Chapter 16: The Illness of Empress Longsun

  Thanks to book friend Longteng Wan Shi, last night I reviewed the manuscript again and it's really a bit of a pit, many places have problems, slightly modified. Hope readers can give some opinions, thank you everyone!

  After returning to their own courtyard, Fang Yiai and Linglong looked at each other in boredom. Fang Yiai scratched his head and laughed: "Linglong, this whole day of playing Go is so boring, how about we play something else?"

  Linglong glanced at this unusual Second Young Master and smiled lightly, saying: "Second Young Master, why don't we play a game of filling in poems?"

  "Fill in the poem, how do you play it?" Fang Yi'ai was a bit bewildered, really hadn't heard of this game before, had heard of composing poems, but not filling in poems. Linglong found this second young master to be quite speechless, and could only patiently explain: "Second young master, it's actually very simple, I'll just say the first line of the poem, and you fill in the next line."

  Fang Yiai heard this game and wanted to cry, directly composing poetry that could even plagiarize famous poems of later generations. However, the difficulty of filling in poetry was too great, and Fang Yiai didn't quite understand such ordinary things. But seeing Linglong's hopeful face, Fang Yiai reluctantly replied: "Linglong, aren't you making me lose face? Alright, let's play fill-in poetry, after all, Second Master's face is thick."

  "Hehe, Second Master, wait a minute, I'll go get paper and pen." After finishing speaking, Linglong happily ran to her own room to fetch the paper and pen. After grinding the ink, Linglong placed the brush under her chin, thought for a moment, and said: "Second Master, in this first round, I'll ask the question first. My previous sentence is: Snowflakes fill the sky, white clothes fill the city!"

  Fang Yiai stroked his forehead and began to pace around the room, thinking to himself that he was really in trouble now. Why did he have to agree with Linglong? This poetry thing was really troublesome! After thinking for half a day, Fang Yiai finally said with his hands behind his back: "Not like silver snakes dancing, gentle breeze falls!" When Linglong heard Fang Yiai's words, she widened her beautiful eyes in surprise. She really didn't think that Fang Yiai could come up with something so fitting and poetic. After writing down the poem, Linglong smiled happily and said: "Second Master, those people who say you're useless are all foolish! You're much better than those self-proclaimed geniuses!"

  Fang Yi Ai stroked his chin and smiled: "Really? I think so too. Those geniuses really dare not to come up to me, it's just that in general situations, I don't take action!"

  Linglong couldn't help but feel helpless, this second young master was indeed not used to being praised, having just been praised for a moment and already becoming somewhat complacent. However, the poem that the second young master had just recited was truly excellent, the snow danced in the wind, fluttering and slowly falling into an unknown place.

  Linglong glanced at Fang Yiai standing in front of the desk, thought for a moment and smiled: "Second Master, my previous sentence was: Several times of cold and heat, several times of bitterness, how much smoke and rain, how many roads."

  Fang Yilove smiled wistfully and shook his head, only now realizing that Linglong's heart had always been lonely. Although she laughed every day, her heart was actually desolate. A talented woman, yet confined to this small courtyard every day, unable to see the ocean or snow-capped mountains, could only express her longing through poetry. Fang Yilove thought for a moment and said with a full voice: "In the solitary mountain, peach blossoms bloom in March, searching for a place to sing freely in the world!"

  When Fang Yu Ai finished speaking, Ling Long's eyes turned slightly red, she smiled happily and asked, "Second Young Master, will you really take me to see the peach blossoms?"

  Fang Yi Ai nodded gently, he thought Ling Long's smile was really beautiful, for Ling Long's smile he could be Zhou Youwang, and play with the beauty of the beacon fire. Ling Long's heart was filled with happiness, at this moment she felt that she was not lonely, she also had a kindred spirit, just like Yu Boya and Zi Qi, knowing each other is happiness.

  Looking at this ordinary-looking second young master, Linglong said lightly: "Hasten to part with you, I will not forget, rise and fall, I am not sad!"

