Tang Zhuyun knew this was a gamble.
If the emperor doesn't want people to know about his illness, then they won't feel comfortable if they go to see him.
If the emperor himself was unaware of this, then this reminder might have some positive effect.
The best outcome would be if, regardless of whether the Emperor knew or not, she could be of help and do a better job than the imperial physician, then she could ask the Emperor and Prince of Jin to dissolve their verbal engagement.
She had already come up with a reason: Qi Da was not a suitable match.
Tang Mingfan asked her a few more questions in detail, and then took her back to wait for her to meet the Emperor.
Throughout, he only worried about the emperor, without the slightest doubt about his daughter.
When the Emperor came out, he was a little surprised to see Tang Mingfan and his daughter standing outside. He smiled and said, "Minister Tang, are you planning to invite me to your residence for dinner? I won't go. I know you have a good daughter who can cook, but I still have to go back to deliver Buddhist scriptures to the Empress Dowager."
Prince of Jin glanced at Tang Zhuyun, his gaze carrying a strong sense of threat—don't cause trouble.
Tang Zhuyun ignored him completely, knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I have a request to make of you, but it is a difficult matter to mention. Please grant me a quarter of an hour alone."
She met with the Emperor alone.
What are her intentions towards the Emperor?
Prince of Jin said, "Tell me what's on your mind first, don't delay Father."
The Emperor looked at Tang Mingfan, who gave him a pleading look and said, "It's all my fault for failing to properly educate my daughter."
Although the Emperor hesitated for a moment, knowing that Tang Mingfan wouldn't act recklessly, he said, "Then everyone else may leave. You and your daughter stay and talk."
Tang Zhuyun turned around and saw Prince of Jin and Jiang Beihan standing at the door, and said, "No, you both need to step back."
Prince of Jin: "Tang Zhuyun, that's enough!"
Tang Zhuyun: "Your Majesty, look how the Prince is bullying me! I don't want to go through with this marriage anymore..."
"Shut up!" Tang Mingfan feigned anger, following the script the father and daughter had previously discussed.
The Emperor waved his hand and said, "You may all leave now."
The Prince of Jin and Jiang Beihan retreated several feet further.
Jiang Beihan looked at Prince of Jin and said softly, "From what I see, Miss Tang seems unwilling to follow Your Highness. But that's fine too; her reputation would only be a burden to Your Highness."
The Prince of Jin's face was ashen; he was clearly not comforted.
Jiang Beihan added, "As for Meng Yulan, I advise Your Highness to be cautious as well."
The Prince of Jin's eyes finally moved.
It wasn't because he cared about Meng Yulan, but because Jiang Beihan actually gossiped about a girl praised by everyone in the capital behind her back—that was hardly the behavior of a gentleman.
Jiang Beihan said calmly, "To be honest, Your Highness, Meng Yulan was determined to marry no one but me back then. But when trouble struck the household, she took advantage of the situation. A woman like that is not worthy of being a princess."
She could only be his slave, at his mercy!
A fleeting glint of malice crossed Jiang Beihan's eyes.
The Prince of Jin revealed his thoughts, "You couldn't have her back then, so now you're thinking of revenge? Marquis of Wuyang, it's human nature to seek advantage and avoid harm, especially when it's just a woman. Your constant thinking is rather petty."
Jiang Beihan laughed, a smile as sharp as a snow blade, "Your Highness has probably never loved anyone, and doesn't know the pain of being betrayed by the one you love."
Anyone can kick someone when they're down, but not the woman he's willing to give his heart to!
The Prince of Jin said nothing more.
The emperor bestowed the marriage upon him, leaving him no room for objection.
If Meng Yulan doesn't come up with a solution herself, he'll have no choice but to marry her.
To him, all women are the same; it doesn't matter who he marries.
No, forget about Tang Zhuyun.
That woman is too dangerous; he's afraid he'll be cuckolded and die young.
(Tang Zhuyun: Your Highness (Eldest Son), it's time to take your medicine.)
Upon hearing this name, Prince of Jin pursed his thin lips and frowned—he wondered what that woman was up to in front of the Emperor this time.
Remembering what she had told me before, could it be that she went to beg the Emperor to annul the engagement?
Tang Zhuyun lowered her voice and stated her judgment, then lowered her head and stared at the ground, waiting for the emperor's reaction.
Tang Mingfan was very eager, "Your Majesty—"
The Emperor chuckled softly, a hint of desolation in his voice. "I thought I had hidden it well, but I never expected that a little girl would see right through me. A-Yun, rise and speak."
Tang Zhuyun breathed a sigh of relief when she heard him address her; it seemed the worst-case scenario wouldn't happen.
"I knew this last year. At that time, the imperial physician said I had three or four years left to live."
Tang Mingfan also knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face. "Your Majesty!"
"Minister Tang!" The Emperor reached out to help him up. "I already knew. His lifespan was already written down, and no one could change it. I only hope that while I'm still alive, I can do what I'm supposed to do and make proper arrangements for you loyal old ministers. The Yuwen Family's empire will still need you to support my son in the future."
The problem is, which son will you help shoulder the burden? You have eight sons alive!
However, the Emperor's magnanimity and generosity exceeded Tang Zhuyun's expectations.
The Emperor's love for her father was undeniable.
Of course, her father also lived up to the Emperor's expectations.
"Your Majesty," Tang Zhuyun said, "May I take your pulse?"
"Little girl, do you think you're better than the imperial physicians?" the Emperor said with a smile, seemingly unconcerned.
Tang Zhuyun: "No, I just wanted to see if I could do something to help the Emperor and lessen my father's regrets."
"Come," the Emperor said, placing his hand on the stone table. He then addressed Tang Mingfan, "Minister Tang, you've finally seen Jianyue light at the end of the tunnel. I wonder if I'll have the same good fortune as you, to have a truly filial child."
Neither the father nor the daughter dared to respond to that.
Tang Zhuyun composed herself and held her breath as she felt the Emperor's pulse. Her devotion, seriousness, and professionalism caught the Emperor's attention.
I don't know why, but I inexplicably feel trust and hope in her now.
"A-Yun, how is His Majesty's health?" Tang Mingfan looked at his daughter with pleading eyes, his voice trembling.
Tang Zhuyun released her grip and knelt before the Emperor, saying, "This humble woman dares not question the imperial physician's medical skills; however, when discussing Your Majesty's health, this humble woman believes that the imperial physician exaggerated the condition to avoid future criticism."
That was a bit of a roundabout way of putting it, and after a moment's thought, the Emperor exclaimed with delight, "Girl, are you saying my illness isn't that serious?"
"In my humble opinion, Your Majesty's concern for state affairs has indeed led to his poor health, but the claim that it has lasted for several years is utterly absurd."
If those years were all a lie, then the implication is that he can live for another ten years or so?
Tang Mingfan exclaimed excitedly, "A-Yun, really? You're not lying to the Emperor, are you?"
Tang Zhuyun touched her neck. "Father, would I dare to deceive the emperor? Do I think my head is too strong?"
Facing the delighted emperor, she solemnly said, "I have a prescription and a method for daily care, which I have written down for the imperial physicians to review."
She believed in her medical skills and that they could withstand scrutiny.
Although the Emperor didn't fully believe it, he was still overjoyed. "Minister Tang, your whole family is a gift from Heaven to help me!"