“After So Long Apart, You Are Still As Foolish As Ever.”
On the second day of the third month, Chu Yuan boarded the carriage bound for the Northern Traveling Palace.
The splints on his legs had already been removed. The moment both feet touched the ground firmly, he felt a long-absent sense of steadiness.
“Prince Consort, are you truly not taking this servant along?” Le Shu clutched the carriage pillar with both hands, eyes brimming with tears as he looked at Chu Yuan.
“You are not coming. Remain in the residence and reflect properly.”
Le Shu deflated at once.
That day he had been reprimanded, the twenty coins he had earned were all confiscated, and he had been punished to sweep the courtyard for two days. He had narrowly avoided being made to write a formal statement of self-criticism, however.
Chu Yuan extended a slender finger and tapped his forehead. “Assist Xian Yu with the estate affairs while I am gone. I shall return soon.”
Le Shu nodded listlessly, gazing at him with reluctance.
“Let us go.”
Lu Ronghuai strode out of the gate. In a few steps he reached the carriage, mounted the step, and turned back to instruct Xian Yu, “If anything arises, contact Xian Yue.”
“This subordinate understands.”
Xian Yu pulled the long-faced Le Shu aside, and the carriage set off.
Xian Shuang and Xian Feng mounted their horses and rode ahead to lead the way.
The carriage moved steadily forward and gradually disappearing from view.
The palace was built at the foot of the hills, approached through a narrow gorge of striking, naturally sculpted rock formations.
Lu Ronghuai deliberately ordered the driver to slow the pace. It ensured safety and allowed Chu Yuan to admire the scenery along the way.
It was past noon when they finally arrived at the Northern Traveling Palace.
The grounds were expansive, with a vast hunting field outside. Officials arrived one after another. Carriages, attendants, and trunks large and small filled the area.
Lu Ronghuai leapt down from the carriage. Seeing Chu Yuan about to descend, he immediately reached to lift him.
“Your Highness!”
The moment his feet touched the ground, Chu Yuan pushed him away and glanced discreetly around. “There are many eyes here. Your Highness should mind your bearing.”
Lu Ronghuai arched a brow high. “You would not let me hold you in the carriage. You will not let me now. Then surely tonight I may?”
Chu Yuan turned his head aside as if admiring the scenery.
Lu Ronghuai laughed softly, his chest vibrating. “Shall I have the wooden cane brought down?”
Chu Yuan’s right leg could not yet endure long periods of walking. Before departure, Lu Ronghuai had placed the cane inside the carriage.
Chu Yuan moved his right leg lightly. It felt tolerable. He shook his head. “No need for now. If this subject grows weary, I may sit and rest.”
Lu Ronghuai raised a hand and adjusted Chu Yuan’s hair.
“Very well. We are lodging at Guanghao Palace. Let us proceed.”
“Mm.”
Lu Ronghuai had just lifted his foot to move when a voice called from behind.
“Your Highness, wait!”
Han Ruiqi ran so fast his hairpin tilted askew. Gathering his robes, he rushed before Lu Ronghuai.
“Your Highness, His Majesty is receiving the rulers of the six kingdoms and requests your presence.”
Lu Ronghuai replied indifferently, “Such occasions call for the Crown Prince. This Prince will not go.”
Han Ruiqi wiped sweat from his brow. “His Majesty says the Crown Prince’s image seated in a wheelchair is unsuitable. He asks that you receive them instead.”
Lu Ronghuai stepped closer and pointed at himself. “So Father Emperor finds This Prince’s image pleasing?”
Han Ruiqi: “……”
He was merely a messenger sent by his father. He knew nothing.
“If This Prince goes, will they still be able to smile?”
“Has he no other sons? Let him summon someone else.”
Lu Ronghuai spoke without ceremony, his manner imperious and thoroughly ungoverned.
Chu Yuan lightly tugged his sleeve. “Your Highness, please go. Do not keep Father Emperor waiting.”
Lu Ronghuai turned toward him. “Then come with me.”
Chu Yuan smiled faintly. “This subject has ridden long in the carriage and feels somewhat fatigued. I wish to rest.”
“Very well. There will be a banquet tonight. I shall come for you then.”
Lu Ronghuai summoned Xian Feng and Xian Shuang. “Escort the Prince Consort to Guanghao Palace. No one is to disturb him.”
Han Ruiqi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and offered Chu Yuan a grateful smile.
Chu Yuan inclined his head and walked forward with Xian Feng and the others.
After some distance, he paused and turned back.
Lu Ronghuai still stood where he was, his gaze fixed upon Chu Yuan.
Seeing him turn, Lu Ronghuai raised a hand in farewell.
Chu Yuan’s heart felt as though brushed by a cat’s paw. He curved his lips faintly and returned the gesture.
Guanghao Palace lay in the southeast corner of the complex. Because Chu Yuan could not walk swiftly, they moved in intervals. After some time, they reached the palace gate.
“Master, we have arrived,” Xian Feng said with a smile.
“Have the guards carry the luggage inside first. I shall sit here awhile.”
Nearby lay a small garden. Jagged rockeries rose beside a great tree with a powerful trunk, from which hung a swing.
He sat upon the swing, a hand warmer cradled in his palms, and raised his gaze to admire the cloudless sky.
The weather was fine. Sunlight poured warmly upon the earth. After basking for a while, Chu Yuan felt wrapped in gentle warmth.
“Chu Yuan?”
At the surprised call, he slowly opened his eyes.
Xian Feng and Xian Shuang, who had been directing the guards, immediately returned to his side.
