frightfiction Chapter 123 How could I be wrong? It's all Lu Yuxi's fault!
Chapter 123 How could I be wrong? It's all Lu Yuxi's fault!
Sunlight streamed through the white window paper, illuminating a patch of black floor tiles. As the sun gradually moved higher overhead, the light from the ground crept up from the west and into Lin Shiming's view.
If Emperor Longyun and Lu Yuxi truly had a way to persuade Bai Qiongzhu, she would have recovered long ago and be lively and energetic again. How could they only watch her sink deeper and deeper into silence?
For the first time, Emperor Longyun felt a profound sense of distance in the matter of Bai Qiongzhu.
The solution was right there, within reach. But he couldn't do anything about it and could only watch the opportunity slip away.
As an emperor, this was the second time he had felt a profound sense of powerlessness, aside from the incident involving Crown Prince Hua Min.
Lu Yuxi also lowered her head quietly, exuding an aura of sadness.
The somber atmosphere in the side room made Lin Shiming feel particularly uncomfortable.
Bai Qiongzhu's inner turmoil wasn't just the prison-like imperial city, but also Crown Prince Hua Min. If it were just the imperial city itself, it wouldn't be insurmountable; they could simply use some means to send Bai Qiongzhu away and give her her freedom.
But the problem is that Crown Prince Huamin will never come back.
Moreover, even if Bai Qiongzhu leaves, as long as she retains her memories, the past will haunt her every day, etched into her heart and soul.
For millennia, the simple act of "understanding" has been nothing short of a rebirth. It's not like an amnesia plot in a novel that can instantly relieve suffering and grant a new lease on life.
and many more.
Lin Shiming had a sudden flash of inspiration: amnesia?
If this world already has such unscientific things as internal energy and light-body skills, could artificial amnesia also be...?
Lin Shiming immediately grabbed Lu Yuxi's hand and, under Lu Yuxi's questioning gaze, said, "Mr. Nan Gu's medical skills are superb, even the best doctors in the Imperial Hospital cannot match him. Do you think he can help Mother forget everything from the past?"
Emperor Longyun suddenly looked up, "You mean—"
"If we can help Mother forget the past, and then secretly send her to a beautiful, secluded place to live a life of wealth and freedom, away from the palace she so deeply hates, perhaps then..."
“Yes, it is possible.” Nan Gu prescribed medicine for Bai Qiongzhu and came out of the inner room. “This method is excellent. It can almost perfectly free the Empress from the pain of the past and give her a longer and easier life.”
“But I would never do something that goes against the patient’s wishes and erases their memory. I always respect the patient’s decision, and the method you suggested is against medical ethics. If you want me to prescribe medicine to erase memories, it must be with Your Majesty’s own consent.”
Emperor Longyun's eyes, which had lit up, gradually dimmed again.
Nan Gu's considerations are correct. Bai Qiongzhu deeply loves her child; how could she be willing to forget the only memories she has left?
It's still a dead end.
Seeing the three of them looking dejected again, Nan Gu rarely spoke up and offered a word of advice, "Gentlemen, why don't you try to persuade Her Majesty again? Perhaps one word will make Her Majesty agree to your plan."
"If you can persuade the Empress within a month, then it will be enough time."
That's easier said than done.
Out of respect for doctors, the three of them mustered their spirits and reluctantly agreed to Nan Gu's request.
*
At noon, after personally serving Bai Qiongzhu, who had just woken from a deep sleep, with medicine, Emperor Longyun led Lin Shiming and Lu Yuxi out of Fengyi Palace.
"Father, are we really going to give up?"
Although with the help of Nan Gu, it's certain that Bai Qiongzhu won't only have two months left, which is a pleasant surprise compared to the initial ultimatum, Lin Shiming is still somewhat unwilling.
Humans are always greedy; once they get one thing, they can't help but think about whether they can get the next one too.
He didn't want to simply give up and let Bai Qiongzhu have a few more months. Besides, for Bai Qiongzhu, enduring this pain day after day for so long was less of a relief than simply sending her away.
Lin Shiming still wanted to try to get Bai Qiongzhu to agree to his proposal.
"Of course we won't give up."
Emperor Longyun looked up at the sky above him and said, "No matter how difficult it is, no matter how slim the hope is, I will give it a try. Regardless of the final result, it is better than giving up directly."
“Starting today, we will take turns providing psychological counseling to Zitong every night.” Emperor Longyun said firmly, turning to look at Lin Shiming and Lu Yuxi, “Tonight, I will set a precedent for you two!”
Lin Shiming instantly became spirited. "Should we persuade Mother to let it go, or should we persuade her to accept my plan?"
The idea of directly erasing memories seems hard to accept, and Bai Qiongzhu might even beat him up if she gets angry.
Emperor Longyun pondered for a moment, then timidly said, "...Let's try to persuade Zitong to take it easy for now, and we'll talk about the aftermath once we see results."
Lin Shiming's gaze toward Emperor Longyun changed from admiration to disdain.
Emperor Longyun: "... ..."
Emperor Longyun: "What do you know, you little brat! I'm proceeding step by step!"
Lin Shiming chuckled, "As long as Father is happy."
*
Lin Shiming still has many matters to attend to in both the imperial court and the harem, not to mention that his wounds also need to be dressed.
After showing his contempt for Emperor Longyun, Lin Shiming simply grabbed Lu Yuxi and left without giving Emperor Longyun any face at all.
When the two returned to the East Palace, their eldest son, Lu Tingsong, was sitting at the table, looking eagerly outside, waiting for them to come back and have dinner.
It's like a pitiful left-behind child who doesn't receive parental love.
These past few days, due to various matters, the two of them seem to have paid much less attention to Lu Tingsong, only letting the guards and two wolves play with him every day. They are truly an unreliable pair of "parents".
If it weren't for Lu Tingsong's naturally obedient and sensible nature, he probably would have caused chaos in the Eastern Palace long ago in his quest for attention.
But seeing his aggrieved look made Lin Shiming feel guilty and sorry for him. He couldn't care about anything else and went straight up to hug Lu Tingsong and comfort him.
"I'm so sorry, Tingsong. Your uncle and father have been too busy these past few days and have neglected our little Tingsong, making him feel wronged. He really deserves to be punished!"
Lu Tingsong clung to Lin Shiming's neck with his little hands, "Tingsong, don't be angry! Don't punish your uncle and father!"
Lu Tingsong's soft, childlike voice instantly soothed Lin Shiming's low spirits, moving him so much that he started sucking on the baby.
“Oh! My dear son! You are so lovable! It’s unforgivable that such an adorable Tingsong is being ignored! Your uncle has gone too far, I’ll scold him for you.”
Lin Shiming spoke righteously and sternly, "Lu Yuxi! Come over here and apologize to Tingsong!"
How could I be wrong? It's all Lu Yuxi's fault!
Lin Shiming was arrogant and smug. Even if he was wrong, it was because Lu Yuxi hadn't reminded him in time! Anyway, it wasn't his problem!
Having taken the blame for two things, Lu Yuxi calmly and habitually sat down next to Lin Shiming. "It's Uncle's fault. Uncle should apologize to Xiaotingsong."
This practiced stance clearly indicates that this isn't the first time someone has taken the blame.
Lin Shiming was pleased by Lu Yuxi's sensible and obedient manner. He narrowed his eyes in satisfaction and no longer felt guilty. He became confident even though he was in the wrong.
"Hmph. It's too late to admit your mistake now!" Lin Shiming looked down at Lu Tingsong, speaking with complete self-satisfaction. "Later, your uncle will punish your uncle by making him carve a wooden sword for Tingsong as an apology."