Chapter 102:
Xue Fuying and the others were taken away. The remaining details would be left to the Imperial Court of Judicial Review for interrogation, but Jiang Juan and the others were still not allowed to leave.
The Emperor was at death’s door.
Xue Fuying had inflicted a wound that struck the Emperor’s vital organs. In his shock, the Emperor could only make faint “huff, huff” sounds and couldn’t articulate a complete word.
In just the span of a single incense stick, so much had happened. Even the muddled Emperor, in his heart, was overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions.
Qi Xiuran was still alive.
Fuying had killed him out of hatred.
Lying on the bed, unable to move, the Emperor’s eyes were clouded, possibly with tears—whether from pain or sorrow, it was unclear.
The imperial physicians arrived in haste. After examining him, they all knelt and shook their heads, unable to provide any hope.
Seeing this, Chief Steward Wang’s eyes filled with tears, “Your Majesty…”
The Emperor moved his eyes, and Chief Steward Wang noticed. The Emperor’s gaze was directed at Xue Fangli, who stood nearby. Having served the Emperor for many years, Chief Steward Wang understood the Emperor’s intent. He quickly wiped his tears, “Your Highness, the Emperor has something to say to you.”
Xue Fangli walked over slowly. The Emperor again made faint “huff, huff” sounds. Xue Fangli smiled and said, “Father, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
In fact, the Emperor’s words amounted to only a few things.
It was the Emperor’s regret.
The Emperor was wrong.
But acknowledging one’s mistakes didn’t mean forgiveness would follow.
Xue Fangli no longer cared about the past events, but that didn’t mean he would forgive the Emperor.
Even if he no longer harbored hatred, even if his suffering had led to Jiang Juan, Xue Fangli still remembered the days filled with endless pain and loathing.
At that time, he was still young and powerless to protect himself. His father could have saved him with just a flick of his finger or a word.
But he didn’t.
“Huff…”
The Emperor’s breathing was labored, making a sound like a worn-out bellows. Xue Fangli simply watched him quietly.
In pain all over, with bleeding that wouldn’t stop, the Emperor’s aged face was etched with agony.
Looking at Xue Fangli, the Emperor seemed to want to reach out. But at this moment, despite his efforts, he could only move his fingers. The Emperor urgently tried to speak, “Ah…”
“Hm?”
Ignoring the struggle in his hand, Xue Fangli asked, “Father, what’s wrong?”
What’s wrong?
The past played like a revolving lantern before his eyes. Throughout his life, he had truly made too many mistakes and harmed too many people.
As life slipped away, the Emperor did not give up and struggled to reach out to Xue Fangli.
One finger, two fingers…
Gradually, the hand moved, slowly and with great effort, towards Xue Fangli.
To pat Xue Fangli’s hand was the Emperor’s final wish at the end of his life.
But just as he endured the intense pain and summoned all his strength to extend his hand, Xue Fangli placed his hand back calmly and said, “Father, be careful not to catch a chill.”
Emperor Hongxing was stunned for a moment.
Be careful not to catch a chill.
It sounded like a caring remark, but in reality, his son simply didn’t want to touch him.
From start to finish, he refused to forgive himself.
He had lived a whole lifetime, and the woman he loved hated him, the son he favored hated him, and even his royal sister hated him.
This realization filled Emperor Hongxing’s heart with sorrow.
He looked at Xue Fangli, gazing at him for a long time. Finally, a tear fell from his murky eyes. It seemed he recalled many past events, his face showing regret and sorrow. Soon, the last glimmer of light in his eyes faded completely. Emperor Hongxing’s hand fell limply.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty——!”
Chief Steward Wang realized what had happened and rushed over. Trembling, he touched Emperor Hongxing’s breath and then, with tears streaming down his face, said, “Your Majesty—he’s gone!”
With a loud crash, the birds perched on the eaves were startled and flew off in all directions. Xue Congyun ran all the way but was still too late. Hearing Chief Steward Wang’s shout, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.
“Father! Father——!”
Someone gently patted his shoulder. Xue Congyun looked up to see Jiang Juan, along with Lan Ting and Gu Puwang. Even Xue Fangli turned around to look at him with concern.
