Chapter 244: Brotherly Love and Glory
On the road
"Your Highness, why don't we take a break? The horse can't take it anymore." Li Yong said, panting.
Shen Minghui looked at the slightly tired horse under his crotch and gritted his teeth: "Hold on for a while, there is a post station ahead, we can rest there."
Finally arriving at the post station, Shen Minghui dismounted from his horse, his steps somewhat unsteady.
"Hurry, feed the horses with good hay and prepare some dry food and water." He gave the orders while sitting on a chair, breathing heavily.
"Your Highness, please drink some water and eat something." Li Yong handed over water and dry food.
Shen Minghui took it and ate a few mouthfuls at random, "We can't delay too long, we have to leave as soon as possible."
After getting back on the road, Shen Minghui's expression became more and more serious. After seeing all kinds of modern and fast transportation, this ancient way of traveling was really unbearable.
Alas, it is indeed difficult to go from luxury to frugality!
"Li Yong, do you think we can find the Lingwu Youlian successfully?" Shen Minghui said with a sad face.
Guard Li consoled him, "Your Highness, you will definitely be found."
Shen Minghui smiled bitterly: "I hope so."
……
After several days of travel, they finally approached the Yunwu Mountain in southern Xinjiang.
"Your Highness, Yunwu Mountain is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round and the terrain is complex. We must be careful." Li Yong reminded.
Shen Minghui nodded, "Everyone, please cheer up and don't take it lightly."
Entering the mountains, the fog is so thick that it is difficult to tell the direction.
"Your Highness, this road doesn't seem to be right." said one of the subordinates.
Shen Minghui frowned, "Look carefully again to see if there are any marks."
Just as everyone was anxiously looking for a path, they suddenly heard a sinister laugh.
"Haha, you guys are a bunch of ignorant guys, how dare you break into Yunwu Mountain." A black shadow jumped out from the woods.
Shen Minghui drew his sword, "Who are you? Why are you stopping us?"
“Hmph, if you want the Lingwu Youlian, you have to get past me first!” The black shadow attacked without saying a word.
A fierce battle began, with Shen Minghui leading the way and engaging in a desperate fight with the black shadow.
"Your Highness, be careful!" Li Yong exclaimed from the side.
Shen Minghui dodged the shadow's attack by leaning sideways, and stabbed back with his sword. After a hard fight, he finally repelled the shadow.
"Keep moving forward!" Shen Minghui wiped the sweat from his forehead and led everyone deeper into the mountains.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, they finally found traces of the Lingwu Youlian on the edge of a cliff.
"Your Highness, look, isn't that the Lingwu Youlian?" Li Yong pointed excitedly at the edge of the cliff.
Shen Minghui looked and saw a lotus emitting a strange light swaying in the wind.
"Yes, that's it!" Shen Minghui was overjoyed.
However, just as they were about to pick the fruits, another group of people appeared and blocked their way.
"This is what we are guarding, don't even think about taking it away!" the leader shouted.
Shen Minghui knew that he could not retreat at this moment. "Everyone, my brother has been poisoned and urgently needs this Lingwu Youlian to save his life. I hope you can help me."
"No! These are the rules!" the other party said firmly.
Shen Minghui gritted his teeth and said, "Then don't blame me for being rude!"
The two sides started a fierce battle again. Shen Minghui was determined to seize the Lingwu Youlian, and his moves became more and more fierce.
After a bloody battle, Shen Minghui finally succeeded in obtaining the Lingwu Youlian.
"Let's go!" he shouted, and led everyone to quickly leave Yunwu Mountain.
On the way back, Shen Minghui finally felt relieved.
"Li Yong, this time it's all thanks to everyone." Shen Minghui said with emotion.
"Your Highness, as long as we can save the second prince, everything will be worth it." Li Yong said with a smile.
……
Royal Palace
"So many days have passed, why is there still no news?" The emperor frowned, his face gloomy. He couldn't help but get angry again and threw the memorial in his hand to the ground.
