Chapter 350 - Chapter 350: Talent Awakening
Chapter 350: Talent Awakening
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Yongshou Palace.
The bedroom was filled with a strong medicinal fragrance. The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the bed with a pale face. The thin blanket covered her waist and abdomen.
Emperor Jingxuan stood by the bed with a solemn expression.
Court Commissioner Hu carefully checked the Empress Dowager’s pulse and stood up.
Emperor Jing Xuan asked, “How is it?”
Court Commissioner Hu replied respectfully, “From her pulse, the Empress Dowager’s vital energy and blood are both deficient. Coupled with her heavy worries and overthinking, she was also frightened by the wind a while ago, so she fell sick.”
“You’ve been saying these things for a few days, and I’m already tired of hearing them. I just want to know when the Empress Dowager’s illness will improve.”
“I’ll change a new prescription for the Empress Dowager. Illness comes like a landslide, and illness disappears like silk. If the medicinal effect is too strong, it means that the side effects are also great. It’s harmful to the body, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Jing Xuan took a deep breath and pinched his aching forehead, forcing himself to calm down.
“Stand down,” he said.
“Yes.” Court Commissioner Hu took a few steps back before turning around. He raised his sleeve to wipe the sweat on his forehead and immediately went to the Imperial Hospital to write a prescription.
Emperor Jing Xuan came to the stool in front of the bed and sat down. He ordered the palace servants, “You can leave.”
Eunuch Fu glanced at Granny Xi, who was beside the Empress Dowager.
Nanny Xi said to the Empress Dowager, “Your Majestät, I shall eat outside.”
The Empress Dowager nodded slightly.
Granny Xi and Eunuch Fu left with the palace servants.
Emperor Jing Xuan looked at the sickly Empress Dowager with a complicated expression. “The Court Commissioner said that Mother is worried and overthinking. I’ve been busy with work recently and neglected Mother. It’s my fault.’
The Empress Dowager did not say anything. She just turned her face to the side indifferently.
Emperor Jing Xuan sighed. “Mother, are you planning to never forgive your son? It’s been ten years. He’s your son, but am I not? Would you feel better if I was the one who was killed?”
The Empress Dowager was still staring stubbornly at the wall.
The Empress Dowager was still staring stubbornly at the wall. “Mother, take care of yourself. I’ll visit you another day.”
With that, Emperor Jing Xuan stood up and left Yong Shou Palace.
The night was as dark as ink.
Emperor Jingxuan walked on the quiet winding path. Eunuch Fu was holding a lantern for him.
Emperor Jingxuan said self-deprecatingly, “The death anniversary of the Prince of Nanyang is approaching again. It’s like this every year.”
Eunuch Fu did not dare to reply.
King Nanyang was the eldest son of the late emperor, and Emperor Jingxuan was the fourth son of the late emperor. Both of them were born to Consort Hui, who was now the Empress Dowager.
The two brothers joined forces and defeated the empress and the legitimate prince. Then, they fought against each other.
Emperor Jing Xuan sneered and said, “I occasionally wonder if Mother would be estranged from Eldest Brother for my sake if I lost. I know what she is thinking. She thinks that Eldest Brother is the eldest son and should be more qualified than me to inherit the throne. Do you know what she once said to
Eunuch Fu said embarrassedly, “I don’t know.”
Emperor Jing Xuan said sarcastically, “She told me that if the one who inherits the throne is the King of Nanyang, he will definitely not kill me! Do you believe
Eunuch Fu paused and said, “I don’t believe it.”
It did not matter if he believed it or not. What Emperor Jingxuan wanted to hear was that he did not believe it.
Emperor Jing Xuan looked at the boundless night sky and a malicious glint flashed in his eyes. “I don’t believe it either! If the Prince of Nanyang won, I would have ended up like him! The winner is the king, and the loser is the bandit. Why does Mother blame me?!”
Eunuch Fu did not dare to reply.
Emperor Jing Xuan said, “Forget it, let’s go back to the palace.”
