Entering VIP, Three-in-One
“How do you manage to coax your wife?” Lu Ronghuai could not help asking, hearing Zhao Lu speak so confidently and at length.
Zhao Lu’s face stiffened. He then gave an awkward scratch of his neck. “What is there to coax? My wife is fierce by nature. When she is angry, she beats me once, and her anger passes.”
“That is not without merit as a method.” Lu Ronghuai looked thoughtful.
Zhao Lu coughed, almost bursting into laughter.
“Your Highness,” he said earnestly, “to win back one’s Prince Consort, one must rely on one’s strengths. A man must know what he possesses.”
Zhao Lu pointed at himself with a self-satisfied air. “For example, my wife took a fancy to me back then because I am broad and sturdy. She said standing beside me made her feel secure.”
Lu Ronghuai looked him up and down. “…”
“General Zhao’s wife has endured much,” he said at length. “To find even one virtue in you was no small effort.”
Zhao Lu: “…”
Unbelievable. He was generously offering his wisdom. How did His Highness turn it into a personal attack?
“Does Your Highness intend to reconcile with the Prince Consort or not?”
“…” Lu Ronghuai’s expression turned solemn. “Speak carefully. It is not this Prince. Continue.”
“Very well.” Zhao Lu cleared his throat. “If one has wealth, one spends it. Gifts, silver, whatever pleases him. My wife once said that a man who who parts with silver willingly is the most handsome man under heaven.”
Lu Ronghuai nodded, his confidence rising by a fraction.
Silver was the one thing he lacked no measure of. He could give it to Ah-Yuan to scatter and play with.
“If one has skill, then show it now and then in front of him. Let him know you are a man of substance and taste. Affection follows naturally.”
Lu Ronghuai’s brows knit. He did know the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, yet he had not touched them for years. His skill was bound to have grown rusty.
“What do you think of taking him to practice martial arts?”
Zhao Lu: “…This is pursuing one’s wife, not drilling soldiers.”
“Then riding a horse?”
Zhao Lu recalled Chu Yuan’s delicate constitution. Sweat beaded at his brow. “This subordinate believes it is somewhat dangerous.”
One might ride for a long time, and the Prince Consort would be gone.
Lu Ronghuai was also concerned for Chu Yuan’s body. “It is somewhat dangerous. What other methods are there?”
Zhao Lu stared at Lu Ronghuai’s face, then grinned.
“There is another path which is seduction. Rely on your appearance. Use your face to draw him in and make him helpless against you.” Zhao Lu waggled his eyebrows with enthusiasm. “With Your Highness’s face, few could withstand it. No battle will be lost.”
Lu Ronghuai frowned. “No. He is not that shallow a person.”
Zhao Lu pursed his lips. “One does not know until one tries. When that Young Lord Nie was still in Ye Jing, the mere sight of him drew crowds.”
However, there was one thing Zhao Lu did not say. In his eyes, His Highness was far better-looking than Young Lord Nie. Yet His Highness wore a cold face all day, and everyone feared him. Forget admirers, merely hearing His Highness’s name could frighten children to tears.
“That fair-faced scholar?” Lu Ronghuai let out a short laugh, full of disdain. “He knows only how to attract bees and butterflies. No wonder Prime Minister Nie drove him out of Ye Jing.”
“Young Lord Nie went out to travel and study. Your Highness is prejudiced against him.”
“What prejudice do I hold?” Lu Ronghuai picked up a peanut and tossed it into his mouth. “This Prince has always kept a respectful distance from the Nie family.”
Zhao Lu also reached for peanuts, stuffing a handful into his mouth and crunching noisily. “Speaking of Young Lord Nie, Your Highness, I heard he took an exam in Xiang Cheng and won first place as jieyuan. Early next month, he will return to the capital to sit the Spring Examinations.”
“This Prince may dislike the Nie family, yet I admire their ability. That fair-faced scholar was personally raised by Nie Chouweng. The top scholar in this round of examinations will certainly be him.”
Zhao Lu clicked his tongue. “The old fox taught him himself, so he is a little fox. If those two oppose Your Highness in the future, will Your Highness be sure of victory?”
As they spoke, Lu Ronghuai had finished the entire jug of Gansu. Liquor that strong, and he looked as though he had not touched a drop, his eyes clear and steady as ever.
“This Prince is going.” Lu Ronghuai He raised a hand to wave Zhao Lu off and went downstairs alone.
Lu Ronghuai led his horse down the street. As he thought of Chu Yuan’s cool, otherworldly face, he let out a sigh so soft it was nearly inaudible.
He truly had no way with him at all.
In the previous life, what had grown between them was forged in shared hardship, in the closeness that comes only from surviving things together.
By the time Lu Ronghuai had understood that he loved Chu Yuan, Chu Yuan had already come to love him in return.
They came together as naturally as water finding its course.
In this life, ever since he dreamed of that previous life, many things had changed. The assassination on New Year’s Eve, for instance, had never happened in the previous life.
He returned to life at the moment Chu Yuan had just married him. He had not yet fallen into ruin, and Chu Yuan’s health had begun its long deterioration.
