Xiao Linyan couldn’t describe the complex emotions swirling within him. He simply raised his hand, signaling Imperial Physician Liu to continue.
“After receiving Your Majesty’s command, I initially searched the Imperial Medical Academy’s library. But just as I finally found a clue to the relevant texts, I discovered the book had been destroyed.”
“With no other recourse, I entrusted fellow physicians outside the palace to search for the book. This caused some delay, but fortunately, I received news this morning and personally retrieved the medical text…”
Xiao Linyan was already reeling from the earlier events, his mind in turmoil and his head throbbing. He had no patience for further formalities. “Enough. Just tell me directly—what’s wrong with the Grand Tutor?”
“Yes,” Imperial Physician Liu replied, sensing Xiao Linyan’s impatience. He dared not waste another word and stated plainly, “The Grand Tutor has been poisoned with a Medicinal Gu.” [FOOTNOTE] T/N: As I thought! The answer to every unanswered question is Gu! [/footnote]
“According to ancient texts, a Medicinal Gu from the southwestern regions could transform anyone who ingested it into a Medicinal Person. Sexual intercourse with such a person within a short period could neutralize hundreds of poisons.”
Xiao Linyan’s head snapped up at the last few words, his eyes fixed on Imperial Physician Liu. “What did you say? Can it counteract all poisons?”
“Precisely!” Imperial Physician Liu nodded. “When His Highness said he had drunk poisoned wine in the imperial city, we found no trace of the poison when he returned to camp. At the time, I suspected that no ordinary herbal remedy could have achieved such a feat. I believed His Highness must have had a remarkable encounter. Now, it seems highly likely this encounter involved the medicinal insect.”
Xiao Linyan felt the calm he had just regained suddenly shattered, replaced by a storm of emotions. He nearly crushed the teacup in his hand, forcing the words through clenched teeth: “Continue… tell me more!”
“This medicinal insect was originally used by the people of the Southern Border to cultivate Medicinal Fetuses. While a Medicinal Person can counteract all poisons, their effects are temporary. However, after intercourse, the Medicinal Person can conceive a child. The infant born after ten months will be immune to all poisons—the most precious Medicinal Fetus of all.”
“But during gestation, the Medicinal Person must be nourished by the blood essence of the person they had intercourse with. Otherwise, their qi and blood will deplete, leading to a double fatality…”
When Imperial Physician Liu finished speaking, Xiao Linyan finally understood everything.
*Capable of neutralizing all poisons.*
*Capable of nurturing a Medicinal Fetus.*
*Depletes vital energy and blood.*
He heard a dry voice emerge from his throat: “How do we nourish someone who has ingested the Medicinal Gu?”
Imperial Physician Liu bowed and replied, “This Gu is truly ingenious. Once the Medicinal Person carries the Medicinal Fetus, any contact with the blood of the person they originally mated with will trigger an effect akin to a potent aphrodisiac.”
“Ordinary nourishment requires frequent sexual intercourse.”
Xiao Linyan’s Adam’s apple twitched. He waved his hand, dismissing the palace attendants. Then, he re-entered the inner chamber.
Pei Lanqing had already woken up and overheard the conversation between Imperial Physician Liu and Xiao Linyan. He had gone to great lengths to destroy the Imperial Medical Academy’s records, yet Imperial Physician Liu had still managed to find them outside the palace.
Now, hearing Xiao Linyan’s approaching footsteps, he could only close his eyes lightly.
“Did the Grand Tutor hear everything?” Xiao Linyan had already reached the bedside. His tall figure cast a shadow over Pei Lanqing. He slowly leaned down, his face inches from Pei Lanqing’s. “Grand Tutor… tell me, whose child is growing in your womb?”
Pei Lanqing felt Xiao Linyan’s breath, hot and burning against his face. He wanted to escape, but Xiao Linyan’s powerful arms pinned him between the bed and the wall.
He could only offer a last-ditch resistance: “It’s… the Late Emperor’s.”
“Is that so?” Xiao Linyan’s hand gently caressed Pei Lanqing’s face. He couldn’t express how excited he felt. Just the thought of that possibility made his heart pound like it would burst from his chest.
Pei Lanqing tried to escape again, his weak and slender body shrinking backward with all its might. But in doing so, he exposed the dagger he had hidden between the bed and the wall.
