Ning Que, must you be so calculative?
It’s merely using your child’s blood to treat General Gu. I am also the child’s mother, so I naturally have the right to decide!
General Gu comes from a family of generals, and he was caught in Western Liang's scheme while fighting for the country. Don't forget, your father and brothers also died at the hands of those Western Liang scoundrels, and he is also avenging them. Since things have come to this, can’t you be more magnanimous?
… …
Xianhong Medicine Lodge.
The ground was a mess.
A strong smell of blood permeated the room.
Lin Xianhong sat on a golden silk soft couch, dressed only in plain clothes.
Her face was pale, devoid of any color.
However, she still acted overbearing.
Looking at her dazed husband, Ning Que, she showed no remorse.
It was as if she had done something trivial.
Ning Que’s hands and feet were cold as he looked at everything before him. Fury burned fiercely, rushing to his head. He trembled and took two steps forward, “So you killed my child just to save another man?”
“Gu Yuan is not just any other man!”
“He is a great hero, a pillar of strength!”
“He is handsome and elegant, modest and polite, skilled in both civil and military arts, courageous and resourceful. Most importantly, his character is excellent, a true paragon of a gentleman. He has guarded the Western Border for several years, participating in dozens of battles, big and small. Not long ago, he severely wounded Western Liang’s main force and was conferred the title of First Rank General by Emperor Feng, inheriting the Tiger Marquis title.”
When Gu Yuan was mentioned, Lin Xianhong’s spirits lifted.
Even after a recent miscarriage, she still wanted to defend him.
As she spoke, she looked at Ning Que with disdain.
“Although you are the Prince Ning’s Manor’s heir, you are dissolute, spending your days in pleasure quarters. Instead of restoring the manor’s prestige, you associate with artisans and farmers. You are neither skilled in literary arts nor martial arts. It is your honor to use your unborn child to save General Gu! Putting aside the facts, if you hadn’t repeatedly disappointed me, would I have done this?”
As her words fell, the two female physicians on either side immediately spoke up.
“That’s right, why is the heir so aggressive?”
“Madam lost her child, and she is also very sad! It’s one thing for the heir not to comfort Madam at this time, but why is he acting as if he’s here to demand an explanation?”
“General Gu has outstanding military achievements, a true pillar of the nation, with limitless prospects. Using this unborn child to save General Gu’s life is a worthwhile trade no matter how you look at it. Besides, the heir and Madam are still young; as long as there is still affection between them, they can have more children later.”
“Heh… hehe… hahaha…”
Ning Que stood at the doorway, laughing in extreme anger.
He finally understood what it meant for sorrow to be greater than death of the heart!
He looked at Lin Xianhong, who showed no remorse, and then at the female medical officers who stood on a moral high ground, sneering at him with faint smiles.
Now, there was nothing left to say.
He slowly closed his eyes.
Everything from the past flashed before his eyes.
He was born in Prince Ning’s Manor, the youngest son of Prince Ning.
And Prince Ning was Great Feng’s only imperial prince!
He held the power of regency and was ranked as Grand Tutor.
He commanded all the armies in the realm and was conferred the title of Heavenly Strategist by the late Emperor.
Five years ago, Western Liang led a hundred thousand elite cavalry to attack the border.
Prince Ning led his personal guards and marched towards Western Liang. Initially, they advanced triumphantly, capturing thirteen cities. But unexpectedly, their marching route was leaked. The enemy then used thirty thousand elites as bait, luring Prince Ning into Hulu Valley!
This battle was incredibly brutal, exhausting the main forces of both sides!
Prince Ning’s eldest son charged at the front, fighting to his death from exhaustion!
His second son led a surprise attack and was crushed to death by boulders!
His third son was shot in the eye by an arrow and hacked into minced meat!
And Prince Ning fought to the death rather than surrender, ultimately pierced by countless arrows!
… …
After this battle, Ning Que was the only remaining male descendant of Prince Ning’s Manor.
Upon hearing the news, Ning Que immediately wanted to request to fight and avenge his father and brothers!
But his mother held him tightly.
Tears mixed with blood continuously streamed down her face.
Her heart had already shattered into pieces…
She was afraid that Ning Que would also die on the battlefield.
If so, Prince Ning’s Manor would never have a chance to rise again.
Ultimately, Ning Que chose to agree to his mother’s wishes.
To marry and have children, to strengthen the manor!
… …
Ning Que opened his eyes.
Separated by a few steps, he stared at Lin Xianhong.
At that time, he followed his mother’s dying wish and sought to marry Lin Xianhong.
Simply because she was the daughter of his mother’s closest friend!
