Chapter 36
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Ah Wu’s question left Ling Rui stunned for a while.
With a confused face, he honestly replied, “Ah Wu, I want father.”
Although his father hadn’t come to hold him in the past few days, he hadn’t done anything to make him unhappy either. So, of course, he wanted father.
“You were happy before you had a father, weren’t you?”
Ah Wu continued, “Whether you have a father or not, it’s the same.”
Ling Rui: “…”
Ling Rui frowned, “Of course, it’s different. Having father and not having father are not the same. Father will play with me.”
“I can play with you too,” Ah Wu said.
Ling Rui still wasn’t convinced, “But you’re Ah Wu, not father.”
Ah Wu, going back and forth like a spinning wheel, finally lost his patience and blurted out, “I raised you since you were little. Being your father wouldn’t be—”
Before he could finish, Ah Wu abruptly swallowed his words.
He sensed that Zaizai wouldn’t like what he was saying.
Sure enough, even though he hadn’t finished, the child had already heard enough. After a few seconds of silence, the child’s angry voice rang out, “You are not my father.”
Ah Wu is Ah Wu, not father or mother!
“I just said the wrong thing.”
Upon hearing the little one’s angry voice, Ah Wu changed his tune: “If you want a father, then keep wanting one. When you don’t want one anymore, just let me know.”
“Don’t be angry. I will come to see you.”
Ah Wu’s last sentence made the previously angry little one instantly switch to being happy.
Ling Hao couldn’t hear the conversation between Ling Rui and Ah Wu.
Ling Hao only knew that the little one lying on his shoulder, after nuzzling him, opened his eyes and looked at him: “Fourth Brother, I feel a bit happy.”
Ling Hao: “?”
Ling Hao: “Why are you suddenly happy?”
Ling Rui’s eyes curved with a smile, making Ling Hao feel happy too, even though he didn’t know the reason.
“Because, Fourth Brother, you will be fine.”
In Ling Rui’s visions of the future, there were scenes of Fourth Brother riding a horse.
Ling Hao heard him saying this so often that sometimes he couldn’t help but believe it for a few seconds.
Those few seconds of belief brought him a brief but hopeful joy.
The two brothers continued sitting in the garden. After a while, Ling Chen walked by. Seeing them sitting together, Ling Chen stopped.
“Little Four, are you feeling better today?” Ling Chen asked Ling Hao.
When Ling Hao first returned to the palace injured, Ling Chen visited him but didn’t stay long, knowing that Consort De disliked him and that his mother also preferred he not stay too long.
He would selectively listen to his mother, but most of the time, he wouldn’t deliberately displease her in public.
“I’m much better, thank you for your concern, Royal Brother.”
“No need to thank me. Take good care of yourself. If you need anything or lack anything, just let me know.” Ling Chen was caring towards his younger siblings when needed and strict when required.
Ling Hao always felt that Ling Chen was a very qualified older brother.
After advising Ling Hao, Ling Chen turned his gaze to the little one in Ling Hao’s arms. He bent down and opened his arms: “May I hold you for a bit?”
Seeing his big brother’s outstretched arms, Ling Rui obediently let him hold him.
Ling Chen picked him up, supporting his little bottom with one hand and pinching his chubby cheek with the other, praising him: “You’ve been staying with Fourth Brother these days, doing very well.”
Proudly, Ling Rui straightened his little chest: “Little Seven is great!”
“Yes, Little Seven is great.”
Although Ling Chen had always liked Little Seven, he rarely showed this affection openly. Holding Little Seven and speaking to him like this was unusual.
The little one being held didn’t notice this peculiarity.
He contentedly let his big brother pinch his chubby cheeks, and when pinched a few times, he giggled and squirmed a bit.
Ling Chen, hearing his laughter and seeing his smiling face, seemed to have the shadows in his eyes dissipate a bit.
He stood there, playing with Ling Rui for a while.
“Alright, I have to go.”
After playing for a while, Ling Chen’s complexion visibly improved. He lowered his head, touched foreheads with Ling Rui, and said softly: “Play well with your Fourth Brother, I have work to do.”
Ling Rui responded with a heavy “Mmm.”
After replying, he curiously asked: “Big Brother, what work are you going to do?”
Ling Chen paused.
His gaze lingered on Ling Rui’s little face, making the latter blink.
“I’m going to do something… that must be done.”
Ling Chen’s words were vague, and Ling Rui didn’t understand at all.
He opened his mouth and let out an “ah,” still clueless about what his big brother meant.
Ling Chen didn’t explain. He put the little one back on Ling Hao’s lap, ruffled his hair, and said softly, “I’m leaving.”
“Goodbye, Big Brother!”
Ling Rui, sitting on his Fourth Brother’s lap, waved his little hand and softly said goodbye to his big brother.
Ling Chen smiled and walked away.
He headed in the direction of the Imperial Astronomer’s quarters.
That day, Emperor Ling sat in his study for a long time.
Muttering the names of Yong Wang and the Imperial Astronomer, he finally chose to summon the Imperial Astronomer first.
As the Imperial Astronomer entered, Yong Wang was waiting at the door.
They passed each other without even a glance, clearly not familiar with each other.
The Imperial Astronomer entered the study and respectfully bowed to Emperor Ling.
Though his words were filled with fear, he presented a note.
Emperor Ling had tasked him with calculating the exact location of the disaster star. The results of his three-day calculation were written on that note.
Upon seeing the note, Emperor Ling’s expression was unreadable.
The Imperial Astronomer dared not look directly at the Emperor to gauge his reaction, keeping his head lowered and waiting.
The study was eerily quiet.