A glint flashed in Xiao Linyan’s dark eyes. He snatched up the dagger and pressed him further: “Does the Grand Tutor truly have no feelings for me? Then why would you keep this here?”
Pei Lanqing bit his lip and remained silent. Xiao Linyan chuckled. “It doesn’t matter if the Grand Tutor won’t say. I have my own way of verifying this.”
With that, he drew the dagger and, without hesitation, slashed his own hand.
Hot blood dripped, drop by drop, from Xiao Linyan’s well-defined fingers onto Pei Lanqing’s body.
Where the fresh blood flowed, the skin flushed with an ambiguous blush, as if burned by fire. Pei Lanqing had been taking the Medicinal Gu for over six months, and his body was already desperately craving the nourishment of Xiao Linyan’s vital essence. In such a state, how could he resist? His frail frame immediately melted into a puddle of weakness, collapsing into Xiao Linyan’s embrace, trembling slightly.
The remnants of his reason screamed at him not to succumb, lest all his months of forbearance be wasted. Yet his body’s instincts relentlessly craved Xiao Linyan’s warmth. His pale fingers clutched his own robes so tightly that the silk cut into his skin, leaving bloody marks.
All the verifications had come true. The pent-up resentment in Xiao Linyan’s heart vanished, replaced by a surge of heartache as he gazed at the Grand Tutor in his arms. The hatred and pain of the past had dissolved into an overwhelming tenderness that overflowed his chest.
He took Pei Lanqing’s hand, lowered his head, and kissed his flushed face. “Grand Tutor, you took that Medicinal Gu for me, didn’t you?”
Pei Lanqing was trembling so violently he couldn’t answer. Xiao Linyan’s strong hand pressed against his back, slowly invading his space. “Grand Tutor, you want Ye’er too, don’t you?”
At that moment, all of Pei Lanqing’s defenses crumbled completely. He could no longer pretend, no longer refuse. His weak arms wrapped around Xiao Linyan’s neck, and a single tear slowly trickled from the corner of his eye.
Xiao Linyan took in Pei Lanqing’s reaction, which was the clearest answer he could have hoped for. He kissed away the tear. “Grand Tutor, don’t worry. Ye’er will help you right away—”
The thin gauze curtains shut out the autumn evening chill. The embers in the charcoal brazier burned fiercely until dawn before gradually fading away…
++++++
With his lingering knot finally untied and the fatigue of recent days lifted, Xiao Linyan held Pei Lanqing tightly, finally falling into a deep, restful sleep.
The next day, when it was time to discuss court affairs, Eunuch Tianrui entered several times but dared not disturb them, retreating each time.
Meanwhile, Pei Lanqing, having finally received long-awaited nourishment, had awakened. Though his body remained weak and still bore a lingering, indescribable tenderness, he was now fully conscious.
He opened his eyes to find Xiao Linyan’s face inches from his own, his features etched in sharp relief against the pillow.
Pei Lanqing raised his hand and gently brushed his fingers across Xiao Linyan’s deep, handsome brow and eyes. Five years had passed, and his Ye’er had truly grown up. The once callow youth had transformed into the emperor who now ruled the realm.
How could Pei Lanqing not be overjoyed? How could he not be moved?
“Grand Tutor…” Even in his sleep, Xiao Linyan sensed Pei Lanqing’s touch and murmured softly. He grasped Pei Lanqing’s hand, pulling him closer.
Pei Lanqing looked at Xiao Linyan’s arm wrapped around his waist and sighed softly. He finally couldn’t resist leaning against his solid chest.
Xiao Linyan slept deeply and contentedly. After years of longing, he finally held the object of his desire in his arms, and it wasn’t until nearly noon that he finally woke.
For a moment, he even wondered if it had all been a beautiful dream. But then he felt the warmth of Pei Lanqing’s body in his arms, inhaled the familiar, subtle fragrance that clung to him, and met the gaze of those eyes he had so long adored.
Only then did Xiao Linyan finally realize that it was all real.
They lay there, gazing at each other across the bed for a long time. Finally, Xiao Linyan lowered his head and kissed Pei Lanqing’s temple. “Grand Tutor, are you awake? Do you feel unwell anywhere?”
