Chapter 720: The Princess!

“Father Emperor, Your Majesty!”

“Quick, someone, bring the chamber pot over…”

“Poof!”

A foul odor spread out, polluting the air in Yangxin Hall. Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze quickly ordered all the doors and windows to be opened.

“Comfortable, I haven’t felt this comfortable in a long time!” Within the restroom, only Emperor Zhao Rui’s long voice was heard.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, two eunuchs helped the emperor walk out and return to the imperial bed.

The chamber pot was swiftly carried out, although the lid was tightly sealed, it couldn’t keep the smell from escaping.

“Your Majesty, how are you feeling?”

“Much better. Mr. Fu, I’ve benefited greatly from you this time.” Although Zhao Rui regained consciousness, his body was still very weak, and it would take time for his nerves to fully recover.

“No, Your Majesty, your awakening is firstly because you are the true Son of Heaven, blessed by fortune, and secondly, the primary credit goes to Lin Chengde. The prescription I used was his, and it was his efforts that helped alleviate your paralysis symptoms!” Fu Qingzhu hurriedly said.

Lin Miao stood below, listening to Fu Qingzhu’s report and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Fu Qingzhu’s designation as a national healer was not only due to his medical skills and ethics but also his political maneuvering and emotional intelligence. He first praised the emperor, attributing all credit to him, then himself, and then gave the main credit to another, pleasing all sides while still leaving a good impression with the emperor.

No wonder the emperor trusted him immensely, even granting him a marquis title.

As long as the old emperor is alive, Fu Qingzhu’s favor remains strong.

It seems in the future court, I must learn much from him, though I won’t be staying long this time.

The emperor has completely regained consciousness, but his paralysis will need time to heal. As for his life expectancy…

Lin Miao has no method to prolong life, based on his pulse diagnosis, three years are left.

“Mr. Lin.”

“I am here,” Lin Miao said, bowing his head.

“You saved me and have rendered great service to the court. How should I reward you?” Zhao Rui asked, sitting on the imperial bed, slightly squinting while observing Lin Miao.

“It was all due to Your Majesty’s immense fortune. I merely played a minor part and dare not seek any reward,” Lin Miao quickly replied; had it not been for the Crown Prince and Marquis Lingyang involving him, he really didn’t want deep ties with the court.

“Those who are meritorious shall be rewarded, this is my principle. I heard you are not yet married, how about gifting you a marriage as a reward?”

“I already have a betrothal and am waiting for the wedding date. Please retract this command!” Lin Miao was startled; what was the emperor planning, randomly matchmaking without reason?

“I have a niece, of similar age, intelligent and beautiful, wouldn’t she make a good match with you? How would you like it if she were granted as a secondary wife?”

“Secondary wife?” Lin Miao was stunned.

What is the emperor aiming for, bestowing a woman upon him, a royal nonetheless, perhaps to bind him to serve the Zhao imperial family?

Royal princess as a wife – this is something many deeply desire yet cannot have, and as a secondary wife, it’s beyond just marriage.

The Emperor’s niece, if not a princess, is at least a commandery princess, and her husband is at least of the first rank.

If this marriage were to succeed, Lin Miao would instantly be of the first rank.

“Your Majesty, I already have a betrothal, as for this secondary wife matter…”

“Father Emperor, which cousin are you granting to Lin Chengde?” Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze quickly cut Lin Miao off.

“Crown Prince, what do you think of Princess An Yang?”

“Father Emperor, Sect Leader of the Medicine King Sect previously sought her hand, and you agreed for An Yang to marry the Medicine King’s descendant!” Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze exclaimed in surprise.

“An Yang was raised at the palace, under your mother’s care, and has a great relationship with you. She has been frail since childhood, now 22 years old. I felt sorry for this child and couldn’t bear her marrying off, wishing to find her a suitable match. Among all the young talents in court, none suits her serene nature. I believe Lin Chengde is kind-hearted and refined in medical expertise, perfectly suitable.” Zhao Rui pointed at Lin Miao.

“Are you willing, Lin Chengde?”

“I dare not.” Lin Miao truly didn’t anticipate such an incident; he knows refusing would arouse the emperor’s dominance, and not only is the position of principal wife settled, but Miss Xu is arranged as a concubine, though unknown to outsiders, there also exist Shi Yin and Liuli, hidden and undisclosed.

If you can have so many concubines, why not a royal commandery princess as a secondary wife?

“Your Majesty, I am quite slow, spending all day amidst trees and plants; I don’t understand romance nor tenderness. A royal jewel like this deserves to be matched with one as radiant and cultured as the moon, hardly one as emotionally obtuse as I. Please choose another good match for the commandery princess!” Lin Miao hurriedly knelt.

“Although An Yang is a commandery princess, she was raised by my side, I regard her as a treasure. Mr. Lin, you mustn’t neglect my generosity!” Emperor Zhao Rui still demonstrated his imperial majesty despite being grievously ill.

“Mr. Lin, An Yang is my cousin, the deceased Prince Yong’s daughter!” The Crown Prince hurriedly whispered to Lin Miao.

Lin Miao raised his head, glanced at the Crown Prince, immediately understanding the underlying meaning.

Prince Yong once competed with His Majesty for the position of Crown Prince. Because His Majesty had a son, he eventually seized the throne, while Prince Yong died shortly after in melancholy, and the consort followed him, leaving behind a six-year-old child, who is now Princess An Yang.

