Chapter 116 [Xue Taifu's Side Story] "Giving birth to daughters and raising sons, experiencing a simple life..."

Chapter 18 [Xue Taifu's Side Story] "Giving birth to daughters and raising sons, experiencing a simple life..."

Xue Taifu stayed at the Su residence for another seven days before he had to set off back to the palace. He had come under the guise of praying for blessings, and lingering outside the palace for too long might arouse suspicion. It was better to return as soon as possible, and he also needed to start preparing for his agreement with Su Yawan.

He had no shortage of skilled imperial physicians under his command, and Physician Jiang's medical skills far surpassed those of the renowned physician Ji Weinian. Moreover, Physician Jiang was the most loyal to him. The truth about the incident of the broken beauty was taken out of Physician Jiang's name by him. He volunteered to leave the palace to cover it up for him, and Ji Weinian still doesn't know about it.

Ji Weinian had been in the palace for so many years and was deeply respected by the Emperor. Although she still submitted to him, she didn't know whether this loyalty would lead her to commit the heinous crime of deceiving the emperor.

Doctor Xue wouldn't gamble with his own life, so to be on the safe side, he entrusted the matter of faking his death entirely to Doctor Jiang.

The fake death medicine that Ji Weinian currently has is flawed, and it is impossible to predict what kind of aftereffects it will cause. She trusts her senior sister, Doctor Jiang, very much, and when she heard that she wanted to see the prescription for the fake death medicine, she gave it to her without any hesitation.

Such medicine should have been forbidden to be developed within the palace, and she had always kept it hidden away, except for one time when she gave it to her personally trained disciple, but unfortunately, he ended up with a bad end.

Physician Yang was imprisoned in the Jingzhao government office and forgotten for half a year before being released. Although he was stripped of his title as imperial physician, he was spared his life. Besides, there was no explicit decree forbidding Physician Yang from practicing medicine in the capital.

Physician Yang opened a clinic in the capital. Ji Weinian would sometimes go out of the palace to visit. She was already in her sixties and had long been tired of life in the palace. If her master were not still alive, she would definitely have petitioned to retire and return to her hometown to run the clinic with her apprentice and live a leisurely life.

After giving out the prescription, Ji Weinian asked, "Senior Sister, are you planning to stay in the palace to take care of the Imperial Physician?"

If her senior sister could stay by the Empress Dowager's side, she would surely be able to keep the Empress Dowager healthy and safe. It was her incompetence that prevented the Empress Dowager from waking up, and this was something she had been blaming herself for.

Knowing the Imperial Physician's plans, Doctor Jiang could only say to Ji Weinian, "I will take care of the Imperial Physician."

"With Senior Sister here, I feel relieved." Ji Weinian breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that Doctor Jiang had carefully read the prescription, she said, "Why did Senior Sister suddenly become curious about the prescription for the fake death medicine? It's because my medical skills are not as good as yours that I haven't been able to perfect this prescription."

Doctor Jiang silently memorized the prescription and returned it to Ji Weinian, shaking his head and saying, "I just happened to see it while flipping through ancient books and wanted to take a look at the prescription. Actually, I can't figure it out either."

Ji Weinian didn't take it to heart. The fake death medicine had cost her many years of effort. If it could really completely eliminate the aftereffects, it would be worthy of being recorded in medical books.

After returning to the Jiaofang Palace from the Imperial Hospital, Physician Jiang reported the situation to Imperial Physician Xue.

"Your Excellency, I am 90% confident that I can perfect the formula for the medicine to induce a state of suspended animation, ensuring that it will not affect Your Excellency's health or the fetus in your womb," said Physician Jiang, his breathing becoming somewhat tense and his voice lowered considerably.

If people found out, she would have fled the palace and deceived everyone, which would be a capital offense. But since Xue Taifu was her master, she was willing to die for him.

Xue Taifu slept on the couch for a while. He had nothing to do lately, and even the cat that kept him entertained had been sent away, so he was very sleepy.

As soon as Doctor Jiang finished speaking, the man slowly rose from the couch, his dark hair casually draped behind him, exuding a natural charm. He said in a languid tone, "Thank you for your trouble, Doctor Jiang. I'm looking forward to your good news."

"I hope to see the finished product before the child is five months old."

If he delays any longer, his belly will become impossible to hide, and if word gets out, he will lose the chance to leave the palace forever.

There's only one chance, so we must make sure it's absolutely perfect.

Physician Jiang immediately became alert and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant will certainly not disappoint you, Your Highness."

In the time that follows, he only needs to wait quietly and not let anyone notice the commotion. Everything should continue as usual, especially the Emperor.

