His Rui

Chapter 712: Xi Ling Is Sick

Today the Imperial Assembly lasted more than the usual ending time. Also, since the gardens of the Empress chambers will be dug in the evening, the Emperor ordered that whosoever could be there should be present in the Imperial Palace in the evening.          

    

He especially ordered Xi Ying and Minister Xin to stay present in the evening.      

There was only a little more than shichen left in the time the digging will be started so Minister Xin and a few other ministers decided to stay in the Imperial Palace only.      

The Emperor ordered the servants to make the arrangements for their stay. However, Xi Ying decided to leave and come back after a shichen.      

He wanted to see Li Rui once.      

If he stayed, he knew he will feel restless so he decided to leave.      

Zhao Wang Lei didn’t stop him. He didn’t refuse when Xi Ying said that he would take the old physician with him because he had promised the old man to protect him if he revealed everything.      

On the other hand, Zhao Zhuang Chen got the news of whatever had been decided in the Imperial Court. Eunuch Wang also came and told him that the Emperor had ordered him to be present there.      

Zhao Zhuang Chen never said anything in response and Eunuch Wang left just like that.      

However, after the old Eunuch left, he kicked the table harshly that was near his leg.      

Thump!     

The servants outside the chambers heard the sound and bowed their heads in fear. They were scared of what they would face because of the prince’s wrath on whatever was going on.      

However, they could do nothing except try not to give the prince any chance to punish them and wait for this horrible time to pass.      

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When Xi Ying reached the Plum Courtyard, he was surprised not to hear the sound of his son’s laughter. It had become quite usual for him to hear Xi Ling’s sound of laughter because his son usually had been playing whenever he come at this time.      

However, he was not surprised any longer when he realized that today he was indeed quite late.      

Perhaps Xi Ling had already stopped playing.      

Xi Ying sighed in disappointment. It was quite good to be welcomed with his son’s cheerful laughter and then see his wife sitting a few steps away and watching him with a smile on her lips.     

He would feel full whenever he would see this. Unfortunately, he missed it today.      

With his lips pressed in a thin line, Xi Ying walked to his and Li Rui’s room. However, he was surprised when he didn’t see anyone inside the room.      

His frown deepened and he immediately shouted for Liu Lan and Li Hua.      

Liu Lan came soon and was standing in front of him with his head bowed.      

“Where is Rui?”     

Xi Ying asked as soon as she came.         

    

“Madam is with Young Master in his room…”     

Liu Lan still wanted to say something. However, Xi Ying never gave her the chance. He immediately started to walk toward Xi Ling’s room.     

He really wanted to see Li Rui. It felt as if he was unable to breathe properly and he would soon stop altogether if he would not see her soon.      

Xi Ying’s frown finally vanished when he finally stepped inside the room and saw Li Rui sitting on the edge of Xi Ling’s bed.      

However, he had taken just a step forward when he frowned again because of the smell of the herbs inside the room.      

Slowly, he noticed that the bedside table had a bowl of medicinal paste and a bowl of water. His gaze then went to the bed where his son was lying and he immediately walked toward him.      

“What happened to Xi Ling?”     

There was a white cloth on Xi Ling’s forehead and his face looked somewhat red.     

Xi Ying’s heart sank but he was a little relieved when he saw Xi Ling opening his eyes and turning his head a little to look towards him.     

“Father…”     

His whisper was very low and somehow Xi Ying felt his heart filling up with panic. It reminded him of the Xi Ling he had seen in his dream…the condition his son was in and how he had died.      

Xi Ying’s eyes suddenly went very cold and he was breathing heavily.      

It was only when he heard a soft voice, did he come out of his trance.     

“He has a fever.”     

Xi Ying blinked and a moment later looked at his wife.                    

Though she said these words calmly, he could see the small frown on her forehead.      

“Fever…”     

He whispered to himself still trying to come out of that horrible feeling as he looked at Li Rui without even blinking.     

“Hmm…”     

Li Rui hummed.      

When she raised her head and saw Xi Ying in a daze, she was surprised. Her frown vanished and she immediately told him.     

“It is a normal fever. He might have thrown away the blanket last night. Don’t worry. He will be fine soon.”     

Li Rui’s words brought him a great comfort somehow.      

Xi Ying nodded his head as he looked at his son again. He immediately felt guilty for making him sleep in a separate room last night. At least during the winter, he should sleep with him and Li Rui so that it will not happen again. He also sat down on the bed and stroked his head gently.     

“Yes, he will be fine soon.”         

    

He said firmly.      

Nothing like last life was going to happen again.      

Xi Ying didn’t know if he was assuring himself of Xi Ling when he spoke next.      

“Mother and Father, both are here, Xi Ling. Nothing will happen.”     

Xi Ling blinked in confusion but smiled a little as well. His one hand was already clutching his mother’s clothes. With the other, he held his father’s sleeve and whispered     

“Then Father should stay here.”          

Xi Ying immediately held Xi Ling’s hand in his big hand and said very gently     

“Father will stay here with Xi Ling.”     

Everything else could go to hell.      

For him, his family came first.