Li Qing went to the town and bought chess, Go... a series of educational products, and also bought many daily necessities, including a lot of food.
He failed to accompany her as much as he could, so he could only make up for it in this way. Fortunately, he was not short of money.
Bedding, furniture...even the bathtub were replaced with new ones. Li Qing ran for several days and replaced everything in the Taoist temple with new ones.
Originally, he wanted to find some craftsmen to repair the Taoist temple from the inside to the outside, but Zhang Sulu stopped him.
In Master's words: "I have lived in this place for a long time and I don't want it to change."
Li Qing didn't force it. The old man was nostalgic for the past, so he just wanted to live comfortably. Although the Taoist temple was old, it could also protect him from wind and rain.
After doing this, Li Qing took out a large stack of treasure money and handed it to the little old man, "Master, let me buy whatever you want to eat. I have money."
"We won't need so much." Zhang Sloppy waved his hand, "Half of the money you gave me last time was not spent."
"Take it, this is my disciple's wish." Li Qing said, "Now that prices are high, precious money cannot be spent as much as before, so it is better to prepare more money."
Zhang Sulu did not refuse and accepted his apprentice's filial piety.
~
In the next few days, Li Qing accompanied the little old man to the nearby mountains to collect medicines with the medicine basket on his back. The master and apprentice talked and laughed, as if they had returned to decades ago.
The days on the mountain are dull and fulfilling, and there is a kind of reassuring tranquility.
Li Qing thought pessimistically, if one day his old friend dies, it would be a good idea to find a mountain, build a small Taoist temple, and watch the passage of time.
…
On this day, Li Qing inspected the entire roof, repaired all areas that might leak, took preventive measures, and then said goodbye to his master.
"Master, Junior Brother, I'm leaving." Li Qing ordered, "Master, please stop running around. If you want to go out and relax, come with Junior Brother."
Although the master did not get sick during these days together, Li Qing still hoped that the little old man would restrain himself, just in case.
"I'm not a child, do I need your instructions?" Zhang sloppy muttered.
Zhu Yunwen smiled and said, "Senior brother, don't worry, I will take good care of Master."
Li Qing nodded and gave a big salute to his master, "Master, take care of yourself. I will come to see you again."
"Let's go quickly." Zhang Sloppy said angrily, "It's not like we can't see each other anymore, it's like we're parting from life or death. Isn't that interesting?"
Li Qing smiled, crossed his fists, and turned to leave.
…
He hurried on a starry night, and finally Li Qing rushed back to the capital before the holiday was over.
After a day of rest, we went to morning as usual the next day.
The officials did not care about Li Qing's vacation and return to court. In their impression, Yongqing Hou always spent three days fishing and two days drying nets.
The civil servant was not a fool. After suffering a loss, he never looked for him again, or even isolated him.
After being around for so many years, people tend to be more popular the more popular they are, but Li Qing is just the opposite. He has almost no friends in the officialdom, not even superficial friends.
There is no one left!
However, Li Qing didn't care about this and still went his own way.
After the land clearing was completed, the imperial court began to intensify efforts to promote land allocation. There was definitely some resistance, but it was not great. Generally speaking, it went smoothly.
At the same time, the dredging of the canal was completed and the north-south connection was realized.
The imperial court's expenses have been reduced a lot. Zhu Di originally wanted to use the saved expenses to build the capital, but he was stopped by the big brother.
The treasury finally has some spare money, but if it spends money lavishly, it will fall into a vicious cycle again.
Xiaopang Xiao used reason and emotion to finally persuade the money-breaking maniac, Emperor Yongle!
Everything is developing in a good direction. The implementation of this national policy has brought about particularly big changes. You can feel the vibrant atmosphere firsthand.
There are good things and bad things, and the Queen's health is going downhill.
In addition to going to court, Li Qing had to give Xu Miaoyun acupuncture almost every day, but he could only barely maintain her condition.
This female student's life is about to come to an end.
Qianqing Palace.
Xu Miaoyun's pale complexion became rosier after being stimulated by acupuncture, but she was still weak.
"I'm sorry to trouble Li Qing's family."
"Your Majesty, you're welcome. This is the duty of a minister." Li Qing put away the silver needle and ordered, "You can't see the wind for half an hour after acupuncture."
Xu Miaoyun nodded slightly, indicating that she understood.
Seeing this, Li Qing bowed his hands and exited the hall.
Zhu Di patted Xu Miaoyun's little hand, whispered a few words in a gentle voice, and followed him out of Qianqing Palace.
~
"How is the Queen's health?"
"Not too optimistic." Li Qing sighed.
Zhu Di was silent for a moment, "Approximately how much time is left?"
"It's hard to say!" Li Qing shook his head, "It depends on the specific situation."
While talking, the two came to the middle hall.
