father’s fault if the son is not taught. This cousin is the disciple of the Libationer, and the Libationer was present at the time. If something happened, the Libationer should be responsible, not blame Father.”
Yang Hui called out to her brother: “How could there be no blame? You didn’t see it—Chai Wan’er was injured so badly, covered in blood, even a lock of her hair was pulled out.”
This cousin really knows how to cause trouble, Yang Shanshu was surprised.
He had rushed back home yesterday.
Actually, he should have returned much earlier, but Mother kept writing letters saying relatives had come to the house, making things unsettled, telling him not to come back until it was stable.
Although he thought Mother’s words were exaggerated, since Mother gave him plenty of money to spend outside, he was happy to do so, eating, drinking, and playing outside until after the new year before returning.
He didn’t expect to witness the prowess of this relative’s young lady right upon returning.
Fighting with the young lady from Marquis Yichun’s Mansion at the Emperor’s banquet!
Wail echoed in the hall.
“It’s over. After the Emperor reprimands Father, he’ll definitely send someone to strike my palms again.”
“It’s a new year, Mother. Send her back to her hometown; don’t let her harm us anymore.”
Don’t they want to send her away? They can’t! Duke Ding’an and his wife were distraught.
Duke Ding’an scolded Yang Hui: “It’s all your fault. Only you followed; why didn’t you watch her!”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode out.
He didn’t want to go, but he had to. He didn’t dare to resist the decree.
Yang Hui stomped her feet in the hall in anger. What did this have to do with her!
“How could I watch her? Mother, why didn’t you and Father watch her.” She shouted, then pulled Yang Shanshu and complained through tears, “Ever since she came, I haven’t had a single good day.”
In the past, Father and Mother had never scolded Yang Hui at home. This showed that Yang Hui’s days were not as good as before. Yang Shanshu hurriedly comforted his sister: “Don’t worry, I’m back. From now on, I’ll discipline her.”
The family was uneasy, constantly sending servants to the Imperial City Gate to inquire about news, waiting until dusk fell when Duke Ding’an returned from the Imperial Palace.
“Duke, was there any punishment?” Duke Ding’an’s Wife asked urgently.
Yang Hui and Yang Shanshu also surrounded Duke Ding’an, checking if he was injured.
Duke Ding’an looked somewhat dazed: “His Majesty did not punish me, not even reprimand me.”
The three in the room were all stunned.
“Then what did His Majesty call you for?” Duke Ding’an’s Wife asked puzzledly. His Majesty was ill right now; even when well, he rarely saw people.
Duke Ding’an said: “He just had me stand in the hall.”
His Majesty ignored him, didn’t ask him to speak; even the heavy ministers and imperial physicians withdrew, and he was still standing in the hall.
His Majesty didn’t tell him to leave, and even took a short nap, as if forgetting him.
He didn’t dare make a sound to disturb, just kept standing until dusk fell, until the Emperor woke up.
This time the Emperor finally glanced at him and waved his hand, so he withdrew.
Except for his legs and feet aching from standing, nothing else happened.
“Is this standing punishment?” Yang Hui said wide-eyed.
Standing punishment? Duke Ding’an frowned.
“No.” Yang Shanshu waved his hand, the young man looking wise: “Father, this should be His Majesty’s consideration.”
Consideration? Duke Ding’an and his wife were even more confused upon hearing this.
“That cousin caused trouble, and His Majesty knows you’re innocent, Father. He’s worried others, especially Marquis Yichun’s Mansion quarreling with our family, so he specially had you come.” Yang Shanshu said with a smile, “Let everyone see that His Majesty doesn’t punish you, so others can’t punish you for it either.”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife suddenly understood and clapped her hands: “Exactly, that’s it.”
Duke Ding’an thought about it half-believingly and felt it made sense.
“Shanshu, you’re still the sharp-minded one.” He praised his son.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife was even prouder: “Our Shanshu reads well and is smart.”
Yang Shanshu smiled modestly: “Just gained some experience from traveling outside.” Then he added calmly, “His Majesty is so considerate; we can’t pretend to be oblivious. Father, you should still go to the temporary palace personally to reprimand our cousin.”
Duke Ding’an and his wife nodded repeatedly: “Naturally, we must go.”
Yang Hui, standing to the side, frowned.
She used to think her brother was smart too.
But now she felt…
Is he that smart?
He couldn’t even get into the National Academy and had to go study abroad.
If smartness is measured by reading, then Yang Luo is smarter.
…….
…….
Dusk fell, lights were lit in the Emperor’s sleeping quarters, and the court ministers and imperial physicians had all withdrawn. The other princes and princesses were not allowed to attend to the illness either, except Princess Pingcheng.
“Father Emperor, this medicine can be taken now.”
Princess Pingcheng said, bringing over the cooled medicine.
The Emperor took it and drank it down in big gulps.
Princess Pingcheng offered candied fruit, and the Emperor ate it in one bite.
“For tonight’s meal, I reduced a few dishes. Father Emperor, if you’re a bit hungry, you’ll recover faster.” Princess Pingcheng said, looking over the list sent from the Imperial Kitchen.
The Emperor hummed in acknowledgment.
“Drink another bowl of calming medicine later and sleep early.” Princess Pingcheng continued.
The Emperor hummed again.
Princess Pingcheng set down the prescription and looked at the Emperor.
The Emperor leaned back, his gaze on the flickering lamplight cast on the bed curtains.
“Father Emperor.” Princess Pingcheng called.
The Emperor’s eyes sharpened, looking at Princess Pingcheng, forcing a smile: “Pingcheng, don’t worry. I will take my medicine well and recover soon.”
Princess Pingcheng smiled and nodded: “Good.”
With that, she handed over a cup of warm water.
The Emperor reached out, took a sip.
Princess Pingcheng looked at the Emperor for a moment, then stood: “Father Emperor, rest well. I will take leave first.”
The Emperor nodded: “Go on, go on.” Adding, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Princess Pingcheng paid respects and withdrew.
Her palace maid was waiting outside the hall and happily came forward to support her: “Princess, you worked hard.”
Sigh, no choice—His Majesty only allows Princess Pingcheng to attend him.
The Emperor dislikes taking medicine, just like a little child, needing coaxing.
But he wouldn’t easily show such a demeanor as Emperor; only with her does he do so.
This also shows that in the Emperor’s heart, he only sees her as a daughter.
But…
Princess Pingcheng couldn’t help looking back at the sleeping quarters, but today the Emperor didn’t want her coaxing, didn’t joke with her; even as she sat before Father Emperor, he seemed not to see her…
Is it because he’s ill and lacks energy?
……
…….
“Your Majesty, please have your meal.”
The eunuchs set out the meal and said respectfully.
The Emperor sat on the bed, looking at the light but exquisite meal, sighed, and turned his gaze to the hall door.
Wondering what his A Luo is eating?
Is the care over at the temporary palace thorough?
