After Ning Xiuyun revealed all his expectations for Ning Xuan, Jian Xun finally let go of his heart and stopped mentioning the prince's future concubines. He even looked forward to Ning Xuan's return.
However, that afternoon, Ning Xuan did not come to the temporary prince's residence again, which probably meant that the negotiation between the child and his mother failed.
Ning Xiuyun accepted this well, and Jian Xun no longer doubted the outcome of the matter because of the prince's previous warning in the courtyard.
The two of them waited and waited, and finally heard the news from the General's Mansion in the evening one day later.
——Ning Xuan is sick.
When Shen Qi came to report, the two of them were sitting on the low couch.
Jian Xun was trying to figure out the endgame on the chessboard, while Ning Xiuyun was leaning on Jian Xun and reading a book. He had already finished reading the Daqi Law, and this was the new Daqi Ritual System.
When Ning Xiuyun heard the news, he put down the book in his hand and asked, "The general's wife came here to invite the imperial doctor?"
Ning Xiuyun did not send a guard battalion to keep an eye on the general's mansion. Shen Qi could know such news, probably Ning Xuan The situation is not very good, and the ones with the highest medical skills in Southern Xinjiang City are the several imperial doctors here in Ning Xiuyun.
Shen Qi nodded: "Yes. Dr. Xiao has been there for half an hour, and there is no news yet. It seems that His Highness's condition is very difficult."
Ning Xiuyun groaned, turned over, and pulled Jian Xun beside him: "Go. Take a look."
"Shen Qi, prepare some condolences." Ning Xiuyun ordered.
Ning Xuan is seriously ill, and as an uncle, he should go visit him both emotionally and logically.
Jian Xun put the mess aside and followed Ning Xiuyun to change into clothes for going out. Seeing Ning Xiuyun frowning, he comforted him: "Ning Xuan is just weak. He got over his illness before. He will be fine."
The mortality rate of children in this era is actually very high. Children's bodies are not as strong as adults, and a small illness may be fatal. What's more, Ning Xuan is born with a weak body, and the probability of accidents is higher. It's no wonder that Ning Xiuyun is worried.
Ning Xiuyun sighed, "Yes, he is weak..."
The meaning of his words was unclear, and Jian Xun failed to realize the deeper meaning. He tucked Ning Xiuyun's collar, picked up the condolence gifts prepared by Shen Qi, and the two of them immediately went to the general's mansion.
The General's Mansion was a bit chaotic at this time, busy from top to bottom, and even the concierge's face showed an anxious look.
It can be seen that the servants of the General's Mansion also truly care for this young master.
Ning Xiuyun and Jian Xun were led by the concierge towards the main courtyard of the mansion.
Ning Xiuyun asked, "Did Ning Xuan often get sick before?"
The concierge nodded with worry: "That's right, when Madam was pregnant with the young master, the general was fighting on the front line. That battle was extremely dangerous, and Madam was worried day and night. So much so that the young master was born with a weak fetus and often got seriously ill before he was three years old, and almost didn't survive several times."
Ning Xiuyun understood.
No wonder the general's wife paid so much attention to Ning Xuan and even restricted Ning Xuan's freedom. For such a fragile child like glass, the general's wife could only be more careful to prevent him from dying prematurely.
The concierge led them to the main hall to sit down and served them tea. He also said that the general's wife was staying in front of Ning Xuan's bed and she really had no time to entertain guests.
General Zhenyuan will arrive at Nanjiang City soon. Let Ning Xiuyun and Jian Xun wait here for a while, and someone will entertain them later.
Ning Xiuyun waved his hand and didn't care much: "I just came to see Ning Xuan's condition so that the general and his wife don't have to worry about us. Ning Xuan's illness is more important."
The concierge finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this and left.
There were noisy voices in the side courtyard. It seemed that Ning Xuan was suffering from a high fever. A group of people were busy cooling down Ning Xuan's temperature and making medicine. They were busy.
The two sat in the main hall for a while, and then Doctor Xiao came to report the situation to the prince.
After all, he is the prince's subordinate, so it is appropriate to report Ning Xuan's condition at this time.
