Третий учёный династии Сун

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"What's wrong?"

Yanzi tactfully withdrew, and Lin Suyang pointed at the cup and asked, "What kind of Longjing tea is this? Why does it have such a strong smell?"

"A strange smell?" Qin Hao picked up the cup and smelled it, as if he remembered something. "Oh, the imperial physician added some medicine to it."

"Medicine? What kind of medicine needs to be added to tea? Is this tea even safe to drink?" Lin Suyang said angrily, for some reason. His mood suddenly turned very bad.

"It contains a medicine to prevent miscarriage. The imperial physician said that this medicine is more effective when added to tea. I agreed because I saw that you also like Longjing tea. Since it tastes bad, you don't have to drink it," Qin Hao said gently.

Lin Suyang didn't want to talk, so he picked up a book from the table and started reading, ignoring Qin Hao standing there alone. He thought Qin Hao would get angry, but to his surprise, Qin Hao still said ingratiatingly, "Don't be angry. I won't do it again next time, okay? The phoenix robe will be finished in a couple of days. Try it on when you have time. If it doesn't fit, you can make some changes as soon as possible."

It seemed as if Qin Hao never got angry in front of her. Sometimes Lin Suyang really wished he would scold her harshly, not because she wanted to, but because this feeling of being overly pampered made her very uncomfortable, as if she had never been treated like this before.

Seeing that Lin Suyang did not answer, Qin Hao did not say anything more and sat down next to her and picked up a book to read.

A rare tranquility enveloped the room, and the two figures, projected by the candlelight, appeared remarkably harmonious. Suddenly, a commotion arose outside, followed by a familiar voice from the doorway: "Your Majesty..."

Qin Hao looked up at Lin Suyang, and seeing that she was still looking down, he said softly, "I'll be right back." After waiting a while and seeing no response from her, he sighed, got up, and left.

Lin Suyang lowered his hand after the man left. He vaguely heard him whispering something outside before he heard him leave. If he remembered correctly, the person who had come to call him was his personal bodyguard, Xiao Ling. Did something happen at this hour?

Suddenly, that sorrowful face flashed through Lin Suyang's mind. A panic gripped him, and he quickly stood up, calling out, "Yanzi, Yanzi!"

Yanzi pushed open the door and came in, asking, "What are your orders, Master?"

"What's going on outside? It's so noisy."

"I heard they discovered an assassin, but don't worry, Master, the Emperor has already sent men to capture him," Yanzi said.

"An assassin?" Lin Suyang felt even more panicked. She walked over and pulled Yanzi, saying, "Come on, come with me to take a look."

“But Master…” Yanzi looked up and saw Lin Suyang’s eyes suddenly become sharp, so she immediately shut her mouth and carefully helped her walk out of Hanzhu Garden.

Volume Four, Palace Secrets, Chapter 103: A Familiar Feeling (Part Two)

Outside Qingxiang Palace, Si Junxing gripped his sword tightly, his eyes filled with rage as he looked at Qin Hao. The sword tip, brimming with murderous intent, pointed directly at Qin Hao's face, like a giant dragon about to burst forth, ready to devour everything in its path.

"I have been waiting for you for a long time," Qin Hao said calmly to Si Junxing, ignoring the imminent danger.

“She is my wife,” Si Junxing said coldly.

“No, she’s mine, and she’s carrying my child.” Qin Hao took a step back and looked at him. “So, I won’t give her to you.” The guards around him were about to rush forward, but Qin Hao raised his hand and said, “Step back.”

With his eyes fixed on Si Junxing, he said, "Today I will have a fair and square competition with you. I want you to know that if you can protect her, so can I."

Si Junxing, already enraged by Qin Hao's words, immediately threw down his sword and said, "Fine. But let me tell you, no matter what, I'm taking her away from here today."

Qin Hao narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Then we'll see if you have the ability." Before he finished speaking, a palm strike came, and Si Junxing was caught off guard and jumped up to retreat, barely dodging it. Qin Hao raised another palm and swept it towards Si Junxing. Si Junxing dodged to the side and the palm strike grazed past him and hit the tree trunk behind him. With a loud "boom", the big tree, which was as thick as two people could hug, collapsed.

Si Junxing frowned. Dodging like this wasn't a solution, so he decided to launch a counterattack. He turned around and moved behind Qin Hao, slapping him with a palm. Qin Hao seemed to sense this and stepped back, raising his hand to block. He then gathered his true energy in his other hand and struck from below. Si Junxing lowered his body and engaged Qin Hao in battle with both hands.

