HMAM CH 48 Spitting Blood
The city of Qingzhou fell, and Xu Ming was defeated in battle, fleeing in panic. Jing Ye sent Yang Ziran to pursue him while the iron was hot.
The one who opened the city gates to welcome the emperor was Xu Ming's confidant of many years, named Dong Qichang. Lin Xiaosheng asked Jing Ye, "How should we handle this person?"
Jing Ye glanced at the reports before him and said, "Dong Qichang has been by Xu Ming's side for many years, and Xu Ming values him greatly, giving him countless favors. Yet, the moment he sees his master defeated, he kicks him while he's down. Truly, he is an ungrateful wretch."
Lin Xiaosheng replied, "But if we punish this person, I fear it will instill fear in the surrendered subjects within the city, sparking further unrest."
Jing Ye said, "Spare his life, and send him away casually. Zhen does not wish to create a second Xu Ming."
Lin Xiaosheng nodded, stood up from his chair, and bowed, saying, "Although military affairs are tiresome, Your Majesty should also take care of your health."
Jing Ye smiled and said, "Zhen has tried to read fewer memorials."
Lin Xiaosheng raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, while managing military affairs, you also look after Lord Feng. This subject fear you may become too fatigued."
His straightforwardness was reasonable, yet there was an undercurrent of jealousy. Jing Ye felt a bit embarrassed and pretended not to hear.
Seeing the emperor fall silent, Lin Xiaosheng understood that he would never concede to moving Feng Ling back to the military camp for recuperation, and could only bow before withdrawing.
After Lin Xiaosheng left the room, Jing Ye stood up and tossed the reports back onto the table. This study was connected to the adjacent bedroom, with several intricately carved doors in between. Jing Ye turned around the screen and entered the bedroom he usually napped in.
Feng Ling lay on the bed he used for napping, eyes tightly closed, still in a coma.
The maidservants brought in soup and medicine, bowed to Jing Ye, and moved to the bedside. The young servant attending Feng Ling helped him sit up so the maidservant could feed him the medicine.
Feng Ling's teeth were clenched tightly, unable to take in the medicine, which dripped down his chin and onto the quilt.
After watching for a while, Jing Ye extended his hand and said, "Zhen will do it."
The maidservant hurriedly passed him the bowl and spoon, then stepped back. Jing Ye sat by the bed, scooped up the dark medicine, and brought a spoon to Feng Ling's lips, saying, "Feng qing?"
Feng Ling's fingertips twitched slightly. Jing Ye pressed the jade spoon against his lips and gradually fed him the medicine.
When Ye Mao and the military doctor entered, they saw this scene. Ye Mao narrowed his eyes and glanced at the military doctor, who wisely lowered his head.
The military doctor was there to change the dressings on Feng Ling's legs. Jing Ye watched as he applied the medicine and asked, "Will there be any aftereffects once this injury heals?"
The military doctor bowed and replied, "Although Lord Feng's injury looks terrible, it hasn't harmed any vital areas. Given time, he is sure to recover completely."
Jing Ye sighed with slight relief and nodded, pressing his fingers against his temples, saying, "You were recommended by zhen's imperial physician. Do not let zhen down."
The military doctor hurriedly said, "How could this subject dare?"
After the military doctor finished changing the dressings and withdrew, Ye Mao led him out, saying as they walked, "Doctor Fang's skills are commendable, but you should know that some things should not be spoken lightly."
The military doctor nodded cautiously, "Of course."
Ye Mao smiled and said, "Good. The carriage to take you back is right outside the gate. Please return home, and when Lord Feng recovers, His Majesty's reward will surely not be lacking."
The military doctor nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes."
Back in the bedroom, the maidservants tidied up and bowed before leaving. Ye Mao stepped in, bending slightly, and said, "Your Majesty, you seem weary. Why not take a rest?"
Jing Ye glanced at Feng Ling, who showed no signs of awakening, and couldn't help but sigh, turning to leave.
Feng Ling woke up around nightfall, just as a maidservant came to light the lamps. She caught a glimpse of movement on the bed, and seeing him slowly open his eyes in a daze, couldn't help but call out, "He's awake, he's awake!"
Jing Ye was reviewing reports outside and hurried into the inner chamber, with Ye Mao hastily following behind.
When Jing Ye arrived at the bedside, he saw Feng Ling's expression gradually clear and called out, "Feng qing?"
Only then did Feng Ling realize that the person before him was Jing Ye, wearing a ceremonial crown and robes adorned with a dark blue dragon pattern, his black hair tied back.
Feng Ling moved his fingers slightly, carefully studying Jing Ye's facial features, and slowly said, "This subject... has some inconveniences and cannot greet Your Majesty."
Jing Ye helped him sit up and placed a soft pillow behind him, saying, "There's no need."
"This subject..." Feng Ling opened his mouth but suddenly felt an iron sweetness in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.
The fresh blood fell on the quilt, soaking it into a deep brown stain.
Jing Ye was startled, and even Ye Mao was taken aback, saying, "What... has happened to Lord Feng?"
"Go call the imperial physician!"
Jing Ye took a deep breath, raising his hand to wipe the blood from Feng Ling's lips with his sleeve. Feng Ling grasped his wrist and said, "How can this subject dirty Your Majesty's clothing?"
