Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Enjoy the Blue Smile Alone (Part 1)

"Lord Feng, please, please don't move around," Qingxu hurriedly tried to stop Feng Lan from getting up, almost 

crying in her urgency. "You're sick right now, His Highness asked me to take good care of you..." If anything went 

wrong, with His Highness's affection for Lord Feng, he wouldn't have enough heads to lose! 

"You, didn't you say, I just caught a cold?" Feng Lan's breathing was slightly labored. Although his whole body 

felt extremely uncomfortable and his head was heavy, but...

Not seeing Si Cang Qing, he felt a bit flustered. 

"What's going on?"

Just when he was getting anxious and didn't know what to do, Si Cang Qing walked in. Qingxu was overjoyed 

and said anxiously: "Your Highness, Lord Feng insisted on getting up!"

Frowning slightly, Si Cang Qing walked to the bedside and held down Feng Lan's restless body, "Lie down." 

Without turning his head, he asked Qing Xu, "Where's the medicine?"

"Your Highness, it will be ready soon. I'll go hurry them up right away," Qingxu said, and then quickly ran off. 

"Master," upon seeing Si Cang Qing, Feng Lan obediently lay down, staring blankly at Si Cang Qing's cold face. 

The madness of last night suddenly flooded back into his mind, and his originally flushed face turned even redder,

 as if it were on fire.

"What's wrong?" Si Cang Qing reached out and touched Feng Lan's forehead. The other person's face was so red; 

could it be that the illness had worsened? 

"It's nothing, Master is just worried." Feeling Si Cang Qing's hand on his forehead, Feng Lan's face turned even 

redder, and he felt uncomfortable all over. The discomfort in that secret place clearly reminded him of what had 

happened between them.

"Mm," Si Cang Qing replied lightly, tucking the blanket around Feng Lan before sitting at the bedside, silently 

gazing at the other person, his fingers lightly tracing along Feng Lan's neck.

The strange and delicate sensation on his neck made Feng Lan's entire body almost start to heat up. Unable to 

meet Si Cang Qing's gaze, Feng Lan randomly searched for a topic, "Master, how did I get sick?"

At this point, a flicker of displeasure crossed Si Cang Qing's eyes as he coldly said, "I told you to rest last night, 

why didn't you go? Instead, you stayed outside and froze!"

After a moment of daze, Feng Lan finally realized that the master had kept him behind yesterday to let him rest 

early, purely for his own health. 

With a shy smile, Feng Lan's voice was slightly hoarse, "Thank you for your concern, Master. It was Fang Lan’s 

oversight."

"Don't let it happen again." 

"Hmm," Feng Lan smiled sweetly, feeling a bit dizzy, his body unconsciously leaning towards Si Cang Qing. 

The words from his heart slipped out involuntarily, and he sighed softly, "Master, I like you..."

Listening to this whisper, the displeasure that had arisen because Feng Lan didn't take care of his body completely 

vanished. Si Cang Qing reached out and pulled Feng Lan, along with the blanket, into his arms, "Lan..."

Holding the person tightly in his arms, Si Cang Qing gently kissed the slightly hot forehead and licked it carefully 

with his lips and tongue.

"Mmm..." A soft moan escaped involuntarily. Feng Lan tightly closed his eyes, unsure if it was because of the 

illness, feeling as if he were floating, the heat on his forehead lingering, burning deep into his heart.

"Lan," Si Cang Qing stopped his teasing tongue, his lips moving to the person's ear, his deep voice no longer as 

cold as before, but soft and unreal like a gentle whisper, "You said you wanted to stay by my side forever." 

"You said you liked me," Si Cang Qing's voice paused for a moment, then continued, "I still don't quite understand

what liking means, but I am willing to promise you, a lifetime of companionship."

This was Si Cang Qing's promise, stated clearly.

"Master," he suddenly turned his head, almost bumping his forehead against Si Cang Qing's. In Feng Lan's eyes 

was disbelief; such a clear promise, something he wouldn't even dare to dream of, and now he was hearing it with 

his own ears. Apart from disbelief, it was hard to feel any other emotion.