In an instant, the air currents generated by the two men's powerful internal forces spread outwards from them like scattered hidden weapons. The Imperial Guards waiting in the distance were greatly affected and felt chest tightness and paleness. Xiao Ling hurriedly ordered everyone to retreat another hundred steps to avoid serious injury.

The surrounding flowers and plants were destroyed. The walls were broken. The two fighters were completely absorbed in the battle, amidst flying sand and stones, their blue and yellow robes fluttering in the wind. During the fight, Si Junxing realized that Qin Hao's moves seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place them. Qin Hao, on the other hand, was thinking: Si Junxing truly lives up to his title as the leader of the Demonic Sect; his martial arts are indeed formidable. But wasn't his martial arts supposed to be crippled? Was he only keeping Lin Suyang by his side to deceive her?

Si Junxing was determined to defeat Qin Hao, so he inevitably attacked a bit too fiercely. Although Qin Hao had the same idea, he was still slightly lacking in skill, and after exchanging three hundred moves with Si Junxing, he was already at a disadvantage.

Si Junxing noticed that Qin Hao was gradually losing strength, and his movements slowed slightly. A hint of appreciation flashed in Qin Hao's eyes, but it was only for a moment before he increased the speed of his attack. Si Junxing had not expected that his opponent still had the strength to resist. Because of the pause just now, he had taken a palm strike. Fortunately, Qin Hao could not use his full strength at the moment. This palm strike also made Qin Hao pause. Seeing that the opportunity was not to be missed, Si Junxing endured the pain and swung his palm forward with all his might. But Qin Hao crashed straight into him at this moment.

Si Junxing struck Qin Hao squarely with both palms. Qin Hao was sent flying backward. Before Si Junxing could recover from Qin Hao's earlier reaction, he heard a familiar voice coming from the crowd.

"Stop!" Lin Suyang had just pushed aside the guards outside when he saw Qin Hao's body flying outwards. Xiao Ling immediately ordered his men to surround Si Junxing. Then he hurriedly shouted to send someone to fetch the imperial physician.

With Yan Zidi's help, Lin Suyang quickly went to Qin Hao's side. He saw Qin Hao lying on the ground, his face pale. A stream of bright red blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, staining his bright yellow dragon robe.

The imperial guards on the side wanted to step forward to help Qin Hao up, but Xiao Ling stopped them with a look.

"How...how are you?" Lin Suyang asked anxiously, her hand holding Qin Hao's trembling slightly.

"I...I'm fine." Qin Hao smiled at her. "It's windy outside, what are you doing out here...go back inside."

Lin Suyang's eyes reddened slightly. She shook her head and said, "No, I want you to come back with me."

Soon, the imperial carriage arrived. Palace attendants helped Qin Hao into the carriage, and Lin Suyang followed suit, never once glancing at Si Junxing standing opposite him.

Si Junxing stared blankly at Lin Suyang, who had come and gone in a hurry. He felt a pang of pain in his heart and spat out a mouthful of blood.

In the past, Qin Hao would have had no chance of winning against Si Junxing. Later, Si Junxing lost his martial arts skills and the internal energy he had painstakingly cultivated for more than ten years. Although his uncle passed on all his knowledge to him, it was not his own, and it would take a long time for him to use it flexibly. In addition, he had been worried about Lin Suyang's matter, which made him even less interested in studying and improving.

So in reality, Qin Hao can be said to be evenly matched with Si Junxing. He was fully capable of avoiding Si Junxing's palm strike just now, but only those who actually saw it know why it turned out this way.

As it happened, Xiao Ling was one of these people. He had seen the scene clearly. When Si Junxing's palm strike came, Qin Hao could have easily dodged it by turning to the side. But at that moment, Qin Hao suddenly glanced in this direction and then paused. In that instant, he was struck by Si Junxing's palm strike.

Xiao Ling didn't need to think to guess why Qin Hao looked this way; the future Empress had just arrived behind him at that moment. Qin Hao had done it on purpose.

Why were these two outstanding men so infatuated? Xiao Ling couldn't understand. He glanced sympathetically at Si Junxing, who was still silent, and then ordered the Imperial Guards, "Take this man to prison."

Assassinating the emperor is a capital offense; his life is in danger.

Lin Suyang held Qin Hao's hand tightly and asked anxiously, "How are you? Where else does it hurt?"

"With you here, I feel no pain anywhere."

Taking the damp cloth from Yanzi, Lin Suyang gently wiped the blood from Qin Hao's mouth and said reproachfully, "You really are something, still talking so glibly even in this state."

Qin Hao chuckled softly, then pulled her hand away from her face and placed it on his chest. "I'm very happy. Because you care about me so much."

