LC chapter 12

 

Zhan Xi hadn’t expected Lin Ruan to fall ill so soon after they parted ways. He had picked him up from the snow; his hands and feet were frozen stiff. Soon, Lin Ruan began running a fever. Zhan Xi summoned a physician, who gave him an antipyretic injection. Yet, as soon as Lin Ruan regained consciousness, he felt nauseous. He vomited until his stomach was empty, and eventually, the vomit contained traces of blood.

At a loss, the physician could only administer a sleeping potion. Only after Lin Ruan slipped into unconsciousness did the turmoil cease.

Zhan Xi’s face was as gloomy as water as he led Shi Ning away. Tong Bo, unable to leave due to his duty of looking after Lin Ruan, watched Zhan Xi leave with a heavy heart.

Upon receiving word, Concubine Li hurried to Concubine Fucha’s courtyard. By the time she arrived, the entire courtyard was filled with people kneeling. The sky was overcast and heavy, and snowflakes drifted down to settle on their bodies and heads.

Zhan Xi sat beneath the eaves on a chair, draped in a dark cloak that accentuated the grim atmosphere of the snowy sky.

Fucha, looking disheveled, stumbled to the ground. She glared at Zhan Xi and shouted, “Well done! You come to your stepmother for such nonsense! The prince truly knows how to behave. You should have invited all the royal relatives to witness your treasonous actions!”

Zhan Xi held his teacup, not lifting his gaze once.

Concubine Li stepped forward to Zhan Xi’s side and asked, “What’s going on? Such a commotion?”

“Sister Li has arrived—judge for yourself,” Concubine Fucha interjected. “Lady Lin, one of the prince’s attendants, fell ill suddenly and now blames me for it. He demands punishment!”

Concubine Li ignored her, stepping closer to Zhan Xi and whispering, “Whatever troubles you have, let’s discuss them behind closed doors. Making such a scene will only invite ridicule.”

Zhan Xi glanced at Concubine Li, her voice cool. “Who doesn’t know about this mess? People laughing? I thought the palace had long been the laughingstock of the capital.”

Concubine Li choked, then stiffened his expression, imposing a certain authority. “No matter what, I still have a say in this palace!”

Zhan Xi closed his eyes, clearly unwilling to listen further.

Shi Ning stepped forward to intercept Consort Li and spoke politely: “Concubine Li, please return to your quarters.”

Concubine Li shot him a glance. Several maidservants behind her advanced, their expressions tense and ready for confrontation. Though Zhan Xi and Shi Ning were men, Concubine Li outnumbered them, and she felt confident that she wouldn’t be outmatched.

Shi Ning surveyed the crowd, drew a pistol, and fired several shots into the air. The gunfire echoed throughout the courtyard, sending everyone into a panic. Having lived secluded in the palace for years, they had never witnessed such a scene. Even Concubine Li herself staggered back in fright.

Zhan Xi surveyed the crowd in the courtyard. “I simply want to know what exactly happened.”

Concubine Fucha collapsed to the ground, her face deathly pale. Staring at Zhan Xi, she managed to say, “With the emperor gone, you’re just a prince. How dare you kill servants at will?”

Zhan Xi shot her a dismissive glance. “With the emperor gone, who do you expect to keep anyone in check?”

Even after years abroad, Zhan Xi still had an unyielding feudal streak.

“I’ll ask once more—will you speak or not?”

The maids and matrons stole glances at Concubine Fucha, their resolve already wavering.

Zhan Xi’s eyes held a lazy weariness as he waved his hand dismissively.

Shi Ning’s gun barrel locked onto an elderly matron—the very one who had led Lin Ruan into the courtyard.

The moment she met the dark muzzle, her body went limp with fear. “I’ll talk! I’ll talk!” she cried.

Concubine Li instinctively feared that the Matron would reveal something scandalous. “Let’s discuss this inside,” she interjected hurriedly.

“We’ll speak right here,” Zhan Xi said. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an air of finality.

The matron trembled as she recounted everything in meticulous detail. The more Zhan Xi listened, the colder his expression became. Concubine Li closed her eyes, wishing she had never heard these revolting details.

Concubine Fucha remained surprisingly composed, her face a blank canvas devoid of emotion.

When the matron finished, the entire courtyard fell silent, broken only by the wind carrying snowflakes.

Before Zhan Xi could speak, Concubine Li asked, “How does Your Highness intend to deal with Concubine Fucha?”

Zhan Xi glanced at Consort Li, who reluctantly lowered her head. “There are still two princesses in the household who haven’t been married off. Your Highness must consider their reputations. As for Fucha… Your Highness should just pretend she’s gone mad.”

Zhanxi remained silent, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the chair like blows to the heart.

“There’s a mental hospital in the southern city,” Zhanxi said. “Since she’s gone mad, send her there.”

Li Fu Jin said, “Just lock her up in the palace. Whatever she says…”

Zhanxi shot Li a glance, and she swallowed the rest of her words.