Doctor Xiao: "Reporting to Your Highness, Your Highness is suffering from over-worry. Your Highness is already weak and more prone to illness than ordinary people. This time the illness is severe, but now there is no serious problem, but if it happens a few more times, This time, I'm afraid there's nothing we can do to save it."
Ning Xiuyun asked: "Is there any quick solution?"
Doctor Xiao said solemnly: "We can only focus on warming and nourishing. If we want to improve our physique, we can only solve it with what the veteran said last time."
"......Have you told the general's wife about this?" Ning Xiuyun asked as he took a sip of tea.
"I've already said it. General Zhenyuan has just arrived, and the two of them are still discussing." Dr. Xiao recounted what he had just seen and heard in the side hospital.
"I understand." Ning Xiuyun waved his hand and said, "You are now guarding the General's Mansion and do your best. If you need anything, just tell Shen San and he will help you." "Old minister, I understand."
Doctor Xiao saluted again, turned around and left the main hall.
Jian Xun listened for a long time and finally discovered something was wrong. He looked at Ning Xiuyun and asked with some doubts, "His Highness already knew about Ning Xuan's physique?"
"Yes." Ning Xiuyun held the bag in his hand. Putting down the tea cup, he said: "Ning Xuan had a fever that night, and he just kicked off the quilt. The temperature in the room was not low. It was probably not the temperature difference that made Ning Xuan sick. It is obvious that this child has a special constitution."
"Do you remember? ? On the day I first arrived at the General's Mansion, the General's wife invited an imperial doctor to come over, the same one just now. After diagnosis and treatment, he told me that Ning Xuan had a high fever caused by insufficient fetus."
Doctor Xiao believed that Ning Xuan had a high fever. Even if he is not affected by external factors, he will often get sick. In fact, Ning Xuan himself is not very sensitive to the external environment, but his body is like a balloon that is leaking all the time, and the life is constantly flowing away. , the General's Mansion then supplemented it with expensive top-grade medicinal materials, thus ensuring Ning Xuan's survival.
But medicine is divided into three parts poison, this is not a long-term solution.
Even if you can use expensive medicinal materials to force Ningxiao to stay for a few years, the crisis of death cannot be avoided.
Therefore, Dr. Xiao told Ning Xiuyun that only by directly improving Ning Xuan's physical condition could Ning Xuan completely avoid the risk of premature death.
What a coincidence, this precious medicinal material does exist.
Ning Xiuyun told Jian Xun these things. Jian Xun thought for a moment and asked, "Your Highness, does he know where this medicinal material can be found?"
Ning Xiuyun nodded, but did not tell the current location of the thing, as if there was some taboo.
"The general's wife is actually a little too cautious." Ning Xiuyun said to Jian Xun, holding his chin with one hand.
Jian Xun did not agree with this view, "Why did Your Highness say this? If it hadn't been for the general's wife's careful care over the years, Ning Xuan would have died long ago."
"That's not the case."
Ning Xiuyun shook his head and said, " The general's wife only paid attention to Ning Xuan's body and ignored his mental state. Extreme wisdom will inevitably lead to injuries. The general's wife only knew that Ning Xuan's body was riddled with holes, but this child had learned his principles early and was just as easily hurt in his heart."
Dr. Xiao He said that Ning Xuan was overly worried and still had such troubles at such a young age.
There is a reason why Ning Xuan becomes dependent on and close to Ning Xiuyun, and this has been traced for a long time.
The family atmosphere in the General's Mansion is very dull. Ning Chuqing and Meng Fan are both powerful people with strong personalities. In front of Ning Xuan, they are basically the same as a strict father and a strict mother.
Meng Fan may want to be a loving mother, but for the sake of Ning Xuan's health, she did a lot of things to restrict Ning Xuan's freedom. Ning Xuan was four years old, didn't leave the house often, and didn't have playmates of the same age around her. Children would inevitably be impatient. He couldn't help being lonely, so he slipped out at the instigation of an undercover spy.
And Ning Xiuyun's attitude towards Ning Xuan was gentle and patient from beginning to end. He could play chess with Ning Xuan all day without complaining. His closeness and love from his heart made Ning Xuan very happy. I developed a lust for him.
