The sky brightened.
Qi Changyi woke up and touched the place next to the quilt. It was cold and empty.
It seems that everything that happened last night was just a dream.
Li Yu pushed the door open and saw Qi Changyi had sat up from the bed, looking much better than yesterday.
Just now, he saw the master walking out of the back garden and was surprised for a while. In such a long time, he had never seen the master in the mansion in broad daylight.
But the adults told him not to tell the prince about his visit yesterday. Although Li Yu didn't know why, he still agreed obediently.
"Xiao Yuzi," Qi Changyi touched his stomach, "I'm hungry"
Li Yu quickly responded, "Hey, Your Highness, please wait a moment. I'll have someone go downstairs to make some food. Make more. You can eat whatever you want!"
After a long while, the prince finally cried out that he was hungry. Soon, the table in the small building was filled with all kinds of food, all of which were Qi Changyi's favorites.
He slept well last night. He did not have nightmares, but instead had a beautiful dream. In the dream, he was embraced by a warm embrace, and someone patted his back gently and told him not to be afraid. Qi Changyi smelled the faint sandalwood scent and slept soundly. His energy and spirit were restored a lot.
After eating, Qi Changyi changed back into his own clothes, but he did not return Pei Zheng's robe. Instead, he folded it neatly and placed it carefully next to his pillow.
It must be because I wore Brother Pei's clothes last night and there was his scent on them that I dreamed about him. Qi Changyi planned to curl up in that robe and sleep every night from now on.
Two more days passed like this, and Qi Changyi really no longer had nightmares, and he ate and slept well every day.
In his spare time, he would read some medical books and then go to the pharmacy in the Prime Minister's Mansion to study medicines.
This pharmacy was where Shen Huan and his little disciple often stayed when they came to live in the mansion, but now, only Qi Changyi was left inside.
Li Yu saw that His Highness was busy preparing various medicines all day long. On the one hand, he was worried that he was exhausted, but on the other hand, he was secretly happy for His Highness. At least he could keep himself busy, and he would have less time to sit in a daze and worry.
Jiang Yubai and Chengfeng had not returned yet. If anyone in the mansion had a minor illness, Qi Changyi would take the initiative to take their pulse and treat them. Although his medical skills were not as good as his master's, they were still much better than those of ordinary people. He would usually prescribe a prescription and the patient would be cured after taking it two or three times.
That day, Qi Changyi finished treating a little maidservant in the mansion who was always coughing. The little maidservant thanked him profusely and burst into tears.
The servants in the mansion were sincere, but most of them were afraid of their masters. Having a master like Qi Changyi who was simple, kind, compassionate and caring about them made them flattered and they wished Qi Changyi was the real master of their mansion.
The little servant who went to get medicine for the little maid came back from the street. He was very angry when he entered the door, and went straight into the small building with the medicine bag.
Qi Changyi took the medicine package, opened it and checked it. Only after making sure that every ingredient was correct did he let the servant take it down to boil it. However, when the servant looked up, he saw that he had a wound on his face.
"What's wrong with your face? Come here and let me see it."
The little servant walked over reluctantly. Qi Changyi looked at his wound with heartache and said, "Does it hurt? I'll apply some medicine for you."
"Your Highness, I'm not in pain. It's really, they are just going too far!" The little servant was angry. "They, they actually dared to spread rumors about Your Highness outside. If I hadn't heard it, they wouldn't admit it! I, I fought with them, but Your Highness, don't worry, I didn't reveal that I was from the Prime Minister's Mansion. Otherwise, if the adults heard it, I would definitely be punished."
Li Yu asked, "What rumors are spreading outside?"
The little servant secretly glanced at Qi Changyi's bulging belly, then looked up and saw him smiling at him tenderly with curved eyebrows.
"They say that the princess of the Prime Minister's Mansion has a warm relationship with the Prime Minister, and now she is pregnant. For a man to be pregnant, it must be
A freak
As the little servant spoke, he thought to himself, Your Highness is so beautiful, the baby she is carrying must be beautiful too, it can't be a freak.
The smile on Qi Changyi's face slowly disappeared. He lowered his eyes slightly and touched his belly with his fingers under his sleeves.
