"I know I'm wrong, I shouldn't have been controlled by Yiyun Shangcheng, but, but he's too powerful, sob sob, how could you be so stupid, even though it's death, you still insisted on going against him!" Ji Wushang cried, speaking his heart.
Tuoba Heyan was taken aback. Her deceased husband had not died on the battlefield, but by her sword.
No wonder she was in so much pain!
Tuoba Heyan gently stroked her hair. "I am perfectly fine, aren't I?"
Fine, he'll be a substitute this once. He, Tuoba Heyan, can endure this for her sake!
"I said, if you don't abandon me, I won't leave you. If you die, I will follow you. How could you bear to abandon me for three years, three years, ah!" Ji Wushang smeared tears and snot on Tuoba Heyan's body.
Tuoba Heyan trembled all over. It was as if he really heard her say those words. Was it her?
"I haven't abandoned you," Tuoba Heyan said immediately the next second, "You cannot leave me!"
"Waaah!" Ji Wushang cried, and Tuoba Heyan looked at her, finally covering her lips with his, gently prying open her teeth, and then stirring her nectar.
...
☆、312 Tonight, I, the King, will come to see you again.
Ji Wushang sobbed, but was still fully conscious. She pushed him away, "Waaah...no!"
Tuoba Heyan released her, then hugged her tightly, his tone unusually gentle, "If you don't want it, then don't. You can have it later."
Ji Wushang was stunned. She looked at Tuoba Heyan. These were the words Nan Xuzong had said. He was back. Her Nan Xuzong was back, right?
"Cong..." she cried out, tears streaming down her face again as she nestled in his arms. Tuoba Heyan was stunned for a moment, thinking to himself, "Never mind, never mind," and gently patted her back helplessly, "Okay, okay, let's go back first, alright?" The air here isn't good for her health.
Nestled in his arms, Ji Wushang gradually calmed down, mistaking the man for Nan Xuzong. She rubbed her snot and tears all over him, forgetting who was actually in front of her.
Tuoba Heyan felt helpless, but seeing her so dependent on him, so affectionate, the corners of his mouth widened, and his heart slowly stopped aching, replaced by warmth. He placed his large hand on Ji Wushang's waist, patting it with rare tenderness. Seeing that she didn't react, he said softly, "Then let's go back." With that, he bent down and immediately swept her into his arms, then kicked open the wooden gate and walked out.
Ji Wushang sobbed softly, burying her head in his chest. He looked at her with a doting smile, and continued walking forward with her in his arms.
As they walked out of the courtyard, the people around them were surprised to see Tuoba Heyan carrying Ji Wushang out and couldn't help but step back. Tuoba Heyan gave a signal, and all of them retreated.
Hongfei and Cuiwu stared wide-eyed, completely bewildered. But seeing Ji Wushang being held by him like this, they quickly got down.
Tuoba Heyan gently placed Ji Wushang on the bed, only to find that she was already asleep. Tuoba Heyan then laid her down, covered her with a brocade quilt, and sat down by the bed.
Seeing the tear stains on her face, Tuoba Heyan felt a pang of heartache. He took out a silk handkerchief from his bosom and gently wiped away her tears. He even went to the side and dipped it in hot water before wiping her face.
Ji Wushang's breathing was a little rapid, and she wasn't sleeping very soundly. So, after Tuoba Heyan put down the silk handkerchief, he still took her hand and gently rubbed it, transferring warmth to Ji Wushang.
Tuoba Heyan stroked Ji Wushang's dark hair with his other hand, his dark eyes appearing somewhat deep and cold.
She didn't want to be a substitute for her deceased husband; she wanted to be her man completely. He wasn't a substitute, nor was he anyone else; he was Tuoba Heyan, the King of Qingzhao, and her husband.
“Princess Wushang, can’t you let go of everything from the past? Why do you have to carry the burden of memories on your shoulders? Have I ever been unkind to you? If there is anything I haven’t done well enough, you can tell me, and I will make it up to you and cherish you.” Tuoba Heyan sighed. If it weren’t for her health, he wouldn’t have been the substitute just now!
