Her guards

Chapter 170 One Night Passed

The lights that had been lit in the palace gardens were extinguished one by one, turning back into night lamps.

The night light was dim, and Yang Luo and Mo Zheng did not lie back down on the bed.

Yang Luo sat at the desk and suddenly pinched his hand.

Mo Zheng laughed from the side: "What, did you think you were dreaming?"

Finally, I met the emperor.

They also asked questions that they had pondered throughout their past and present lives.

It's like a dream.

Yang Luo looked at the pinch marks on her hands: "I died once, and you encountered so many dangers. If this is all just a dream, then we're really in a terrible situation."

Mo Zheng raised an eyebrow: "After the worst comes the best. We've had our share of misery; now it's someone else's turn."

Yang Luo smiled and nodded at her.

Mo Zheng smiled and asked, "This father, he really doesn't acknowledge him? I think he really wants to."

Yang Luo looked out at the gradually bluish night sky.

“I died once, and you’ve faced so many dangers, yet you recognize your father as soon as you see him.” She said slowly, “Miss Yang, you’re really worthless.”

……

.......
As dawn broke, news spread throughout the imperial city that the emperor was ill.

They said it was because he caught a cold while hunting, and that it was nothing serious.

Imperial relatives and officials presented their greetings one after another. In order to avoid worrying the courtiers, the emperor specially summoned some important officials to the palace for an audience.

There was also the Duke of Ding'an.

Upon hearing this summons, even the Duke of Ding'an was startled.

He did indeed submit a memorial to inquire after the emperor's health, but why would the emperor summon him? He was neither a member of the imperial family nor a high-ranking official!

“Father, what else can we do?” Yang Hui cried out. “Yang Luo has caused such a big mess. I think His Majesty’s illness this time is largely due to anger. His Majesty will definitely punish Father severely.”

The Duke of Ding'an's face grew even uglier.

Yang Shanshu, the eldest son who had just returned home yesterday, still looked tired and couldn't help but frown and think.

“I don’t think so,” he said, muttering to himself, “Confucius said that if a son is not taught, it is the father’s fault. This cousin is the disciple of the chief priest. The chief priest was present at the time, so the chief priest should be responsible for what happened. My father shouldn’t be blamed.”

Yang Hui called out to her brother, "How could I not blame you? You didn't see how badly Chai Wan'er was injured. She was covered in blood, and a lock of her hair was pulled out."

"This cousin of mine is really good at causing trouble," Yang Shanshu exclaimed in surprise.

He rushed home yesterday.

He should have returned much earlier, but his mother kept writing to say that relatives had come to visit, causing unrest at home, and asked him not to come back until things had calmed down.

Although he felt his mother's words were exaggerated, she had given him a lot of money to support him while he was away, so why wouldn't he take advantage of it? He ate, drank, and had fun outside until after the New Year before returning home.

I never expected to witness how formidable this relative was so soon after I got back.

Fighting with the young lady of the Marquis of Yichun's mansion at the emperor's banquet!

Yang Hui's wailing echoed in the hall.

"Oh no, after the emperor finishes reprimanding my father, he'll definitely send someone to beat my hands again."

"It's a new year, Mother. Let's send her back to our hometown. Let her stop causing us trouble."

Don't they want to send them away? But they can't! The Duke and his wife were very upset.

Duke Ding'an scolded Yang Hui: "This is all your fault! You were the only one who went with her. Why didn't you keep an eye on her?"

Having said that, he flicked his sleeves and strode out.

He didn't want to go, but he had to go; he dared not disobey the imperial decree.

Yang Hui stomped her feet in anger in the hall. What did this have to do with her?

“How could I keep an eye on her, Mother? Why didn’t you and Father keep an eye on her?” she cried, then grabbed Yang Shanshu and sobbed, “I haven’t had a single good day since she came.”

In the past, her parents had never scolded Yang Hui at home, which showed that Yang Hui's life was not as good as before. Yang Shanshu quickly comforted his sister: "Don't worry, I'm back. I will discipline her from now on."

The family was filled with anxiety, constantly sending servants to the imperial city gates to inquire about news. They waited until dusk before the Duke of Ding'an returned from the palace.

"My lord, has he been punished?" Lady Ding'an asked anxiously.

Yang Hui and Yang Shanshu also surrounded Duke Ding'an to check if he was injured.

The Duke of Ding'an looked somewhat bewildered: "His Majesty did not punish me, nor did he even reprimand me."

The three people inside were stunned.

