si-mexico Chapter 613 Bowing to the Star River
Chapter 613 Bowing to the Star River
Su Zhi woke up slowly, feeling dizzy and weak all over. It took a lot of effort to even lift a finger.
She slowly opened her eyes, and in her hazy vision, the familiar scene in Lizheng Hall gradually became clear.
The palace was silent and silent, with only the candlelight beside the bed gently swaying. The warm yellow light cast mottled shadows on the wall, adding a sense of loneliness to the slightly empty palace.
Her gaze slowly shifted to the side, and she discovered that Li Chengqian was sitting quietly at the head of the bed.
He leaned forward slightly, holding Su Zhi's hands tightly with both hands. Li Chengqian's face was haggard, his eye sockets were sunken, and his eyes were bloodshot, revealing an exhaustion that was difficult to conceal.
His eyes were always fixed on Su Zhi's face.
When Su Zhi saw Li Chengqian, her heart suddenly tightened, and a strong sense of guilt instantly surged in her heart.
She moved her dry lips, wanting to say something, but could only utter a weak voice: "Your Majesty, why are you here? The court is busy with state affairs these days. Has my illness delayed you from handling state affairs again?"
As she spoke, she frowned slightly, her eyes showing uneasiness.
When Li Chengqian heard this, he felt as if his heart was stabbed by a sharp knife and it hurt terribly.
He looked at Su Zhi's face which was as pale as paper, his eyes instantly turned red and tears welled up in them.
He subconsciously held Su Zhi's hand tighter.
"It's okay. These days, the affairs of the court have been handled by Grand Tutor Qi and Minister Li, so I have some free time."
He tried hard to force a smile, trying to reassure Su Zhi, but the smile seemed extremely forced.
Su Zhi and Li Chengqian have been married for many years, and they have long been in tune with each other. They can know what the other is thinking with just a glance or a gesture.
As soon as she heard what Li Chengqian said, she understood most of it.
Seeing the sadness that inadvertently revealed in his words, Su Zhi forced herself to sit up. The pillow behind her hurt her, but she didn't care.
She looked straight at Li Chengqian, her eyes serious, and asked, "Your Majesty, please tell me the truth. Do I have an incurable disease?"
Her voice trembled slightly, and there was a hint of uneasiness in her eyes, but she had the courage to face the truth.
Li Chengqian's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. He hurriedly shook his head, his tone firm and almost stubborn, "Don't let your imagination run wild. You are the Empress of the Great Tang, the mother of all people. Good fortune will always be with you. How could you have an incurable disease?"
He raised his hand and gently stroked Su Zhi's hair, then continued, "My queen is blessed with great fortune. She will surely turn misfortune into good fortune and live in peace and prosperity."
As he spoke, he gently patted the back of Su Zhi's hand, as if to cheer himself up and try to dispel the uneasiness in his heart.
After hearing what Li Chengqian said, Su Zhi couldn't help but chuckle.
Li Chengqian looked at her inexplicable smile, full of doubts, and couldn't help asking: "Lingxier, what are you laughing at?"
He tilted his head slightly, his eyes full of confusion, and the strands of hair on his forehead swayed slightly with his movement.
Su Zhi shook her head lightly, her expression revealing a hint of helplessness. She whispered, "Since when did my brother-in-law learn to say such empty words?"
"What's the point of being a queen? After all, aren't we all just ordinary mortals? Birth, old age, sickness, and death—who can escape them?"
She sighed slightly and continued, "This is just like the phrase 'Long Live the Emperor' that Your Majesty hates the most. Brother Qian, don't you always say that no one can truly live to be ten thousand years old?"
As she spoke, she shook her head gently with a faint smile on her face, but that smile concealed loneliness.
Li Chengqian listened, smiled and nodded.
"Don't worry, Lingxi'er, I'm really fine. Are you hungry? I'll bring you a bowl of porridge."