Eunuch Fu asked, “Which palace is His Majesty going to tonight?”
In the past, when Emperor Jingxuan was most frustrated, he liked to go to Concubine Xian’s palace.
Concubine Xian was a beautiful flower. She knew how to resolve Emperor Jingxuan’s worries.
However, tonight, after a moment of silence, Emperor Jing Xuan said, “Go to
Kunning Palace to see the Empress.”
Eunuch Fu said to himself,” Are you sure you’re going to see the Empress? Not to enjoy Princess Jingning’s snacks?”
In the blink of an eye, it was the end of April. The day of Su Cheng and Qin Jiang’s competition was gradually approaching.
Qin Canglan and the Old Marquis seized every opportunity to train Su Cheng. To shorten the gap of twenty years in one month sounded like a fantasy.
However, Su Cheng’s talent really made the two of them raise their eyebrows.
From the beginning, he could not even defeat one move. Now, he could withstand ten moves from Qin Canglan.
Although he was a little crafty, there was nothing wrong with deception in war. If he caught it, he caught it.
As his performance became more and more outstanding, Su Cheng’s salary also increased from 10 taels a day to 20 taels a day. The highest amount he earned 50 taels a day.
Su Cheng was very satisfied.
He felt that after a year or so, he might be able to buy a house for his daughter in the capital.
“Don’t you think Cheng’er recovered too quickly?”
The Old Marquis stared at Su Chengwen, who was practicing archery on the grass field.
Qin Canglan asked, “Is it fast?”
The Old Marquis thought for a moment and said, “It’s faster than when we were young.”
Qin Canglan said proudly, “Of course! Like father, like son! Don’t you know whose son he is!”
The Old Marquis glanced at him with a complicated expression. “The thought of such a good seedling being delayed in the countryside for 30 years makes me want to kill you.”
At the mention of this, Qin Canglan instantly lost his confidence.
He coughed resentfully. “Alright, at most, you can teach him more on my behalf in the future. He’s still young and can take on a big responsibility.” The Old Marquis asked strangely, “Why do you want me to teach your son?”
Qin Canglan’s eyes flashed and he said seriously, “You… Didn’t you teach him well? Besides, you didn’t hit him as hard as I did. I’m afraid I’ll break him.”
The Old Marquis snorted coldly. “I almost thought you were giving your last words.”
Su Cheng’s side was progressing smoothly, but two nights before the competition, something happened to Su Ergou.
He was gone!
After Su Qi and Su Yu finished today’s class, they went to Su Ergou’s class to find him to go home with them.
Their workload was heavier than Su Ergou’s, and they ended the class an hour later.
Su Ergou would usually wait for them in the classroom while doing his homework.
However, when the two of them went to the classroom today, they unexpectedly missed.
“Did he go to the toilet?” Su Yu asked.
“Then let’s wait.” Su Qi said.
After waiting for half an hour, Su Ergou did not come over. Su Qi went to the toilet to look for him. Su Yu continued to wait at the door of the classroom in case Su Ergou returned and missed them again.
However, Su Qi searched all the toilets in the directorate, but he didn’t see Su Ergou.
“Second Brother.” Su Yu asked, “Where’s Ergou?”
“No.” Su Qi shook his head.
Su Yu said strangely, “That shouldn’t be the case. Ergou is very obedient. He will wait for us.
They had been in school together for nearly a month. Su Ergou never ran around. Occasionally, he would go to the toilet but he would be back soon. The two of them simultaneously sensed that something was wrong.
“Second Brother…”
“Don’t panic.” Su Qi forced himself to calm down.
It was fine if they were noisy usually, but at critical moments, they could not be in a mess.
Su Qi frowned and said, “How about this, you go and find Master Cen. I remember that he was teaching Ergou’s class this afternoon. I will go to the dormitory and ask Ergou’s classmates. We will meet at the main entrance of the Directorate.” Su Yu agreed, “Okay!”