Si Cang Qing thought that the other party really didn't hear him, so he repeated calmly: "I promise to stay with 

you for the rest of my life. From now on, you will never have the chance to regret it."

Upon hearing the words, Feng Lan finally convinced himself that this was not an illusion caused by illness. The 

emotions surging within him tangled together chaotically, clamoring and clamoring—then tears suddenly 

streamed down, silently flowing over his heated cheeks, the dual sensations of cold and heat intertwining in his 

heart.

Si Cang Qing couldn't help but frown slightly, reaching out to wipe away the person's tears, and said displeasedly, 

"Why are you crying?" Ever since that time at the mass grave outside Zhaoyang City, he knew he really disliked 

seeing this person's tears. 

"No," Feng Lan let Si Cang Qing wipe away his tears, holding back a sob, smiling through his tears, "I just feel a 

bit feverish."

Si Cang Qing's expression softened, one hand holding him close, the other gently wiping away his tears. "Take 

some medicine later, rest well these few days, and you'll get better." 

"Mm." Responding obediently, Feng Lan lay in Si Cang Qing's arms, looking up at his stern face, a slight smile 

on his lips. With this moment of warmth, no matter what happens in the future, he was already content. Even if he 

were to fall into darkness forever without a chance of redemption, he would have no regrets!

"Master," Feng Lan felt his throat dry and burning, with a hint of pain, but he insisted on speaking, "Being by 

your side, Feng Lan will never regret it." 

Si Cang Qing didn't say anything more, just gently stroked Feng Lan's cheek, holding him as he leaned back on 

the bed, his eyes lowered in deep thought.

◇Cang Huan◇Seven Palaces◇

"Your Highness, the medicine is ready." 

The young eunuch, holding a tray, carefully stepped over the threshold, approached the bed, and upon seeing the 

two embracing each other, instinctively averted his gaze, not daring to be curious. 

"Bring it here."

Seeing Si Cang Qing personally holding the medicine bowl and pretending to feed himself, Feng Lan shyly said 

in a low voice, "Master, let me do it myself!"

"It's okay." Si Cang Qing replied lightly, and moved the medicine bowl in his hand to Feng Lan's lips to make it 

easier for him to drink the medicine.

Doctor Qiu's medicine was always quite peculiar, bitter with a hint of sourness, but at this moment, what filled 

his stomach was a warm sensation and a faint fragrance.

The little eunuchs serving nearby all kept their eyes straight ahead, looking neither left nor right, their eyes 

focused on their noses and their noses on their hearts. 

A slight crack in the window let a beam of sunlight through, casting a warm glow.

In the court, Si Cang Qing silently listened to the ministers presenting the matter of establishing a consort. 

"Enough!" Si Cang Qing suddenly interrupted the lengthy discourse, his eyes icy. "Whether this palace takes a 

consort or not has nothing to do with you! This is a royal matter, and more importantly, a personal matter of this 

palace. Are you trying to overstep your bounds?"

"Your Highness, please calm down, this minister dare not!" The man was so frightened that his legs went weak, 

and he immediately knelt down.

They had not forgotten Si Cang Qing's cold and ruthless nature. However, since the new policy was implemented, 

Si Cang Qing had mostly been quietly listening to the opinions of the ministers in court and then making 

decisions, rarely acting unilaterally. It was precisely because of this that they dared to repeatedly bring up the 

matter of establishing a consort.

At this moment, Qi Xiangwen also stepped forward, looking righteous, "Your Highness, we do not dare to 

overstep our bounds. However, now that Your Highness has already passed the age for taking a consort, for the 

sake of the royal bloodline of our Canghuan Kingdom, it would be best for Your Highness to make a decision as 

soon as possible."

Si Cang Qing stared coldly at Qi Xiangwen, remaining silent for a long time. 

Qi Xiangwen felt cold sweat trickling down his back, and his heart raced wildly.

In the grand hall, there was a dead silence. The oppressive atmosphere made the officials feel anxious, and they 

began to reflect on whether their actions had gone too far. When the Crown Prince got angry, they often ended up 

losing half their lives!