After Xue Taifu returned to the palace from Fahua Temple, Emperor Wei was worried that he had been traveling a long way, so he waited a few days before going to pay his respects.

"Your Majesty, your complexion is rosy and your spirits are even better than before. It seems that staying at Fahua Temple for a few days has been beneficial to your health. I suppose you must have spoken with Master Huiyuan?"

Master Huiyuan would definitely meet someone of such high status as Xue Taifu. If he did not meet him, it could only be because Xue Taifu did not want to meet him.

In the past, Xue Taifu would have given the emperor a cold look, but today he was in a good mood, though his tone was a little harsher, "Your Majesty, do not mention this person in front of me."

If it weren't for Huiyuan's casual remark about the Phoenix Fate, he wouldn't be staying in this cold palace. The reason he hadn't explicitly told the Emperor about this before was partly to preserve their father-daughter relationship.

The emperor said in a panic, "Your daughter knows she was wrong."

She suddenly remembered that when Xue Taifu entered the palace, it was because the late emperor believed Huiyuan's theory of the phoenix's destiny that he insisted on his own way, even forcing Xue Taifu and his wife to their deaths, in order to welcome Xue Taifu.

This is a painful matter for Xue Taifu. He must dislike Huiyuan. If Huiyuan were not the abbess of Fahua Temple and received royal patronage, Xue Taifu would probably have killed her.

Seeing her like a bewildered child, Xue Taifu finally softened her tone. After all, the Emperor was only implicated, and this was, after all, the child she had raised for many years.

"Why are you standing so far away? Come closer." Xue Taifu noticed that the Empress was standing at the bottom of the steps, so far away that he could barely see her face.

Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes lit up, and he immediately obeyed and stepped forward.

When Xue Taifu saw that she had only taken a few steps before stopping, he frowned and said, "Come closer, let me take a good look at you."

It's as if she's afraid of him.

For a moment, the Empress thought she had misheard. After confirming that Xue Taifu had indeed said those words, she tentatively walked up to him and looked up at him.

Her father was still as beautiful as ever, just like when he first entered the palace. With just a simple glance, he overshadowed all the men in the harem. Now, more than ten years have passed, but time has never defeated beauty. Xue Taifu is still as young and handsome as ever.

If he doesn't reveal it, no one will be able to guess his age.

The Empress felt a little melancholy. Her father, the man she regarded as her father, was only a few years older than her, but he looked so much like her biological father that even when she looked at him from afar, it felt as if her biological father had come back to life.

As Emperor Wei looked at Consort Xue, Consort Xue also sized her up, saying, "You've grown up, and you've gotten quite a bit taller."

Her biological father was of lowly birth, and she was disliked from a young age. Even the palace servants would bully her. So when Xue Taifu first met her, she was thin and small, with only her big, innocent eyes looking at him with curiosity.

"Father, I was worried that the vegetarian food at Fahua Temple wouldn't suit your taste, but now it seems I was overthinking it. It seems we should invite the temple's cook to the palace to cook for you, so that your appetite will be better."

Xue Taifu was originally so thin that he looked like he could be blown away by the wind, but now that he has returned, he has gained a lot of weight in just a few days. This means that his health will gradually improve and he will no longer fall ill so easily as before.

Empress Xue immediately refused, saying, "I do not like vegetarian meals, Your Majesty need not."

If we let him eat vegetarian food every day, that would be terrible; the baby in his belly would starve to death too.

Perhaps because she was pregnant, Consort Xue showed extra care for Emperor Wei, asking her many questions about the affairs of the harem. Emperor Wei now doted on Consort Feng, who had a daughter and a son. Although the heir apparent had been chosen long ago, some people in the harem still had other ideas and even tried to compete for the emperor's favor.

Xue Taifu had seen plenty of jealousy and rivalry between men, and it was the kind of thing he found most annoying in his life.

“Those who are not honest should be sent out of the palace. There are too many idle people in the harem, which is an eyesore.” Xue Taifu looked at the Emperor. “If it is inconvenient for you to take the lead, just say that this is my decree. If anyone dares to resist, then hand them over to me for disposal.”

Although he rarely appeared in front of the concubines in the harem, over the years, those concubines dared not show him the slightest disrespect. After all, there was once an arrogant and domineering concubine who dared to speak ill of him behind his back, and he beat her to death in front of the entire harem.

This is also a problem that gives the Emperor a headache. She only wants Jiang Wanyi in her life and has not set foot in the homes of any other concubines in the past three years.

"Are they all being sent home?" Wei Di asked.

“Your Majesty,” Xue Taifu’s voice was slightly deep, “you cannot be so merciful as a man.”

He sighed helplessly, "Fine, I'll leave this matter to you personally."