"What nonsense are they talking about! What do they know! Our Highness is able to conceive because she is favored by God. How dare a bunch of country bumpkins gossip about the Prime Minister's Mansion behind his back!"
Li Yu was obviously very angry. "Tell me, who said those words? I will send people to beat them up right away. If necessary, I will pull out their tongues. I will see who dares to say that again!"
The little servant hesitated but didn't say anything.
Li Yu said anxiously, "Just tell me, don't worry, no matter who it is, the Prime Minister's Mansion will not be afraid of him!"
"It's not just a few people, it's a lot of people, a lot of people." The little servant hung his head, closed his eyes and said, "It's the people of the entire imperial capital.
That’s what the rumor is saying. It’s spread everywhere.”
Li Yu grabbed the little servant's collar angrily, his eyes reddened, "Then go find who spread the rumor! Find him, and bring him to the Prime Minister's Mansion. I don't believe that the Lord will let him off easily!"
A small hand tugged at Li Yu's sleeve, and Qi Changyi said softly, "Little Yu, forget it."
"Your Highness!" Li Yu said, "If the Lord knew about this, he would do the same thing. Find the person who dared to spread the rumor and punish him severely. Let the people of the entire imperial capital see that this is the fate of anyone who dares to talk behind their back again."
"Xiao Yuzi, forget it." Qi Changyi smiled lightly, but the smile did not reach his eyes. "I'm fine, really. It doesn't matter if they don't accept me or don't like me. I just have you. As long as you accompany me and care about me, I will be very happy."
"But..." Li Yu wanted to say something else, but seeing His Highness's forced smile, he swallowed the words back.
It is obvious that Your Highness is the one who is the most wronged and saddest, but now He is asked to comfort them.
However, His Highness was not very good at hiding his emotions, and his sadness and sorrow all came out of his expressive eyes.
The Prime Minister's Office did not pursue the matter any further, and the people of the Imperial Capital did not spend too much time on it, because there were more serious problems facing the entire city.
It was said that the barbarian army was about to attack the imperial capital, and everyone was in a state of panic.
A small number of people have already evacuated the imperial capital and retreated to several temporarily safe cities in the north of the imperial capital. However, if the capital of a dynasty is captured, there is no point in escaping to the ends of the earth. By then, it is only a matter of time before the entire Celestial Empire changes its dynasty.
Most of the people in the imperial capital did not leave. They have deep feelings for this capital that has been prosperous for a hundred years. This is not only a symbol of a country's strength, but also the belief on which each of them depends for survival.
The brave barbarians have their own beliefs and they believe in the gods of the grasslands and deserts.
The Chinese also have their own beliefs, and they believe in their own country.
It was the time when the new emperor of the Celestial Empire was holding his enthronement ceremony. Even in such a critical moment, the strict etiquette and moral code could not be missing.
This is not only the demeanor of a great country that has stood for a hundred years, but also a reassurance and a rallying force for the people and military of the Celestial Empire.
The grand ceremony was held in the palace, and the whole country celebrated and enjoyed itself.
The palace gates were opened wide, and all the people in the city were invited to enter the palace to celebrate.
No matter whether one is of status or not, no matter whether one is from a powerful and wealthy family or a poor child, no matter whether one is male or female, old or young, widowed or lonely, as long as one is willing, one can enter the palace and participate in the celebration.
The whole city was in a celebratory and joyful atmosphere that night. All the resentment and frustration that had been suppressed for a long time by the bleak clouds of war were released tonight.
The streets that were originally becoming increasingly deserted are now filled with bustling crowds of people. No matter if they know each other or not, they will smile and say congratulations when they see each other. The shops that were originally closed are now decorated with lights again.
It seemed that only the Prime Minister's Mansion did not participate in this grand event, and the mansion was still quiet.
When Li Yu ran into the small building, Qi Changyi was still sitting obediently under the candlestick reading a medical book.
He said that he also wanted to be a doctor like his master and help people who were suffering from illness, so he needed to read medical books carefully so that he could become as good as his master.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
Li Yu panted and said, "I know why it's so lively outside. It's said that the new emperor just held a coronation ceremony today, and he will host a banquet for all the people in the city in the palace tonight. Many people have gone to participate. I think the adults will definitely go to participate, and maybe they will bring you, Your Highness, with them."
