At that moment, someone gently knocked on the door of the secret chamber. Nan Xuzong narrowed his eyes and stood up, and sure enough, he saw Huangfu Xuan walk out of the chamber. "It seems your legs have been healed!"
“You know about this!” Nan Xuzong said with certainty, otherwise, he wouldn’t have come to him so quickly! “Why didn’t you tell me?” He took a step forward and grabbed Huangfu Xuan’s collar.
Huangfu Xuan chuckled, "Want to fight here? Aren't you afraid of disturbing her?" As he spoke, his gaze drifted to Ji Wushang on the bed. Nan Xuzong followed his gaze and saw Ji Wushang's hand outstretched, her face serene and her appearance sweet.
He immediately stepped forward, placed her hand under the quilt, tucked it in, and lowered the curtains. His tall figure moved toward Huangfu Xuan, making sure to be out of Huangfu Xuan's sight.
No one should be allowed to covet even a fraction of her beauty!
Huangfu Xuan shook his head. This man's favorite thing to eat is aged vinegar!
"Let's talk in the secret room," Nan Xuzong said coldly, then gestured for him to follow him inside.
The two went inside together and sat facing each other.
"I'm asking you, since you knew about this, why didn't you tell me? Why did you keep it from me?!" Nan Xuzong roared. "Bei Gongminhao was almost killed by the King of the Western Regions, and my Wushang almost drowned. How could you people do such things behind my back?!"
"Don't get agitated." Huangfu Xuan was genuinely startled, but quickly calmed down. "When I first found the Bei Gong brothers, Minhao and Bei Gong, I asked them about it. Minhao told me to find medicine to heal your legs, and I wholeheartedly agreed. After all, isn't it a wonderful thing that you can finally stand up again? I didn't think much about it at the time. Yesterday's incident was Minhao's own idea, and he only briefly told me about it. I wasn't even in the palace at the time, so I didn't have time to handle so many things. Besides, he said that everything would be foolproof, so I believed him and didn't return from the training ground."
"You think you're so foolproof? Based on your understanding of the King of the Western Regions, do you know how powerful he is?" Nan Xuzong roared, his eyes practically spitting fire!
"I haven't seen him for two years! I wonder how he's changed! But I do know one thing: you defeated him!" Huangfu Xuan looked at Nan Xuzong. "You're probably the only one who can be called the best in the world!"
"Get out!" Nan Xuzong said coldly. "What do you mean by 'number one in the world'? You'll never understand the feeling of death, you'll never understand the pain of annihilation. Do you even know what it's like to lose something?"
"I understand!" Huangfu Xuan stood up as well, his gaze cold, his aura no less chilling than Nan Xuzong's. "When the woman I loved died in my arms, I swore I would avenge her! When my mother died in my arms, I swore I would make everyone pay for their crimes in blood! How can someone who aspires to great things have so many concerns? 'One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand,' you understand this better than I do! As long as it's worthwhile, what's wrong with sacrificing some people and some things!" Huangfu Xuan said coldly.
Nan Xuzong snorted coldly, "What a sacrifice! Minhao isn't your brother, Wushang isn't your lover, so of course you can make me sacrifice myself! Huangfu Xuan, you're something else!"
Huangfu Xuan's hands were clenched tightly under his sleeves, but he finally loosened them. "Say what you will! I'm releasing Huangfu Ting."
"Do as you please!" Nan Xuzong snorted coldly. This can't be rushed. If it is, it will definitely drive Empress Yao crazy!
"And Nan Xuzong, let me tell you, you'd better be prepared!"
"What kind of mental preparation?" Nan Xuzong asked immediately. Their eyes met, sparks flying between them.
"The time hasn't come yet!" Huangfu Xuan snorted coldly, then walked out.
Nan Xuzong's eyes darkened as he watched the man walk further and further away.
He turned around and went back into the room.
Inside the palace, behind layers of beaded curtains, a lithe man removed his silver mask, revealing a cold, angular face. Huangfu Ting's thin lips curled into a smile. Just then, a eunuch hurried in from outside.
"Your Highness," the eunuch said, bowing his head as he rolled around outside through several curtains.
"Speak," Huangfu Ting replied coldly, changing out of his black clothes and into a magnificent silver robe, fastening a yellow jade belt, wearing a jade crown, and donning a pair of black dragon-patterned boots.
"Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence at Ningfeng Palace," the eunuch announced in a hoarse voice.
"Understood," Huangfu Ting said, then parted the curtains and stepped out. His face turned somewhat pale under the light of the luminous pearl.
He glanced at the kneeling eunuch, then walked out and headed towards Ningfeng Palace.
Ningfeng Palace.
Empress Yao sat on the chaise longue, dressed in a gorgeous and exquisitely tailored robe, adorned with numerous jewels, making her appear incomparably noble.
Her slender, jade-like fingers gently picked up a crystal-clear, peeled lychee, then put it in her mouth, savoring its sweet taste.
