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墨書 Inktalez
Grandfather's grave still looked the same as it did the last time I visited.
I stood in front of his grave, talking to him, rambling on about everything that had happened over the past year.
I couldn't help but mention Mu Xuanche in every sentence.
Perhaps I had brought him up too many times.
Mu Xuanche walked over and rested his head on my shoulder. Once I finished speaking, he continued, "Yan Xi, do you want to know what we were like a thousand years ago?"
"A thousand years ago?" I asked him, puzzled.
He chuckled softly, brushing against my ear. "Yes, a thousand years ago. I came here to let Grandfather know just how much I love you."
After that, Mu Xuanche began to chatter away like I had been. I felt that he was somewhat different from before; every time we talked about the past, he had so much to say.
It seemed that the current Mu Xuanche was more like a normal person, full of warmth and charm, rather than the cold figure he used to be.
He reminisced about our past, about the thousand years ago that I knew nothing about.
After we met, you never left my side.
You followed me through countless battles and hardships without a single complaint, always smiling like a ray of sunshine, warming me and giving me strength.
At that time, I encountered unprecedented opportunities in my life, leading my soldiers to victory.
A resounding triumph.
It was on that occasion that I requested the foreign tribes to sign the Treaty of Non-Aggression with us, and their soldiers retreated.
We returned home, and the Emperor rewarded me.
During those years, my military achievements were remarkable. Pressured by the people, he even granted me the title of Usurper King.
In my youthful arrogance, I didn't care about overshadowing the Emperor with my accomplishments. I thought as long as I did my duty well, the Emperor wouldn't dare act against me. Indeed, during that time, I was deeply favored by the people, and the Emperor did not dare to take rash actions.
With several months of peace and no wars, I found myself idly at home while you were busy practicing your musical skills and did not go out with me. With nothing to do, I decided to stroll through the streets.
Looking back now, I regret it immensely; I regret my momentary impulse.
That day was the Lantern Festival, and there were many lanterns lit in the evening. Initially, I had intended to enjoy the lanterns, but then an incident occurred.
An Extravagantly Dressed Woman arrogantly berated a Commoner Woman. I stood by for a while and gathered a rough understanding of the situation.
It turned out that the Commoner Woman had guessed the riddle correctly, and when the vendor was about to give her the lantern, this Extravagantly Dressed Woman intervened, insisting on buying it. Naturally, the Commoner Woman refused.
Then I witnessed a scene where the Extravagantly Dressed Woman sent her subordinates to snatch it away.
As a newly appointed lord, my heart was naturally with the people. So I stepped forward, shaking off those Stewards who were fighting over it, and turned sharply to address the Extravagantly Dressed Woman: "Sister, everything must have its order. If she doesn't want to give it to you, then let there be no dispute!"
I had always thought women were gentle and graceful, but I had never encountered one as rude and overbearing as her; perhaps she was spoiled by her wealthy family.
This woman scolded me in a delicate voice: "Who are you to meddle in other people's business? This lady wants this lantern! It is her fortune that I have taken an interest in her lantern!"
As soon as I saw his attitude, I knew he was not on her side, so I decided to respond with force. I reached out and used a bit of my inner strength, causing the Steward to lose grip on the Lantern, which then landed in my hands.
Ignoring the woman's furious expression, I directly returned the Lantern to the Commoner Woman.
The Extravagantly Dressed Woman must have never faced anyone treating her like this before. She immediately made a harsh remark: "Just wait! If I find out who you are, I will make sure my father punishes you!"
Hearing this, I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. In today's court, who besides the Emperor would dare punish me? Even now, if the Emperor wanted to pick a fight with me, he would have to consider the people's sentiments.
I didn't take it to heart; after all, I had just bought a Lantern and went straight home.
Originally, I wasn't supposed to attend court, but on the third day, the Emperor sent someone to summon me.
There was nothing to do at court, so I waited idly for dismissal.
However, just as I was about to head home after court, the Emperor sent someone to call for me again.
