Joyful Seven

Zhu Xiong, however, did not notice that He Xi's expression had changed, nor did he hear any further discussion about the journey to the provinces. He then turned to Gu Qin and said: "There are rumors in the court that His Majesty, Emperor Tai Lun, has been seriously ill recently. Is this true?"

After walking approximately fifty steps, the Hall of Glimmering Radiance appeared before me

Zhu Xiong swallowed hard, feeling a slight choke in his throat. He looked up and said softly, "Your Majesty, this matter can be delegated to the garrison officers stationed in Zhuzhou. Why must I travel a thousand miles to Zhuzhou again?"

But at that time, she did not know that the man she should never have touched, and the thought she should never have entertained.

But it just cannot be done

... ... ... the kingdom in hand, the kingdom in hand ...! ... For so many years, what I have hoped for in my heart is nothing more than to swallow the Three Kingdoms and destroy the Ye and Qi!

If he were to obtain these three kingdoms ...! ... even if he only acquired one or two of them, Tai Tun would have no strength to resist him

One can order someone to take that piece of paper, tear it to shreds, burn it, or do whatever they wish; out of sight, out of mind.

The palace maids of the Food Bureau are inherently less rigorous than those of the other inner palace departments. Furthermore, as they do not serve closely by the Emperor's side, even though they are within the confines of the palace, they often do not adhere to many of the established rules.

Once everyone had withdrawn, He Xi raised his eyebrows and glanced at the people present, saying: "There is no need to be formal; we shall discuss it further after the meal"

But later, when I thought of that person who was a thousand miles away, I completely forgot about Shen Wuchen.

She did not allow herself to be persuaded, rising from the table on her own, her skirt trailing behind her, the light fabric gently flowing, as she walked up to him.

Wang Ruhai is a person who has been by He Xi's side for many years. On ordinary days, the palace servants all show him great respect. However, these two young palace maids have angered him today, and the outcome will surely not be pleasant.

He tore open his collar, threw his outer robe to the ground, and quickly walked to the other side of the screen in the outer hall

The fingers delved into the territory of Tai Tun, and continued to explore westward

Whenever I close my eyes in the night, I can see those beautiful eyes of blue and black.

A thousand troops and ten thousand horses trample over the heart, the same dust and the same smoke

He raised his head, facing the suffocating wind, and took a deep breath, feeling as if his chest would burst.

On top of the head, the black background with golden flowers rests upon the dust, and that piece of paper, which he once crumpled into a wrinkled mess, is still stuck there, just as it was before

He held the rim of the wine cup with his long fingers, gripping it tighter and tighter. Lowering his gaze, he looked into the jade cup where the fine liquor gently rippled, its color clear and translucent, with the dark engraved patterns at the bottom of the cup clearly visible.

In front of the entrance of the Imperial Kitchen Bureau within the inner palace, a row of small palace maids dressed in purple stood in neat formation, holding delicately crafted food boxes covered with yellow embroidered dragon-patterned cloth, which they held heavily against their chests. After passing the Hall of Internal Affairs, they proceeded towards the Hall of Condensed Radiance.

Occasionally, a thought may flash through my mind, but that thought is as extravagant and precious as a shooting star in the distant sky, vanishing in an instant, making it even more unthinkable to dwell upon it

Is it that deep down, one ultimately is unwilling and reluctant

His brows furrowed, and that wine, it seems, will never have the chance to be tasted again

Ying Huan looked at him, squinting her eyes, and coldly said: "After waiting outside the hall for so long, is this the only matter you have to report upon entering?"

Shen Wuchen lowered his eyes, "Your Majesty ... ..."

But when I think of her

The fingers gently curled, the fingertips slowly gliding across the palm, gradually writing out the character.

Not for the affairs of the nation, not for the world, but solely for herself

Ning Mo raised his head, a crease forming between his brows, "Your Majesty..." His eyes were slightly dark, with deep brown irises that were clear and bright, shimmering with glimmers of light, flowing and undulating.

As everyone looked up, they saw the high imperial table tremble slightly, with a slender jade dragon-shaped paperweight slanted upon it.

