WK Chapter 25

The Empress bid farewell to the old Marchioness, personally sending her chief palace maid to prepare a carriage, instructing them to escort her safely back to the marquis’s mansion.

 

The old Marchioness sat in the carriage, lifting the curtain to look back at the red-bricked, yellow-tiled imperial palace.

 

The Empress’s servant beside her said: “Don’t worry, the Empress said that if there’s any news, she’ll inform you immediately.”

 

“I understand, please thank the Empress for me.”

 

At the marquis’s mansion.

 

Mama Fang, who served the old Marchioness, quickly came to welcome her, thanking the palace servants from the Empress.

 

The mansion’s main gate opened and closed. Only after entering the old Marchioness’s courtyard did Mama Fang softly ask: “My lady, you couldn’t bring the young prince back?”

 

The old Marchioness: “It was never possible to bring him back, His Majesty would never agree.”

 

Mama Fang: “Then you…?”

 

The old Marchioness: “I seized the right moment, venting emotions and showing support. The rest was just an act.”

 

When the detached palace matter came up, followed by such a big commotion, the marquis’s household, as imperial relatives, finally had a reason to interfere in royal affairs.

 

Proposing to take the child away in front of the emperor, the attitude was clear. Then, in the situation where the Seventh Prince was harmed, whether the emperor was giving face to her and her old man, or had some thoughts of Yueqing in his heart, or was guarding against those who acted in secret, the result would ultimately be the same.

 

His Majesty taking the Seventh Prince away to raise personally. The difference between a child raised by oneself and one that isn’t is too great, even if it’s just for a few days.

 

But her entering the palace like this today still displeased His Majesty. Recalling what the emperor said before leaving, the old Marchioness asked: “Has Xu Jianyan sent someone again?”

 

Mama Fang said: “After all, he is the Marquis’s second brother.”

 

The old Marchioness said: “What a fool. Next time he comes, throw boiling water at him to drive him away.”

 

Mama Fang responded affirmatively.

 

The old Marchioness thought of her little grandson lying in bed and sighed slightly. No matter how worried or reluctant she was, she had done all she could, and this was all she could do.

 

What happens in the future ultimately depends on the emperor’s will.

 

–

 

Zichen Palace.

 

Emperor Chongzhao’s bedchamber here was understated yet luxurious, with four bed posts, each entwined with nine dragons. It was less a bed and more a small room, with three sides of redwood screens, finely gilded, each depicting a different scene.

 

At the foot of the bed, an incense burner was lit, already burning sleep-inducing incense.

 

Emperor Chongzhao enjoyed using incense and would blend his own according to the season. Most of the ingredients were precious, making it one of the few expensive hobbies he indulged in as emperor.

 

When Qu Dubian was carried in, he smelled this fragrance and thought how vastly different the lives of father and son were.

 

Seeing Emperor Chongzhao return, the palace servants in the hall sprang into action, ready to assist him in washing up and changing clothes.

 

Emperor Chongzhao had just handed the seemingly sleeping child to Head Eunuch Yu to place on the bed when the young prince started crying and whimpering again.

 

He had no choice but to take him back and personally place him on the bed.

 

However, this didn’t work either. The child couldn’t be separated from his hand, as if sensing it, and would sob when moved away.

 

Emperor Chongzhao could only sit on the edge of the bed, holding his young son on his lap with one arm while using his other hand to take a damp cloth and briefly wipe his face.

 

He waved his hand.

 

Head Eunuch Yu lowered the bed curtains, leaving the duty eunuch in the hall while he went outside Zichen Palace.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan was waiting there and returned the waist token as soon as he saw him come out.

 

“You could have returned it tomorrow, you must be tired too, go rest quickly.” Head Eunuch Yu didn’t ask what he had done with the token.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “It’s no trouble. Eunuch, is the prince asleep?”

 

“You really do care about the young prince,” Head Eunuch Yu said softly, “He’s asleep, but very clingy. He only lets His Majesty hold him and can’t be put down. He’ll fuss if put down.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan asked about the prince’s avoidance of His Majesty when he was first called back to Ju’an Hall, and the strange atmosphere in the hall: “At that time, the young prince seemed… not very close to His Majesty. Did something happen before I arrived?”

 

“Well…”

 

Head Eunuch Yu hesitated for a moment but eventually told Ye Xiaoyuan about how the young prince had reached out for a hug when first found, only to be rejected by His Majesty.

 

“It was the first time father and son met, perhaps His Majesty felt a bit awkward. Look now, isn’t it good? The Seventh Prince is the first to be kept in Zichen Palace under His Majesty’s personal care.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan forced a smile.

 

“Yes, the young prince is the first.”

