The Stories of Mine in the Ming Dynasty of China in 1368

In the hall.

The princes were already having a hard time, feeling quite uncomfortable, extremely uncomfortable.

Each of them had surging blood and qi, their faces and necks red, feeling as if their internal organs were about to shift.

However, not a single one left.

Although the crown prince had been determined and was unshakable, there was still competition among the princes. After all, everyone wanted to be granted a good fief. Leaving at this time could easily be labeled as unfilial by competitors.

Affecting their futures!

The prince who set the flag was the closest to Li Qing and was the most unbearable. His hand holding the chair was trembling, and there was a hint of regret on his face.

The other princes were no better off than him. The princes behind quietly covered their ears, but it didn't have any effect. The notes had extremely strong penetrating power, directly shaking people's hearts.

They were really suffering!

Yet they didn't dare to shout to stop because this piece of music seemed to be really working. Empress Ma actually sat up with the support of the palace maids, and her complexion improved significantly.

Li Qing wasn't feeling well either. He didn't have breakfast and his true qi was depleting little by little. His face gradually turned pale.

A drop of sweat slid from his forehead to his eyelid, but he didn't even have time to wipe the sweat. A slightest mistake could lead to all previous efforts wasted.

"Zheng ~ Weng ~"

Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zhi, Yu, five different notes surrounded the hall.

One note after another was emitted from Li Qing's fingertips, resounding through the hall and shaking people's hearts.

At this time, a burst of footsteps came. Li Qing's heart moved, knowing that it must be Zhu Yuanzhang. He didn't stop and still continued to pluck the strings.

'Tap tap tap...'

The footsteps came from far to near. After a while, Zhu Yuanzhang entered the hall.

The princes, as if seeing their savior, were about to kneel and pay respects, but were stopped by Zhu Biao's gesture.

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw that it was really Li Qing playing the zither, he was greatly surprised.

The sound of the zither in the hall wasn't much louder than when he was outside the Fengtian Palace. He didn't understand why the zither sound could spread so far. But seeing that his wife could already sit up and her complexion was much better, he couldn't help but be overjoyed.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Li Qing who was playing and consciously stood aside, not caring about his impoliteness at all.

Gradually, he felt something was wrong. Before, his mind was all on his wife and he didn't care about how the zither piece was. At this moment, when he listened carefully, he immediately felt his blood and qi surging.

Looking at his sons and grandchildren, each of them endured with great effort, many with fierce expressions. He impatiently waved his hand.

The princes felt relieved as if granted amnesty. They silently performed a courtesy and quietly left this troublesome place.

The hall immediately became much brighter. Only Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, and two palace maids were left.

The sound of the zither continued. Li Qing was on the verge of collapse. Hunger, coupled with the rapid depletion of his true qi, left him utterly exhausted.

"Zheng zheng zheng~~~"

The sound of the qin suddenly sped up, like raindrops hitting the plantain. Everyone felt their internal organs vibrating and could barely endure it.

Just as two palace maids were about to cry out involuntarily, the sound of the qin suddenly stopped. The great hall fell silent, only the rapid breathing of the people could be heard.

"Huff huff huff..."

Li Qing's chest heaved violently, beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down, his face was deathly pale, and his breathing was heavy. He felt completely drained.

"Sister (Mother), how are you feeling?"

The father and son stepped forward together, without anyone caring how Li Qing was feeling.

There's still someone here... Li Qing was too weak to even complain.

"This piece of music is truly strange." Empress Ma nodded slightly. "I feel a bit better."

At this moment, a palace maid entered with a bowl of medicinal soup. "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, Your Highness the Crown Prince, the medicine is ready."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and took the medicine bowl. Only then did he turn his gaze to Li Qing. "Is this really the only medicine to be taken?"

"Yeah." Li Qing nodded.

Suddenly feeling that something was amiss, and seeing two palace maids staring at him curiously, he then realized and quickly stood up. "Your humble subject..."

"No need to pay your respects." Empress Ma said. "You must be exhausted. Sit down and rest."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Li Qing didn't stand on ceremony and sat down to regain his strength.

Zhu Yuanzhang was quite satisfied with Li Qing. "Have lunch with us."

"...Thank you, Your Majesty. Your humble subject is deeply honored and terrified."

To be honest, he really didn't want to have a meal with Zhu Yuanzhang. Having a feast with the emperor was a great honor for others, but he didn't care about such empty honors. He would rather eat alone and be more comfortable.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, turned around, scooped up some medicinal soup, and blew on it by his mouth. "Good medicine tastes bitter, sister. You must finish it."