  "Far apart are we, people at the sky's edge, hand in hand, our temples have turned to frost." Fang Yi'ai walked up to Ling Long and grasped her hands, smiling gently. Ling Long felt a surge of emotion, and buried herself in Fang Yi'ai's chest, tears welling up in her eyes as she sobbed, "Second Master, why are you so good to me? My heart is no longer calm, don't you know?"

  "Linglong, isn't it good that things are no longer calm?" Fang Yiai said slowly, like an old scholar. Linglong gently pounded on Fang Yiai's chest and cried: "Second Young Master, why must you deceive yourself? You are the second young master of the Fang Manor, your future wife is destined to be a noble lady, while I am just a humble maid."

  "Dummy, don't cry anymore, okay? You're making me heartbroken." Fang Yi'ai held Linglong's delicate face and smiled bitterly. He hated those who broke the rules, why did they have to be so traditional? He disliked these things, but he couldn't resist because one person can't fight against an entire era.

  Thinking about those people in the past life, who would break social norms at every turn, wasn't that just harming others?

  Looking at Fang Yi'ai's bitter face, Linglong wiped away her tears and covered his mouth with a sorrowful smile. "Second Master, don't say anything else. I'm just feeling a bit suffocated, crying it out is fine. I understand everything, I'll be yours for a lifetime, as long as you don't drive me away, I'll follow you till our hair turns gray."

  Fang Yi'ai hugged Linglong tightly and said in a soft voice, "Linglong, how could I possibly drive you away? If I'm not good to you, just go to my mother and say something bad about me, and I'll be done for!" Linglong leaned against Fang Yi'ai's chest, smiling with utmost satisfaction: "Second Young Master, as long as you know that!"

  At dinner time, Fang Xuanling sat at the table with a distracted look on his face, not even noticing Lu's nagging voice, just frowning and drinking wine. Fang Yiai looked worried and gave Fang Yizhi an inquiring glance, but Fang Yizhi shook his head helplessly, indicating that he didn't know what was going on either. After dinner, the two brothers did not leave, but followed Fang Xuanling to the study, where Fang Yiai asked: "Father, is something wrong? You seemed troubled during dinner!"

  "Yes, father, is it that old scoundrel Zhangsun Wuji coming to bother you again?" asked Fang Yizhi, also frowning.

  "Heh heh, Jie Er, Jun Er, it's nothing major." Fang Xuanling waved his hand, a bitter smile on his face. "It's just that Empress Longsun's illness has relapsed recently, and the imperial physicians are at a loss for what to do. According to them, Empress Longsun probably won't make it past this winter, which means she only has a few months left. Because of this, His Majesty doesn't even want to deal with state affairs anymore, and is spending all his time accompanying Empress Longsun!"

  "Father, this is human nature, besides, in the current prosperous era, even if Your Majesty neglects state affairs, it won't be a big problem." Fang Yi thought that His Majesty's behavior was just human nature and not worth Fang Xuanling's worry.

  Fang Yi Ai nodded after hearing Fang Yi Zhi's words, stroked his chin and thought for a moment before saying: "Father, I think big brother is right, are you worried about something else?"

  Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and nodded slightly, smiling with relief: "Jun'er is right, I'm not worried about Your Majesty's affairs, but rather the princes. As a father who has followed Your Majesty for twenty years, I know your character, and it can be said that you are too strict with your sons, resulting in poor relationships between them. It's always been Empress Changsun who intervenes to maintain things. If Empress Changsun were to pass away, I fear that one day Your Majesty and the princes will have a falling out."

  House Yuai admired his father, House Xuanling, very much. This was indeed worthy of the most strategic person in the Great Tang Dynasty, and he judged so accurately. Thinking about it later, Li Chengqian, Li Yu, and Li Tai all rebelled, but House Yuai knew that these things could have been avoided. Neither Li Chengqian nor Li Yu were truly rebellious, but Li Shimin's personality was too hard, resulting in a lack of communication between father and son. If Empress Zhangsun were still alive, the relationship between Li Shimin and his sons would not have become so strained. House Yuai thought about Empress Zhangsun's illness and was at a loss. He remembered that she had suffered from asthma, which could only be slowly nursed back to health, and it was unlikely that she could be cured.