In front of the Jianing Hall, a palace maid spotted him from a distance and hurriedly approached to greet him. However, upon sensing his unfriendly demeanor, she dared not say much and merely followed behind. It was only after he entered the Jianing Hall that she rushed to inform the eunuch in charge of the emperor's daily activities that the emperor had actually returned to the sleeping quarters

Nineteen characters, just these nineteen characters, only these nineteen characters

The position of the imperial physician was earned by his true abilities, and although it was a complete achievement, it was tarnished by others with slanderous words, leaving him feeling deeply hurt.

The two young palace maids were still unaware, giggling softly, when unexpectedly, Wang Ruhai had already approached them from behind, raising his hand to block their way.

Recalling the words of the two young palace maids from earlier, he could not help but feel a surge of emotion in his heart

Call her heart as if it were gnawed by insects

She set down the scroll in her hand, with bloodshot eyes, and gazed at him intently for a moment before saying: "There is no need for you to come in person every time to deliver the medicine"

Although these words were spoken softly, they were still heard clearly from the throne. The fingers gripping the silver chopsticks stiffened for a moment, the brows furrowed and lips pressed together, as the gaze was lifted downwards, sweeping over Zhu Xiong, and suddenly said: "Today, I have ordered the Secretariat to draft an edict, commanding you to go outside the city of Zhuzhou to welcome those eight thousand common people."

serious illness

Since he returned from Kaining Prefecture, he has not yet visited Jianing Hall

If one wishes to break this situation, it can only be done if...

He lowered his head and sneered, where could there be such good things

Yet he never spoke a word

Zhu Xiong, a mere military general, was known for his bold and unrestrained manner in commanding troops and engaging in battle. Having long served alongside the emperor and participated in campaigns, he was not as constrained as others in the court. After taking a few bites, he set down his silver chopsticks, raised his thick eyebrows slightly, and turned to Gu Qin, saying: "This time, I do not know what Tai Lun is thinking, to voluntarily return those eight thousand common people to me in Ye Qi!"

Everyone was astonished, and the two palace maids trembled uncontrollably, yet they merely bit their lips tightly, not daring to argue, their eyes welling with tears as they prepared to be struck down.

She smiled, she spoke, her voice soft and low, saying... Do not trust him

With slightly furrowed brows and gently fluttering eyelashes, her complexion appeared somewhat clearer

It is merely ... ...

He has served in the palace for more than ten years, yet he has never heard of it

The red lips slightly lifted, the smile at the corners of the mouth tinged with a deep sense of irony

For so many years, Yan Ye Qi has been at odds with the state, so how could the Three Kingdoms easily trust him

Congratulations, her eyes were cold as ice, her lips sharp as blades. She cast a piercing glance at several people in the hall, rose without uttering a word, pushed the table aside, and exited the hall from behind.

Suddenly, the words spoken by his grandmother eighteen years ago, when she was still alive, echoed in his ears.

In fact, throughout all these days, having stayed overnight in the Chongqin Hall, when has he ever slept soundly

Ying Huan looked into his eyes, and her heart couldn't help but feel a sense of bewilderment, as if this moment resembled that night under the purple osmanthus tree, when that person's gaze was warm and gentle, fixed upon her... Her heart involuntarily trembled, she turned her face, raised her sleeve, and said, "Step back."

This wine is unlike the intoxicated flower wine from the Fengle Building

Gu Qin noticed his silence and could not help but feel suspicious. Previously, there had been rumors that the Emperor had not been quite right lately. Although this had not been apparent in the court, upon closer inspection, it was indeed different from the past.

The others immediately fell silent, not daring to speak further, their hands holding the food boxes trembling slightly, and their steps quickened even more, deeply afraid of making any mistakes that might catch his attention

If meeting is fate, then this fate

Everything is clear, yet she...! ... why can't she forget that person!

The warmth in the palm and the spiciness in the chest are both profoundly real

The hall is bright, without a trace of dust; it has changed yet remains unchanged. It can be seen with the eyes, yet feels strangely unfamiliar.

Only leaving the civil and military officials in the hall to look at each other in confusion, unable to comprehend the emperor's intentions

Wang Ruhai walked behind, but his steps grew heavier, his brows tightly furrowed, and in the end, he let out a silent sigh.

