Chapter 68: The Supreme Throne

Yan Ziqi was originally watching the doctor apply medicine to Li Ning’an when he suddenly felt her bite him.

It wasn’t until she tasted blood that Li Ning’an realized she had bitten down too hard.

But it did help distract her from the pain.

After finishing the bandaging, the doctor stood up and said, “This medicine works very quickly. With the addition of a decoction, she’ll be fully healed within a month.”

Yan Ziqi could only glare at Li Ning’an, unable to vent his frustration, and addressed the doctor. “I understand. Thank you for your efforts.”

The doctor quickly replied, “It’s my duty; no need to thank me.”

As the doctor left to prepare the decoction, Yan Ziqi considered sending someone to the palace to bring any maid to assist Li Ning’an.

Seeing Yan Ziqi busily tending to her and noticing the bite marks on his arm, Li Ning’an spoke, “You should apply some medicine too.”

Yan Ziqi rolled his eyes. “I’d rather not embarrass myself.”

It wasn’t a big deal; the mark would fade in a few days.

Hongxiu and Xing’e had arrived. Both knew the princess was undertaking something significant, but they hadn’t expected it would be like this.

“How could Prince Jing act so terribly? How could he dare raise his hand against the princess, especially when he’s supposed to be a senior!”

Xing’e was fuming, pacing around the room.

Li Ning’an grimaced as Hongxiu fed her the bitter decoction, sticking out her tongue as the taste lingered.

Fortunately, Hongxiu quickly slipped a sweet preserved fruit into her mouth to offset the bitterness.

Hongxiu was calmer than Xing’e and noticed Yan Ziqi sitting by the window, giving Xing’e a sign to stop pacing.

“You’re going to make the princess dizzy with all that pacing.”

Xing’e stopped immediately and rushed over.

“Princess, I didn’t mean it.”

Xing’e was the type to act before thinking, and Li Ning’an didn’t mind her behavior.

Yan Ziqi had initially been feeding Li Ning’an the medicine himself, hoping to make her realize the risk she’d taken. Charging in to confront Prince Jing alone…

He had expected at least Yuan Ze to accompany her.

But as soon as Hongxiu and Xing’e arrived, they elbowed him aside.

Hongxiu had brought various items, including the preserved fruit from a brocade box.

She handed the empty bowl to Xing’e, telling her to take it to the kitchen.

The princess, in her anxiety, must have forgotten to maintain her distance from Prince Jing.

If not for the Emperor’s perilous situation, the princess would have surely been more cautious.

“Though Yuan Ze was punished with thirty lashes, I sent Fan Lü to deliver some ointment. Soon enough, he’ll be lively again,” Hongxiu reported.

Li Ning’an nodded. “Give them some silver too.”

Hongxiu understood this as a gesture of compensation from the princess. “I’ll see to it.”

“For now, please rest well. Let Xing’e and me handle things.”

Li Ning’an gradually calmed down and whispered to Hongxiu, “Since things have reached this point, spread some word around.”

Though they spoke quietly, Yan Ziqi, possessing martial skills, heard them clearly from his seat in the room.

“Spread the news that I’m staying overnight at Duke Xiang’s residence.”

“I guessed you’d want this, so I already reported we’d be staying here when we left the palace.”

Li Ning’an gave Hongxiu an approving look. “With this leg injury, I can’t return to the palace. Tomorrow, let Fan Lü help me keep an eye on things.”

Tomorrow, the Crown Prince of Chijin would officially pay his respects, and the civil and military officials would gather in the Hall of Governance. The gifts he brought would be handed over to the Ministry of Rites.

As for the beauties, whether the Emperor would keep them or not remained uncertain.

The Chijin Crown Prince’s requests, including the potential release of General Tong, would also be addressed.

Arrangements would be made for who would accompany the Chijin Crown Prince during his stay in Qi.

The midday banquet would also honor the entire Northern Jin delegation.

Fan Lü was close to Fuxi and, though not formally adopted by Yanshu, was well-connected enough to overhear considerable news.

Suddenly, Yan Ziqi interjected, “Have you considered how the Ministry of Revenue will manage?”

Li Ning’an wasn’t surprised he knew; they had both mentioned it in their letters.

“This can wait until we retrieve the ‘Dragon Prosperity’ documents.”

With Prince Jing’s rebellion, confiscation of his assets was inevitable.

What he left behind could serve as emergency funds.

