Chapter 142 Last Words

Chapter 142: Last Words

“Your Majesty—” Cheng Ge’s eyes brimmed with tears as he called out to Zhou Mingqi.

Hearing Cheng Ge’s call, Zhou Mingqi quickly stepped forward and said anxiously, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Looking at Zhou Mingqi before him, Cheng Ge weakly raised his hand.

Trembling, he grabbed Zhou Mingqi’s sleeve, tears in his eyes, and his breath faint as he spoke.

“Your Majesty... I’m afraid I’m done for...”

Zhou Mingqi’s face changed drastically: “What nonsense! Imperial Physician Wu, what is his...”

Wu Cangji was about to speak, but Cheng Ge suddenly coughed twice, cutting him off: “Your Majesty... hear your servant out...”

He took a deep breath, as if using all his remaining strength, and began to give his dying instructions—

“I can no longer serve Your Majesty... such a shame...” As he spoke, he even squeezed out a tear, “But I have a small request...”

Zhou Mingqi squeezed his hand: “Speak.”

“After I die...” Cheng Ge closed his eyes weakly, “I want a golden-thread nanmu coffin... with seven coats of lacquer...”

Yun Xunyu raised an eyebrow from the side.

“Burial goods...” Cheng Ge continued, “Twelve South Sea night pearls... a pair of glazed cups from the Western Regions... an authentic painting by Master Gu from the previous dynasty...”

Zhou Zhan listened from the side, flabbergasted: “Muyu, what you...”

Cheng Ge ignored him and continued making demands: “My clothes must be made of Cloud Brocade... embroidered with gold-thread clouds... a belt made of Khotan green jade...”

He got more and more into it as he talked, even including details like “wearing silk-thread boots on my feet.”

Zhou Mingqi’s expression gradually shifted from worry to speechlessness.

As he spoke, he inconspicuously wiped his runny nose on Zhou Mingqi’s dragon robe, looking utterly miserable.

“My father isn’t well, so don’t bother him—

Let the white-haired mourn the black-haired... the widowed weep in sorrow. Your Majesty, please keep it from him for me.”

At this, he seemed to recall something more: “Don’t tell Cui Ji either... lest... it affect his performance on the battlefield.”

With that, his grip on Zhou Mingqi’s hand unconsciously tightened, his eyes full of hope: “Your Majesty... you must give me a grand... and glorious send-off... oh...”

The crowd: “...”

Wu Cangji finally couldn’t hold back: “Lord Cheng, you won’t be dying just yet.”

Cheng Ge’s “last words” came to an abrupt halt: “...Ah?”

Silence filled the room.

Star Frost poked its head out from the bedding, tilting its small black head to look at him, snake-eyes full of question marks.

Yun Xunyu chuckled softly: “Darling, do you still want that golden-thread nanmu coffin?”

Cheng Ge: “...”

“Then... then why did you sigh?” Cheng Ge looked at Wu Cangji.

“I’m an old man; can’t I catch my breath from walking over?”

Cheng Ge fell silent, then laboriously pulled the blanket over his head, pretending he was already dead.

Zhou Mingqi rubbed his temples and turned to Wu Cangji: “So what’s his condition now?”

“The poison has been suppressed, but not fully cleared.” He slowly withdrew his hand and looked up at Zhou Mingqi. “It was truly dangerous before. If someone hadn’t promptly halted the spread of the poison, I’m afraid...”

The words trailed off, but the implication was clear—Cheng Ge’s life had nearly been lost.

Hearing this, Cheng Ge immediately popped out from under the blanket, scanning everyone around him.

The crowd exchanged knowing glances, their looks complex as they turned toward Yun Xunyu.

Yun Xunyu stood to the side, his expression indifferent, revealing little emotion.

Star Frost, upon hearing this, suddenly lifted its snake head, its slitted eyes staring at Cheng Ge as if claiming credit.

Cheng Ge’s expression froze for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the few people present before finally landing on Yun Xunyu.

