Upon hearing that the two most trusted Imperial Physicians were helpless, the Emperor was both shocked and pained. With no way to start, could he only leave it to fate?
Despite knowing early on that Lian Hua had major hidden worries, he had been preparing for this, preventing it before it occurred, but didn’t expect this day would still arrive. It cut straight to his heart, making his heart feel like knives were slicing through, leaving him anxious and panicked, afraid she would fall into a permanent sleep, and personally staying by her side, unwilling to leave.
In the world of heaven and earth, there was only her. He dared not imagine a future where he couldn’t see her smile, hear her playful sweetheart’s voice, watching her fall into a long slumber, slowly withering away...
After tidying up the person in bed, the Emperor looked deeply at her. The boundless sadness overwhelmed him.
Without turning his head, he said, "Zhang Qing, send someone to find out why Divine Doctor Huang hasn’t arrived yet." His words were filled with urgency.
Every moment he waited added to his distress and unease. The day hadn’t even passed, yet it felt as long as eternity, as if he were in hell, enduring torment.
Every hour, he dispatched a group to look, and now two groups had been sent out, but no one has arrived. The Emperor, consumed by anxiety, summoned Huang Zude to inquire.
Huang Zude vaguely remembered his mother mentioning that this year’s Longevity Event seemed lively; every year they’ve been wandering outside, not having seen lanterns for many years. His father seemed to have said something; he was distracted at the time, and didn’t pay attention. Perhaps he went out early and at this hour, happened to be at the lantern festival.
The Emperor, upon hearing this, immediately dispatched a team specifically to search the lantern festival.
At this moment, Zhang Qing, entering with Hu Miaomiao, quickened his pace upon hearing the words and responded, "His Majesty, I’m here. I’ll hurry and send more people."
Upon reaching the adjoining hall, he immediately said, "His Majesty, Hu Miaomiao has news regarding Master Lian’s relatives, which may affect..."
In the inner chamber, the Emperor suddenly turned his head: "Is this true?!"
He signaled Xiao Qing to take care of the person, parted the curtain, and resisting his inner excitement, walked out quickly. He saw Hu Miaomiao standing in the adjoining hall, making the spacious room seem cramped.
As Hu Miaomiao was about to salute, the Emperor’s sharp gaze directed at him: "Report quickly!"
Thus, Hu Miaomiao reported how he met Lian Musu and captured Guo Neng, and finally said: "Your Majesty, Jieyuan Gong is Beauty Lian’s older brother. His parents and two younger brothers at home are all well; not one is missing. I have sent people to escort Jieyuan Gong and arranged to meet once I return and report the mission; please decide after hearing, and then I’ll go find them."
This time, he didn’t joke around; in a few words he explained the whole situation clearly. He sighed inwardly, Zhang Qing was right, His Majesty’s state was very off; even he could see it...
Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s expression became dazed, his heart ached, and a self-mocking smile formed at the corner of his mouth. Lian Mu was Lian Musu; she was her older brother. His little concubine’s intuition was correct, ridiculous how he initially thought it absurd, rebutting her clearly and painstakingly to dismiss her thoughts.
If he had listened to her back then, hadn’t been so self-assured, been more considerate and careful, verified earlier, found her relatives, eased her mind, wouldn’t this ordeal today have been avoided?
Thinking of this possibility made his heart feel as if it were being scraped by knives, the pain hard to suppress. He thought he had tried his best, yet he had considered her seriousness a joke. Now she’s in a deep slumber, wasn’t he also one of the perpetrators?
He said in a hoarse voice: "I will personally visit..." to invite people back.
Nannan, wait for him; he will bring her relatives to meet her properly.
Zhang Qing and Hu Miaomiao were both shocked: "Your Majesty, at this hour?"
Even someone like Hu Miaomiao, who feared chaos, dared not guarantee there wouldn’t be any mishap today. For original chapters go to n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
Suppressing his inner sorrow, the Emperor’s cold gaze fell upon them; in an instant, both stiffened and lowered their heads, not daring to utter another word.
"Prepare immediately." The Emperor turned back to the inner chamber, his fierce aura suddenly softening.
Walking to the bedside, he squatted down and softly said, "Nannan, did you hear that? Your parents and brother have been found. Wake up; shall I take you to meet them?"
Xiao Qing turned away, her nose tingling and hard to bear, forcibly holding back tears.
"Nonsense!" Nanny Qi arrived upon hearing the news, holding Pang Ya’s hand, stepping into the hall, scolded angrily: "Emperor, you are the Son of Heaven, a sovereign monarch. Today, there are people everywhere outside, all eyes on you. Rushing out of the palace in such a disturbance, can you hide it from anyone? Even if by chance it’s kept hidden, there is no wall without a crack. If one day the court officials learn you left the palace just for a little beauty’s family member, would you let the world see you as a foolish monarch, or turn the little girl into a bewitching consort who captivates a ruler?"
Nanny Qi’s lips trembled, breathing rapidly, furious yet heartbroken: "This old servant knows you are doing it for the little girl’s sake, thinking to bring her relatives so she will wake sooner, but this matter is harmful without benefit. You should consider the consequences; even if she wakes, how much attack and criticism will she face going forward? You’re harming her!"
With murky eyes filled with tears, the worry in her heart was unavoidable, disregarding wiping them. She pleaded, "Emperor, calm down; trust she will make it through. If you lose your calm, what will the little girl do? And what will happen to this vast realm? If... If it indeed comes to that one day, would you let her bear an eternal infamy?"
The Late Emperor was unfaithful and indulgent with countless concubines, recklessly irresponsible, leaving the world in ruins. Neither the Former Empress Dowager nor she ever imagined the calm and composed Emperor as a devoted man, yet for a person this day, he would be in such turmoil. Since ancient times, emperors being obsessed was a crime too; moreover, being an emperor without heirs, the eternal infamy would entirely fall upon the person of devotion.
In the conspiracy against Imperial Heir, all civil and military officials believed it was for the Imperial Heir, who was the foundation of the state. Even if mobilizing forces it was understandable, not subject to criticism. But now it’s impossible, a little beauty, seen as insignificant by the world, especially the court officials!
Earlier when Lian Hua was with child, the Emperor had his meticulous plans, every step steady and prudent. Nanny Qi was not afraid; she believed the Emperor could manage well, she only feared the Emperor losing calm!
First wanting to reduce the harem, then mobilizing forces to leave the palace, was this to let the world know? What exactly did the Emperor intend!
If the little girl indeed doesn’t fare well, what can be done in the future?!
The Emperor closed his eyes, deeply inhaled, forcing the anxiety within him down. He clearly knew Nanny Qi was right; he couldn’t act rashly...
When he opened his eyes again, his gaze had returned to clarity, appearing more composed, reserved, with a distinctive invisible pressure; just a glimpse could make one’s heart tremble.