Since He Xi returned from the Ning Prefecture, he has not summoned anyone to attend to him for a whole month, nor has he returned to the sleeping palace, spending every night in the Chongqin Hall

If he were to raise an army to attack the Three Kingdoms, how could Tai Dun stand by and do nothing

He fell silent and did not speak

The imperial guards at the entrance, upon seeing their group, did not inquire further and loudly announced, allowing them to enter the hall

Gu Qin stood by, sensing the faint anger in the congratulatory words, and seeing Zhu Xiong sweating on his forehead, could not help but smile slightly. He then spoke up to change the subject: "Your Majesty, I have thought long and hard but still do not understand what Tai Tan intends this time. Previously, when I took silver to redeem Tai Tan, he refused, so why would he now take the initiative to send someone back?"

However, that person will likely never have the opportunity to be seen again

How could she be so willful towards him

Ying Huan went to the silver bowl and said with a faint smile, "Do you think I am unaware of the rumors circulating in the Imperial Medical Institute?"

Even if we take a thousand steps back, even if we form an alliance, it is still difficult to ensure that there will be no discrepancies when it comes time to mobilize troops. The piece of fat meat that is Tai Tun, in the end, who will benefit from whom? I fear it will ultimately lead to mutual slaughter, allowing Tai Tun to reap the benefits!

She is desperately longing to see him again

The gentle breeze blew softly, just enough to scatter a few fragmented words spoken by the two individuals, picking up a few terms, wrapping them around, and delivering them into the ears of Grand Eunuch Wang

Wang Ruhai, upon hearing their words, suddenly opened his half-closed eyes wide, and his entire being became considerably more alert. His face first turned pale, then immediately darkened.

If the heart is stirred again

This morning, after the morning assembly, He Xi retained a few court officials in the Ninghui Hall for discussions, which extended past noon without resolution. Therefore, he ordered provisions to be prepared and invited the officials to dine in the hall.

Under the heavens, she alone is the only woman he can cherish yet cannot pursue

Even though there are no feelings for this person, being stirred by those shimmering eyes gives rise to some thoughts

Ying Huan knew that he never wore official boots, nor did he often don the formal attire that others in the Imperial Medical Bureau wore daily. He always casually paired a wide-sleeved long robe, entering and exiting the palace in this manner, a sense of indifference subtly mixed with a hint of freedom, occasionally revealing a touch of warmth.

Seen once a day, seen every day, and seen multiple times for medication.

Why at this moment

Suddenly, I felt an intense stiffness in my chest, and the jade cup in front of me unexpectedly became scalding to the touch

Thus, one resents oneself for not having taken action to kill him at that time

Now he is able to comprehend the state of mind that his father must have experienced back in the day

Wang Ruhai led the way into the main hall, making two gestures to signal the group of palace maids to enter one by one and set the table.

She lowered her eyelids slightly and looked at him again, "Do you hate me in your heart?"

Yet I cannot forget the character he wrote in a moment of passion earlier

Even if one speaks the truth sincerely to others, the listener will not easily believe her words

A ripple of water appeared in Ning Mo's eyes, "Your Majesty, why do you say such a thing?"

For the emperor, this is the only aspect that brings the greatest sense of disappointment

It was only that one night that she spoke some heartfelt words

Ning Mo's medication is just like his character, gentle and mild, neither urgent nor heavy. Seeing that she has improved somewhat, he adjusted the prescription, prioritizing nourishment. He also instructed someone to select some flowers to place in the hall, saying that good flowers can also soothe the spirit

He slightly closed his eyes, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and rose from the bed.

Repeatedly looking at those characters, breaking them down one by one, and scattering them stroke by stroke

He suddenly raised his eyebrows and looked up, his fingers touching the boundary between Ye Qi and the other three kingdoms. With a sweep of his large hand, he encompassed all three kingdoms within the territory of Ye Qi

The palace gate creaked open just in time, slowly revealing a narrow gap, startling her and causing her long eyelashes to flutter.

Are you out of your mind

Upward hook and downward extension, left bend and right twist

If there were no dragon robe, could one not indulge in a moment of caprice, just like the men of the world who indulge in their whims...

One horizontal and one vertical, one left-falling and one right-falling stroke

Dark clouds shroud the sky outside the palace, pressing down on the horizon, as the wind rises and the rain threatens to pour.