  Seeing Fang Xuanling frowning and thinking hard, Fang Xuanling smiled helplessly: "Jun'er, don't think too much about it. Now we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate. Since the birth of Princess Xin Cheng, the Empress's body has not been well. Moreover, she originally had a respiratory disease, and now even the imperial doctor is helpless. Nowadays, His Majesty is worried and sad all day long, constantly taking various supplements for Empress Longsun, and rich food has never stopped. His Majesty has been frugal for over a decade, but this time it's an exception for Empress Longsun."

  Who would have thought that after listening to Fang Xuanling's words, Fang Yai directly widened her eyes in incredulity and said: "What? Every day letting Empress Changsun eat big fish and meat, this is called a great tonic? Isn't this wanting Empress Changsun to die quickly?" In fact, it's not surprising that Fang Yai said such rebellious words, people with asthma are most afraid of eating big fish and meat. Although Li Shimin had good intentions, he ended up harming Empress Changsun.

  "Shut up, what nonsense are you spouting? Can't the Emperor treat Empress Changsun a bit better? You'd better watch your words, if the Emperor hears this, he'll have your head chopped off!" Fang Xuanling roared at Fang Yiai. Only then did Fang Yiai come to his senses - this was the Tang Dynasty, where freedom of speech wasn't exactly encouraged. Just one careless remark about disrespecting Emperor Taizong could get him beheaded. Fang Yiai smiled awkwardly and said, "Father, please calm down, we're at home, aren't we? But I'm not talking nonsense, Empress Changsun really can't keep going on like this, or she'll truly be beyond salvation!"

  Fang Xuanling looked at Fang Yiai and asked with a hint of doubt, "Jun'er, are you telling the truth? When did you learn medicine?"

  "Hey, Father, what medical skills do I know? I just happened to see some information about Qi disease when I was reading books before. Am I not your son? Don't you know if I've studied medicine or not?" Fang Yiai made a bitter face, he wasn't afraid of Fang Xuanling asking him where he saw it from, because as long as he told him that he couldn't remember, it would be fine. Fang Xuanling tapped his fingers on the table and frowned, "Jun'er, since you have some understanding of Qi disease, do you have any diagnostic or treatment methods?"

  "Dad, it's impossible to completely cure this, we can only take care of it slowly and do a good job in preventing it from happening again. However, eating so much rich food every day is definitely not the way to go." Fang Yi'ai replied seriously.

  "Oh? Is Jun Er's words true? If she is well taken care of, how much longer can Empress Zhangsun live?" asked Fang Xuanling somewhat hastily.

  "Father, you're making things difficult for the boy, who can be certain about this? However, it's definite that the eldest grandson will gradually get better. As for how long he'll live, I don't know." Fang Yilove felt that Fang Xuanling was asking something that left her speechless. This person with a respiratory illness might suddenly stop breathing and die at any moment, who could guarantee otherwise? However, Fang Xuanling still excitedly stood up, pulled Fang Yilove along while walking outside, and shouted towards the outside: "Fang De, prepare the horse!" This directly left Fang Yilove confused, what was this old man thinking?!

  Fang Yi almost fainted and hastily grabbed Fang Xuanling's sleeve, bitterly smiling: "Father, where are you taking Second Brother to at this late hour?"

  "Nonsense, of course I'm going to the palace to treat the Crown Prince's illness. Do you think I'd be out gallivanting around at this late hour?" Fang Xuanling scolded his two brothers, who were staring blankly. Fang Yizhi glanced at Fang Yiai and gave him a "good luck" look before turning and heading towards his own east wing residence. Fang Yiai was on the verge of exploding in frustration, tugging on Fang Xuanling's sleeve and saying pitifully: "Father, I've only seen cases of this illness before, but I'm not confident... what if I fail to cure the Crown Prince's illness? Won't the Emperor have me beheaded?"

  "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I know that person very well and he won't vent his anger on anyone casually." Fang Xuanling didn't pay any attention to Fang Yizhi's words and directly drove him away from the horse.

  Fang Yi rode his horse alongside the old master, his heart racing with anxiety. He felt that this Chang'an night was so dark. The sound of horseshoes echoed as the Fang family guards followed behind, equally perplexed - what could the old master be doing taking the second young master to the imperial palace at such a late hour?