After the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, Emperor Longqing fell ill again. Concubine Lin Shu took care of him personally and had a rare leisurely chat with Emperor Longqing. Seeing her serious expression, Emperor Longqing could not help but smile: "You look as if I am about to die."
Now he and Concubine Lin Shufei get along like an ordinary couple. Even if they want to quarrel, they can't do so. Many of the taboos in the past are no longer taboos.
Concubine Lin Shu glanced at him and shook her head hastily: "What are you talking about? Long live you..."
"Okay!" Emperor Longqing smiled, covered his mouth and coughed twice, pushed away the medicine sent by Concubine Lin Shu, frowned and said: "You believe these words? I have given Old Five enough face now, Old Five should be satisfied. While I can still make the decision now, you can ask your brother if he has someone he likes, and then decide. If you want to be so free in the future, I'm afraid it won't be possible."
Concubine Lin was a little stunned. Seeing that Emperor Longqing's face was pale and even his fingers were thin and protruding, she reacted helplessly: "You know his temper, he is stubborn. How can he be interested in other girls now, and how can he be willing to compromise?"
Concubine Lin doted on her younger brother very much and was unwilling to go against his wishes, fearing that he would be unhappy in the future.
Emperor Longqing frowned, thinking that Young Master Lin's idea was too stupid. He laughed and said sarcastically, "This guy is really stubborn. He just can't figure it out. Look at those active ones. They are starting to think about it now. Didn't the girl from the Xu family come up to them today? Everyone is busy looking for a future, but your brother is not interested."
Concubine Lin Shu also sneered, "They say that when a person leaves, the tea gets cold. Now that he hasn't left yet, the Xu family is so impatient. It's also thanks to Awu's clear mind that he can think clearly... As for the Third Young Master, he has his own ideas. If he likes someone, he likes her. If he doesn't like someone, he doesn't like her. As a man, it doesn't make sense for him to rely on a woman. He hasn't had a very happy life since he was a child. In this matter, I want to follow his wishes. When he finds someone he wants to spend his life with, it won't be too late to talk to him later."
Emperor Longqing didn't say anything else. He also knew Young Master Lin's personality. This young man was just as stubborn as himself when he was young. Forcing him to get married would not be good for him, but would harm him.
He hummed, asked about the Sixth Prince's health, and was about to ask Concubine Lin Shu to go back to the palace to rest. Then he heard Concubine Lin Shu say, "By the way, Your Majesty, I have something else to report to you..."
Emperor Longqing raised his eyebrows, and seeing that she looked a little embarrassed, he asked her, "What's the matter?"
Concubine Lin Shu sighed, put the medicine bowl aside, lowered her head and said softly: "It's Princess Zheng... I originally exempted her from the New Year's Day worship. There was no one to look after her at home, and her child was still young, so I exempted her from the etiquette. Who knew that she would still be sick? I heard that her illness was very serious. On a day like the first day of the New Year, she even invited Master Jinghui from Puci Temple to see her... "
Emperor Longqing waved his hand and watched Huang Qing take the medicine down himself before asking, "She was fine, why did she get sick? Was it because the people who served her were inappropriate?"
Concubine Lin Shu shook her head and said, "Princess Zheng sent a sign to the court, saying that she wanted to come to the palace to pay her respects. I then found out that it was because she dreamed of Prince Zheng... From what she said, Prince Zheng had sent her a dream, saying that he was in danger and hoped that she could find a way to rescue him..."
Emperor Longqing burst out laughing: "These women in the harem are so ignorant! What's the point of dreaming? If dreams are really so useful, how much trouble will there be in the world? It must be that she thinks about it day and night. She has a mental illness. If Prince Zheng doesn't come back, she won't be cured."
Concubine Lin Shu also nodded and sighed: "Yes, I think so too. After all, isn't it because Prince Zheng still has no news that Concubine Zheng is worried and sick? However, I think she is indeed pitiful... If something happens to Prince Zheng, she will be alone with the young prince, and I am afraid that her life will be difficult in the future."
Emperor Longqing was silent for a moment, then said: "What is there to be sad about? Even if Prince Zheng is really gone, her son will be a legitimate prince or duke in the future, and she will be a legitimate old princess. But what you said also makes sense. If there is no news about Prince Zheng..."
Emperor Longqing originally wanted to find Prince Zheng back. Prince Zheng was a loyal and honest person. He had a good relationship with Prince Linjiang but was able to abide by the rules. If such a person was around, he would be able to say a few fair words in the future.
He coughed and told Huang Qing, "Go to the Cabinet and tell Chen Ge Lao and the others to draft an order to search for Prince Zheng in Shandong with all their strength. Once you find any trace of Prince Zheng, report immediately and escort him back to the capital safely."
Huang Qing is now another eunuch An in front of Emperor Longqing. He is in charge of all the affairs of Emperor Longqing, no matter how big or small. When he heard what Emperor Longqing said, he immediately agreed and turned around to go out to do his work.
Emperor Longqing and Concubine Lin Shufei in the room said, "Princess Zheng is timid. Since she has handed over the card, you should meet her. Otherwise, she will be frightened and become ill. Don't let her get into trouble when Prince Zheng returns. That would be a disaster."
Concubine Lin agreed, and seeing that he looked a little tired, she helped him lie down and slowly walked out of the door.
It began to drizzle again, and the palace maids held umbrellas to escort her to the sedan chair. When she returned to the palace, she first met her son, and then sat down on her seat. She said to Mother Lin, "Go and tell the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ask Princess Zheng to come to the palace tomorrow."
She frowned. Mother Lin was her confidant and always shared her thoughts, so she asked her, "Is it that things are not going well?"
Concubine Lin Shu shook her head, feeling a little dizzy. She glanced at Mother Lin and said in a heavy tone, "No, this matter went quite smoothly. The emperor originally planned to find Prince Zheng back. When he heard that Princess Zheng was ill because of this matter, he had already given the order. However, I thought that there would be many things to come. Look at it now, it's not calm yet, and another wave has come."
Mother Lin knew that she was referring to the time when Princess Zheng claimed to be ill and asked Master Jinghui to come to her, saying that she had a dream. She said softly, "They have no other choice. If they didn't use this as an excuse, how could they get the emperor to issue an order to search for someone without making a fuss? Are you worried about Princess Linjiang? She was able to force the princess to think of this method, which was indeed a bit too much."
How come someone who seemed kind at first has become so cruel and ruthless now? (To be continued)