WK Chapter 23

Half an hour earlier.

 

Wen Xiaochun, his face bound with a deep blue cloth covering his mouth and nose, was dressed as a palace servant responsible for emptying night soil. He slowly pushed a wooden bucket cart along a rarely traveled palace path.

 

The wooden bucket faintly emitted a foul odor.

 

It was customary for night soil servants to walk this path at night, so the patrol team only covered their noses and mouths, routinely stopping him to open the bucket and look inside.

 

Confirming there was nothing unusual, they waved him through.

 

Wen Xiaochun kept his head down, distantly hearing the guards’ quiet conversation: “Eh, didn’t I just see another night soil servant pass by not long ago?”

 

“Must be a newcomer? We occasionally encounter two at night, but they’re responsible for different areas. They all pass through this palace path as it’s furthest from the East and West Twelve Palaces, to avoid the stench offending other nobles.”

 

“Oh, I see…”

 

Wen Xiaochun slightly quickened his pace, the sound of the cart wheels rolling on the ground remaining steady.

 

He made a circle and stopped outside the Astrology Bureau.

 

Although the Astrology Bureau was within the imperial palace, it held a special status. Officials working here, except for those on daily duty, were not allowed to stay overnight. It was like the government offices where ministers went on duty after leaving court.

 

Similarly, there were no dedicated guards here, only occasional passing patrols.

 

Infiltration became extremely simple.

 

Wen Xiaochun stopped in front of the huge stone tablet in the Astrology Bureau’s courtyard.

 

There were two lines of text on the stone tablet that he couldn’t quite understand, only recognizing a few characters here and there, all of which the young prince had taught him before.

 

He looked around, then went to the wooden bucket on the manure cart. He took out a black cloth from the bucket, under which were papers soaked in oil.

 

He had been the small manager in charge of oil at the imperial kitchen for so long, thinking the oil given to him as favors was useless, but unexpectedly it had found a use.

 

Wen Xiaochun took out all the oiled paper from inside, then felt for a paper in his bosom with a crooked character written on it.

 

He had practiced this character many times, with the young prince teaching him stroke by stroke until he learned it.

 

Matching this character, he laid out the heavy oiled papers on the ground one by one.

 

As he laid them out, he thought.

 

There were too many vile people in the world. The young prince was kind-hearted and so young. If no one protected him, if no one took revenge for him, perhaps anyone could bully him in the future.

 

With the character arranged, Wen Xiaochun pushed the small cart out along the planned route.

 

As he retreated, he freed one hand to light a match, throwing it behind him without looking back. The flames instantly ignited, the scorching heat causing his light blue eunuch’s robe to billow.

 

–

 

Carrying Qu Dubian, Yi Shi’er sped along.

 

He directly avoided the guards outside Ju’an Hall and entered the main hall without alerting anyone.

 

Almost as soon as Head Eunuch Yu turned his head, he saw a black-clad figure wearing a wooden mask and carrying a child. He was startled, a shrill cry of ‘Protect the Emperor’ almost escaping his lips.

 

Then he saw Yi Shi’er kneel on one knee: “Your Majesty, the prince has been found.”

 

Only then did Head Eunuch Yu suppress his heart that had almost leapt out of his throat, realizing this must be one of His Majesty’s secret guards. He had only heard their voices from behind screens before, never seeing one.

 

Emperor Chongzhao suddenly turned around.

 

His gaze fell directly on the small child with a flushed face in Yi Shi’er’s arms.

 

Though the child was over two years old, he looked tiny, with a thin face adorned with round, beautiful eyes, now filled with mist, appearing dazed and confused.

 

Emperor Chongzhao saw Consort Yun’s shadow in his young son’s face.

 

Those eyes were so similar.

 

Faint discussion could be heard from outside, seemingly the imperial physicians talking. Yi Shi’er silently handed the child to Head Eunuch Yu and disappeared.

 

Feeling the burning temperature in his arms, Head Eunuch Yu’s heart sank: “Your Majesty! The prince’s condition is not good.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Where are the imperial physicians! All come in!”

 

Yi Shi’er approached the leader of the secret guards by the emperor’s side.

 

The leader made a gesture: By appearing directly in front of people, your secrecy value will plummet, likely becoming unqualified. Secret guards protect His Majesty, why did you make an exception for a prince?

 

Unqualified secret guards only had two paths: death or lifelong imprisonment.

 

Yi Shi’er didn’t react.

 

They, as secret guards, were loyal only to the emperor. But when he saw the young prince sitting alone on the ground without any strength, he felt that the Seventh Prince, so lively on paper, shouldn’t become the fool the physicians spoke of due to fever.

 

So he still revealed himself.

 

The leader gestured: Go to the cell, await interrogation.

 

Yi Shi’er bowed slightly and disappeared again.

 

The leader of the secret guards shook his head lightly, focusing his attention back on the hall.

 

The imperial physicians, hearing the call, entered one after another. After completing their bows and raising their heads, they saw the child in Head Eunuch Yu’s arms and were greatly shocked.

 

“The prince has been found?”

 

“Quickly, quickly, Gonggong, please put the young prince down so we can check his pulse.”

