DCPxEP CHAPTER 18

Why does He Blame The Consort  for His Own Affliction?

Lu Ronghuai woke from the dream once again.

A familiar pain pulsed in his chest. He steadied his breathing and rose from the bed.

Hearing movement within, Xian Feng asked softly from outside, “My lord, you are awake?”

“Mm. Inform Xian Yue to wait for this Prince in the study.” Lu Ronghuai took the garments from the rack, dressed himself, and stepped out beneath the moonlight.

When Xian Yue arrived at the study, the hour of Yin had just passed.

“This subordinate greets Your Highness.” Xian Yue wore black and carried with him the chill of the winter night.

He operated year-round in the shadows, gathering intelligence and holding in his grasp the secrets of many.

Pressing his fingers to his temple, Lu Ronghuai asked without expression, “On the day of this Prince’s wedding, I instructed you to investigate a matter. Have you uncovered anything?”

Xian Yue reported, “This subordinate infiltrated the palace of the Kingdom of Chu. I was only able to trace the Consort’s experiences prior to the age of ten. After the Deposed Empress set herself ablaze within the palace, the ruler of Chu sealed all information and executed every guard and eunuch within. What truly transpired that year, this subordinate has been unable to discover.”

“Even Xian Yue cannot uncover it. There must be some unspeakable secret within,” Xian Feng speculated.

“Your Highness, before departing, the Consort met once with the ruler of Chu,” Xian Yue continued, glancing at Lu Ronghuai. “The ruler of Chu ordered the Consort to gather intelligence at Your Highness’s side and transmit it back to Chu.”

Xian Yu looked toward Lu Ronghuai, tension stirring within him.

Lu Ronghuai changed hands and continued pressing his temple. Pain throbbed at his brow, yet his expression remained calm as ever. Had his composure not far surpassed that of ordinary men, these recurrent headaches alone would have driven him mad.

Yet now, not only did his head ache, his chest hurt as well.

An old ailment left uncured, and a new stubborn affliction added. Truly, misfortunes never come singly.

“Why are you nervous? Do you fear this Prince will take the Consort’s life?”

Xian Yu forced a smile. “This subordinate knows Your Highness would not do so. Moreover, the Consort is gentle in nature. I believe he would not comply with the ruler of Chu’s demand.”

Xian Yue, unfamiliar with Chu Yuan, lifted his eyes, voice cool and steady. “You have known the Consort for how long? If he were intent on deception, you would already have been taken in.”

“Xian Yue, once you meet the Consort, you will naturally share my view,” Xian Yu replied earnestly.

“Not even a month, and you already speak on his behalf. What enchantment has he fed you?” Lu Ronghuai sat unmoving, his tone indifferent.

“No, no. This subordinate’s loyalty lies wholly with Your Highness. I merely think that if the Consort has not transmitted any message outward, we should not wrong an innocent person.”

Xian Yu’s words were meant for both Lu Ronghuai and Xian Yue.

Every corner of the residence was watched by hidden guards. Had Chu Yuan made any suspicious move, it would have been reported at once. For this past month, he had remained quiet.

“The absence of anomaly now does not guarantee the same hereafter.” After a moment’s thought, Lu Ronghuai instructed Xian Feng, “Withdraw the hidden guards from Baichun Courtyard. Should he reveal his hand…”

“This Prince does not mind another sudden death.”

Xian Yu and Xian Feng felt their scalps tighten and lowered their heads.

“Master, Celestial Master Zhengqing has returned from his travels. Yesterday he presented a box of Longevity Pills to His Majesty. His Majesty was greatly pleased and intends to confer upon him the title of State Preceptor at the New Year’s Eve palace banquet,” Xian Yue added.

Lu Ronghuai gave a cold laugh, his voice icy. “If he wishes to become State Preceptor, that depends on whether he can attend the banquet.”

“Break one of his legs. Consider it this Prince’s New Year gift.”

“Yes!” Xian Yue accepted the order and withdrew.

Dawn came late in winter. When Lu Ronghuai concluded his matters, only a faint light had appeared.

Dismissing his subordinates, he wished to walk alone.

The cold wind eased somewhat the ache in his head and the twisting pain in his chest.

By the time he came to himself, the sky had begun to brighten. Without realizing it, he had walked to the entrance of Baichun Courtyard.

