lcionline Chapter 214 Visit
Chapter 214 Visit
The previous emperor had many descendants, but by this time there were only a few left.
By the seventh year of his reign, there were only a few people left, not to mention that several were bedridden.
The emperor could not help but miss his thirteenth brother. If Yinxiang was still healthy, he would look after his brothers for him.
The emperor sighed with a dry nose, "Su Peisheng, I am leaving the palace to visit my thirteenth brother, and I will also visit the seventeenth brother."
Su Peisheng came in and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Master Seventeen's Qingliang Terrace is far away, and it's getting dark early now. I'm afraid he won't be able to return until after dark."
"Grandpa Seventeen is not in his own residence and has gone to Qingliang Terrace?" The emperor frowned.
The emperor's longing for his thirteenth brother still couldn't overcome his suspicion. The next moment, he heard the emperor say:
"Since Old Seventeen is ill, I will take Longyue to see him and leave early tomorrow morning."
They both remembered that at the beginning of this spring, Prince Guo had given Princess Longyue a necklace with a gold and jade ruyi pattern. He smiled gently and said, "The other princesses all have their mothers to take care of them, but Princess Longyue was separated from her mother at birth. Naturally, I will take extra care of this niece."
At that time, the emperor's face was gloomy, and he replied indifferently: "Longyue's biological mother is Concubine Duan."
Su Peisheng said yes, "I will go and inform Concubine Duan and Master Seventeen right away."
The emperor waved his hand and said, "No need. Just consider it a surprise for Old Seventeen."
Inside Yanqing Palace, Concubine Duan was puzzled by the Emperor's actions. Jixiang stuffed a bag of silver into Su Peisheng's hand. Concubine Duan said, "Eunuch Su, Longyue is only two years old. She is too young, and I am worried about her. Could you please tell the Emperor that I can go with you?"
Su Peisheng looked embarrassed, "But how is your health, Madam?"
"My body is fine now." Concubine Duan smiled.
Su Peisheng looked at her carefully and found that she was indeed not as pale as before. Longyue followed Concubine Duan's instructions and sat on her lap obediently, looking at Su Peisheng with her watery eyes without blinking.
"I understand. I will go and ask the emperor now." Su Peisheng bowed and took his leave.
The Emperor, for no apparent reason, decided to visit Prince Guo at Qingliang Terrace. Concubine Duan was baffled, but she knew Lingyun Peak, where Zhen Huan was, was not far away. The Empress had returned to the palace, powerful enough to rival Nian Shilan and Jiang Ruyin. Concubine Duan had a firm grasp on Zhen Huan: aloof and arrogant, with a refusal to admit defeat, she was difficult to control and prone to dragging others down.
After two years of living together, Concubine Duan has already regarded Longyue as her own child. No matter how good her son is, he is not as sweet and caring as Longyue, her first child. Concubine Duan does not want Zhen Huan to get involved with the emperor again at this time.
Su Peisheng quickly reported back, and the emperor agreed to this matter, and Concubine Duan was relieved.
Long Yue looked at her mother curiously, and put her arms around Concubine Duan's neck. "Mother, what is Qingliangtai?"
Caressing Longyue's smooth cheeks lovingly, Concubine Duan said, "Qingliang Terrace is your Seventeenth Uncle's place. He also gave you a necklace. Have you forgotten, Longyue?"
Speaking of Uncle Seventeen, Longyue didn't remember, but she still remembered the collar. She pouted and said, "It's that clumsy and heavy collar."
Concubine Duan laughed, "Yes, your father will take you to see Uncle Seventeen tomorrow. Longyue should go to bed early tonight."
The emperor had not visited her many times, except at banquets attended by the entire palace. Therefore, Longyue was still a little afraid of this serious emperor, and she snuggled in Concubine Duan's arms and agreed hesitantly.
......
......
The weather was perfect, and golden sunlight shone on the path to Qingliangtai.
Prince Guo was lying sick on his bed, his face slightly pale, but he could not hide the warmth and affection in his eyes. After a few days of getting along, his feelings for Zhen Huan quietly warmed up, like a new bud breaking through the soil in spring, growing wantonly.
"Huan'er, how do you feel today?" Prince Guo asked softly, with some concern in his voice.
Zhen Huan also had a cough yesterday and took medicine that night.
Zhen Huan sat on the edge of the bed, lowering her head slightly, "I'm fine now. I think I'm just not used to the smell of the charcoal smoke. I'm more worried about the prince's condition." She raised her eyes and met Prince Guo's.
Prince Guo's eyes were filled with deep affection as he met Zhen Huan's gaze and was about to say something.
Suddenly, Ah Jin's hurried footsteps were heard outside the door. "Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived with Concubine Duan and Princess Longyue!"
Upon hearing this, Prince Guo's expression tightened and he subconsciously looked at Zhen Huan.
Zhen Huan was also panicked and almost knocked over the medicine bowl in her hand.
"Huan'er, hide behind the screen quickly!" Prince Guo said anxiously, struggling to get up and try to tidy up his slightly messy clothes.
Zhen Huan stood up in a panic, her skirt swaying slightly. She looked at Prince Guo, her eyes filled with worry and pain, and walked straight behind the screen.
Just as she was about to walk behind the screen, Prince Guo suddenly spoke again: "Huan'er, don't be afraid, I'll take care of everything." Zhen Huan turned around, met Prince Guo's eyes that reassured her, forced a smile, and then disappeared behind the screen.
Prince Guo took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He straightened his clothes and sat upright on the couch, his face changing into a submissive expression.
After a long time, the emperor appeared at the door, and Concubine Duan followed behind the emperor, holding Longyue.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Prince Guo stood up and wanted to salute, but the emperor raised his hand to stop him.
"Old Seventeen, you are ill, so there is no need to be so polite." The emperor's voice was majestic and mixed with a hint of concern.
Longyue jumped down from Concubine Duan's arms and bowed obediently, "Uncle, thank you for the necklace. Longyue likes it very much."
Prince Guo forced a smile and patted Longyue's head, "Be good, Longyue, your uncle is much better."
As he spoke, his eyes inadvertently glanced behind the screen. He prayed silently that Zhen Huan would not be discovered and that everything would be safe.
Concubine Duan stood quietly by, her eyes flickering between Prince Guo and the screen, as if she had noticed something, but remained silent. The emperor paced around the room, looking around and asking about Prince Guo's condition from time to time.
Prince Guo answered all the questions one by one. Suddenly, the emperor said, "Your room is still quieter. The Qingliang Terrace still needs a hostess."
Prince Guo smiled bitterly and bowed, "Your Majesty, you know that I am used to living a carefree life. In this life, I only wish to find someone who loves me and will always be with me until we grow old together."
The emperor pointed at him cheerfully and said, "Look at Old Seventeen. He's so old, but he's still so innocent."
"Seventeenth Master is a noble man. I wonder which lady from which family can catch his eye." Concubine Duan smiled and said in a nonsensical way.
"To be honest, I already have a sweetheart, but she has always been unwilling to accept me." Prince Guo said with a wry smile.