 

The most anxious was Imperial Physician Qiu, who knew Qu Dubian’s condition. It was already so dangerous this morning, and now after being lost all afternoon, no one knew what state he was in.

 

Imperial Physician Qiu: “Gonggong, quickly call someone to prepare hot water!”

 

He was about to take the young prince from Head Eunuch Yu’s arms when he saw the child, who had been quietly nestled there, suddenly move and grab onto Head Eunuch Yu, not letting go.

 

“…No, I don’t want to.”

 

A tiny voice emerged from his throat, pitifully hoarse.

 

Head Eunuch Yu also became anxious and coaxed, “Be good, Your Highness, let the physicians check your pulse.”

 

Qu Dubian’s eyes were misty. He looked towards the man in dragon robes who had been standing in the bedchamber.

 

Emperor Chongzhao was taken aback.

 

His young son was very clever. Even though he had never seen him before, he recognized him immediately. He remembered the note the child had left before disappearing today—

 

Wanting to see his father emperor.

 

The child’s eyes and nose were red. He stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out his hands. The small tears in his eyes were crystal clear, like winter frost hidden within, faintly showing expectation.

 

This was a baby’s gesture for wanting to be held.

 

Emperor Chongzhao unconsciously took a step forward.

 

The child couldn’t help but raise his arms higher, a bit happily, “Fa…”

 

The next second, Emperor Chongzhao remembered the Astrology Bureau’s warning not to be too intimate with his young son, and his steps abruptly stopped.

 

So Qu Dubian didn’t even finish saying “Father Emperor,” and his mouth slowly tightened.

 

Head Eunuch Yu couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous and lifted the child slightly towards Emperor Chongzhao.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao clenched his fist, one hand behind his back, and finally turned his face away, saying: “Treat the illness first.”

 

He can resist not hugging the prince even now? Indeed, not being raised by his side, there isn’t much affection. His Majesty really is… Head Eunuch Yu lowered his head and said softly, “Your Highness, shall we treat your illness first?”

 

The child lowered his arms that had been raised for a hug. The tears hidden in his eyes finally fell. It seemed the expectation he had built up with such difficulty had collapsed due to an implicit rejection.

 

Emperor Chongzhao opened his mouth.

 

His young son directly turned his head away, not looking at him anymore. He clutched Head Eunuch Yu’s clothes and buried his face, sobbing, “No physicians, no physicians, I don’t want anything, only Ye Banban…”

 

“I want Ye Banban…”

 

Qu Dubian fully demonstrated how difficult a sick child can be when throwing a tantrum. Even with so many physicians and Head Eunuch Yu, no one could console him.

 

Yet he wasn’t crying loudly in an annoying way, just sobbing quietly, hoarse and weak, making people’s hearts ache.

 

The physicians in the bedchamber were at a loss. They needed to check his pulse before prescribing medicine, but now the sick protagonist wasn’t cooperating, and they couldn’t apply their medical skills.

 

Head Eunuch Yu rocked the child in his arms, his anxious gaze occasionally turning to Emperor Chongzhao.

 

“Your Majesty…”

 

Imperial Physician Qiu felt compassion: “Your Majesty, please comfort the young prince. We absolutely cannot delay any longer!”

 

Looking at this small face resembling Consort Yun, Emperor Chongzhao’s fist tightened and loosened. He compromised, “…Give him to me, I’ll hold him.”

 

But when he reached out, the child in Head Eunuch Yu’s arms directly avoided him, ignoring him.

 

Qu Dubian thought coldly, do you know the consequences of hurting a child’s heart? You refuse to hug, fine, you’ll have trouble later.

 

Emperor Chongzhao stiffened and withdrew his hand.

 

Seeing the child almost unable to cry anymore, his heart also tightened. He looked around the hall and couldn’t help raising his voice to ask, “Which one is Ye Banban?!”

 

Head Eunuch Yu felt the temperature getting higher and higher, and hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, Ye Gonggong is the one who has been serving the young prince all along. Please quickly send someone to find him, otherwise…”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Go quickly!”

 

Hearing this, Qu Dubian finally stopped whimpering. He extended his tightly clenched hand to let the physicians examine him, but still nestled in Head Eunuch Yu’s arms, refusing to go to the bed.

 

With Emperor Chongzhao’s permission, Head Eunuch Yu had no choice but to hold him while sitting on a stool, and the physicians crouched down to check his pulse.

 

–

 

When Ye Xiaoyuan received the news that the young prince had been found, his legs went weak for a moment.

 

The palace servants who came to find him quickly supported him: “Ye Gonggong! You can’t collapse now, the young prince is waiting for you. He’s afraid to take medicine without you. Please come with us quickly.”

 

“…Let’s go, let’s go quickly.”

 

While Ye Xiaoyuan felt relieved, he couldn’t help but worry more. He hurriedly returned to Ju’an Hall.

 

By now, the small kitchen in Ju’an Hall was already in use, with some boiling water and others brewing medicine, quite organized. Ye Xiaoyuan entered the bedchamber and immediately saw the young prince nestled in Head Eunuch Yu’s arms, refusing to move and still whimpering and crying.