In this suffocating silence, the Imperial Astronomer’s back was drenched with sweat.
After waiting for a long time, Emperor Ling finally spoke: “Are you certain this is the result of your calculation?”
“I am certain.”
Despite his shaking voice, the Imperial Astronomer firmly replied, “Your Majesty, this result is the outcome of three days and nights of calculations.”
He spoke with conviction. Emperor Ling’s eyes grew even darker as he looked at the note.
Another long silence followed.
The Imperial Astronomer felt his breath becoming labored again. He knew this audience would be tough, but experiencing this oppressive atmosphere firsthand, not only his back but also his forehead and nose tip were covered in sweat.
“Your Majesty—”
“You may leave.”
Emperor Ling’s face remained impassive as he softly ordered the Imperial Astronomer to withdraw.
Since he submitted the note until now, he hasn’t been able to discern Emperor Ling’s attitude.
He felt a vague unease in his heart, but still bowed and retreated.
As he reached the door, Yong Wang was still standing there.
The two of them still didn’t exchange any words, simply passing by each other.
After the supervisor left, Yong Wang was also summoned in.
“Royal Brother, I’ve been troubled lately,” said Emperor Ling, pressing his temple. There were no papers on the table, and he didn’t discuss anything about the Imperial Astronomer with Yong Wang. “One issue in the palace after another, I truly can’t find a moment of leisure.”
Listening to him, Yong Wang quickly responded, “Your Majesty, allow me to share your worries.”
“Yes, there are a few matters. I need you to investigate,” Emperor Ling instructed Yong Wang before waving him off.
Once Yong Wang left, the serene expression on Emperor Ling’s handsome face changed.
He took out the note from earlier, turned slightly, lips tinged with coldness, and asked Lu Guang, “Lu Guang, do you know where the star of misfortune for Qi Dynasty is?”
Lu Guang hesitated, “Your Majesty, I have no knowledge of astrology; how could I know about this? Your Majesty, this truly perplexes me.”
Emperor Ling looked at Lu Guang, who dared not answer. Rising, he crumpled the paper and tossed it into the candle’s flame.
The paper instantly caught fire, burning to ashes. In that fleeting moment, several black characters flashed in the firelight.
These characters indicated a person, not the recently favored Seventh Prince or Noble Consort Yi.
They pointed to the Empress and Eldest Prince Ling Chen.
“Lu Guang, about Ling Chen and Little Seven… Forget it,” Emperor Emperor Ling didn’t pursue further, his mind lately overburdened, now even aching.
“Summon Physician Zhang,” he ordered, pressing his temple and then returning to rest in bed.
Before long, Physician Zhang arrived and prescribed medicine for Emperor Ling.
Hearing that Emperor Ling wasn’t feeling well, Noble Consort Yi frowned but still brought Little Seven over.
“Niang Niang, why have you come?” Lu Guang saw Noble Consort Yi and Seventh Prince approach and hurriedly greeted them. “Oh my, Little Highness has grown taller again; he grows so quickly.”
Although Ling Rui was growing, he felt it was a bit slow. Fourth Brother said Sixth Brother ate too much, only getting fat without growing taller. But he’s still not as tall as Sixth Brother!
Now praised for his height, Ling Rui’s little face blushed happily.
Seeing his blushing face, Lu Guang smiled even more.
However, after welcoming Noble Consort Yi and Seventh Prince, Lu Guang apologized, “Niang Niang, it’s really unfortunate. His Majesty just took his medicine and is preparing to rest.”
“Preparing to rest? Doesn’t that mean he hasn’t rested yet?” Noble Consort Yi glanced at Lu Guang and said, “I’ll just go in and take a look; it won’t disturb His Majesty’s rest.”
Since Noble Consort Yi said so, Lu Guang could only inform the others.
Emperor Ling hadn’t yet rested in his sleeping chamber. Originally, he wanted someone to sing for him. Now that Noble Consort Yi had come, he raised his eyes and glanced at Lu Guang.
Lu Guang understood, ushering in Noble Consort Yi and Seventh Prince while swiftly sending away the eunuch who arranged for the singing beauty, telling her not to come.
“Yi Er, why have you come?” Emperor Ling saw Noble Consort Yi approach and rose from his bed, walking to her. “I’m fine; I just took the physician’s medicine, and I’m feeling much better.”
“I heard from Lu Guang that you’ve taken your medicine, but I still wanted to see you.” Noble Consort Yi was genuinely concerned about Emperor Ling’s health. “Are you still having a headache?”
“Yes, perhaps I’ve been thinking too much lately.” Emperor Ling finished speaking, comforting her, “This headache is an old problem, nothing serious. After taking medicine and resting, I’ll be fine.”
After exchanging a few words, when Emperor Ling lowered his head to look at Ling Rui, he noticed the little one anxiously waiting for him.
“Daddy, hug!”
Seeing him look over, Ling Rui immediately opened his small hands.
Emperor Ling looked at his soft little face, and those clear, beautiful eyes. His movement paused for a moment before reaching out and picking up the little fellow.
“Haven’t held you in a few days, and you’ve gotten heavier.”
“Chubby, good.”
Ling Rui was rather proud of having gained weight.
Noble Consort Yi had said while feeding him that a chubby baby was more attractive.
Emperor Ling hadn’t held him in days; now that he was in his arms, Ling Rui said, “Sleep here tonight, and I’ll take you back tomorrow morning.”
“Okay.”
Ling Rui obediently nodded. His small hands hugged Emperor Ling’s neck, wanting to take a good look at Daddy today.
Daddy always had a headache; he wanted to look at the foresight in advance to see if Daddy’s headache would worsen later on.
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