Married Thrice to Salted Fish

After Xiao Cheng returned to the Eastern Palace, he fell gravely ill. Everyone thought that he must have received a huge psychological blow from Chen Shi’s banishment to the cold palace. Although the crown prince has become a medicine jar since his “sudden illness” last year, the imperial physicians also said that so long as he rests at ease, he could still live for decades. This time, his internal energies had been so agitated that his old injury recurred and he fell into a coma. They were afraid that everything about his condition now pointed towards disaster.

With Xiao Cheng so ill, he could no longer manage the affairs of the state. The emperor ordered authority over the Tianji Camp taken from him. At this time, King Ning, Xiao Jie had been ordered to investigate Xixia’s spies but he lacked the manpower to properly do so. Now, this shadow guard organization who worked themselves to the bone for the royal family came into Xiao Jie’s hands.

Misfortune never comes singly. Dark and gloomy clouds hung over the Eastern Palace, while Qinzheng Hall had not seen the Son of Heaven for many days. As summer begun, the weather gradually turned hot. Not only did the emperor’s condition not improve, rather, it became worse and worse. The entire Imperial Hospital, including Lin Qingyu, who had no official position, was made to work round the clock due to these two personages’ condition. And yet, they yielded no results.

The headaches tormented the emperor to the verge of death. He felt like there was a shovel in his head, delivering pound after pound against his brain. The emperor’s groans reverberated in his bedchamber day and night. As it wore on, he eventually lost even the strength to moan.

The imperial physicians were helpless and the emperor could only pin his hopes on Lin Qingyu. He hoped that Lin Qingyu could save him a second time and even granted him the position of Assistant Yuan Pan of the Imperial Hospital. Lin Qingyu lived up to his expectations and prescribed him a new medicine. After the emperor took it, sure enough, his headaches subsided. However, what followed was long periods of drowsiness. He was in a daze all day long and every time he woke up, he would be so confused he couldn’t even tell day from night — He now seemed beyond feeling any pain.

Lin Rushan, as the Yuan Pan of the Imperial Hospital, could tell what medicine the emperor was taking. He found Lin Qingyu and said hesitantly, “Qingyu, the medicine you gave His Majesty…”

Lin Qingyu said, “His Majesty said that he didn’t want to hurt anymore and I made it so that he wouldn’t hurt. I’m followed the imperial edict. There is no need for Father to worry.”

Lin Rushan still worried nonetheless. “Do you really know what you’re doing? The Crown Prince and Chen Shi will say nothing of it. But if the Empress and King Ning were to find out, would they allow you to do this?”

Lin Qingyu smiled reassuringly, “Father, do not worry. I have thought this through. You can leave this matter alone.”

Lin Rushan sighed. “Alright. I have never been able to control you. But be careful in everything.”

The emperor and the crown prince fell ill one after the other. The heavy responsibility of supervising the country naturally fell on the shoulders of King Ning. In the past, Xiao Jie was nothing but a pillow with an embroidered case. His birth mother was low humble; he himself had no talent or virtue. No one would have imagined that one day the Dayu would be under his control. The ministers who were close to Xiao Cheng were defiant at first but he proved himself ever more capable at each task the emperor assigned. They had no choice but to accept it.

Kept busy by state affiars, Xiao Jie had not returned to King Ning’s mansion for many days. He took Xi Rong to stay with him in the side hall of Qinzheng Hall. While managing the country, he did not forget to serve his imperial father in his illness and to pay his respects to his imperial mother. After a few months, Xiao Jie gained a reputation not only for being a hardworking ruler but also a loyal and filial son.

On this day, Lin Qingyu was invited by King Ning to Qinzheng Hall. The messenger said that King Ning suddenly felt unwell and asked him to take a look. When he arrived at the side hall of Qinzheng Hall, he saw Xiao Jie lying over the desk and sleeping soundly, a pen held slack in his hand. There was even a spot of ink on his nose.

