RMACAUH Chapter 65
by VolareChapter 65: Chapter 65 I really didn’t expect you to be the current Grand…
Upon hearing this, Feng Xiao felt extremely resentful: “Because of these, the torment I suffer day and night is justified?”
The emperor lovingly reached out and gently stroked his hair: “Xiao’er, only when you sit on the throne of supreme power will you understand that many times, one’s life is not one’s own.”
Feng Xiao suddenly widened his eyes: “What… what did you say?”
Emperor: “This throne of mine will eventually be passed on to you. My health is deteriorating day by day, and I can’t find the reason. It must be Feng Chao and the Empress Dowager who want me dead! Xiao’er, don’t worry, I will definitely pave the way for you.”
“Father Emperor, you… you are willing to pass the throne to me?” Feng Xiao still couldn’t believe what he heard. “Aren’t you the most fond of your third brother?”
“Silly child, that was just a smokescreen, a performance. My marriage with the Empress… was just a transaction more than twenty years ago. Feng Yue is your whetstone; he was never a candidate for crown prince.”
“Transaction?” Feng Xiao held his breath, utterly shocked. He had never imagined that there was some unspeakable transaction between the Empress and the Emperor.
The emperor’s expression was solemn, and he said no more.
Seeing him remain silent, Feng Xiao dared not press him further.
After that, the atmosphere between father and son became much more harmonious. Feng Xiao returned to his chambers in a daze. Zhang Shi brought him ginseng tea and smiled, “Yun’er finally fell asleep after much coaxing, she kept clamoring to see you.”
Feng Xiao responded lightly, thoughtfully sipping the ginseng tea. “I’m going out of the palace tomorrow. Take Yun’er and be careful in your actions.”
Zhang Shi curtsied and withdrew.
These days, the court had been arguing fiercely over who should be established as the crown prince. No one dared to mention the Guangling Prince, but the supporters of the two princes in the palace had divided into two factions.
There were also those like Liu Wenyong who maintained a neutral attitude, waiting for the right opportunity.
Feng Xiao quietly left the palace gate and arrived at a private villa he had bought in the city. This villa was nestled in the mountains, with an extremely quiet and secluded environment, and almost no one came there usually.
Feng Xiao got out of the carriage and walked into the waterside pavilion built on a lake in the mountains.
Two maids were guarding outside the waterside pavilion. The maids were dressed in Miao ethnic costumes. When they saw Feng Xiao coming, they saluted.
“I want to see your Nanjiang King.”
“Your Highness, please wait a moment while this servant goes in to report.”
Before long, the maid came out, “The Nanjiang King invites Your Highness to enter for a talk.”
Feng Xiao strode into the waterside pavilion’s living room, where he saw a man with extremely exquisite features and a hint of cunning in his eyebrows and eyes sitting on the couch. The man’s face was deep and smooth, and his age was indiscernible.
He wore many silver ornaments and was dressed mainly in black, red, and blue. His lip color was very dark, and his eyes were cold. When he stared at someone, he was like a venomous snake without warmth, extremely lethal and intimidating.
Even though Feng Xiao was a prince, he dared not overstep in front of him and respectfully saluted him.
The Nanjiang King didn’t even look at him, and said in a clear, cold voice, “Second Highness, please sit.”
Feng Xiao sat down opposite the small couch. At this time, a maid brought tea.
“Second Highness, has there been any change in the palace that brings you here?”
Feng Xiao looked earnest. “I made a mistake from the beginning…”
“Oh?”
“Father Emperor actually intends to make me the Crown Prince!”
The Nanjiang King sneered: “Isn’t that good then?”
Feng Xiao said excitedly: “Can… can you ask the Nanjiang King to remove the Gu poison from Father Emperor’s body?”
The Nanjiang King paused with the teacup in his hand, raised his eyes and glanced at him: “When you first sought cooperation with this seat, before the Gu poison was planted, this seat had already reminded you that once the hook is set, there is no possibility of turning back.”
“You must have other ways!”
“Second Highness, please don’t make things difficult for others. Also, don’t forget the transaction between us. When you ascend the throne, you will restore the sole power of my Nanjiang Kingdom, and the Great Yuan will not interfere for a hundred years.”
Feng Xiao secretly gasped: “Is there no way to alleviate it at all?”
“Please leave.”
Feng Xiao was full of regret, but he knew that there was no possibility of turning back.
Feng Xiao left the waterside pavilion dejectedly. As soon as he returned to his bedroom, he saw Xu Baobao holding a duster and waiting outside.
“Second Highness.”
“How is Father Emperor today?”
“Just now the Emperor vomited blood again. This servant thought that perhaps if you went to see him, he would feel better.”
