TL: Hua
The closer they got to the capital, the more stops they made along the way. Considering the young master’s current condition, the carriage procession moved slowly. Wen Jing, having received the emperor’s decree, rode ahead to the capital to arrange everything.
In the capital, Prince Huai was enthusiastically drinking with Yin Yuancheng, though only he was truly enjoying it. Yin Yuancheng merely took an occasional sip to humor him.
Prince Huai looked noticeably thinner these past few days, and also more energetic and refined. However, he was a wild and restless character, forced to report punctually and handle state affairs. It was difficult for him not to lose weight.
“Your Highness, Your Highness…” Eunuch Li, who served Prince Huai, scurried in. “Your Highness, great news! The chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department is back!”
“Wen Jing is back!” Prince Huai, who had been drinking heartily before, immediately put down his cup and sprang to his feet. “Then has the Emperor also returned?”
“This servant doesn’t know. This servant only saw the chief eunuch enter the city gate just now. He looked travel-worn but otherwise normal, quite energetic.” Eunuch Li quickly helped his prince change into court attire. When he looked back, Young Marquis Yin had already disappeared.
So, as soon as Wen Jing entered the palace, he was cornered by Prince Huai and the Young Marquis. The Young Marquis was still alright, able to maintain his elegant, gentlemanly demeanor.
Only the boorish Prince Huai, grabbing Wen Jing’s shoulders, shook him back and forth. “Chief Eunuch, has the Emperor also returned?”
Wen Jing, who was being jostled, answered with a poker face, “He has.”
“Then where is he?” Prince Huai beamed with joy. At last, he wouldn’t have to deal with those mind-numbing memorials anymore! The beautiful courtesans at the capital’s pleasure houses were waiting for him!
Wen Jing replied coldly and mercilessly, “Still on the way.”
“On the way… on… the… way…” Instantly, Prince Huai’s excitement vanished, replaced by dejection.
In the end, it was Yin Yuancheng who was more composed. He gently asked Wen Jing, “Did something happen on the Emperor’s journey that made him send Chief Eunuch back first?”
Wen Jing shook his head. “Nothing major. It’s just that His Majesty has been away from the capital for a long time, and there are some trivial matters that this servant needed to return early to handle.”
Prince Huai wanted to ask more questions but was pulled back by Yin Yuancheng. “In that case, chief eunuch, please go attend to your duties!”
“Why are you pulling me?” Prince Huai looked bewildered.
Yin Yuancheng chuckled softly. “His Majesty naturally has his own plans. As long as His Majesty doesn’t intend to speak of them, Your Highness, no matter how much you ask, you will not get the answers you want from the chief eunuch.”
Prince Huai stroked his chin. “You’re right. Come on, come on, let’s not drink anymore. Come with me to deal with the memorials. When His Majesty returns, I’ll ask him to bestow upon you a beautiful and well-read marchioness.”
Yin Yuancheng looked bewildered. He was already engaged; why would the Emperor bestow upon him another marchioness? Prince Huai was truly driven mad by those piles of memorials.
—
The journey continued at a leisurely pace, and finally, when the young master was seven and a half months pregnant, they arrived in the capital.
For some unknown reason, the young master’s morning sickness, which had long passed, returned. Holding the slightly pale young master in his arms, Yin Yanjun raised a hand and gently patted the young master’s back, soothingly asking, “Does the young master still feel unwell?”
Cradled in Taoist Master Xuanchen’s arms, with the cool scent of the Taoist’s body filling his nostrils, Xu Yanqing’s desire to vomit was greatly alleviated. He weakly shook his head. “I’m fine.”
Qi Chen climbed into the carriage and re-examined the young master’s pulse. Only after confirming that the young master’s body was fine did he relax. “Indeed, some women experience morning sickness again around seven months. The young master’s pregnancy has not been entirely stable; the little one is truly quite troublesome.”
Young Doctor Qi was a cunning fellow. He subtly hinted to Taoist Master Xuanchen how difficult the young master’s pregnancy was, especially as they neared the capital. He would often drop such comments.
Yin Yanjun looked up and gave Qi Chen a faint glance. Considering that Qi Chen was genuinely concerned for the young master, he did not dwell on Qi Chen’s impertinence and offense.
Instead, Qi Chen couldn’t help but shiver under Taoist Master Xuanchen’s indifferent gaze. He wisely shut his mouth, realizing he had indeed gone a bit too far.