Such a princess, who among the civil and military officials of the court dares to marry her?

Even if someone dares to marry her, whom would the Emperor agree to let her marry?

In fact, Princess An Yang has long passed the age for marriage, but no one has mentioned her marriage. Everyone implicitly assumes that the Emperor simply doesn’t want to marry her off. Her best fate is to grow old and die in the palace.

Among the royal children of the same generation as the Crown Prince, there are many, but the one closest in relation to the current Emperor’s line is An Yang.

Although the Emperor has two daughters, they both died young, and none survived.

The current Emperor doesn’t even have a son-in-law serving as Consort Prince.

As for the Emperor’s other brothers, they are all dead and left no descendants. The Zhao Family has always been limited by its thin royal bloodline.

Although the royal family now has quite a few members, very few direct descendants have emerged, and many families can only be considered as branches.

The father of Princess An Yang was one of the strong contenders of the former Emperor but failed in the struggle for succession, leaving only a daughter. Although she cannot become Emperor, who can guarantee that no one will use her to stir up trouble?

To prevent unforeseen incidents, the Emperor early on brought her into the palace to be raised by the Empress.

Now, suddenly, the Medicine King Sect seeks to marry An Yang.

The Emperor naturally became vigilant, for if the Medicine King Sect could cure his illness, he would agree to the marriage.

After all, no matter what, the Medicine King Sect would never rebel. The purpose of such sects and factional existences is not ultimate power but their millennial immortality. Rebelling to become emperor may bring glory for a few hundred years but entails a high risk of being annihilated if failed.

But the Medicine King Sect would not, without reason, seek to marry Princess An Yang.

Therefore, even though the Emperor does not know their purpose, he would not allow the Medicine King Sect to succeed easily. He no longer needs the Medicine King Sect now.

Instead, he sees another possibility in Lin Miao.

Lin Miao doesn’t have a powerful aristocratic backing or a sect; he is simply a young man with a talent for medicine.

If such a person were to bind with the royal family, it would be exceptionally advantageous for him and the royal family.

He knows he has only a few years left to live. The Crown Prince still has no heirs, and that old fifth sibling is basically useless now, currently, the Crown Prince is overwhelmingly powerful in the court.

Fortunately, he is still filial, otherwise, seizing the opportunity of his stroke, he would have long lost his life without anyone going to great lengths to save him alive.

That wench Consort Xue.

Deceived him for so many years.

“I wish to confer An Yang as a princess and betroth her to Mr. Lin as an equal wife. What does Mr. Lin think?” Zhao Rui stared at Lin Miao, slowly speaking, “An Yang’s mother was once the most beautiful in the Da Li Dynasty. These years, she has grown up in the palace, and no one knows her beauty. Mr. Lin, as long as you meet each other, I believe you will have a good impression of each other.”

“Your Majesty…” Lin Miao was in a difficult position now, sweat beads forming on his forehead, this was even harder for him to face than the masters of Tianyuan.

If he were to leave in a snit, it’s not impossible, but openly offending the Emperor – no one would take action against him, even granting a princess to him. The problem is, he hasn’t been asked to abandon his original engagement with his senior sister, and having a princess as an equal wife – this in the Da Li Dynasty would be unique.

As a man, what is there to be dissatisfied with? This would be seen as ingratitude if word got out.

If in this lifetime he only acknowledged his senior sister, so be it, with full attention and heartfelt devotion to one person, this can be understood.

The problem is, he still has an engagement with the Xu Family.

What reason is there to refuse the princess’s marriage as an equal wife? Even if to marry her and simply provide for her, this would entail endless wealth and honor in the future.

“Father, this son believes An Yang’s younger sister and Mr. Lin are a match made in heaven. It’s the best outcome for sister to marry him.” Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze is not foolish. This sister, being kept in the palace, unable to marry, is fundamentally the Emperor’s own issue.

If he doesn’t want this niece, who once competed with him for the throne, to marry, she won’t be able to. His decree alone could send her to the Buddhist temple, to live a life with the ancient Buddha by the blue lamp.

But he is willing to let her out of the palace to marry; if not fostered, it might be difficult to have this opportunity again.

This sister, he has some pity for her. For these years of being trapped in the palace, though clothed and fed richly, like a bird in a cage, the days pass bitterly.

“Crown Prince, what do you intend to do…” Lin Miao looked up, surprised, at Zhao Yuanze. Why are you also joining your father’s antics?

“If the Crown Prince also believes so, that’s fine. This marriage is settled. After Mr. Lin marries Mrs. Sun, then An Yang will marry Mr. Lin as an equal wife!”

“Father, Mr. Lin doesn’t have a residence in the capital, and An Yang’s sister will need a place to live after marriage. This son suggests splitting the seized Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion in half, giving one half to Mr. Lin and setting aside the other half as a princess palace. How do you feel about it?” Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze took the opportunity to suggest.

“The Crown Prince’s suggestion is good. Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion is indeed large. If split into two, one for Lin Residence and one for the Princess Palace, it is indeed suitable. Moreover, with the Princess Palace and Consort Prince’s Mansion together, it will be convenient in the future.” The Emperor nodded in agreement, “I will immediately issue an edict to grant the marriage.”

Lin Miao knew, unless he rebelled against the court, this matter could not be changed, illustrating the might of feudal imperial power.

Another one, and it’s a princess. Now he doesn’t know how to explain this when he returns.