I am a man, a man with dignity.
Tuoba Heyan looked outside with his dark eyes, recalling everything that had just happened.
It seems this woman has also offended Yiyun Shangcheng, the King of the Western Regions? This is quite a troublesome problem. Fortunately, she doesn't like Yiyun Shangcheng at all; apart from his military strength and martial arts, there's nothing to worry about. However, there's also that Beigong Minhao. She's figured he's a gentle and caring man—that's the real opponent!
Tuoba Heyan turned around, then faced Ji Wushang again, gently stroking her delicate eyebrows, down to her lips, and down to her neck. He withdrew his hand and quietly looked at Ji Wushang.
I'll know the answer soon. If I really have forgotten some things from the past as she said, I will try my best to make up for it and remember them.
He turned around, glanced at the medicine that was still there, sighed in his heart, but still walked out.
Hongfei and Cuiwu were waiting outside. When they saw Tuoba Heyan come out, they immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Take good care of the princess. Warm up the medicine and give it to her when she wakes up. I will come back later," Tuoba Heyan instructed before leaving.
Hongfei and Cuiwu quickly nodded in agreement. However, they were both extremely curious, as this Tuoba Heyan was very gentle, unlike his previous violent nature.
Tuoba Heyan returned to the imperial study, and Long Yu immediately followed. He knelt before him and said, "Your Majesty, three years ago, General Ye Lang colluded with the Western Regions and tampered with Your Majesty's horse, causing Your Majesty to accidentally fall off and into the deep pool."
"I want to know who saved me." Tuoba Heyan stopped writing with his wolf-hair brush and looked up at Long Yu.
“It’s Grand Chancellor Baili Su!” Long Yu said. “But the Grand Chancellor has gone into seclusion and is not seeing anyone. Your Majesty, what do you think…”
"Could it be that I have disappeared?" Tuoba Heyan frowned deeply. This Grand Chancellor had served three emperors of Qingzhao. When Tuoba Heyan ascended the throne at the age of twelve, it was Grand Chancellor Baili Su and the Empress Dowager who were in charge of the entire Qingzhao. When Tuoba Heyan was twenty years old, Baili Su had no choice but to hand over power to Tuoba Heyan due to Qingzhao's support for the Tuoba family.
"I, the King, wish to see the Grand Chancellor!" Tuoba Heyan said coldly. "At noon three days from now, have the Grand Chancellor wait for me in this Imperial Study!" Tuoba Heyan stood up, flicked his sleeves, and turned to leave.
"Yes," Long Yu had no choice but to agree.
When he was young, Grand Chancellor Baili Su traveled to various countries and learned some witchcraft. He eventually returned to his hometown of Qingzhao City, where he gradually rose through the ranks to become a renowned Grand Chancellor, serving three emperors.
Now, though he is over sixty, he is still in good health. He is said to be retiring to his hometown, but if he suddenly comes to court, Tuoba Heyan cannot stop him.
This is also because Grand Chancellor Baili Su has extremely powerful backing, which has been a headache for Tuoba Heyan all along.
Fortunately, the Grand Chancellor did not prevent Tuoba Heyan from taking power or from making any decisions. Even when the emperor personally led an expedition, the Grand Chancellor remained indifferent.
But three years ago, on that day, he suddenly appeared when Tuoba Heyan fell into the deep pool and saved him? This made Tuoba Heyan very suspicious. Could it be that after six years of silence, the Grand Chancellor was going to stir up some waves?
Tuoba Heyan strolled through the Qingzhao Palace, walking slowly until he finally arrived at Ji Wushang's Miro Palace.
Ji Wushang felt much better after sleeping, and when he woke up, he found that it was already dark. He saw Hong Fei standing by his side, dozing off against the table, where medicine was being warmed.
Ji Wushang took a deep breath, just about to wake Hongfei and tell her to go to bed, but then he saw Tuoba Heyan lifting the beaded curtain and walking in.
