BLPSG Chapter 11: Wen Qingci’s voice

 

The Cuckoo’s Soft Cries awakened the young man in the Room

 

Xie Bufeng’s fever finally subsided.

 

The events of last night slowly surfaced in his mind bit by bit.

 

Just when Xie Bufeng thought it was all just a ridiculous dream, the gentle throb of his pulse in his palm suddenly disrupted his thoughts.

 

He held his breath and slowly turned sideways to look at the bed…

 

There was a medicine bowl on the small table, and on his forehead, there was still a silk handkerchief placed gently.

 

Wen Qingci was draped in a large cloak, leaning against the side of the bed, his brows showing an unshakeable weariness.

 

His wrist was tightly grasped in his own hand.

 

He had slept like this the whole night.

 

In the next moment, Xie Bufeng’s fingertips suddenly felt like they were being burned by fire.

 

…

 

 

It was time for the routine consultation.

 

As usual, Wen Qingci waited outside the Ninghe Hall on time.

 

However, unlike previous times, Ninghe Hall seemed unusually lively today.

 

The emperor had just finished inspecting the second prince’s studies and had not yet dismissed him. The mother of the third prince appeared here again, kneeling with a thud in the hall, startling all the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall.

 

The emperor was also quite surprised: “Long time no see, beloved consort, what does this mean?”

 

Although he called her “beloved consort”, there was a faint impatience in his eyes.

 

Seeing this, Xian Gonggong quickly stepped forward to help her up: “Oh, Consort Wan, what are you doing? If there’s anything, just tell His Majesty directly.”

 

Consort Wan was wearing a slightly outdated sandalwood-colored long dress.

 

Her body trembled slightly with nervousness, and she appeared extremely constrained and uneasy.

 

On the side, the third prince looked guilty.

 

Consort Wan took a deep breath and shook her head gently: “Today, this consort came to see Your Majesty because… of the matter concerning the eldest prince.”

 

“Xie Bufeng?” The emperor pressed his temple with his fingers, “What’s wrong with him?”

 

“This one saw the third prince still wearing a heavy scarf in the palace today, so I became suspicious. Upon closer inspection, I found… a long scar on the prince’s neck!” Her voice trembled uncontrollably.

 

“Mother Consort, maybe… it’s better to forget about it?” Feeling guilty, the third prince quietly tugged at the sleeve of the person next to him.

 

How could Consort Wan, who almost had her son’s throat cut, possibly let it go?

 

“…Please judge, Your Majesty!” Consort Wan was about to unfold the third prince’s scarf to let the emperor see his injury with his own eyes.

 

“No, you can’t do that.” Afraid of offending the emperor, Xian Gonggong quickly stopped her.

 

Finally, the person on the throne spoke: “You said this was caused by Xie Bufeng?”

 

“Yes…” Consort Wan wiped away her tears, “The third prince told me that he was just curious to see if the eldest prince really couldn’t feel pain as the rumors say. He didn’t expect to anger the other party and get injured by the eldest prince.” Her words were tinged with tears.

 

The third prince, on the other hand, knelt there like a frightened quail.

 

Nonsense!

 

The voices from the hall transmitted through the Linghua doors, and Wen Qingci, who was waiting outside, furrowed his brows.

 

Consort Wan was originally a musician, with a somewhat timid personality, and she didn’t have much presence in the palace.

 

“Supporting the Ming Hall” often describes the relationship between mothers and sons with “a kind mother often spoils her son,” describing this mother-son pair.

 

Now, it seemed that this description was particularly apt.

 

The third prince, that little liar, was lying in front of his mother.

 

He deliberately concealed the existence of the trap and pretended to be a victim, and his mother actually believed him?

 

Seeing that the emperor remained silent, Consort Wan’s gaze suddenly fell on the second prince who had not left yet.

 

She said urgently, “Your Majesty, the second prince was also present that day. If you don’t believe it, you can ask the second prince…”

 

“Oh? Guanzhi was also there?”