So when Meng Fan forcefully stopped Ning Xuan from going to Ning Xiuyun, the child's confusion and grievance burst out.
He has a quick mind, but he is not deeply involved in the world, so he probably cannot understand the deep meaning of Meng Fan's actions.
In Ning Xuan's eyes, Meng Fan was just like before, saying that this was for his own good, and then deprived him of a lot of happiness one by one.
Ning Xuan's precocious mental state became a double-edged sword.
Thinking of this, Ning Xiuyun regretted: "I should have made a decision earlier."
Ning Xiuyun originally planned to wait for Ning Chuqing and Meng Fan to discuss and give him a definite answer before he took out the last chip. As a result, Ning Xuan suffered again.
From a rational perspective, this situation was more conducive to Ning Xiuyun's negotiations with the General's Mansion, but from an emotional perspective, he couldn't help but feel guilty.
Jian Xun took Ning Xiuyun's hand, squeezed it in his palm, and comforted: "The general is too indecisive."
Ning Xiuyun gave him a funny look and said, "Learned it from Xuan'er? You have such a mouth. Sweet."
The two of them chatted about Ning Xuan's condition in the main hall. In the side courtyard, Ning Chuqing, who hurried back from the barracks, also heard his wife talk about the medicinal materials.
The two temporarily left Ning Xuan's bedroom and stood outside talking in low voices.
Meng Fan had a tired look on his face and said in a calm tone: "What Dr. Xiao said may not be effective. The prince just wants to use this as a bargaining chip to take Xuan'er away from us. Maybe Xuan'er is not who he said at all..."
Ning Chu Qing frowned and said, "Zhouzhou, you and I are both aware of Xuan'er's situation. I've searched for famous doctors and all they can say is 'the fetus is not good enough'. Even... famous doctors have said many times that he won't live to adulthood." Suddenly she heard her husband
. After telling the cruel truth, Meng Fan's body suddenly trembled, and huge sadness surged into her heart, causing her to shed two lines of clear tears suddenly and silently. She covered her lips and cried silently, for fear that her negative emotions would affect Ning Xuan, who was ill.
Ning Chuqing's eyes were black and blue. He immediately rushed back from the barracks when he heard the news about Ning Xuan's illness. He was already exhausted mentally and physically after a day's work, but Ning Xuan's condition made him even more anxious. He rubbed his face and said, "If the prince can... If you give the medicinal materials to Xuan'er and save Xuan'er's life, then you can agree to his request."
Hearing this, Meng Fan looked at her husband in shock and said excitedly: "I only have one child, Ning Xuan, in my life! Give Ning Xuan Give up Xuan'er to the prince? Ning Chuqing! You are cutting my flesh and drinking my blood!"
"The prince has been selfish towards Xuan'er from the beginning. He has no offspring in this life, so he can only take away other people's children. He won over Xuan'er and made Xuan'er never forget this 'uncle'. Xuan'er even argued with me on his behalf."
"He even knew that there were medicinal materials that could save Xuan'er, but he never let Dr. Xiao tell him clearly, just to wait for Xuan'er. After getting sick, and then using this to force me, he is scheming at every turn, does he have any sincerity towards Xuan'er!?"
Meng Fan almost screamed when she said the last word. In her opinion, the prince was very scheming and had long wanted to take away Ning Xuan. Every word and deed was too hypocritical.
Ning Xuan went to comfort the prince when he was in despair, but the prince could watch Ning Xuan suffer from illness and use Ning Xuan's pain as a tool to threaten him.
"Zhouzhou! Be careful what you say." Ning Chuqing said with a serious expression.
After all, Ning Xiuyun was the current prince, and the consequences of Meng Fan's humiliating remarks would be disastrous.
Ning Chuqing sighed and analyzed the pros and cons for Meng Fan, who had almost lost his mind: "Since the prince has told us about the medicinal materials, it means that he is somewhat sure of curing Xuan'er, otherwise he will have trouble taking Xuan'er away. What's the point? I know you love Xuan'er, and I love him too. Since I love him, I should let him live healthily, no matter what the cost."
Even Ning Chuqing hated this kind of threatening him with his family behavior, but as long as Ning Xuan lives, Ning Chuqing can accept any result.