A hand rested on the young master’s increasingly large abdomen and gently massaged it. The little bean in the womb seemed to kick his emperor father once. When Yin Yanjun looked at the young master in his arms again, the young master was already drowsily asleep.
—
Wen Jing had already brought some palace eunuchs to wait outside the palace hall. The emperor’s carriage proceeded from the imperial capital directly to the palace gates.
The palace attendants all bowed their heads, not daring to look too much. The carriage curtain was lifted by Qi Chen from outside. Yin Yanjun emerged from the carriage, holding the young master.
“Have someone settle Aunt Zhao and Young Doctor Qi first. Also, invite Imperial Physician Han to come here,” Yin Yanjun said with a stern face. As soon as his words fell, he carried the young master into the palace.
Mu Yu eagerly followed behind but was stopped by Wen Jing. “Is Young Master Xu unwell?” Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn’t have such a cold expression.
To be honest, Mu Yu was still a bit confused. He was always slow to react. He had just come to terms with the fact that his young master was pregnant with Taoist Master Xuanchen’s child, and then a few days later, he suddenly learned that Taoist Master Xuanchen was actually the current emperor. This made him feel like his legs would give way and he would immediately kneel.
Dazed, he turned his head, looked at Wen Jing, who was wearing a crimson round-collared narrow-sleeved robe, and woodenly said, “Taoist Wen Jing… no, Chief Eunuch Wen Jing…”
Wen Jing, who always knew Mu Yu’s temperament, calmly raised a hand and patted Mu Yu, then asked again, “Is Young Master Xu unwell?”
Mu Yu finally reacted and nodded. “For some reason, the young master has started having morning sickness again these past few days.”
Wen Jing nodded. No wonder the Emperor looked that way earlier. He raised his hand and summoned a eunuch. “Go to the Imperial Medical Academy immediately and invite Imperial Physician Han. Also, bring Young Doctor Qi with you and hand him over to the academy director.”
The eunuch bowed his head and replied, “Yes.”
Wen Jing led Mu Yu into the palace hall. Standing properly outside the inner chamber door, he softly explained to Mu Yu some things to pay attention to in the palace: “You are the young master’s personal servant. Don’t leave the young master’s side easily. If you have any trivial matters, just tell the eunuchs in the palace. If there is anything they can’t handle, let them come to me.”
Mu Yu nodded earnestly. Though he was slow-witted, he could distinguish right from wrong. Whatever was good for the young master, he would definitely obey.
—
Inside Changxin Palace, Yin Yanjun gently placed the young master onto the bed. The mattress on the bed was soft and cool. The young master, in his sleep, didn’t seem to mind the unfamiliar bed. He gently rubbed his cheek against the pillow and slept even more peacefully.
Yin Yanjun’s gaze softened considerably. He slowly raised his hand and removed the young master’s outer garment, helping him change into comfortable sleeping clothes.
The palace had been pre-cooled with ice, so even though it was muggy and hot outside, it remained comfortable and pleasant inside. Yin Yanjun pulled the thin quilt on the bed over the young master, then settled onto the side of the bed.
Because Wen Jing had made arrangements beforehand, Imperial Physician Han arrived quickly. However, since there was no movement inside the hall, Imperial Physician Han waited outside.
After more than half an hour, the Emperor’s cool voice finally sounded from within the hall. Imperial Physician Han adjusted his attire, stepped into the hall, and bowed to the Emperor sitting by the bed. “This humble subject greets Your Majesty.”
“Imperial Physician Han, rise.” Yin Yanjun’s solemn and cool gaze fell upon Imperial Physician Han. “If I’m not mistaken, Imperial Physician Han should be particularly skilled in delivering and caring for women.”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject is indeed slightly more skilled in this area compared to others,” Imperial Physician Han always kept his head bowed when speaking. He was slightly startled in his heart, fearing he might see something he shouldn’t.
The young master, sleeping on the bed, groggily opened his eyes, somewhat disoriented about his current location. But Taoist Master Xuanchen sitting beside him made him feel very secure, so he reached out and tugged at the other’s sleeve. “Taoist Master.”
Yin Yanjun turned his head at the sound, looking at the young master who had just woken up. He picked up the warm water placed on the tea table nearby and handed it over. “Drink some water first. Are you still uncomfortable now?”