“I’ve sent them in to help you wash up.”
Pei Lanqing shook his head, his gaze still fixed on Xiao Linyan’s face, lingering as if he wanted to memorize every detail forever.
“Grand Tutor? What’s wrong?” Xiao Linyan sensed something amiss. He was about to sit up and examine Pei Lanqing more closely, but Pei Lanqing’s hand pressed against his chest.
“Ye’er, don’t call for anyone else… Let’s talk.”
Xiao Linyan knew there were many unresolved issues between them, but as long as Pei Lanqing still cared for him, as long as Pei Lanqing belonged to him, he could accept everything else.
“Alright, Grand Tutor. I’m listening.”
“On that day, when I forced you to drink the poisoned wine… did you resent me?” Pei Lanqing’s voice was barely a whisper, like a sigh.
“It would be a lie to say I didn’t. At the time, I thought you truly intended to kill me. The pain in my heart ran deeper than resentment.” Xiao Linyan didn’t hide his feelings as he recalled the past, but he quickly embraced Pei Lanqing again. “But now I know you not only didn’t want to kill me, you saved me. How could I still resent you?”
Pei Lanqing lowered his gaze and explained softly, “At the time, Xiao Dexuan truly threatened me using the Pei Clan, forcing me to harm you.”
“I originally wanted to refuse, but then I thought that if I didn’t go, he would surely come up with an even more insidious scheme to harm you. It would be better for me to use this opportunity to poison you, lower his guard, and then find a way to smuggle you out of the city.”
Xiao Linyan’s grip on Pei Lanqing’s hand tightened. He could hardly imagine the Grand Tutor’s predicament back then. After finally devising a plan to save him, he had been misunderstood.
As a result, Pei Lanqing had been left alone in the deep palace, carrying his child, while Xiao Linyan had remained cold and distant.
“It’s my fault. I should have trusted the Grand Tutor.”
Pei Lanqing shook his head, reaching out to smooth Xiao Linyan’s hair as he had done when he was a child. “Don’t blame the Grand Tutor, Ye’er. I’m sorry for the heartache I’ve caused you these past few days.”
“No! It was my own foolishness for failing to see the truth!” Xiao Linyan gripped Pei Lanqing’s hand tightly, gazing at the man in his arms. “I, Xiao Linyan, swear that no matter what happens in the future, I will never doubt the Grand Tutor again.”
Pei Lanqing remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking. “If that’s the case, Ye’er, will you grant me one request?”
Xiao Linyan, without hesitation, nodded. “Ask anything, Grand Tutor. I’ll do it immediately.”
Pei Lanqing avoided Xiao Linyan’s gaze, his hand gently caressing his swollen belly, feeling the faint movements of the child within. “I want you to promise me… that after the child is born, you’ll send us to the West Mountain Green Pine Academy.”
“I will take him and live in seclusion here. You can stop worrying about us.”
“That’s impossible!” Xiao Linyan immediately rejected the idea. He couldn’t fathom that after finally clearing the air with Pei Lanqing and confirming their feelings for each other, Pei Lanqing would still want to leave him.
“Why?” Xiao Linyan’s expression turned cold. He gripped Pei Lanqing’s shoulders, suppressing his emotions as he asked, “Grand Tutor, why didn’t you tell me the truth before, letting me misunderstand you? And now you want to leave with our child?”
Pei Lanqing’s hands curled slightly, but after a long sigh, he met Xiao Linyan’s gaze and gently caressed his face.
“Ye’er, you’ve grown up. You’re now a formidable ruler, and the world is already within your grasp.”
“When you ascend the throne next year, I believe you will become a wise and benevolent emperor.”
“That’s precisely why you should stay by my side,” Xiao Linyan interrupted, his hand cautiously resting on Pei Lanqing’s abdomen for the first time. “When I rule the world and pacify the four seas, you can serve as my prime minister in the imperial court and my empress in the harem, leading the officials and assisting me. After a century, we can pass this vast empire down to our children.”
“Isn’t that a good plan? Why do you insist on leaving?”
In a palace where betrayal runs deeper than blood, one man swallowed poison to save the one he loved—only to be misunderstood and left behind.
Now, with a child in his womb and a dagger at his side, he asks for the simplest wish: to disappear.
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