Plus, Wendi was stationed there, and under the protection of his esteemed father, Grand Tutor Wen, he was unafraid to offend anyone.

Li Ning’an turned to Hongxiu. “Any updates from the Fu residence?”

Hongxiu shook her head. “Our people can’t guard every door; we can’t be sure if he left through another route.”

Furthermore, Fu Minglang had been leading a rather simple life lately. Besides his duties at the Ministry of Revenue, he had been spending time with the Emperor, attending to state affairs, but it was unclear whether he had made any contributions.

His interactions outside of work were extremely limited, only involving occasional visits to the Grand Tutor Wen’s residence.

Suddenly, Hongxiu recalled, “Yuan Ze mentioned that the guards saw the Fourth Princess leave.”

“But they didn’t know who she was meeting. However, when the Fourth Princess returned, she looked very pleased.”

Yan Ziqi listened to Li Ning’an and sensed she seemed to be secretly monitoring Fu Minglang—not out of affection, but out of caution.

What was it about Fu Minglang that warranted her vigilance? Although he had been appointed Deputy Minister of Revenue, he did not wield total authority over the ministry.

Meanwhile, Water Mingxi was recovering and was reassigned to the Zhongshu Province under the Grand Tutor Wen. As soon as he achieved some results, the position of Chancellor would be within reach.

In the palace, Prince Jing’s body was quietly taken away.

His life had come to an end.

The Mingde Emperor had never harmed his own kin and had treated Prince Jing well, so he couldn’t comprehend why Prince Jing would attempt to usurp the throne.

This position was solitary, cold, and cruel.

It wasn’t as good as everyone imagined.

People only saw the benefits of power but did not understand the sacrifices required behind the scenes.

To honor his father and uphold his identity as the eldest son, the Mingde Emperor studied diligently every day.

He wanted to learn how to be a qualified ruler, embodying brotherly friendship, gentleness, and humility.

He understood that against formidable enemies, he must learn to bide his time, striking decisively.

After ascending the throne, the Mingde Emperor found himself overwhelmed with responsibilities.

With Northern Yue watching closely, unrest brewed both inside and outside the palace.

Too many people coveted the throne, and the Mingde Emperor lived under constant threat from others’ schemes.

Prince Jing felt he lived in the shadows.

Yet the Mingde Emperor had given him everything he desired—freedom, the woman he loved, and substantial wealth.

Except for this position.

With his hands clasped behind him, the Mingde Emperor walked toward Qian Kun Palace, followed closely by Yan Su.

Suddenly, the Mingde Emperor halted. “Ning’an wants to go and pick the Dragon Prosperity flower for me. She doesn’t have many reliable people; you should pass that along.”

Yan Su replied, “Understood.”

Li Ning’an believed her intentions were hidden, but her father had already seen through her plans.

At this moment, she was still unaware that her father would stop her.

“I still think I need to go.”

Yan Ziqi looked at her injured leg and sarcastically said, “Have Hongxiu carry you. It’s not embarrassing.”

He still remembered the Chijin Crown Prince’s blatant affection for her.

Tomorrow, he might genuinely seek to marry Li Ning’an or even propose to be adopted into her family.

Hongxiu suggested a plausible explanation. “Why not say you fell off your horse?”

“That won’t work. I’m quite skilled at riding,” Li Ning’an insisted, prompting Hongxiu to think of another excuse.

Hongxiu couldn’t come up with a suitable alternative.

Li Ning’an blinked, noticing Yan Ziqi’s mischievous demeanor.

Yan Ziqi sensed a chill, realizing Li Ning’an was concocting another mischievous idea.

The next day at dawn, the Imperial Guards noticed the arrival of the Northern Yue delegation led by the Minister of Rites.

The Mingde Emperor had already finished the morning court session and was awaiting the Chijin Crown Prince and others in the Hall of Governance.

Moments later, the eunuchs outside announced, “The Northern Yue delegation has arrived.”

The ministers craned their necks to see but did not spot General Tong.

Why hadn’t they brought him in yet?

Were they truly unwilling to return him?

Could it be that General Tong had betrayed Da Qi?

That seemed unlikely; his family was in Da Qi, and he wouldn’t betray them.

A mere child… oh, a robust man couldn’t even stand against him.

He indeed matched the Fourth Princess’s description.

The bears in the royal hunting grounds appeared more pleasant than him.

Yan Ziqi was among the crowd, recalling Li Ning’an’s words from yesterday, feeling a wave of unease wash over him.