Within a few days, Huo Wujiu and Jiang Suzhou set foot on the road north.
Now that Jiangnan and Jiangbei had been unified, the journey was quite smooth. When they arrived at Ye City, it was already July. Ye City was north and much cooler than Lin 'an. It allowed the two of them to avoid the hot summer.
Compared to Lin 'an, Ye City was much thicker. Since the previous dynasty, Ye City had been the capital of the country. It had been three or four hundred years since then.
When they entered the city, Jiang Suzhou looked up through the raised brocade curtain of the carriage and saw the dark city walls quietly spreading out under the blue sky. Ye City was not as green as Lin 'an. Outside the city were drought-resistant cypress trees, and the color of the branches and leaves was darker. They were hidden outside the city walls.
The carriage sparkled as it entered the city. What entered their eyes were thick and tall houses and pavilions, as well as wide and straight roads. When Ye City was built, it was built in the shape of the Yin and Yang Eight Trigrams. It was built wide and square, and the roads were straight. Compared to here, Lin 'an was much more beautiful.
On both sides of the road were common people, and their clothes were different from Lin 'an.
Seeing that he had been staring outside, Huo Wujiu, who was beside him, also came forward.
"What are you looking at?" Huo Wujiu asked.
Jiang Suzhou looked out of the window.
"It's very different from Lin 'an," he said.
Huo Wujiu followed his gaze and looked out. He had only lived in Ye City for a few years, but he didn't see anything new. He looked at it for a while, then withdrew his gaze and asked, "Do you like it here?"
Jiang Suzhou nodded and then shook his head.
"It's not because I like the scenery of Ye City," he said. "It's just that the north, south, east, and west are different, so the scenery is different. It's really interesting."
Huo Wujiu's gaze moved from the window to his face.
He remembered that Jiang Suzhou liked to read travel books, but he didn't know what was the point of those idle people who wrote books. But now it seemed that Jiang Suzhou didn't like those literati who wrote books, but the lakes, seas, mountains, and rivers written by those literati.
Thinking of this, he suddenly raised his hand and pulled down the curtain of the carriage.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Suzhou turned his head and was about to ask, but he was met with a kiss from Huo Wujiu.
"We'll see a lot more in the future," Huo Wujiu said. "If you like to spin, let's give up this throne. I'll take you out to play."
His tone was serious, and his expression didn't seem to be joking. It was obvious that he was serious.
Jiang Suizhou burst into laughter.
"Don't be ridiculous," he said. "If you weren't here, the Imperial Court would be in chaos sooner or later."
Huo Wujiu frowned.
Although he wouldn't say that this mess had nothing to do with him, he was a little unhappy that he had to delay the interests of Jiang Suizhou for these foreign things.
Jiang Suizhou read his mind.
"I do like to look at these things," he said warmly. "But what I like to see is how peaceful they are."
Huo Wujiu looked at him.
Jiang Suizhou leaned over with a smile and asked.
"If there really is such a day, I wonder if General Huo would be willing to go out with me and see our peaceful times?"
Huo Wujiu's Adam's apple bobbed up and down.
"I'd be more than happy to," he replied in a low voice.
—
When they returned to Ye City, they received news that Emperor Zhaoyuan's health had been deteriorating during this period.
Huo Wujiu settled Jiang Suizhou in his mansion in Ye City and hurried into the palace.
Emperor Zhaoyuan's health was indeed not good.
His body was not healthy to begin with. A few days ago, the news of Huo Yuyan's assassination attempt on Huo Wujiu reached his ears.
That was when he fell ill.
When Huo Wujiu entered the palace, Emperor Zhaoyuan had just taken his medicine. The imperial physician who came out shook his head at Huo Shu, who was guarding the door. He said that His Majesty had only taken half of his medicine today and could not eat anything else.
Seeing Huo Wujiu, Huo Shu raised her head to look at him and nodded slightly at him.
Huo Shu was only two years younger than Huo Wujiu and was about the same age as Huo Yuyan. She had always been dignified and quiet since she was young. When she looked at Huo Wujiu, her eyes were a little red.
Huo Wujiu also knew why.
He walked forward and stood in front of Huo Shu. He bowed to her and said, "Second sister."
Huo Shu nodded and responded. Then she turned sideways and said, "Go in and take a look. Father has been looking forward to seeing you these days."
Huo Wujiu nodded and walked towards Emperor Zhaoyuan's bedroom.
Just as he took a step out, Huo Shu called out to him again.
"Wujiu." She called out.
Huo Wujiu turned around and saw Huo Shu looking at him. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Big brother, he … where is he now?"
Huo Wujiu replied, "He came back together. I didn't take his life."
Huo Shu sniffled and said softly, "Thank you."
Huo Wujiu nodded.
Just as he was about to turn around, he heard Huo Shu say, "This matter … Big brother has let you down."
Huo Wujiu did not say anything and walked into Emperor Zhaoyuan's bedroom.
As soon as he entered the bedroom, Huo Wujiu smelled a strong medicinal smell. The smell was strong and heavy, and it had a kind of pressure that made it hard for people to breathe. There was a faint smell of death in the medicinal smell.
Huo Wujiu's brows were tightly knitted together, and his footsteps quickened.
Just as he walked to the bedside, he heard a few hoarse and weak coughs.
When he left, Emperor Zhaoyuan had not been so ill.
Huo Wujiu hurried forward. Just as he stopped at the side of the bed, he heard the person on the bed cough hoarsely and ask, "Is Wujiu here?"
Huo Wujiu paused for a moment. After a while, he responded in a deep voice.
"Uncle." He called out in a low voice.
