Chapter 137

  After returning from the royal banquet, Qin Zhiyan fell ill. For three consecutive days, eight witch doctors from Nanjiang gathered in his bedroom for a consultation. Finally, on the fourth morning, they walked out of the door, exhausted and worried. They explicitly stated that if the great elder could not be invited to leave the palace again, Qin Zhiyan would not live past the end of next month.

  Qing Xia personally went to the front of the Zijin Gate, knelt for a long time and begged for an imperial edict to enter the palace. Two hours later, she only received a box of medicinal pills, which were said to be able to ensure the safety of the three palaces.

  After taking the medicine, her breathing became smooth and her condition improved. Qin Zhiyan's face was no longer pale, and Qing Xia finally put down the heart that had been hanging for several days. The hidden toxins in her body were suddenly activated, and she coughed up blood in front of everyone, never to recover from her illness.

  When she woke up, it was already the second day at noon. Qin Zhiyan wore a blue robe with wide sleeves and had a gentle expression, sitting in front of her. Seeing that she was awake, he smiled happily. After the rain cleared, only lingering worries and anxieties remained. However, just then, war suddenly broke out in Beijiang, and the Beijiang camp sent an urgent message to Xianyang, requesting the Third Prince to take charge of Beijiang. Fortunately, Eighth Prince Qin Zhixiang volunteered to go to battle, thus sparing Qin Zhiyan from having to travel far to Beijiang despite his illness.

  In the early morning, Xianyang was bustling with people. Compared to the strict security of the inner and outer cities of South Chu, the streets of Xianyang seemed more lively. Early in the morning, Qing Xia took the attendants from Xuanwang Fu to the White Pavilion Slope in the north of the city to see off Qin Zhixiang, who was about to embark on a long journey. Along the way, they galloped on horseback, wearing blue robes and black hair, with a vigorous spirit.

  Compared to the hustle and bustle of Taihe Dian yesterday, today's White Pavilion seems much quieter, with only a handful of outer court officials present. Qin Zhixiang is accompanied by twenty personal guards, wearing a suit of cyan armor, his eyes looking similar to those of Qin Zhiyan, but without the weakness, appearing sunny and handsome. Seeing Qing Xia hurry over, he flashes a charming smile, runs up front, and says with a laugh: "Third Aunt, you're here."

  Qing Xia heard this and was slightly stunned, although the King of Qin had already arranged for the two to be married, but after all, they were not yet officially husband and wife, and being called "Third Aunt" in such a familiar way by him suddenly made her somewhat unable to react.

  "This time the battle in Northern Xinjiang is intense, and you might not be able to return even for your three siblings' weddings. Let's just call out 'Third Sister-in-law' now, and consider it as having attended Third Brother's wedding banquet."

  Qing Xia's voice was warm as she spoke to the only one who didn't need to be on guard, the young prince of Qin: "Last year's snow disaster in the north was severe, and now is the most critical time when supplies are scarce. Last time they got an advantage, this time they will come like hungry wolves. You must be careful at the front lines, I and Zhiyan will wait for your triumphant return to Xianyang, becoming another war god of our great Qin."

  Qin Zhi Xiang nodded and said: "Third Aunt, take care of your body too, I'll leave now."

  Qing Xia smiled slightly: "Be careful with everything."

  On the way back to the city, people kept talking about the recent spectacle of white fish swimming together in the Wei River. Qing Xia heard this and sneered inwardly, but her face remained calm and expressionless. Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner; all that was needed now was patience and a good attitude for appreciating jokes.

  As soon as they arrived at the second gate of the North City Gate, they saw the soldiers of the Inner City Garrison pressing a group of men and women wearing coarse linen clothes, waiting to be checked before leaving. Qing Xia's eyes were sharp, and she caught sight of an old woman in her fifties who looked very familiar, but due to her recent illness, she was dazed and couldn't remember where she had seen her before. Lian Zhou saw Qing Xia stop her horse and hurried over to ask in a low voice, "Miss, what's wrong?"