“Father…”
Under their concerned gazes, Xue Congyun finally couldn’t hold back and grabbed someone randomly, bursting into tears.
Chief Steward Wang, holding back his grief, began to read the will: “I have reigned for many years, maintaining peace and tranquility throughout the land. The Crown Prince Xue Fangli, with his firm will and noble character, is to be my successor. I hope all ministers will assist him and support the great cause.”
That night, Xue Fangli had many things to attend to.
Cleaning up the aftermath, dealing with Emperor Hongxing’s affairs, meeting with the ministers… a myriad of tasks, all trivial and troublesome.
He had intended to follow through on his promise to keep Jiang Juan close, not allowing him to leave a step, but seeing Jiang Juan so listless and exhausted, Xue Fangli decided to let him go. “Go get some sleep.”
Jiang Juan glanced at him. “Why the sudden kindness?”
Xue Fangli smiled slightly and said, “Say another word and you’ll stay here.”
Jiang Juan didn’t want to hear any more political discussions and quickly shut his mouth, hurriedly leaving.
The palace had been tidied up, no longer in disarray. The maid led Jiang Juan to rest, but as he passed the water pavilion, Jiang Juan couldn’t help but sigh, “I really want to set up a bed here.”
The maid said awkwardly, “…It’s not impossible.”
With Emperor Hongxing’s passing and the will being read, the Crown Prince was now the new Emperor, and the status of the Crown Prince Consort had risen accordingly. Jiang Juan, now the Emperor Consort, could not only set up a bed in the water pavilion but could even build a water pavilion in his bed if he wished.
The maid asked, “Do you want to sleep here? If so… I can have a bed brought over?”
Jiang Juan had only said it in passing, of course he wouldn’t be so unreasonable. But since he was there, he wanted to stay a little longer. He told the maid, “No need, no need. I’ll just stay here and enjoy the breeze.”
The maid responded, “Understood.”
In the water pavilion, the cool breeze blew gently, and the water splashed lightly.
Jiang Juan leaned on the railing, reaching out to touch the water curtain. He felt as though everything that had happened today was like a dream.
“Brother Juan.”
Someone called out to Jiang Juan. He turned around to see Jiang Qingliang and Gu Puwang quickly asked, “How is the Sixth Prince?”
With Emperor Hongxing’s passing, Xue Congyun was quite distraught. Jiang Juan had seen this earlier and wanted to go comfort him, but Xue Fangli had detained him.
Jiang Nian lifted his robe, looking disgusted, and said, “He cried like a pig’s head. His tears and snot were all over me. If he weren’t so heartbroken, I’d have had a few words with him already.”
Jiang Juan exclaimed, “Has he fallen asleep? Should I go check on him now?”
Jiang Qingliang waved his hand, “He’s asleep. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
Jiang Juan nodded. Jiang Qingliang and Gu Puwang stood on either side of him, and they all enjoyed the breeze together.
Soon after, Jiang Qingliang remembered something and said to Jiang Juan, “Brother Juan, you don’t know how scheming Gu Puwang can be.”
Jiang Juan: “What happened?”
Jiang Qingliang complained, “He was right in front of Xue Liu and suddenly shoved me. I was still wondering what was going on when Xue Liu started using my clothes to wipe his nose.”
Gu Puwang, upon hearing this, leisurely said, “That didn’t happen.”
Jiang Qingliang glared at him and asked, “Do you want to say that again?”
Gu Puwang calmly responded, “It was just a coincidence.” What coincidence? It was actually Gu Puwang who, finding it dirty, pushed him away. Jiang Qingliang seriously scolded, “You’re such a dog.”
Jiang Juan looked at them and decided to mediate, “Gu Puwang probably didn’t do it on purpose.”
Jiang Qingliang firmly insisted, “He did it on purpose.”
Jiang Juan thought for a moment and advised, “You shouldn’t think so badly of people.”
“No, Brother Juan, listen to me, he…”
Gu Puwang frowned and said, “You’re blaming me for Xue Liu’s snot?”
Jiang Qingliang: “……….”
