“Ah-Yuan, You’ve Finally Awakened.”
Outside the courtyard in the following morning, Xian Feng and the other two were staging a display of brotherly devotion.
“You go. You’re braver. See what’s happening inside.”
“You go. Your skin’s thicker, you can take a scolding.”
The young medicine attendant stared at them for a long while, his face scrunched like a bitter melon. “So which one of you is actually going?”
Xian Feng and Xian Yu fell silent. Then in unison, they pointed at Xian Shuang. “He goes.”
Xian Shuang: “...”
Like a duck being driven to market, Xian Shuang was unceremoniously pushed toward the door.
Holding a bowl of medicine in his hands, he knocked on the door with grave solemnity.
Lu Ronghui had gone inside last night and had not come back out. The three of them had kept watch outside the entire time, too eaten up with curiosity to sleep.
A moment later, Lu Ronghuai’s voice came from within. “Enter.”
Xian Shuang stepped inside. Behind him, Xian Feng and Xian Yu clung to the pillars, stretching their necks, eyes gleaming.
Xian Yu chattered endlessly. “Tell me, His Highness didn’t come out all night. What was he doing in there?”
“Caring for the Prince Consort?” Xian Feng grinned.
“...” Xian Yu gave him a look that defied description, then turned back. “His Highness caring for someone? I think you haven’t woken up yet.”
The two of them huddled behind the pillar murmuring to each other. Before long, Xian Shuang came back out.
His face, as always, showed little expression. He strode up to them and said, “His Highness has issued an order. We are to clean Fuju Courtyard thoroughly. He is moving back today.”
“That’s it?” Xian Yu dragged him aside and leaned close, lowering his voice mysteriously. “Quickly. What’s the situation inside?”
Xian Shuang paused, then answered upright and proper, “His Highness was holding the Prince Consort when he woke. Nothing unusual.”
“Oh... AH?!” Xian Yu’s voice split in two registers. He looked as if he might shatter on the spot.
Hearing this, Xian Feng merely glanced back at the door and nodded thoughtfully.
“His Highness was holding who?” Xian Yu’s brows shot up in terror. “Sleeping together? And holding him? Since when did their relationship become this good?!”
Xian Shuang looked at him strangely. “They are husband and wife. Sleeping together is normal.”
“How is that normal?” Xian Yu felt as though the day had turned fantastical. Events were unfolding beyond his comprehension. “His Highness’s change in attitude is far too sudden! He clearly treated the Prince Consort as a spy before.”
“Enough talk. Go clean the rooms.” Xian Feng hauled the still-sputtering Xian Yu away, and the three of them hurried off.
Inside the room, Lu Ronghuai finished the medicine in large gulps and set the bowl aside. He dressed quickly, then turned back to the bedside.
He wrapped Chu Yuan in a thick, soft cloak, then added another outer mantle, covering his face and body securely. Only after ensuring no wind could seep through did he lift him carefully into his arms.
Carrying Chu Yuan the entire way under the astonished and bewildered gazes of the household, he brought him into Fuju Courtyard.
The main courtyard had been cleaned to immaculate order. Xian Feng and the others stood at the entrance to receive him.
Lu Ronghuai strode in and instructed Xian Feng, “Fetch the Imperial Physician who treated the Prince Consort.”
“Yes, my lord.” Xian Feng departed.
Xian Shuang and Xian Yu followed Lu Ronghuai inside.
Lu Ronghuai laid Chu Yuan upon the large bed where he usually slept. He bent to tuck in the covers, then took Chu Yuan’s hand, wrapped in gauze, and tested the temperature of his fingertips. They were cold to the touch.
“Xian Shuang, bring two tangpozi A traditional metal or ceramic hot-water vessel placed in bedding to provide warmth. I've also linked the article below talking about Winter Heating Methods in Ancient China. .”
He sat at the bedside, enclosing Chu Yuan’s hand in his own broad palm to warm it. He brushed a hand over Chu Yuan’s pale face and smoothed the hair from his brow.
Xian Yu stared at the scene, nearly dislocating his jaw.
He quietly pinched himself on the thigh. The pain was very real, and tears almost sprang to his eyes.
Lu Ronghuai swept a glance over the room’s furnishings, his brows furrowed. “Remove all the candlesticks. Replace them with luminous pearls. No candles in this residence from this day forward.
“Ah?” Xian Yu stammered. “Your Highness, those luminous pearls are tribute from Nanman.”
Each one was worth a fortune. To use them in place of candles was extravagance beyond measure, Xian Yu muttered inwardly.
Lu Ronghuai cast him a glance as cold as a blade.
Xian Yu shuddered to his core. His survival instinct kicked in immediately. “This subordinate will see to it at once.”
Soon, Xian Feng returned with the Imperial Physicians.
“This official greets Prince Li, Your Highness.” The two Imperial Physicians knelt and paid their respects.
“Rise. Why does my Prince Consort remain unconscious?” Lu Ronghuai did not release Chu Yuan’s hand. He sat upright, imposing and steady. Neither physician dared raised his head.
