Chapter 69

In the Dragon City, the imperial palace, and the rear garden.

The golden crow hung high in the sky, and the autumn air was crisp and refreshing. Such weather would be perfect for a family outing and picnic. As the King of Huaxia, Long Qingyun, like any ordinary person, was drinking and enjoying himself with his wife and children in a pavilion surrounded by a lake.

Long Qingyun was in a very good mood. A few days ago, he had conducted a state visit to the United States, and the two countries had reached many economic and trade cooperation agreements, bringing tangible benefits to the country's economic development and employment. Through concentrated media coverage, Long Qingyun's image among the people was now one of wisdom and valor. The people praised him, saying that Huaxia had produced another wise ruler. When the special agents hidden among the people reported this back, how could Long Qingyun not be pleased?

"Come, Bing'er, Zongheng..." Long Qingyun, dressed in casual home attire, his mature and handsome face flushed with a hint of weathered charm, raised his wine glass and smiled, "Our Long family's rule is becoming increasingly stable, which is truly something to celebrate. Let's all drink to this."

"It's rare for Qingyun to have such a refined mood. We, as your family, will naturally accompany you." Zhao Bingbing wore a light yellow dress, her beautiful figure exuding a mature and alluring charm, like a goddess from the heavenly palace, captivating and stunning.

Zhao Bingbing smiled slightly, her fair hand holding the wine pot, pouring a cup of health-preserving yellow wine, which was specially prepared for her by the palace physician.

Zhao Bingbing had been ill for nearly two months and was now recovering, but her face still carried an unhealthy pallor, and she had lost about 20 pounds. For her health, the palace physician also recommended that she drink two cups of health-preserving yellow wine daily to nourish her body.

But after losing weight, the beautiful Zhao Bingbing had a delicate and frail beauty, like Lin Daiyu. The combination of mature allure and delicate frailty made her exude a fatal charm that was hard to describe. Last night, Long Qingyun could not resist and, despite her not being fully recovered, they had a passionate night together. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as the nourishment from the male essence gave her face a healthier complexion, adding to her allure.

Long Zongheng smiled broadly, "Father, with your refined mood, I will naturally accompany you. May Father's wisdom and valor be unmatched, and the empire be forever secure."

"Ha ha ha... Well said!" Long Qingyun laughed heartily, drained the wine in his cup, and sighed, "As the emperor, I have always been diligent and conscientious, both before and after ascending the throne, to ensure the long-term stability of the Long family's rule. I dare not slack off in the slightest, for fear of tarnishing the Long family's reputation and giving other families a chance to criticize us.

Before I ascended the throne, Bing'er, Zongheng, you both know that the three major southern families, led by the Xiang family of Jingchu, were all looking for faults in me, Long Qingyun. Even the Liu family of Tianfu, which has always maintained neutrality, attacked me, claiming that during my tenure in Tianfu, I did not make substantial contributions to its development. How absurd!"

Long Qingyun sneered, "The Liu family has a monopoly on power in Tianfu. During my years in Tianfu, I was sidelined by the Liu family, and my orders were not carried out. How could I have made substantial contributions to Tianfu's development? In the end, the Liu family simply does not want the Long family to affect their position in Tianfu."

Long Zongheng comforted him, "Father, do not be angry. The Liu family's disrespect will surely bring retribution."

Retribution?

"Very well said." Long Qingyun's spirits lifted, and he laughed heartily, "Now the Liu family is leaderless, relying on an old man to keep it afloat. When the old villain can no longer govern, it will be the time for our Long family to subdue the Liu family."

"Father's wisdom is remarkable." Long Zongheng smiled, "My informants in Tianfu have reported that after Liu Tianming was discharged from the hospital, he has been handling the affairs of the Liu family, but his mental and physical strength is much worse than before, and his health is deteriorating day by day. I believe that in three to five months, it will be our Long family's time to reap the rewards."

Hearing this, Zhao Bingbing also smiled, "When that time comes, the Long family's rule will be even more stable, as solid as a rock. This will also serve as a warning to other families, showing them the might of the Long family."

"Ha ha ha ha..." Long Qingyun's spirited laughter echoed far and wide in the rear garden.

At the same time, in Tianfu, at the Liu residence.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Liu Laotaiye, who was handling a document, suddenly started coughing violently, covering his mouth with a handkerchief, and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Liu Laotai!" The doctor who was always with him was shocked and immediately pulled Liu Laotaiye's hand, placing his fingers on his wrist. After a moment, the doctor's frown deepened, "Liu Laotai, your health is worse than it was a few days ago. Although the Liu family cannot do without you, I still suggest you put down your work and take good care of your health. Otherwise..."