Xu Yanqing slowly sat up and gulped down the water, finally feeling much clearer. He shook his head. “I don’t feel anything now. Perhaps it was just motion sickness from the carriage earlier.”
The listless salted fish had been throwing up for more than a day or two; it had become a habit, and he truly felt it was nothing serious.
“You!” Yin Yanjun raised a hand and gently pinched the young master’s chubby cheek. These past few days, the young master had been throwing up so much that his face was pale, which truly startled him. Now, seeing that his complexion had finally improved, he could slowly relax.
“I have invited Imperial Physician Han to take your pulse. Imperial Physician Han is the most skilled physician in gynecology in the palace. From now on, he and Qi Chen will both care for Young Master,” Yin Yanjun’s tone was exceptionally gentle, at least in Imperial Physician Han’s eyes, a gentleness he had never seen before.
“Mm,” the salted fish nodded languidly. Since it was for his health, he naturally wanted to give birth to the little bean in his belly safely, so he naturally wouldn’t refuse the Taoist’s arrangements.
Yin Yanjun then raised a hand and rubbed the young master’s head before calmly asking Imperial Physician Han to approach and take the young master’s pulse.
The young master’s abdomen was prominently swollen, and any clear-eyed person could understand what that meant. Imperial Physician Han immediately lowered his eyes and took a pulse pillow from his medical kit. He didn’t think much of it until the moment he took the pulse, and then he froze completely.
The pulse was indeed that of a pregnant person, yet he diagnosed that the esteemed person on the bed was clearly male. Imperial Physician Han, confused, tremblingly looked up at the esteemed person on the bed, only to see the young master with delicate features blinking at him.
“Dare I ask, Imperial Physician Han, is there anything wrong with my body?” The salted fish’s sense of shame had long been thrown to the winds. He just looked at the stunned Imperial Physician Han playfully.
“N-no… nothing serious. Perhaps it’s just a bit of fatigue from the long journey. A few days of rest will suffice,” Imperial Physician Han said blankly, feeling as if the world before his eyes had undergone an earth-shattering change.
Xu Yanqing’s gaze fell back on Taoist Master Xuanchen, who was sitting by the bed. He reached out impudently and tugged at the other’s sleeve again. “Among the many people who have taken my pulse, only Taoist Master is the calmest. Does that mean emperors are indeed extraordinary?”
Yin Yanjun glanced at the young master’s teasing expression, shaking his head with a wry smile. Then he said to Imperial Physician Han, “From now on, the young master will be entrusted to Imperial Physician Han. And I have arranged for a young medical officer who is familiar with the young master’s physical condition to serve with Imperial Physician Han at Changxin Palace.”
“Yes, this humble subject obeys the decree.” Imperial Physician Han’s face hardened, and he quickly knelt to receive the order.
“You may withdraw for now,” Yin Yanjun waved his hand faintly. Imperial Physician Han quickly rose and exited Changxin Palace.
The salted fish leaned on the pillow, his eyes fixed on the cold and aloof Taoist Xuanchen with some interest.
Yin Yanjun turned, his gaze softening instantly as he saw the young master’s smiling eyes. “What are you smiling for, young master?”
“I’m smiling at how solemn and dignified His Majesty is; it’s quite unlike the Taoist I usually see!” But whether it was the Emperor’s majesty or the Taoist’s gentleness, everything pleased the salted fish, making him wish he could tuck the man into his sleeve and sneak him out of the palace.
Teased by the young master, Yin Yanjun’s earlobes tinged red, and he lowered his gaze, clearly embarrassed. He took the young master’s hand, gently kneading it. “When I ascended the throne, it was with an iron fist that I purged the court. Being an emperor, after all, is different from anything else.”
If possible, Yin Yanjun would have preferred to remain a simple Taoist Master, born and raised in a temple.
If he had met the young master then, he likely would have fallen head over heels for him, then renounced his vows and returned home, hoping for a long and happy life with the young master.
Being an emperor made things far more complicated. The young master still had many reservations, and Yin Yanjun understood this clearly. However, he didn’t want to pressure the young master, believing it was best for things to unfold naturally.
Xu Yanqing had heard something about the emperor’s past. After all, there was no family affection in the royal family. The Taoist truly was a pitiable little soul, looking so forlorn that it made one want to hug him close, pat him, and kiss him.