Seeing that Consort Xue was willing to care about her affairs, the Emperor felt a warmth in his heart.

Xue Taifu seized those concubines who did nothing all day but try to curry favor with the emperor and compete with Jiang Wanyi for his affections. He ordered their hair to be cut off and sent them all to Fahua Temple to become nuns. Ostensibly, this was to pray for his well-being, and they were not allowed to leave without his orders.

These concubines all came from very distinguished backgrounds, but Xue Taifu's status was even more noble. The Xue family had been noble for generations, and even though Xue Taifu had passed away many years ago, he still maintained a certain level of respectability in the court.

Few dared to rebel against the idea of ​​the prince becoming a nun to pray for the prince's well-being, which immediately suppressed their arrogance and brought a great deal of peace to the harem.

Jiang Wanyi did not expect that Xue Taifu would suddenly make a move. His family background was the lowest in the harem, but he had taken the position of Phoenix Lord. Naturally, some people were dissatisfied and even subtly provoked him. If he were still a favored concubine, it would be fine, but now that he is the Phoenix Lord, he cannot act rashly. Those people are just waiting to find something to use against him.

Xue Taifu actually envied Jiang Wanyi. Even though she came from a humble background, she still received the Emperor's sincere favor. This showed that if you really like someone, it has nothing to do with family background.

He didn't mind clearing some obstacles for Jiang Wanyi before leaving, after all, his grand-nephew had married Jiang Wanyi's sister.

"Those concubines who have never served the emperor and have never been favored, let them leave the palace and go away from the capital. They can then freely marry elsewhere." Xue Taifu gave Jiang Wanyi this opportunity to do a favor.

These concubines all came from noble backgrounds. Now that they are able to leave the palace walls and not waste their lives there, they will naturally be grateful for Jiang Wanyi's kindness. This will also be of great benefit to him in building his reputation.

Jiang Wanyi was about to kneel down to thank Xue Taifu for his kindness, but Xue Taifu stopped her.

"Don't kneel before me, and don't thank me. This is what you deserve," said Lady Xue.

Jiang Wanyi looked at Xue Taifu with confusion, not understanding the meaning behind his words.

Xue Taifu was too lazy to explain to him. It was a long story, and he was feeling increasingly unwell. He had been busy with matters in the inner palace for a long time, and now he just wanted to go back and rest.

Firstly, it was because Jiang Wanyi helped Doctor Jiang enter the palace, allowing him to wake up; secondly, it was because of what happened three years ago.

He was about to kill Su Yawan when Jiang Wanyi arrived in time to stop him; otherwise, he might not be where he is today.

Then he will have much less fun.

"I'll head back now." Empress Xue turned around, finally sighed, and slowly said, "The Emperor is different from the late Emperor. He is a man of great affection and righteousness. As long as you raise your two children well, good fortune is yet to come."

After saying that, he left Chaohui Palace.

His belly gradually grew bigger, and now he had to wear loose clothes to cover it up, and he couldn't stay outside for too long, lest he be discovered.

Back at the Jiaofang Palace, Grand Physician Xue saw Physician Jiang. She must have been waiting for a while, as she was holding a brocade box, which he recognized at a glance.

"Reporting to the Imperial Physician, the improved version of the drug for simulating death has been developed." Doctor Jiang held the brocade box in both hands and bowed as he handed it over. "After taking it, you will fall into a state of suspended animation within fifteen minutes, with no breathing or pulse. You will wake up again in two days without any aftereffects."

Xue Taifu stared at the box in her hand for a while, then exhaled from his chest and reached out to take it.

Physician Jiang looked up and couldn't help but ask, "Doctor, are you truly determined to fake your death and leave the palace, no longer attached to anything within it? Not even the Empress's Chamber, not even His Majesty, not even..."

She wanted to confirm Xue Taifu's wishes once again.

"I've made up my mind." Doctor Xue opened the brocade box, saw the pills inside, and then closed it again.

After putting the brocade box away, he said, "There is nothing in this palace that I care about anymore. I entered the palace at the age of sixteen and wasted more than ten years of my life. In fact, I have only been satisfying other people's mourning and there has not been a single day of happiness. Now I should live for myself for once."

Xue Taifu stroked his swollen belly and smiled slightly, "Giving birth to a daughter and raising a child, I'll live the life of an ordinary person."

"You should know how to explain to the emperor that my illness was not completely cured, but was only at its last gasp. It's not surprising that I'm leaving like this now."

As Doctor Xue recounted the events that would take place after his departure, Doctor Jiang took no chances and wrote them all down.

When everything was finally finished, Xue Taifu paused for a moment and then added, "Also, remember to tell the Emperor for me that she will always be my daughter."