Chapter 67: Li Shimin's Guilt

Since traveling back to ancient times, Chen Yan had once imagined meeting a girl he liked.

The two rode a white horse together, letting their garments flutter, galloping across the vast grassland, scattering happiness freely in the breeze.

Now, Chen Yan is indeed on a white horse, and the breeze greets him.

Only, the one galloping with him is not the girl he likes, but....

Li Junxian, that steel‑brawny man!

Seeing ghosts, who understands his feelings?

Strawberry gummy turned into blueberry hard candy.

Password!

As if Chen Yan, being embraced by Li Junxian, had an iron‑blue face, and in his heart a hundred thousand alpacas surged.

"General Li, we should be close, right?"

Li Junxian's expression was urgent as he urged his horse and replied, "Very soon, we'll be at Cheng Tian Men right away."

Chen Yan let out a slight sigh, intending to learn more, "General Li, could you explain what exactly is happening with Her Majesty?"

"Why did she suddenly faint?"

He truly couldn't figure it out; logically, Empress Changsun only needs to take penicillin daily on schedule, and since he has been delivering meals to the Imperial Palace lately, her health should gradually improve.

How could she suddenly collapse?

It doesn't make sense.

Li Junxian replied, "Actually, I don't know much; I heard from Wushe that Her Majesty seemed to faint suddenly while walking with His Majesty after dinner."

"His Majesty is extremely anxious and immediately sent me and Wushe to fetch you."

Chen Yan was not surprised.

Li Shimin even sent his own personal eunuch and Li Junxian together, so it would be strange not to be urgent.

He thought for a moment and asked again, "General Li, did Her Majesty faint because of a Qi illness?"

Li Junxian affirmed, "Her Majesty's fainting should have nothing to do with a Qi illness, because she showed no symptoms of any disease; she simply collapsed while walking."

"Then that's strange..." Chen Yan thought to himself.

Since there are no manifestations of illness, it probably isn't closely related to a Qi disease.

I've never heard of Empress Changsun having any other ailments before.

Chen Yan rubbed his forehead, truly unable to fathom the reason for Empress Changsun's collapse, and simply gave up thinking about it.

Anyway, he has already been taken into the Imperial Palace by Li Junxian and Wushe.

He'll know soon.

"......"

In Lizheng Hall, Empress Changsun lay pale on the bed, eyes tightly closed, evidently already in a deep sleep.

Several maidservants and eunuchs inside the hall knelt on the ground, faces full of terror.

Li Shimin wore a gloomy expression, pacing back and forth before the bed.

The atmosphere inside the hall was exceedingly oppressive.

At this moment, Li Lizhi, sitting beside him, suddenly spoke, "Ah ye, please don't be too anxious; our mother's good fortune is destined by heaven, she will surely be fine."

The Empress's sudden fainting is not good news; the information might be sealed off.

But she suffers from a Qi illness, and for the past two days she has been eating meals delivered by the Weinan Bo Fu together with Li Shimin and Empress Changsun.

When Empress Changsun fainted, she was on the scene, which is why she is now in Lizheng Hall.

With her was also Chengyang Little Princess.

The little girl, seeing Empress Changsun collapse, cried loudly in panic, and now has fallen asleep on a soft couch.

Li Shimin clenched his fist tightly, lowering his voice, "Your mother fainted without any warning; I don't know what's going on, how can you make me not be anxious?"

Li Lizhi comforted, "Haven't you already sent Wushe and General Li to request the Marquis of Weinan?"

"With the Marquis of Weinan's medical skill, I believe she can certainly be cured."

"Your current anxiety is useless; better sit down and wait patiently for a while."

Although she said that, Li Lizhi's trembling lips and tightly clenched fist revealed that her heart was equally unsettled.

Li Shimin, after hearing this, recalled Chen Yan's tactics, suppressing his worry and irritation, and sat on the bed.

Looking at the woman who had been by his side since he was thirteen, Li Shimin felt a mixture of emotions.

When he was still the Prince of Qin, Changsun Wugou silently stood behind him handling various matters.

When he went out to war, Changsun Wugou voluntarily took on the responsibility of comforting widows of fallen soldiers and supporting the orphaned.

For this, she even sold her own jewelry and belongings to aid the soldiers' families, greatly increasing the loyalty of the Qin Prince's troops.

She also frequently met with the wives of generals, using gentle means to resolve conflicts.

During Li Yuan's later years, when his suspicion of him deepened, Changsun Wugou repeatedly entered the palace as a daughter‑in‑law, navigating to ease their tensions.

He had thought that seizing the throne and making her Empress would let her enjoy happiness.

But he never imagined that in recent years, frequent accidents forced Empress Changsun not only to manage the harem for him but also to constantly advise and ease his conflicts with ministers.

Supporting her already frail body, she led the harem day and night in weaving and promoting thrift, setting an example for everyone.

Recalling this, Li Shimin grasped Empress Changsun's hand, and the guilt in his heart could no longer be concealed.

"Guanyin Maid, I... have wronged you!"

In the silence, a soft sigh sounded.

"Er Lang, why say that?"

Li Shimin shivered all over; he had thought his words would receive no response.

But at this moment, the faint force from his palm felt undeniably real.

Li Shimin suddenly lifted his head, meeting those eyes still gentle as spring water.

"Guanyin Maid, you...... you woke up?!"

The sorrow Li Shimin had just been cultivating vanished instantly, replaced by a great surprise.

"Guanyin Maid, how do you feel?" Li Shimin hurriedly asked: "Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable, or anywhere that hurts?"

"I have already sent Wushe and Li Junxian to fetch Zi An; you will surely be fine."

"Mother!" Li Lizhi rushed over, concerned: "Mother, are you alright?"

Empress Changsun's face regained some color, and she said with a smile: "I feel much better; don't worry."

Li Lizhi and Li Shimin were about to speak when three figures suddenly rushed in from outside.

"His Majesty, the Marquis of Weinan has arrived!"

Li Junxian and Wushe lifted Chen Yan on either side and ran straight to Li Shimin.

Chen Yan wore an expression of utter despair.

He had originally wanted to run in himself, but Li Junxian and Wushe thought he was too slow and insisted on carrying him in.

This left his arms feeling a bit numb.

Li Shimin was overjoyed, paying no attention to Chen Yan's expression, and pulled him to the bedside.

"Quick, Zi An, quickly examine my Guanyin Maid and see what's wrong with her!"

"All right, all right, His Majesty, don't rush; I'll attend to Her Majesty the Empress right away." Chen Yan relaxed his arms, gave a reassuring remark, and turned his gaze to the Empress on the bed.

The Empress said gently: "Zi An, I'll trouble you."

"It's all right, Her Majesty, please extend your hand; I'll take your pulse." Chen Yan examined carefully, finding nothing amiss on the Empress's face.

He planned to take her pulse first, then speak.

Empress Changsun responded, extending her wrist.

Chen Yan took from his medicine box the silk scarf that had previously served as a mask, already washed clean, and placed it on her wrist.

Soon after his fingers touched, he frowned slightly, turning his head to look at Li Shimin...

"......"