The document is clear to the world - Chapter 31
Chapter Twenty-Seven: My Heart Is Dead, I'm Just Playing Along
Lu Xiu must have been in a great hurry to get here.
"I heard the Emperor has fallen ill?" Lu Xiu asked hurriedly.
"A slight fever, nothing to worry about." I smiled slightly. "How's the drought situation in Jiangbei?"
"Seventh Brother was right; all the reservoirs are full, but..."
"What's wrong?" I asked hurriedly.
"Seventh Brother rushed to complete the project as soon as he arrived in Jiangbei. He didn't speak for several days and nights. When it rained, he directed the opening of the reservoir. When he reached the last pool, he finally couldn't hold on and fainted."
My heart clenched suddenly. "I have to go and see."
"But what about the Emperor..."
"I will definitely be back before dawn."
Why do I feel so anxious upon hearing news of him? This worry is no less than my concern for Xuan...
The distance from Xiling on the outskirts of the city to Jiangbei is not far; two hours is enough for a round trip. When I arrived at the Jiangbei camp without stopping, I was somewhat surprised to see the generals who were building the water conservancy project living in such dilapidated tents. What was even harder for me to accept was the thought that Lu Li, who had always been pampered, was eating and living with them, and I couldn't help but feel sad.
"Seventh Brother is over here." Lu Xiu said, leading the way for me. Just as I was about to step into the camp, I saw Lu Li leaning against the bed through the half-open curtain.
A woman sat in front of him, feeding him porridge spoonful by spoonful. Lu Li would occasionally look up and smile at her, a smile of tenderness I had never seen before...
At that moment, my heart ached. What was wrong with me? Why did it hurt? If that woman hadn't been Qin Lanruo, but Yi Ling or someone else, would I still be in so much pain? If he hadn't smiled so gently, would I still be in so much pain?
What am I doing? Do I even care about him? If I don't, why did I rush here so fast? Why am I so worried about his safety?
But I traveled all this way not to see him rekindle his romance with the woman he once loved, nor to see him smile tenderly at another woman. What was it all for? I don't even know anymore.
Lu Xiu grabbed my hand, glared at me, and said, "Let's go inside..."
I shook off his hand, and in the darkness, my voice was incredibly desolate, "Lu Xiu, let's go back..."
What's wrong with me? Why don't I rush in and yell at these two for deceiving me and putting on an act right under my nose? Why am I leaving like a wronged woman, all miserable and forlorn...?
On the galloping horse, the cold wind rushed past my ears, and I finally came to my senses...
Because I am a woman of the Rong family, my portrait will be hung in one corner of the mausoleum hall for my descendants to worship after I die.
I will be in charge of the sixth house, so I must be able to endure what others cannot.
Since you've started this charade with me, I'm willing to play along to the end. No matter how splendid or brilliant your performance, no one can take my place...
After the grand ceremony, I accompanied the emperor until we returned to the palace. I did not go back to the Prince of Ning's residence, nor did anyone invite me back. That person should have known I had returned to the capital, but he never came to invite me back. Of course, he was rekindling his old flame with the woman he had been longing for.
"Zhao'er..." the Empress called out to me, coughing softly.
"Aunt, should we ask the imperial physician to come and take another look? Your illness just won't get better."
"Zhao'er, it's strange. After you returned to the capital, you stayed in my palace without ever going back to your residence to visit your family. I heard that the seventh prince is quite ill."
I smiled slightly, "My aunt's health is still not getting better, how can I go back with peace of mind? Besides, there are people taking care of her in the manor."
"Did you have a fight with Lao Qi?"
"No," I declined, turning my back to hand over the medicine. "This was just sent to you by the Crown Prince to nourish you."
The aunt paused for a moment, then smiled slightly, "This child still remembers his mother. He is truly worthy of being raised by me."
"yes."
“Zhao’er…you have to go back today no matter what. Seventh Brother is also my heart and soul. I can’t let him stay sick like this with no one to take care of him.”
I naturally couldn't say anything more.
As soon as I stepped out of the car, Liu Shang excitedly came to greet me.
"Are you alright?" I smiled, feeling a little tired.
"Yes, with Miss Qin looking after us, everything is fine."
My steps suddenly faltered, and those three words suddenly made me want to back down.
"What's wrong, Master? You should go now. Miss Qin keeps talking about you, she'll be so happy to see you. Also, the Prince misses you too, and old-fashioned Xiao Si is looking out the door to see if you've returned yet."
I gave a cold laugh. "He's just hiring someone to keep watch for him."
Liu Shang was taken aback. "Master, why are you saying this... Your Highness..."
"Alright, alright, let's go in."
As soon as I stepped into my main room, I heard coughing coming from the inner bedroom. It turned out that he had been sleeping in my room for the past few days. No, it should be our main room. I suddenly wondered if Qin Lanruo was also sleeping in my bed.
"Master, please slow down. Xiao Si, go and get a new towel." Qin Lanruo's soft voice came from behind, sounding like the mistress of the mansion.
"Lanruo, I haven't submitted my memorial yet. May I finish writing it?"
"Didn't you hear what the imperial physician said? He told you not to worry, but why can't you listen to my advice?!" Qin Lanruo said with a slight hint of anger.
The little girl next to her suddenly covered her mouth and laughed.
"What are you laughing at, trying to beat the summer heat?" Qin Lanruo asked.
"The way Miss Qin reprimanded the prince reminded me of our master. Our master often speaks to the prince in the same way."