At that time, the Lin family was suppressed by the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, who accused them of colluding with external enemies and leaking Prince Ning’s marching route. In fact, there were many suspicious points in this case; it was possible that someone had framed them, looking for a scapegoat.
Lin Xianhong knelt before Ning Que, hoping he could save the Lin family!
After Ning Que investigated, he brought the golden death-exemption token, passed down through generations of Prince Ning’s Manor, to the palace to meet Emperor Feng, guaranteeing the Lin family’s innocence with the reputation of Prince Ning’s Manor. Although Emperor Feng was angry, he still agreed to pardon the Lin family and simultaneously bestowed a marriage upon him.
Lin Xianhong had been frail since childhood and found it difficult to conceive. Ning Que did not take any concubines and sought out Chang Baicao, the foremost divine physician in the world. The divine physician diagnosed her and prescribed many medicines to recuperate her body.
The daily cost of medicine alone was thirty taels of silver!
Ning Que had no regrets and did not say another word.
During her recuperation, Lin Xianhong often came into contact with medicine, which sparked the idea of becoming Chang Baicao’s disciple. However, Chang Baicao had once been betrayed by a disciple, so he no longer accepted any. Ning Que, upon learning this, pleaded with him. Chang Baicao had once been saved by Prince Ning and had no children of his own, so he treated Ning Que like his own son. Thinking that Lin Xianhong was Ning Que’s wife, he finally accepted her as a disciple.
She already had a basic understanding, and Chang Baicao taught her everything he knew.
Half a year ago, she even entered the palace and saved the Empress Dowager.
Since then, she had become a renowned divine physician in Chang’an!
It was also that day that she discovered she was pregnant.
According to Chang Baicao, it was even twins!
But Lin Xianhong, though blessed, did not appreciate her good fortune!
… …
Gu Yuan had achieved a great victory over Western Liang and was returning triumphantly to the capital!
However, he was ambushed by Western Liang on the way and poisoned with a strange toxin.
Chang Baicao personally examined him and only said it was incurable. But Lin Xianhong, disregarding her pregnancy, searched medical texts day and night, finally discovering that using royal bone and blood as a medicinal primer could cure him.
But royal blood was no small matter!
How could it be used as a medicinal primer so casually?
However, her greatest love in this life was Gu Yuan; marrying Ning Que back then was merely out of necessity. Hearing of Gu Yuan’s triumphant return, she had a desire to rekindle their romance. She was a third-rank female medical officer, a favored person by the Empress Dowager, and fully capable of matching him! So, the child in her womb became an obstacle. Now, by using the excuse of saving Gu Yuan to abort the child, it could actually facilitate her and Gu Yuan’s relationship!
“Ning Que.” Lin Xianhong struggled to sit up, speaking softly, “I know this matter has hurt you, but I will not regret it. If you truly wish to pursue this, then you and I can divorce.”
“Heh… divorce?”
“What?”
Ning Que turned his head away.
He didn’t even want to look at her again.
“Do you remember when the Lin family had trouble five years ago?”
“And what did your childhood sweetheart, Gu Yuan, do?”
“He distanced himself, pretending to return to his hometown for ancestral worship.”
“You knelt before Gu Manor’s gates, did anyone pay you any mind?”
Ning Que spoke calmly.
As if none of this concerned him.
“You personally killed your own flesh and blood.”
“Simply because you wanted to save the lover you yearned for.”
“From today onwards, I shall divorce you, you wretched woman!”
Ning Que said no more, preparing to turn and leave.
“Wait!”
“What?”
“You want to divorce me? It won’t be that easy!” Lin Xianhong struggled, sneering, “I saved the Empress Dowager before, and she also supports me saving General Gu. If you use this as an excuse to divorce me, the Empress Dowager won’t agree. Besides, do you really think you are qualified to divorce me, a third-rank medical officer, now?”
The status of a medical officer was indeed not high.
But she had the Empress Dowager’s backing!
Lin Xianhong did not back down, continuing to be aggressive.
“Also, don’t forget that our marriage was bestowed by Emperor Feng. If you want a divorce, I will cooperate as much as possible. But if you want to divorce your wife, then it will be Prince Ning’s Manor that loses face! Ning Que, do not disappoint my good intentions because of a momentary fit of pique. I promise you, I will definitely bear you children in the future, so please don’t throw a tantrum anymore.”
“You are not worthy.”
Late affection is cheaper than grass!
Ning Que turned coldly and strode away.
He could indulge Lin Xianhong, but not allow her to be presumptuous!
This matter had crossed a line, leaving no room for discussion.
Five years of devotion, considered fed to the dogs!
From now on, their ties of affection were severed!
What I gave, give it back to me; what you used of mine, return it to me!
He would make Lin Xianhong pay the price!