Resentment Runs Deep
After Lu Ronghuai returned to the traveling palace, the Imperial Physicians immediately began to treat him.
When Emperor Hongjia arrived at Guanghao Palace in the middle of the night with the Empress, the Imperial Physicians were in the midst of stitching the wound on Lu Ronghuai’s back.
“Your Highness, will you truly not drink the numbing decoction?” the Imperial Physician asked once more.
The numbing decoction was a medicine capable of sending a person into numb unconsciousness. After drinking a single bowl, one would lose all sensation.
“Enough chatter. Work faster.”
Lu Ronghuai sat cross-legged upon the bed couch, impatience written plainly across his brows.
On the journey back he had taken medicine to treat internal injuries, which had somewhat eased the pain in his meridians.
Seeing his firm attitude, the Imperial Physician could only take up the needle and drive it into his flesh, beginning to stitch the wound closed.
Lu Ronghuai pressed his lips together, his jaw tight.
When Emperor Hongjia lifted the curtain and looked inside, the bloody sight startled him so greatly that he immediately stepped backward.
“Your Majesty, be careful!” Eunuch Yuan Sheng hurried forward to steady him.
The Empress said with concern, “The smell of blood inside is heavy. Your Majesty should wait in the outer hall.”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Emperor Hongjia answered repeatedly and turned at once toward the outer chamber.
Lu Ronghuai cast a sideways glance toward the gauze curtain, a cold sneer flashing through his eyes.
After finishing the sword wound, the Imperial Physician stared with difficulty at the dart lodged beneath his shoulder blade.
“Your Highness, the wound is too deep, and the hidden weapon has embedded itself into the body. Permit this subject and the others to discuss it briefly.”
“Mm.” Lu Ronghuai nodded indifferently.
The two Imperial Physicians withdrew to the outer hall. Seeing them emerge, Emperor Hongjia hurriedly asked, “Well? Is Third Prince all right?”
The Imperial Physician stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Replying to Your Majesty, Prince Li’s external and internal injuries are both severe. The dart in particular will not be easy to remove.”
Emperor Hongjia frowned and said sternly, “No matter the cost, you must cure him!”
The Imperial Physicians knelt in alarm and answered in agreement.
The two discussed matters briefly before returning to the inner chamber.
“Your Highness, the wound must first be cut open so the dart may be removed with a pair of small tongs,” the Imperial Physician said. “However, the dart is extremely thin and sharp, and its surface is smooth. It may prove difficult to pull out. If there is no other way, this subject will use a dagger and cut it out little by little.”
Lu Ronghuai spoke without concern. “That is acceptable.”
“Your Highness, the dart must be removed only after drinking the numbing decoction,” the Imperial Physician said.
Lu Ronghuai shook his head. A stern line formed across his thin lips. “No. This Prince gives you one hour. Before the Prince Consort returns, it must be taken out.”
The two Imperial Physicians exchanged a glance.
Only then did they understand. The reason he refused the medicine was so he could remain awake and wait for the Prince Consort to return.
“Do not delay.” Lu Ronghuai urged them again.
The physicians sterilized the dagger in fire and wiped it once more with strong wine. One stood to either side behind Prince Li, one assisting while the other used the dagger to cut open the flesh around the wound.
The instant the skin split, the veins at Lu Ronghuai’s temples throbbed.
The assisting physician had already prepared himself to hold him down should he move.
Yet even when the dagger entered deep into the muscle and searched within for the dart while blood poured out, Lu Ronghuai merely clenched his fists and endured it in silence. His body did not move at all.
The two physicians inwardly astounded.
How great must one’s will be to endure such pain of the flesh?
After tonight, their understanding of Prince Li had deepened further.
A will and resilience beyond ordinary men. One feared it would be difficult to find another like him.
When Chu Yuan returned, it was already the the hour of Wei. In a little more than an hour the sky would brighten.
The wounds on Lu Ronghuai’s back had already been treated, and Emperor Hongjia was speaking with him.
The Empress sat in the outer chamber. A night without sleep showed plainly in the fatigue on her face. When she saw Chu Yuan, she set down her teacup and beckoned slowly.
“Prince Consort Li, come here.”
Chu Yuan approached with respectful composure and said calmly, “This son greets Mother Empress.”
“Rise. Come sit beside me and speak for a while.” The Empress gestured for him to sit at her side.
Chu Yuan obeyed.
