Chapter 21 Suspicion Aroused
Chapter 21 Suspicion Aroused
Yuan Qingling secretly glanced at the Retired Emperor's face and saw the cyanosis fade. His breathing
had become much smoother as well. Yuan Qingling was relieved because the Retired Emperor was
safe by now.
The Retired Emperor looked at Yu Wenhao and slowly struggled to sit. Upon seeing that, Yu Wenhao
got up and stuffed a cushion behind his back to help him lie down.
"Wenhao, I don’t think I’ve met your wife before." The Retired Emperor sounded more vigorous than
just now, but he still sounded weak compared to healthy people.
Yu Wenhao was a little disappointed because the first question his grandfather had after waking up
was about this woman.
The Retired Emperor had been sick in bed for almost a year, so they hadn’t visited the imperial palace
for regular greetings after they got married. The Retired Emperor thus didn’t have a chance to meet
Yuan Qingling.
Yuan Qingling lowered her head, silent. She didn’t have any expression on her face.
But she felt that the Retired Emperor had fixed his critical and scrutinizing eyes on her face. It was a
very aggressive look as if he was determined to see Yuan Qingling through.
The Retired Emperor had been on the throne for thirty-eight years. His stateliness was forged in an era
when state power was highly centralized.
“Grandfather, she’s been feeling unwell, so I didn’t take her to do the greetings, in case you’re
affected.” That was the only reason Yu Wenhao could find out.
“I was about to die. What do I care?” The Retried Emperor smiled and said in a slightly gentle tone.
Yuan Qingling slowly raised her head. But as soon as she met the Retired Emperor’s sharp eye on her,
she bowed her head in fright.
“Grandfather, don’t say that. You’ll be fine.” Yu Wenhao sounded a little sad.
Emperor Mingyuan and Prince Rui were standing on the side, and they added, “Father, we believe
you’re blessed.”
At this moment, an imperial servant brought up the millet congee. Eunuch Chang immediately came to
serve the Retired Emperor, yet the Retired Emperor stared at him and scolded, "Can’t you leave the
work to the young? Look at you, old stuff, the dark circles under your eyes scared me. I just escaped
from death and I don’t want to see your face now. Just leave us. Go get some sleep. Qingling can stay
here and take care of me."
Eunuch Chang had served the Retired Emperor for many years, so he knew the temper of the Retired
Emperor. He could tell how much the Retired Emperor cared about him. The next second, he was in
tears and choked with sobs, "I’m not tired. Please allow me to stay here to serve you, Your Majesty."
"Get off now!" The Retired Emperor got angry and began to gasp. He covered his chest. "Are you trying
to kill me again?"
Seeing him lose temper, Eunuch Chang was scared and his face turned pale in an instant. He said in a
hurry, “Sure, sure, I’ll leave right now. Please don’t be mad, Your Majesty. I’m terribly sorry!”
After Eunuch Chang was gone, Yuan Qingling was still on her knees, expressionless.
The Retired Emperor glared at her too. “What? Are you unwilling to serve me because I’m too old?”
Yuan Qingling hurriedly stood up and took over the bowl from the servant, then she knelt again. “No, I
just feel flattered.”
“Let me do that, Grandpa!” Yu Wenhao didn’t want her to get close to the Retired Emperor, so he
decided to feed his grandfather by himself.
The Retired Emperor, however, was unhappy. “What? You’re reluctant to let your wife serve your
grandfather?”
“O-of course not!” Yu Wenhao muttered as he lowered his hands. He felt quite awkward. Although he
knew it was the truth, he didn't want people to call Yuan Qingling his wife.
Both wife and Princess Qingling were just titles, but for him, there was a big difference.
Yuan Qingling straightened her body on her knees and fed the Retired Emperor.
The Retired Supreme swallowed and huffed. Then he raised his drooping eyes and sighed, "Well, I
can’t believe I’m still able to have a taste of delicious food in this world.”
Hearing that, Emperor Mingyuan and Prince Rui felt like crying.
"Sit on the bed and serve me," the Retired Emperor said.
