Chapter 45
Chapter 45: Watching the Falling Lotus Leaves in the Fields (Part 2)
"Master," Feng Lan looked up, the sunlight at midday piercing into his eyes, causing some pain, "You…
be careful along the way."
We were reunited yesterday and separated again today. But this was not the time to be sad. The emperor's health
could not be delayed any longer. Feng Lan smiled and said, "Master, don't worry about the affairs of the palace
and the court."
"Mm, take care of yourself." After giving the advice, Si Cang Qing tightened his hold on TianBi in his arms and
pulled the reins with one hand.
The white figure flashed like lightning, and Feng Lan silently watched the person gradually recede, letting out a
faint sigh.
Beside him, there were also Qiu Ping Tian and Liu Yi to see them off. Feng Lan gave them a faint smile, "The
master has already left, so let's return to the palace and discuss the recent affairs in the court."
Nodding silently, both Liu Yi and Qiu Ping Tian had heavy expressions as they turned and walked towards the
palace.
"If you feel unwell, just say so."
Suddenly hearing these words, TianBi was taken aback for a moment, then secretly curved his lips, "Your
Highness, you don't need to worry about me, I can hold on."
The horse was running too fast, and TianBi leaned against Si Cang Qing's chest, tightly hugging his waist. All he
could hear was the rushing wind by his ears, and the world was rapidly retreating behind him. He couldn't feel
anything else, only the warm chest behind him and the faint fragrance on his clothes. Although the turmoil inside
him was very uncomfortable, but…
TianBi closed his eyes. How long had it been since he had experienced the feeling of galloping on horseback?
Some nostalgia, some sadness.
He remembered that when he was young and full of vigor, he also raced horses in the wild. At that time, TianYang
ran behind with soft steps, and insisted on riding the horse. In desperation, he could only protect his brother
carefully as he did now, and then suddenly swung the whip, which was so sudden that it would often scare
TianYang, but he was not like an ordinary child who would cry and make a fuss. His younger brother laughed and
asked him to speed up.
TianBi held a slight smile and murmured, "Faster..."
But it was overheard by Si Cang Qing. Although he was somewhat puzzled, he had previously been somewhat
concerned about this person's frail body, but now he felt at ease.
Just as TianYang had said, he felt as if he were flying.
"Cough cough..."
Suddenly hearing TianBi's uncomfortable cough, Si Cang Qing immediately stopped the horse and leaned down to
check.
He saw that TianBi's face was pale, and the whole person seemed dazed. Si Cang Qing's eyes narrowed, he picked
the other person up horizontally, jumped off the horse, and casually sat down on the grass beside him.
Si Cang Qing sat down, let TianBi lie in his arms, took out the medicine bottle that he had prepared long ago, and
fed him the medicine. Then, he placed one hand behind his back and slowly practiced his energy.
"Your Highness," TianBi, who had recovered his breath, tilted his head slightly, "TianBi is a burden to you
again..."
How could he forget that his body could not withstand the slightest strain? The result of being willful was that he
would suffer and tire others.
"No," Si Cang Qing said calmly, "It was my negligence." He added, "Rest for a while before continuing on our
journey."
TianBi was momentarily stunned, a warm current spreading throughout her body. This warm feeling...
With a swift gallop, Si Cang Qing and the others reached the foot of Xueding Peak in less than ten days.
After staying for a few nights in the stone house where Si Cang Qing and Feng Lan used to live, TianBi finally
collected the snake gall and powder sacs he needed.
As he was leaving, he reluctantly turned back to look at the sea of flowers deep within the Qingsi Bamboo Forest.
It was beautiful here, serene and elegant, and even more secluded.
Si Cang Qing glanced at the other person and said lightly, "If you like it, you can stay here in the future."
He paused his steps, and TianBi looked at Si Cang Qing in surprise.
Si Cang Qing briefly explained, "You have nowhere to go; this is the best hiding place." He looked around at the
beautiful forest, "I have set up a formation here these past few days; no one can intrude."
This could be considered the price TianBi pays for treating the emperor's illness! Judging by that person's
expression that day, they probably don't intend to return to their original residence.
... It's just a small effort.
TianBi felt somewhat touched; no matter what the other party's intentions were, it was always a kind gesture. He
smiled and said, "In that case, TianBi won't be polite."
"Um."
Even though that person didn't use his energy to drive away the cold, he still felt a slight warmth in his heart, and
his heart, which had been cold for a long time, seemed to start beating again.
Even when he was the eldest prince of Hongcheng Kingdom, he was mostly concerned about protecting others.
When has he ever been cared for so much by others?
This cold-hearted person, with their casual and faint concern, makes one feel like crying.
TianBi smiled, "Your Highness, may I call you by your name as I did before?" He was originally a straightforward
person, and even back then, he called his friends by their names directly.
He always imagined calling this person as if he were calling his own brother...
Si Cang Qing found it strange why these people liked to get entangled in such nonsensical issues. A name is just a
code, why be so obsessed? "As you wish."
TianBi looked seriously at Si Cang Qing and gently called out, "Qing'er..."
Just like back then, when he called his own younger brother: Yang'er.
TianBi lowered his eyes and sighed. Why has he been constantly reminiscing about the past lately? Is it because
this person shares a similar identity with him? Or, when you walk into the crowd again, are there too many regrets
that you didn't have time to recall back then?
Perhaps it's because I'm getting old. TianBi stared blankly at Si Cang Qing's youthful face, eighteen years old, the
prime of life!
In front of him, a flash of green passed by.
On the way down the mountain, just like on the way up, Si Cang Qing held him lightly, swiftly weaving through
the forest.