Everything was still in time.
He would make Chu Yuan fall in love with him again.
The moment this settled clearly in his mind, the fog of frustration lifted entirely. He spotted a stall selling sweet rice cakes and went over, intending to buy some to bring back for Chu Yuan.
Yet before he could draw near, the townsfolk who had been lining up and chatting at the stall fell silent at once. They scattered like startled birds and beasts.
Each face held terror. They fled as though they had seen a ghost.
The vendor selling the cakes also wanted to run, yet he was a step too slow. He dropped to his knees, trembling, and watched Lu Ronghuai approach.
“Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! This commoner still has a family to feed. I beg Your Highness to let me go.”
Lu Ronghuai stopped before him and swept his gaze over the surroundings. The townsfolk hid far away, peering at him in secret, faces full of fear.
“Why would this Prince kill you?” He withdrew his gaze, and chill gathered in his dark eyes.
The vendor shrank his neck, stammering for a long while. In the end, he flung himself prostrate in the snow and wept bitterly. “This commoner knows nothing. This commoner heard nothing. I beg Your Highness to spare this commoner.”
“If you do not speak, how can this Prince spare you?” Lu Ronghuai’s expression sank.
The vendor kept kowtowing in the snow, his whole body shaking.
Lu Ronghuai closed his eyes briefly, cold in his brows and eyes. He drew out a silver ingot from his robes and tossed it onto the stall. “Wrap a few sweet cakes for this Prince.”
The vendor did not dare move at first. When Lu Ronghuai finally lost patience and spoke, the sound of it like a death summons from Yama of the underworld. Only then the vendor immediately scrambled to the stall.
With terror weighing on him, his hands trembling, he opened an oil-paper wrapper and shoved cakes inside as fast as he could.
“No need for so many. Two are enough.” Chu Yuan ate very little. If he bought more, Chu Yuan would not finish them, and it would be hard on his digestion.
Something was clearly wrong with the townsfolk’s reaction. He needed to find the reason quickly. Lu Ronghuai took the oil-paper parcel, mounted his horse, and returned home.
After he left, the townsfolk who had fled gathered again, crowding around the vendor and questioning him at once.
“Ai-yo, I was nearly scared to death just now.”
“He looked like he meant to eat someone. He is so fierce-looking, you can tell he is not a good person.”
“Exactly. I say you should stop selling. Pack up and run.”
“Yes, yes. He did not kill you just now because all of us were watching and he could not act. Once night comes, he may go to your home and kill your whole family, young and old.”
“You even dared accept his silver. Are you not afraid of bad luck?”
The vendor was driven to despair and fear by their words. He hastily packed up his stall and ran.
That night, within the study of the Prince Li Residence.
Xian Yue seized two men and flung them to the floor. “His Highness, the rumors were spread by these two storytellers from the teahouse.”
Lu Ronghuai set his book down. His expression was still, his authority absolute without any need for anger. “Who instructed you, hm?”
The two looked to be around forty. Poor and gaunt, thin-faced with sharp chins, they now knelt trembling, frightened out of their wits.
“This commoner does not know. This commoner suddenly received a packet of silver this morning. There was a letter tucked inside. It told this commoner to say what was written there, and it said… it said… once it was done, there would be further reward…”
“Your Highness, spare us! This commoner was bewitched by greed, we overstepped all bounds. This commoner knows wrong. I beg Your Highness to spare us this once.”
“The letter?” Lu Ronghuai grew impatient and tossed the book onto the table.
The sound of it hitting the surface made both men flinch violently.
“T-the letter has been burned…”
The other spoke timidly. “It threatened us, saying that after reading, we must burn the letter at once and leave no proof. This commoner was afraid, so this commoner burned it.”
Silence.
Lu Ronghuai sat upright, those eyes dark and dangerous. The study fell so quiet that not a single sound could be heard.
The two men were terrified. Sweat rose in their palms. Terror had already leaked uncontrollably across their faces.
“Then recite it for this Prince. What did the letter say?” After a long while, Lu Ronghuai spoke, expressionless, looking at them.
A storyteller’s memory was not poor. They had repeated it several times in the teahouse today. They knew every word by heart.
One of them said, uneasy, “...The letter said that Prince Li developed a bloodthirst ailment on the battlefield. Each day he must drink the fresh blood of living people, or he will go mad and bite others, recognizing neither kin nor self.”
“Mm. What else?” Lu Ronghuai listened without moving his eyelids, leaning back in his chair.
“It also said that the Crown Prince is benevolent. After learning of this, he has been seeking physicians and medicine everywhere for Prince Li, mindful of brotherly bonds. He did not expose it in public. Who would have thought Prince Li would suddenly fall ill, beating the Crown Prince into grievous injury…”
Xian Yu could not bear it. He spat. “What absolute filth. Not a word of truth in it.”
The storyteller did not know the truth inside. Seeing Lu Ronghuai had not spoken, he could only continue.
“The letter said that Prince Qi is unconscious because Prince Li drained him of blood. His life is now in peril, hanging by a thread.”
