kvmb Chapter 381 National Temple
Chapter 381 National Temple
Zhao Yi lowered his head and looked at the person in his arms.
The noise outside woke her up. She covered her mouth and yawned, her eyes glistening with moisture, exuding a charming and coquettish air.
He stroked her thick black hair that covered her back with his fingers: "We have no personal dealings with the Jiang family. The Jiang family members who came this time must be here to thank you for the pills you sent."
“It shouldn’t be a woman who’s come.” Shen Qingtan was much more awake then. “Then go to the front hall to greet the guests.” She wrapped herself in a thin blanket, leaned to one side, and lay down on the couch. “I’ll sleep a little longer.”
Zhao Yi brushed aside the strands of hair covering her face with his fingertips. Seeing that she had already closed her eyes, he smiled silently and went to the front hall to meet the guests.
He stepped into the front hall and immediately saw Jiang Jianzheng standing in the middle of the room. His face was haggard, but his eyes were still clear and upright.
Compared to the meeting on New Year's Eve, Jiang Jianzheng had lost a lot of weight.
"Your Highness," Jiang Jianzheng bowed, "Thank you and the Princess for the pills you sent. My son took them and was saved."
The imperial physicians and doctors instructed them to keep a close watch on Jiang Chengfeng, as his condition would worsen if his fever did not subside.
As fate would have it, Jiang Chengfeng developed a high fever in the middle of the night. They tried to bring him down with herbal medicine and pills, but the fever wouldn't go down.
He fed Jiang Chengfeng the pills sent by the Prince of Guangling's mansion. After a quarter of an hour, the fever finally subsided a little.
After taking the three pills and with the help of the imperial physician, Jiang Chengfeng's condition stabilized.
The imperial physician said, "The pills given by the Prince of Guangling's mansion are too precious. In all my years of practicing medicine, I have only ever seen them in the possession of Zhong Heng. It's a pity that Zhong Heng disappeared after resigning from his position as head of the academy."
Jiang Jianzheng realized the preciousness and rarity of the pills. The Prince of Guangling's Mansion had saved Jiang Chengfeng's life, and this kindness should be repaid.
He presented the prepared gift, saying, "Your humble servant has brought a small gift today to thank you and the Princess for saving my life."
“Lord Jiang, you are too kind,” Zhao Yi said. “The princess is kind-hearted and cannot bear to see a righteous, indomitable, and good official who serves the country and the people suffer the pain of losing his child.”
Jiang Jianzheng understood the meaning behind Zhao Yi's words: it was his integrity and uprightness that saved his son's life.
Thinking about this, he felt very complicated. He never thought that his perseverance would save the Jiang family and his son.
The Lin family was wiped out because Consort Shu kidnapped Jiang Chengfeng and threatened him to identify remnants of the previous dynasty, which angered the forces of the previous dynasty, leading to the extermination of the entire Lin family in order to bring down Consort Shu and her son.
It is well known that the Northern Qi emperor relied on his imperial tutor and did not possess much ability. However, the Northern Qi emperor was extremely arrogant and unwilling to admit that he was an incompetent ruler.
The Lin family massacre case has never been solved, and the forces of the previous dynasty took the opportunity to spread rumors among the people that the Northern Qi emperor was incompetent.
To silence the people, the Northern Qi emperor dared not continue the investigation and had to find a scapegoat to quickly close the case.
His prophecy to the Emperor of Northern Qi planted the seed in the Emperor's heart that the wise king would plot to usurp the throne.
The Northern Qi emperor was a suspicious man to begin with, and in order to prevent future troubles, he simply sent Consort Shu to take the blame.
Kill two birds with one stone.
Jiang Jianzheng wasn't good at saying nice things, so he said honestly, "Your Majesty has heard that Your Majesty is choosing a concubine for the Prince."
Zhao Yi's face darkened.
After conveying his message, Jiang Jianzheng took his leave of Zhao Yi.
Zhao Yi sat quietly in the front hall for a while, then summoned Jiang Chao and Deputy General Sun, gave them a few instructions, and then returned to Lanxue Garden with a solemn expression.
He stood beside the stove, his gaze quietly fixed on Shen Qingtan, who was sleeping peacefully on the couch.
Zhao Yi couldn't help but recall the time when it was revealed that he had kept a mistress; her expression was calm, as if she didn't care that he had another woman.
The couple had supported each other all the way, and Zhao Yi, while not knowing Shen Qingtan inside and out, had a certain understanding of her.
If he were to take a concubine, given her personality, she would not only not stop him, but would even make arrangements for him.
From then on, however, she was only his wife, and there would be no other feelings between them.
Zhao Yi walked to the edge of the couch, slowly sat down, and gently stroked her rosy cheeks with his fingertips. She frowned slightly, grabbed his hand, and pulled him into the thin blanket.
He took the opportunity to lean in and trap her in his arms.
Shen Qingtan struggled uncomfortably, but the man's arms tightened, rendering her unable to move an inch and making it difficult for her to breathe.
She looked sleepily at the man on top of her, sensing that something was wrong with him. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, about to ask him what had happened.
The next moment, he lowered his head and kissed her lips, more passionately and deeply than usual, with a touch of roughness, unlike his usual gentleness.
Her mind, already clouded, grew increasingly muddled, and she clung tightly to him with both hands.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Yi released her, looking at her eyes filled with tears, her charming and shy demeanor tinged with a captivating spring passion.
Her blouse was loose, and a thin strap caught on a sliver of red fabric underneath, concealing her skin and highlighting her fair and delicate features.
Zhao Yi's throat moved slightly, his neck lowered, and he gently kissed her lips, tenderly lingering for a moment.
Shen Qingtan hugged his waist, rested her face in the crook of his neck, and waited for the lingering sensation in her body to dissipate before speaking, without breaking the tenderness before her.
She knew very well that if Zhao Yi encountered any problems, she wouldn't need to ask him; he would take the initiative to discuss them with her.
Zhao Yi ran his fingers through her long hair, his voice low and husky: "The Emperor of Northern Qi plans to take a concubine for me."
Shen Qingtan was taken aback for a moment, then asked in a soft voice, "What are you thinking, Second Master?"
“My health is weak, I don’t think I’m capable of taking a concubine,” Zhao Yi said seriously. “I’m already struggling to serve you alone.”
Shen Qingtan kicked him in embarrassment and anger, pushed him away, and straightened her clothes.
“I have no intention of vying for the throne in Northern Qi. As long as I don’t give in, no one can put anyone into my household.” Zhao Yi hugged Shen Qingtan from behind: “I’ll arrange for Jiang Chao and Deputy General Sun to find where Mother’s remains are.”
Shen Qingtan understood that Zhao Yi planned to find Princess Yizhen's remains before making plans to return to the Great Zhou.
With the Lin family case concluded and the capital returning to peace, time slipped by unnoticed, and in the blink of an eye, Prince Yu was about to arrive in Northern Qi.
Shen Qingtan was pruning flowers in the courtyard when she hissed and pulled her hand back. A thorn had pricked her fingertip, and a drop of blood oozed out.
She took out a handkerchief to wipe away the blood droplets, squeezed out a few more drops of blood, and then pressed the wound down.
Just then, Liu Yue rushed in: "Your Highness, Deputy General Sun has returned."
Shen Qingtan's expression was stern: "Please let him in."
She turned and went into the house.
A short while later, Deputy General Sun entered the room and reported, "Your Highness, the remains of the Protector-General Princess are at the State Temple."