CHAPTER 91: CHAPTER 91: I’M NOT WELL

Zhao Ting’s face showed no emotion, but he felt a shiver inside. The Grand Princess, although the body he inhabited had nothing to do with her, she was related to him!

Half-siblings!

If there were no blood ties, there would be no way to refuse; accepting was just accepting.

While the body had no blood relation, the soul recognized them as siblings, and he couldn’t get past this himself.

Isn’t this absurd!

"General Zhao?" Eunuch Shuangxi called Zhao Ting, showing no emotion.

Zhao Ting came to his senses, "Your Majesty’s kindness, what virtue and ability does this humble subject possess..."

"General Zhao need not be anxious; in His Majesty’s heart, the General is someone worthy of trust. The Grand Princess is His Majesty’s full sister, and the affection between His Majesty and the Grand Princess is deep. If General Zhao becomes the Prince Consort, then you truly become family with His Majesty. His Majesty asks the old slave to convey to General Zhao, do not worry after marrying the Princess about being unable to serve the Court. How General Zhao was before, you will remain so." Eunuch Shuangxi spoke in a meaningful way.

This could be said to be a unique favor since Zhou Country’s founding.

Throughout past dynasties, the Prince Consorts could only hold idle positions with name but no real power.

Zhao Ting was moved, "Supposedly, this is the favor of His Majesty and the Grand Princess; this humble subject should be grateful. But..."

Zhao Ting hesitated.

"Does the General have any difficulties he cannot speak of?" Eunuch Shuangxi asked.

Zhao Ting mysteriously dismissed the attendants and then asked if Eunuch Shuangxi could send out those he brought to wait outside.

Eunuch Shuangxi nodded, waved his hand, and several young eunuchs exited in order.

"This humble subject has an ailment. If I agree, I will be letting down His Majesty and the Grand Princess." Zhao Ting lowered his voice.

Eunuch Shuangxi was puzzled, "How so?"

"When this humble subject returned to the Capital, I was severely injured. Although the Imperial Hospital saved my life, after years of recovery, the body seems fine. But..." Zhao Ting seemed to struggle with speaking.

"General, speak truthfully, so the old slave can report honestly to His Majesty." Eunuch Shuangxi said.

"In that injury, this humble subject damaged the source of life." Zhao Ting appeared to be making up his mind, "But this matter, please keep it confidential on my behalf; apart from His Majesty, do not tell anyone. Otherwise, this humble subject won’t be able to hold his head high in the Capital."

Even though Eunuch Shuangxi had honed himself in the palace to not show emotions, he was still shocked by Zhao Ting’s revelation.

No wonder Zhao Ting had not married after his injuries healed.

If he had married, the secret of his impotence would have been exposed.

With Zhao Ting’s status, he could only marry daughters of noble families. Which noble family’s daughter could bear living as a widow?

Well, Zhao Ting has it too pitiful, doesn’t he?

Eunuch Shuangxi looked at Zhao Ting with sympathy, "General Zhao, rest assured, today what you confide in the old slave will not be told to anyone else besides His Majesty."

"Thank you for your care, Eunuch." Zhao Ting said helplessly yet gratefully.

"The physicians at the Imperial Hospital have excellent skills..."

"Hmph!"

Before Eunuch Shuangxi finished, Zhao Ting interrupted him.

Zhao Ting looked disdainful, "If they couldn’t even diagnose my hidden ailment, telling me their skills are excellent is laughable, isn’t it?"

Eunuch Shuangxi was at a loss, as it seemed like it was indeed the case.

"Zhou Country is full of talented people; General should not lose heart." Eunuch Shuangxi said kindly, "Perhaps there’s a miracle doctor in the martial world who specializes just in the General’s ailment? In any case, General must keep up hope."

"Eunuch need not comfort me; over the years, I have secretly sought out so-called renowned physicians." Zhao Ting said, "and yet have gained nothing. I am thinking, if luck favors me, my body could recover in another two years. If not, I’ll defer to my mother’s wishes and let her choose someone satisfying."

Zhao Ting chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Let me be honest with you, even if my body were well, I would not want to be the Prince Consort. It’s not because I look down upon the Grand Princess, but considering my mother’s old age, a princess is too distinguished to be compared with a common daughter-in-law. I, I couldn’t bear to let my mother..."

Some words do not need to be spoken too bluntly; everyone understands.

At least, Eunuch Shuangxi understood clearly.

If he were a man, he would not want someone like the Grand Princess.

Her arrogance and haughtiness truly make her unsuitable for a wife.

"After the old slave returns to the palace, I will truthfully inform His Majesty about the General’s ailment. As for other matters, once the old slave steps out of this door, I will remember nothing else. I hope General will remember some thoughts should remain thoughts; they must not be spoken." Eunuch Shuangxi advised.

Perhaps because Zhao Ting’s body was intact but that part was no different from being incomplete, Eunuch Shuangxi felt a kind of sympathetic camaraderie.

Zhao Ting expressed gratitude on his face, "Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch."

Eunuch Shuangxi nodded slightly, "Since that’s the case, the old slave will not disturb you further and will return to the palace for duty. In the future, if General Zhao needs the old slave’s assistance, please do not hesitate."

Zhao Ting gratefully and politely saw him to the main gate and watched Shuangxi get into the sedan chair, leave the street, and then turned back to the mansion.

By now, the matter of Shuangxi coming to the mansion had reached the ears of Madame Zhao, so Zhao Ting went directly to Songhe Hall and simply explained Shuangxi’s intention to her, telling her the method he used to handle it.

Madame Zhao felt uneasy, "This could be a crime of deceiving the monarch."

"Those physicians in the palace... Mother, rest assured, even if Imperial Physician Li comes, your son can still lie through it." Zhao Ting assured her confidently.

He had researched medicine for years and knew more than just one or two ways.

"To serve a monarch is like being near a tiger. Although the glory of our General Mansion is granted by His Majesty, but..." Madame Zhao sighed deeply.

Even those like Prime Minister Qin, with longstanding service of several reigns, are such. The General Mansion, as a newly prestigious house, appears to enjoy imperial favor but is actually walking on thin ice.

One wrong move, and the entire General Mansion could face ruin.

"Mother, rest assured, I understand well. In this case, I’ve also handed my weakness to His Majesty. As long as His Majesty believes in it, then in his eyes, the Zhao family has no future and can rely only on him as the emperor. Thus, His Majesty would trust your son even more." Zhao Ting said.

A newly rich noble with no heirs, what storm can he stir?

As Zhao Ting stated, after Emperor Jing learned about it, not only did he not get angry, but he was also greatly pleased. Such a subject, apart from loyalty, how could he have any other intentions?

"As for the Grand Princess..."

"Shuangxi, you make the decision to select several handsome and robust men and send them to my sister’s mansion." Emperor Jing ordered, "As for Zhao Ting, tell my sister I have other plans. Also inform her, if she still misses Zhao Ting, then just wait a couple of years. After two years, if she still pines for him, I will fulfill her wish."

Shuangxi took his leave to go and select the handsome men.

Those sent to the Princess Mansion naturally could not be ordinary; they needed to be knowledgeable, understanding, good-looking, well-built, these were the basics. Of course, also take the chance to insert one’s own people to conveniently watch the Grand Princess’s movements.