 

Xie Guanzhi, whose name was called, had no choice but to step forward and help the third prince lie: “…Yes, father.”

 

At this, the emperor’s face darkened, “Summon Consort Lan and Xie Bufeng here.”

 

Then he stretched the cold white jade between his fingers and pressed it heavily against his temple.

 

“Yes!” Xian Gonggong hurriedly left the hall.

 

He urged the little eunuch to fetch people while quickly inviting Wen Qingci in: “Your Majesty seems to have a headache. Wen Xiansheng, please go in quickly and take a look!”

After Wen Qingci started prescribing the medicine for a few days, the emperor’s illness was really relieved.

 

Now Xian Gonggong looked at him as if he were a lifesaving straw.

 

After entering the hall, Wen Qingci didn’t ask much, but directly checked the emperor’s pulse and administered acupuncture.

 

After a few needles, the tight furrow between the emperor’s brows finally relaxed a bit.

 

Just as he put away the silver needle, Consort Lan and Xie Bufeng arrived one after another.

 

Seeing this mother and son appearing together, although they stood side by side, they seemed unfamiliar with each other from head to toe.

 

… Just like two strangers, looking at them was quite strange.

 

On the way here, the eunuch had already informed Consort Lan of what had happened in Ninghe Hall.

 

So when they arrived, the emperor directly said to her, “Since Consort Lan is in charge of the harem, then this matter should be decided by you.”

 

The emperor trusted Consort Lan and gave her the power to manage the harem, so she naturally couldn’t cover up for Xie Bufeng. She even needed to be extra careful not to arouse suspicion.

 

Although it was expected that Consort Lan would heavily punish them, her answer was still unexpected by everyone.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Ming Liu helped Lan Fei, who was pregnant, to kneel down.

 

“The prince is guilty of the same crime as the common people…” Consort Lan took a deep breath and said solemnly, “I believe, according to the Wei dynasty law, the eldest prince should be handed over to the government for punishment.”

 

As they hurried along, Consort Lan’s face became somewhat pale, but her tone remained firm.

 

… This move was too ruthless, wasn’t it?

 

Wen Qingci’s hand with the acupuncture needle paused.

 

If he hadn’t read “Supporting the Ming Hall”, he would have doubted whether Xie Bufeng was really Consort Lan’s biological son!

 

With this sentence, Consort Lan turned a “family matter” into a “public matter,” completely excluding herself.

 

In history, there have been princes who were sent to the Ministry of Justice for rebellion.

 

But there has never been one who was truly treated as a commoner and imprisoned in the government Bureau.

 

By then, Xie Bufeng would not only face severe punishment but also become the laughingstock of the world.

 

Wen Qingci couldn’t help but grip the silver needle tighter.

 

Everyone in Ninghe Hall held their breath.

 

『”Troublemaker… It would have been better if Consort Lan had not given birth to him. Maybe she would have become an Empress now.” 』Ming Liu clasped his hands tight unwillingly, 『”It doesn’t matter if he’s locked up in the government bureau, at least he won’t cause trouble in the palace for a while.” 』

 

Xie Bufeng lowered his head and smiled.

 

He did not kneel down to admit his mistake, nor simply accept the punishment. Instead, he focused his attention on the timid third prince.

 

The young man’s body couldn’t help but tremble:『”Fortunately, he was not in Ninghe Hall just now. He didn’t know that I hid the beast trap…”』

 

have no idea?

 

Xie Bufeng raised his eyebrows lightly and said with full sarcasm: “The third prince, you cannot hide the fact that you buried the beast trap in the snow just because I was not in Ninghe Hall just now.”

 

“You, you—” the third prince subconsciously retorted, “you’re talking nonsense!”

 

Seeing that the emperor’s expression was unhappy, Xian Gonggong hurriedly interjected: “Your Highness, you can’t say this nonsense. Where did the beast trap come from in Taishu Palace?”