Xian Shuang emerged from the shadows and clasped his fists. “This subordinate greets my lord.”

He had already learned from Xian Yu that the hidden guards of Baichun Courtyard were to be withdrawn. He himself would soon depart.

“My lord, if the Consort sends word to Chu, will you truly kill him?” Xian Shuang was not eloquent. His voice carried little inflection.

For such words to come from him was already astonishing.

Lu Ronghuai regarded him without expression. “If this Prince wishes to kill the one who disturbs my head and chest with pain, is there a problem?”

Xian Shuang stared blankly. “Ah?”

Why does he blame the Consort for his own affliction?

Xian Shuang did not understand.

Lu Ronghuai did not bother to explain. He pushed open the courtyard gate and strode inside.

This was his second time entering Baichun Courtyard. The yard had been swept clean, even the snow cleared away. Chu Yuan stood beneath a tree and turned in puzzlement at his approach.

“Your Highness?” Seeing the tall man at the gate, Chu Yuan slowly walked toward him.

Lu Ronghuai had not expected him to rise so early. His gaze fell upon the narrow-sleeved attire he wore. “What are you doing?”

Chu Yuan lowered his head. The coarse garments were those he often wore at the temple. To wear them here was somewhat improper. Yet Lu Ronghuai awaited his reply. He could not return to change.

“This subject’s health is poor. When I resided at the temple, the Abbot instructed me to practice a set of exercises each morning to strengthen the body.”

His tone was gentle and unhurried. As Lu Ronghuai listened, the tension brought on by pain eased. The ache seemed to diminish slightly.

After a pause, he said abruptly, “Then this Prince shall watch you practice.”

Chu Yuan: “…”

With composure, Chu Yuan fabricated a lie, “This subject already practiced earlier.”

Lu Ronghuai fixed his gaze upon that handsome face, devoid of the faintest sheen of sweat. As he continued to look, a flush slowly rose across those soft features.

He cannot even manage a lie. Best he remain obediently within the residence. Should he truly transmit word to Chu, hmph!

This Prince has many ways to discipline a little deceiver.

“This Prince has a headache,” Lu Ronghuai said, his eyes sharp as a hawk’s upon him. “If my Consort has leisure, read aloud to this Prince.”

“Read?” Chu Yuan blinked.

If one has a headache, should one not summon a physician? He was not one.

“Mm.” Lu Ronghuai answered and walked of his own accord to the stone table in the courtyard, resting his head upon one hand and closing his eyes.

Chu Yuan hesitated where he stood. In the end, he returned inside to fetch a book and quickly changed into proper attire.

In his haste, he did not look closely. When he sat upon the stone stool and opened the volume, he realized with alarm that he had brought one of Le Shu’s usual storybooks.

He flipped through one page and hastily closed the book.

“Mm?” Lu Ronghuai lazily raised his eyelids, half-closing his eyes, as languid as a lion guarding its territory.

“This sub… this subject took the wrong book. Your Highness, please wait a moment. Allow this subject to exchange it for another,” Chu Yuan said, feigning calm.

Lu Ronghuai waved a hand, uninterested. “It matters not what you read. This Prince only wishes to hear your voice.”

Strange indeed. His headaches had plagued him for years. Countless medicines had proved useless. Yet hearing this man speak a few idle words now brought miraculous relief.

“Read.”

The command given, Chu Yuan could only steel himself and open the book.

“The scholar tightened his cloak, tears brimming in his eyes as he looked toward the man. The man’s face was cold and resolute in his departure. The scholar rushed… rushed into the man’s embrace and, with utmost sincerity, said…”

Lu Ronghuai opened his eyes.

Chu Yuan wished to read no further. Holding the book, he felt as though seated upon needles.

“Why have you stopped?”

Chu Yuan closed his eyes numbly and steeled his heart.

“This humble one… this humble one’s heart admires only you.”

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✧ A Word from the Author ✧

Lu Ronghuai: This fellow makes me dream, makes me ache. He should be killed.

Yuan Yuan: This humble one admires only you.

Lu Ronghuai: …Better to keep him after all.

Congratulations to our dog for entering the countdown to rebirth and the start of a humble pursuit of his wife.

IsitRo: Chant it with me coz I got confused lol, Xian Yu and Xian Yue are two different people :') I guess it is very distinct in Chinese, but I unfortunately got confused for a bit, thinking these two were the same people. em dumb 

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