Until everyone couldn't help but start breathing rapidly, Si Cang Qing finally retracted the released true energy, 

"The royal bloodline of Canghuan is a private matter of our royal family, what does it have to do with you! You, 

as officials in the court, should serve our emperor above and share the burdens of the people below, not meddle 

in the emperor's affairs! Minister of Revenue Liu Yi..."

"Your humble servant is here!" Suddenly being called out, Liu Yi immediately stepped forward. Although it was 

somewhat bewildering, he... 

"This palace asks you, where lies the duty of a minister?"

"Replying to Your Highness, the sages of ancient times have said: As a minister, one should be loyal and 

respectful to the ruler above, and love and care for the people below. One should act appropriately in all 

situations, think in times of peace, and act in times of war. One should be close to the ruler in guidance and 

distant in assistance. One should interact with righteousness and handle affairs with integrity. If the ruler makes 

a mistake, one should advise; if the ruler has concerns, then one should serve them.”

"Minister Liu's words, you all have heard them.” Si Cang Qing said lightly, "As for the matter of establishing a 

consort, it does not endanger the ruler above nor harm the people below. Why are you forcing this palace? Now 

that the new policies of Canghuan have just begun, and the chronic problems are hard to eradicate, you do not 

distinguish the ruler's concerns but instead add to the troubles. This goes against the duty of loyalty and service to 

the ruler. Do you want this palace to once again purge the officials?"

"Your Highness, please calm down!" All the ministers knelt down immediately.

"Considering that you have no ill intentions, this palace will temporarily spare you," Si Cang Qing stood up and 

announced from a position of authority, "Since you are so concerned about the prince's selection of a consort, This 

palace hereby decree that Feng Lan, the commander of the Eastern Palace, be appointed as the Crown Princess 

of the Canghuan Kingdom, with the wedding ceremony to be held on April 14th."

The ministers were in an uproar, disregarding etiquette, all looking up in shock at the indifferent prince on the 

throne. 

"Your Highness, Your Highness, you mustn't!"

The old ministers led by Qi Xiangwen once again knelt down in unison, "Your Highness, appointing Commander 

Feng Lan as a consort truly goes against the principles of heaven and earth, and the moral codes of humanity!" 

"This palace’s decision is final," Si Cang Qing said indifferently, looking at the stunned officials and the old 

ministers who kept kneeling, "This is a matter of the royal family, and you have no right to interfere."

"The old minister should fulfill his duty as a subject," Qi Xiangwen said, tears streaming down his face, "If the 

ruler makes a mistake, then I will advise him. If my advice is not heeded, then I will speak out!"

"What a fine example of 'advice not taken leads to reproach!'" At this moment, Si Cang Qing was truly enraged, 

his usually calm demeanor now stirred up. "If you violate the principles of yin and yang, Qi Xiangwen, how 

many of you old ministers have not kept male pets?"

"Your Highness..." Hearing Si Cang Qing openly expose their clandestine dealings, they couldn't help but 

tremble. 

"A country is based on its people; the people choose a wise ruler." Si Cang Qing's tone returned to normal, "This 

palace has been in power for two years. This palace is loyal to the king, caring for the people, spreading opinions 

and recruiting talents. The move of establishing a concubine now does not harm the people's foundation. What is 

wrong with it?"

Without further ado, Si Cang Qing spoke decisively, "The matter of establishing a concubine has been decided, 

and you don't need to make any more comments. If..."

Si Cang Qing's eyes were icy as he looked at the kneeling old minister, "You advise but do not advance, and this 

palace will not stop you. To threaten the sovereign with death is to be disloyal and unvirtuous. Such a minister, I, 

Canghuan, do not need!"

"Dismissed!"

A storm over the prince's selection of a consort finally came to an end under the unwavering determination of 

Prince Si Cang Qing. 

On April 14th, at the end of the Qingfeng era, Prince Si Cang Qing broke with tradition by marrying a man as his 

primary consort, thus setting a precedent for marrying a male spouse.

Si Cang Qing's actions, on the contrary, became a beautiful story among the people, with all sorts of sayings like 

"not loving the country but loving the beauty" spreading among the populace.

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