A deep sound echoed in the grand hall, instantly cutting off his words that followed

He let out a low scoff, dreaming in broad daylight again

Over the years ... ...

Ying Huan clenched her hand and, upon seeing Ning Mo exit the hall, turned around and slowly walked back.

He turned his foot and entered the inner chamber, his breathing growing heavier. He walked straight to the imperial couch, and without loosening his clothes, simply lay down on it.

His eyes flickered for a moment, and he immediately lowered his head and cast his gaze downwards, "Your Majesty's words truly overwhelm this humble servant."

He refused to step into the Jia Ning Palace for a whole month

The silver bowl gently landed on the table, and he did not speak but intended to withdraw

With fingers that are well-proportioned, long and fair, they held a silver bowl filled with medicine and presented it before her.

Several palace attendants who have served the esteemed Ying Huan for many years are aware that Physician Ning is among the most favored of these men, as he is often seen speaking little and does not take offense at their rudeness

Even this character resembles her so much

The Emperor does not indulge in the company of women

One must never lose, nor must one ever lose!

Knowing of her, knowing that she exists, yet he is unable to see her no matter what.

Zhu Xiongyi, feeling anxious, hurriedly stood up and said: "I do not mean this, Your Majesty. If Your Majesty wishes for me to go, then I shall go!"

If he could swallow Tai Tun, then he would be able to obtain her openly and justly

The corners of his mouth were stiff as stone, and as soon as he left the palace, he clenched his fists tightly, not calling out to anyone, his steps swift as he made his way towards the sleeping quarters

Although Nanhu and Beijian are small, they are stubbornly positioned in a strategically advantageous location. The three kingdoms have formed an alliance over the years, making it impossible to engage with any one of them without simultaneously contending with the other two. Given the current national strength of Ye and Qi, this is fundamentally an impossible task.

Although Ying Huan could not see the expression on his face, she understood it in her heart

In her heart, she thinks of him, but at this moment, he is likely reclining on a soft couch in some palace or courtyard, embracing a fragrant beauty and enjoying his fortune

The two young palace maids, upon sensing that the situation was not right, were so frightened that they lowered their heads and stammered, "In response to the esteemed gentleman, nothing... nothing was said."

He cannot possibly be like the Emperor Father was in his time, nor can he become like the Emperor Father!

It is now noon; although the sun has not yet appeared, the heat is still unbearable. The sky looks as if it is about to rain, yet the rain has not yet come.

He turned to leave, but his feet came to a halt.

That person readily believed those words.

His fingers gradually clenched, a corner of his heart growing increasingly rigid. Since returning to the capital from the Ningxing Palace, day and night, his heart has been different from before

Knowing full well that keeping him by her side would only invite more gossip, she nonetheless repeatedly found herself unable to resist.

Every inch of land is her hard work, how could she possibly let it belong to others

He did not speak, and the palace maids did not dare to ask; no one knew the reason for this

At once, this thought was extinguished

His heart was frozen in segments, recalling the late Emperor from years past... His eyes involuntarily closed again, and the corners of his mouth twitched. What is the point of thinking about these things now

That woman will surely strike him with a ruthless blow from behind

Ying Huan caught a glimpse of him about to leave, and only then did she raise her eyes to call out to him: "Ning Mo."

She is ill

He took a breath, withdrew his hand, stepped back two paces, and then raised his eyes to look again

The elegant sleeve brushed against the imperial desk, and with a swift motion, a folded document was drawn out and directly thrown at his feet, the anger in his voice growing stronger, "I do not permit it!"

Every slight change in the boundaries of the country is redrawn by her own hand

Her words of grievance were also spoken from the heart, knowing that he would not appreciate them, but would merely regard them as a common tactic employed by emperors. Yet, upon truly hearing his indifferent words meant for his subjects, she found herself unexpectedly displeased.

In the eyes is him, but in the heart is that person

Gu Qin nodded slightly, acknowledging that the report from the Ministry of Personnel was indeed presented in this manner. A memory flashed through his mind of that day at the Jiuchong Hall in Suiyang, and he couldn't help but tug at the corner of his mouth. He said to Zhu Xiong, "In the past ten years, I have never heard of His Majesty the Emperor of Tai Tuo being unwell. How is it that this sudden epidemic has caused such panic throughout the Tai Tuo court? In my opinion, this matter is a divine assistance to Ye Qi..."

