The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 583 - 583 281 Marquis Xuanping Makes a Move (First

Chapter 583: Chapter 281: Marquis Xuanping Makes a Move (First Update)_2 Chapter 583: Chapter 281: Marquis Xuanping Makes a Move (First Update)_2 Xuanping Marquis crouched on the ground, twisting his head to glance at Tang Yueshan: “Is Sir Tang ready?”

By this time, many people had heard about the contest between the two heavyweights outside the punishment room, and they had all rushed in to watch, and the outcome was—

Is this what they’re supposed to see?!

Tang Yueshan was extremely embarrassed. He blustered and roared: “What are you all looking at? Don’t you have training to do?!”

The crowd scattered in panic!

Only two lunatics… Oh no. The two bigwigs, their trusted servants, and Gu Changqing remained at the scene.

Gu Changqing was not interested in all this. He sat on the straw mat in the punishment room, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, revitalizing his energy.

Tang Yueshan silently cursed Xuanping Marquis thousands of times in his heart. Then, the contest of marbles was initiated today by the sound of a gong struck by Chang Jing.

Tang Yueshan was initially full of confidence because ever since Xuanping Marquis had injured his waist, he hadn’t practiced martial arts in a long time. He, on the other hand, had been training day and night. His control should be stronger than Xuanping Marquis, at least.

But Xuanping Marquis, with just one move, had rubbed Tang Yueshan’s face in the dirt.

Not a single marble from Tang Yueshan had made it in, but Xuanping Marquis had swiftly shot ten marbles into the holes. Yes, he shot ten marbles with just one shot, smoothly and efficiently, a truly remarkable skill!

Tang Yueshan was stunned.

You bastard, have you been playing marbles instead of training all this time?

Xuanping Marquis let out a faint grunt as if somewhat strained, slowly got up and looked down at Tang Yueshan, whose mind had gone blank: “You have lost, Sir Tang.”

Back then, in order to win Chang Jing over as his secret guard, had he not practiced behind closed doors for a long time?

Tang Yueshan could hardly excuse himself if he didn’t realize at this point that he had been tricked by Xuanping Marquis. But what good was realizing it? He had laid his cards out on the table. Could he possibly go back on his words now?

Just then, a servant of the Marshal Residence hurriedly came over, whispering a few words in his ear.

His eyes flickered. He stood up and looked at Xuanping Marquis coldly, then turned his gaze to Gu Changqing in the punishment room. He said disdainfully, “Hmph, I’ll let you off today, Marquis. But if you’ve hurt Mingming, I swear I won’t let the matter rest!”

With that, he tossed away the marbles in his hand and strode off resolutely.

Xuanping Marquis had the marbles picked up. He wiped them clean for Chang Jing and handed them back.

Chang Jing was slightly perturbed.

He didn’t like others touching his marbles.

Xuanping Marquis smoothed out the clothes on Chang Jing’s shoulder, saying soothingly, “I’ll get you a new set next time, the round and shiny kind, huh?”

Chang Jing glared at him gloomily, “You’ve said that thirty-seven times.”

Xuanping Marquis laughed awkwardly: “Ahem, have I? I’ll buy them this time, I swear!”

Chang Jing bowed his head and started cleaning his marbles carefully.

Xuanping Marquis reached the entrance of the punishment room and looked at Gu Changqing. Gu Changqing had his eyes half-closed, seemingly indifferent to life and death. He said, “You’re still so young. What could be so unbearable for you?”

Gu Changqing slowly opened his eyes, looking at the damp, somber, obscure wall across him, “I don’t find anything unbearable.”

Xuanping Marquis knew when to stop. Without arguing with him, he added, “If you’re in a difficult situation, you could speak to His Majesty.”

Gu Changqing calmly responded, “I’m not in a difficult situation.”

Not having a difficult situation was the greatest difficulty, because it was something one couldn’t speak of.

Xuanping Marquis chose not to lay bare what he had seen through but just smiled lightly, “Well, everything is settled. It’s time for me to head back and catch up on some sleep. Farewell.”

Gu Changqing slightly bowed down in a polite gesture.

Xuanping Marquis yawned as he climbed into the carriage.

Chang Jing sat on the driver’s seat, steering the carriage. Even with eyes closed, Xuanping Marquis knew which direction they were heading. He lazily remarked, “Take me to Ruanxiang Pavilion.”