Qi Changyi's eyes lit up when he heard this. He put down the medical book in his hand, looked at Li Yu expectantly and asked, "Xiao Yuzi, are you saying that Brother Pei will take me with him? I haven't seen him for several days. Is he busy with this matter?"
"Of course, Your Highness. In the past, when you and the Master were not so close, the Master would take you along to any banquet in the palace. Today's banquet is so important and unprecedentedly grand, there is no reason to leave you alone at home."
"Well, then should I change my clothes first, and then comb my hair, Xiaoyuzi, look at my hair, is it messy?"
Li Yu looked at Qi Changyi's hurried look and couldn't help laughing, "Your Highness, it seems that you still don't know yourself well enough. Even if you put on a sack, you will look better than those people."
"But I can't go there wearing a sack."
Qi Changyi pouted. He couldn't embarrass Brother Pei.
Li Yu quickly explained, "Your Highness, I didn't really mean to ask you to wear a sack."
Several servants came to help Qi Changyi wash and dress up, which made his little face look even more charming. He also wore a cloak, which covered his bulging belly so well that it could not be seen at all from the outside.
After changing his clothes, Qi Changyi waited in the small building, waiting for Pei Zheng to come back and take him into the palace.
The carriage really returned to the mansion and stopped at the gate waiting. Pei Zheng, wearing an official robe, strode into the mansion with big strides.
Pei Zheng went straight back to the room and changed his clothes. He opened the door and saw a small figure standing in front of it.
When Qi Changyi saw Pei Zheng, his bright eyes were clearly filled with joy and longing.
"Brother Pei, you're back."
Pei Zheng responded, "Why are you standing here, waiting for me?"
Qi Changyi nodded, "Brother Pei, are you still leaving?"
"Well, there's something going on in the palace."
Pei Zheng walked out, "It's getting late, you should go to bed early and don't stay up late."
He didn't turn around when he spoke, so he didn't see those eyes that were originally shining gradually dim.
When he reached the door and before turning around to get on the carriage, Pei Zheng turned around and glanced at the little person who was standing obediently by the door to see him off.
He just stood there quietly, his eyes fixed on her, his expression full of reluctance, but he said nothing and did not try to keep her.
Pei Zheng walked back to the door and stood at the bottom of the steps, just enough to be at eye level with the little guy.
"There are so many people in the palace tonight, I'm afraid I don't have the energy to take care of you, and you're heavy," Pei Zheng reached under his cloak and gently supported his belly, "So, stay home and wait for me to come back, okay?"
Qi Changyi's eyes slowly became moist, not because he was sad that he couldn't go to the palace together, but because he hadn't seen Pei Zheng's gentle eyes and tone for a long time.
"Okay, Brother Pei, I will stay at home obediently." Qi Changyi's voice was a little choked, but he tried hard to hold back his tears.
Fall down.
Li Yu, who was standing by, saw that the prince was about to cry, and suddenly he impulsively wanted to tell the adults all the prince's forbearance and grievances.
"My Lord, do you know that His Highness..."
Without saying anything, Qi Changyi pulled Li Yu's sleeve, signaling him to stop talking.
"Brother Pei, I'm fine. Go quickly. There must be a lot of people waiting for you in the palace. Don't delay things."
Qi Changyi sniffed and said, "I won't bother you anymore. I will be very good."
Pei Zheng looked at him deeply, then turned around and got on the carriage.
The carriage drove away and disappeared from sight.
Qi Changyi covered his eyes, stood quietly for a while, and then returned to the small building.
After relighting a candle, Qi Changyi took out a medical book and sat there reading it, but he could not concentrate at all. The noise and bustle outside kept drilling into his ears.
He also wanted to go out and see the world, and to participate in it.
But Brother Pei told him to stay at home, so he stayed at home obediently and did not go anywhere.
It’s just that Bai changed her clothes and combed her hair so beautifully.
On this day when the whole city was celebrating, he was alone and no one was watching him.