"Then what does His Majesty want you to do?" Lady Ding'an asked, puzzled. His Majesty is currently ill; he doesn't usually see her when he's well.

Duke Ding'an said, "Let me stand inside the palace."

His Majesty ignored him and did not allow him to speak. Even the high-ranking officials and imperial physicians withdrew, but he remained standing in the hall.

His Majesty did not let him leave, and even took a short nap, seemingly forgetting about him.

He dared not make a sound to disturb the emperor, and stood there until dusk fell and the emperor awoke.

This time, the emperor finally glanced at him, waved his hand, and he withdrew. Apart from his legs aching from standing, he was perfectly fine.

"Is this a punishment to stand in the corner?" Yang Hui asked, her eyes wide.

Standing as punishment? Duke Ding'an frowned.

“No.” Yang Shanshu waved his hand, the young man’s eyes were wise. “Father, this should be His Majesty’s thoughtfulness.”

Thoughtful? The Duke of Ding'an and his wife were even more confused.

“That cousin caused trouble. His Majesty knows that you, Father, are innocent. He was worried that others, especially the Marquis of Yichun’s family, would quarrel with our family, so he specially asked you to go over,” Yang Shanshu said with a smile. “Let everyone see that His Majesty will not punish you, so no one else can punish you for this.”

Lady Ding'an suddenly realized and clapped her hands: "That's right, that's exactly it."

After thinking about it with some skepticism, Duke Ding'an realized that it did indeed make sense.

"Shanshu, you're really quick-witted," he praised his son.

Lady Ding'an was even more proud: "Our Shanshu is well-read and intelligent."

Yang Shanshu smiled and said, "She has just broadened her horizons by traveling more." Then she added calmly, "His Majesty is so considerate, we cannot pretend to be ignorant. Father, you should go to the palace yourself and reprimand your cousin."

The Duke of Ding'an and his wife nodded repeatedly: "Of course, we must go."

Yang Hui, standing to the side, frowned.

She used to think her brother was smart.

But now I feel...

Is he really that smart?

He failed to get into the National Academy and had to travel abroad to study.

If intelligence is judged by academic achievement, then Yang Luo is definitely the smarter one.

.......
.......
As dusk settled, the emperor's bedchamber was lit, and the court officials and imperial physicians withdrew. None of the other princes and princesses were allowed to attend to the emperor, except for Princess Heicheng.

"Father, you can drink this medicine now."

Princess Heisei said, "Bring over the dried medicine."

The emperor took it, tilted his head back, and drank it in large gulps.

Princess Heisei then handed over the candied fruit, which the emperor ate in one bite.

"I've cut a few dishes from tonight's meal. Father, you'll recover faster if you go hungry," Princess Hepburn said, looking at the menu sent by the Imperial Kitchen.

The emperor hummed in agreement.

"Drink another bowl of calming medicine later, and go to bed early," Princess Heisei continued.

The emperor hummed in agreement again.

Princess Heisei put down the prescription and looked at the Emperor.

The emperor sat back, his gaze fixed on the flickering lamplight cast on the bed curtains.

“Father,” Princess Heisei called out.

The emperor's eyes narrowed as he looked at Princess Heisei and forced a smile: "Heisei, don't worry, I will take my medicine properly and get better soon."

Princess Heisei smiled and nodded: "Okay."

After saying that, he handed over a glass of warm water.

The emperor reached out, took a sip, and drank it.

Princess Heisei glanced at the Emperor for a moment, then stood up and said, "Father, please rest well. I'll take my leave now."

The emperor nodded: "Go, go." He added, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Princess Heisei bowed and withdrew.

Her maidservant, who was waiting outside the palace, happily stepped forward to help her up, saying, "Your Highness, you've had a long journey."

Alas, there's nothing we can do; His Majesty only allows Princess Heisei to attend to him while he is ill.

The emperor disliked taking medicine; like a child, he needed to be coaxed.

But the emperor would not easily show this attitude; he would only do so when facing her.

This also shows that the emperor only regarded her as his daughter.

but……

Princess Heicheng couldn't help but look back at the imperial bedchamber, but today the emperor didn't ask her to coax him, didn't joke with her, and even though she was sitting in front of him, he seemed not to see her at all...

Is it because you're sick and lack energy?
……

.......
"Your Majesty, please have your meal."

The eunuchs brought out the food and said respectfully.

The emperor sat on the bed, looking at the simple yet exquisite meal, sighed, and gazed towards the palace gate.

I wonder what Ah Luo eats?
Is the care at the imperial palace adequate?

(End of this chapter)