Seeing that Jiang Juan also looked at him disapprovingly, Jiang Qingliang was quite frustrated but could only grit his teeth and say, “Surnamed Gu, just keep pretending.”
Gu Puwang ignored him and asked Jiang Juan, “Were you frightened today?”
Jiang Juan shook his head, “Not really.”
Gu Puwang smiled, “That’s good.”
Jiang Juan curiously asked Gu Puwang, “How did you figure out that the Prince Consort had a mask on?”
Gu Puwang thought for a moment and said, “There was something off about the sideburns.”
Jiang Juan marveled, “You’re amazing.”
Jiang Qingliang, upon hearing this, was immediately displeased. “Brother Juan, what’s so amazing about that? It’s just that he’s more perceptive. Have you forgotten who saved you today, and who shot Marquis Anping off his horse?”
Jiang Juan: “………..”
It was like an elementary school competition for attention. Jiang Juan could only say, “Yes, yes, you’re amazing too.”
Jiang Qingliang was still persistent, “What do you mean I’m amazing too? Do you know how far I shot to hit the Marquis?”
Jiang Juan replied, “…Then you’re the most amazing.”
Jiang Qingliang smiled, “Well, if you insist on saying I’m the most amazing, that’s fine.”
Jiang Juan: “……….”
Trying to be reasonable, Jiang Juan was speechless. Gu Puwang reached out and lightly patted his shoulder. Jiang Juan quietly said to him, “He still has the nerve to call others foolish.”
Gu Puwang nodded in agreement. When Jiang Qingliang saw this, he felt a bit isolated and squeezed in, his gaze sharp, “What are you two whispering about? Let me hear too.”
Jiang Juan: “………….”
The night was already deep, and this was the quietest moment of the day. For a while, no one mentioned going to rest, and they gathered together to enjoy the breeze.
When Xue Fangli arrived to fetch Jiang Juan, Jiang Juan was leaning on the railing, almost falling asleep.
Xue Fangli glanced at him but said nothing. He reached out and wrapped his arm around Jiang Juan’s waist. Jiang Juan, half asleep, opened his eyes groggily and asked, “Your Highness, are you done?”
“Why did you come here when I told you to go to bed?”
“To enjoy the cool breeze.”
Jiang Juan replied, “The wind here feels so nice.”
Xue Fangli: “Let’s go.”
He intended to carry Jiang Juan, but Jiang Juan, reluctant to leave, clung to the railing again, “Let me stay here a little longer… No, I want to sleep here.”
Seeing his reluctance, Xue Fangli clicked his tongue and said impatiently, “I’ll build you a water pavilion another day. This is not a place to sleep.”
Jiang Juan thought that building a water pavilion sounded quite troublesome, let alone a grand one. He quickly shook his head, “…I don’t want that.”
Xue Fangli didn’t say anything more. If Jiang Juan liked something, he would naturally get it for him.
Jiang Juan released his grip, and Xue Fangli carried him back to the room.
Xue Fangli didn’t punish anyone today but came back with a sullen face. Jiang Juan, who had been carried all the way, naturally noticed this.
After being placed on the bed, Jiang Juan sat up and took Xue Fangli’s face in his hands, asking, “Your Highness… or should I say, Your Majesty now?”
“Why are you unhappy?”
Xue Fangli was too lazy to answer. Jiang Juan thought for a moment and guessed it was probably because he had wanted him to come back to sleep but ended up playing with Jiang Qingliang and the others and sleeping in the water pavilion.
Jiang Juan sighed, “If you’re unhappy, would a kiss from the Crown Prince Consort make you feel a bit better?”
Xue Fangli snorted, “I get kissed every day. What’s there to be happy about?”
Jiang Juan: “………..”
Damn it, can’t a kiss make him happy?
Jiang Juan had to try another approach, “Then… how about a massage?”
Xue Fangli lowered his gaze, “When have I not given you a massage during a kiss?”
Jiang Juan: “………..”
He opened his mouth but was momentarily at a loss. After some thought, Jiang Juan, feeling embarrassed, lowered his eyelashes and asked softly, “What about a quick touch with your fingers? Just once.”
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