These lychees must have been picked by someone sent to the southern barbarian lands and delivered to Ningfeng Palace by express courier.
A rider gallops through the dust, bringing smiles to the imperial concubine's face; none know it's lychees that have arrived. That's roughly the gist of the story.
Huangfu Ting stood outside, and a eunuch immediately stepped forward to report, "Your Majesty, the Second Prince has arrived."
"Please." Empress Yao slightly opened her half-closed phoenix eyes, propped herself up to sit up, "You may all leave and guard this palace for me."
"Yes." The palace maids and eunuchs immediately tidied themselves up and left respectfully.
Huangfu Ting walked in and bowed respectfully, "Empress Dowager."
"Yes, come forward and sit in front of me," Empress Yao said, pointing with her jade finger to the seat in front of her.
"Yes." Huangfu Ting sat opposite Empress Yao.
"I know the gist of what happened to you last time, so I want to know your next plan to see if it suits my taste." Empress Yao gently picked up another lychee. "This is a lychee from Xizhao. You can try one."
"Thank you, Mother!" Huangfu Ting said. He had never eaten anything like this before; it was the first time he had ever seen anything like it.
After taking a bite, Huangfu Ting said, "Extremely delicious. Thank you again for your kindness, Mother." He then clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.
"Hmm." Empress Yao looked at him with her long, narrow phoenix eyes. "Speak!"
“Yes. Your subject wants…” Huangfu Ting said.
"We must take a two-pronged approach." After listening, Empress Yao thought for a moment, "Someone from my palace came to report that Nan Xuzong's legs have been healed."
"What?" Huangfu Ting stood up abruptly. "His leg is healed?"
"Hmm." Empress Yao's lips curled into a cold smile. "Even if he's cured, he'll still be nothing but a useless piece of trash!"
"Mother, it was he who injured me!" Huangfu Ting looked at Empress Yao. "His martial arts skills are unbelievably high! Now that he can stand up, he will be even more powerful, Mother!"
"He's the one who injured you?" Empress Yao stood up and looked at Huangfu Ting. "Then this time, we must first bring down the Marquis of Jinnan's mansion! Otherwise, he will definitely threaten your position!"
"He is now the Grand Tutor, assisting the Third Prince!" Huangfu Ting's eyes flashed with a hint of ferocity. "If the two of them join forces, my position may be in danger!"
"Your sixth brother will help you," Empress Yao said. "However, this matter must be carefully considered. As far as I know, the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion is very close to the Prince of Nan, and the Prince of Beigong has always regarded the Prince of Nan as a sworn brother. If we can wipe them out in one fell swoop, your throne will definitely be secure!"
"And then there's General Ji's mansion! Although Miss Ji married Prince Nan, General Ji still holds considerable military power. We must seize his military authority, diminish his prestige, and completely dismantle their forces!"
"You make it sound so easy. General Ji's family has served the emperor for generations and has a certain influence in the court and among the people. The Prince of Zhenbei's family also serves him. These are all old ministers, and it would be difficult to bring them down at the same time."
"Mother, I have a plan!" Huangfu Ting said at this moment. "The locust plague in the west is severe, and Father is very worried! Although the Marquis of Jinnan's mansion is in charge of management, the shops it operates are all over the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty. It is time to put in some effort..." Huangfu Ting explained his plan.
Empress Yao nodded repeatedly as she listened; this was exactly what she wanted!
"I will lend you a hand," Empress Yao said, looking at him. "Your father is getting quite old!"
"Yes." Huangfu Ting understood the implication. "Mother, the Crown Prince has been asleep for more than half a year. Why must he continue to suffer?"
"Of course not. I'm just afraid you're not up to par yet," Empress Yao smiled. "Since you've brought it up, I should send the Crown Prince down to check the situation first, so your father can be more familiar with it when he goes down."
"Yes," Huangfu Ting replied.
Two days passed peacefully. On the third day, Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong headed towards the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion together.
Ji Wushang made a decision: once he went to the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion to confirm that Beigong Minhao was alright, he would devise a miracle to make Nan Xuzong stand up.
Nan Xuzong held her in his arms, watching her complexion improve day by day, and happiness welled up in his heart.
Upon arriving at the Prince of Zhenbei's residence, the two paid their respects to the Prince and Princess of Zhenbei. The Prince and Princess of Zhenbei looked sorrowful, for although they knew that Doctor Cui had been treating the two brothers, they were still extremely worried.
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong entered Dianxiang Garden, where a maid led them there. "Doctor Cui, the Prince and Princess Nan have arrived. The Prince and Princess have told them to let them see the Prince and have a chat with him."
Doctor Cui came out from inside, and seeing Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang waiting outside, he quickly walked over and said, "Alright, go and do your business!" He then waved for the maid to leave.
Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang looked at him, and Ji Wushang asked, "Has he woken up?"