“Wait for me to change my clothes, and I’ll go over immediately. Eunuch, please wait!”
The Emperor’s complexion deteriorated day by day. Yesterday, he still seemed to have some energy and spirit to talk to him for a while, but now when he saw him again, he didn’t even have the strength to speak.
“Father Emperor, your son is unfilial!”
The Emperor patted the back of his hand comfortingly: “Don’t be sad, birth, old age, sickness and death are the norm of life.”
“Father Emperor…” Feng Xiao shed tears of remorse, but was powerless to change anything.
“These days, the court has been arguing fiercely over the establishment of the Crown Prince, and it is indeed time for a result.”
Feng Xiao’s heart tightened, and the joy that followed diluted the regret and annoyance. The corners of his mouth almost couldn’t suppress a smile: “Father Emperor should focus on recuperating and not worry too much.”
*
Today the court was once again filled with disputes.
“The Grand Prince’s entire family is loyal and righteous, and he is also the eldest son of the Emperor. He should conform to the ethical and moral principles and inherit the great Consolidation. This time, he has made another great contribution in Chuting and has won the hearts of the people. Please think again, Your Majesty!”
The emperor propped his forehead and closed his eyes, pretending not to hear.
The courtiers were agitated and impassioned, arguing from reasoned arguments to mutual scolding.
After a noisy exchange, Zhao, the Minister, roared: “If it is said that the succession of a younger son is a loss of the great Integrity, then can the Great Yuan throne allow a *ge’er* to touch it? Wouldn’t it be a laughingstock for the people of the world?”
Feng Chao stood unperturbed in the court, but the light in his eyes flickered, betraying the anxiety and fear in his heart at this moment.
A mocking smile tugged at the corner of Feng Xiao’s mouth.
Those who had close ties with the Zhou family were mostly military generals in the court. They spoke loudly and spat a lot. Compared with the eloquence of these civil officials, they were sometimes speechless and didn’t know how to argue.
“Fart! The Grand Prince’s identity has been recorded in the Imperial Household Department since birth. Can you slander it with a few words? Your slander of the Prince’s identity is a capital crime!”
“The rumor that the Grand Prince is a *ge’er* is not groundless, but someone has seen it with their own eyes!”
“How did they see it? It’s simply nonsense!”
The Zhao family member stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, I have visited the people for many days. The Grand Prince has governed the water in Chuting for more than three years, and he has lived, eaten, and traveled with a doctor named Chu Lingqiao. They even have a daughter named Chu Ying! If everyone doesn’t believe it, then we can summon this father and daughter to recognize each other!”
Feng Chao’s expression didn’t show it, but the hands in his sleeves were clenched into fists.
Feng Xiao smiled at Feng Chao: “Grand Elder Brother, why don’t you say anything? Could it be that what they said is true?”
Feng Chao also smiled calmly: “Second Brother is really doing everything he can for the sake of the Crown Prince! This kind of rumor is really ridiculous.”
“Since it’s a rumor, then surely Elder Brother isn’t afraid to call the father and daughter to the palace to recognize each other?”
The military generals who had previously strongly recommended Feng Chao as the Crown Prince all fell silent. Seeing Feng Xiao’s determined look and the impassioned words of the Zhao family member, could it be true?
The Emperor’s breath was rapid and weak. “Feng Chao, do you have anything to say?”
Feng Chao took a deep breath and stepped forward to make a bow: “Reporting to Father Emperor, I have been physically weak since I was young. Doctor Chu has a reputation as a miracle doctor in the folk. It was my luck to meet Doctor Chu in Chuting. In those years, for the sake of governing the water, I often racked my brains until late at night, exhausting myself, and my body suffered greatly. If it weren’t for Doctor Chu’s meticulous care of my illness, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have the strength to stand here and speak.”
Liu Wenyong suddenly sighed: “Alas, the Grand Prince has really worked hard. Everything is difficult at the beginning. The water management in Chuting has always been clueless. The most difficult thing was the first two years! It wasn’t until last year that the water conservancy project was implemented in an orderly manner, so that he could have some free time to rest.”
As soon as these words came out, Feng Xiao’s face turned red with shame. He knew that Liu Wenyong usually didn’t speak, but when he opened his mouth, he was coming for him!
“That’s right, Second Brother went to Chuting half a year ago, and he should know these things, right? Your timing was really good. If you had gone earlier, if you had caught a hot or cold wind like before, don’t mention sleeping for three or five days, but you couldn’t even rest for half a day.”
Liu Wenyong echoed: “In this case, this Doctor Chu can also be considered a meritorious official!”
