Nong Nu Jiao

Cen Lingyi returned to the inner palace.

Yan Chenghui and Emperor Shengwu both stood by the door, neither of them going in.

"Mother."

Cen Lingyi hung the bed curtains high, making the light dim, but Xiao Yulou's deathly pale face was clearly visible.

Xiao Yulou kept his eyes closed and remained motionless.

"Mother, my father and mother have returned." Cen Lingyi grasped her hand. "Father wanted to come to the palace to see you, and His Majesty granted his request. I'll bring him to the palace to see you tomorrow, okay?"

Xiao Yulou remained motionless on the bed.

After a moment, she slowly opened her eyes.

"Sixth grade..."

She called out to Cen Lingyi, her voice hoarse.

"I'm here. I'll have my father come to see you tomorrow, okay?"

Cen Lingyi almost burst into tears.

A once vibrant and radiant person has become like this in just a few months.

Xiao Yulou looked at her with his lifeless eyes, slowly shook his head, and spoke in a weak voice.

"No..."

She refused.

"Why? Father said he hasn't seen Mother for many years and misses her dearly. He also brought some local specialties from Hexi to visit you. His Majesty has granted permission, so you don't need to worry."

Seeing that she was willing to talk, Cen Lingyi deliberately said a few more words, hoping to comfort her.

"No need. I've already hurt him badly enough in this life, don't hurt him anymore..."

Xiao Yulou shook his head, looking at the top of the tent and muttering to himself.

"Lou'er, I was wrong. Please let him come see you. I won't blame him anymore. I want you to get better..."

Emperor Shengwu couldn't help but walk into the inner palace, stand by the bedside and look at her, his voice trembling with emotion.

Faced with life and death, he had become indifferent to everything else.

Xiao Yulou finally looked up at him.

Emperor Shengwu's heart pounded, and he felt as if he were about to shed tears.

For the past few months, she hasn't looked at him once or paid him any attention.

Are you finally willing to talk to him today?

"You're mistaken..."

"The children are all so grown up, and the grandchildren are gradually growing up too..."

"How could I still miss him..."

"I just don't want any noise, I don't want to see any light. You should leave, I want some peace and quiet..."

She turned her head away and closed her eyes again.

Emperor Shengwu was on the verge of tears.

Now that things have come to this, how could he not believe her?

He had always suspected her, saying that she had feelings for Cen Qingshan, and that's why she had imprisoned him in the cold palace for so long back then...

He truly... deeply regrets his past actions.

Now, she doesn't even want to see Cen Qingshan anymore; she has no interest in living at all.

"Your Majesty, a doctor from the common people has come."

Wang Yun came in to report.

"Please come quickly."

Emperor Shengwu hurriedly gave instructions.

These days, he has been having notices posted, seeking out renowned doctors from all over the country to treat the imperial concubine's illness.

From time to time, doctors from the common people would be brought over to examine Xiao Yulou's pulse.

An elderly doctor with white hair and eyebrows, and a long white beard, looked like a wise and venerable man.

He entered and bowed, saying, "This humble subject greets Your Majesty."

He didn't recognize Yan Chenghui, so naturally he didn't know how to perform the proper etiquette.

Yan Chenghui didn't mind and, together with Cen Lingyi, stepped aside.

Wang Yun stepped forward, pulled Xiao Yulou's wrist over, and placed it flat on the side of the bed.

After a long while, he slowly withdrew his hand, his expression cautious.

"How is the Imperial Concubine?"

Emperor Shengwu stepped forward and inquired.

"Your Majesty," the old doctor said, "Her Majesty's pulse is deep and weak, indicating liver qi stagnation, which is caused by prolonged emotional distress. This condition is difficult to cure with medicine."

Emperor Shengwu looked disappointed upon hearing this, as this doctor had said almost exactly the same thing as the many other doctors before him.

It's said to be a mental illness, difficult to cure with medicine.

"However, it's not entirely hopeless."

The old doctor stroked his beard and said.

"Do you have a solution?"

Emperor Shengwu was unusually excited, and took a big step forward, staring at him.

"Your Majesty, please don't be agitated." The old doctor waved his hand. "This method is something I dare not speak of recklessly, for fear that Your Majesty will be displeased..."

"I pardon you, speak quickly."

Emperor Shengwu urged him on.

He grasped at a glimmer of hope and couldn't bear to let go.

"Then let me speak," the old doctor said, bowing his head. "In my humble opinion, given Her Highness's current condition, she should leave the palace and travel far and wide, immersing herself in the beauty of nature. She should see mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas; observe the flowers and trees of the four seasons; and savor the delicacies of the world. Gradually, the pent-up emotions in her heart will dissipate, and her state of mind will slowly improve. If she remains confined to the palace, I fear not only will there be little improvement, but her days may be numbered..."

As he spoke, his voice trailed off, clearly afraid that Xiao Yulou on the bed would hear him.

After the doctor finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Cen Lingyi and Yan Chenghui exchanged a glance. The doctor's words were very clear: Emperor Shengwu should let the Imperial Concubine leave the palace to travel and enjoy the scenery, and she would naturally recover in time.

But how is that possible?

Even if Emperor Shengwu were to die, he would still keep Consort Gui by his side; otherwise, there wouldn't have been so many grudges and entanglements before.

He could not possibly let Xiao Yulou leave the palace.

Emperor Shengwu stood there, silent.

In that case, no one has mentioned it before... well, not that no one has mentioned it before.

They didn't dare to say it so bluntly, but only hinted at it.

The old doctor made it very clear that he wanted him to let Xiao Yulou go.

He knew perfectly well that the old doctor was right.