Xian Feng shook his head slowly. “Such absurd stupidity, and you still dared spread it openly.”
“This commoner lives by storytelling. In the teahouse, we speak the same matters many times every day. No one is interested anymore. What was written in the letter, this commoner… this commoner also did not believe it, yet it was strange and novel. Everyone only wanted something fresh, something lively to hear.”
Xian Yu mocked mercilessly. “Something lively? Are such words something to speak at will? Do you know that slandering an imperial bloodline means ten heads would not be enough to lose!”
The storyteller hunched over, frightened limp as mud, before collapsing to the floor.
“This commoner knows wrong. This commoner will never dare again. Your Highness, spare us.”
“Your Highness, it is time for your evening meal.” Xian Shuang glanced at the heavy night outside and reminded him. “Your Highness has not eaten. Mao Shu has urged it several times.”
Lu Ronghuai acted as though he did not hear. He straightened and ordered the storytellers, “Raise your heads.”
Both men trembled, yet they did not dare disobey. They raised their faces in fear.
Then, under warm candlelight, they saw a man of striking beauty, sharp brows and deep-set features. At his lips, there was the faintest hint of a smile. His dark eyes were like a blade drawn from its sheath, cold light flashing.
He curved his lips, that smile wicked. “One thing was not wrong.”
The two blinked, frightened and unsteady.
“This Prince truly likes drinking blood. Tonight’s has not yet been drunk. Perhaps the two of you would be willing to contribute and let this Prince change flavors.”
Xian Feng and the others: “…”
The two men rolled their eyes back and fainted from fear.
Lu Ronghuai observed their unconscious forms with an expression of serene satisfaction and nodded once. He picked his book back up.
He opened it and turned back to the page he had been reading. “Throw these two into the woodshed. A few days in there will improve their judgment.”
Xian Yue stepped forward. “My lord, the one behind this?”
“This Prince knows who it is. She wishes to ruin this Prince with rumor. Unfortunately…” Lu Ronghuai gave a short laugh. “This Prince has many enemies and many grudges. When has this Prince ever feared?”
Xian Yue smiled. “If it continues, His Highness will be turned into a demon, and people will tremble at the wind.”
“It suits my will perfectly.” Lu Ronghuai laughed, his expression proud. “Xian Yue, go add more fire for them.”
“Your Highness intends to make the matter large?”
“The larger the better. Only then is it lively.”
“Yes. This subordinate obeys.”
Xian Shuang, who had no interest in any of this, remained focused on his own responsibilities. “Your Highness, the evening meal.”
Xian Yu dragged the two unconscious men toward the door and patted Xian Shuang’s shoulder. “Work hard. If it truly cannot be helped, there are still two here should blood be required.”
“…”
Xian Shuang’s mouth twitched. He looked at Lu Ronghuai, who sat calmly reading. He paused, then said, “Your Highness, the Prince Consort also has not eaten.”
Lu Ronghuai’s page-turning stopped. He rose at once, flung the book at him, and stormed out. “Why did you not say so earlier?!”
The others parted to make way, silent as they watched him leave in quick strides.
Xian Yu released the storytellers’ ankles and gave a few claps. “Truly impressive. With such talent for changing faces, even the performers would bow to him as their master.”
Lu Ronghuai hurried back to Fuju Courtyard.
Le Shu was carrying out an empty medicine bowl. Seeing Lu Ronghuai approach through the night, he hurried to bow. “Your—”
Lu Ronghuai seized his collar, lifting him as though he were a chick. His gaze was sharp and pressing. “This Prince told you to care for Ah-Yuan properly. Why have you still not had him eat his evening meal?”
Since he did not lower his voice, Chu Yuan heard it clearly inside.
He forced himself upright and called outward. “Your Highness, it is this subject who did not wish to eat. It has nothing to do with Le Shu.”
Lu Ronghuai entered.
Chu Yuan listened as the footsteps came close. In the next moment, he fell into a warm embrace.
“Why do you not eat properly?”
Chu Yuan struggled once, yet could not break free. A trace of stifled annoyance crossed his face. “Your Highness, why must you always hold and cling? It is not proper.”
“What is improper?” Lu Ronghuai tightened his arms. His gaze lingered on that pale, clean face for a moment. He restrained the urge to kiss him and spoke softly. “You are my spouse. A little more holding can only help cultivate warmth between us.”
Chu Yuan mocked in his heart, believing not a single word.
“Do not speak of that. You still have not answered me. Why do you not eat?”
Lu Ronghuai held him too tightly. Chu Yuan could clearly smell the medicinal scent clinging to Lu Ronghuai, and it made him drowsy. “Cannot eat. The head is spinning and the body aches. Not the least bit of appetite.”
This afternoon, after Head Imperial Physician Wu’s needling, perhaps the blood clot had begun to disperse. His head felt even dizzier than before. He always wanted to sleep. The moment he ate, nausea rose.
Lu Ronghuai heard it, and pain seized his heart. He glanced at the sweet cakes on the table, already cold through. He brought them back this afternoon. Chu Yuan took one bite and did not touch them again.
