During the days when Lin Yue was treating Liu Shihan, every minute and second felt like she was struggling through a thicket of thorns. Pain and confusion haunted her constantly. On the surface, she was fully focused on fulfilling her duties as a doctor, but deep in her heart, disappointment and affection for Li Yunfei surged like a powerful undercurrent, constantly buffeting her rationality. She often stared blankly at the bright moon outside the window late at night, recalling every bit of her past with Li Yunfei. Those beautiful moments now seemed like sharp blades, stabbing her heart.
As for Li Yunfei, seeing Lin Yue becoming increasingly haggard, the guilt and pain in his heart were like being roasted by a raging fire. He knew that he had to confess everything to Lin Yue and unravel the mystery that was causing both of them so much pain. Otherwise, the rift between them would only grow deeper.
One day, Li Yunfei learned that Lin Yue was busy in the medical hall until very late. After she finished her work, he summoned up his courage and stopped Lin Yue in the courtyard of the medical hall. The moonlight spilled on the flagstone path in the courtyard, like a layer of silver frost. It was completely silent all around, except for the chirping of insects not far away, rising and falling one after another, as if telling the loneliness of the night. The moment Lin Yue saw Li Yunfei, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, a mix of surprise, pain, and more indescribable fatigue.
"Miss Lin, I know my actions during this period have made you sad. I... I have my reasons," he broke the silence first, his voice a bit hoarse and filled with helplessness, as if he was being crushed by the heavy burden of life.
Lin Yue shook her head with a bitter smile. "Li Yunfei, I thought that after going through so much together, there would be no secrets between us. But now it seems that I was too naive." Her tone was full of disappointment and self - mockery, and that smile was more heart - wrenching than crying.
Li Yunfei's eyes were filled with pain and struggle. He slowly opened his mouth and said, "Miss Lin, you know me. But I've never told you that I'm actually the Emperor's illegitimate son. Back then, my mother was just an ordinary palace maid. She fell in love with the Emperor and had me. But to maintain the dignity and stability of the royal family, the Emperor had to send my mother out of the palace and claim that I had died prematurely. Later, I was adopted by the Empress. It was announced that the Empress was my mother, but in fact, the Empress had a hidden illness and couldn't have children. For all these years, I've always been obedient to the Empress and been very cautious in the palace, just hoping that one day I could bring my biological mother by my side to fulfill my filial duties. It's just that some accidents happened recently, and I was afraid of worrying you, so I didn't tell you."
Lin Yue's eyes widened in shock. She had never imagined that Li Yunfei's background was so complicated. She looked at Li Yunfei, and the anger and pain in her heart lessened a little, but there was more confusion. "Then what does this have to do with Liu Shihan?"
Li Yunfei let out a long sigh and continued, "Liu Shihan's father, Minister Liu, has a huge influence in the court. He has always been coveting the throne. Moreover, he's the Empress's younger brother. Recently, he somehow got news about my mother and resorted to both coercion and bribery, threatening my mother's life to force me to get close to Liu Shihan, intending to control me in this way. I wanted to refuse. All these years, the Empress has treated me like her own child. But when I thought of my mother's safety, I really didn't dare to take the risk. So I could only pretend to associate with Liu Shihan, trying to find a chance to get rid of his control. I know I've hurt you by doing this, but I really had no other choice." Lin Yue's heart was filled with mixed
feelings. She could sense the helplessness and pain in Li Yunfei's words, but the pain in her heart couldn't be dispelled easily. "Then why didn't you tell me earlier? We've gone through so many life - and - death tests together. Don't you trust me?"
Li Yunfei's eyes were red. He said eagerly, "Miss Lin, how could I not trust you? But this matter is too dangerous. I didn't want to involve you. I thought I could solve it alone and explain it to you after it was all over. But I never expected things to get more and more complicated and the harm to you to get deeper and deeper."
Lin Yue was silent for a long time. Her heart was struggling in pain and entanglement. She loved Li Yunfei deeply, but the pain she had endured during this period made it difficult for her to let go easily. After a while, she slowly said, "Li Yunfei, I need time to digest all this. Give me some time, okay?"
Li Yunfei looked at Lin Yue, his eyes full of heartache and guilt. He nodded. "Okay, Yue'er, I'll wait for you. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait for you."