  Qing Xia slowly shook his head and said: "Lian Zhou, go ask what crime these people have committed?"

  Lianzhou nodded in agreement and returned after a short while, saying respectfully: "Miss, that group is the inner palace maids, they said they committed a crime and are going to be taken to the Sima Bureau as slaves."

  Qing Xia was startled by his words, furrowed her brow and gazed at him, nodded slightly and said: "Let's go, back to the manor."

  Returning to the Wang Fu, he handed over the reins to a servant and saw two sedan chairs parked at the entrance of the Wang Fu. As he walked, he asked one of the three managers of the Wang Fu: "Who has come?"

  San Guanshi Zhang Yan was a middle-aged man with a pointed mouth and chin, whose face was not very likable, but he was very clever and loyal. The people in the Wang Fu had long regarded Qing Xia as their mistress, and they hurriedly smiled and said: "It's two thousand households who were sent to Shangxi and Yanrong, King Wang wants to celebrate his birthday, and all the big men from various places have returned to Beijing to congratulate him."

  Qing Xia's eyebrows furrowed and he said in a low voice, "Your Highness, have you seen them?"

  "No," Zhang Yan shook his head and said: "The prince has arranged for the two attendants to set up a banquet for the two generals at the Listening Pine Pavilion, and the prince is now on the mourning pavilion."

  Qing Xia nodded and handed the whip to him, then turned around and walked towards the hanging building. Along the way, people bowed and paid their respects, passing through the flowers and willows, opening the door of the flower house on the hanging building, a refreshing fragrance wafted out, Qin Zhiyan wore a green long shirt, standing among the orchids in the room, holding a small trowel for digging soil, hearing the sound but not turning his head, continuing to carefully dig soil for a rare black orchid, his voice was thick and hoarse, very gentle, saying: "You're back, has Eighth Brother left?"

  Her sharp aura dissipated instantly, and she walked slowly to Qin Zhiyan's back, stretched out her hand from behind and hugged his waist, pressing her face tightly against his back. Qin Zhiyan was slightly stunned, his body stiffened, and he slowly straightened up, putting down the flower fork, his two slender hands were all black with mud, and he said with a smile: "What's wrong, have you been wronged?"

  Qing Xia didn't make a sound, only frequently shaking his head, his forehead rubbing against the clothes on Qin Zhiyan's back, slightly itchy.

  Qin Zhiyan chuckled and said with a hint of helplessness, "Yima'er, my hands are really dirty."

  Qing Xia still stubbornly held onto him, not at all like the sharp and calm mistress of the Wang Fu in front of the servants, nor was she like the clever and sharp-tongued Jun Zhuang in the Tai He Dian. Instead, she looked like a spoiled child, her voice muffled as she said: "Qin Zhiyan, how can you be so good?"

  Qin's lips were warm and soft, her warm breath constantly blowing on his back, hot as if it was going to blow into his spine. His cheekbones were slightly sunken, but still looked handsome, with a strong sense of warmth that made people feel at ease. Qing Xia's nonsensical words left the wise king of Qin somewhat unable to focus, so he simply went along with Qing Xia's words and said: "Yima is also very good."

  Qing Xia suddenly let go of Qin Zhiyan's waist, ran to her front, tiptoed and stared into his eyes, saying loudly: "Say, why are you so good to me?"

  Qin's flames favored indulgence in a smile, and actually stretched out black lacquered fingers to point at Qing Xia's nose tip, saying: "Because Yima is also very good to me."

  Qing Xia opened his arms and wrapped them around Qin Zhiyan's neck, burying his head in his chest. He pouted and said, "Qin Zhiyan, I'll always be good to you."

  "Alright," Qin Zhiyan smiled and wrapped his arms around her, carefully avoiding touching her clothes, with deep smile lines at the corners of his eyes.