“Head Imperial Physician Wu told me when he left that these are all normal reactions. In two days it will pass. Ah-Yuan, endure a little longer.” Lu Ronghuai saw Xian Shuang standing at the door with a tray. He lifted a finger, signaling him to leave first.
Xian Shuang pushed the tray forward a little. The meaning was clear. The person could go, yet the evening meal must remain.
Lu Ronghuai shook his head, gestured for him to take it away.
Xian Shuang glanced at Chu Yuan, listless and wan, and in the end did not insist. He carried the tray away in silence.
Le Shu quietly closed the door.
Within the room, the light of the luminous pearls was gentle. After a short while, Chu Yuan’s head dipped. He was nearly asleep.
Lu Ronghuai helped him lie down, tucked the quilt, then personally lowered the gauze curtain to block the pearl’s brightness.
“I am going to bathe. Ah-Yuan, sleep first.”
Chu Yuan was drowsy and muddled. He heard footsteps retreating. Whatever Lu Ronghuai said just now, he did not truly register it, and he did not place it in his heart.
He did not know how much time passed before the quilt was lifted. A broad, warm body pressed close as someone lay beside him. An arm stretched out, encircled his waist, and drew him into an embrace.
“Mm…” He let out a faint sound. He smelled that familiar medicinal scent and mumbled, “Your Highness?”
“Mm. Sleep.” Lu Ronghuai lifted his hand. Seeing Chu Yuan’s cheeks flushed as he slept and adorable, his gaze softened.
Chu Yuan was not fully awake. Eyes closed, he tried to push the presence away. “Your Highness has gone to the wrong place. This is my bed.”
“…” Lu Ronghuai laughed in exasperation. He leaned to Chu Yuan’s ear and murmured, “You ungrateful little thing. I cannot sleep in your bed?”
Warm breath brushed his ear, making it itch. Chu Yuan could not help tilting his head back. “Your Highness should sleep elsewhere.”
“I will sleep here.” He argued on purpose.
Chu Yuan’s eyes remained closed. A small displeasure showed on his face as he muttered, low and indistinct, “Scoundrel”
Lu Ronghuai, with keen hearing: “…”
Forget it. He would not argue with someone half-asleep. Once Chu Yuan woke, he would settle accounts properly.
The grudge-bearing Prince of Li tightened his hold on the soft, warm person in his arms and said nothing more.
Not long after, Chu Yuan could barely breathe. His brows furrowed. He made two small sounds, faintly aggrieved. “Uncomfortable. Stifling…”
Lu Ronghuai immediately loosened his grip, feeling guilty.
When the crease between Chu Yuan’s brows smoothed and his sleeping face turned quiet and serene, Lu Ronghuai finally let out a long breath.
Then he cursed the Crown Prince and Prince Qi again in his heart.
If not for those two and their scheming, how would his Ah-Yuan have suffered this calamity, covered in wounds, unable even to eat?
Beside him came steady, light breathing. Lu Ronghuai lowered his head and saw Chu Yuan sleeping obediently, quiet and still. That gentle breath seemed to stroke him little by little, smoothing the violence and darkness inside his chest.
Holding his treasure close, he closed his eyes.
He swore that in this life, he would guard him with his own life, letting Ah-Yuan live a hundred years without sorrow.
The regrets of the previous life would never happen again.
*
Within three days, the rumors had taken on a life of their own.
Like a spark falling into dry, dead leaves, it flared into a sweeping blaze at once.
The spread was terrifyingly fast. The content grew wildly exaggerated. It swept across Ye Jing like a storm. Prince Li, Lu Ronghuai, became the talk of idle moments over tea.
His reputation fell further, until it sank into the dust.
“Have you heard? Prince Li ate people!”
“More than eating. First he lets the blood, then skins them and draws their tendons, chops them into pieces, and takes them as dishes with wine, washing it down with blood-wine.”
“How can such a person be a prince? Sooner or later he will bring the Kingdom of Lu to ruin!”
“Do not speak that carelessly. Heads will roll. Keep it in your heart.”
“Back then, Consort Ning bewitched the ruler and threw the court into disorder. Now her son turns out to be a bloodthirsty monster. At this rate, mother and son between them will be the end of Lu.”
“The Crown Prince is broad-minded and benevolent. Prince Li has harmed him many times, yet he did not blame him. He even helped clean up Prince Li’s mess time after time. Both are sons of His Majesty. How can the difference be so great?”
“The Crown Prince was borne by the Empress. He is naturally not the same as one born of that demon consort.”
“Prince Qi’s residence has been shut for three days. Whether Prince Qi lives or dies is unknown, and Prince Li still gallops through the streets in open arrogance.”
Rumors rose among the people. Within the court, smoke and fire also thickened.
Grand Censor Ye Qi, together with five senior ministers, worked through the night drafting memorials impeaching Lu Ronghuai.
“Your Majesty, Prince Li’s conduct is unbridled and without regard for the proper order. The people’s resentment is everywhere,” the Minister of Revenue announced, stepping forward with his grievances.