Then, he heard a rustling sound from the bed.
Huo Wujiu hurried forward and saw that Emperor Zhaoyuan on the bed was so thin that he almost lost his face. He was struggling to sit up. The palace maids and eunuchs on both sides hurried forward to help him. After a while, they helped Emperor Zhaoyuan sit on the bed.
"Wujiu." Emperor Zhaoyuan raised his head shakily and looked at Huo Wujiu.
Huo Wujiu did not say anything.
Emperor Zhaoyuan raised his hand and waved away all the eunuchs and palace maids in the hall.
After a while, the door of the room closed. Only Huo Wujiu and Emperor Zhaoyuan were left in the entire bedroom.
"That child Yuyan … I didn't teach him well." Emperor Zhaoyuan choked as soon as he spoke.
Huo Wujiu quietly knelt down in front of his bed.
"I am unfilial," Huo Wujiu said in a deep voice. "Uncle, I'm sorry for making such a thing happen."
Emperor Zhaoyuan waved his hand.
"It's not your fault," he said hurriedly.
Huo Wujiu did not say anything.
After a moment of silence, Emperor Zhaoyuan asked again, "Is it also because of Yuyan that you are trapped in Nanjing?"
Huo Wujiu raised his head and looked at him. He paused, but still did not say anything.
Emperor Zhaoyuan sighed.
"You don't have to feel guilty, and you don't have to be afraid of angering me," he said. "I am well aware of my body's condition. Even if I didn't cause so much trouble, I wouldn't have lasted long. "
Huo Wujiu pursed his lips.
Emperor Zhaoyuan looked at him.
"I just want to find out the reason," he said.
Huo Wujiu was silent for a moment. Then, he took out a few bloodstained letters from his bosom and placed them at the head of Emperor Zhaoyuan's bed.
Emperor Zhaoyuan reached out his bony hand and picked up the letters with trembling hands.
For a moment, only the rustling sound of flipping letters could be heard in the entire bedchamber.
After a long time, there was a click.
Huo Wujiu looked up and saw that it was Emperor Zhaoyuan who was holding the letters. He was already in tears.
"Uncle." Huo Wujiu frowned and stood up. He went forward and took the letters away.
"This is between Big Brother and me," Huo Wujiu said with a frown. "Uncle, just focus on recuperating."
Emperor Zhaoyuan raised his head when he heard that.
"I didn't teach Yuyan well." He trembled and choked with sobs. The words that came out of his mouth were a little broken, and he even forgot to call himself the Emperor. "I only thought that he was quiet and thoughtful, but I didn't expect that he would dig himself into a dead end. I also know that he is filial. Ever since I was seriously injured, he has been distressed, but I didn't expect that he would blame Big Brother and you. He … After I die, how can I face Big Brother? "
At this point, Emperor Zhaoyuan choked with sobs and couldn't say anything else.
Huo Wujiu stood there, holding the letters with one hand and looking down at him. He was silent for a long time, and the letters in his hand were crumpled.
Then, he squatted down silently and raised his hand to clumsily wipe away the tears on Emperor Zhaoyuan's face.
"I don't blame you," Huo Wujiu said slowly.
Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, Emperor Zhaoyuan suddenly reached out and grabbed Huo Wujiu's hand.
That hand was bony and withered, and it didn't have much strength left. However, Huo Wujiu couldn't move. After a moment of stalemate, he let Emperor Zhaoyuan hold his hand.
"Uncle, you shouldn't say that now." Emperor Zhaoyuan let out a trembling breath, and there was a hint of pleading in his tone. "Wujiu, I won't let Yuyan inherit the throne anymore. His health is not good, and he has a lot of thoughts. If he takes the throne, I won't be at ease with him or you. "
As he spoke, he shook Huo Wujiu's hand.
"I know that you don't care about the throne, but I have to give it to you. Uncle has faith in you, and I want to take this opportunity to apologize to you. Uncle doesn't have long to live. After I die, everything in this world will be yours. "
Huo Wujiu was silent for a moment and didn't say anything.
"These things should have been yours," Emperor Zhaoyuan said.
Huo Wujiu suddenly said, "It shouldn't have been."
Emperor Zhaoyuan looked at him. His eyes were always cloudy when he was ill. At this moment, there was a layer of mist over his eyes, and he looked a little pitiful.
"This battle is not for the world, nor for fame. It is only for the brothers of the Huo Army to have a place and to enjoy peace and happiness," Huo Wujiu said slowly. "This is what Father said when he lifted the pole for the uprising."
Emperor Zhaoyuan's tears fell again.
"Big Brother, he …"
"Father's wish has been fulfilled today," Huo Wujiu said. "Uncle, I understand what you mean. If you are worried about it, I will do it for you. However, I didn't want to take these things in the first place. "
Emperor Zhaoyuan nodded with tears in his eyes.
"Then, just take it that you have accepted my compensation, okay?" Emperor Zhaoyuan said. "Then … I have a presumptuous request."
Huo Wujiu knew what he wanted to say.
Sure enough, Emperor Zhaoyuan continued.
"I only hope that after I die, you can spare Yuyan's life. Even if he is demoted to a commoner and put under house arrest in the palace for the rest of his life, it will be good enough, "Emperor Zhaoyuan said. "Just take it that you are giving him a chance and a punishment. Let him reflect on himself, okay?"
Huo Wujiu remained silent. After a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.
"Then, in exchange, I would like to make a request of you, Uncle," he said.
"Speak," Emperor Zhaoyuan said.
"Since this throne is a gift from you to me, I would like to give it to someone else as a gift. Is that okay?"
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