The Glory

"Grаndfаthеr, is thе Tang Сlаn skillеd in using роison?" Han Yаn did nоt directlу answer him, instеаd аsking аn unrеlаted questiоn.

Tang Sheng looked аt Нan Yаn: "What's wrоng?"

Тhis wаs tаcit асknоwlеdgmеnt. Hаn Yan asked: "Тhеn, how аre they аt detoхificatiоn соmраrеd tо using poisоn?"

"Yаn'er, whаt dо уou wаnt to dо?" Нan Yan wоuldn't аsk such а question without rеason, and Таng Shеng found it sоmewhat strangе.

Наn Yan shооk hеr hеаd: "Grаndfathеr, just tеll me, уes оr no?"

Tаng Sheng thеn sаid: "Сomраrеd tо other seсts, we are naturallу much better. Нowevеr, detохificаtion is not our specialty. The Tang Clan excels most in refining and using poison. Often, when they create a poison, they might not even have an antidote themselves. But... toxicity and medicinal properties are inherently interdependent and mutually restraining. Those who can refine poison generally know how to detoxify as well."

Han Yan's eyes lit up. Although Tang Sheng's words did not claim their medical skills were exceptionally brilliant, these people who had long been involved with poison were well-traveled and deeply understood the properties of various toxins. Combined with Imperial Physician Wu, there might still be a glimmer of hope. Thinking this, she immediately knelt down and kowtowed deeply to Tang Sheng: "Grandfather, I have a favor to ask."

Tang Sheng was startled by Han Yan's sudden action and somewhat flustered, immediately reaching to help her up while saying repeatedly: "What are you doing? Whatever it is, tell your grandfather. I will definitely help you."

"Then I beg you to save Xuan Qing Prince." Han Yan paused before continuing: "He has been poisoned by a rare cold toxin and is near death."

"Xuan Qing Prince?" Tang Sheng was taken aback. He had specifically inquired about Han Yan and Xuan Qing Prince's affairs. Xuan Qing Prince was a renowned figure even in the martial world—a dashing and handsome young man, remarkable in his own right. In the past, Tang Sheng might have been quite pleased with such a grandson-in-law. But now... He frowned: "Yan'er, are you still infatuated with him? You must know he abandoned you back then to marry that so-called Western Rong princess. Why do you still care for such a man? If you're looking for a good match, I'll take you back to Tang Fortress. There are plenty of fine young men there. You're smart and beautiful, Han Yan, you won't have trouble finding..."

Listening to the old man ramble on, Han Yan almost didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She had to speak up: "Grandfather, you've misunderstood. He didn't do it intentionally. I can explain everything to you slowly later. But now time is urgent. If we don't save him, he might die." Han Yan gritted her teeth: "If Grandfather doesn't agree, I won't get up."

Naturally, Tang Sheng couldn't bear to see his newly recognized granddaughter kneeling on the ground like this. Even though he was very puzzled about Fu Yunxi's situation, seeing Han Yan like this, he had no choice but to say: "It's not that I don't want to help you, but with detoxification, even the Tang Clan can't guarantee success. It's possible we might not cure him."

Han Yan shook her head: "I'm not asking for a guaranteed cure. As long as there's hope, we should try." She looked at Tang Sheng: "Grandfather, I stopped asking for help from others long ago. This time, I'm begging you to save him."Seeing Han Yan's resolute expression, Tang Sheng suddenly recalled many years ago, when Xiao Qiao had knelt before him in the same manner, begging him to allow her to be with the Donghou Prince. At that time, the jianghu and the imperial court were just as they are now—a complex web of interests that forbade their union. Yet Xiao Qiao, who had always been bold and lively, pleaded with such sorrow for the first time. He was heartbroken, furious, and filled with grief, but what could he do? When a daughter falls in love with a man, can a father force them apart? Moreover, Tang Sheng understood Xiao Qiao's temperament: she would rather shatter like jade than remain intact as a tile. If he truly stood in her way, who knew what shocking and unconventional things she might do? He had no choice but to agree.

The Donghou Prince indeed treated Xiao Qiao very well. For a talented and promising young man to love a jianghu woman so wholeheartedly was already rare. But love is not everything. The Donghou Prince failed to protect Xiao Qiao, and his entire family was wiped out, dragging his innocent daughter down with him. Everyone in Tang Fort witnessed Tang Sheng age ten years overnight. Having dominated the jianghu for so many years, he couldn't even protect his own daughter.

Now, with this granddaughter who had been lost and finally recovered, was she destined to follow her mother's path, abandoning everything for a man from the imperial court? Yet from the look in Han Yan's eyes, Tang Sheng could already see that she was deeply in love with the Xuan Qing Prince. What could he say? What could he do?

Tang Sheng let out a deep sigh. "Is it that the Tang family is prone to producing fools in love?" he said. "I will try, that's all. You may rise."

Han Yan's heart leaped with joy, and she quickly said, "Thank you, Grandfather."

Seeing the delight in her curved brows and eyes, Tang Sheng's initial unease over Han Yan's actions eased, and his furrowed brow relaxed as well. Grandfather and granddaughter exchanged smiles and began chatting about the events of the years gone by.

Meanwhile, in the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion.

Imperial Physician Wu looked at Fu Yunxi. "Your health is deteriorating day by day."

The man on the sickbed appeared increasingly gaunt, his cold eyes almost devoid of emotion. He merely replied, "I know."

This man was never one to panic, not even when faced with his own death. Perhaps the only one who could stir any other emotion in him was that girl. Imperial Physician Wu shook his head. "Do you plan to do nothing?"

"This is already good enough," Fu Yunxi said. Asking for nothing, these days had been the most peaceful of his life. His great vengeance had been exacted, his burdens lifted, and he had no other wishes left. What in this world was there to hold onto? The Emperor's reign was firmly established, with no foreseeable issues for decades to come. The Western Rong had suffered heavy losses and would not dare act recklessly for over a decade. The imperial court was stable, and the lives of the common people were undisturbed. Except... for that person. He closed his eyes slightly, as if there was still a trace of regret."Fu Yunxi." A crisp voice sounded in his ear, and for a moment he almost thought he was hallucinating—the girl from his illusion appeared almost the instant he thought of her. But he quickly realized it was real. Han Yan was walking toward him. Her eyes curved into crescents, her hair tied into round buns, clearly the image of a bright-eyed, fair-skinned young girl. Yet, it made Fu Yunxi recall a scene from long ago, beneath the red plum tree, where a slightly flustered little girl had hidden inside his cloak, nestling against him like a startled small animal.

Lost in thought, Han Yan had already walked up to him and waved her hand in front of his face. "What are you spacing out for?"

Imperial Physician Wu had quietly slipped out when Han Yan entered. Han Yan naturally took a seat beside Fu Yunxi. These days, their interactions had grown increasingly calm and natural. Perhaps because she knew about his illness, and understood how precious their time together was in these limited days, they no longer wasted moments on meaningless, guarded conversations. Instead, they simply talked about ordinary things—trivial, yet warm.