Ye Qi held his ivory tablet and spoke with grave precision. “Only when the household is in order can the state be well governed. If the imperial sons fight without end, they cannot serve as an example to the realm. This destabilizes the very foundations of the state and scatters the hearts of the people.”
Emperor Hongjia glanced at Lu Ronghuai, who looked entirely indifferent to the proceedings, as though the man being denounced from all sides was someone else entirely. He felt a strange irritation rise.
“The Prince of Li has repeatedly brought harm to innocent commoners. Your Majesty, please discern clearly. If Prince Li is not punished severely, the people’s resentment cannot be calmed,” General Fang of Zhennan stepped from the ranks, adding another charge.
“General Fang, you must not speak recklessly. Have you personally seen this Prince kill commoners?” Lu Ronghuai tilted his head, his gaze dark as it fixed upon General Fang.
Fang Xinhai snorted. “This minister has not seen it, yet those commoners can all bear witness. Does Prince Li still wish to deny it?”
“General, weigh your words.”
“The Prince of Li wishes to silence this minister, but can you silence the mouths of all under heaven?” Fang Xinhai’s anger flared. He bared his teeth at him.
Lu Ronghuai smiled mildly. “General Fang has a great temper. This Prince wonders whether you truly seek justice for the commoners or whether you wish to avenge a private grudge.”
“Prince Li must not wrong this minister. This minister naturally seeks justice for the commoners.”
Lu Ronghuai showed a sudden look of understanding. He gave a long “Oh.” “That is good. Today you press so fiercely that this Prince nearly thought you were venting anger for my elder brother.”
After he spoke, he even blinked at Fang Xinhai. “Only the muddle-headed and foolish would believe the rumors outside and think my elder brother’s injury is connected to this Prince.”
Fang Xinhai’s younger sister was now Noble Consort Fang, and Prince Qi was borne by Consort Fang.
Fang Xinhai: “…”
Duke Liu of the state peerage, who had been standing at the front of the assembled officials watching with his hands folded in his sleeves, made an almost imperceptible signal to someone behind him.
Soon, a fifth-rank official hurried forward and knelt on the marble floor. “Your Majesty, this minister received a plaint yesterday, accusing Prince Li of murdering the vendor Wang Wu, with cruel methods. There are witnesses as well, who saw Prince Li clash with Wang Wu in the street.”
Emperor Hongjia’s face darkened. “Third, is this true?”
“Wang Wu?” Lu Ronghuai looked genuinely puzzled.
The fifth-rank official nodded. “Indeed. Three days ago, Your Highness bought two sweet cakes at Wang Wu’s stall and quarreled with him. The witness says Your Highness left with anger on your face like an evil ghost…”
“Hold.” Lu Ronghuai cut him off, brows lifting. “The first part is acceptable, yet what do you mean this Prince was ‘like an evil ghost’? This Prince’s face is upright and fine. Where does it resemble a ghost, hm?”
Fifth-rank official: “…”
“In any case, Wang Wu was murdered that night. His head had been severed and hung from the ceiling beam. Beside the corpse, the number ‘three’ was written in blood. All signs point to Prince Li.”
Lu Ronghuai looked at the assembled court with smiling eyes. “Writing a three means it represents this Prince? It could also mean Wang San, Fang San, Xu San, could it not.”
Fang Xinhai: “…”
Minister of Revenue Xu Mengshan: “…”
So this is how you point at the mulberry while cursing the locust.
General Fang and the Minister of Revenue began arguing back and forth, the noise rising until it was unbearable.
Emperor Hongjia pressed his fingers to his temples. He roared, “Enough. All of you, be silent!”
“Duke Liu, what is your assessment of the situation?”
Duke Liu stepped forward with unhurried composure. “In this old minister’s humble view, the death of vendor Wang Wu still awaits investigation. The more pressing concern is to pacify public sentiment.”
Emperor Hongjia nodded, then turned to Nie Chouweng.
“Prime Minister Nie, your thoughts.”
Nie Chouweng did not move from his position at the front of the assembled officials, watching everything from beneath half-lowered lids. “This old minister has nothing to say.”
Emperor Hongjia: “…”
“What does the Prime Minister mean?” the Minister of Revenue complained.
Nie Chouweng could not be bothered to give him even a glance. “From beginning to end, there is not one piece of concrete evidence in any of this. We are all scholars and officials. If we cannot exercise this much basic discernment, if we stand here letting ourselves be driven by a handful of rumors, then what are we doing in these positions? We might as well go tell fortunes under a bridge.”
Everyone: “…”
Lu Ronghuai gave a soft laugh, conspicuously out of place in the silence of the great hall.
“All of you quarrel until your faces are red, yet you produce no proof. You are spun around by a few lines of rumor. Watching all of this…” he paused, “this Prince truly pains his heart for you.”
The faces around the room went through several shades of green and red.
“Very well. For the sake of the common people and for the peace of mind of all ministers, this son respectfully requests that Father Emperor relieve this son’s military authority. This son is willing to remain confined to his residence for one month and cooperate fully with any investigation, in order to demonstrate his innocence.”
Emperor Hongjia did not expect Lu Ronghuai to yield military authority of his own accord. He sat frozen for a long moment, unable to regain his composure.