 

But looking across the palace, which other prince grew up in a place like Ju’an Hall, comparable to a cold palace, mistreated by servants, secretly harmed by medicine, and never having seen their father emperor since childhood?

 

The young prince fell ill and ran away just to see His Majesty once.

 

When he finally saw him, His Majesty wouldn’t even hug him.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan hadn’t witnessed the scene, but just imagining it, he could understand how disappointed and hurt the young prince must have felt.

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “You used to serve the young prince before, does he fuss at night?”

 

“He doesn’t,” Ye Xiaoyuan said, “The prince has always been very sensible. Even when ill, he just becomes a bit quieter.”

 

Walking out of the bedchamber, Ye Xiaoyuan saw someone kneeling at the bottom of the steps, wearing official robes but different from other officials.

 

“Who is that?”

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “The head of the Astrology Bureau. He’s been kneeling there for a while. His Majesty won’t see him, and I don’t dare to announce him. He won’t leave when told to, it’s really troublesome.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan coldly glanced at the person kneeling at the steps. Only after mentally reciting all the vicious curses he knew did he turn to leave.

 

–

 

Inside the hall.

 

The young prince, who Ye Xiaoyuan said only became quieter when ill, was now whimpering on the dragon bed, on the verge of crying. Yet he wouldn’t let anyone else hold him, crying louder if picked up.

 

Emperor Chongzhao was at his wit’s end, awkwardly holding and rocking him. The child stopped crying.

 

He had just put the child down and laid beside him when the child started whimpering again.

 

Emperor Chongzhao sat up, patted his back, and commanded: “Sleep.”

 

Qu Dubian thought to himself that if his nominal father could sleep tonight, he’d write his name backwards! The original host had suffered so much for nothing, this was just collecting a bit of interest.

 

Emperor Chongzhao watched as the child began to sob in his sleep, mumbling:

 

“Mother Consort…”

 

He was slightly taken aback, then sighed, picking him up.

 

Qu Dubian immediately stopped whimpering.

 

Emperor Chongzhao sat cross-legged on the bed, holding the child for a full half hour, until he could barely feel his own legs.

 

He stared blankly at the lowered bed curtains, listening to his young son’s steady breathing, thinking surely he must be asleep now?

 

Emperor Chongzhao gently lifted his arm, and the next second, the child opened his mouth, mumbling: “Banban… thirsty…”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “…”

 

He didn’t dare move his hand, using his foot to lift the curtain. When he stepped on the footstool, the numbness in his legs shot straight to his head. He took a deep breath for a few seconds, feeling his drowsiness instantly disappear.

 

Eunuch Bao was on duty in Zichen Palace tonight, alternating night watch with Head Eunuch Yu.

 

He was crouching in the outer room, dozing off, when he was kicked awake, his soul nearly frightened out of him, fumbling to catch his hat as it fell from his head.

 

Just as he was about to beg forgiveness, Emperor Chongzhao immediately said: “Shh.”

 

Eunuch Bao quickly covered his mouth.

 

“Call for the physician.”

 

Eunuch Bao nodded. Physician Yang was summoned, thinking the young prince had taken a turn for the worse. He came running, but after examining Qu Dubian’s condition, the tension in his heart eased slightly.

 

He gave instructions in a low voice, and palace servants brought a bowl of warm water mixed with medicine.

 

“Your Majesty, if the prince is thirsty, feed him some of this. It will help reduce the fever better.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao gestured for Eunuch Bao to come over and feed the diluted medicine. He sat on the edge of the bed, adjusting his position slightly. However, Eunuch Bao couldn’t get even a spoonful into the child’s mouth.

 

The child’s mouth was tightly shut, refusing to open.

 

Eunuch Bao wiped the sweat from his brow, his hand trembling slightly under Emperor Chongzhao’s look of contempt.

 

“…I’ll do it.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao took the spoon, blew on it gently. He thought it would be easier if he fed the child, but after a while, he put the spoon back into the medicine bowl.

 

With a clang.

 

Eunuch Bao, holding the medicine bowl, lowered his head deeply, “Your Majesty, shall we continue feeding?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao stared at his young son’s tightly closed mouth, its stubborn curve as unyielding as a mule. He felt deeply troubled.

 

Was it this difficult for the consorts to raise children where he couldn’t see?

 

No, at least the other princes had wet nurses to care for them.

 

But this little one in his arms refused to let anyone else attend to him, as if he could sniff out others like a puppy.

 

Emperor Chongzhao took another deep breath, picked up the spoon again, and approached feeding medicine with the attitude of handling state affairs.

 

It was good if he could get one spoonful in out of ten tries. When the little one frowned and reluctantly swallowed a small mouthful, he even felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

 

At least he drank some.