Just as their relationship reached an impasse, a major event happened in the palace again. Although Liu Shihan's condition was gradually improving, Minister Liu was not satisfied. He learned that Lin Yue had already known his conspiracy and, fearing that the truth would come out, decided to strike first. He secretly colluded with some treacherous court officials and prepared to launch a coup to overthrow the Emperor and support his own forces to take power.
One night, Minister Liu led a group of rebels and broke into the imperial palace. The imperial palace was immediately thrown into chaos. Shouts of killing and the clashing of weapons could be heard continuously. Lin Yue also heard the commotion outside in the medical hall. She knew the situation was critical. Although she still had some resentment towards Li Yunfei in her heart, at this critical moment, she decided to put aside her personal feelings and join the ranks of those defending the palace.
Lin Yue led several young doctors from the medical hall to form a temporary medical team. They rushed around the palace, treating the injured soldiers and guards. The silver needles and herbs in her hands became weapons to protect lives on this chaotic battlefield.
Many of Li Yunfei's guards fell. With the secret assistance of the rebels in the palace, he was gradually losing the battle against the rebels. Minister Liu was about to break through the defense line. Just at this critical moment, Lin Yue suddenly appeared. Using her knowledge of herbs, she prepared a kind of smoke - bomb that could temporarily paralyze people's movements. She threw the smoke - bomb at the rebels. After inhaling the smoke, the rebels fell to the ground one after another and temporarily lost their ability to move.
Li Yunfei took the opportunity to launch a counter - attack. Together with the guards who came to support, they subdued Minister Liu and his rebels. After this thrilling coup, Minister Liu's conspiracy completely failed, and he received his due punishment.
After this incident, both Li Yunfei and Lin Yue had gone through life - and - death tests. Li Yunfei looked at Lin Yue, and the love in his heart grew even stronger. He knew that no matter what happened, Lin Yue was always the one who was willing to share life and death with him. And Lin Yue, after experiencing this crisis, finally let go of the grudges in her heart. She looked at Li Yunfei, and the pain and confusion in her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by firmness and love.
"Yue'er, after this incident, I'm even more certain that I can't live without you," Li Yunfei told Lin Yue everything, confirmed his feelings, and immediately held Lin Yue's hand tightly, his eyes full of deep affection.
Lin Yue nodded slightly, with tears glistening in her eyes. "The same for me, Yunfei. Let the past be the past. Let's face the future together."
From then on, the relationship between Li Yunfei and Lin Yue became even deeper. Because of his outstanding performance in the coup, Li Yunfei was recognized by the court ministers. The former Emperor no longer handled government affairs, acknowledged Li Yunfei's abilities, and let him continue to be the Emperor. Li Yunfei's biological mother was brought back to the palace. The Empress was still his mother, and his biological mother was given a reasonable status: Noble Consort Yan! Moreover, Noble Consort Yan, not wanting to make her son's situation difficult and being very understanding, treated the current Empress Dowager with great respect. The two got along like close sisters and spent their remaining years in peace. And Lin Yue, with her medical skills and kindness, became a highly respected medical woman in the palace.
They walked hand in hand in the palace, not only jointly safeguarding the health of the royal family but also often going out of the palace to treat the common people. Their story spread in the palace and became a much - told tale. And they also knew that there might be more challenges and difficulties in the days to come, but as long as they loved each other and walked forward hand in hand, nothing could stop them.
After Li Yunfei ascended the throne, to consolidate the imperial government, he dealt with a mountain of government affairs in the imperial study every day. He knew that he was shouldering the well - being of the common people and didn't dare to slack off at all. Lin Yue felt sorry for Li Yunfei's exhaustion and often made a cup of fragrant tea for him in her free time and personally delivered it to the imperial study. One day, Lin Yue walked into the imperial study with the tea as usual and saw Li Yunfei frowning at a memorial. Lin Yue put down the tea cup and asked softly, "Your Majesty, is there something bothering you in the court again?" Li Yunfei raised his head, his eyes full of fatigue. "Yue'er, you're just in time. This is a memorial submitted by the Ministry of Revenue. Many places have suffered from drought this year, and the common people have no harvest. But the disaster - relief grain and funds from the court have been delayed."
