When winter first came, Lou Yan received news from Murong Yan.
Murong Yan received Lou Yan's letter and was already on her way back. Xiao Yao was overjoyed to learn about this, and his face that was haggard from staying up late also lit up a bit.
The queen's illness has become worse since winter began. Now she can only be awake for two or three hours a day at most, and is asleep the rest of the time.
But it's not easy when I'm awake. I cough when I open my mouth and spit out most of what I eat.
This illness tortured her so much that she was reduced to a handful of bones. Her hair was withered and yellow, her face was thin, and she no longer looked as beautiful as before.
At first, the queen was looking forward to the emperor coming to see her, but after looking in the mirror once, she became afraid of seeing the emperor. Even if the emperor came, she would avoid seeing him.
She didn't want the emperor to see her in such a miserable state.
Xiao Yao felt very distressed about this.
He put down what he was doing, handed all the affairs back to the prince, and served the queen wholeheartedly.
After learning the news about Murong Yan, Xiao Yao couldn't wait to tell the queen the good news.
"Doctor Murong has superb medical skills. When she comes back, she will definitely be able to cure the queen's illness." Xiao Yao grabbed the queen's hand and said earnestly.
After hearing this, the Queen remained silent for a long time.
She looked at her little son beside the bed. He was still in his prime, but he had become slovenly because of taking care of herself. He was unshaven and undressed, and he looked a little haggard.
She was heartbroken and reluctant to let go.
She looked at her son's expectant eyes and didn't want to make him feel any more uncomfortable, so she nodded and said, "Okay, the queen will wait."
But the queen herself didn't believe this.
Her body knew it, and she felt that she might not live long. Even though Doctor Murong had superb medical skills, he was a subordinate of the third prince, and she would never try his best to treat her.
There are some things that Xiao Yao doesn't know, but she can't pretend not to know.
She reached out and touched Xiao Yao's head. The child lying on her lap became an adult in the blink of an eye.
She suddenly asked: "Do you have any girl from a family that you like? My mother has been in good spirits recently and has taken care of things for you."
Xiao Yao was stunned and immediately said: "Mother, I don't have such thoughts right now."
"But you are now old enough and it's time to start a family." The queen said softly.
Xiao Yao: "The eldest brother has just started a family. I am a few years younger than him. It will be the same in a few years."
The expression on the queen's face became lighter and she said, "You are different from your elder brother."
Xiao Yao keenly felt the change in the queen's mood, and couldn't help but ask: "Mother, you and eldest brother... what is going on between you? Is there anything between mother and son that cannot be solved through discussion?"
The queen was silent for a moment, and then said: "He is a white-eyed wolf who is not well-bred... You listen to your mother and you must be careful about him in the future. Don't trust him. Do you understand?"
Xiao Yao frowned. He wanted to say a few more words, but he didn't want to make his mother angry, so he had to temporarily agree: "Okay, I will remember it."
The queen patted his hand and said, "Go and ask your uncle to come see me. I want to talk to him."
Xiao Yao agreed, turned around and went out.
The queen's mother's family name is Liu, and the current head of the family is none other than the queen's eldest brother Liu Changsong, who serves as Minister of War.
When Liu Changsong arrived, the queen had already sat up and was leaning on the bed.
He took two steps forward and held the queen's hand, and couldn't help but frown: "Why are you so sick?"
The queen coughed a few times and said, "Don't worry about me for now. I came to see my eldest brother today because I have something to discuss with him."
Liu Changsong saw her serious face and cheered up: "What can't we wait until you get better? Do you have to talk about it now?"
The queen shook her head and said, "I'm afraid I can't wait any longer."
She looked at Liu Changsong and asked softly: "Brother, tell me the truth, the prince or the fourth child... which one do you like more?"
Liu Changsong immediately turned around and looked around. The Queen said: "There is no one else here, brother, don't worry."
Liu Changsong breathed a sigh of relief, and then looked at the queen again: "Why do you ask that? No matter which one he is, isn't he your son?"
"Brother, it's now time, don't test me anymore." The queen coughed twice again, her tone was very helpless.
Liu Changsong pondered for a long time and then said: "The prince has been in business for many years. Although he has not made great achievements, he has not made any major mistakes, and his foundation is not shallow. However, His Majesty is obviously not happy with him. Ji Yun's commander of the Forbidden Army has been withdrawn, and the entire Forbidden Army has undergone a major change. It is difficult to say
It’s not to guard against him.”
"The fourth prince... although he is still young, he is brave and resourceful, and is very good. The most important thing is that His Majesty likes him very much."
The queen stretched out her hand and grasped Liu Changsong's fingers, and said slowly: "If the prince takes over, my mistress will not survive."
Liu Changsong was shocked, but heard the queen continue: "So, no matter what, I have to let Xiaosi live."
Liu Changsong: "..."
"Brother, you can see who the prince is more clearly than I do. He is deep-minded and full of calculations. He has no blood ties anymore and is just an ignorant white-eyed wolf. But Xiao Yao is different. Xiao Yao values love.
He will definitely take care of your uncle."
"Brother, you have to help me." The queen coughed twice and said slowly.
The brother and sister looked at each other for a long time, Liu Changsong's eyes flashed, and after a while, he said: "It's a very important matter, I want to think about it."
He didn't finish his words.
The queen didn't push her and said, "Okay."
She paused and then said: "Boss Xiao Yao is old and it's time to settle down. I want to arrange a marriage for him. Which one is suitable?"
Liu Changsong thought for a while, and he didn't know what he thought of, and suddenly said: "There is a suitable family, but I am afraid that the Queen Mother will not agree."
The queen was suspicious: "Eldest brother thinks it's good, how can I disagree?"
Liu Changsong: "I heard that you had some trouble with her."
The queen was not stupid, and she guessed who he was talking about almost instantly.
"You mean Qin Zhen, Princess Anshun?" the queen asked in surprise.
Liu Changsong nodded: "She is deeply loved by His Majesty, and her status is even better than that of the princess. The most important thing is that she is the apple of Qin Hong's eye. I heard that Qin Hong regards this daughter as a treasure and obeys his words."
"The predecessors of today's Royal Forest Army are all the Dragon Guard Army, and they are all Qin Hong's confidants. It is even harder to get involved personally. But if the fourth prince marries the princess of Anshun, then wouldn't this Imperial Forest Army be within our grasp?
Is it done?"
"If the Queen really wants the four princes to compete, then Princess Anshun is the best candidate."
The queen frowned, obviously unhappy.
When she thought of Qin Zhen, the queen felt her head hurt.
Liu Changsong looked at her expression and couldn't help but mention: "I heard that the fourth prince and she have a relationship and are drinking friends. I think the fourth prince is very satisfied with her."