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Lin Qingyu said softly, “Your Highness?”

Xi Rong’s voice came from behind him. “Doctor Lin, you’re here.”

Lin Qingyu turned around and looked. During this period, he and Xi Rong met frequently in the palace. Compared to when he was in the King’s Mansion, Xi Rong was now several times busier. However, he showed no tiredness at all. Instead, his face was bright and radiant. He seems to be enjoying every day.

Lin Qingyu laughed inexplicably. Xi Rong personally poured him a cup of tea and asked politely, “What is Imperial Physician Lin laughing at?

“It’s funny, Steward Xi and the General are two extremes.” Lin Qingyu took the tea handed by Xi Rong, “The busier Steward Xi is, the more excited he is. If it were that one from my family, I’m afraid it wouldn’t even be two days before he’s already complaining loudly and washing his hands of the entire thing.”

A strange expression quickly flashed in Xi Rong’s eyes. Lin Qingyu’s mention of ‘that one from my family’, had he said it offhand or did he mean something more by it?

“General Gu has been working for the country and the peace of the Northwest for a long time. In order to let the general rest easy, the prince has already excused him from attending the daily morning court.” Xi Rong said with a smile, “Or, does Imperial Physician Lin have any other requests?”

“No, that’s fine.” Lin Qingyu looked at Xiao Jie, “Steward Xi, is it alright to let His Highness sleep like this? Although it’s summer, it’s still cold in the mornings and evenings. His Highness can scarce afford to fall ill at this time.”

“Imperial Physician Lin, please wait a moment.”

Xi Rong walked to Xiao Jie, leaned over and carried him in his arms. Xiao Jie woke up. Seeing Xi Rong’s face, he dazedly called out “A’Rong”. Xi Rong said warmly, “I’ll take you to the bedroom to sleep.”

Xiao Jie nodded and put his arms around Xi Rong’s neck, closing his eyes again.

Xi Rong settled Xiao Jie and returned to the side hall. He apologized to Lin Qingyu, “Imperial Physician Lin, I am sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Lin Qingyu had already drunk half of a cup of tea. “If Steward Xi has something he needs to say, please tell me.”

The two of them each took what they needed and they have been in alliance for a long time. Xi Rong said, “His Highness has been supervising the country for a while, I wonder if Imperial Physician Lin finds things satisfactory?”

“Steward Xi’s words are interesting.” Lin Qingyu said, “Whether things are satisfactory or not, should you not ask His Majesty? What are you asking me for?””

Xi Rong said with a smile, “Then who does Imperial Physican Lin think suitable to express these words?”

Lin Qingyu looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

“We need someone to step out. Best it be a civil minister trusted by His Majesty, a middleman who is not too close to either the Crown Prince or King Ning.” Xi Rong said, “His Majesty’s illness worsens by the day. The times he is awake grow less and less. I hope that while His Majesty is lucid, he might give His Highness proper title. Imperial Physician Lin is of exceptional intelligence; you should understand my meaning.”

Lin Qingyu said slowly, “Steward Xi has been lying dormant for many years, why are you losing patience now?”

Xi Rong was dressed in huafu; he was obviously a eunuch and yet he seemed to born a cut above the rest, more like a prince than Xiao Jie. “It is because I have been dormant for many years and have waited for too long that I do not wish to wait now.”

Lin Qingyu said, “More haste, less speed. Steward Xi, keep calm. Do not be impatient.”

Xi Rong bowed and saluted with modesty and respect. “In this case, I would like to thank Doctor Lin.”

Lin Qingyu and Gu Fuzhou have been planning for a long time, each step was linked to another. Now, they were only one step away from achieving their goal. The proper title Xi Rong wanted was nothing more than an imperial edict stating the proper heir.