“You and Ronghuai encountered assassins in the forest. Do you know the origin of those assassins?” Her tone was gentle, like a mother concerned for her child. Worry filled her expression.
Chu Yuan lowered his eyes. His long lashes concealed the chill beneath them. “Replying to Mother Empress, the assassins were extremely cunning, and all died without testimony remaining. This son does not know.”
The Empress’s brows relaxed almost imperceptibly. She curved her lips into a smile and comforted him. “It is enough that you are unharmed. Your Father Emperor will investigate those assassins thoroughly and give you an explanation.”
Chu Yuan slowly raised his head and revealed a gentle and proper smile. “Yes. This son trusts that Father Emperor will not lightly spare the person behind the matter.”
The smile at the corner of the Empress’s lips stiffened for a moment before returning to normal so swiftly it was nearly impossible to notice.
“Naturally.”
“Young Lord Ning and Crown Prince Chu were also injured. I wonder whose doing that was.” The Empress spoke with deliberate implication.
Chu Yuan looked toward her in surprise. “Where were they injured? Are the injuries severe?”
The Empress stared into his eyes. They were clear and pure, bewildered and innocent.
“Crown Prince Chu suffered a great fright and his mind is somewhat confused. Young Lord Ning was bitten by a snake. Fortunately it was not venomous. He recovered his life by chance.”
Chu Yuan nodded, concern on his face. “That is already a blessing within misfortune.”
The Empress spoke with him a while longer. On the surface she showed concern, yet every sentence carried probing intent. Chu Yuan handled the exchange with ease until Emperor Hongjia emerged.
“This son greets Father Emperor.” He rose and bowed.
Seeing that Chu Yuan also appeared disheveled, Emperor Hongjia waved a hand. “Rise. Your complexion also looks poor. The Imperial Physicians have only just left. Zhen will summon them again to examine you as well.”
Chu Yuan replied, “This son thanks Father Emperor for the concern. This son has not been injured and need not trouble the Imperial Physicians to return.”
Seeing his insistence, Emperor Hongjia said nothing further and left with the Empress to rest.
Chu Yuan stood and turned toward the inner chamber.
“Ah-Yuan?”
Hearing footsteps, Lu Ronghuai opened his eyes.
“It is I, Your Highness.”
Chu Yuan lifted the gauze curtain and walked inside. At a glance he noticed the fine beads of sweat across the man’s forehead.
“Why are you sweating so heavily?” Chu Yuan frowned slightly and stepped closer.
Lu Ronghuai lay prone on the bed. He exhaled softly and smiled. “It hurts somewhat. Ah-Yuan, help me.”
Chu Yuan sat beside the bed and took out a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat. His voice was gentle. “What does Your Highness require of this subject?”
“I have sweated through my clothes and feel unwell everywhere. Ah-Yuan, help me wipe my body.”
Chu Yuan’s hand paused.
His clear eyes slowly widened, like lightning suddenly splitting the sky over a vast clear horizon.
His voice trembled slightly. “This subject?”
“Yes, my wife.” Lu Ronghuai grinned at him.
Chu Yuan replied, “Let Xian Feng come instead. He has served Your Highness for many years and will do it better than this subject.”
Lu Ronghuai refused. A sharp hiss of pain escaped him. “It hurts terribly, Ah-Yuan. Have some pity for me.”
“Good wife, I do not wish the subordinates to see me in this condition.”
Chu Yuan looked at the several layers of bandages wrapped across his back. Hearing his pitiful voice, his heart softened.
In the end, he agreed.
He ordered Xian Shuang to bring hot water. Placing the cloth in the basin, he washed it carefully twice and wrung it dry before returning to wipe Lu Ronghuai’s face first.
“Your Highness, raise your head slightly.”
Chu Yuan wiped downward from his forehead and reminded him softly when he reached the chin.
Lu Ronghuai lifted his head, his dark eyes fixed intently upon him.
After finishing the face, Chu Yuan began wiping the upper body.
Lu Ronghuai’s upper garments had been entirely removed, leaving only the bandages. Chu Yuan avoided the wounds and wiped carefully and earnestly twice.
“It is done, Your Highness.” Chu Yuan rose.
Lu Ronghuai said, “How is it done? The lower half has not been wiped yet.”
He lifted both legs and waved them with complete shamelessness.
Chu Yuan: “...”
A trace of embarrassment appeared on Chu Yuan’s face. He looked at the long legs and bit his lip. “Your Highness is lying on the bed. The trousers cannot be removed easily.”