  Inside the small flower house, everywhere was filled with the light and delicate fragrance of orchids. Qing Xia and Qin Yi were embracing each other in one place. At this moment, she was no longer the femme fatale of the chaotic world where four countries were vying for power, he was no longer the mighty King of Qin who shook the northern borders. They were just an ordinary couple in the mortal world, able to smile at each other after hardships, able to walk hand in hand after war, and able to quietly hold each other after life and death.

  Suddenly remembering what happened at Songguan, he said in a low voice: "The thousand households of Shangxi and Yanzong..."

  "No need to see me off," Qin Zhiyan said with a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. "He will naturally leave in a while."

  Qing Xia nodded and said: "Whose is it?"

  Qin's eyes were deep, he let go of Qing Xia's body, picked up the flower trowel, and supported the dark green leaves of the ink orchid, saying lightly: "Yesterday was the full moon of the young lady of the Yan Wang Fu, there were many people and much gossip, it's inevitable that someone would say something wrong."

  "It can't end like this!" Qing Xia's eyebrows rose in anger as she exclaimed: "This isn't the first time anymore."

  "Yima," Qin Zhiyan turned around and said in a deep voice, "The Xuanwang Fu is a big tree that attracts wind, but they are also hard to get close to. Now the northern Xiongnu are constantly attacking the border, the southern floods are severe, and the eastern drought is severe. I don't want to provoke trouble at this time."

  Qing Xia shook his head and said: "You don't offend people, but they come to offend you. I can't let them always bully you like this."

  "Fool." Qin Zhiyan smiled, his smile warm and indulgent. He said softly, "They think they can bully me? It's not that easy. Don't you have any faith in your future husband?"

  Qing Xia's lips tightened upon hearing this, but she couldn't help but let out a light laugh. Her icy demeanor instantly melted away, and with a clenched fist, she gently tapped Qin Zhiyan's chest, saying: "I hate it, you're always yielding to them like a pushover."

  The warm and bright sunlight in the afternoon, Qing Xia's smile was like a flower, for a moment it almost dazzled Qin Zhiyan's eyes. Seeing Qing Xia withdraw her fist, he quickly grabbed her hand with his quick hands and eyes, Qing Xia let out a cry of surprise, and saw that the back of her snow-white hand had instantly left five black fingerprints.

  A shrill cry suddenly came from the flower house, and the two maids who were delivering tea and snacks were stunned. The guard standing at the door gave a signal with his eyes, and the two maids immediately understood and retreated with ambiguous expressions.

  Around dinner time, the two thousand-household generals who had been guarding the Listening Pine Pavilion for an entire afternoon without waiting for King Xuan to wake up from his noon nap finally left the palace with reluctance.

  The next morning, Lianzhou was summoned to the study. Qin Sandianlou was leaning on a soft chair with a light robe and loose belt, his expression slightly tired, rubbing his temples with one hand, his eyes still closed, and said in a low voice: "How's the investigation going?"

  Lianzhou said in a low voice: "Nanchu, Dongqi, Xichuan, as well as the Western Sea vassal state, the southern border ethnic groups, and the various branches of the Xiongnu, all have sent people to investigate around Bailingyuan. The Crown Prince, Second Prince, Fourth Prince, and Sixth Prince also have scouts infiltrating Xichuan. Yan Hui's troops have occupied Bailingbao, but they haven't blocked the way for everyone."

  Qin Zhiyan nodded slightly and didn't say a word, his eyes lightly closed, making it impossible to discern any emotions.

  Lianzhou thought for a moment and continued in a low voice: "We intercepted several pigeons flying into the valley through Zhuoyuanqing's messenger, but what they said was extremely strange, not sentences, all were password symbols, we recorded them and let them go."

  "Also," Lianzhou thought for a long time and finally said in a low voice, "Miss ordered Zhuo Yanqing to modify the drawings, it can't be done overnight, it will take three to five years of hard work to succeed. I think it's not quite right, I don't know if Miss has discussed with His Highness."