This was not difficult. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the crown prince’s party could no longer hold their heads above the wind and waves. Even if the emperor were to show consideration for their bond as father and son, leaving him as crown prince, how long could he remain seated on the throne given the condition of his body? Even if the Emperor were to depart first and the crown prince can ascend to the throne, how could a new emperor with a short life be able to hold steady this vast nation? Now, it was simply a matter of having someone sent a letter to the emperor urging for a change in heir.

Within the army, every soldier would respond from a single call from Gu Fuzhou. Though, it could be him who speaks out, if he were but a little careless, he might be charged with mutiny and forcing the emperor to abdicate. Gossip is a fearful thing. Lin Qingyu cared not a whit about others, but he couldn’t stand his husband being criticized. The best candidate was the one who had urged for Xiao Jie to be named king, the Nan’an Hou. Xi Rong was hinting at him to go to Nan’an Hou and urge him to write a memorial suggesting the change in heirs.

Xi Rong’s impatience showed his ambition. On the other hand, at this time, Lin Qingyu was in no hurry. Now Xiao Jie was in charge of the country but behind Lin Qingyu were Gu Fuzhou and the empress, in his grasp was a seriously ill emperor. The two sides are evenly matched; thus, Xi Rong had the guts to instruct him to do things. When Xiao Jie becomes crown prince, with time, his wings will grow. When that time comes, it will be but a dream if Lin Qingyu wished to be on equal footing with them.

It wasn’t for this pair of half-brothers that he and Gu Fuzhou went to such great lengths to pull the emperor and his son into the water.

Lin Qingyu put down the tea cup, “I haven’t finished speaking yet. What is Steward Xi thanking me for?”

Xi Rong raised his eyebrows and said, “Then Imperial Physician Lin means…?”

“I can give His Highness this proper title, but I have three conditions.”

“Imperial Physician Lin, please do tell.”

“One, I want command over Tianji Camp.”

Xi Rong’s expression changed slightly and he said with a feigned smile, “And?”

“Secondly, in addition to the imperial cavalry camp, the imperial guards in the palace are also to be under the command of General Gu.” Lin Qingyu said, “Thirdly, if the prince succeeds in ascending the throne in the future, he is to make the current Empress, the future Empress Dowager, hold court from behind a screen.”

The smile faded from Xi Rong’s face and he said slowly, “Imperial Physician Lin is so ambitious, why not be the emperor yourself?”

Lin Qingyu said, “You yourself call me ‘Imperial Physician Lin’. How can a mere imperial physician aspire to the throne?”

Xi Rong said lightly, “I’m afraid Imperial Physician Lin does not speak truth.”

“I have made my words clear. There is still time for Steward Xi and His Highness to consider it first before letting me know your decision.” Lin Qingyu said, “But best not to make me and the General wait too long. A long night is fraught with dreams. There might be a day when His Majesty wakes up. ”

Xi Rong watched Lin Qingyu walk to the door. He suddenly said, “Imperial Physician Lin, please wait. I have one more thing regarding which I would like to ask the Imperial Physician and the General of their plans.”

“What is it?”

“Princess Jingchun’s matter has been exposed in the north. Should the court execute a preemptive strike? As Dayu’s only king from a different clan, the King of the North has always been a hidden danger.”

“No, the current court is short of troops and provisions. It is only enough to deal with the war in the Northwest.” Lin Qingyu said, “As long as Jingchun is by King of the North’s side, the Northern Border will not invade the court.”

Xi Rong asked, “How does Imperial Physician Lin know this?”

Lin Qingyu made no comment. He had asked Gu Fuzhou the same thing and Gu Fuzhou told him:

If the story of Xiao Cheng and Shen Huaishi was a bucket of vomit-inducing swill of sadistic love, of picking up the pieces and starting anew, then the story of the King of the North and the Princess Jingchun was a sweet cookie of a love story from beginning to end. For them, being in love together was the most important thing.

The author has something to say: Er Zhuang hold on! Strive to survive until the eleventh hour! ! !

Er Zhuang: Wait for me to call him baobei first before you send me offline.