What did this mean? Could it be that this pervert had saved him?

Zhou Mingqi glanced at Yun Xunyu and said in a low voice, “Third Prince, I will remember this debt of gratitude.”

Yun Xunyu raised an eyebrow, sat down at the edge of the couch, and pushed Zhou Zhan aside: “It was all my duty.”

With that, he reached out in front of everyone to tuck Cheng Ge’s blanket in.

Zhou Zhan: “???”

Lying in bed, Cheng Ge listened to their words and felt something was off.

He tentatively moved his body, trying to sit up.

But the moment he moved, a dull ache shot through his chest, making him gasp in pain.

“Don’t move.” Wu Cangji reached out to press down on his shoulder. “Though the poison has been suppressed, your meridians are damaged. You need to rest for half a month.”

“Half a month?!” Cheng Ge’s eyes widened. “No, I have to report for duty. I haven’t collected this month’s salary yet...”

At these words, everyone immediately turned their gazes to Zhou Mingqi, their eyes full of disdain.

Zhou Mingqi’s temples twitched a few times. He sighed then said, “Your salary won’t be docked. Just recover first.”

“Oh... okay.” Cheng Ge immediately stopped moving, lay back down quickly, and serenely closed his eyes.

He felt quite pleased—finally, he wouldn’t have to get up at three in the morning to go to court.

Suddenly, the sound of jingling pendants came from outside. Everyone turned to look.

Lin Nanshu, his wide sleeves hanging down, stopped three steps before the threshold and performed a standard saluting gesture toward those inside.

“Greetings to Your Majesty and the Crown Prince.” The hem of his moon-white robe hung motionless over the blue bricks, and even the tassels of his waist pendant were still as a painting.

“Yuli, you’ve come!” Cheng Ge’s eyes lit up as he called out excitedly.

“Muyu.” Lin Nanshu’s face was faintly pale. He glanced sideways at Zhou Mingqi.

The big yellow dog behind him didn't care about that, carrying the oil paper package in its mouth and rushing straight toward the bed.

Yun Xunyu, afraid it would crash into Cheng Ge, quickly stuck out his foot to block it.

Dahuang slammed on the brakes with its paws, lifted its dog head to glance at Cheng Ge, and saw a snake coiled by his hand.

It immediately lay down pitifully on the footrest, whimpering twice.

Zhou Mingqi gave a slight nod, and Lin Nanshu stepped into the room, placing the lacquered food box onto the low table.

"Yuli, why are you here?" Cheng Ge reached out his good hand and patted Dahuang on the head.

Xingshuang flicked its forked tongue at the big yellow dog, scaring it so much that it stuffed the oil paper package under Cheng Ge's blanket and scurried under the bed.

Lin Nanshu spotted the dog’s tail, and couldn’t help smiling, and slowly approached.

Lin Nanshu walked to the bedside, studying Cheng Ge’s face, now so thin that his chin was sharp, and felt a pang in his heart.

Carefully, he reached out and took out the oil paper package that Dahuang had stuffed in: "I brought some food for you."

Cheng Ge had only had a bowl of yam porridge earlier, and felt like his stomach was completely empty.

Now, hearing there was food, his eyes immediately lit up with excitement, and he stared at Lin Nanshu, practically drooling: "What do you have?"

He had been listless just a moment ago, but now, as if a spring bloom had lit up his face, his eyes sparkling.

The others, seeing this, looked away with unreadable expressions.

"Xingshuang..." Yun Xunyu reached out his hand toward Xingshuang, signaling it to come over.

Xingshuang looked up at Yun Xunyu, then glanced back at Cheng Ge, seemingly confused.

But still, it slowly slithered toward Yun Xunyu, pausing halfway to glance back at Cheng Ge.

Seeing this, Cheng Ge found the snake amusing and playfully crooked his finger at it.

Xingshuang instantly changed direction and quickly slithered back to Cheng Ge, coiling around his arm.

Yun Xunyu: "..."