Yanzi blushed as she listened, and quickly lowered her head and retreated.

"Fortunately, the injury wasn't serious. The imperial physician said that as long as I rest more and take a few doses of medicine, I'll be fine." Lin Suyang withdrew his hand, stood up, picked up the medicine that Yanzi had just placed on the table, and turned back.

"Here, drink your medicine." Lin Suyang helped Qin Hao up and brought the medicine to his lips.

Qin Hao drank the medicine in one gulp from Lin Suyang's hand. After she put the bowl down and came back, he pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips, still wet with the medicine, against her pink lips.

"Try it, it's bitter."

Lin Suyang tilted her head. "You're still injured, why don't you lie down?"

Qin Hao released her. She obeyed and lay down. Lin Suyang pulled the blanket up for him, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "That assassin..."

"Cough, cough, cough." Qin Hao suddenly coughed, which startled Lin Suyang, who quickly asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should we call the imperial physician?"

As she got up to leave, Qin Hao quickly grabbed her hand and said, "It's nothing, I just feel a tightness in my chest. I'm very tired. You should go to bed too."

After shifting slightly to the side of the bed, a large space became available. Lin Suyang hesitated for a moment, then finally took off her shoes and lay down. As soon as she was settled, Qin Hao hugged her, burying his head in her neck. Lin Suyang's body stiffened instantly, then slowly relaxed after a while. Qin Hao's arms tightened around her unconsciously.

The next day, news of the assassination attempt on Qingxiang Palace spread like wildfire. Empress Dowager Fengxiang, who had been silent for a long time, made an unprecedented trip to the Imperial Study to ask Emperor Hong about the assassination attempt.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to panic. I have personally sent men to capture this assassin and imprison him," Qin Hao said coldly to Empress Dowager Fengxiang.

Although Empress Dowager Fengxiang was dissatisfied with Emperor Hong's attitude, she dared not vent her anger and could only say gently, "My son, you do not know that the Great Yang Imperial Palace has always been strictly guarded. You must find out exactly how this assassin entered. I fear that this villain may have accomplices. You should be careful."

Seeing that Qin Hao remained noncommittal, she tentatively asked, "I also heard that Your Majesty was injured last night. Was it the work of that villain?"

Qin Hao's eyes turned cold, and he asked in a chilling voice, "Which dog servant is spreading rumors in front of the Empress Dowager? As the head of the harem, does the Empress Dowager also listen to only one side?"

Empress Dowager Fengxiang sneered inwardly, but said calmly, "It's good that there's no such thing. My son should take better care of his health. The fate of our Great Yang rests on your shoulders."

"I understand. I'm sorry to trouble Your Majesty. If there are no other important matters, Your Majesty may return."

Empress Dowager Fengxiang smiled meaningfully and said, "Then I will return first. If you have time, my son, you should visit Xiyang Palace more often. The little prince and the little princess miss their father very much."

Qin Hao frowned, watching Empress Dowager Fengxiang's departing figure and pondering for a long time. It seemed that the plan had to be brought forward.

Inside the Xiyang Palace, Consort Qi glanced at the little princess being held by a palace maid and the prince playing on the ground. A sense of unease welled up within her. She was acutely aware of the unrest within the palace, and her plan with Empress Dowager Fengxiang was progressing step by step. Regardless of its success or failure, she didn't want her own children to be dragged into this turmoil.

She knew all too well the complexities of the palace, and if she could choose, she would rather they hadn't been born into an imperial family. She was initially relieved that Qin Hao only had these two children, ensuring their safety and the continuation of the imperial line. Once she successfully ascended to the position of Empress, she could truly have whatever she wanted. Who would have thought that a vile woman would appear at Hanzhu Garden at this time? And she was pregnant! Just thinking about this made Consort Qi grit her teeth.

She wasn't worried about how many concubines Qin Hao had. She knew that as long as he remained unmoved, her position was secure. Although she was indeed anxious for a while when Xuan Ge arrived, she was relieved after learning from her confidants that Xuan Ge wasn't as glamorous as she appeared.

But this time, the person who came was different. It was said that Qin Hao stayed at Hanzhu Garden almost every night, never even visiting Xuan Ge's Quexing Palace, lingering there all day long. She had never seen Qin Hao treat a concubine like this before. Recently, she heard the news that Qin Hao wanted to establish an empress, and her heart sank. The position she dreamed of might very well be handed over to someone else. Wouldn't all her efforts and patience be in vain? She would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen.

Yun Feng'er, is that it? I'll have a go at you and see what kind of vixen you really are!