Yin Yanjun couldn’t stay in Changxin Palace for too long. As soon as Prince Huai learned of the Emperor’s return, he eagerly rushed to the palace, requesting an audience.
While away from the capital, Yin Yanjun could delegate state affairs to Prince Huai. Now that he had returned to the capital, it was no longer appropriate to continuously pressure the prince. After all, there would be many more occasions to utilize Prince Huai’s services in the future. A flicker of insight passed through Yin Yanjun’s eyes.
The salted fish remained completely oblivious, still immersed in the thought of Taoist Xuanchen being a poor, pitiful soul. Seeing the Taoist instruct him on this and that before leaving, he resisted the urge to quickly shoo him away.
Outside the palace gates, a young eunuch arrived to announce, “Chief Eunuch, Prince Huai is persistently urging to see His Majesty.”
Wen Jing subtly glanced at the tightly closed doors, a faint smile flickering in his eyes. He then turned to the flustered young eunuch and couldn’t help but chide, “What’s the rush? Tell His Highness to wait a moment longer. Just say, His Majesty has just returned to the palace and is changing.”
The young eunuch, having received the chief eunuch’s command, turned and hurried towards the Imperial Study.
Knowing that the young master was usually impatient, Yin Yanjun simply rubbed the young master’s cheek. “If anything comes up, just instruct Wen Jing.”
“Does Taoist Master not bring the chief eunuch with you when you handle matters?” The salted fish didn’t want Wen Jing to lose his position because of him.
“There’s nothing too important at the Motherent. If Young Master is tired, sleep a little longer. Imperial meals will be delivered to Changxin Palace shortly.” Yin Yanjun’s expression was gentle and warm. Remembering Prince Huai waiting in the Imperial Study, he finally rose to leave.
Wen Jing was still waiting outside. The subtle warmth on Yin Yanjun was suddenly replaced by indifference and detachment—this was the Emperor Wen Jing was accustomed to.
“You are to remain here for now and attend to the young master. If anything is lacking, see to it immediately,” Yin Yanjun slowly instructed.
Wen Jing trembled and lowered his head to accept the order, watching the emperor slowly leave Changxin Palace.
The salted fish young master, who had already slept, was naturally not tired now. He dressed himself and opened the room door. Perhaps due to his special circumstances, there were not many attendants serving in Changxin Palace.
“Young master, you’re awake!” Mu Yu leaned in close to his young master and pointed towards the back of the courtyard. “Young master, you wouldn’t believe it, there’s a pavilion in the backyard whose layout is very similar to our residence in Xu Family Village!”
The salted fish young master had been carried into Changxin Palace by Taoist Master Xuanchen while he was sleeping. Only now did he truly see every brick, tile, plant, and tree in Changxin Palace.
Following Mu Yu’s steps, the salted fish young master strolled into the courtyard. In the courtyard stood an evergreen tree, its branches and leaves dense, casting a dark shadow. Right next to the large tree was a pavilion, where a spacious and luxurious recliner was placed, with a set of tables and chairs beside it. It indeed bore some resemblance to the small courtyard in Xu Family Village.
“The chief eunuch has a thoughtful heart.” Xu Yanqing raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Wen Jing, who had followed along. “However, it’s because of me that Taoist left the chief eunuch here. The chief eunuch won’t be angry with me because of this, will you?”
Wen Jing’s face instantly broke into a smile. “Young Master is always so fond of joking. It is Wen Jing’s fortune to be able to serve by Young Master’s side. If Young Master is hungry, I’ll go urge the imperial kitchen.”
The salted fish stretched lazily. Sitting in the carriage for several days had truly left him feeling worn out. “Alright, then let’s eat!”
The imperial cuisine in the palace was naturally exquisitely delicious, and it also included medicinal dishes personally prepared by Aunt Zhao. When it was time to eat, Qi Chen popped out from somewhere, looking very excited.
“Did you pick up gold on the road?” Since Taoist was not present anyway, the salted fish simply invited everyone to eat with him.
Qi Chen couldn’t help but shake his head. “Not at all, not at all. It’s thanks to the young master’s favor that I’ve become the youngest medical officer in the Imperial Medical Academy!” This was an honor that brought glory to his family and truly overjoyed him.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, truly impressive,” the salted fish mimicked Qi Chen’s head-shaking and sighed. People with grand aspirations were truly worthy of praise. However, he remained a salted fish, without the slightest desire to turn over a new leaf.
