Ping Zhao Lu

Chapter 163 Reunion

Dongping Marquis Mansion

Zhuang Yan was extremely anxious. He followed the servant leading the way in front of him at the speed of wind and rushed all the way to a room in the West Garden.

After finally arriving at the destination, Zhuang Yan slowly stopped and stood in front of the door, feeling very nervous.

I had wanted to come visit yesterday, but I was injured and had difficulty moving, so I had to suppress the urge and waited another day.

Until today, when my health condition improved a little, I couldn't wait to rush here.

I just happened to hear that Shang Jiu woke up.

This made his already nervous mood even more difficult to calm down.

Seeing Zhuang Yan standing in front of the door for a long time without any intention of knocking or entering, the servant beside him looked puzzled and called out softly, "Sir?"

This sudden call brought Zhuang Yan back to his senses instantly. He turned to look at the servant with a hint of embarrassment on his face. He lowered his voice and said to him, "You go down first. I can go in by myself."

"Yes." The servant responded respectfully, then left as ordered.

After the servant left, Zhuang Yan took a deep breath, slowly raised his hand, and after hesitating for a long time, gently knocked on the door in front of him.

"Knock Knock-"

Two crisp and short knocks on the door rang out in the silent air.

Shang Jiu, who was bandaging his wounds in the house, heard a knock on the door. He paused, quickly tidied up his clothes that had been pulled down to his waist, and put them on neatly. Then, he endured the pain in his body, stood up with difficulty, and walked slowly towards the door.

After a while, accompanied by a slight "creak" sound, the door slowly opened.

The two people inside and outside the house looked at each other without any warning, and time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Zhuang Yan, who was the first to react, quickly lowered his head, his eyes dodging, as if he didn't dare to look directly at the person in front of him. He stammered, "Fortunately, you're okay."

Hearing this, Shang Jiu's heart tightened. He lowered his eyes and carefully examined Zhuang Yan in front of him. With just a quick glance, he accurately locked onto the scratched back of Zhuang Yan's hand.

Shang Jiu's eyes darkened instantly, and he said in a weak voice, "Come in."

"Oh... okay." Zhuang Yan seemed a little at a loss. He nodded and walked into the house with slightly hurried steps.

After Zhuang Yan entered the room, Shang Jiu gently closed the door.

Zhuang Yan stood there somewhat uncomfortably. After looking around, he finally chose to sit casually on a chair in the room.

As soon as he sat down, he caught a glimpse of some items on the table from the corner of his eye - blood-stained cloth strips and scattered medicine bottles.

When seeing these things, Zhuang Yan felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart.

At this time, Shang Jiu walked over and sat down opposite him.

Then, under his astonished gaze, he reached out without hesitation and gently grabbed the other person's scratched hand, picked up a brand new cotton swab, dipped it in some iodine, and gently wiped the wound on Zhuang Yan's hand.

This sudden action made Zhuang Yan feel flustered and his heart began to beat rapidly for no apparent reason.

He stared blankly at Shang Jiu who was concentrating on treating his wounds, and was a little at a loss for a moment.

Just as he was stunned, the wound on the back of his hand had already been skillfully bandaged by Shang Jiu.

When he came to his senses, he found that Shang Jiu had already started to apply medicine to him.

At this time, Shang Jiu seemed not to notice the concerned look in Zhuang Yan's eyes. He stretched out his right hand and slowly took off the clothes on his left shoulder.

As the clothes slipped off, a hideous wound suddenly appeared in front of Zhuang Yan.

The wound was extremely deep, obviously caused by being pierced by an extremely sharp sword. The surrounding flesh was rolled outwards, and blood was still oozing out of the wound, which looked horrifying.

When Zhuang Yan saw this, his pupils trembled violently.

How painful it is!

Shang Jiu looked calm as he skillfully applied medicine to his wound.

Zhuang Yan watched all this silently, feeling very uncomfortable.

He moved his fingers subconsciously, then slowly stood up and walked towards Shang Jiu with firm steps.

After coming in front of Shang Jiu, Zhuang Yan whispered, "Let me do it. It's not easy for you to reach the position at the back." After that, he gently took the cotton swab dipped in medicine from Shang Jiu's hand.

