Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 363 Nightmare

Liu Zhong sat silently on a futon in the room.

The faded patterns on the edge of the cushion were being repeatedly rubbed by withered fingers.

His back was ramrod straight, yet the excessive thinness of his clothes revealed the jagged outline of his shoulder bones beneath his Taoist robe. The tea-stained cuffs of his dark blue wide sleeves revealed the sharp, knife-cut wrist bones. His bun was tightly bound, but a few strands of frost-white hair escaped the restraints and hung down beside his ears.

If Liu Yuechu were to see him, she would be greatly surprised.

My once spirited father has lost nearly half his weight, and the furrows on his brow are as deep as the width of a willow leaf.

"Although I have agreed to come back with you, you should not have too high expectations. Years ago, I abandoned them and left Daqi. Now that I have returned, my son and daughter are probably no longer willing to acknowledge me."

His voice was unusually hoarse, no longer the clear and bright one it once was. It sounded like an old, stubby lizard, particularly harsh and unpleasant to the ear.

"Your daughter is quite something; she's made the Liu family very successful. She not only angered your uncle to death, but also the old lady. She even helped you choose your son's wife."

"She may seem like just an official-merchant, but she rose to become a second-rank noblewoman and a viscountess. Impressive, truly remarkable."

The speaker was the emperor's brother-in-law.

The Empress's older brother and Crown Prince Qin Mushuo's maternal uncle—Deng Qi.

His father was the imperial tutor, and his family was a prominent clan with a century-old legacy. However, the moment the Empress Dowager seized power, the Deng family was completely crushed and reduced to a mere shell of its former self, unable to maintain its foothold in the court any longer.

His father died of anger.

The Empress's younger sister accompanied Emperor Qi Xiao in the palace, where each day felt like an eternity.

He observed three years of mourning for his father, followed by three more years after his mother's death. He endured until Emperor Qi Xiao regained power in the court, hoping to turn the tide. However, Emperor Qi Xiao chose the eldest daughter of the Right Chancellor as the Crown Prince's wife and did not support the Deng family again.

The Deng family was thus quietly forgotten.

He did complain to his sister, the Empress, but she only asked him to assist the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince, however, looked down on his maternal uncle's family and considered the Deng family to be troublesome.

Deng Qi was furious and decided to leave for another place. He unexpectedly saved Liu Zhong's life, and the two became acquainted.

Liu Zhong found a Taoist temple to cultivate in seclusion, but Deng Qi had disappeared without a trace. Deng Qi's sudden appearance this time was to ask him to return to the capital, also to repay the life-saving grace he had once received.

Liu Zhong had no choice but to agree.

"Don't blame me for not warning you, she has a very deep destiny. Don't think that my appearance can disturb Yuechu's mind. Perhaps you will be the ones who lose." He said with great certainty.

Deng Qi chuckled, "Alright, if I lose, I'll go back to the Taoist temple with you and become a Taoist priest myself, never to concern myself with worldly affairs again."

Liu Zhong raised his eyes slightly and glanced at him, "You won't become a Taoist priest either."

After saying this, he closed his eyes and continued his meditation, refusing to speak again.

Three days passed just like that.

On the morning of the third day, the orange sunlight broke through the chilly morning light, and the east gate tower of the capital was already filled with court officials.

The Golden Feather Guards were stationed on both sides of the road outside the city.

Above the city gate, four square tables were set up, laden with fruit, snacks, and tea. Yuan Cuo explained that this was specially prepared by the imperial kitchen in preparation for when they might get thirsty during a later argument.

Everyone got up early and arrived here. Before the delegations from Chu and Yan arrived, they drank two bowls of porridge to warm themselves up.

Even though it was early spring, the spring wind was still biting.

"Why hasn't Minister Yuan arrived yet?"

The people from the Court of State Ceremonial kept glancing in the direction of the Liu family, but they couldn't see any carriages approaching.

By this time, Yuan Cuo should have arrived long ago.

Wei Tianxuan reassured everyone, "The master is probably on his way, and Madam Liu will need to have breakfast before she can go out."

"What kind of time is this to be bringing a woman along? Minister Yuan is already a second-class viscount, how come he still can't shake off his status as a son-in-law? He's so afraid of women." Other officials said with dissatisfaction.

Wei Tianxuan scoffed, "Madam Liu can alleviate the suffering of the people in the capital with a wave of her hand. Does your wife have that ability? With such a beautiful, wise, intelligent and virtuous wife, I would be happy to be a son-in-law."

"..." No one could refute it for a moment.

"I'm coming!"

A gasp rang out ahead, and Wei Tianxuan looked up to see the envoys from Yan and Chu appear.

"Good heavens, why are these people here earlier than expected?" He glanced at the incense sticks used for timing; it was more than an hour earlier than anticipated.

"Quickly, send someone to inform Minister Yuan." Wei Tianxuan's previous ease had vanished.

If Yuan Cuo didn't show up while we were waiting, that would be one thing, but now that the delegation has arrived, if he still hasn't shown up, people will naturally have something to say about him!

At this moment, Liu Yuechu had just woken up and was covered in a cold sweat.

She didn't know what was wrong with her, but last night she suddenly had a nightmare in which her father came back.

This dream was not a dream of family affection and joy.

Because the dream was filled with negative resentment and arguments, and the atmosphere was oppressive.

She couldn't remember the specific details, but she felt depressed after waking up.

Yuan Cuo specially took her pulse and prescribed a calming remedy, saying, "Don't be afraid, and don't worry."

Liu Yuechu nodded and continued to lean against the bedside, hoping that her breathing would gradually become calmer and not too rapid.

Yuan Cuo continued to massage her arms and legs, and noticed the sweat seeping from her body.

"Or, why don't you go first?" Liu Yuechu realized that it was inconvenient for her to go out in this situation.

Just as Yuan Cuo was about to speak, Hua Jiao came in from outside.

"Young master, someone has arrived outside. They say that the envoys from Chu and Yan have arrived ahead of schedule and they want you to go immediately!"

"Why is it ahead of schedule?" Yuan Cuo was very dissatisfied. "Then let them wait."

"You should go. Don't let anyone use this opportunity against you." Liu Yuechu abandoned her plan to follow him to the city gate. "I'm really not feeling well. I don't want to go out even if I only rest for an hour. Husband, you can go. Physician Sun is here with you, so you can rest assured."

Liu Yuechu's condition was indeed not good, and Yuan Cuo knew that he could not force her.

Gu Yu brewed the medicine and brought it in from outside.

Yuan Cuo helped her drink it and told her to lie down and sleep peacefully, saying, "I'll be back when I wake up, don't worry."

Liu Yuechu nodded.

Yuan Cuo left in a hurry, leaving Hou Lai behind.

At this moment, Princess Chen had already gotten up, tidied herself up, and went from the guest courtyard to Yuan Chu Pavilion. "Don't be afraid, I'm here, you will definitely be fine."

Liu Yuechu smiled, then closed her eyes for a nap.

But after falling asleep, she didn't know how long she slept. When she woke up, she heard Princess Chen arguing at the door with great dissatisfaction, and the argument was very sharp.

"Don't you know what's going on with your sister? Talking about your father at a time like this is utter nonsense!"

"Even if he was arrested, or even if he was killed, his funeral cannot be held today!"