This matter could be insignificant or serious, depending on whether those in power chose to let it go or to make it difficult for you. That’s why Liu Qingsong was so anxious to have Ran Yan visit Princess Jinyang, firstly, to show Li Shimin that she took the princess’s illness seriously, and secondly, to foster a relationship with Princess Jinyang.
After these days of understanding Princess Jinyang, Liu Qingsong felt that she was indeed different from children of her age, so he indirectly probed whether she might also be a ti-traveler. However, the outco was disappointing. Princess Jinyang was simply ntally more mature than her peers and was still a naive child at heart.
The carriage slowly approached the palace gate. Liu Qingsong hopped off, greeted the guards, and was about to enter when one of them stopped him, whispering, "Doctor Liu, if you are here to see Princess Jinyang, it might be best to pick another day. I’ve heard that the Emperor has received over ten petitions accusing the Crown Prince."
Liu Qingsong was usually unreliable, but he was very smooth and experienced in his dealings with others. Having spent so much ti in the Imperial dical Bureau, he had good relationships with everyone, especially the guards who often benefitted from his care. At crucial monts, this indeed played a role.
"Thank you." Liu Qingsong had a few more words with him before returning to the carriage.
"What happened?" Ran Yan, seeing the unusually serious expression on Liu Qingsong’s face, could not help but ask.
"Today’s visit is ill-tid." Liu Qingsong sighed but then smiled and said, "I’m just too impatient! Soone just submitted a letter about Prince Wei’s conspiracy and imdiately there were over ten impeachnts against the Crown Prince. However, this is also good, we won’t get involved in the palace affairs for the ti being."
Ran Yan fell silent for a mont and then said, "Alright."
Their intention in visiting the palace was rely a formality. The situation was still unclear, especially whether it involved Lady Dongyang. Since their timing was poor, it was best not to wade into these murky waters.
"Do you know the progress of the Qujiang case?" Ran Yan asked.
Liu Qingsong shook his head, "Even Jiulang might not be clear about this. I’ve heard that it’s being investigated secretly, but no one knows who is actually handling it. The Ministry of Justice hasn’t taken it, nor has the Ministry of Criminal Justice, and neither has the Imperial Censorate."
Just as the carriage was turning around, Ran Yan lifted the curtain and glanced outside, seeing a familiar figure in green robes hastily entering the palace gate. Although she only saw the back, Ran Yan couldn’t recall where she had seen it before.
"I’ve heard about the Turkic rebellion, how is that investigation going?" Ran Yan asked after lowering the curtain.
Liu Qingsong replied, "Haven’t you heard about this? It’s said that Tuli Khan’s brother has always been notorious for misbehavior since arriving in Chang’an and causing trouble repeatedly. Therefore, the Emperor has always treated him coldly, which led to his resentnt and forming a secret society for revenge. It’s purely a personal vendetta, but this incident has started to make the court question whether it’s appropriate for the Turkic to remain in the Central Plains. This morning’s court session was a complete uproar."
This was an event recorded in history, but Ran Yan was not a history major. How could she know every detail?
After returning ho and when Xiao Song finished his official duties, Ran Yan shared Liu Qingsong’s concerns with him.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Song said, "His concerns are not unreasonable. However, while changing the heir may seem easy to talk about, it is very difficult to execute and requires the right mont, which is obviously not now. Just like the last ti soone frad you for the murder of Dou Si-niang, even when the results were uncovered, wasn’t the person involved let off lightly? Nothing can be stirred up! Even if it were, you do not need to worry, for you have ."
"All you need to do is to rest and care for the baby, and occasionally visit Princess Jinyang." Xiao Song climbed onto the bed and, smiling, touched her belly, "I’ll tell a story to our child."
Ran Yan quickly said, "Not today, our child won’t understand the stories we tell. Liu Qingsong is writing stories, after you’ve read them, then you can recount them to him."
"Alright. He is indeed good at writing stories. I rember when we were young, we often read storybooks he wrote." Xiao Song laughed. Writing stories was the only thing in Liu Qingsong’s life that was sowhat reliable.
Xiao Song leaned down and kissed her belly, coincidentally feeling the baby’s movent, his face lighting up with joy, "Ha, he can actually feel it!"
"It’s just a coincidence." Ran Yan said honestly.
"Nonsense, my child is smart," Xiao Song disregarded her comnt, gently stroking with his hand.
"Child" generally ans a young one, a term used by parents for their children, regardless of gender. However, Ran Yan sotis thought that if she were to have a daughter, Xiao Song might be disappointed.
Lying down, Ran Yan soon felt sleepy. Murmuring, she said, "Counting the days, tenth brother’s child must have already been born, and yet he hasn’t co to share the good news, nor do I know whether it was a boy or a girl."
"Regardless of gender, it’s still a concubine’s child, probably not worth the announcent. You will naturally know when the full moon cos." Xiao Song said.
"Xiao Yuezhi..."
"Hmm?"
"Do you want a boy or a girl?"
"I want both."
"Boys are always more precious than girls, aren’t they?" Ran Yan did not think so herself, but wasn’t it always like that in ancient tis?
Xiao Song frowned and said, "Who says that? My child, male or female, will be precious."
Ran Yan playfully accused him, "Narcissist."
They put out the light, and Xiao Song wrapped his arms around her.
The night deepened. May Chang’an, be ever enduring.
Spring ca, and flowers blossod.
Life went on peacefully for the next few days, just as Xiao Song had said, but the undercurrents hidden beneath this calm surface, no one knew when they would erupt, made one feel increasingly tense and oppressed.
Ran Yan did receive so good news, however; Er Dongyue had given birth to a son, who was now a month old. She planned to bring him over for Ran Yan to see him after a hundred days. Ran Yan had Ge Lan prepare many gifts and personally delivered them, taking the opportunity to et the child. Ran Yan thought surely, with Er Dong looking fine and tenth brother being so distinguished, the child must be adorable.
"Lady, Lady!" Wan Lu rushed in, lowering her voice deliberately not to disturb the unborn child, "It’s not good, soone from the palace has co saying Princess Jinyang is critically ill and asking for you to go there."(To be continued. If you like this work, please co to Qidian (qidian) to vote for the monthly ticket and the recomndation ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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