 

He resisted the urge to run over and kowtowed to Emperor Chongzhao.

 

Emperor Chongzhao raised his hand towards him, “Quickly go see Xiao Qi, he’s been calling for you.”

 

Head Eunuch Yu was already sweating profusely. Seeing Ye Xiaoyuan was like seeing a savior. He carefully stood up, “Xiaoyuan Gonggong, you’ve finally come!”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan hurriedly patted off the cold air from his body before taking Qu Dubian.

 

“Your Highness…”

 

Hearing his voice, the child who had been sobbing immediately stopped crying.

 

Head Eunuch Yu, watching this scene, went to Emperor Chongzhao’s side and advised in a low voice, “Xiaoyuan Gonggong has been with the prince since he was little. It’s normal for the prince to be dependent on him.”

 

Qu Dubian opened his eyes, immediately feeling relieved. He had been worried that if he slept too long, Ye Banban might be punished for losing him. Now it seemed his nominal father wasn’t that muddled.

 

He nuzzled Ye Xiaoyuan’s arm.

 

“Ye Banban.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan suppressed the sourness in his eyes, quickly carried him to the bed, covered him with a blanket, and half-embraced him as usual.

 

“I’m here, Banban is here. Your Highness, please take your medicine properly later, and you’ll feel better soon.”

 

Qu Dubian: “Banban, I want to go find Mother Consort.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan’s heart trembled.

 

Before he could speak, Emperor Chongzhao’s tone became stern, “Don’t talk nonsense!” Realizing his tone was inappropriate, he walked to the bedside and softened his voice, “Be good and take your medicine, you’ll get better.”

 

The child didn’t make a sound.

 

He turned his head away, his fever-flushed face leaning against Ye Xiaoyuan’s palm, refusing to look at his father emperor.

 

Emperor Chongzhao pressed his lips together.

 

Head Eunuch Yu also fell silent, the atmosphere becoming a bit strange for a moment.

 

Even Ye Xiaoyuan, slow as he was, sensed something was wrong, but he didn’t know what had happened earlier. He could only gently stroke Qu Dubian’s back as a form of comfort.

 

After a while, Qu Dubian said in a muffled voice.

 

“Banban, I want to drink the medicine from last time.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Last time?”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “Reporting to Your Majesty, the prince fell ill once before, and it was medicine from the Imperial Hospital. There are still a few doses left in the cabinet. Perhaps the prince saw that it worked well for Xiaochun and remembered it.”

 

He added: “Your Highness, it’s better to listen to the physicians. Maybe the cause of your illness this time is different from last time?”

 

The child stubbornly said: “I’ll only drink that one, nothing else.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao waved his hand: “Find someone to decoct it, then let the physicians check if it can be used. If it can’t, we’ll discuss further.” After all, it was just the effort of one more person decocting medicine, better to placate him first.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan told them where to find the medicine package from the Imperial Hospital last time, and someone immediately went to prepare it.

 

Qu Dubian was finally satisfied. He was truly grateful to the person who had initially harmed him. The overdosed medicine sent by the Imperial Hospital not only saved Xiaochun but could also help him at this crucial moment.

 

He then asked weakly in a small voice, “Where is Xiaochun?”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan paused, then calmly said: “He should still be searching for you. Once the news of your being found spreads, he’ll probably return quickly.”

 

With both of Ju’an Hall’s own people safe, Qu Dubian was completely at ease, waiting for the bowl of medicine that would soon be brought.

 

Not long after, the head guard hurriedly came to report from outside.

 

“Your Majesty, a fire has broken out at the Astrology Bureau, burning half of the building.”

 

“The palace servants fighting the fire say that the Astrology Bureau deceived Your Majesty, and heaven is punishing them, which is why the fire started in the deep of night.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao frowned, leaving the physicians in charge of the bedchamber as he walked out, looking towards the direction of the Astrology Bureau.

 

He lightly turned the jade thumb ring, “What happened over there?”

 

“After half the fire was extinguished, a character appeared under the Astrology Bureau’s stone tablet.”

 

“What character?”

 

The head guard bowed deeply, “It can be made out, vaguely resembling the character for ‘lie’.”

 

The distance was too great to see the fire’s condition from here, only the sky faintly reddened by the flames could be seen. Emperor Chongzhao fell silent, his hand stopping the rotation of the ring, his tone unclear whether it was sarcastic or cold.

 

“Our imperial palace is truly lively, the Imperial Hospital, Yongning Palace, the Sixth Prince’s residence in the East Garden, the Astrology Bureau… one incident after another. Order more people to fight the fire.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao turned to enter the hall, adding one more sentence.

 

“If the head of the Astrology Bureau seeks an audience tonight, there’s no need to let him come.”

 

–

 

In a corner, avoiding the crowds.

 

Wen Xiaochun tugged at the deep blue cloth on his face, looking back at the place where flames reached the sky.

 

Wasn’t it supposed to be inauspicious? Look who’s really inauspicious now.

 

He lowered his head submissively, the sound of the cart wheels gradually fading into the distance.

 

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