The ministers were equally stunned.
Had they heard what was said correctly?
The Prince of Li was willing to hand over his military authority?
He yielded so readily? Then what had all their words today been for?
Nie Chouweng’s eyelids twitched. Then for once, he looked at Lu Ronghuai.
Lu Ronghuai took in every expression then lowered his gaze. Nothing showed on his face. Behind his eyes was nothing but cold, contemptuous amusement.
If he did not hand it over, these people would never let it rest. How would the play he wished to watch ever take the stage?
After the morning court session ended, Emperor Hongjia retired to the inner palace.
He changed into another set of robes and looked to Yuan Sheng. “Zhen is going to sit with the Daoist Master. You need not follow.”
Yuan Sheng bowed. Seeing His Majesty in poor spirits, likely troubled by Prince Li’s matter, he could not help advising, “Your Majesty must take care of the dragon body.”
“Zhen is fine.” Emperor Hongjia did not wish to speak further. Hands clasped behind his back, he walked out.
Emperor Hongjia had prepared a palace hall for Celestial Master Zhengqing, close to Qianzheng Hall. After court, he often came here to discuss the Dao and explore the art of longevity.
Celestial Master Zhengqing regarded rank and profit as filth. Each day he did not leave the hall, focusing only on meditation. Once seated, he could sit for seven or eight hours, aloof from all worldly affairs, and entirely absorbed in his cultivation.
At the entrance, a young Daoist attendant at once pushed the door open and invited him in.
“Your Majesty, please enter. The Celestial Master has prepared tea and awaits you in the main hall.”
Emperor Hongjia was surprised. “The Celestial Master knew of Zhen’s coming today?”
The attendant wore a mild smile. “The Celestial Master knows all. He instructed this humble one last night to make preparations.”
Emperor Hongjia nodded, a smile forming. “The Celestial Master is truly remarkable. Once Zhen has entered, close the doors and stand guard outside. Allow no one to approach.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Hongjia entered the hall. Celestial Master Zhengqing wore a white robe. A long beard fell to his chest. Tall and thin, he sat wrapped within the wide robe, carrying a hint of an immortal’s bearing.
“Your Majesty, please be seated.” As he spoke, Celestial Master Zhengqing made to rise in welcome.
Emperor Hongjia quickly stopped him. “The Celestial Master injured his leg before the new year. Movement is not convenient. Those empty courtesies may be spared.”
Celestial Master Zhengqing clasped his hands, neither servile nor proud. “This Daoist thanks Your Majesty.”
Emperor Hongjia sat cross-legged. Before him on a low table, a brazier brought water to a rolling boil. In the teacup were the leaves he favored, steam curling upward.
His gaze settled on the incense burning upon the table. He let out a quiet breath. “The Celestial Master’s incense is indeed a treasure.”
It was no ordinary incense. Celestial Master Zhengqing had once traveled beyond the seas to an immortal mountain and obtained it from a celestial grotto. Its fragrance was unusual. A single breath cleared the mind and quieted restless thoughts.
Though only three inches long, it had been lit many times without diminishing. Its fragrance did not weaken.
“Such a treasure is lit only when Your Majesty comes,” Celestial Master Zhengqing said calmly. “Otherwise, it would be to show irreverence toward the treasure and waste it in vain.”
There was not the least trace of flattery on his face. He spoke as he pleased. Emperor Hongjia was greatly delighted.
“Very well. Let the Celestial Master divine it once more. For what matter has Zhen come today?”
“Your Majesty’s concern is already written upon your countenance.”
Emperor Hongjia raised a hand to his face. “Is that so? Then speak. What weighs upon Zhen’s mind?”
“Your Majesty comes for Prince Li.”
Emperor Hongjia lowered his hand and said nothing.
Celestial Master Zhengqing continued, “Last night this poor Daoist observed the heavens and saw the Greedy Wolf stir. Thus this Daoist knew that today a grave matter would arise in court.”
Court had only just adjourned. Celestial Master Zhengqing had not stepped beyond his doors, nor had word reached him. It was impossible for him to have known beforehand.
Emperor Hongjia nodded slowly. “The Celestial Master reads the heavens with precision. Zhen’s third son is of difficult temperament. In recent years he has grown increasingly unruly, bringing much disorder.”
Celestial Master Zhengqing shook his head. “Your Majesty is a sage ruler seldom seen in a hundred years. Were it otherwise, this poor Daoist would not remain here. Likewise, Your Majesty’s third son is not one beyond redemption.”
Emperor Hongjia’s expression eased. “Explain.”
“The Greedy Wolf star governs warfare. Its fate is perilous. It commands slaughter, is prone to anger, and stands in conflict with spouse and child. By its nature, it is a sign most inauspicious…”
Emperor Hongjia leaned forward. “How may it be resolved?”
“Your Majesty’s destiny is exalted. You descend beneath Heaven with mandate and virtue. Naturally, you may restrain the fierce nature of Greedy Wolf. If misfortune is to be transformed, it will require Your Majesty’s guidance to release him from peril.”