The Zhao family member said: “Since he is a meritorious official, then it will be easy to handle. Then call him to the palace to reward him. The pure will be pure. The Grand Prince acts upright and sits upright, so he should not be afraid to recognize each other, right? Moreover, Doctor Chu can also be considered half a benefactor to the Grand Prince, right?”
The Emperor said in a deep voice: “Then summon this person into the palace!”
Feng Chao’s body stiffened in place, and the fists in his sleeves were clenched painfully.
Time seemed to never have been as difficult to endure as it was now. His whole heart was being roasted in a raging fire, and he still had to maintain his composure on the surface.
After waiting for a while, the great eunuch’s summons came from outside the hall.
Everyone looked towards the outside of the hall, only to see a youth in a dark blue robe, leading a young girl, walked in. The youth had a calm and clean temperament, his eyes were bright and energetic, and his gestures were very elegant. He bowed to the Emperor on the hall, and the little girl followed suit in a decent manner.
“Subject Chu Lingqiao, pays respects to the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live, long long live.”
“You may rise.”
Chu Lingqiao looked at his nose, nose at his heart, and lowered his eyes without looking around. From the time he was intercepted by a group of mysterious people to the time they were sent back to the capital all the way, and arrived at the front of the Son of Heaven’s Hall, he had made complete preparations.
“I heard that your medical skills are very good? You have a reputation as a miracle doctor.”
Chu Lingqiao said with humility: “There are people beyond people, and there is heaven beyond heaven. Compared with my predecessors, my medical skills are only a smattering, not enough to boast as a miracle doctor.”
The Emperor nodded with satisfaction: “Not arrogant or impetuous, humble as a valley, he does indeed have the demeanor of a gentleman.”
Feng Chao held his breath, not daring to turn his head to look.
Feng Xiao kept staring at Feng Chao’s subtle expressions, and noticed a bit of guilt, so he added fuel to the fire: “Grand Elder Brother, your benefactor is already right in front of you, standing with you in this great hall, why don’t you turn your head to take a look?”
Feng Chao smiled and looked at Feng Xiao, “Second Brother, don’t you think you’re being a bit presumptuous?”
This voice…
Chu Lingqiao took a deep breath, and subconsciously held Ying’er’s hand tightly. Ying’er also seemed to feel her father’s nervous and uneasy emotions at this time, and looked at him with grape-like bright eyes.
“Father…”
This cry of ‘Father’ brought Chu Lingqiao back to his senses. Chu Lingqiao squatted down and comforted her: “Ying’er, be good. Do you still remember the etiquette that Father once taught you outside?”
“Ying’er remembers.”
Feng Xiao turned his head to look at Chu Lingqiao and questioned loudly: “Langjun Chu, do you recognize who he is?”
Feng Chao struck first: “Doctor Chu, long time no see, I hope you’ve been well.”
Chu Lingqiao looked at the man in the gorgeous python robe and golden crown, and was stunned on the spot for a moment.
He had thought of many possibilities, but none of them was the current situation. The person who had been his *fu lang* for three years was actually the Grand Prince of the dynasty.
Feng Chao, Feng Chao… It was simply absurd!
Chu Lingqiao swallowed the bitterness in his throat and returned a salute to Feng Chao: “Greetings, Grand Prince.”
Feng Xiao frowned: “Why are you so estranged from each other? Your daughter is called Ying’er, right? Ying’er, have you forgotten him too?”
Ying’er poked half of her head out from behind Chu Lingqiao and looked at Feng Chao.
Feng Chao’s heart felt as if it was being densely pierced by thousands of needles, so painful that he couldn’t breathe. Ying’er, his Ying’er, was looking at him with strange eyes.
“You look like my Daddy.”
As soon as these words came out, the whole audience was in an uproar.
Chu Lingqiao’s heart was in his throat, “Ying’er, don’t talk nonsense!!”
“Oh…” Ying’er replied timidly, shrinking her shoulders.
Feng Xiao looked surprised: “Is he your Daddy?”
Chu Lingqiao said in a low voice: “Ying’er, think carefully before answering. Father often taught you not to lose your manners and sense of propriety.”
Feng Chao’s nails pierced his palm, but he still maintained his composure on his face: “Doctor Chu doesn’t need to be so strict. She is just a child, and children’s words are without taboos.”
Feng Xiao sneered, he wanted to see how long his grand elder brother could pretend.
In the next second, he heard Ying’er say: “Although he looks like Daddy, he is not my Daddy.”
Feng Xiao’s heart skipped a beat, and he said in a deep voice: “Children can’t lie!”
“He is not my Daddy… You are so fierce, Father, Ying’er is scared.”
