And they were even betrothed!
“Who is it you are betrothed to? Is it that young Master Ruan who occasionally visits the General’s manor?” Yun Changfeng was brimming with questions.
He really wanted to see his future son-in-law.
What kind of person could make Shu'er fall so deeply in love.
Yun Shu was astounded at this, her father had misunderstood!
Just as she was about to clarify, the gatekeeper hurried towards her and Yun Changfeng.
He said to them, “General, Young Miss, someone from the palace has arrived, saying the Emperor wishes to see the Young Miss!”
“The Emperor wishes to see Shu'er?” Yun Changfeng’s expression immediately turned serious as he asked in a deep voice.
“Yes, General!”
Yun Shu’s heart stirred. The young Emperor wouldn’t summon her for no reason. She immediately said to Yun Changfeng, “Father, I’ll go to the palace first. As for this matter, I’ll explain it to you in detail when I return. For now, let Marquis Yi dispel his thoughts.”
With that, she left.
Yun Changfeng watched Yun Shu’s retreating back, sighing inwardly again and again.
What a pity, truly a pity!
Marquis Yi was indeed the ideal son-in-law in his eyes.
As for King Ye, he was, after all, the father of Xiao Jing and his two brothers. Although Yun Changfeng was angry, he couldn’t help but feel that if their family could be together, it would also be a good outcome.
However, Shu'er already had someone in her heart.
At this moment, Yun Shu, on her way from the manor to the palace, had no idea that her father would soon be imagining all sorts of scenarios and scenes after she left.
Yun Changfeng glanced at the sword in his hand, feeling that he hadn’t fought so exhilaratingly in a long time. He wiped the sweat from his brow, “Let’s go to Marquis Zhongyong’s manor! This matter should indeed be resolved sooner rather than later, so as not to cause trouble for Shu'er, and also not to let our unseen son-in-law harbor any ill will.”
…
The Imperial Palace.
Yun Shu was swiftly led into the palace by the eunuchs.
Soon, she found herself in the young Emperor’s palace, as if she were a regular visitor.
At this moment, only one eunuch guarded the palace entrance.
She was directly ushered inside.
Zhan Tianhong was slumped over a large desk piled high with memorials.
The stacks of memorials seemed like colossal stones pressing down on him.
The young man’s shoulders were not broad, and he still possessed a boyish innocence, yet he had to face such heavy state affairs.
He had to deal with the machinations of various court officials.
He raised his head, his eyes lacking luster.
Yun Shu was slightly taken aback. After not seeing him for several days, he looked even thinner.
Already suffering from chronic illness to the point of wishing for death, he was now gaunt and frail, appearing as if his lamp was running on fumes, with no hope for life.
Instantly, Yun Shu’s brows furrowed.
When Zhan Tianhong saw Yun Shu, his expression did not change much, as he didn’t immediately register her presence.
Once he did, his dark eyes suddenly lit up.
“Second Miss Yun, you’ve finally arrived!”
Seeing the light return to the young man’s eyes, Yun Shu’s sharp, needle-like pain vanished. It seemed she had been overthinking.
Even as a ruler, the burden was too heavy for a young man. But he had persevered for so long, endured days of living hell for so long. Now that the illness and the poison within him were under control, how could he have no hope for life?
“This commoner pays her respects to the Emperor,” Yun Shu said, bowing.
Zhan Tianhong quickly said, “No need for such ceremony!”
Yun Shu smiled, but still completed the ritual before moving closer to him.
She carefully observed his complexion, “I haven’t been to the palace in many days. Did His Majesty summon me because he is feeling unwell?”
Zhan Tianhong looked deeply at Yun Shu, then glanced at the eunuch by the door.
The eunuch immediately withdrew and closed the door.
Then, Zhan Tianhong said in a low voice, “I haven’t been able to sleep for several days. Even when I do sleep, I feel as if I’m constantly in a dream, and my sleep is restless, leaving me more exhausted than if I hadn’t slept at all. The imperial physicians who examined me said I am overthinking, but I feel it is not so.”
He didn’t trust those imperial physicians!
He hadn’t taken any of the calming medicines they prescribed.
When no one was looking, he had poured them all away.
He only trusted her.
Only she could truly save him and heal him.
Yun Shu saw the trust in the young man’s eyes. “Let me take your pulse first to assess the situation. There’s no need to be anxious.”
“Alright, as long as you are here, I won’t be anxious,” Zhan Tianhong pursed his lips, gazing at the woman before him, his tone imbued with his most precious trust.
Yun Shu began to take his pulse calmly.
As she detected a slight irregularity in Zhan Tianhong’s pulse, her expression became serious.
Zhan Tianhong, however, gradually began to feel a sense of sleepiness, an overwhelming urge to sleep.
He knew that with Yun Shu present, he didn’t have to worry about falling asleep and never waking up again.
His eyelids heavy, he simply rested his head on the memorials and fell asleep.
Yun Shu glanced at the sleeping Zhan Tianhong, her gaze flickering slightly.
How pitiful!
At such a young age, in her era, boys his age were recklessly pursuing their dreams and playing with like-minded friends.
No one had to bear such a heavy burden that was not meant for their age.
Then, she withdrew her hand.
Taking out the silver needles she carried, she began to acupuncture Zhan Tianhong’s arm.
Time quietly passed.
Zhan Tianhong’s expression gradually relaxed, showing no sign of difficulty sleeping or restlessness.
…
Marquis Zhongyong’s Manor.
Marquis Zhongyong was very happy to see Yun Changfeng.
The two had not interacted much in the past, as Yun Changfeng was a military man who often served on the battlefield and rarely returned to the capital, leaving them little opportunity to spend time together. xxs壹贰
Now, after a few meetings, they were no longer distant colleagues or acquaintances who merely nodded to each other. Instead, they felt a sense of regret, wondering why they hadn’t become friends sooner.
“General, is there a reason for your visit to my manor today?” Marquis Zhongyong quickly asked.
He truly hoped the next words he heard would be the good news that the General’s daughter had finally agreed to marry his son!
Yun Changfeng looked at Marquis Zhongyong’s expectant eyes, feeling a pang of sadness.
No fate!
The two of them simply had no destiny together!
Seeing Yun Changfeng suddenly sigh, Marquis Zhongyong, being a shrewd man, understood something. He said in a low voice, “Is it… is it about the marriage of the two children?”
Yun Changfeng found it incredibly difficult to speak, feeling reluctant and a sense of loss. He nodded, “It is indeed about that matter. Everyone in the capital now knows that Marquis Yi has feelings for Shu’er, and they are saying the two will be betrothed soon, but…”
“Are you worried about marrying your daughter into our Marquis’s manor? Rest assured, our manor is as clean as can be, no one will mistreat your daughter! Even my son will cherish your daughter, you can rest assured!” Marquis Zhongyong quickly reassured him.
Yun Changfeng’s heart ached, but he could only shake his head. “It is not so. It’s that Shu’er was actually betrothed to someone else two years ago.”
“What?”
Marquis Zhongyong was struck as if by lightning.
Not far away, Yi Zixing, who was walking over, suddenly stopped in his tracks.