“Grandfather, does the Tang Clan specialize in poisons?” Han Yan didn’t directly answer him, instead asking a seemingly unrelated question.
Tang Sheng looked at Han Yan: “What’s the matter?”
Taking his response as confirmation, Han Yan asked, “Then, compared to creating poisons, how are you at treating them?”
“Yan’er, what are you planning?” Tang Sheng found her question strange.
Han Yan shook her head: “Grandfather, just tell me, can you or can’t you?”
Tang Sheng replied: “Compared to other sects, we’re much better. However, treating poison isn’t our specialty – Tang Clan members excel at creating and using poisons. Sometimes when they create a poison, even they don’t have an antidote. But… poison and medicine are naturally interconnected. Those who can create poisons generally can treat them too.”
Han Yan’s eyes lit up. Although Tang Sheng didn’t claim their medical skills were exceptional, these people who worked with poisons daily had extensive knowledge and understood various toxins’ properties. Combined with Imperial Physician Wu, perhaps there was still hope. Thinking this, she immediately knelt and kowtowed deeply to Tang Sheng: “Grandfather, I have a request.”
Tang Sheng was startled by Han Yan’s sudden movement. Flustered, he immediately tried to help her up, saying, “What are you doing? Tell grandfather what you need, and I’ll certainly help you achieve it.”
“Please, I beg grandfather to save Prince Xuanqing,” Han Yan paused, then continued, “He’s been poisoned with a rare cold poison and is dying.”
“Prince Xuanqing?” Tang Sheng was stunned. He had specifically inquired about Han Yan’s relationship with Prince Xuanqing. The Prince was famous even in the martial arts world – a handsome and talented young man of considerable influence. In the past, Tang Sheng might have been quite pleased with such a grandson-in-law. But now… he frowned: “Yan’er, are you still infatuated with him? Remember, he abandoned you to marry that Western Rong princess. Why care for such a man? If you want a good match, Grandfather can take you back to the Tang fortress – there are plenty of fine young men there. Han Yan, you’re beautiful and intelligent, finding a match won’t be difficult…”
Listening to the old man’s rambling, Han Yan nearly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She had to explain: “Grandfather, you misunderstand. He didn’t do that intentionally. I can explain everything later. But time is urgent now – if we don’t save him, he might die.” Han Yan bit her lip: “If grandfather doesn’t agree, I won’t get up.”
Tang Sheng couldn’t bear to see his newly reunited granddaughter kneeling like this. Though Fu Yunxi’s situation puzzled him, seeing Han Yan’s determination, he could only say: “It’s not that grandfather won’t agree, but treating poison isn’t something we’re completely confident in – we might not be able to cure him.”
Han Yan shook her head: “I’m not asking for a guaranteed cure, just a chance to try.” She looked at Tang Sheng: “Grandfather, I stopped asking people for favors long ago. This time, I’m begging you to save him.”
Seeing Han Yan’s persistence, Tang Sheng suddenly remembered many years ago when Xiao Qiao had knelt before him similarly, begging him to accept her relationship with the Eastern Marquis. The martial arts world and imperial court were just as complicated then as now, with intertwined interests that wouldn’t allow them to be together. But Xiao Qiao, usually spirited and lively, had pleaded sorrowfully for the first time. He had felt heartbroken, angry, and sad, but what could he do? When his daughter fell in love with such a man, how could a father force them apart? Moreover, knowing Xiao Qiao’s character – preferring to shatter like jade than remain whole like tile – if he had truly opposed them, she might have done something shocking. He could only agree.
The Eastern Marquis had indeed treated Xiao Qiao well. For a talented young man with such prospects to love a woman from the martial arts world so devotedly was already quite rare. But love wasn’t everything – the Eastern Marquis hadn’t protected Xiao Qiao, his entire family had been eliminated, and his innocent daughter had been caught up in it too. The Tang fortress members had witnessed Tang Sheng age ten years overnight. Despite his dominance in the martial arts world for so many years, he couldn’t even protect his daughter.
Now his finally recovered granddaughter – was she going to follow her mother’s path, sacrificing everything for a man from the imperial court? But in Han Yan’s eyes, Tang Sheng could already see that she was deeply in love with Prince Xuanqing. What could he say? What could he do?
Tang Sheng sighed deeply: “Perhaps the Tang family is destined to produce such devoted children?” He said: “I’ll try. You can get up now.”
Han Yan’s heart leaped with joy: “Thank you, grandfather.”
Seeing her eyes curved with happiness, Tang Sheng’s earlier unease about her actions subsided, and his brow relaxed. Grandfather and granddaughter smiled at each other and began discussing family matters over the years.
Meanwhile, at Prince Xuanqing’s mansion…
Imperial Physician Wu looked at Fu Yunxi: “Your condition worsens day by day.”
The person on the sickbed looked increasingly gaunt, his cold eyes so faint they seemed almost empty. He simply said: “I know.”
This man never showed panic, not even facing his death notice. Perhaps only that girl could stir other emotions in him. Imperial Physician Wu shook his head: “Do you plan to do nothing?”
“This is already good enough,” Fu Yunxi said. Wanting nothing, these days were the most peaceful of his life. His revenge was complete, his concerns resolved, with no other wishes remaining. What else in this world couldn’t he let go of? The Emperor’s reign was secure with no foreseeable problems for decades, the Western Rong was severely weakened and wouldn’t dare act rashly for over a decade, the court situation had stabilized, and the common people’s lives were peaceful. Except for… that person. He closed his eyes briefly – perhaps there was still one regret.
“Fu Yunxi.” A clear voice called out. For a moment, he almost thought he was hallucinating – the girl from his thoughts appeared the instant he thought of her. But he quickly realized it was real; Han Yan was walking toward him. Her eyes were curved in smiles, her hair tied in round buns, clearly the image of a bright-eyed young lady. Yet it made Fu Yunxi think of long ago, under the red plum tree, when that slightly uncertain young girl had hidden in his cloak, nestling against him like a frightened little animal.
While he was lost in thought, Han Yan had already reached him and waved her hand: “What are you daydreaming about?”
Imperial Physician Wu had quietly withdrawn when Han Yan entered. She naturally sat down beside Fu Yunxi. Their interactions these days had grown increasingly peaceful and open. Perhaps knowing his condition, knowing how precious their limited time together was, they no longer waste time on meaningless, guarded conversations. They just talked about ordinary things – trivial, but warm.