Chu Lingqiao hugged Ying’er in his arms, while apologizing to the Second Prince, “Second Highness, please don’t blame her. Ying’er was born among commoners, and the biggest world she has seen is walking through the streets and alleys with me. She has never seen someone like you, and has never been to such a grand palace, so it is inevitable that she will show timidity. I hope Second Highness will forgive her.”
Before Feng Xiao could speak, Feng Chao said: “My Second Brother has a broad mind, how can he be angry with a child who is not even three years old? Doctor Chu, you can rest assured!”
Feng Xiao’s face was extremely ugly, “This, this is impossible!”
“Second Brother, what are you talking about? What’s impossible?”
“At such a young age, you’ve already learned to lie in public?”
Chu Lingqiao frowned: “What are you talking about, Second Highness? Ying’er is not even three years old, how can a child know how to lie? You asked her what, and she answered what. You clearly asked Ying’er to speak for herself before, but now you don’t believe her when she speaks?”
“Second Brother, I know you want this position of Crown Prince very much, but to say that I am a *ge’er* and want to slander me with such petty actions is really shameful.”
Seeing that this identification was about to turn into a farce, the Emperor stopped it in time: “Enough, since it’s a misunderstanding, Xiao’er, you should apologize to your Grand Elder Brother.”
“Father Emperor, he is clearly lying!!”
“Presumptuous!” The Emperor rebuked, and coughed violently. Seeing his eyes roll back and he was about to pass out, Xu Baobao shouted: “Quick, quickly summon the imperial physician!”
Feng Chao took the opportunity to recommend: “The situation is urgent, and there is a miracle doctor in the hall, why not let Doctor Chu take a look?”
“Inappropriate!” Feng Xiao stepped forward to stop him: “How can a folk doctor be qualified to diagnose Father Emperor?”
Xu Baobao saw that the Emperor was about to die, and couldn’t care so much, “Second Highness, the Emperor’s health is important, quickly, Doctor Chu, quickly come and take a look!”
Chu Lingqiao made a bow and stepped forward to take the Emperor’s pulse. Then, he asked the palace eunuch to help the Emperor to a small couch behind the screen. He took out silver needles and immediately pierced several acupuncture points on the Emperor, and the Emperor’s condition gradually improved.
For quite some time, the Emperor had not felt his body as comfortable as it was now.
“What an amazing technique.” The Emperor exclaimed: “The imperial hospital has been taking turns to see me, but they are all at a loss. I take medicine every day, but it can only alleviate it a little. After these few needles, I feel that even breathing is smooth.”
Chu Lingfeng cupped his hands: “Your Majesty is too kind.”
“Are you willing to stay in the palace and serve as an imperial physician in the Imperial Hospital?”
Chu Lingqiao cupped his hands and refused: “To be honest, I have been traveling outside for many years and have become accustomed to the life of leisure. Being confined in the Imperial Hospital is really not my wish. If Your Majesty does not abandon me, I am willing to stay in the palace to care for Your Majesty’s body. Although I cannot cure it, I can make Your Majesty feel better.”
“Well then, that’s fine.” The Emperor had been tormented by illness for a long time. When he heard that he was willing to stay and see a doctor, he no longer forced him to join the Imperial Hospital.
Of course, the Emperor arranged him in Ruihua Hall next to the Imperial Hospital, so that it would be convenient for him to go to the Imperial Hospital to get medicine nearby at any time, and be summoned by the Emperor.
The morning court adjourned in this farce. The little eunuch took Chu Lingqiao to Ruihua Palace, and ran into Feng Chao, who was returning to Weiyang Palace in a sedan, in the palace wall.
Feng Chao naturally stepped forward and said to the little eunuch: “This palace has not seen Doctor Chu for a long time, so I will take this opportunity to send him back to Ruihua Hall. We can reminisce along the way. Little Eunuch, go and take care of other things!”
The little eunuch hurriedly saluted and retreated.
Feng Chao got off the sedan and said with a smile: “Doctor Chu, please.”
Chu Lingqiao took a deep breath, but only responded lightly and walked forward silently, seemingly not intending to pay attention to Feng Chao.
“Why doesn’t Doctor Chu speak?”
Chu Lingqiao only felt that he had been deceived and was still angry: “I am clumsy and can’t speak.”
“Is that so? Having been together for more than three years, I never knew that Doctor Chu was a clumsy person.”
Chu Lingqiao was silent.
Feng Chao no longer teased him, knowing that he was unhappy in his heart now.
Suddenly, his sleeve was pulled.
Feng Chao looked down and saw Ying’er’s sparkling big eyes staring at him, and whispered: “Daddy.”