"No need to say more." Liu Laotaiye rinsed his mouth and spat out the blood, "My death is not a big deal, but the Liu family cannot collapse while I am still alive." After taking a few deep breaths, Liu Laotaiye said, "Give me a prescription to improve my health."

"Liu Laotai!" The doctor's expression was serious, "As a doctor, if you do not rest as prescribed, I can only resign and let other doctors, who lack conscience, take care of you."

Liu Laotaiye glanced at him, his eyes filled with aggression. The sixty-year-old doctor, however, remained resolute and did not back down.

"Ah!" Liu Laotaiye sighed and put down his pen, "Alright! I will rest for one hour."

"You need three hours of sleep."

"One and a half hours."

"At least two and a half hours."

"Then two hours it is!"

"You are putting me in a difficult position."

"Putting the doctor in a difficult position is the patient's right."

The doctor smiled bitterly.

After personally feeding Liu Laotaiye the medicine and watching him fall asleep, the doctor left the main hall and went to Shao Meiyun's office.

"Doctor Zhou, why are you here?" Shao Meiyun's desk was piled high with various documents, which she was processing and categorizing. She was also keeping some difficult documents to be handled by Liu Laotaiye. Seeing that the doctor was not with Liu Laotaiye but had come to find her, she was startled: Could something have happened to Grandfather?

Seeing Shao Meiyun's changed expression, Doctor Zhou waved his hand, "Don't worry, Liu Laotaiye is temporarily fine."

"That's a relief." Shao Meiyun breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Then why are you looking for me, Doctor Zhou...?"

Doctor Zhou sighed, "Miss Shao, Liu Laotaiye cannot continue like this. If he does, I fear it won't last half a year..."

Shao Meiyun's face turned pale, and she took a few deep breaths, feeling helpless, "I know this is not good, but Grandfather's personality is like this. If he does not want to, no one can change his mind, not even me."

"Since that's the case..." Doctor Zhou hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Miss Shao, to be frank, if Liu Laotaiye continues like this, with my medical skills, I can only ensure his safety for four to five months. But there is one person who, if he personally intervenes, even if he cannot fully cure Liu Laotaiye, can at least extend his life by a few years."

"Who is it!?" Shao Meiyun's face lit up with surprise.

"Medicine King..." Doctor Zhou looked at Shao Meiyun and said solemnly, "Duan Tianming."

"What!?" Shao Meiyun's face changed drastically, filled with bitterness, "It's him."

Seeing Shao Meiyun's expression, Doctor Zhou felt a pang of sympathy and sighed, "The medical skills of Medicine King Duan Tianming are known worldwide. He is undoubtedly the best doctor of our time. If he personally intervenes..."

"It's impossible." Shao Meiyun smiled bitterly, "Doctor Zhou, you know the conflict between Duan Tianming and Grandfather."

"Compared to the survival of the Liu family, which is more important, face or life?" Doctor Zhou's tone was heavy.

Shao Meiyun fell silent. For those in high positions, face is everything. Moreover, Liu Laotaiye was already prepared to die, so he would not seek help from someone with whom he had a conflict just for the hope of recovery.

It was precisely because she understood Liu Laotaiye that Shao Meiyun had no confidence in persuading him. Moreover...

It's impossible!

Medicine King Duan Tianming, the head of the Dali Duan family, one of the ten major families, had a status equivalent to Liu Laotaiye. He spent most of his time in the deep mountains of Dali and around the world, searching for rare herbs and making miraculous medicines. He was widely recognized as the best doctor of our time.

To invite him, not only would Liu Laotaiye have to personally visit him to show sincerity, but even if Liu Laotaiye went, Duan Tianming would not agree to treat him. This was because Duan Tianming and Liu Laotaiye had an irreconcilable conflict in their youth, and for fifty years, the two families' heads had not communicated.

Seeing Shao Meiyun's silence, Doctor Zhou shook his head helplessly, "Think about it carefully! I am concerned about Liu Laotaiye because it is my duty. If he passes away, it will not affect me, but it will affect you and your family... Think about it carefully!"

With that, Doctor Zhou turned and left, leaving Shao Meiyun to continue her silence.

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Thank you to 'ohyes4224', 'JustinCYC', and '夜深de寂寞' for each donating 100 Qidian coins, and to 'sam~tang' for donating 200 Qidian coins.

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