The Tang Dynasty’s Female Forensic Doctor-Chapter 684: Side Story One: Su Fu - (2)

Chapter 684: Side Story One: Su Fu Chapter (2)
"Physician Liu, my father, the Emperor... Is he in good health?" Princess Jinyang asked.
Princess Jinyang had a delicate constitution and looked much frailer than others her age. Liu Qingsong remembered that she did not have much longer to live, and couldn’t help but feel pity, "Yes, he often misses Your Highness. Your Highness’s return this time will certainly bring him great joy."
A smile flickered across Princess Jinyang’s face, but it quickly faded, "My willfulness has hurt my father’s heart, and now my life hangs by a thread, unsure if I will survive the day. I should not have come back after leaving, but I truly miss my father."
"Your Highness is homesick. The Emperor would be happier than anything to have you back," Liu Qingsong sighed silently in his heart.
Princess Jinyang chuckled and teased, "It’s been a few years, and Physician Liu has become so serious. Haven’t been tricking other young ladies with sweets, have you?"
The reason Princess Jinyang used to dislike Liu Qingsong but liked Su Fu and Ran Yan was precisely because of this.
Liu Qingsong laughed heartily and leaned close to Princess Jinyang, gossiping with an eager expression, "Your Highness and the great hero Su..."
"These past years, Ziqi brother has taken me to many places, and it’s truly beautiful out there." Princess Jinyang was still every bit a little girl, not grasping the undertones of Liu Qingsong’s words. Many who are intelligent often lack emotional intelligence. It’s not that Princess Jinyang didn’t understand the ways of the world; it’s just that she was raised by Li Shimin, who never enlightened her in these matters.
"The great hero Su took you out to see the scenery?!" Liu Qingsong exclaimed in astonishment.
According to his way of thinking, this was simply impossible, but Su Fu was just such a person.
With Su Fu’s medical skills, he naturally knew that Princess Jinyang didn’t have much time left. She had never left the Imperial Palace since she was born. Princess Jinyang longed to see the outside world, but Li Shimin would definitely not allow her to move too far from Chang’an. Su Fu, a man of few words, would not vividly describe the outside world to her, so he decided to take her to experience it for herself.
Liu Qingsong thought, this was indeed something Su Fu could do. Unrelated to romance.
"Then, after you return to the palace, you won’t see the great hero Su anymore, won’t you miss him?" Liu Qingsong was clearly dissatisfied with this outcome, ready to enlighten the young lady.
No sooner had he finished speaking did a streak of cold wind brush past his face, followed by a thud as a Tang Blade lodged itself in the chariot wall behind him, rhythmically knocking against his head as the carriage swayed.
Liu Qingsong broke into a cold sweat, then chuckled awkwardly after a moment, "Great hero Su, you’re still so brutal."
Outside, Su Fu sat on his horse, still holding the scabbard. It was a long flute, the one he had once given to Ran Yan.
Princess Jinyang, unaware of any impropriety in Liu Qingsong’s words, was startled by the sudden appearance of the blade.
Liu Qingsong knew Su Fu would not hold back in killing, and that giving a warning was already showing mercy, so he dared not speak carelessly anymore. Holding back the gossip in his heart, he painfully covered his mouth.
After an indeterminate period, the carriage slowed to a halt. Liu Qingsong looked out the window and, seeing they were near Vermilion Bird Gate, suggested, "Since you’re currently being hunted, great hero Su, how about I accompany the princess into the palace on your behalf?"
Su Fu casually used the long flute to open the chariot door, glancing at Princess Jinyang.
Princess Jinyang nodded, "Ziqi brother, if I ask my father not to hunt you anymore, will you still come to see me in the palace?"
Liu Qingsong beamed excitedly, covering his mouth with his hands, his eyes shining brighter with anticipation than Princess Jinyang’s. He stared at Su Fu, silhouetted against the backlight and realized just how handsome this man was, with sharp features and profound eyes. Even the short stubble on his jawline made him more attractive than the average man. Even with such an expressionless face, any woman who glanced his way might fall for him.
Liu Qingsong thought to himself, if it weren’t for the fact that Ran Yan and Jiulang had three children, he might doubt her womanhood, for her to be immune to such a stunningly handsome man was against the laws of human nature!
"We must part eventually." Su Fu pulled out a small vial from his sleeve and handed it to Princess Jinyang, "Strive to live on."
Princess Jinyang’s eyes brimmed with moisture; she took the vial and nodded vigorously.
Su Fu removed the blade from the carriage wall and let down the curtain. Princess Jinyang asked anxiously, "If I can live to sixteen, will you come to see me?"
"Mm," came a response from outside.
Tears fell from Princess Jinyang’s eyes, her silent sobs causing her fair face to appear like pear blossoms drenched in clear rain.
Liu Qingsong wiped the corner of his eye and leaned forward, saying, "You should ask if he will take you as his wife if you live to sixteen."
Princess Jinyang froze for a moment, then suddenly hurried off the carriage.
Standing on the path where dead leaves fluttered, she looked both ways but Su Fu was nowhere to be seen.
Liu Qingsong followed her off the carriage, "It’s okay, you can ask him again when you’re sixteen."
Princess Jinyang drew a heavy breath and poured a pill from the bottle Su Fu had given her into her mouth.
Liu Qingsong’s heart tightened slightly and he spoke, "Forgive the offense, Your Highness," as he lifted her up and placed her on the soft couch inside the carriage.
As he was about to step out, he heard Princess Jinyang’s faint voice amid her gasps, "I know I won’t live that long, I just want to know..."
To know if he would be willing.
For the first time, Liu Qingsong regretted speaking out of turn and after a pause, said, "I know where he will go. I will ask him for you."
A faint smile broke through the pain on Princess Jinyang’s face, "Thank you."
Liu Qingsong untied the whip from the carriage shaft and drove towards the palace gate.
Does becoming husband and wife mean you will always be together? Princess Jinyang’s pale face held a smile as she slowly closed her eyes. After all, what could she do even if he was unwilling to marry her? He was still the Ziqi brother who, for a single sentence, would take her traveling across the four seas. Her father the Emperor and her mother the Empress, even though married, haven’t they remained apart till their hair turned white?
All that she had been through, to her short life, was forever.
A figure clothed in black silently watched the carriage leave, then turned to head towards Pingkang Square.
Decisive as he was, each step was still hesitant.
Four years after parting, the longing in his tranquil heart had deepened with time. That was why he came, just to see her secretly once more, as he had done every day four years ago.
Su Fu had never understood the affection between a man and a woman; he just felt that Ran Yan’s presence was too similar to his own, bringing him a sense of security, a feeling of peace.
He still remembered that day on the mountain in Suzhou when he had never thought that the fragile "wife" would say those shocking words—she said she wanted to see his body.
He could clearly recall how he felt at that moment; he, who never joked around, had a playful thought.
On the quiet and shadowy path, a breathtakingly handsome and frosty man showed a hint of a thawing smile, as stunning as a phoenix suddenly spreading its wings.
Regrettably, there was no one to see it. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)