The memory is so vivid, why do I still entertain this delusion at this moment

Wang Ruhai let out a cold laugh, his voice resembling that of a drake, drawing the attention of the others. It was unclear what these two young palace maids had done to provoke his anger so openly.

That night he asked her directly if she had ever considered joining forces with that formidable enemy

He lowered his eyes, paused for a moment, yet his feet still moved forward, striding out of the inner chamber... He dared not entertain such thoughts, fearing that he was merely being overly sentimental.

He congratulated with a sidelong glance, reached out to grasp the white jade wine cup on the table, and coldly said: "I command you to go; I have my reasons. If you do not go, I shall have to personally pursue the matter across the provinces..."

Unintentionally, he loosened his grip and pushed the wine glass aside

With her eyes downcast, a trace of bitter laughter curled at the corners of her lips—on that night, she had said, what harm is there in being willful just this once

Wang Ruhai looked at them, his face filled with anger, and after a long pause, he finally spoke: "What were you talking nonsense about earlier?"

She issued an edict to send back all 8,000 commoners captured by Di Feng during the campaign against the states to the territory of Ye and Qi.

If he were to be killed that day, he would be gone, he would no longer exist in this world, and the world would be without him

Had it been in the past, upon hearing this news, one would surely have been overjoyed and filled with delight

He reached out and lifted the cover of the food box held by the two individuals, coldly laughing as he said: "Right now in the Ninghui Hall, the Emperor and the esteemed officials are all waiting for us. You two should return on your own for the time being. After I meet with Chef Xu later, I will tell her about today's matter and let her decide how to handle it!"

That night marked the end of his life of poverty, and he could no longer seek that dreamlike feeling; that person, even if he rode across the world, could never encounter another exactly like them.

Even though the robe does not touch my body, my heart has long been enveloped by it for ten years

Upon first hearing of this matter, I was not without shock in my heart

Why can I think of that person even in such circumstances

He also does not trust her

A mist swirled in her heart, and she couldn't help but slightly bite her lip, her cold eyes lowering their lashes... Why did that person come to mind again

His eyes suddenly opened wide, a glimmer of light appearing within them, as he gazed at the nineteen characters, slowly tracing along the sharp edges of each word.

He suddenly sat up, rubbing his hands vigorously against each other a few times, the calluses touching, causing a burning pain as if scorched by fire

And how could this world allow him to indulge in his personal desires

On that day in Chuzhou, I was clearly filled with murderous intent in my heart, yet how is it that upon hearing of her serious illness now, I find myself so distressed

At this moment, the guards were lax, and there was no one moving about in the inner palace, so the young palace maids began to chatter and giggle softly as they walked

It is merely ... ...

He looked at her, yet remained silent

He stared at the words above, wide-eyed and motionless

But what tricks can she play?

As he walked in this hall, his steps were extremely light, sometimes making it difficult for others to notice that he had entered

He slowly closed his eyes, lying on the soft couch, truly having not slept for a long time

She drank the medicine, which was extremely bitter, causing her to frown. A palace maid beside her brought some clean water for her to rinse her mouth. After a bit of fuss, she finally said: "I have troubled you."

A faint fragrance of flowers wafted through the Jinghuan Hall, somewhat masking the usually strong medicinal scent.

For an emperor, what is to be feared is being devoted to one person while neglecting the state and the nation

He stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her

At this moment, she would not miss him so much

Why ... ...

Over the past ten years, she has watched it countless times, and that image has also been changed innumerable times

Moreover ... ...

As so many days have passed, Ying Huan's health has gradually improved, her cough has lessened, her complexion has become more vibrant, and her spirit has become increasingly lively

In the end, only one character is spelled out in the eyes

If Ye Qi were to form an alliance with Tai Dun, given the schemes they have employed against each other over the past few years, they would likely be worried day and night about the possibility of the other suddenly betraying the alliance and stabbing them in the back

The intoxication of the flower wine, though turbid, is rich and full-bodied; its flavor in the mouth is an indescribable fragrance

The dragon robe on the body is without marks and creases, with layers of golden threads everywhere; seeing it with my own eyes, I feel a sense of irritation in my heart

"Put it down." She said softly, her eyes not leaving the scroll

A sense of self-mockery surged within me, is it truly the fragrance of the intoxicated flowers and wine? ... Or ...? ... Because of that person before my eyes on that day?