I followed them to the Imperial Garden.
I could hardly believe that the arrogant woman would appear there.
The Emperor patted my shoulder and smiled, "Mu Xuanche, have a seat. This is my daughter, Jin Ping; you need not be formal."
Upon hearing the Emperor's words and realizing this news, I was taken aback internally, but I didn't want to show any reaction on my face.
I simply greeted the princess according to palace etiquette.
She smiled back at me, but it felt rather strange.
The Emperor, however, was straightforward and got straight to the point: "On the day of the Lantern Festival, my daughter ran out of the palace and got into an argument with the common people. Fortunately, Your Majesty was there; otherwise, I wouldn't know where to put my face."
"To love the people as one’s own children is what I should do," I replied.
I couldn't deny the Emperor's attitude, so I let it go for now.
He brushed off the incident lightly, which made me feel a bit uneasy. After all, serving a ruler is like walking with a tiger; the hardest thing to gauge is the ruler's heart.
"Beloved Minister," he continued, "the reason I summoned you today is that I have good news to share."
The Emperor wore a look that suggested he was doing me a favor.
I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"I wish to betroth my daughter to you. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Marry the princess?! This won't do! I still have Yan Xi!
So I immediately knelt and pleaded for forgiveness, saying, "Your Majesty, that would be impossible. I already have a fiancée at home; I fear I lack the fortune to marry the princess."
A hint of embarrassment crossed the Emperor's face but quickly vanished. "Ah, if that's the case, then let’s consider it a jest. On your wedding day, I will surely send a grand gift."
I wasn't someone who lacked understanding, so I quickly responded, "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty."
The Emperor looked up at the time and smiled, "It's getting late, and I'm feeling a bit tired. Why don't we all head back?"
I was more than ready to leave, and his words felt like a reprieve. I bowed and said, "I take my leave, Your Majesty."
Once home, I didn’t tell you about this incident; I feared it would only worry you.
I had already set the date for our wedding. Since you had no family to rely on, I took it upon myself to handle everything. I poured all my efforts into making this wedding perfect.
But just six days before the ceremony, you fell ill with a strange disease. I summoned every doctor in the capital, yet none could diagnose your condition, let alone cure you.
In desperation, I even sought the Emperor's help to bring in some Imperial Physicians, but their efforts were equally futile.
Watching you grow increasingly frail made me wish I could suffer in your place.
Fortunately, at that moment, a renowned healer from beyond the borders passed through the capital. Upon hearing the news, I hurried to invite him.
The healer was not pretentious; after I explained the situation, he readily agreed to help.
You lay in the Inner Coffin as he took your pulse with a red thread. When I saw his brow furrow deeply, my heart sank.
"Your wife's vitality is weaker than usual; she suffers from internal spleen deficiency. This condition resembles one I've encountered in ancient texts. However, I only caught a glimpse of it back then and didn't note its name. Yet I remember that this ailment requires a rare herb known as Qilin Grass. This herb is precious and has very warm medicinal properties; it is indeed the best remedy for your wife's illness!"
I had heard of Qilin Grass due to its rarity; it was said to grow in extremely cold regions, yet its properties were paradoxically warm—an example of extremes meeting.
The healer apologized, saying, "My lord, my abilities are limited; I can only assist you up to this point."
Although I felt a bit lost, I could understand. After so many disappointments, at least this time there was some gain.
Before the Divine Doctor left, he said one thing: "But actually, you can definitely obtain this herb, as long as you are willing to give up something important."
Give up something? For Yan Xi, I would be willing to sacrifice anything.
After sending off the Divine Doctor, I immediately set people to search for Qilin Grass. The rarity of Qilin Grass is well known among educated people in Li Kingdom.
After several days of searching without success, with the wedding day approaching, I felt as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
At that moment, the Emperor sent someone to summon me to the palace.
Imperial orders are not to be disobeyed. No matter how anxious I was, I could not go against the Emperor's command, so I had no choice but to follow the palace attendant into the palace.
(End of Chapter)
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