In Ning Chuqing's eyes, family is better than imperial power and military power. If there is a day when the two sides really have to choose, Ning Chuqing will still choose family.
Ning Xiuyun wanted Ning Xuan to be his heir, but they took advantage anyway.
It's just that they haven't asked Ning Xuan about his wishes. Xuan'er is precociously intelligent, and Ning Chuqing hopes that the child will choose whether to take on the responsibility of taking the throne.
If Ning Xuan is willing, he will not stop him; if Ning Xuan is unwilling, Ning Chuqing will ask the prince to save Ning Xuan's life even if she hands over the military power in southern Xinjiang.
Meng Fan said: "If Your Highness is willing to tell you what the medicinal materials look like and where they are obtained, with the financial resources of our Meng family, we may not be able to find them."
Ning Chuqing shook his head and said, "If we don't have enough to be sure, he won't use this as a bargaining chip in negotiations, because he thinks you can't find him in a short time. We have time to look for it, Xuan'er may not have time to wait." Ning Chuqing continued to persuade:
"Let's name him Ning Xuan, I just hope that one day he can get rid of his illness and be as naughty and noisy as other children. You also want to see such a scene, right?"
Meng Fan's rationality gradually came back under Ning Chuqing's low-spirited consolation, and she suddenly let out a breath. She was full of loss, as if she had aged ten years in an instant. She said in a difficult voice: "I understand."
Even though Meng Fan felt in her heart that the prince was just a scheming and heartless person, but in order to keep Ning Xuan alive, they had to compromise.
When Ning Xiuyun finished a cup of tea in the main hall, Ning Chuqing and his wife came to the main hall.
Ning Chuqing didn't even have time to take off her riding armor. She and her wife walked up to Ning Xiuyun and saluted respectfully.
Ning Chuqing asked straight to the point: "Does Your Highness know where to find the medicinal materials that Dr. Xiao said can cure Xuan'er?"
Ning Xiuyun nodded and said, "Yes, but there are conditions for giving the medicinal materials to you. You probably already know the content."
Meng Fan took a deep breath, clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves, and said, "Your Highness, please tell me."
Ning Xiuyun said casually, "The reason why Dr. Xiao knew that there was such a thing The medicinal materials exist because they are in Jinshang's private treasury, so Gu cannot get them for the time being, but Gu promised to give them to Xuan'er. On the contrary, Gu will have no descendants in this life. After he ascends the throne in the future, he will Make Ning Xuan the crown prince."
Meng Fan frowned and waited for the prince to say some cruel words about adopting Xuan'er. Unexpectedly, the other party stopped talking after finishing this sentence and waited for their reply.
Meng Fan didn't come back to his senses for a while, but Ning Chuqing had grasped the key point and asked, "What does Your Highness mean, is to only make Xuan'er the crown prince, without Xuan'er adopting the name of His Highness?"
Ning Xiuyun Unexpectedly, this was what the couple struggled with the most. He shook his head and said, "Ning Xuan is not of Gu and Jian Xun's blood, so why should he be adopted under Gu's name?"
Meng Fan couldn't help but ask, "But His Highness, letting Xuan be the son will be His Highness's heir..."
Ning Xiuyun replied: "According to the laws of Daqi, if you are orphaned and have no heir, you can choose a son from the clan to succeed you. There is no requirement for adoption. In other words, Ning Xuan has the right to inherit."
In the final analysis, Ning Xiuyun doesn't care who succeeds him. He wants Ning Xuan, not to find a successor, but to prevent Ning Chuqing from taking action against him.
Whatever he does in the future, whether absurd or not, he doesn't want Ning Chuqing to have any involvement in it.
His nature prevents him from completely trusting Ning Chuqing, and he cannot be honest with Ning Chuqing. Ning Xuan must be the link between them to stabilize and ease the relationship.
Meng Fan was overjoyed and thanked him profusely.
Ning Xiuyun added: "Although there is no need for adoption, Xuan'er will need to live in the capital for a long time after he is healthy. Correspondingly, Gu will let Concubine Wen return to southern Xinjiang."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Ning Chuqing said sincerely. He smiled and thanked the prince for the first time.