 

After feeding half a bowl, Emperor Chongzhao finally stopped.

 

He felt relieved.

 

Eunuch Bao and Emperor Chongzhao’s mental states were in sync at this moment.

 

The child smacked his lips.

 

He nuzzled Emperor Chongzhao’s arm affectionately, but called out: “Banban…”

 

Banban? He remembered, it was that young eunuch who always followed his young son.

 

Emperor Chongzhao felt as if he had worked himself to death only to benefit someone else, with a subtle sense of displeasure. He lay back down on the bed.

 

This time, Emperor Chongzhao thought of a good method. He placed the child on his chest, letting him sleep on top of him. Although it would be uncomfortable while sleeping, at least he could get some rest.

 

It was almost dawn. If he didn’t sleep now, he might as well get dressed and go to court directly.

 

Just as he was starting to feel drowsy, Qu Dubian stirred, “Mmm… pee-pee.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao immediately sprang up.

 

“Someone come quickly!”

 

Qu Dubian secretly opened his eyes a crack.

 

If he were still an infant, he’d definitely have to draw a map on his nominal father’s body.

 

Another round of fuss ensued until 4 AM, either wanting water, needing to pee, or feeling uncomfortable in his position, whimpering all the while.

 

Emperor Chongzhao was exhausted.

 

Zichen Palace was brightly lit.

 

–

 

In the side room.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan had just finished telling Wen Xiaochun about the day’s events.

 

“Even if it was by chance, it was because of His Highness’s kindness in giving me the medicine that I survived,” Wen Xiaochun said softly, “This debt of gratitude, I’ll never forget.”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “Of course I believe you.”

 

After daring to burn down the Astrology Bureau, how could he doubt Wen Xiaochun’s loyalty to the prince?

 

“I just never expected someone had already moved to frame His Highness so early.”

 

Wen Xiaochun: “I’m not as familiar with the palace as you are. Who do you think it could be?”

 

“The most likely candidates are just…” This wasn’t their territory, so Ye Xiaoyuan didn’t finish his sentence, worried about eavesdroppers.

 

He gestured on the ground a couple of times. These few characters had been taught to them by Qu Dubian, and they both recognized them.

 

Wen Xiaochun: “Could it not be the Astrology Bureau?”

 

Ye Xiaoyuan pondered: “Unlikely. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to scheme and send His Highness away.”

 

“The Imperial Hospital has been sealed by His Majesty for thorough investigation. Who knows if they’ll find anything. For now, His Highness is safe staying with His Majesty.” His fingertip traced another line on the ground: Next, someone will likely investigate the Astrology Bureau fire, and the imperial kitchen will surely be involved. You must not reveal anything.

 

Although he had used Head Eunuch Yu’s token to take Wen Xiaochun back to the imperial kitchen to clean up, it was better to be cautious in their actions these days.

 

Wen Xiaochun remained silent for a while, quietly looking at Ye Xiaoyuan.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan: “?”

 

Wen Xiaochun said in a very low voice: “…Ahem, I can’t recognize all these characters, I didn’t understand.”

 

“…”

 

They were both speechless.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan gave him two light punches.

 

–

 

Head Eunuch Yu came in right on time to replace Eunuch Bao, ready to assist Emperor Chongzhao in preparing for court.

 

He first encountered Eunuch Bao and was startled. The other’s eyes were dark and sunken, as if what little yang energy he had had been sucked away by some little demon.

 

Looking at the bed, he was even more stunned. Emperor Chongzhao’s hair was disheveled, with a lock tightly grasped by the sleeping child in his arms, occasionally tugging it down, forcing the Emperor’s head to lower slightly.

 

The Emperor’s gaze was calm, with two obvious dark circles under his eyes.

 

Head Eunuch Yu: “…”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “It’s time for court, right?”

 

Head Eunuch Yu, with excellent professional demeanor, said: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao rubbed his brow, “Go and call that… Ye… Ye Xiaoyuan who attends to Xiao Qi.”

 

After Ye Xiaoyuan arrived, Emperor Chongzhao handed the child to him. Qu Dubian immediately started fussing.

 

He kicked his legs and twisted his body.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan gently rocked him, patting his arm, “Be good, Your Highness…”

 

A night of torment made Emperor Chongzhao instinctively want to take him back, but he stopped himself and called for Head Eunuch Yu to quickly help him change clothes — this well-coordinated master and servant pair reached peak dressing speed.

 

After briefly wiping his face, Emperor Chongzhao quickly strode out of the hall.

 

The cold wind outside gradually cleared his foggy mind that had been tormented all night.

 

Emperor Chongzhao walked away steadily. No matter how much fuss was made, he couldn’t possibly attend court holding a small child, could he?

 

 

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