Volume Four, Palace Intrigue, Chapter 104: Jade Smoke and Silk (Part 1)

I won't leave, unless you never want to see me again. I'll go very, very far away, so far that you'll never find me again...

If life were without its ups and downs, how would one learn to cherish things? In this world, the most painful thing is when the connection ends but the relationship remains unresolved, but the most cruel thing is when the connection remains but the relationship is over...

Tell me, what would you do if we were forced to separate for other reasons in the future?

I will keep searching for you, searching endlessly, no matter where you are, until I find you. If you forget me, I will recite the poems you wrote over and over again until you remember me. If you still cannot return to my side, I will watch from afar, watching you live a happy life. Even so, I will be content…

The pillow was damp, as if someone had spilled water on it.

The pale sunlight streamed through the paper windows, illuminating the room. Lin Suyang stared blankly at the swaying tassel pendant on the cloud-shaped curtain, its shimmering light like stars in the night, brilliant yet desolate.

"Yanzi." She got up from the bed, and Yanzi came in carrying a basin of water.

"Master, Zhenniang will bring the phoenix robe for you to try on in a little while," Yanzi said as she took the outer garment from the rack and helped Lin Suyang put it on.

"So fast?" Didn't Qin Hao say last night that there would be a few more days?

"His Majesty said that it's best to prepare it as soon as possible so that you can try it and not miss the deadline."

Lin Suyang sat down in front of the bronze mirror, and Yanzi lifted her long hair to comb it for her. When her slender and fair neck was fully exposed, Yanzi's face suddenly turned red.

Because Lin Suyang was facing the bronze mirror, he saw his own reflection. Several clear, purplish hickeys were clearly visible on the side and front of his neck. Yanzi quickly pretended not to see anything and continued combing her hair, though her face remained flushed. Lin Suyang stared blankly at his reflection in the mirror, reaching up to touch his neck. Last night…they…didn't…

Consort Qi had her maid apply heavy makeup and donned the most luxurious brocade robes. After all, today was her day to establish her authority and make that vixen understand her place.

As Consort Qi passed by Qingxiang Palace with several palace maids, she turned back and gazed longingly at the magnificent building. For that place, her reason had long been controlled by her madness. Having made her decision, she was determined to see it through to the end. Otherwise, she would die with her eyes wide open in disbelief.

Two guards with swords stood outside the Cold Bamboo Garden. Consort Qi immediately recognized them as the imperial guards personally led by Emperor Hong, because their clothing was different from that of ordinary imperial guards; they wore a set of gold-threaded armor.

Consort Qi began to hesitate, wondering if she had made the right decision to come today. Despite this, she didn't stop walking. As she approached the entrance, the two imperial guards reached out and stopped her.

"Your Majesty, please stop." One of the guards said to her.

"How dare you! How dare you stop Consort Qi!" The palace maid beside her stepped forward and shouted.

The guard remained unmoved by the palace maid's reprimand and said expressionlessly, "His Majesty has decreed that no one is allowed to set foot in Hanzhu Garden. Your Highness, please return."

The palace maid was furious and about to argue again, but Consort Qi stopped her and raised her voice to the guards, saying, "I heard that a new young lady has come to this garden. The Emperor dotes on her. Since she is someone the Emperor values, I only wanted to come and see what she needs so that I, as her older sister, could help her. I understand the difficulties you two guards are facing. Therefore, I will have to come another day."

As she turned to leave, a woman's voice came from inside the garden: "Your Highness, please wait." Then a maid-like person ran out from inside.

"Brothers, the master wishes to invite Consort Qi in for a chat. Please make an exception for her," Yanzi said to the guard in a neutral tone, glancing at Consort Qi who had stopped upon hearing the commotion.

Upon hearing this, the guards stopped. Yanzi turned to Consort Qi and said, "Consort Qi, please come in."

Consort Qi was furious. When had she ever been treated like this? She had to have a palace maid plead for her to enter or leave the garden. Was this Yuan woman deliberately trying to embarrass her? Knowing that she was Consort Qi, why didn't she come out to greet her herself?

Despite her anger, Consort Qi followed them inside. She had only taken a few steps when the palace maids following behind were stopped. She turned and glared at the two guards. Seeing that they remained unmoved, she helplessly gave the maids a look, signaling them to wait aside.

When Consort Qi followed Yanzi into the room, she saw a woman in white leisurely reclining on a soft couch, reading a book. Upon seeing her enter, the woman quickly rose and said, "Sister, please sit down. Yanzi, bring tea." Her voice was clear and gentle, and seemed somewhat familiar.