Ji Wushang looked at him in silence, while Tuoba Heyan also looked at Ji Wushang, stopping in his tracks. He looked at her, then turned to look at Hong Fei, and coughed.
"Ah!" Hongfei immediately woke up, turned her head to see Tuoba Heyan, and bowed, "Your Majesty."
"You may leave!" Tuoba Heyan said. "I... will remain here."
Hongfei immediately glanced at Ji Wushang, who had already closed his eyes. Hongfei didn't notice anything, bowed again, and then withdrew.
Tuoba Heyan approached the table, then poured the medicine from the warm stove, stirred it gently with a spoon, and carried it to the bedside.
He looked at Ji Wushang, whose eyes were still closed. He smiled and sat down on the edge of her bed.
He didn't call out to her or say anything, just smiled at her, holding the bowl in his left hand and using his right to pull the blanket up for her. "Are you feeling better?"
Ji Wushang opened his eyes and looked at him with a glint in his eyes, but when he saw the golden mask on his face, his heart couldn't help but remind him that this was Tuoba Heyan, not Nan Xucong.
But he was so gentle, it was as if Nan Xuzong had returned.
"Much better," she said softly, her eyes fixed on him. "Cong, do you remember?"
Tuoba Heyan shook his head, not liking the title. "Call me King Yan."
Ji Wushang sighed softly, turned his face away, and closed his eyes slightly.
It was just his imagination; he hadn't remembered anything at all.
"How about you take your medicine first? I need some time. Everything is a bit chaotic. Even if you say I've forgotten something, or that I might be that Cong of yours again, all of this takes time, right? Princess Wushang, I've treated you well. Even if I'm not that Nanxu Cong, can't you accept me?" Tuoba Heyan looked at her, feeling helpless, and could only say these words.
Ji Wushang paused for a moment, then turned around and looked at him with her bright eyes. "Ji Wushang has given her heart to Nan Xuzong, and it's impossible for her to take it back and give it to another man. He may not come back, but Ji Wushang will wait for him until he returns. We have made many, many promises to each other, and he will not abandon me."
"Then, what about me? Have you ever thought about what would happen if you were me? Don't forget, you are my woman, yet I am someone else. How can I accept that? Moreover, you, Princess Wushang, treat me as your deceased husband. That means I am someone else's substitute. That's very painful, you know?" Tuoba Heyan looked at her, listening to her words, which became jumbled up.
But Ji Wushang understood.
She shook her head. "You didn't become anyone's substitute, because you are you, you are Nan Xuzong, you just forgot." She sighed. "I will wait for you, wait until you remember everything, okay?"
"So, are you still going to argue with me?" Tuoba Heyan had a headache; everything was really chaotic. He absolutely had to find out what exactly happened back then from the Grand Chancellor!
Ji Wushang shook his head. "I'm not being difficult. It's just that I don't know how to face you."
Tuoba Heyan narrowed his eyes, then opened the bottle. "Then be a good boy and drink this medicine. Once you're better, I'll take you out to play, okay?"
"Really?" He had been cooped up in the palace the whole time. He had been here for almost a month and hadn't gone out even once!
"A ruler's word is law." Tuoba Heyan's thin lips curled slightly upward, his eyes filled with a hint of amusement and warmth. "Here." After stirring the bowl of medicine, Tuoba Heyan scooped up a spoonful and placed it to Ji Wushang's lips. Ji Wushang opened her mouth, and Tuoba Heyan looked at her, her eyes crinkling, and placed the medicine into Ji Wushang's mouth.
Ji Wushang obediently ate it.
Tuoba Heyan smiled and continued to feed Ji Wushang a spoonful.
He was so gentle, wasn't he just like Nan Xuzong? Ji Wushang looked at him; only Nan Xuzong could be so gentle. Tuoba Heyan was only violent; how could he be so gentle?
