Imperial Husband Chapter 2

"Young master? Young master?"

"Hmm... who is it?" Li Jin slowly opened his eyes and was immediately stunned. "Ping'an? You..." Why are you here?

"Great, you're finally awake, young master. This servant will go fetch Physician Wang at once." Before Li Jin could continue his questions, Ping'an had already rushed out in a panic.

"......"

Li Jin fell silent.

Ping'an's impetuous nature was still the same as ever. 

But wait, Ping'an was killed protecting me back then, so why is he alive now? Wait, my voice...

Noticing something amiss, Li Jin's pupils constricted sharply. He instinctively looked down at his own childish hands. "Have I... been reborn back into the past?"

"Young master, Physician Wang is here."

Before Li Jin could ponder further, Ping'an had already brought Physician Wang in.

Li Jin was the legitimate son of the Prince of Dingbei, and his mother was the younger sister of the current Empress. Physician Wang naturally did not dare to neglect him and immediately proceeded to examine Li Jin.

[The title "Prince of Dingbei" is a merit-based nobility title granted for military service, not due to a blood relation with the emperor.]

Seeing Physician Wang shaking his head from time to time during the examination with a grave expression, Ping'an grew nervous and asked, "Sir, how is the young master's illness? Is it getting bet..."

"Ping'an." Li Jin signaled for Ping'an to be silent and calmly looked at Physician Wang. "Physician Wang, you may speak."

Physician Wang was taken aback by the aura Li Jin unintentionally projected and instinctively replied, "Reporting to the young master, although this official has done his best to remove the poison from your body, the fact remains that you were poisoned for too long. Some toxins have become deeply entrenched, and I fear you will have to take medicine continuously from now on to regulate your body."

Li Jin had long known this would be the answer, so he replied calmly, "Very well, I understand. Physician Wang, you may leave now. I wish to rest for a while."

"Yes, young master."

Physician Wang bowed to Li Jin and withdrew.

Ping'an, afraid that Li Jin might dwell on it negatively, quickly comforted him, "Young master, please do not worry. You will certainly overcome this misfortune. Perhaps taking the medicine a few more times will lead to recovery."

"Ping'an, I appreciate your well-wishes." Li Jin let out a light laugh, his tone meaningful.

"Young master..."

Ping'an looked at Li Jin.

Although Ping'an had said those words, his gaze as he looked at Li Jin was still full of worry.

"Ping'an, my father... and my mother? Where are they?" When Li Jin mentioned the word 'mother', a barely perceptible emotional fluctuation passed deep within his eyes.

"Young master, the Princess Consort... she has already... passed away..." Ping'an lowered his head, unable to bear seeing Li Jin's pain.

Over the years, Ping'an knew better than anyone how well the Princess Consort, Li Jin's mother, had treated him. Even so, Ping'an did not think to hide it, as such a major event cannot be concealed forever.

"Is that so? And my father?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jin took a deep breath. His expression was much calmer than Ping'an had imagined.

In fact, the moment he saw Physician Wang, Li Jin knew his mother, the Princess Consort, was likely dead. In his previous life, he was also informed of her passing after waking up. But unlike his previous life, Li Jin did not fall unconscious for several days this time due to being unable to accept his mother's death.

Ping'an did not dare to conceal anything. "Reporting to the young master, the Prince is interrogating Concubine Zhou."

Li Jin frowned slightly. "Interrogating Concubine Zhou?"

Zhou? And something happens at such a sensitive time? Could she be Zhou Yanchen's birth mother?

In his previous life, Li Jin had transmigrated as a fetus and possessed memories of the modern world. Therefore, he rarely left his own courtyard. The person he interacted with most was the Princess Consort of Dingbei. The Princess Consort, not wanting the numerous scheming illegitimate children in the mansion to disturb her son, tacitly approved of Li Jin's reclusive behavior.

Later on, after Li Jin was poisoned, which damaged his constitution, coupled with the death of the Princess Consort, he became even more unwilling to leave his courtyard. As time passed, apart from occasionally hearing Ping'an talk about matters within the inner residence of the princely mansion, and paying respects to his grandmother and the Prince of Dingbei (who returned to the capital every three years to report on his duties), he hardly ever met any other members of the inner household.

"Yes." Speaking of Concubine Zhou, Ping'an immediately became furious. "That Concubine Zhou is truly despicable. The Princess Consort treated her quite well, yet she repaid kindness with enmity, not only harming the Princess Consort but also harming you, young master."

Li Jin said unhurriedly, "Ping'an, help me freshen up. I am going to my father's place."

"Yes, young master."

Ping'an hurried forward to help Li Jin wash up and get dressed.