“What must Zhen do?”
Celestial Master Zhengqing replied, “Prince Li has yet to win the hearts of the people, and his kinship bonds are thin. Let him perform deeds of public benefit. Add to this the daily recitation of scriptures, guiding him with patient instruction.”
Emperor Hongjia regarded the Celestial Master. After a moment, understanding dawned.
“Very well. Zhen had intended to commission the construction of a Daoist temple within the capital next month. This task shall be entrusted to Prince Li. If he performs it well, the people will naturally speak of him with favor.”
The Celestial Master smiled faintly.
Emperor Hongjia had his answer. Satisfied, he rose to leave.
Then he paused again.
“Previously, the Celestial Master said the third one had an unfortunate fate regarding his consorts. Later, following the Celestial Master’s advice, I chose a male spouse for him. Has his fate now improved?”
The Celestial Master closed his eyes and nodded with a smile. “Naturally. Your Majesty may set your mind at rest.”
“Yet he has no legitimate heir…” Emperor Hongjia’s face showed reluctance.
The Celestial Master opened his eyes, his gaze slow and distant. “Your Majesty, one cannot have both fish and bear’s paw. If Prince Li wishes to have descendants in the future, he may adopt from the imperial clan.”
Emperor Hongjia nodded and sighed. “So be it. It can only be so.”
On the other side of the palace, Lu Ronghuai received word through a eunuch summoning him to the Mingwei Palace.
The palace maid at the hall entrance bowed to him and silently pushed the doors open.
Mingwei Palace was not the Cold Palace, yet it was no different from one.
Within the whole palace, there were only two maids and four eunuchs.
There was also Noble Consort Ning, who worshiped the Buddha year-round.
Lu Ronghuai stared at the figure ahead. He offered no bow, no greeting. His voice was indifferent as he spoke. “Why have you summoned this Prince?”
Noble Consort Ning was kneeling on the prayer cushion. Her lips moved softly through a sutra, her prayer beads turning steadily in her hands.
At his words, she opened her eyes. The phoenix-shaped gaze, so akin to Lu Ronghuai’s, was calm as still water.
“Kneel.”
They were mother and son by blood, yet their words were rigid and without warmth, the space between them cold.
Lu Ronghuai did not move. “For what reason must this Prince kneel?”
“I tell you to kneel. Then kneel.”
Defiance had long since taken root in him. At those words, he gave a short, cold laugh.
“This Prince may have been born of you, yet this Prince was not raised by you. If you wish to discipline this Prince now, it is already too late.”
“You are just like your Father Emperor.” Consort Ning closed her eyes, concealing the loathing within. “Equally loathsome.”
Since childhood he had heard such words countless times. He was no longer the child who, wronged, wept at her doors only to be turned away.
“Yes.” Lu Ronghuai smiled faintly. “This Prince is loathsome. Blood will tell.”
He moved behind her and stopped. From above, he looked down at her. There was no concealment in his gaze.
“Back then, Mother Consort entered the dragon bed of her own accord. Unwed and with child. More unsightly than this Prince could ever be.”
Noble Consort Ning’s expression altered at once.
She turned sharply. Her face, long deprived of sunlight, was pale as paper. “Bastard. Had I not been framed in those days, do you think I would have gone to his bed? Do you think I would have borne a creature like you?”
Lu Ronghuai stepped back twice. His expression did not change. In his eyes were contempt and scorn.
Above all, there was indifference.
“Then you sought to harm another and instead harmed yourself. That is retribution.”
“Bastard! Wretch! What do you know?!” Noble Consort Ning’s face twisted. The sandalwood prayer beads in her hand lashed across his face.
The beads were heavy. They struck his brow and the bridge of his nose. He did not flinch. He merely regarded her, cold and unyielding.
Of course he knew. In the previous life, she had told him herself.
Lu Ronghuai bent and retrieved the beads. He held the dark sandalwood in his palm. His fingers tightened, slowly.
The beads shattered into powder.
Noble Consort Ning stared at him in icy silence.
He brushed the dust from his hands.
“At times, this Prince truly pities you. A lifetime confined within this palace. Love sought yet never possessed. Life and death passing as strangers.”
Noble Consort Ning’s breathing grew uneven.
“This Prince is not as you are. This Prince’s fate is better. I met the one I love. We became husband and wife. In life we share the same quilt. In death we share the same tomb. White-haired, never parting.”
“That male spouse of yours?” Consort Ning turned back around, no longer looking at him, her words cold with ridicule. “A man, and you still treat him as treasure.”
He was treasure, an incomparable treasure.
Lu Ronghuai thought of Chu Yuan, and warmth entered his eyes. He turned and walked out. “This Prince is busy with affairs, unlike Mother Consort’s leisure. If there is nothing, do not summon this Prince again. Both of us, I imagine, have no desire to see the other.”
Behind him, Noble Consort Ning spoke. “Indeed. I summoned you today only to give this reminder. I am accustomed to my peace and quiet. Your affairs, and those of the Ning clan, are not to trouble this place again.”
“If the Ning family wishes to seek you, this Prince cannot control it.”