In just that instant, a barely perceptible look of surprise suddenly crossed Shang Jiu's expressionless face, but soon this surprise was replaced by an unconcealable joy.

He did not make any resistance, but just sat there quietly, allowing Zhuang Yan to take over and treat his wounds.

It was as if he had completely forgotten that half an incense stick ago, the guard was kind enough to apply medicine to him, but he sent him away without hesitation.

He was not used to having others bandage his wounds while he was conscious.

But at this moment, the person standing in front of him was not someone else, but Zhuang Yan.

In front of Zhuang Yan, those so-called habits can be easily broken. Not only can he accept it with pleasure, but he even has a faint desire and expectation deep in his heart.

*

Yuewangfu

Chu Yunyi sat quietly at the table, staring expressionlessly at the letter tube in his hand that had been sent by Rong Yu'an.

He gently opened the mailbox, pulled out the letter, unfolded it, and slowly scanned the dense handwriting on it.

The contents of the letter were mostly about the various actions of the Prince of Huai, such as the Prince of Huai's comments and outspoken remarks about the current emperor behind his back; and also about the Prince of Huai appearing to be scheming on the surface, but in fact he was just a fool with courage but no strategy.

Seeing these descriptions, Chu Yunyi couldn't help but sneer.

He has always had a deep-rooted opinion about his fourth brother, and thinks that he is just so despicable.

Now it seems that this is indeed the case.

Thinking of this, Chu Yunyi crumpled the letter into a ball without hesitation and threw it into the charcoal fire beside him.

Just as he turned around and was about to go into the inner room to rest, he suddenly heard a burst of hurried footsteps approaching from afar.

Chu Yunyi suddenly stopped and looked back, only to see Mu Song walking towards him in a hurry.

When Mu Song came up to him, Chu Yunyi asked, "What's the rush?"

Mu Song quickly clasped his fists and bowed to Chu Yunyi, then replied respectfully, "Your Highness, I just received news that Yuan Jianshan and the others have been captured by the Crown Prince."

Hearing this, Chu Yunyi's eyes narrowed slightly, a dark color flashed across them, and he said in a deep voice: "I didn't expect that I underestimated this prince."

Mu Song continued with a serious expression, "Also, there's good news from Zhaojing. According to the doctors at the Imperial Hospital, the emperor may not have much time left."

Hearing this, the corners of Chu Yunyi's originally tense lips instantly lifted up, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

"However, the Queen Mother wanted Prince Huai to be regent, but was eventually rejected by the Queen..." Mu Song recounted the latest events in Zhaojing in a steady voice without any fluctuation.

Chu Yunyi felt very happy after hearing this.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of disdainful sneer hanging on the corner of his mouth, and said with a hint of regret: "What a pity, the things that Queen Mother likes happen to be what I like too..."

"Hmm... let me guess. Queen Mother's next move is probably to forge an imperial decree to allow Fourth Brother to return to the capital. Then Fourth Brother will be caught in a dilemma and forced to rebel..."

Chu Yunyi paused, a cold light flashing in his eyes, and then he said coldly: "Since she wants to use my fourth brother to oppose me, then don't blame me for disregarding the mother-son relationship we once had..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Yunyi put his hands behind his back and walked quickly to the window. After gazing at the scenery outside and thinking for a moment, he suddenly turned to Mu Song and decisively gave an order: "The time has come. You go down and make preparations immediately. When Prince Huai enters the capital, follow me and sneak into the capital. In addition, arrange a group of elite horses to set up an ambush secretly, waiting for the signal from me at any time. Once you receive the order, you will rush out in full force, reclaim the jade seal, and capture the rebels in one fell swoop!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Song's expression instantly became extremely serious. He clasped his fists respectfully and saluted, saying, "Yes, I will obey your orders, Your Majesty!"

However, Chu Yunyi still felt that this was not a safe option. After a moment's thought, he added, "Oh, and send another capable team to intercept the Crown Prince on his way back to the capital. If possible, kill him. We absolutely cannot let him ruin my plans!"