Xiaohuangmen served hot tea with discernment and retreated to the entrance of the palace, so as not to annoy the emperor and ensure that he was always available when called.
Zhu Di sat in front of the imperial desk, took a sip of tea, and said to Li Qing, "Sit down!"
When Li Qing sat down, he said softly: "You are a doctor, you must know the approximate time. Give me an answer so that I can be mentally prepared."
Li Qing was silent for a moment and then said: "If the situation is good, it will take less than half a year, and if the situation is bad, it will take two to three months."
Zhu Di's hands shook and a lot of tea in the cup spilled, "Two or three months?"
"Ang." Li Qing said bravely, "I will do my best to heal the Queen."
"Two or three months..." Zhu Di murmured, not hearing Li Qing's assurance at all, and he was completely distracted.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." Li Qing shouted several times, and then Zhu Di came to his senses and asked, "Isn't it best to only have half a year?"
Li Qing nodded.
Zhu Di's face froze, and he was silent for a long time. After a long time, he nodded gently: "I understand, please step back first!"
"I excuse myself."
Outside the palace gate, the scorching sun shone warmly on his body. Li Qing took a breath, but the depression in his heart could not go away.
This was not the first time he had experienced the scene of life and death, but he still couldn't adapt to it.
Not long after, another familiar person passed away, never to be seen again.
Shaking his head, Li Qing walked into the sedan chair.
He didn't have the habit of sitting in a sedan chair before, but as the people around him got older, his habit also changed.
When passing by Cao Guogong's mansion, Li Qing kicked the sedan chair and the sedan bearer stopped.
"master."
"Go back and tell your wife that I am drinking at Duke Cao's residence and will not go back for lunch." Li Qing waved his hand, "It's so close to home, so I don't need you. Go back!"
"Yes, sir." The bearers agreed and left with the empty sedan.
Li Qing was a frequent visitor to Duke Cao's mansion. As soon as he arrived at the door, his servants warmly welcomed him and led him into the mansion.
Li Jinglong was holding a mini bow and arrow and teaching his eldest grandson archery. When he saw him coming, he patted his eldest grandson on the head and said, "Practice hard. If you don't hit the target, you won't be allowed to have lunch."
The little guy was only six or seven years old, but he came from a good family and was very solid-looking. He had a tiger-like head and a very cute appearance. He was taught by his teacher, and his brain was very flexible. He immediately acted coquettishly towards Li Qing.
The energetic little guy, with a chubby face and a bright red face, screamed one after another, which made Li Qing laugh loudly, and most of the depression in his chest dissipated.
"Your grandpa only told you to hit the target, but he didn't specify the distance." Li Qing gave the little guy advice, "If you can't hit the target, get closer until you hit the target."
"Yes." The little guy smiled broadly, "Thank you, Grandpa Qing."
Li Jinglong on the side had dark lines on his face and said angrily, "My grandson will not be able to be a general in the future, and it is all your responsibility."
"..." Li Qing said with a smile, "Children who are only six or seven years old don't need to be in such a hurry. Going too far is not enough. For children of this age, growing up is the most important thing."
"Good people have asked you to do it." Li Jinglong curled his lips and then asked, "Would you like a drink?"
"Drink some!"
The winter in Jinling is not cold and the sun is just right. The two of them were basking in the sun in the courtyard and chatting while drinking. The little guy came over from time to time to beg for food. Drinking was very interesting.
"You like children, why don't you have one yourself?" Li Jinglong teased, "You've shed tears for nothing, right?"
"Fuck you." Li Qing cursed with a smile, "I'm still a young boy of eighteen."
"Blow it, just do it." Li Jinglong firmly didn't believe it. Instead, he kept urging him to have a son while he was still dry, so as not to lose his incense.
Li Qing just smiled and said nothing.
In the end, Li Jinglong simply stopped trying, "I really don't understand what you are thinking. By the way, has Lan Yu come back?"
"No, it's probably the end of the New Year." Li Qing took a sip of wine and said, "We are all grandfathers now. Let's let go of the unhappiness of the past. Let's spend less time together each day. Cherish the time."
Li Jinglong was startled and nodded lightly: "Wait until he comes back. Considering his age, I won't be on the same level as him."
"It's best this way." Li Qing smiled and said, "I will form a game then and we can have a good chat."
Li Jinglong agreed with a smile, and then sighed: "In a few years, the new capital will be built, and the capital will probably be moved there. Brother Li, you are highly valued by the emperor, and you will definitely move to Peking. It will be difficult for us brothers to meet each other by then."
It’s over!”
"You can move there too!"
"I won't go. His grandma doesn't care and his uncle doesn't love him. Why go there?" Li Jinglong said, "Besides, what's so good about that bitter cold place? How can it be as comfortable as Jinling?"
Li Qing smiled and nodded, but there was an ominous premonition in his heart that moving the capital would be difficult in the future.