The Queen gently advised, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Perhaps the journey is too long and full of difficulties and obstacles, so the news has not yet arrived."
As he was speaking, a eunuch rushed in, looking flustered. Because of his haste, beads of sweat covered his forehead. He fell to his knees and panted, "Your Majesty, Empress, there is news about the eldest prince!"
When the emperor and the empress heard this, they immediately became alert and looked at the eunuch eagerly. The emperor could not wait and said, "Hurry up and tell me!"
"The eldest prince went through untold hardships and successfully obtained the Spiritual Mist Lotus. He is now on his way back!"
The emperor was overjoyed and stood up excitedly, saying loudly, "Great! Quick, arrange for someone to pick up the eldest prince immediately. There must be no mistakes!"
The queen also showed a relieved smile, her eyes slightly red, and murmured to herself: "Ming Yan is saved now. It's really God's blessing, thank God for his mercy."
……
The moment Shen Minghui stepped into the palace, his appearance surprised everyone.
His once gorgeous clothes were already in tatters, covered with dust and blood, and his face was also covered with traces of weathering, but his eyes were the only ones that still sparkled with determination.
The emperor hurried over and saw Shen Minghui's appearance. He felt very distressed and said with a trembling voice: "Hui'er, you have suffered all the way!"
Shen Minghui knelt on one knee, presented the Spiritual Mist Lotus with both hands, and said in a hoarse but firm voice: "Father, I am not miserable. As long as I can save my brother Mingyan, I will not refuse even if I die!"
The emperor quickly helped Shen Minghui up and took the Lingwu Youlian. His eyes were filled with emotion and relief: "Good! Good! You are worthy of being my good son!"
At this time, the second prince Shen Mingyan was sitting there stupidly, drooling from the corners of his mouth, oblivious to everything around him.
The Queen had already burst into tears: "Quick, give this elixir to Yan'er."
The imperial doctors quickly took the Lingwu Youlian, prepared it carefully, and then carefully fed it to Shen Mingyan.
Everyone stared at Shen Mingyan nervously, and time seemed to have stopped.
After a long while, Shen Mingyan's originally dull eyes gradually became clear. He blinked and looked at the people around him in confusion.
"Yan'er, do you recognize your mother?" the queen asked anxiously, holding Shen Mingyan's hands tightly with both hands.
Shen Mingyan frowned, thinking hard, and finally spoke slowly: "Mother..."
This call made everyone present extremely excited. The queen even cried with joy and hugged Shen Mingyan tightly in her arms.
The emperor laughed out loud: "Great! Great! My son has finally recovered!"
Shen Minghui looked at his brother who had regained consciousness. The heavy stone in his heart finally fell to the ground and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
……
Not long after, a grand celebration banquet was held in the palace.
At the banquet, the emperor raised his glass and said loudly: "Mingyan's recovery this time is all thanks to Minghui's contribution. I have decided to make Shen Mingyan the crown prince and Shen Minghui the prince of Rui!"
All the ministers stood up to congratulate: "Congratulations, Crown Prince! Congratulations, Prince Rui!"
Shen Minghui stood up and saluted respectfully to the emperor: "Thank you, father, for your grace!"
The emperor looked at Shen Minghui with a smile: "Hui'er, I am very satisfied with your performance this time. I believe that you will be able to make more contributions to our dynasty in the future."
Shen Minghui's eyes were firm: "I will live up to your expectations and serve you wholeheartedly!"
Shen Mingyan, who was sitting next to him, also came over and held Shen Minghui's hand tightly: "Brother, this time it's all thanks to you. I will work hard in the future and live up to your efforts."
Shen Minghui patted Shen Minghui on the shoulder: "Brother, I'm relieved that you're fine."
Finally, I don’t have to worry about being forced to sit in that seat!
Let's leave that miserable position to my younger brother! He had experienced enough of being watched by those ministers before, and he didn't want to experience it again!
Thank goodness he has a younger brother!
Now he can finally remove the scar without any worries. If he keeps looking at it like this, his wife will forget about his handsome face!