"He woke up for a while, but he's fallen asleep again now. The good thing is, he's conscious," said Doctor Cui. "I'll go in and take care of him first. You can come in and talk to him later!" His meaning was clear: Bei Gongminhao was definitely still soaking in the medicine.
"Yes." Ji Wushang nodded, then glanced at Nan Xuzong, who pursed his lips slightly.
Just then, the two heard footsteps approaching from afar. Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong looked over at the same time and saw Beigong Jueshi, who had heterochromia!
The two looked at him, overjoyed. He had finally woken up, hadn't he? But Bei Gong Jue Shi gave them a cold look. "Prince Nan, Princess Nan? I didn't expect you to come to see my elder brother too!" With that, he stepped into the house without waiting for them to finish their sentence.
The two exchanged a slightly surprised glance.
It's understandable. Bei Gong Minhao is in this life-or-death predicament entirely because of Ji Wushang and his wife. As his younger brother, Bei Gong Jueshi would naturally speak coldly, disdainfully, and with prejudice.
However, Nan Xuzong remembered what he had told Beigong Minhao: this time when Beigong Jueshi woke up, he must send him and Princess Muchen to Wudang Mountain so that they would no longer be involved in the troubles of the world.
Nan Xuzong narrowed his eyes as he looked inside.
After a while, Doctor Cui came out from inside. "Cong'er, Wushang, come in."
“Wang’s second son…” Ji Wushang looked a little embarrassed, wondering if his and Cong’s entry would anger him.
"It's alright, he's just a kid. I used a lot of medicine to control his demonic nature a bit, and now he and Princess Muchen are doing very well. Just don't provoke him. Sigh, you people are really something. You're all so stubborn." Doctor Cui shook his head and then went inside.
Bei Gong Minhao was lying on the bed with his peach blossom eyes closed. Bei Gong Jueshi was examining Bei Gong Minhao's medicine, helping to grind the herbs while looking at a medical book, seemingly unaware that Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong had entered.
Nan Xuzong wasn't angry. Ji Wushang felt guilty and lowered his head in silence.
Seeing how awkward they all looked, Doctor Cui shook his head and went behind the screen. "Jue Shi, bring the medicine in after you've prepared it."
“Yes,” Bei Gong Jue Shi said coldly.
Ji Wushang glanced at Nan Xuzong, who stood up from his chair and walked to Beigong Minhao's bedside. Beigong Jueshi stared at him as he stood up and walked so gracefully, stunned for a long while, "You, your leg..."
"Thank you all." Nan Xuzong looked at him. "Thank you for finding the medicine for me."
Bei Gong Jue Shi shook his head, "No, I wasn't looking for medicine for you..."
Nan Xuzong narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Bei Gong Jue Shi realized he had let something slip, but thinking about it, Yi Yun Muchen had also woken up, so he should be alright. Besides, there must be something he didn't know, so he decided to take this opportunity to speak up and find out what really happened.
"It was the King of the Western Regions who threatened Mu Chen's life, demanding that I find the blood of the North Sea Flood Dragon, the Western Regions Mandala, and the Eastern Remnant Leaf Fruit and give them to him. I left before I could explain to my father and elder brother. Later, my elder brother found me while I was fighting the Flood Dragon, and I learned that he was also looking for these three things, but in the end he was only missing the Flood Dragon's blood. We worked together to kill the Flood Dragon before we returned."
What kind of battle was that? I remember it perfectly! But let's not dwell on it!
Nan Xuzong watched his eyes change, knowing he must be recalling those bloody days...
"Later, Minho stole the medicine?" Nan Xuzong quickly asked, trying to divert his attention.
"Yes, he did it while I was unconscious. I was completely unaware of what I was doing. Oh well!"
"Thank you. I, Nan Xuzong, could never repay you two brothers even if I gave my life!" Nan Xuzong said, about to kneel down, when Beigong Jueshi immediately stepped forward, "No, don't! You've had it tough too!" He glanced at Ji Wushang, whose face was full of guilt.
Just then, someone walked in from outside and said, "I knew you were here, so I brought some fruit for you to eat."
Ji Wushang and the others looked towards the door and saw Yi Yun Muchen smiling as she brought over fruit. Her eyes were curved, and the gauze dress she was wearing perfectly accentuated her graceful figure.
"Princess Consort Wang." Ji Wushang stepped forward and helped her take the fruit plate off the table.
"Just call me Mu Chen." Yi Yun Mu Chen looked at Ji Wushang and Nan Xu Cong, then stared at Nan Xu Cong for a long while, looking him up and down. "Young Master Nan? You can stand up now?"
"Yes." Nan Xuzong nodded.
At this moment, Bei Gong Jue Shi's eyes met Yi Yun Muchen's. "Mu Chen, come, let's pound medicine for our elder brother together."
"Yes." Yi Yun Muchen withdrew her gaze, then obediently walked over and sat down next to Bei Gong Jue Shi. "Prince Nan and Princess Nan, please have some fruit!"