  Qin's lips curved into a gentle smile, and he said thoughtfully: "Since she has told you, she doesn't think of guarding against me. From now on, whatever the young lady instructs you to do, there is no need to report back to me, just carry it out."

  "Yes," Lianzhou said in a clear and resonant tone, "but I don't understand, if that's the case, then why did Your Highness secretly take the girl to monitor the correspondence between Penglai Valley?"

  Qin's flames slightly chilled, slowly saying: "The seven departments of Qingpeng have a very deep backstage force, and other unknown grain and money departments control the lifeblood of the people. With a thousand years of accumulation, they will not be willing to be controlled by others. Moreover, since that Liang Si has such ability, how could he end up with no result? There must be something hidden inside, but I just can't see through it yet. Yima'er mistakenly obtained the respect of the Penglai Engineering Department, and will definitely attract the attention of those with ulterior motives. Rather than defending against thieves every day, it's better to take the initiative to attack them, catch them out, and have a clear conscience."

  "What?" Lianzhou hesitated and said: "Since it's like this, do we still need to keep it from the young lady?"

  Qin's eyes closed slightly, and he leaned his weak head against the soft chair, bending his elbows to support his head. He said softly, "Let me take care of these things for her. Have those examination halls' aunties and Jing Hospital's taigong been dealt with?"

  Lianzhou nodded and said, "This morning at the North City Gate, Yu Canjiang personally escorted them out. The young lady saw it and asked her subordinates to ask, and the subordinates told her that they were sent to the Sima Bureau as slaves."

  Qin Zhiyan nodded and said, "Well done. Yima seems strong, but in fact she has the softest heart. If she finds out, it's inevitable that she'll be uneasy at heart. I haven't returned to Xianyang for too long, and these people in the palace have become lawless. This time, killing a chicken to scare the monkeys, they should be more cautious in the future."

  "Where is Princess Yao?"

  "No need to bother," Qin Zhiyan waved his hand and said softly, "They can't stir up any big waves, let Qinglin take a look, it's fine as long as nothing happens."

  "Yes," Lianzhou replied respectfully, when suddenly the sound of footsteps was heard outside, and he hastily stood aside with his hands hanging down. Qingxia walked in, carrying a cup of hot tea that was still steaming.

  Qin Zhiyan saw her and smiled slightly, saying: "Didn't you say that today is the day to go to the Construction Department to take office? Why are you still dawdling here?"

  Qing Xia smiled and walked in, saying: "I'll leave after you finish drinking."

  Qin's flames helplessly shook his head, took it over and blew gently, suddenly remembered something, raised his head to Qing Xia and said: "Later let Lianzhou bring a few people with you."

  "Are you going too?" Qing Xia frowned and said: "It's better to stay at home."

  "No need," he said after taking a sip of ginseng tea, Qin Zhiyan's expression turned slightly solemn, with an implied meaning: "In these turbulent times, having a few more swords to protect oneself is always good."

  Qing Xia slightly pouted and said: "I'm not afraid of them."

  Qin's eyes were warm and gentle as he looked up at her, holding her hand, and said softly: "I know you're not afraid of them, but with someone by your side, I can feel at ease staying in the mansion."

  Qing Xia's face turned slightly red upon hearing this, and she smiled as she nodded her head, saying: "Alright, I'll listen to you."

  Just then, a hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, and Li Xian's voice was heard from outside, saying: "Your Highness, the Seventh Prince and the Ninth Prince have arrived and are waiting in the main hall."

  Qing's eyebrows rose slightly, and between them, the door to the room was pushed open. Li Xian stood at the entrance, his face red with rage, gritting his teeth as he said: "Qing, go take a look quickly."

  Qing Xia frowned and said in a deep voice: "What's going on? Is it worth being like this?"

  "Green sister, they..."

  "Let's go." Qin Zhiyan stood up and said in a low voice: "Go see what else they're playing with."

