After returning to the front hall, Xiao Linyan finally took a long nap in the warm chamber of the Imperial Study. When he awoke, dusk had already fallen.
He first reviewed and approved the most urgent government affairs before turning to the old eunuch Tianrui, who was serving tea nearby. “Did the Imperial Physicians I sent this morning go to examine him?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Tianrui replied immediately, bowing low. “The two Imperial Physicians are still waiting in the side hall to report back to you.”
“Hmm,” Xiao Linyan said, still engrossed in reviewing memorials, pretending to be indifferent and not even looking up. “Bring them in.”
Moments later, Eunuch Tianrui ushered in the two Imperial Physicians. Though they were Imperial Physicians, they had also served as military doctors during Xiao Linyan’s campaigns over the years, making them trusted confidants.
“How is the Grand Tutor’s condition? He… is clearly a man. Why is he pregnant?”
The two Imperial Physicians exchanged glances before carefully replying, “The Grand Tutor’s qi and blood are severely depleted, and his breathing is shallow. Based on our examination, he has likely been ill for some time, and his condition has worsened due to a lack of proper treatment.”
Xiao Linyan’s imperial brush paused, dripping a large blot of red ink. Even in such a dire state, Xiao Dexuan refused to provide proper medical care! Xiao Linyan wanted nothing more than to drag Xian’an’s corpse out and whip it again.
“Can he be cured?”
Imperial Physician Liu replied truthfully, “Grand Tutor’s illness stems from his heart. Only by resolving his emotional knots and undergoing proper nourishment can he hope to recover.”
“His physical weakness is also somewhat abnormal. We must administer medicine and observe his condition further.”
Xiao Linyan frowned deeply. Emotional knots? What could Pei Lanqing possibly be troubled by now? Was he afraid Xiao Linyan would ruin his career and destroy the Pei Clan’s future, or was it the life of the illegitimate child in his womb?
“Furthermore… the matter of Grand Tutor’s pregnancy is also highly suspicious.”
“How so?” Xiao Linyan asked, his voice barely concealing his rage.
“As a man, Grand Tutor should not be pregnant. Based on my diagnosis, this condition likely resulted from consuming a certain drug or being afflicted by a curse. However, such cases are extremely rare, and Grand Tutor’s pulse is also unusual. We must consult medical texts extensively to determine the true cause.”
At this, Xiao Linyan’s emotions surged again. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down for a moment before saying, “Spare no expense on medicine. Focus solely on treating his illness first.”
“Investigate the matter of the pregnancy with utmost urgency. I demand a definitive answer.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. This humble servant obeys.”
+++++++
In the days that followed, Xiao Linyan remained immersed in state affairs. He often found himself wanting to visit the Phoenix Prosperity Palace, but the memory of Pei Lanqing’s cold demeanor that day stayed his hand. He could only suppress his desire.
Eunuch Tianrui, the old eunuch, sensed his master’s thoughts. Each day, he subtly revealed Pei Lanqing’s condition to Xiao Linyan, helping him keep his agitation in check.
But when the eighth day of the eleventh lunar month arrived, Xiao Linyan found it impossible to remain in the Imperial Study any longer.
For it was Pei Lanqing’s birthday.
From early morning, during court discussions with his ministers, Xiao Linyan’s mind wandered repeatedly.
When the Ministry of Rites presented a proposal for an Imperial Grace Examination to be held the following spring, seeking his approval, he remained silent for an extended period. Only after Eunuch Tianrui discreetly reminded him did he snap back to attention.
After the morning court session, Xiao Linyan was too distracted to focus on the memorials. He rode out to the military camp outside the city and spent half a day drilling the troops. It wasn’t until dusk that he returned to the palace.
Yet even then, he couldn’t calm his restless spirit. After tossing and turning sleeplessly in his bedchamber, he dismissed his attendants and went alone to the Phoenix Prosperity Palace.
Pei Lanqing hadn’t fallen asleep either. Ever since Xiao Linyan had left, several eunuchs had been assigned to serve him in the Phoenix Prosperity Palace. Imperial Physicians Liu and Feng came every other day to take his pulse, and he was provided with the finest food, clothing, medicine, and daily necessities.
Yet… Xiao Linyan had never visited him again.
Wrapped in a cloak, Pei Lanqing lay propped against the window on a small couch, gazing at the moonlight as he examined the silver dagger in his hand. Xiao Linyan had sent it to him from the borderlands for his birthday two years ago, and Pei Lanqing had kept it close ever since.
He coughed softly, stroking his increasingly round belly, and sighed, “He’s truly angry with us…”
The child in his womb kicked gently against his hand. Pei Lanqing lowered his gaze and murmured soothingly, “Don’t be sad, little one. Daddy will take care of you.”
“We… can’t delay him any longer.”
As the words left his lips, Pei Lanqing heard familiar footsteps approaching along the corridor. His heart leaped with joy at first, but then he realized the implications. He hastily hid the dagger under the pillow of the couch, his slender fingers trembling as he fumbled for something else.
It was the Dragon-Patterned Jade Disc, the very one Emperor Fengming had presented to Crown Prince Xiao Dexuan in front of all his sons. Xiao Linyan should have recognized it.
Pei Lanqing fought back a cough, even tasting the metallic sweetness of blood in his throat. But before Xiao Linyan could push open the door, he forced himself to adopt the pose of someone lost in thought, gazing at the disc with longing.