Tuoba Heyan used his large hand to wipe away the medicine from Ji Wushang's lips before putting the bowl aside, turning around, and still looking at Ji Wushang, "You should sleep. I'll stay here and watch over you, shall I?"
"You should go back and review the memorials. Get some rest." Ji Wushang looked at him, a smile finally appearing on her lips. She knew very well who this was, but she also sensed that her Nan Xuzong was about to return; he had indeed always been by her side.
"Let's put those things aside for now," Tuoba Heyan smiled. "I, the King, am captivated by your taste." He looked at her, his smile radiant.
Ji Wushang closed his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips. Perhaps, slowly, he wouldn't be able to tell whether it was Nan Xucong or Tuoba Heyan.
Or perhaps Tuoba Heyan is another Nan Xuzong with domineering and kingly aura. It is as if Heaven took pity on Nan Xuzong, so it brought him back to life and gave him another chance to be king.
But where did the original Prince Qingzhao, Tuoba Heyan, go?
Ji Wushang frowned slightly, but the next second, she felt a warm hand gently stroking her brows. Ji Wushang's cherry lips parted slightly, "Don't move."
Tuoba Heyan withdrew his hand and looked at her.
With him watching over her, Ji Wushang completely mistook him for Nan Xuzong. Her consciousness gradually blurred, and she slowly drifted off to sleep. Tuoba Heyan looked at her and smiled. He gazed at her for a long time; it was already late at night. Tuoba Heyan felt a little sleepy and thought about getting into bed, but looking at her, he wasn't sure what she wanted. So he leaned against the bedside and, imitating her, lay down to sleep, just like she used to do when she watched over Huangfu Jun'an's bedside.
The next morning, Ji Wushang stirred, and Tuoba Heyan immediately woke up. Ji Wushang saw him and asked, "Awake?"
Ji Wushang nodded. He really did stay here, and he didn't overstep his bounds. However, today the entire palace would probably know that Tuoba Heyan had spent the night in his Mi Luo Palace, and those who didn't know the inside story would definitely speculate that they had spent the night in a love nest.
Well, for the time being, none of the concubines and beauties in the harem dare to provoke me.
Tuoba Heyan helped her lean against the headboard. "Have breakfast first, then take your medicine. If your health permits, I can take you to explore the city."
“Okay.” Ji Wushang nodded.
Hongfei and Cuiwu both came in from outside, carrying water or breakfast, etc.
By the time everything was ready, the sun was high in the sky. Ji Wushang had Hongfei serve him and then put on a pink gauze robe. Tuoba Heyan, on the other hand, had gone to court, saying he would come shortly.
Ji Wushang went to check on Huangfu Jun'an. Huangfu Jun'an was overjoyed to see Ji Wushang and immediately rushed over, "Mother, Mother! I miss you so much!"
"Mother misses her lover too. Let Mother hug you. Hmm, you're so heavy. You've gotten heavier because you miss your lover!" Ji Wushang smiled and pinched his little nose.
"Did Mom play hide-and-seek with Nianlang and Uncle last night? Nianlang saw many people looking for Mom, and Uncle was also looking for Mom. He was so anxious and irritable!" Huangfu Jun'an came closer and said mysteriously, "Uncle took his medicine last night."
"Taking medicine?" Ji Wushang looked at Huangfu Jun'an, assuming his posture so he would look at him. "You mean, that tall, imposing uncle in the black and yellow robe is taking medicine?"
"Hmm." Huangfu Jun'an nodded. "It was terrifying. He seemed to be having convulsions all over his body, even more so than Nianlang. Then he poured out a lot of medicine and took it all."
“So…” Ji Wushang frowned. Tuoba Heyan looked like this, and he was probably quite ill… She suddenly remembered the time when he was poisoned by the Heart-Eating Gu in Yiyun City. He had been suppressing his illness, but in the end, he vomited a mouthful of blood in front of her and almost fell into the lake.
I must ask him what happened; I don't want him to be in mortal danger! Tuoba Heyan, no, it's Nan Xuzong, he absolutely cannot be harmed!