Originally, before they came here to see the prince, they had made preparations that they might never see Ning Xuan again in this life.
But now, being able to save Xuan'er's life and free Concubine Wen Gui, this result has exceeded expectations.
Ning Chuqing finally added: "But I have another unkind request. I hope Xuan'er is voluntary. If Xuan'er is unwilling, we can discuss the matter again and choose a more compromise method. What do you think, Your Highness?"
"Okay." Ning Xiuyun is also very satisfied with the result. The problem can be solved without any confrontation. This is very friendly to His Royal Highness, who has become lazy recently.
After discussing the matter, Ning Xiuyun and Jian Xun went to see Ning Xuan who was in a coma.
Ning Xuan's high fever has subsided and he sleeps peacefully. He will wake up soon.
After confirming that Ning Xuan was fine, the two said goodbye to Ning Chuqing and his wife and left the general's mansion.
After leaving the gate of the General's Mansion, the two of them walked on the street, with the setting sun shining down on them. The coldness of the autumn seemed to have faded a lot with the warm yellow color.
Jian Xun took Ning Xiuyun's hand and asked, "Will Ning Xuan agree? Thousands of miles away from their parents, young children may not be able to bear the pain of separation."
Ning Xiuyun sighed: "Other children may No, but Xuan'er can, he is too sensible and reasonable."
Jian Xun remembered what Shen Qi told him. Ning Xuan had come to comfort the Crown Prince during his southern expedition. The child was indeed sensible.
"If the general doesn't agree, what are you going to do?" Jian Xun asked curiously.
Ning Xiuyun curled up his lips and said very coldly: "If he doesn't agree... then there is no point in sending the medicinal materials in the private treasury to the general's mansion. Ning Xuan will die, and Ning Chuqing is the culprit, and Guhui took this opportunity to create chaos in the southwest and seize the military power in southern Xinjiang. Then eliminate the threat of Ning Chuqing in one fell swoop."
Ning Xiuyun will not let this kind of injustice go to him if he wants to stay with Jian Xun for a long time. Stabilizing factors must exist.
But now, he no longer intends to hide his despicable nature in front of Jian Xun. From the very beginning, from the moment they met, he has been a selfish and heartless man.
Jian Xun looked at Ning Xiuyun's cold eyes and knew that what the other party said at this moment was probably the truth. This was because Ning Chuqing refused to use Ning Xuan as a constraint. In order to prevent Ning Chuqing from being killed, Ning Xiuyun might do something Out of choice.
Ning Xiuyun shook Jian Xun's hand and sighed: "After I came up with the idea of taking advantage of Xuan'er, my love and concern for him are no longer pure. You see, this is the kind of person I am, to achieve the goal by any means."
Of course he loved Ning Xuan, but this love was helplessly mixed with purpose later on.
Ning Xiuyun looked at Jian Xun with a pair of peach blossom eyes, affectionate and ruthless. How affectionate he was when facing Jian Xun, but how cold and distant he was when facing other people.
"I just hope that His Highness can be more cruel, so that if I am not with His Highness, I can rest assured that His Highness will not be slandered by others." Jian Xun looked back at him and tolerated Ning Xiuyun in a calm tone. All the dark emotions and complicated conspiracies.
Jian Xun was the first person to recognize Ning Xiuyun's dark side so much, and even told him to go even harder and use any cruel means to protect himself.
The once upright and pure General Jian was now willing to be a complicit bad guy in front of him.
Ning Xiuyun laughed heartily and threw himself into Jian Xun's arms happily. He could not describe his inner satisfaction in words. The feeling of being favored by Jian Xun was too wonderful.
Jian Xun also smiled and slowly stroked Ning Xiuyun's back to comfort him.
Ning Xiuyun vented his joy and said slyly next to Jian Xun: "Actually, there is no such thing as what you said."
He had seen through Ning Chuqing's true nature, and he was very good at playing tricks on people's hearts. Ning Chuqing was definitely not the one who would jump out of his planned trajectory.
The person who can really do this is right in front of him right now.
Ning Xiuyun glanced at Jian Xun deeply.
Jian Xun (worried): My wife is too weak (physically), so she should do whatever she needs to do to protect herself.
The prince's enemies: who is weak? ?