After hearing this, Lin Yue's delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed. "What should we do? The common people are in deep distress. If they can't be rescued in time, it may arouse public resentment." Li Yunfei sighed. "I also know that this matter can't be delayed. But although Minister Liu has been punished, he has many cronies in the court who are secretly obstructing the release of the grain and funds."
Lin Yue pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, since that's the case, we might as well start from other aspects. I heard that there's a wealthy merchant in the south who is charitable and has hoarded a lot of grain at home. We can send someone to persuade him to lend some grain to relieve the urgent need first, and then return it to him when the court funds arrive." Li Yunfei's eyes lit up. "Yue'er, that's a good idea. But persuading the wealthy merchant may require someone who is good at speaking."
Lin Yue smiled slightly. "Your Majesty, I'm willing to go. First, I know a little about medicine and can treat the common people's diseases there. Second, I can also take the opportunity to learn about the people's conditions and offer advice to Your Majesty." Li Yunfei looked at Lin Yue's firm eyes, his heart full of emotion. "Yue'er, the journey is far, and we don't know what dangers we may encounter. I'm really worried." Lin Yue held Li Yunfei's hand. "Your Majesty, I'll be careful. After we've gone through so much together, don't you trust my abilities yet?" Li Yunfei nodded helplessly. "Okay, Yue'er. You must come back safely. I'll wait for you." So, Lin Yue, with several attendants, set foot on the journey to the south. Along the way, they endured hardships, braving the wind and sleeping in the open. Finally, they arrived at the town where the wealthy merchant lived. As soon as Lin Yue and her group entered the city, they saw the streets full of ragged and
emaciated common people. Lin Yue's heart ached. She immediately ordered her attendants to distribute the medicines they carried with them to the common people and treat their diseases.
The common people were extremely grateful to Lin Yue and told her about the hardships brought by the drought one after another. After hearing this, Lin Yue became even more determined to persuade the wealthy merchant to lend the grain. Guided by the common people, Lin Yue found the wealthy merchant's mansion. The wealthy merchant, hearing that Lin Yue had come from the capital and was here for the disaster - relief matter, received her warmly.
Lin Yue explained her purpose in detail to the wealthy merchant and told him about the tragic situation of the common people. After hearing this, the wealthy merchant looked hesitant. "Miss Lin, although I'm willing to help the common people, the grain in my home is what I've accumulated over the years. If I lend it all out, my future livelihood will also be affected." After hearing this, Lin Yue was not discouraged. She continued, "Sir, I understand your concerns. But this disaster is serious. If the common people can't be rescued in time, it may lead to greater disasters. Once the people can't make a living and society is in turmoil, your business will also be difficult to maintain. Moreover, the Emperor has promised that when the court funds arrive, he will return the grain to you with interest and also commend your good deeds."
The wealthy merchant fell into deep thought after listening to Lin Yue's words. After a long time, he finally raised his head and said, "Miss Lin, your words have really enlightened me. I'm willing to lend the grain to help the common people tide over the difficulties." Lin Yue was overjoyed when she heard this and quickly stood up to thank him.
With the help of the wealthy merchant, Lin Yue successfully raised the grain and organized people to transport the grain to the disaster - stricken areas. Along the way, she personally supervised the distribution of the grain to ensure that every grain reached the hands of the common people. The common people were extremely grateful to Lin Yue and praised her as a living Bodhisattva who saved them from suffering.
After everything was properly arranged, Lin Yue returned to the capital with a heart full of relief. Li Yunfei learned that Lin Yue had returned and personally went to the city gate to welcome her. Looking at Lin Yue's thin face, Li Yunfei felt extremely sorry. "Yue'er, you've suffered." Lin Yue smiled slightly. "Your Majesty, I don't feel bitter at all when I can do something practical for the common people."
After returning to the palace, Li Yunfei commended Lin Yue's achievements in the court and also rewarded the wealthy merchant for his good deeds. With the joint efforts of Li Yunfei and Lin Yue, the crisis brought about by the drought was gradually resolved, and the lives of the common people returned to peace.
After this incident, Li Yunfei and Lin Yue understood even more that their fates were already closely linked. Whether in the power struggles in the palace or when facing the well - being of the common people, they would walk forward hand in hand and never leave each other. And their story was passed down from mouth to mouth among the people, becoming an eternal tale, inspiring later generations to be brave, firm, and full of great love when facing difficulties.