Chu Yuan rose and turned to the right.
Chu Zhang approached with several attendants in tow.
“So it truly is you.” Chu Zhang smiled, the expression malicious. “That brute, Prince Li, did not kill you after all. You must have some skill. I imagine your talents in bed are considerable.”
Chu Yuan’s expression turned cold. “Crown Prince of Chu, mind your words.”
“With that fox-charming face of yours, I knew you and that dead—”
“Xian Shuang!”
A sharp crack rang out as Chu Zhang’s face was struck.
Xian Shuang withdrew impassively, flexing his knuckles.
“Your Highness, your lip is bleeding!” someone cried behind Chu Zhang.
“You dare let him strike me?” Chu Zhang spat out blood, face flushed with rage, and eyes venomous. Veins stood out upon his temples.
Chu Yuan regarded him coldly. “When dogs bark nonsense, they deserve a beating.”
“You little wretch. Seize him!” Chu Zhang snapped.
Xian Feng and Xian Shuang stepped before Chu Yuan.
“Crown Prince of Chu,” Xian Feng said evenly, “this is the Kingdom of Lu. Pray do not act with excess.”
“Who is acting with excess?”
Chu Zhang’s cheek burned fiercely. The strike bore the force of a trained hand. He suspected his teeth had loosened. He could not swallow this insult.
“I came in goodwill to renew old acquaintance. The Prince Consort shows contempt and strikes first. Today I will not let this pass.”
“And you two servants dare lay hands upon me. Have you grown tired of living?”
Chu Yuan signaled Xian Feng and Xian Shuang to step aside.
Holding the hand warmer, he walked leisurely before Chu Zhang.
“After so long apart, you are still as foolish as ever.”
“I am now the Prince Consort of Prince Li. Had you sense, you would greet me with courtesy. Yet you are foolish enough to provoke me here. What benefit do you imagine you will gain?”
Chu Zhang’s face reddened. “What are you worth?! Do you truly think yourself Prince Consort? If Prince Li knew you abused his authority like a fox borrowing a tiger’s might, he would not spare you!”
Chu Yuan raised his brows faintly. “Whether His Highness punishes me or not, what concern is it of yours? To insult a member of the Lu imperial house, Chu Zhang, do you possess any sense?”
“Do not posture before me. You and the ones selling themselves in the pleasure quarters are no different! If Prince Li is not blind, how could he favor you?”
“This subject is rather of the opinion that the Crown Prince’s vision is somewhat impaired.”
A figure emerged from the corner of the palace wall.
Nie Siran approached with a folding fan in hand, smiling gently, and offered a casual bow.
“Young Master Nie, this matter does not concern you,” Chu Zhang said through flared nostrils.
“When one sees injustice, one draws the blade. I heard certain erroneous remarks and could not help correcting them.”
“Where was I mistaken?” Chu Zhang sneered. “I once thought Young Master Nie pure as the bright moon. Today it seems otherwise.”
Nie Siran smiled with remarkable patience. “The Crown Prince bears resentment, that I understand. Yet I cannot agree with your words.”
He swept his fan lightly across those present.
“Let all here look. Unless one is blind, one can see the Prince Consort’s beauty and noble bearing. A man as worldly as Prince Li was surely struck at first sight and captivated at the second.”
Chu Yuan’s lips twitched faintly.
“Furthermore, the Prince Consort was formally married in alliance between two kingdoms. To malign him thus… does the Crown Prince disregard the dignity of both states?”
Chu Zhang’s eyes went wide.
“Your words lack restraint. Fortunately, the Prince Consort is magnanimous and will not hold it against you. Tell us, Prince Consort, how shall this matter be settled?”
Nie Siran smiled warmly at Chu Yuan.
Chu Yuan raised his chin slightly, his tone calm and cool. “Apologize to me at once.”
“In your dreams!” Chu Zhang spat.
Nie Siran inwardly sighed at the stubborn fury in his eyes. If this man were to ascend the throne of Chu, that kingdom’s fate would not bode well.
“I have recently come to understand a truth,” Chu Yuan said, turning the hand warmer in his palms, pale fingers tapping its carved surface lightly. “At times, force persuades more readily than reason.”
“Xian Shuang, Xian Feng. Detain him for me.”
They had restrained themselves long enough. At his command, they moved at once, striking down the attendants behind Chu Zhang and seizing him.
In the process, they dislocated both his arms, incidentally.
Chu Zhang howled, cursing his attendants. “Are you corpses? Rescue me!”
The attendants were no match in number or skill. As they hesitated, guards belonging to Lu Ronghuai silently surrounded the area.
Silence fell.
Chu Yuan curved his lips and looked down upon him. “Your face is too thick for me to be bothered hitting, it would only make my hand ache. Xian Shuang, five slaps. Do not miscount.”
Xian Shuang was meticulous. Without giving Chu Zhang a breath to speak, his palm flew swiftly. In a blink, ten strikes had landed.
“Master, precisely five.”
“Mm. Release him.”
Nie Siran’s eyelid twitched.
Looking at Chu Zhang’s swollen face, he clicked his tongue. “From whom did the Prince Consort learn such methods?”
Chu Yuan turned his head, smiling gently and composed. “Naturally from His Highness.”
Lu Ronghuai. What exactly are you teaching your wife on a daily basis?
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu Dog: Alas, I am merely an ordinary scapegoat.
Suffered cramps all evening. I rolled about in pain and finished writing this chapter on my knees. I am truly dedicated (not really).
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