“Reporting to Your Highness, the Prince Consort’s injuries are severe, particularly the blow to the head, which caused internal concussion and induced unconsciousness,” one physician said cautiously.
Lu Ronghuai frowned.
“Additionally, the Prince Consort previously showed signs of drowning. His heart and lungs were compressed. Coupled with frail constitution and depleted qi, he suffered persistent high fever for several days and remained muddled in awareness.”
“The Prince Consort’s constitution is delicate. Internal and external injuries compound one another. He may need to sleep several more days to recover strength before waking.”
Lu Ronghuai nodded, though his brows were still drawn into the shape of the character chuan. “The residence has ample stores of medicine. Take whatever is required. You must heal the Prince Consort.”
“Furthermore, prepare a formula to regulate his constitution. His constitution is weak. The prescription should be as gentle as possible.”
Both bowed. “Yes. This official understands.”
The two physicians withdrew. They exchanged glances, each seeing gossip flicker in the other’s eyes.
Rumor had claimed Prince Li was ruthless by temperament, and that he had little regard for this Prince Consort. From what they had witnessed, Prince Li clearly cared for him a great deal. It seemed hearsay could not be trusted.
Lu Ronghuai did not leave Chu Yuan’s side. Rather than go to the study, he convened discussion in Fuju Courtyard.
“Your Highness, regarding the matter on New Year’s Eve, this subordinate captured the eunuch who took the Prince Consort away. He is connected to Noble Consort Xu.” Xian Yue stepped forward and presented the interrogation record.
Lu Ronghuai accepted it and skimmed the contents. Killing intent stirred in his eyes.
Xian Yue spoke gravely. “Noble Consort Xu used the Third Princess’s fall into the water to frame the Empress. The eunuch had some martial skill. Had Young Lord Ning not appeared in time, the Prince Consort might have faced certain doom.”
Xian Yu hesitated, then glanced at Lu Ronghuai. “However, that night, we encountered Young Lord Ning midway while we were searching. He deliberately directed us down the wrong path. Had we not been delayed, we would have arrived in time. The Prince Consort and Your Highness would not have been injured.”
Xian Yue raised his head, troubled. “Why would Young Lord Ning mislead you?”
“Because he harbors affection for this Prince.”
Lu Ronghuai spoke from the seat above. His words fell like thunder.
“He was unwilling for me to rescue Ah-Yuan. He deliberately misdirected you and delayed the moment.” Disgust flickered across Lu Ronghuai’s face. He crushed the teacup in his hand.
Shock passed through the room, followed by dawning understanding.
Upon reflection, signs had been visible over the years. They had simply never considered that possibility before and thus overlooked it.
“His account will be settled in due course. For now, what must be dealt with are the Crown Prince and Prince Qi.”
Xian Feng nodded. “When this subordinate fought the black-clothed men, I noticed the character chi carved into their wrists. If the Prince Consort had truly perished, Your Highness would have borne the charge of murdering your wife.”
Xian Yu let out a cold laugh. “Carving chi and claiming to be the Chi Yan Jun? They underestimate us far too much.”
“Crude methods, yet a vicious scheme,” Xian Yue remarked.
“The Empress summoned this group to impersonate the Chi Yan Jun. One arrow, three kills.” Lu Ronghuai wiped the water from his hands, his gaze darkening. “First, my reputation would be destroyed. Second, the Chi Yan Jun would be sullied. Third, it would remind my Father Emperor, providing him reason to reclaim the military authority in my hands.”
A chill crept upward from the soles of their feet.
“This subordinate believes we should—”
“Mmh...”
A faint groan came from behind the gauze curtains. It was barely audible, yet Lu Ronghuai rose at once and rushed to the bed.
“Ah-Yuan!”
He bent over in astonished joy, grasping Chu Yuan’s hand. His gaze locked onto him, unwilling to miss even the slightest change in his expression.
Chu Yuan’s lashes trembled. After a long moment, he opened his eyes with difficulty.
Every bone in his body felt displaced. Pain drew a faint crease between his brows. Hearing movement at his side, he turned his head in small increments toward the source.
Lu Ronghuai saw the motion. His smile widened, his voice gentler than ever, and his eyes filled with tender concern. “Ah-Yuan, you’ve finally awakened.”
Chu Yuan’s expression remained calm.
His face was pale and lean. The eyes that once should have been clear and luminous as the moon now seemed like pearls veiled in dust, their brightness dimmed.
Lu Ronghui felt the wrongness before he could name it. The smile froze on his face.
He waved a hand before Chu Yuan’s eyes. Chu Yuan stared straight ahead. Not a flicker of reaction.
“Summon the Imperial Physician!” he roared.
Xian Feng and the others were startled and hurried out.
Lu Ronghuai suppressed the panic rising within him. He bent to embrace Chu Yuan, patting his back lightly. “Ah-Yuan, don’t be afraid. It’s all right. You don’t need to be afraid.”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Yuan-Yuan: I’m not afraid.
Lu the Dog: I’m afraid, wuwuwu (big dog crying).
Check this out whenever you can~ I find it so interesting to read!
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