She loved freedom by nature, and the palace was a beautiful cage to her. She had been trapped there for too long, which is why she couldn't let go of her inner turmoil.

The only way to save her life is to let her go.

But how could he bear to part with it?

If he were to send her away from the palace to travel far away, with no one to watch over her day and night, far from the protection of imperial power, through wind and frost, on long journeys, traveling alone through mountains and rivers, how could he feel at ease?

Year after year, he longs to see her but cannot, his longing is unresolved, and his remaining years are filled with loneliness. How will he endure this?

He can't live without her.

Does he want to go with her?

But what about his empire?

Will he abandon all that—the court officials, the common people, and the nation—to accompany her on her journey to a distant land?

He has held the throne for decades, controlling the vast land, wielding the power of life and death, and influencing the fate of the nation. Is he going to relinquish this supreme imperial power?

He looked at Yan Chenghui and began to examine his own crown prince for the first time, and began to think about whether he should relinquish power and abdicate.

His crown prince had long since shed his naivety, acting with composure and competence, and his ruthlessness was measured, earning him the respect and trust of everyone in the court.

The Crown Prince is capable of shouldering the heavy responsibilities of governing the country, managing the military, and caring for all the people. He can leave with complete peace of mind.

If Ke Yan Chenghui ascends the throne, will he retaliate against him?

He took revenge on him for everything he had done to him and the Cen family.

At that time, he will just be a retired emperor, powerless and without influence. How will he protect himself?

"I... cannot have both."

After a long while, he murmured.

Neither Cen Lingyi nor Yan Chenghui spoke.

"You may all go back now. I need some peace and quiet."

Emperor Shengwu sighed, his brow furrowed.

"Your subject takes his leave."

Yan Chenghui led Cen Lingyi out.

"Jiaojiao, come with me to the East Palace."

Yan Chenghui took Cen Lingyi's hand and walked along the palace road.

"I'm not going. Huai Jiao is still waiting for me at the manor."

All Cen Lingyi wanted to do was go home.

"How long has it been since you spent time with me?"

Yan Chenghui had some reservations about her staying at the Cen family's house recently.

"Don't we see each other every day?"

Cen Lingyi looked at him with amusement.

Doesn't he stay at her house whenever he has free time?

"I told you to spend time with me alone, but there are always so many people in your yard."

Yan Chenghui was unhappy and put his arm around her shoulder.

Cen Lingyi pushed his hand away: "We're still in the palace, you should take care of yourself."

"I go to the Cen family every day, but you never go to the East Palace."

Yan Chenghui held her tightly, refusing to let go.

"I'm not married yet!"

Cen Lingyi smiled, pursing her lips.

"Then I still go to the Cen family's house every day, don't I?"

Yan Chenghui was unwilling to give up and insisted that she go to the East Palace to accompany him today.

"Okay, I'll go."

Helpless, Cen Lingyi finally took his hand off her shoulder.

"You should stay for dinner."

Yan Chenghui pressed his advantage, getting close to her as he spoke to her.

"Then you'll have to take me home tonight."

Cen Lingyi also had conditions.

"Okay, it's a deal."

Yan Chenghui readily agreed.

But people are not as good as heaven.

During dinner, Yan Chenghui said that he had a headache and felt unwell.

Cen Lingyi assumed he was just making up an excuse to keep her there overnight.

Before I knew it, it started to drizzle outside the window, the raindrops tapping against the windowpane.

Yan Chenghui's headache worsened.

"Yun Que, send someone to my house to tell them that I'm staying at the East Palace tonight and won't be going back."

Cen Lingyi gave the order.

She helped Yan Chenghui into the inner hall and let him lean against the headboard.

Yan Chenghui's brows were tightly furrowed, a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he closed his eyes, looking very uncomfortable.

"Let me rub it for you."

Cen Lingyi sat on the edge of the bed, leaned over and reached out, placing the tips of two fingers on his temples and massaging them in circles.

"Jiaojiao, come to the bed."

Yan Chenghui moved to the inside of the bed.

At this point, Cen Lingyi naturally let him have his way, and she went to bed and leaned against the headboard.

Yan Chenghui leaned closer, rested his head on her lap, and inhaled her unique scent, which instantly relieved the pain in his head.

"Or, should we have them brew some pain-relieving herbal medicine?"

Cen Lingyi noticed that his brow was constantly furrowed and spoke softly.

"No need," Yan Chenghui said in a muffled voice, "I feel much better leaning against you."

"Am I medicine?"

Cen Lingyi said with amusement.

Yan Chenghui snuggled closer to her and whispered in response, "Yes, you are my medicine."

What would he do without her?

"Could you come and keep me company every day from now on?"

Yan Chenghui took her hand.

When he went to the Cen family home, he always stayed separately from her.

He tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, and just wanted to hold her while he slept.

Even though he couldn't sleep well while holding her, and had to get up to take a cold shower, he was willing to do it.

He didn't want to break up with her.

"Once we're married, I'll be with you every day. Even if you find me annoying then, you won't be able to get rid of me."

Cen Lingyi withdrew her hand and continued to press his head.

"Nonsense, how could I dislike you?" Yan Chenghui grasped her hand again, his voice sounding almost coquettish due to his weakness: "Why don't you come back and stay tonight, okay?"

"This is no good. They're not even married yet, and they come to stay every day. What kind of behavior is this?"

Cen Lingyi disagreed.

Yan Chenghui was silent for a moment, then blurted out, "Then I hope it rains every day."

Every time it rains, she can spend time with him every day.

"You're talking to Huai Jiao like that," Cen Lingyi chuckled. "I remember you used to have headaches whenever it didn't rain. How come you suddenly developed this problem?"

Her words pulled Yan Chenghui's thoughts back to decades ago.