Imperial Husband Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Seeing this, Bai Yifei's mouth twitched involuntarily.

To be honest...

If Bai Yifei didn't know they were both men, they actually looked quite well-matched together.

Ugh... What am I thinking?

Bai Yifei shook his head hard, dispelling this strange thought.

Li Jin gestured with his eyes to Ying Yuan not to worry, then turned to Bai Yifei and went straight to the point, "General Bai, let's speak frankly. You came here for the gunpowder, right?"

"That's correct." Seeing Li Jin state his purpose directly, Bai Yifei didn't bother with further pleasantries and followed along, "This general hopes Your Highness can provide the method for manufacturing gunpowder. If we can produce it in large quantities, the crisis in Zhuzhou can be easily resolved. Moreover, if the border regions could also use gunpowder, it would completely intimidate certain foreign tribes who repeatedly invade."

Li Jin refused, "General Bai, gunpowder is far too dangerous. Before obtaining the Emperor's permission, I beg your pardon, but I cannot disclose it for now. However, to prevent Qianluo from invading again, I can continue making gunpowder with the Seventh Prince."

"Fine, let's proceed as Your Highness says. This general has no objection." Having finished the important matter, Bai Yifei stood up, took his leave, and departed without continuing the topic of gunpowder.

"Father, how is the Heir's condition?"

Bai Xiansi, who had been waiting outside all along, quickly followed as soon as he saw Bai Yifei come out.

Hearing this, Bai Yifei immediately recalled Li Jin's overly pale face and shook his head, "Not very good. However, the Heir is blessed and has Heaven's favor; he will be fine."

"Father, did the Heir tell you the method for making gunpowder?"

Bai Xiansi knew the purpose of Bai Yifei's visit, hence he asked.

"He did not." Bai Yifei shook his head, narrowing his eyes slightly, "Our Prince of Dingbei's Heir is not one of those good-for-nothing idlers. However, it would be even better if the Heir's health were the same as an ordinary person's."

Bai Xiansi said in surprise, "Father, your opinion of the Heir seems to have improved quite a bit?"

Bai Xiansi hadn't forgotten that when Li Jin was first named Heir, his father was extremely dissatisfied with this sickly heir. If it weren't for finally learning it was Ying Zhengjing's intention, he almost argued with Li Shiyun back then.

Bai Yifei stroked his beard, looking meaningfully in the direction of Li Jin's room, "The Heir is a person not to be trifled with."

"Ah?"

Bai Xiansi was even more confused by Bai Yifei's words.

Ignoring Bai Xiansi's confusion, Bai Yifei suddenly slapped Bai Xiansi's shoulder heavily, "Xiansi, during the time we stay in Zhuzhou, you should visit the Heir more often on my behalf."

Earlier, when Li Jin was injured on the city wall, Bai Yifei had seen that Li Jin intentionally let the other party injure him. What surprised Bai Yifei was that Li Jin seemed to know Bai Yifei had seen through it, yet he wasn't afraid of Bai Yifei exposing him at all.

Making an enemy of such a person would definitely not be a good thing.

Thinking of this, Bai Yifei had already made a decision.

"Father, on the way to Zhuzhou, didn't you just tell me not to interact with the Heir too much? Why the change now?"

"Times have changed. With this heir, perhaps the title of Prince of Dingbei can reach even greater heights. Xiansi, trust your father, it won't be wrong."

"But..."

Thwack.

Seeing Bai Xiansi still wanting to ask questions, Bai Yifei impatiently rapped Bai Xiansi's head, "Are you the father, or am I? I told you to go, so go. Don't spout so much nonsense."

"......"

"What are you standing there for? Walk faster."

"......"

......

Creeeak.

Not long after the Bai father and son left, Shi Weixu arrived with his medicine chest.

"A-Jin, I brought you some food. Let Physician Shi properly check if your health has improved." Ying Yuan was ultimately afraid his concern might cloud his judgment. As soon as he saw Shi Weixu come to take Li Jin's pulse, he used the excuse of fetching food to leave temporarily.

Seizing the rare chance to be alone with Li Jin, Shi Weixu couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, although your injury looks serious, it's actually not much at all. Why did you still want me to exaggerate your condition when speaking about it?"

To be honest, upon learning Li Jin was injured, Shi Weixu rushed over immediately. Little did he expect, all of it was an act Li Jin deliberately put on. He even gave Shi Weixu hints to describe the condition as more severe, which led to Shi Weixu's earlier statements.

A faint, elusive smile lifted the corner of Li Jin's lips, "Physician Shi, have you forgotten? My health is poor. To say it's a minor injury simply wouldn't be credible."

"Uh..."

One sentence awakens the dreamer—Li Jin's words instantly enlightened Shi Weixu.

[一语惊醒梦中人 (yī yǔ jīng xǐng mèng zhōng rén): lit. one sentence awakens the dreamer; fig. a timely remark that jolts someone to awareness]

On the journey to Zhuzhou, Li Jin had been feigning frailty and sickness all along. His question was indeed superfluous.

Li Jin inquired abruptly, "Physician Shi, how is the eldest prince's condition?"

"The person who injured the eldest prince struck ruthlessly, severing the tendons in his foot. However, I still have a way to cure the eldest prince. It depends on whether you, Your Highness, want it or not."

Here with Li Jin, Shi Weixu told the truth, leaving the decision of whether or not to treat Ying Zihui's foot injury to Li Jin.