His voice was as gentle as the spring breeze, and he prepared to get up.
Su Zhi nodded slightly.
Li Chengqian let go of her hand, slowly stood up, and looked at her deeply again.
He turned and walked out of the hall, his steps heavy.
Su Zhi looked at his back quietly, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably, dripping onto the quilt, leaving a small dark mark.
She knew Li Chengqian too well. If he had not been at his wit's end, he, who had always been confident, would never have said those comforting words.
Outside the Lizheng Palace, the night was deep and a bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a cool light and covering the entire palace with a layer of silver gauze.
The wind chimes under the eaves swayed gently in the breeze, making crisp sounds, which further highlighted the silence of the night.
Zhang Xianhuai, wearing a commander's flying fish uniform, stood outside the door, like a door god.
Hearing footsteps in the hall, he immediately straightened his back.
Li Chengqian walked out, he looked exhausted and his steps were a little slow.
He glanced around and landed on Xiao Taohong, who was waiting nearby. He said softly, "Xiao Taohong, the Empress has woken up. Go make her a bowl of millet porridge. Remember to make it soft and glutinous, and add more red dates. The Empress loves it."
As he spoke, he gently rubbed his temple.
When Xiao Taohong heard that the Queen had woken up, her originally dim eyes instantly brightened up and her face was filled with uncontrollable joy.
"Excellent, Your Majesty! I'll go right away!"
Her voice was filled with excitement, and as soon as she finished speaking, she hurried towards the kitchen.
After Xiao Taohong left, Li Chengqian turned his attention to Zhang Xianhuai.
"Xian Huai, how's the matter I asked you to discuss with Mr. Qi going? Post a notice to the world, summoning Sun Simiao to treat the Queen."
As he spoke, he frowned slightly.
Zhang Xianhuai clasped his fists respectfully and nodded in response, "Your Majesty, I have asked Mr. Qi to post the notice in the newspaper."
"But, Your Majesty, the great doctor Sun Simiao is very old, and I don't know if he is still alive!"
He lowered his head slightly, not daring to look directly into Li Chengqian's eyes, and his voice unconsciously lowered.
After hearing this, Li Chengqian was silent for a moment, looking into the distance, as if thinking about something.
After a long while, he slowly spoke. Although his voice was not loud, it was full of determination: "Xianhuai, whether Divine Doctor Sun is alive or not, we must give it a try."
"Also, let's publish a notice in the newspapers and announce to the world that anyone with exceptional medical skills can come to Chang'an to treat the Queen. Anyone who can cure the Queen's illness will be granted the title of Marquis without fail."
As he spoke, he clenched his fists tightly.
When Zhang Xianhuai heard this, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes full of shock.
Conferring a title of nobility is a matter of national importance. To promise it so easily for the sake of curing an illness is indeed contrary to Your Majesty's consistent principles.
But looking at Li Chengqian's eyes, he also understood the critical situation at the moment. He nodded heavily and said loudly: "As you wish!"
"Also, remember to issue an imperial decree and publish it in the newspaper every day, describing the Queen's condition in detail!"
Li Chengqian continued, "This world is vast, and there are many talented people. I firmly believe that I can find someone who can cure the queen."
As he spoke, he raised his head slightly.
Zhang Xianhuai nodded again, saluted with his fists, turned around and strode away.
The figure stretched out in the moonlight and gradually disappeared into the night.
Looking at Zhang Xianhuai's departing back, Li Chengqian slowly raised his head and looked at the vast starry sky.
The stars are twinkling, as if countless pairs of eyes are watching the world.
"If there really are gods and Buddhas in this world," he murmured softly, his voice filled with unprecedented piety, "I hope that in consideration of my years of devotion to the people of this world, I will allow my queen to recover quickly."
After saying this, he clasped his hands together, slowly bent down towards the vast starry sky, and bowed deeply. He did not get up for a long time, and the moonlight made his figure look even more lonely.