After lunch, the listless salted fish sat at the writing desk and picked up a brush and ink. His delicate little face was scrunched up in a miserable grimace.
Mu Yu knelt beside him, grinding ink for his young master, and seeing this, he asked in confusion, “What’s wrong, young master?”
“Mu Yu, if Father and Mother find out I’ve moved directly into the palace after returning to the capital, do you think they’ll come in with swords and chop me down?” Xu Yanqing had sent a letter to his parents before returning to the capital, and they should have received it by now.
Mu Yu’s face also scrunched up. He said nervously, “Marquis should not go that far, right? After all, Young Master also has a backer now.” Young Master is also pregnant with the little young master; his body is at a critical stage. Even if Marquis wanted to lay hands on Young Master, he wouldn’t choose this time.
“Right, I also have a backer now!” The salted fish clapped his hands to cheer himself on. The Taoist wouldn’t just stand by and watch him get beaten by his father.
The master and servant talked at cross purposes for a while. Finally, the salted fish picked up his brush again and swiftly penned a letter in his sprawling, dragon-and-phoenix-like script. “Have the chief eunuch deliver this letter to the marquis’s residence. I reckon Father and Mother will be requesting an audience in the palace sometime after today.”
Mu Yu took the letter, nodding very cautiously.
The atmosphere in Marquis Wu’an’s residence was unusually strange. Servants came and went, making very little noise, fearing they might disturb the masters within.
“Father, Mother, why don’t I go to Xu Family Village right now and bring Ah Qing back?” Xu Xianzhi, dressed in a casual outfit, faced his parents with a hint of worry on his face.
Lady Su slapped the table hard. “You go bring him back? Where would you even bring him back from? He was the one who insisted on going to Xu Family Village. Now that everything’s settled for him, he’s run back on his own.”
“Don’t worry yet. Ah Qing, that brat, isn’t so unreliable. He said someone escorted him all the way back to the capital. Maybe he’s already almost here.” Marquis Wu’an held his wife’s hand in his palm. “Does your hand hurt from slapping? I’ll rub it for you, my dear.”
Xu Xianzhi, who was stuffed with his parents’ public displays of affection, really wanted to look up at the sky. He even desperately hoped in his heart that Ah Qing, that brat, would hurry back so the two brothers could at least comfort each other while being subjected to the same torture.
Lady Su’s anger was thus appeased by Marquis Wu’an, the rough man, with just a few words. As they were speaking, a servant timidly walked in. “Marquis, Madam, someone is requesting an audience outside.”
“Who is it? Just say the marquis’s residence is not convenient for visitors right now.” Marquis Wu’an was busy coaxing his wife; he had no time to see any outside guests.
The servant stammered, “He… he said he’s the one delivering a letter for our young master.”
“Delivering a letter for Ah Qing…” Lady Su’s expression changed. “Quickly invite him in.”
“Yes,” the servant quickly ran out.
The letter was personally delivered by Wen Jing. He waited outside the Marquis Wu’an’s residence for a while before being invited in by a servant.
Wen Jing had visited Marquis Wu’an’s residence a few times before, always on the emperor’s decree to announce imperial edicts. This was his first time wearing civilian clothes, coming for the future ‘Empress.’
The young master was extremely slow-witted, but Wen Jing clearly saw that their emperor, pure as the breeze and bright as the moon, obviously harbored personal feelings for the young master, wanting to keep him in the palace permanently. However, for some reason, the Emperor seemed to have no intention of breaking through that unspoken barrier with the young master.
Wen Jing didn’t understand, but he was sensible. Covertly bringing the young master and the emperor together was the only thing he could do.
“Guest, this way, please.” The servant led Wen Jing all the way to the study.
Inside the study, Xu Xianzhi heard footsteps, walked over, opened the door, and was met with a very familiar figure.
“Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department!” Xu Xianzhi was a martial arts champion. Although he didn’t have many opportunities to meet the Emperor, he had seen Wen Jing, who was deeply trusted by the Emperor, several times. He never expected that the person delivering a letter for his younger brother would actually be Wen Jing.
“What chief eunuch?” Seeing his eldest son frozen at the doorway, Marquis Wu’an slowly looked up.
Wen Jing unceremoniously walked into the room and bowed to Marquis Wu’an and Xu Xianzhi, who had walked to Marquis Wu’an’s side. “Wen Jing greets the Marquis, greets the prince!”
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