Li Jin said calmly, "There's no need to cure the foot injury. Just ensure his life is preserved."

Compared to the miserable death in his previous life, losing the right to succession due to a foot injury was the best outcome for Ying Zihui.

"Yes, Your Highness." Having received Li Jin's answer, Shi Weixu readily agreed without any intention of probing further, "By the way, Your Highness, why didn't you tell the Seventh Prince the truth?"

"He already knows."

"Really? Then why does the Seventh Prince still act so... so concerned?"

Shi Weixu widened his eyes in disbelief.

Judging by Ying Yuan's demeanor, it was completely undetectable. However, since Li Jin said it, Shi Weixu had no choice but to believe it.

Li Jin shook his head, "I don't know."

"......"

Hearing this, Shi Weixu's mouth twitched involuntarily.

Li Jin glanced outside the door and suddenly said, "Physician Shi, let's stop here. The eldest prince's condition is more critical; he cannot be without you for too long."

"Ah, yes."

Hearing this, Shi Weixu thought Li Jin was worried about Ying Zihui's injury and took his leave to depart.

However, this notion vanished instantly when Shi Weixu opened the door, because he saw Ying Yuan, who had been standing outside all along. Only then did he understand that Li Jin didn't want Ying Yuan to keep standing out there, not because he was worried about Ying Zihui's safety.

......

Prince An's Mansion.

"Good, good, good, excellent..." After reading the urgent letter sent from Zhuzhou, Ying Ziheng was overjoyed, repeatedly saying 'good', "I must write a reply immediately, telling them to continue the assassination attempts on Li Jin until he is dead."

Knock knock.

Suddenly, a knocking sound came from outside the door, interrupting Ying Ziheng's thoughts.

Ying Ziheng's face immediately darkened, "Who's there?"

"Your Highness, it's me." Li Siyuan's gentle voice came from outside, "You didn't eat much earlier, so I specially prepared some food for you to try."

Hearing the voice outside was Li Siyuan's, Ying Ziheng hurriedly put the letter away.

"Come in."

"Yes, Your Highness."

With Ying Ziheng's permission, Li Siyuan immediately walked in and placed the food he brought on the table.

The arrangement of the dishes was all according to Ying Ziheng's habits. This, coupled with his current elation over Li Jin's situation, immediately whetted Ying Ziheng's appetite.

"Such exquisite food. You have put in much thought."

"As long as Your Highness likes it."

Li Siyuan bowed slightly and stood to the side, waiting for Ying Ziheng to finish eating.

Ying Ziheng glanced at Li Siyuan's slightly protruding belly and said offhandedly, "You are with child. Sit down."

"Yes."

Li Siyuan didn't stand on ceremony either and sat down as Ying Ziheng suggested.

"My Consort, I owe you much thanks this time." Ying Ziheng thought of the incident not long ago; the hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly as he said with lingering fear, "If you hadn't protected me, that vile woman would have injured me."

Ying Ziheng never expected that Zheng Yan, who had always been submissive to him, would harbor murderous intent towards his offspring. Later, after he discovered it, she even tried to kill him as well. It was simply insane.

Li Siyuan said, "It is because Your Highness has immense fortune bestowed by Heaven."

Ying Ziheng laughed heartily, "Well said! I love hearing you say that."

Ever since Li Siyuan rescued Ying Ziheng from his concubine Zheng Yan, Ying Ziheng no longer felt the initial disgust when looking at Li Siyuan. Instead, he even felt a bit more favorable towards him.

Li Siyuan suddenly lowered his head slowly, "However, if only I could have protected my sister's child as well..."

"Rouyan was fated to have this calamity; it's not your fault."

"But ever since sister Rouyan lost the child, her whole person has... has..."

"Alright, alright. I'll go see her when I have time later." Seeing Li Siyuan's tearful appearance, Ying Ziheng relented helplessly, "Is that enough now?"

Li Siyuan smiled a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "Thank you, Your Highness. Sister will surely be happy to see you."

Yes, only in that deranged state of hers.

I wonder if my husband will show a look of disgust upon seeing her.

Sister, oh sister, you didn't expect it, did you? It was you who originally schemed to make me lose my child, but Zheng Yan played the oriole snatching the cicada from the mantis. Instead, not only did I keep my child, but I also won Prince An's good treatment.

"Mm, I am very pleased that you two can get along so harmoniously."

"Your Highness, here, have some tea."

Li Siyuan smiled, refilled Ying Ziheng's teacup, and did not respond.

"Ah, right, I almost forgot I have to write a memorial to Father today..."

"Your Highness, don't rush. I'll fetch it for you."

Having said that, Li Siyuan stood up considerately, cleared the table, and walked over to Ying Ziheng's desk to fetch a blank memorial.

However, precisely because of this act, the letter from Zhuzhou that Ying Ziheng hadn't hidden well was seen by Li Siyuan.

Seeing that familiar name on it, Li Siyuan's pupils contracted sharply.

Prince An is trying to assassinate Li Jin?

But that abnormal expression lasted only for an instant. Li Siyuan's demeanor returned to its usual state as if nothing had happened, calmly took the blank memorial and the writing materials and placed them before Ying Ziheng.

Ying Ziheng didn't notice Li Siyuan's anomaly. Upon receiving the blank memorial, he immediately began writing.