“Shi Ning,” Zhanxi said. “Take her to the mental hospital. There’s no need to bring anyone or pack anything.”

Zhanxi turned to the concubine Fucha. “Remove her from the royal family registry. The Fifth Princess will be recorded as Li’s concubine’s daughter. Also, inform the Fucha family. They can keep this aunt of theirs if they want.”

By the end, Fucha’s face contorted into something almost grotesque. “I won’t leave the prince’s residence! I won’t leave! Zhanxi! How dare you treat me this way! The prince won’t let you get away with this!”

The Prince she referred to was Zhanxi’s father.

“If you want to find another man, I won’t stop you.” Zhanxi looked at Fucha. “Back then, you clung desperately to staying here. You wanted to enjoy the palace’s splendor and wealth. You wanted to uphold this facade of chastity. Now that trouble has arisen, I don’t wish to meddle further. I’m giving you a way to return home. But if you insist on recklessly touching my people, don’t blame me for the consequences.”

With that, Zhanxi swept his gaze across the courtyard. His words were directed not only at Fucha Concubine, but also at Li Concubine.

The Fucha Concubine paid no heed to Zhan Xi’s words. Like a madwoman, she stormed into the house, clutching delicate white candles and screaming, “I won’t leave the prince’s mansion! I won’t leave! I am the prince’s concubine! How dare you touch me!”

Zhan Xi rose and walked past the pale-faced Li Concubine, leaving the courtyard in utter disarray.

Lin Ruan had been unconscious for several days, missing both New Year’s Eve and the New Year itself. When he awoke, he was already back at the Lan Residence.

For the first few days after regaining consciousness, Lin Ruan experienced dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. He couldn’t keep any food down and was hooked up to an IV drip day and night, his hands turning blue. The doctor suggested that it might be an allergic reaction to a substance in the white candles or a stress-induced psychological response. Further observation was required to determine the cause. Fortunately, Lin Ruan gradually recovered within a few days. The relentless vomiting ceased, and he could eat again.

Being young, Lin Ruan recovered quickly. Before long, he was bouncing around energetically, showing no signs of psychological trauma. However, it was unfortunate that he spent the entire New Year’s holiday in a daze on his bed. The atmosphere at the Lan Mansion wasn’t as lively as imagined, dampened by Zhan Xi’s presence.

After Lin Ruan recovered, Uncle Tong planned to take a stroll to Huoguosi Temple. The sunny weather seemed perfect for dispelling any lingering gloom. Just as he was discussing this with Aunt Cao, the phone in the living room rang. Lin Ruan answered it—it was a call from the General Gu household.

Zhan Xi came downstairs, took the phone, and spoke briefly. Tong Bo, Lin Ruan, and the others watched him. After hanging up, Zhan Xi announced, “Auntie invited us to stay at their place for a few days and celebrate the Lantern Festival together.”

Uncle Tong was the first to agree. “Indeed. Now that Master has returned from abroad, it’s time to visit the Gu family.”

Zhan Xi nodded. Uncle Tong then went to prepare gifts and pack their belongings.

Zhan Xi remained seated on the sofa while Lin Ruan stood nearby. With only the two of them left in the living room, the space suddenly fell silent.

Zhan Xi hadn’t mentioned the incident at the prince’s mansion since then, and Lin Ruan didn’t think he had done anything wrong. He only feared that Zhan Xi might find him troublesome. After all, matters involving people like Concubine Fucha were hardly presentable. In the past, to save face and protect the family’s reputation, Lin Ruan would have been dragged down and ruined right along with it.

Zhan Xi waved Lin Ruan over. He knelt beside Zhan Xi. Zhan Xi lowered his gaze slightly and reached out to gently pinch the back of Lin Ruan’s neck.

Lin Ruan’s hand rested on Zhan Xi’s knee. “Master, I’m sorry.”

Zhan Xi looked at him and asked softly, “Do you know you’ve done wrong?”

Lin Ruan nodded. “I’ve caused you trouble, sir.”

“That’s not the problem.” Zhan Xi gently touched the back of Lin Ruan’s hand where a long, scabby scar had formed.

Lin Ruan was confused.

Zhan Xi gazed at him. “Your mistake was failing to protect yourself. No one—not even you—is allowed to hurt you.”

“Spirit and personality cannot be materialized, but the body can.” Zhan Xi gently swept a strand of hair from Lin Ruan’s forehead. “Until you possess an independent and complete personality, your body belongs to me.”

Lin Ruan pressed his lips together. “Don’t I have an independent, complete personality?”

“Do you?” Zhan Xi sounded as if he’d heard something amusing. “Do you have your own likes and dislikes? Do you have things you want to do? Do you know what kind of person you want to become? You can’t even make a choice.”

Zhan Xi covered Lin Ruan’s eyes. The last three words were spoken with a smile that made Lin Ruan’s limbs go weak.

“Silly child.”