  They walked slowly and had just entered the main hall when a tea bowl suddenly crashed to the floor at the feet of several people. The Ninth Prince, Qin Zhiyuan, stood in the center, dressed in a light green brocade robe, his face stern and majestic, shouting loudly: "Is this the hospitality of the Xuanwang Fu?"

  "Cough, cough." A faint, gentle cough suddenly echoed through the hall, and the two people who were in a flurry of anxiety immediately turned around, startled. Qing Xia supported Qin Zhiyan as he slowly walked in, his eyes coldly scanning the two people. Qin Zhiyan's voice was thick and rich, saying lightly, "I've been away from the palace for a long time, and I'm remiss in managing the servants, it seems I've made fools of you two brothers."

  The Seventh Prince was slightly stunned and said with some embarrassment, "A few days ago, the Marquis of Minjue knelt in front of the Zijin Gate for a long time. We thought that Third Brother had contracted some serious illness. Today, seeing that Third Brother is safe and sound, as his younger brother, I can finally put my mind at ease."

  Qin's flames faintly smiled and softly said: "Thanks to Seventh Brother and Ninth Brother for worrying, this body of mine is like that, repeatedly going back and forth, but it won't be fatal."

  "Three brothers said where words, as the saying goes, people encounter happy things spirit refreshing, three brothers will marry sensitive county main, is really a great thing ah."

  Qin's flames smiled and said: "Then offer congratulations to Seventh Brother."

  Qin Meng was ridiculed by others, suddenly smiled coldly and walked forward, saying loudly: "I heard that Third Brother is unwell, as a younger brother, I have prepared some gifts to give to Third Brother, please accept them."

  Qin's eyebrows rose slightly as he said in a deep voice, "Ninth Brother has made up his mind."

  Qin Zhi was taken aback, his face changed greatly, and just as he wanted to grab Qin Zhikang, he saw Qin Zhikang turn around and pick up a brocade box from the table, open it and say: "This is Nanhai Qiongyu Lu, which is a prescription collected by my brother for many years. It is said that it was personally prepared by the master of the Xilin family in Nanchu, with the effect of clearing phlegm and lungs in an instant. I bought this from a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis, who said that he had been ill for over 30 years but did not die thanks to this prescription, which is really amazing."

  As soon as the words fell, Li Xian suddenly became furious and was about to step forward when he was suddenly stopped by Qing Xia. Only then did Qin Zhiyan smile faintly and say: "Ninth brother has been managing the salt transportation in the south for many years, and it's indeed impressive that you can find such an ancient formula, not simple."

  Qin Zhi smiled and said, "Third brother, don't rush to praise me now. Wait until I bring out the other two gifts, then it won't be too late." After speaking, he turned around and lifted a large wooden box with great effort, only to reveal inside a magnificent thousand-handed Guanyin statue that was entirely emerald green. He said loudly, "This is a Buddha statue personally consecrated by the high-ranking monk Xiu Ming of Nanji Mountain, who has attained enlightenment. It's said that in the hands of someone with good karma, it can open one's heavenly eye, communicate with ghosts and spirits, clear the path to heaven, and even help people attain spiritual liberation. Third brother, isn't it amazing? Do you believe it?"

  Qing Xia's eyes grew increasingly cold, but Qin Zhiyan smiled faintly, without a hint of anger in his voice, saying: "Indeed very mysterious, unfortunately I don't believe in Buddhism, Ninth Brother troubled you."

  "Ah!" Qin Zhiming slapped his forehead, suddenly enlightened and said: "Look at this brain of mine, never mind, fortunately there's still a third gift, Third Brother please take a look."

  Only a giant sandalwood box, half the height of a person, was wrapped layer by layer with brocade. Qin Zhiyin slowly opened it with an air of mystery and said: "This is the thousand-year-old ginseng dug up by Beidi Daxue's guest, its root is over 20 meters long, it's really a rare old ginseng. Brother spent all his efforts to find someone to ask for it, it's for Third Brother to use in a life-or-death situation."