Subconsciously clenching the silk quilt beneath her, the cold yet smooth texture filled her palm, reminiscent of the garments on her body

Only now did she completely come to her senses, recalling that previously Shen Wuchen had requested an audience, but since Ning Mo was still present, she had him wait outside the hall

The chief eunuch Wang Ruhai walked at the back, his front and back garments already soaked with sweat. At this moment, he only wished to reach the Ninghui Hall quickly to report in. He observed the group of young palace maids entering for their meal, who were somewhat restless, but he was too lazy to intervene. As long as no disturbances occurred, it would not be a major issue for them to exchange a few words.

Four high-ranking officials from the Three Provinces and Six Ministries arrived, along with Gu Qin and Zhu Xiong. Upon hearing this, they all took their seats, and only after the host at the head table began to eat did they lower their heads and start their meal

He stood by the wall, looking up at the grand map of the five nations hanging high on the wall. He reached out to touch the rough, waxed cowhide, his long fingers gliding over the territory of Ye and Qi, gradually moving westward. These lands were all hard-won through his painstaking efforts

He goes to great lengths and thinks of various ways, pondering only how he can win her over... But what is she really thinking in her heart?

In recent days, my thoughts have been complex, yet I have ultimately found no resolution

Upon raising my eyes, I beheld the map of the five nations laid out on the table

Over the past decade, I have been unwilling to sleep each night, hoping that the night would linger longer, allowing me more time to sort through the tangled affairs of state; yet now, I find myself unable to sleep each night, fearing that if I close my eyes for even a moment, that person, on that day, on that night, will suddenly surge forth from the depths of my mind

He looked at the exquisite dishes on the table, but lost all appetite. He let the food cool slowly, yet he never touched it again

He clenched his fist tightly, then slowly relaxed his palm, a faint pain throbbed at his temple

Wang Ruhai took a deep breath, staring at the two of them, "Nowadays, there are truly no rules or decorum; even the Emperor can be discussed behind his back! To be so audacious while still within the palace, do you not regard this as the imperial city?"

In this vast world, under the bright sky, how is it that she happened to encounter him!

Ning Mo slowly spoke: "Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave for now."

As they were walking, the last two little palace maids seemed to have found something amusing to talk about, and they paused for a moment, whispering to each other. After sharing a few words, they pressed their lips together, their faces flushed with a hint of red, before continuing on their way.

Ying Huan frowned, feeling annoyed with herself. Her words carried a hint of irritation as she said, "Have him come in." Then she quickly returned to the desk, lifted her skirt, and sat down.

Before anyone could react, he raised his hand and, with a single motion, slapped each of the two young palace maids across the face.

Once she shifted her thoughts, she began to ponder what profound meaning lay beneath her actions... I can only fear that she is up to some trickery again

At first, I felt that the beauties of the harem were colorless, and now I even find the exquisite wine of Ye Qi tasteless.

To speak the truth to others is often hindered by the fact that many things cannot be said

With the country and its people in hand, there is no room for him to act recklessly

The sound of palace maids whispering came from afar: "Your Majesty, Minister Shen has been waiting outside the hall for nearly half an hour..."

The fingers suddenly clenched, pressing down on the image, remaining motionless thereafter

A single mistake can lead to a distance of ten thousand miles, with the family and the nation sitting in between.

He shook his head, feeling increasingly heavy in his heart. The state of the world has been this way for decades; if one wishes to change it overnight, it is likely more difficult than ascending to the heavens

The tides of my heart rise and fall, and I cannot settle my mind for half a day

A once-in-a-lifetime encounter, yet it becomes a mistake.

Before long, the palace gates opened again, and Shen Wuchen entered the hall to pay his respects. After performing the formalities, he raised his head and noticed her expression was unfriendly. He hesitated for a moment before speaking softly: "The memorial I submitted three days ago has yet to receive Your Majesty's response..."

This stern admonition truly left these young palace maids dumbfounded

If we were to directly take Tai Tong first in alliance with the other three countries, the chances of victory would likely be greater