Xiao Linyan hesitated outside the Phoenix Prosperity Palace for a moment before finally steeling himself to push open the door. The moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the white-robed figure on the soft couch.
He finally saw the face he hadn’t seen in days. Despite his strict orders for the palace staff to care for Pei Lanqing diligently, Xiao Linyan couldn’t help but feel that his illness had taken a greater toll.
For a fleeting moment, he even found himself silently urging himself to let the past go, to stop tormenting each other. Now the Grand Tutor was his alone. As long as they could see each other every day, what more could he ask for?
But then he saw the Dragon-Patterned Jade Disc in Pei Lanqing’s hand.
All the warmth, all the pity, froze once more, turning to frost that chilled him to the bone.
“Even now, Grand Tutor, you’re still thinking of him?”
Though he hadn’t yet ascended the throne, Xiao Linyan already possessed the imposing aura of an emperor. The cold wind whipped his black cloak, as if carrying the blood and stench of the battlefield.
Pei Lanqing didn’t even have time to react before Xiao Linyan snatched the Dragon-Patterned Jade Disc from his hand, raising it high. “Didn’t you say you chose him only because he was the new emperor?”
“After all he’s done to you, you still can’t forget him!”
*Bang!* The jade disc shattered on the ground with a sharp crack, mirroring their hearts, which were already riddled with cracks and now lay in countless fragments.
Pei Lanqing struggled to suppress a cough, but remained silent.
“Fine, fine!” Xiao Linyan gripped Pei Lanqing’s hand tightly, his tall frame pressing down on him. His eyes burned with hatred as he glared down. “If you could serve him for your career and the Pei Clan’s status, will you serve me now that I am the emperor?”
Pei Lanqing’s hand was chillingly cold. His lips trembled, but he dared not meet Xiao Linyan’s gaze. After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice barely a whisper: “This subject is currently pregnant and thus unable to accept your favor—”
The words “pregnant” and “with child” exploded in Xiao Linyan’s ears like thunder. He felt his mind buzzing, as if he were hearing Xiao Dexuan’s dying mockery all over again.
*Yes! Pei Lanqing is carrying Xiao Dexuan’s child. The moon he gazes at is Xiao Dexuan’s legacy. From beginning to end, I, Xiao Linyan, have been nothing but a complete joke!*
*What does it matter if I seized the throne? In the end, I’m still a worthless bastard no one cares about!*
“Heh heh—” Xiao Linyan’s eyes turned bloodshot, and a guttural, inhuman laugh escaped his throat. He released Pei Lanqing’s hand, and the autumn wind and bright moon suddenly seemed to dim before his eyes. He turned and stumbled toward the palace gates.
Pei Lanqing saw the pain in his eyes with perfect clarity, and his heart ached a thousand times more. As Xiao Linyan turned away, he could no longer hold back. He choked up a mouthful of blood and began to cough violently, his chest wracked with agony.
Xiao Linyan had already turned to leave, but through the fog of his turmoil, he heard Pei Lanqing’s desperate, rasping cough. He couldn’t help but glance back, and the sight of the blood pierced his eyes.
Suppressing the chaos in his heart, he ordered the palace attendants outside, “Go! Summon the Imperial Physician immediately to examine the Grand Tutor!”
++++++
Tonight, no one in Phoenix Prosperity Palace would sleep.
When Imperial Physician Feng arrived, he sensed a heavy, oppressive atmosphere in the palace. The palace attendants were on high alert, not daring to make the slightest sound.
Xiao Linyan, his face grim, sat in the outer hall, guarding a cold cup of tea with a dark, unfathomable gaze.
When Imperial Physician Feng arrived, Xiao Linyan merely waved him in. “Go see him.”
Imperial Physician Feng knew exactly who Xiao Linyan meant. He quietly followed the palace attendant into the inner hall and found Grand Tutor Pei Lanjing lying on the bed, his breath shallow and his face paler than the moonlight streaming through the window. He was completely unconscious.
Imperial Physician Feng pressed his fingers against Pei Lanqing’s pulse. The longer he examined it, the heavier his heart grew. After a long moment, he withdrew his hand and returned to the outer hall to report to Xiao Linyan.
“How is the Grand Tutor?”
“Your Highness, the Grand Tutor’s condition is dire. His qi and blood are utterly depleted, and his emotions are consumed by profound grief and pain. He requires immediate medication.”
“Profound grief and pain?” Xiao Linyan repeated the words, wondering how much of the Grand Tutor’s sorrow was truly for him.
He laughed bitterly at the thought, suspecting it was none at all.
Through the layers of gauze curtains, he gazed at the unconscious Pei Lanqing in the inner hall, experiencing a sense of helpless despair for the first time.
“Go prepare the medicine.”
Just then, footsteps echoed from outside the palace. It was Imperial Physician Liu, who wasn’t on duty tonight, rushing in with two ancient, worn volumes in his arms.
“Your Highness, I’ve finally discovered the cause of the Grand Tutor’s condition!”
In a palace gripped by betrayal, a prince-turned-emperor clings to the one person who once saved him—only to watch that very person slip further away.
A dagger under the pillow. A broken jade disc. A whispered excuse: “This subject is currently pregnant…”
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this is truly heartbreaking. thank you for translating this