“Ying’er!” Chu Lingqiao scolded.
Ying’er was so frightened that she immediately let go of Feng Chao’s sleeve and hid on the other side of Chu Lingqiao.
Suddenly, Feng Chao felt so uncomfortable that his nose turned sour, but he was helpless.
Until he sent the father and daughter back to Ruihua Palace, Feng Chao did not rush to leave. “Won’t you invite me in for a sit?”
Chu Lingqiao wanted to refuse, but looking at him, his chest surged with longing, and he couldn’t say no.
Seeing him not speak, but just turn around and walk back, Feng Chao smiled knowingly and followed closely.
The moment the door closed, the two hugged each other tightly, reluctant to let go of each other again.
Feng Chao couldn’t stay too long, otherwise it would cause suspicion.
Chu Lingqiao briefly recounted what happened after he left.
He and Ying’er were forcibly brought back to the capital by mysterious people. Before coming, they didn’t know what to do or who to meet.
But Chu Lingqiao vaguely felt that it was related to Feng Chao. Feng Chao’s *ge’er* identity has been hidden for so many years. If he doesn’t make his *ge’er* identity public, he and Ying’er will not be able to see the light of day.
So on the way to the capital, Chu Lingqiao had no choice but to constantly threaten and lure his daughter. If she sees Daddy again, don’t recognize him, otherwise it will kill him.
Chu Lingqiao warned her almost every day, repeating these words four or five times. Ying’er didn’t understand why she couldn’t call Daddy when she saw him, but she didn’t want Daddy to die, so she would feel aggrieved and want to cry at first, but later she gradually accepted it.
“Daddy.” Ying’er called Feng Chao in a very low voice again, with panic and timidity in her eyes.
Feng Chao hugged Ying’er into his arms with distress: “Ying’er, Daddy is sorry for you.”
Ying’er hugged Daddy’s neck tightly with her little hands, “Can Ying’er call Daddy again in the future?”
“No!” Chu Lingqiao scolded in a low voice: “Remember, there will be no Daddy in the future.”
“Lingqiao…”
“Are you really tired of living?”
Feng Chao was helpless, he had never seen Chu Lingqiao so serious and angry, so cold and ruthless, “You are right.”
For the sake of each other, the only way is to let Ying’er forget that she has a Daddy.
“You should leave soon, you have stayed too long, I’m afraid it will cause the Second Prince to suspect.”
Feng Chao looked at him with reluctant eyes, and then looked down at Ying’er. Before leaving, he kissed Chu Lingqiao’s lips hard, and then smiled and turned to leave Ruihua Palace.
After he left, Chu Lingqiao looked dazed and distraught.
He volunteered to stay to see the Emperor, not because he really wanted to stay, but if he left the palace, he would be re-controlled by the Second Prince’s people and become a tool for the Second Prince to threaten Feng Chao, restrained everywhere.
In this situation, it is better to hold the initiative in your hands in order to get rid of the Second Prince’s control.
The most dangerous place is the safest place.
In the next half month, Chu Lingqiao took care of the Emperor’s body, and his complexion improved greatly. The Emperor greatly praised Feng Chao, saying that his reputation as a miracle doctor was well-deserved.
The Second Prince couldn’t find Feng Chao’s handle for a long time, so he gradually stopped.
That night, Chu Lingqiao coaxed Ying’er to sleep. He hadn’t been sleeping well these days and often read late into the night.
Suddenly there was a movement outside the door, Chu Lingqiao asked vigilantly: “Who is it?”
“It’s me.” It was Feng Chao’s voice from outside.
Chu Lingqiao’s heart moved, and he went forward to open the door.
He saw Feng Chao in a black cloak quickly squeezed in from the crack in the door. Chu Lingqiao was stunned for a few breaths before anxiously saying: “Are you crazy? Running to me at this time, what if you are seen?”
Feng Chao smiled: “Don’t worry, I know this place well. There is a small door in Ruihua Palace that no one guards. I came in from there.”
Chu Lingqiao looked at him helplessly: “Better safe than sorry, that Second Brother of yours is not a good thing!”
“I know.” It was just because he missed him and Ying’er so much that he was willing to risk coming to see them.
After a moment of silence, the two couldn’t help but hug each other tightly again, reluctant to let go of each other again.
“Grand Prince, you really deceived me!”
“Lingqiao, we have already crossed the boundaries of identity and life and death, don’t let there be suspicion between us because of this, okay?”
Chu Lingqiao said helplessly: “I… how can I be willing to have suspicion with you? I just hope you can be well, I really didn’t expect that you would be the current Grand Prince Feng Chao!”