His nap had been interrupted and he knew he wouldn’t sleep well if he went back to his residence. Lying in Ruanxiang Pavilion was not a bad idea.

Chang Jing did not like that place. Too many women. And they made strange noises.

But Miss Xiangxiang from Ruanxiang Pavilion cooked many delicious dishes.

Elsewhere, Tang Yueshan rushed back to the Marshal Residence.

“Where’s the young master? Is he truly awake?” He asked the butler waiting at the door as soon as he got off his carriage.

“Yes, sir. He certainly woke up. I remembered your order, sir, and informed you right away when the young master woke up,” the butler rushed to reply.

After the incident the night before, Tang Yueshan wasn’t at ease leaving Tang Ming alone in the courtyard, so he had moved Tang Ming to his quarters.

At this moment, Tang Ming was lying there sleeping in Tang Yueshan’s own bedchamber.

The room was filled with a strong smell of medicine, covering up the stench of blood on Tang Ming.

But Tang Yueshan could still tell, he frowned and approached the bed.

Medical Officer Jiang and Medical Officer Wu were both present.

They both bowed to him, “Marshal Tang.”

Tang Yueshan waved his hand, indicating that such formalities were unnecessary. He sat down beside the bed, looking worriedly at Tang Ming, whose brows were furrowed, eyes were tightly closed, and face was utterly pale, he asked, “Didn’t you say he woke up?”

Medical Officer Wu replied, “He woke up for a little while, took a couple of sips of medicine, then fell asleep again.”

In fact, he only drank half a mouthful and spilled the rest.

Tang Ming looked even paler than when Tang Yueshan had left him that morning, and his breath was even more weak. Tang Yueshan’s heart ached, he took a handkerchief from the maid’s hand, and wiped the cold sweat on Tang Ming’s forehead, who, despite being unconscious, was still sweating due to the pain.

Then he questioned the two medical officials, “Is there… any hope for him?”

The two medical officers exchanged looks and through eye contact nominated each other to answer the question. In the end, Medical Officer Jiang reluctantly cleared his throat and said, “We will do our utmost!”

“What I need from you is not your best! It is for you to cure him! This is the only…” Tang Yueshan’s words trailed off, he clenched his fist tight, choked down the pain and said, “He is my nephew, I have no son, he is my successor, I will not allow him to slip away! Regardless of his life or his…”

When it came to this, Tang Yueshan glanced at a certain area of Tang Ming’s body, “Can he… perform again?”

He was not a scholar, did not have the knack for elegant or subtle language, and ‘perform again’ was the most polite phrase he could come up with to ask the medical officers.

The two medical officers didn’t know how to respond.

After all, they couldn’t be sure about this issue. Although Tang Ming had lost one of his testes, in theory he shouldn’t be completely impotent, but given his severe injuries, it was hard to say anything for certain about his virility.

Since the medical officers couldn’t give him a definite answer, Tang Yueshan was furious. Just when the medical officers were nearly trembling with fear, a servant reported that Lady Tang had arrived.

At once, Tang Yueshan changed his furious countenance and repressed his overall aura, “You may leave.”

“Yes!”

Relieved, the medical officials secretly thought that Lady Tang had come at just the right moment.

Lady Tang entered the room with red swollen eyes. The successive bad news earlier had left her nearly gasping for breath from crying.

Tang Yueshan’s gaze landed on her reddened eyes. He moved slightly, stood up from the bed and gave her a slight bow.

Lady Tang returned the gesture without a glance at him.

The distance between the two was very obvious.

“Serve Lady Tang a cup of tea,” Tang Yueshan ordered his servant.

The servant acknowledged and said, “Yes.”

“No need,” Lady Tang declined with a choked voice. She touched Tang Ming’s face, tears brimming in her eyes once more, “My poor child…”

Tang Yueshan stared fixedly at Lady Tang’s profile, “My lady, please rest assured. I will certainly cure Mingming,” he assured her solemnly.

Lady Tang covered her mouth and nodded through her tears.

After Lady Tang had sat for a while, the doctors had to administer medicine to Tang Ming. Not wanting to delay her son’s treatment, she got up to leave.

She might have been crying for too long, for upon standing up she felt dizzy and her body swayed a few steps.

Tang Yueshan’s expression changed instantly. he rushed forward and supported her, his eyes full of concern, “My lady!”

Supported by Tang Yueshan, Lady Tang quickly recovered from her dizziness. She glanced at the hand on her arm, her expression changed, and she quickly pulled her arm away.