Fu Rou came to check on Official Situ, only to see her lying on the couch, her face devoid of colour. Her body was as limp as a piece of paper and looked as if she could be blown away. Fu Rou could not help but feel like crying.
“Official Situ, are you feeling better?” Fu Rou did not wish to think negatively.
“I am old and useless. I don’t think I will ever be able to see the river in my hometown.” Official Situ did not complain or hate anyone. She simply believed that this was her fate.
“Official Situ, please do not think that way. Take your time to recover, you will eventually become better.”
Fu Rou saw the Crown Prince enter and bowed wordlessly. Along with Wu Zhangyi, Fu Rou left the room.
Fu Rou asked Wu Zhangyi, “What did the Imperial Physician say?”
Wu Zhangyi shook his head and sighed, “The Imperial Physician said that this was just a matter of time. The Empress personally issued the instruction to hit her hard and those that were carrying out the punishment did not dare to hold back. Even a young and strong person won’t be able to hold out against a hundred strokes of the cane, let alone Official Situ who is already old.”
Fu Rou asked again, “Is Official Situ still unwilling to say why she got hit?”
Wu Zhangyi shook his head, indicating that Official Situ’s lips were tight. However, Fu Rou guessed that this matter had something to do with the Crown Princess. On the day that Official Situ went to bid farewell to the Empress, she was exuberant when she left. She heard that the Empress was also in a good mood and rewarded Official Situ with quite a lot of things. However, the Crown Princess later entered Lizheng Palace and thereafter, the Empress punished Official Situ and she became the state she was in now.
Fu Rou thought of how Sun Lingshu had always targeted Official Situ. If Sun Lingshu had taken her revenge without taking into consideration other people’s lives, she would be going overboard.
At this moment, the Crown Prince sat beside Official Situ’s bed. This was the person that had raised him from young. Now she had one foot in her grave because of his mother, yet, there was nothing that he could do.
Official Situ opened her eyes and was extremely surprised. “Your Highness, why...have you come to my small residence? This is not appropriate.”
The Crown Prince held back the sadness he felt. “I have come to see you.”
“Her Majesty did not punish you right?” Official Situ was only concerned about the Crown Prince.
“Don’t worry about me. How are you feeling?” The Crown Prince wanted to cry.
“I am afraid that I won’t be able to serve you any longer. The only regret that I have is that I will not be able to see you ascend the throne and accept the bows of the citizens.” This was also Official Situ’s only wish.
“Don’t speak so demoralizing…” The Crown Prince was choked with emotions. “I will get you the best medicine. You have to recover and live till I ascend the throne. I will definitely punish the Crown Princess.”
“Your Highness, you must get along with the Crown Princess. Jealousy is a natural trait of every woman. Furthermore, she is also pregnant. She is your wife and you will have to live with her for your entire life. Don’t make it such that you two will never be able to get along.”
“I did not consider the overall picture. This is my fault. I implicated you.”
Official Situ’s eyes were shining with tears. “I don't have any children. The most fortunate thing that I have was Her Majesty giving birth to you and allowing me the chance to take care of you. Your Highness is brilliant, smart and very cute. Even now as I close my eyes, I can picture your small smiling baby face. Young people tend to make mistakes. Your Highness is still young, it is okay to make a small mistake. Do not take it to heart. Don’t feel upset for an old woman like me. I am worried that after I leave, there won’t be anyone beside you that knows you well enough. Your Highness, you must take care of yourself. Do not read until too late in the night, you will harm your yuan energy. You must also watch what you eat. Do not eat too much of what you like. Otherwise, it will hurt your stomach.”
The Crown Prince nodded. “I understand. Official Situ, I remember everything that you have taught me.”
Official Situ’s voice became softer and softer. “I can’t bear to part, I can’t bear to part ah...Your Highness, even though this is not appropriate but...I wish to touch your face for the last time. Just like when you were young…”
The Crown Prince held onto Official Situ’s hand and placed them on his face. Tears fell from his eyes. A person that truly cared about him was about to die. Now he had one less.
Official Situ smiled as her breathing became shallow. Her eyes shut, never to open again.
Chapter 27.1: Soul Mate
On this day, Fang Ziyan led his brothers from the Four Seas Sect into Chang’an. The Emperor offered them amnesty and bestowed the title of General Zhenhai onto Fang Ziyan. He granted him a relatively grand residence, worthy of a general.
“You are already here, what are you so proud about?” Although Sheng Chumu said that he would welcome him, he was not very willing and only came because of the royal decree. “You really dare to come. Aren’t you afraid that I would trick you with fake news and betray you?”
Fang Ziyan replied, “I don't trust you but I trust our Great Tang Emperor. If the Emperor goes back on his words just to catch a pirate like me, then I have no choice but to accept my fate.”
Sheng Chumu laughed. “You have only pledged your loyalty to us a few days ago and you are already saying our Great Tang Emperor. Have you done what the Emperor asked you to do?”
Fang Ziyan pointed to the prisoner chariot behind him. “I have already wiped out all the more famous pirates along that stretch of sea. In one of the carriages behind, there are heads cast in limestone. I have a few that are still alive. I will present them to His Majesty to show him what fresh pirates are like.”
Sheng Chumu felt like this was extra. “Isn’t it enough to look at you? Why is there a need to catch them alive for the Emperor? Do you think the Emperor is very free?”
“Sheng Chumu!” A fat human plank suddenly dashed towards Sheng Chumu and hit him. Seeing how he did not budge, she nodded in satisfaction. “Not bad, you are still as strong.”
Sheng Chumu pushed the person away and protected the front of his body. “Ma Hainiu, I have a wife. Don’t anyhow touch me!”
“But you have already seen my body. You have to take responsibility.” Ma Hainiu did not care, she had set her sights on him.
Sheng Chumu yelled, “Ah, ah. When have I seen your body?”
“You haven seen it twice. Didn’t you see clearly?” Ma Hainiu’s eyes turned. “If there is a chance, I can let you take a look again.”
Sheng Chumu immediately turned and left. He did not dare to provoke women but that didn’t mean he could not hide from them.
Fang Ziyan held onto the reins and looked towards the crowd. He caught sight of an unforgettable beautiful face, with a pair of bright eyes that were incompatible with her family name. He remembered her name clearly, Lu Yingying.
Lu Yingying forced her way to the front of where Fang Ziyan was. She greeted him with a smile, with her face filled with excitement. “It's you!”
Fang Ziyan also smiled, exposing his white teeth. “Do you still have the pearl I gave you?”
Lu Yingying nodded happily.
“Throw it away.” He stated coldly.
“Why?” She froze.
“Your father and I cannot exist under the same sky.” He looked away and nudged his horse, leading the group forward.
She should be afraid. She should run as far away as possible. Because this time, he had come to make the Lu family pay the price!