◇Cang Huan◇Seven Palaces◇
As promised by Si Cang Qing, they returned to the palace in twenty days, bringing the most toxic substances from
the mortal realm, and began treating the emperor.
Without much rest, TianBi began preparing the medicinal soup. When the time came, the emperor would soak in it
until all the Gu worms were expelled, and then the Heart-Devouring Gu would be considered eradicated.
This action is extremely perilous. Not to mention whether the emperor's currently weakened body can withstand
the poison soup, even if the insect is forced out, it must be rescued in time. Otherwise, the toxins from the ecstasy
flower and the green silk snake will quickly spread throughout the body, ultimately leading to death from
poisoning.
In the imperial study, the emperor, rarely dressed formally, looked at Si Cang Qing with a solemn expression.
After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Qing'er, this time I don't know if I can make it through. In the future, the
Canghuan Kingdom will be entrusted to you..."
Saying this, he took out the jade seal and placed it in front of Si Cang Qing. The emperor, feeling slightly
sentimental, said, "Now, it's time to hand this over to you."
Si Cang Qing did not accept it; he calmly replied, "Wait until you recover, then according to the rites, hand the
jade seal over to me."
Bitterly smiling, Si Cang Jue Tian sighed helplessly, "Qing'er, why should I deceive myself? Now I can no longer
endure the torment of the Heart- Devouring Gu, so I'm taking a desperate gamble!"
He murmured to himself, "I also want to witness your majesty as an emperor in good health!"
Upon hearing this, Si Cang Qing slightly furrowed his brows and was about to speak when a commotion outside
interrupted him. He could only hear the hesitant voice of the guard, "Prime Minister, the Emperor has ordered that
no one is to be disturbed..."
"Si Cang JueTian!" A somewhat hysterical voice pierced through the eardrums. The Emperor was stunned, sighed
softly, and muttered, "How did he... get here?"
Si Cang Qing opened the door of the imperial study and looked indifferently at the man in front of him. His
weathered face no longer had the former steadiness and elegance, but was now filled with grief, anger and anxiety.
Like a whirlwind, Liu Ziwen burst into the imperial study, his face full of sorrow, pointing at the emperor,
trembling slightly, "You... how could you..."
If it weren't for the past few days when he saw Liu Yi's serious expression and probed for the truth, he wouldn't
have known that such a big incident had happened to the emperor. He always knew that this person's health had
deteriorated due to the Qin family's harm years ago, but he didn't know…
"Senior Brother (師兄 Shīxiōng: senior male fellow student or apprentice) ," the emperor calmed down, his
expression indifferent, neither happy nor fearful, "Why did you suddenly come here...?"
"Can't I come?" Liu Ziwen interrupted his words, his eyes filled with hurt and despair, "Si Cang JueTian, what do
you take me, your Shixiong, for? You kept such things from me for so long, just like back then..."
"Do you think your self-righteousness is for my good?" Liu Ziwen asked, staggering as he walked up to the
emperor, placing his hands on either side, looking down at him from above, "Do you think I would thank you?"
"Shixiong," the emperor smiled faintly, lowering his gaze so that his eyes were obscured, only a distant voice
could be heard: "In this life, I have wronged you..."
"Yes, you have let me down!" Liu Ziwen laughed up to the sky, "You made me hate you, resent you, and then
when I see you again, I only see a grave!"
"Si Cang JueTian, you are so ruthless..."
He was clearly in trouble, but he didn't want his help; he clearly had his own difficulties, but he allowed him to
misunderstand; he could clearly use his power to deal with the Qin family, but he refused to ask for help.
Now, on the verge of life and death, he is unwilling to say a word to himself.
If it weren't for Liu Yi finding out about the emperor's situation from Si Cang Qing, would he have been kept in
the dark by this person all along, only to realize it once the person disappeared?
The emperor finally could no longer maintain his composure. He slowly raised his head, looking back at the
person with sorrowful eyes, "What could I do? For the throne, I drove you away, and then when I was in trouble, I
shamelessly turned back to seek your help..."
He couldn't give this person anything, but at least he could promise not to exploit them, at least he could preserve
the beauty of the past.
Liu Ziwen shook his head, his tone heavy with pain, "Why are you always so resolute?" Back then, in a fit of
anger over a misunderstanding, he had left for distant lands, married, and had children. By the time he realized the
mistake, it was too late.
He originally thought that he could share some of the burden with this person when he returned to the court, but he
found himself being left aside.
He always knew that this person's health was poor and secretly inquired about the situation from Old Qiu, but
unexpectedly, Old Qiu also concealed the truth for this person...
How unbearable!
Just as the two were at a standstill, Si Cang Qing's voice suddenly interjected. He had been observing the situation
and confirmed that Liu Ziwen was genuinely concerned about the emperor!
He said to Liu Ziwen, "Prime Minister, you go back first." Turning his head to look at the Emperor, "The Heart-
Devouring Gu in Father's body can be removed!"
Liu Ziwen gave a faint smile. Liu Yi had informed him of the dangers involved, so these days, the few who knew
were all looking heavy-hearted.
Si Cang Qing stared steadily at Liu Ziwen and asked, "I assure you, Father will be fine." Si Cang JueTian was a
generation of emperor. He was able to develop his own power under the control of the Qin family and endured the
pain of the Heart-Devouring Gu for over ten years. Si Cang Qing believed that his will was strong enough, strong
enough to withstand the torment of that poisonous soup.
Liu Ziwen stared at Si Cang Qing in a daze, unable to speak for a long time.
Hmm, I find myself not really caring about their love story. Though I guess we’ve only just gotten started…
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