“Are you expecting me to make the decision?”
As Lin Qingge spoke, she raised an eyebrow in surprise. Murong Bai, however, kept them in suspense, leading the three of them to the most secluded side room in the backyard of Renji Hall.
In the room, Lian Cheng Yi lay on the bed with his eyes closed.
“Murong Bai, what is the condition of the poison afflicting Young General Lian?”
“Replying to sir, it is precisely this matter I wished to inquire about.”
After speaking, Murong Bai turned and closed the door, then looked at Hua Jin Rong beside him. Although they had exchanged no words throughout, the latter nodded affirmatively.
Seeing this, Murong Bai finally spoke:
“To be frank, with the cooperation of the one from Putuo Temple and myself, there is no poison in this world that we cannot cure.
However, sir must already be aware of the situation around Renji Hall.
King Wu Cheng has deployed many experts to ambush the surroundings. Judging by the scale, they most likely intend to take Young General Lian away once they receive news of his recovery.
The act of escorting Young General Lian out of the capital, this land of troubles, signifies that King Wu Cheng, who has been lying dormant for so long, is finally about to make a move.
Therefore, I wish to ask sir, do you want Young General Lian to remain lying here, or do you want him to recover completely?”
Upon hearing Murong Bai’s words, Lin Qingge’s gaze fell upon Lian Cheng Yi, whose eyes were tightly shut on the bed.
Perhaps due to the poisoning and having been bedridden for the past period, Lian Cheng Yi’s complexion was sallow, and he had lost a considerable amount of weight, a stark contrast to when they met at Wolong Villa.
“Rest assured, sir. I have added a few calming herbs to Young General Lian’s medicinal soup. He will not awaken for at least three to five hours.
Furthermore, although the residual poison in Young General Lian has been cleared, I have many methods to keep him in a deep slumber.
Even if King Wu Cheng sends physicians to examine him, they will not be able to detect the slightest anomaly.”
“Bai Er, your method is too troublesome.
If you trust your student, sir, allow me to take Young General Lian away.
Once King Wu Cheng loses track of this most favored adopted son, he will surely make a move, perhaps even fall into disarray.
At that time, won’t we know what exactly King Wu Cheng intends to do?”
“Troublesome. It’s better to swat away a bug directly, leaving no future troubles.”
Lin Qingge surveyed her surroundings and suddenly realized that there seemed to be no normal people around her.
Besides criminals, there were those with hearts consumed by love. The remaining few who appeared normal were in fact lawless individuals more dangerous than criminals.
Sigh—
Her heart felt so weary.
Mourning her own fate with a silent tear, Lin Qingge unhesitatingly chose to have Murong Bai heal Lian Cheng Yi.
“As expected of you, sir, with such noble character.
Even towards an enemy who once sought to kill you, you show magnanimous mercy, truly earning my admiration.”
“That’s enough, stop mocking me.
The blame lies with the one who committed the crime. King Wu Cheng wanted to kill me, not Lian Cheng Yi.
Although he also intended to harm me, he did not act on it at the time, and he has also helped me with many tasks, thus atoning for his past actions.
Therefore, for both emotional and logical reasons, I do not wish for him to continue in such a dazed state.”
Moreover, ultimately, Lian Cheng Yi was poisoned by Fu Xun because of her.
However, Lin Qingge did not voice this latter thought.
Murong Bai, standing at the door, heard this and his lips curved into a knowing smile. He responded,
“Sir, I know what needs to be done.”
After a long absence, Hua Jin Rong seemed to have something to discuss with Murong Bai, and with Lin Qingge’s gossipy gaze, she stayed behind.
Leaving Renji Hall.
Lin Qingge looked at the bustling stalls on either side, yet her heart felt hollow.
“Madam, I have a feeling that since returning to the capital this time, I’ve forgotten something important…”
Halfway through her sentence, Lin Qingge finally remembered what she had forgotten after seeing a street vendor holding a sugar figurine.
Uh—
After going out for a stroll, it seemed she had forgotten her own ridiculously cheap nephew…
Seeing Lin Qingge’s look of vexation, Leng Ning Yue, who guessed the reason, showed a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
“Let’s go, into the palace.”
And so, Leng Ning Yue’s identity as Empress came into play.
Although Lin Qingge was nominally an outsider male, her visit was to the Empress Dowager’s Yongshou Palace, so it was not entirely out of line.
However, her male attire as she entered and exited with the Empress was indeed rather improper.
Just as Lin Qingge was hesitating whether to change her clothes, Feng Qing Chen appeared at the palace gate in a timely manner.
The three of them traveled together, and no one could find fault with it, except that Leng Ning Yue’s gaze towards Feng Qing Chen was inexplicably cold.
“Father, Mother, Mo’er misses you both so much!”
As soon as they stepped into Yongshou Palace, Lin Zi Mo, like a cannonball, dashed over.
Feeling that the little brat had grown taller and stronger, Lin Qingge, after assessing her own small frame, quietly took two steps back.
???
Lin Zi Mo, having missed his target, decided to persevere.
However, as he gathered his strength again, intending to give his long-unseen aunt a big hug, he was suddenly grabbed by the scruff of his neck.
!!!
Lin Zi Mo turned his head furiously, only to see his mother’s face, more beautiful than words could describe!
Just as Lin Zi Mo’s face registered disbelief, his eyes losing all their light, Leng Ning Yue calmly uttered two words:
“Be steady.”
“Oh.”
Lin Zi Mo lowered his small head and responded sulkily.
After all, he was the child she had raised, and feeling a pang of guilt, Lin Qingge took a deep breath and effortfully picked up the little one who had grown noticeably heavier.
Seeing this, Leng Ning Yue took the little one into her own arms, and the family of three walked further into Yongshou Palace.
After two days of such peaceful living, Lin Qingge received an invitation from the palace.
According to the customs of the Great Xia Dynasty, after each imperial examination results were announced, a grand banquet would be held in the palace.
Firstly, it was to display the imperial grace.
Secondly, it was to celebrate that the Great Xia Dynasty had gained a new batch of pillars of the state.
Thirdly, it provided an opportunity for scholars to get to know each other and interact with officials.
To put it bluntly, it was a disguised matchmaking event.
Lin Qingge, as the Prefect of Shun Tian Prefecture, holding a fourth-rank official position, was also on the guest list for the banquet.
And for a banquet of this caliber, the Empress was naturally required to attend, so Leng Ning Yue also had to participate.
Thus, Lin Zi Mo, who had only been staying at the Lin Mansion for two days, was once again sent to the Empress Dowager’s care.
On the day of the banquet.
Lin Qingge donned her official attire and, accompanied by Yan Ting Hao, entered the palace discreetly. She then found a seat in an inconspicuous corner of the banquet hall.
Looking at the same food on the table as at the previous palace banquet, Lin Qingge felt that a certain Prime Minister surnamed Feng had been rather lax lately.
At this moment, the new Emperor entered with the Empress.
After the assembled officials paid their respects, the Emperor, with a commanding presence, spoke in a deep voice:
“My lords, before the banquet commences, I have an announcement to make.
I believe all my lords are aware that since Prime Minister Shangguan retired to his hometown, all the heavy responsibilities in the court have fallen upon Prime Minister Feng alone.
I cannot bear to see this, and thus I have decided to promote one person to the position of Right Prime Minister exceptionally.”