 

“We have to ask Xie Yinshang.”

 

Xie Bufeng directly named the third prince, and the little fat man couldn’t help but tremble again.

 

Of course, the third prince couldn’t admit it at this point: “…I have never seen any beast trap! Father, please take a closer look——”

 

No one in the huge Ninghe Hall believed Xie Bufeng’s words.

 

“Okay, okay, Your Highnesses, Ninghe Hall is not a place to resolve cases.”

 

Xian Gonggong has served the emperor for most of his life. He knows best how to observe the emperor’s words and express what he is too lazy to say.

 

Hearing this, Wen Qingci immediately understood… The emperor didn’t care who lied or was injured between Xie Bufeng and the third prince, and he didn’t bother to find out the so-called “truth”.

 

He was so upset that he just wanted to end this farce quickly.

 

Sure enough, the emperor turned his attention to Consort Lan again, waiting for her to express her position.

 

“What do you think, Consort?”

 

Consort Lan was about to speak when she was suddenly interrupted by Wen Qingci.

 

The imperial physician, who was dressed in moon white, gently put down the medicine box in his hand.

 

He suddenly turned around, took a few steps back, rolled up his sleeves and saluted the emperor.

 

Wen Qingci’s movements were extremely elegant. His eyes were full of compassion, his body was noble and graceful, and his temperament was far superior to that of the princes.

 

At the same time, a sudden sound appeared in Xie Bufeng’s ears.

 

『”Shut up, you stupid -“』

 

Clear, soft… is Wen Qingci’s voice.

 

This is impossible.

 

Xie Bufeng looked at Wen Qingci in disbelief.

 

This was the first time he heard what the other person was thinking.

 

The Ninghe Hall was extremely quiet, and every word Wen Qingci said was firmly imprinted on Xie Bufeng’s heart.

 

But the young man still suspected…maybe his fever hadn’t gone away yet? That sentence just now was nothing more than an illusion.

 

“Physician Wen?” The emperor was also surprised by his actions, “Do you have anything to say?”

 

After taking the medicine for a few days, his attitude towards Wen Qingci became a little more respectful.

 

Wen Qingci slowly held his breath.

 

He knows very well… As an imperial physician, he can treat illnesses and save people with peace of mind, and just do his job well.

 

You must not get involved in politics or palace battles, as this can easily lead to you falling into a swamp little by little without realizing it…

 

The ending of the original owner being dismembered by five horses is inseparable from the fact that he gave advice to the emperor and went to the battlefield.

 

But if he didn’t say it, no one present, including Consort Lan, would believe Xie Bufeng’s words.

 

… Do I really want to protect myself wisely and watch Xie Bufeng being imprisoned in the government bureau?

 

Asking himself, Wen Qingci cannot do it.

 

Wen Qingci lowered his eyes and said softly: “There is indeed something.”

 

His tone was calm, incompatible with the tense atmosphere in Ninghe Hall, and his words flowed slowly from his ears into his heart like a stream.

 

“On the night of the Sheri Festival, I did help His Highness remove a beast trap from his shoulder.”

 

“Today, the beast trap is still kept in the Imperial Medical Bureau.”

 

The third prince’s face suddenly lost all color.

 

He never expected that Wen Qingci had taken off the beast trap on Xie Bufeng’s shoulder!

 

Unlike other imperial physicians, Wen Qingci was obsessed with medical skills and did not care about extraneous matters. He always said what he had to say.

 

The most terrifying thing is that now even his father respects him…

 

There was silence in Ninghe Hall.

 

Xie Bufeng’s eyes were firmly fixed on Wen Qingci.

 

Although Wen Qingci was kneeling here, his exceptionally calm and composed figure seemed like a divine being descending to pity the world.

 

In the next moment, Xie Bufeng clenched his fist tighter.

 

He suddenly felt that the scene before him was extremely dazzling…

 

Wen Qingci shouldn’t be kneeling here.

 

He should not kneel to anyone.