A surge of anger rose in Jing Ye, and he flipped his hand to use the sleeve to wipe again, coldly saying, "It is already stained."
Feng Ling looked down at the bloodstain on the sleeve, remembering what the imperial physician had said about young people spitting blood: it was certainly not a sign of longevity. He recalled what Elder Xing had said before he lost consciousness, and it likely rang true.
He stared blankly for a long time before releasing Jing Ye's hand.
Jing Ye asked, "What happened after you were kidnapped by Seventh Master Xing?"
Feng Ling remained silent for a long time before saying, "This subject is just a military scribe and should recuperate in the military camp, not stay in the residence of the emperor..."
Jing Ye felt a mix of amusement and anger: "Is it that you avoid zhen like venomous snakes?"
Feng Ling replied, "Your Majesty treats me too well; this subject cannot bear it."
Jing Ye fell silent, retreating to the table and turning his face away.
Feng Ling quietly observed him.
What use was kindness towards someone who may be dying?
The imperial physician hurried in to take Feng Ling's pulse. Jing Ye stepped away and asked him questions outside.
"Is it some chronic illness, or perhaps..." Jing Ye pondered, "poison?"
The imperial physician shook his head and said, "There are no abnormalities visible in the pulse; in fact, it is steadier and more forceful than when he was in a coma."
Hearing this, Jing Ye said, "This is indeed strange."
The imperial physician said, "Though such occurrences are rare, there are records in medical texts. In the past, there were cases of seemingly healthy individuals suddenly spitting blood, yet their bodies turned out healthier than before, as if they had unblocked their meridians."
Jing Ye asked a few more detailed questions and decided to observe for two days.
After finishing, the imperial physician was dismissed at Jing Ye's approval.
He originally intended to speak with Feng Ling about this, but felt that what he had said previously was truly maddening and decided he should let him stew in worry for a few days. He ordered Ye Mao to prepare dinner and did not check on Feng Ling, instead returning to his chambers to dine and turn in for the night.
In the middle of the night, he was startled awake by a nightmare. Jing Ye sat up, steadied himself, and called out, "Ye Mao?"
Ye Mao hurriedly entered from outside, rubbing his hands and bowing, "Your Majesty, would you like a cup of hot tea?"
Jing Ye nodded. Ye Mao quickly went out to bring tea. After sipping a few times, Jing Ye suddenly said, "Did you not light the incense today?"
Ye Mao replied, "Your Majesty mentioned the scent was too overwhelming the night before, so this servant had the servant remove it."
Jing Ye remembered, "Indeed, that did happen; zhen actually forgot."
Ye Mao asked, "Shall this servant light it again?"
Jing Ye shook his head, "No need. Though it helps with sleep at night, it makes zhen dizzy during the day while reviewing memorials. Go get zhen a book and bring a lamp here. Once you finish, you can rest outside."
"Understood." Ye Mao bent slightly, showing a worried expression, and quietly instructed the young servant waiting at the door, "Go invite Lin Gongzi here." After that, he went to move the lamp and fetch the book.
Jing Ye leaned back on his pillow, clearly fatigued but unable to sleep. After waiting for a while without seeing Ye Mao come back, he heard the door to the outer chamber creak open and then close again.
Light footsteps approached. As the person stepped into the inner chamber, Jing Ye finally saw who it was.
Lin Xiaosheng had been roused in the middle of the night and had not secured his hair. His dark hair, tied back simply, flowed down behind him as he wore a long coat. He entered and said, "Your Majesty, are you not sleeping well?"
Jing Ye was momentarily taken aback, realizing this was indeed another of Ye Mao's machinations. Helplessly, he said, "You have come over at this hour."
Lin Xiaosheng did not approach the bed right away but instead stood by the warming stove to warm his hands and body before walking to the bedside, removing his outer coat to sit beside Jing Ye.
Having a warm body beside him was indeed comforting, and Jing Ye made room, at which point Lin Xiaosheng asked, "Your Majesty, are you still unable to sleep?"
Jing Ye felt Lin Xiaosheng’s hand close around his, warmth gradually seeping in.
"En, a little."
Their gazes met, and it was unclear who acted first. In any case, they quickly gripped each other's hands, their foreheads touching, lips entwined in a gentle kiss.
"Mm... ngh..."
As Jing Ye kissed, his eyes glistened with moisture, a flush creeping onto his cheeks. Lin Xiaosheng, as he kissed, observed him and felt that the gentle and kind emperor during the day now had a slightly enticing allure.
The flickering light illuminated the room, and the faint fragrance of Lin Xiaosheng's clothing mixed with the warmth of their embrace, almost intoxicating.
Jing Ye strained to pull himself back to rationality and, with slightly trembling hands, separated their tightly pressed bodies, saying, "Zhen... zhen wants to sleep."
Lin Xiaosheng paused his hand that had slipped under Jing Ye's clothing, touching his waist and placing light kisses on his lips.
"Sleep."
Jing Ye quickly lay back under the covers, pulling the blanket over his head. Lin Xiaosheng followed suit, resting beside him and gazing at the soft white curve of his neck.
The night passed without dreams.