Yuan Qingling put on a wry smile. Her sense of pain was recovering, so she couldn’t sit.
“Thank you so much, but I think it’s better for me to be on my knees.”
“Sit!” The Retired Emperor glared at her once more.
Yuan Qingling had no choice but to stand up and sit down. She was trembling. Although the bed was
padded with a soft blanket, the pressure of her own weight still give her sharp pain. She couldn’t stop
quivering.
Yu Wenhao was right next to her, and he could feel she was shaking.
The effect of the herbal tea was gone.
His eyes turned grim and had mixed feelings.
After feeding the Retired Emperor nearly half of the millet congee, Yuan Qingling was already sweating
profusely with pain. She could only comfort herself that the sweats could evaporate and take her fever
away.
The Retired Emperor was finally full. He waved his hand, signaling Yuan Qingling to put the bowl down.
Emperor Mingyuan and Prince Rui stepped forward and took a look. They were both relieved to see
that the Retired Emperor had eaten almost half a bowl of millet congee.
The chief doctor was relieved too.
The Retired Emperor rested for a while, then he said to Yuan Qingling, “You’ve done a good job. Stay
with me for a few more days.”
That was exactly what Yuan Qingling waited to hear. She lowered her body and knew again. “Of
course, Your Majesty.” NôvelDrama.Org © content.
Emperor Mingyuan didn’t approve of it, but it was rare to see the Retired Emperor be so happy, so he
said nothing.
Yu Wenhao abruptly raised his head, glanced at the Retired Emperor in disbelief. Then he looked at
Yuan Qingling. "Grandfather, I’ll stay here with you, too.
"
Emperor Mingyuan, however, was displeased. “Nonsense!”
Yu Wenhao realized he shouldn’t have said that. He looked down and apologized at once. “I’m sorry.”
Yuan Qingling understood why Emperor Mingyuan suddenly changed his attitude.
She had a certain knowledge of this dynasty, which came from the memories of the original owner of
this body.
After organizing the information, she figured out why Emperor Mingyuan was angry.
The crowned prince hadn’t been chosen yet, and the Retired Emperor was the most qualified authority
to make the choice. Emperor Mingyuan must think that Yu Wenhao insisted to stay and serve him
because he was after the position of the crowned prince.
Although Yu Wenhao was misunderstood by Emperor Mingyuan, Yuan Qingling didn’t feel guilty at all.
Anyway, he was so hateful.
The Retired Emperor mediated and said calmly, “If you really care, come to do the morning greeting
every day from now on.”
“Aye!” Yu Wenhao answered as he bowed.
People in the outer hall were all shocked to know that Yuan Qingling was asked to stay in the Universe
Palace alone.
Chu Mingcui lowered her eyelashes and smiled slightly, "As long as our grandfather is fine, it's the
same no matter who stays to take care of him."
Other people, however, didn't think so. It was known to everyone that a person in a favorable position
gained special advantages. If the Retired Emperor received good care from Yuan Qingling, he would
inevitably pay more attention to Yu Wenhao.
When Yu Wenhao walked out, everyone looked at him differently. Prince Wenjun was always arrogant.
He snorted and said coldly, “Wenhao, good for you!”
Yu Wenhao put on a sullen face. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Why don’t you spell it
out?”
Prince Wenjun snorted again, “You know exactly what I mean.”
After that, he left with his wife.
Seeing Prince Wenjun walk away, other people also went out in huddles. Prince Wenqing came to
comfort Yu Wenhao. “Wenjun has a big mouth. Please don’t be mad at him.”
Yu Wenhao glanced at him and saw Chu Mingcui quietly standing next to him. They were indeed a
beautiful couple and a perfect match. Yu Wenhao felt hurt. He ignored Prince Wenqing and left.
Prince Wenqing smiled. “Wenhao’s venting the anger on me.”
Chu Mingcui pondered and said, “I’m afraid he’s covering for her, they are up to something.”
Prince Wenqing shook his hand. “Wenhao is raised better than that. Let’s go now. We need to visit my
mother.”
Chu Mingcui lowered her eyes, keeping her suspicion to herself.