Empress Ma nodded, lowered her head, and drank the medicinal soup brought to her lips. Suddenly, she was startled and exclaimed softly, "This medicine isn't bitter. It's a bit sweet."

"Really?" Zhu Yuanzhang said cheerfully. "Then I'll have a taste too."

"Can you taste the medicine casually?" Empress Ma gently punched him.

"Look at you. I was just joking." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled happily and continued to feed the medicine gently.

Zhu Biao smacked his lips. He seemed to feel a bit redundant. He stood up and said, "Father, Mother, your son has some official business to attend to. I'll take my leave first."

"Go, go." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand. "Go to the Imperial Study and deal with mine as well."

"...Your son obeys!"

Since Zhu Biao had left, Li Qing had even less reason to stay. He quickly stood up to take his leave, but then heard Empress Ma say, "Wait a moment."

Then, she turned to Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Your Majesty, official business is of great importance. Don't pile everything on Biao'er. Your consort will ask the gentleman about the illness and then go to rest."

"All right then." Zhu Yuanzhang put down the empty medicine bowl, glanced at Li Qing, and said, "Come to the Imperial Study to find me later."

"Your humble subject obeys." Li Qing nodded.

After Zhu Yuanzhang left the great hall, Empress Ma sat up straight. "You two may also withdraw."

"Yes, Your Highness." The two little palace maids curtsied slightly, stepped back a few steps, and then turned around and left.

Seeing that he was the only one left in the great hall, Li Qing felt a bit nervous. "Your Highness..."

"Come closer."

"Uh... Yes." Li Qing forced himself to step forward.

Empress Ma said straightforwardly, "How long can I still live?"

"Your Highness, please rest assured. Your humble subject will do his best..."

"Answer my question!"

"..." This was exactly what Li Qing was afraid she would ask. He hadn't yet gained Zhu Yuanzhang's full attention. If the emperor knew that he was unable to cure the empress's illness, the consequences...

Seeing that he didn't speak, Empress Ma added, "Can I live until the Mid - Autumn Festival?"

"Yes." Li Qing blurted out almost immediately. After a pause, he said seriously, "There's definitely no problem until the Mid - Autumn Festival."

Empress Ma smiled, a contented smile. "This is already very good."

As she spoke, she took out a half - chi piece of yellow silk from under the pillow. "Take this. It's a document for leaving the city. It bears my seal. If one day you feel that my end is near, take it in advance and flee overnight. With this, no one inside or outside the palace dares to stop you. Remember, find a deep mountain forest to hide in and don't go out easily."

Li Qing stared blankly at the beautiful small regular script. He sniffed, filled with emotion.

"Hide it well. This can save your life!" Empress Ma reminded.

"Yes, thank you, Your Highness." Li Qing said earnestly. "Your humble subject will definitely do his utmost."

Empress Ma gave a bitter smile. "I know my own body well. Alas... In this life, I've endured hardships and also enjoyed blessings. I have numerous descendants. Heaven has been very kind to me. Even if I were to die now, it wouldn't matter much. However... once I'm gone, no one will be able to hold him back. I really don't want him to leave an impression of a tyrant on future generations..."

Perhaps because her body had improved, or maybe because she hadn't met anyone with whom she could talk heart - to - heart for a long time, Empress Ma talked a lot. Li Qing couldn't get a word in and just quietly listened. But through this, he also gained a deeper understanding of Zhu Yuanzhang. He listened intently and kept everything in mind, making thorough preparations for the future.

After a long while, Empress Ma let out a sigh and chuckled softly. "You must be annoyed after listening to my rambling for so long."

"Your humble subject wouldn't dare."

Empress Ma sighed softly. "I'm tired. Go and see the emperor."

"Yes, your humble subject obeys."

Li Qing bowed and then withdrew from the great hall.

...

In the Imperial Study.

Zhu Yuanzhang and his son were reviewing memorials. When they saw Li Qing enter, they both stopped what they were doing. "How is the empress's (mother's) health?"

Li Qing cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, with careful recuperation, there is hope for recovery."

Zhu Yuanzhang was very pleased. "Well, you're quite good!"

After a pause, he asked, "What's going on with that qin sound?"

He stared straight at Li Qing. "If it's a fairy - like technique that cannot be passed on, you don't have to say. I won't blame you."

I don't believe you at all. Your killing intent can hardly be hidden... Li Qing quickly started flattering. "One can deceive the heavens and the earth, but not Your Majesty..."

Blah blah blah...

Although Zhu Yuanzhang knew he was flattering, his expression softened significantly. What he wanted was just an attitude.

"Then tell me, what exactly is going on."