He walked out at an unhurried pace and raised his eyes to the sky, unbroken blue in every direction, not a cloud in sight.
Lu Ronghuai looked at the heavens. A glint of laughter flashed in his eyes.
Confined for one month. He could stay in the residence and care for Ah-Yuan in peace, accompanying him through these blind days.
Outside the palace gates, Xian Feng saw that he was in excellent spirits and asked, “May this subordinate ask what has pleased my lord so?”
“This Prince is confined. Is that not cause for joy?” Lu Ronghuai mounted his horse in one fluid motion.
Xian Feng stared. “...”
“This is something to be pleased about?” he asked uncertainly.
Xian Yu’s mind moved faster. He understood at once. “His Highness wishes to accompany the Prince Consort, so His Highness is pleased.”
Lu Ronghuai’s lips curved slightly. He accepted it without speaking.
“Then the matter of the rumors?” Xian Feng looked to Lu Ronghuai.
Lu Ronghuai rode at an unhurried pace. Snow lay along both sides of the road. Beneath the winter sun, it shone faintly.
“Rumors cannot kill this Prince. This Prince has already allowed them to achieve their aim. They will not continue to work tricks on this matter.”
“Have Xian Yue investigate Wang Wu’s death. It bears the Crown Prince’s hands are in it somewhere.”
“And as for the military authority that has been withdrawn, inform the men outside. They are not to act rashly.”
“Understood!”
As the three rode along the main road, Xian Yu saw a stall ahead with a whole row of lanterns hanging.
He turned to Lu Ronghuai. “His Highness, the Yuanxiao Lantern Festival is in a few days. With this confinement, His Highness will have no chance to take the Prince Consort out to see the lanterns.”
“The Prince Consort’s injuries have not healed. Even without confinement, the Prince Consort cannot go out,” Xian Feng said, disapproving.
“Mm. If we cannot go out this year, we will hold it within the residence.” Lu Ronghuai swept a glance over the rabbit lanterns at the stall.
He tipped his chin. “Go buy a rabbit lantern.”
Xian Yu returned with it, looking as though he wished to speak yet did not dare.
“What is it?” Xian Feng asked.
Xian Yu exhaled and handed the lantern to Lu Ronghuai. “That vendor said this little rabbit lantern is for children. It is not suitable for adults.”
Lu Ronghuai paid this no mind. He examined the rabbit’s inner framework, then told Xian Yu to buy colored paper and thin bamboo strips.
Shock crept over Xian Yu’s face inch by inch. “His Highness, surely His Highness cannot mean to make a lantern personally?”
“So much nonsense. Go quickly.”
Lu Ronghuai raised his whip, tucked the rabbit lantern under his arm, and went straight back to the residence.
The servants who saw him come through the gates carrying a small rabbit lantern exchanged bewildered glances. The image did not match at all.
“Take this to the study. This Prince will go see Ah-Yuan.” He handed the lantern to Xian Feng, then hurried to Fuju Courtyard.
He made his way toward Fuju Courtyard and heard raised voices well before he arrived.
Lu Ronghuai’s face sank.
At Fuju Courtyard’s gate, Mao Shu and Ning Yuqiang were stopped by Xian Shuang.
“What does Guard Xian Shuang mean by this? Mao Shu is the residence steward, in charge of all matters large and small. You dare refuse him entry?”
Xian Shuang looked at them coldly. “His Highness has given an order. No unnecessary persons may enter.”
“This Young Lord is also an unnecessary person?”
“His Highness said that aside from him and the physicians, whoever enters will die.” Xian Shuang drew his sword, his gaze icy as it settled upon them.
Ning Yuqiang was fair and delicate-looking, but anger had distorted the lines of his face. His chest rose and fell sharply.
“I grew up with Cousin. I have come to Fuju Courtyard countless times since childhood. I could enter before. Why can I not enter now?”
Xian Shuang said, “His Highness has married and has a Prince Consort. Young Lord should keep proper distance.”
Ning Yuqiang argued righteously. “My cousin-in-law is a man. There is no question of propriety between men. I came to visit cousin-in-law, yet you will not even let me enter. Xian Shuang, if Cousin returns and learns you treated me so, he will not let this pass lightly.”
“Is that so?”
A voice came from behind, every word carried a meaning that ran deeper than the words.
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
This chapter is three-in-one. Is it fat enough?!!
(To finish writing this chapter, my eyes were nearly blind. I wrote for so so long, wuwuwuwu, hic~)
Baobei, remember to comment. I will be giving out red envelopes for everyone!
IsitRo: I too went nearly blind proofreading and editing this chapter. lmao. P.S I kept the title as what the original intended. I guess the author really want the readers to know the premium chapter starts here.
Another thing! In case you are wondering, there is an equivalent of Duke, Count, Baron, etc. in ancient China. I just decided to use the Western term for easier reading and for me too, halppp... 😇
公 (Gong) - Duke
侯 (Hou) - Marquis
伯 (Bo) - Count
子 (Zi) - Viscount
男 (Nan) - Baron
Later dynasties reused parts of it in different structures.
0 Comments