Lu Ronghuai gave a low laugh. He somehow produced a pair of scissors and handed them over. “That is simple. Cut them and throw them away.”
“!!”
Chu Yuan accepted the scissors with heavy reluctance.
Lu Ronghuai urged him. “Hurry. The water will grow cold.”
Chu Yuan stood beside the bed couch and took several deep breaths. Finally, steeling himself, he grasped a corner of the trouser leg and began cutting with his eyes closed.
The scissors moved upward little by little toward the root of the thigh.
Lu Ronghuai glanced back and his scalp tightened. “Ah-Yuan, be careful. Do not injure your precious treasure.”
Chu Yuan’s face darkened and his teeth ground together. “If Your Highness speaks one more word, this subject’s scissors may lose their sight.”
Lu Ronghuai: “...”
In the end Chu Yuan could not overcome his embarrassment. He covered Lu Ronghuai with the quilt and reached beneath it to carefully cut away the final piece of cloth.
Then, through the blanket, he gave him a perfunctory wipe, two haphazard passes.
Lu Ronghuai still complained. “That is unfair. Ah-Yuan wiped the upper body twice. Why only once below? One must not show favoritism.”
Chu Yuan ignored him deliberately. “Then Your Highness may wipe it yourself. This subject’s hand aches.”
“Your hand aches? Let me see.” He reached to grasp Chu Yuan’s hand.
“Ah, it seems I have arrived at an inopportune moment?” Nie Siran’s teasing voice sounded from beyond the curtain.
Lu Ronghuai said flatly, “Look at the hour. Is it appropriate?”
“So unwelcome,” Nie Siran laughed softly. He lifted the curtain himself and walked in. “I came to visit Your Highness. Are you moved?”
“Leave.”
“There is no need to be so moved.”
Chu Yuan smiled faintly. He carried the basin outside to pour out the water and changed his clothes along the way.
Once Chu Yuan had left, Lu Ronghuai rested upon the pillow and drove him away. “If you have something to say, say it quickly. If not, leave. Wandering about in the middle of the night. If you have no wife, do not disturb others who do have one.”
Nie Siran glanced at the injury on his back and understood the situation. “I will leave shortly. This one came tonight to tell Your Highness a secret.”
“Mm?” Lu Ronghuai responded coldly.
“The assassins who attacked Your Highness earlier were men of the Western Qiang.”
Lu Ronghuai’s eyes narrowed, his expression turning cold. “How do you know?”
“This one saw the wounds on your subordinate’s body. They possess a short blade for close combat, marked with serrated-teeth. It is quite distinctive.”
Over the years Nie Siran had traveled widely. His experiences far surpassed most people. Even Lu Ronghuai, who in his previous life had fought Western Qiang soldiers on the battlefield, had not known of such a weapon.
“My thanks.”
Nie Siran opened his folding fan. His eyes grew dark. “Your Highness need not thank me. Rather, consider carefully why Western Qiang men would appear here.”
“Mm.”
Nie Siran waved the fan lightly, covering the lower half of his face as amusement flickered in his eyes. “This one asked the Prince Consort a question tonight.”
Lu Ronghuai immediately lifted his head. “What did you ask?”
“This one asked whether he likes Prince Li.”
Lu Ronghuai lay back down again. Though he himself was uncertain, his expression remained domineering. “What foolish question is that? My Ah-Yuan naturally likes me.”
Nie Siran rose and smiled calmly. “Your Highness is very confident. The answer may not be so certain.”
“It grows late. This one should depart.”
After speaking, Nie Siran left.
Leaving Lu Ronghuai alone with those last words, clawing at his heart.
When Chu Yuan returned after washing, he lifted the curtain and saw a certain Prince gazing toward him with deep grievance.
Resentment hung heavy.
?
“What is the matter?”
The man turned his head toward the inner side, leaving only the back of his head in view.
Chu Yuan climbed onto the bed and lay inside, turning to face him.
“Is Your Highness angry?”
“Mm!” He nodded vigorously.
Chu Yuan yawned. Moisture gathered in the corners of his eyes. His voice grew soft. “Why is Your Highness angry?”
Lu Ronghuai stared at his pale cheeks. “I like Ah-Yuan.”
Chu Yuan paused. A faint trace of weariness showed between his brows. “Mm.”
He closed his eyes.
“Does Ah-Yuan like me?”
He waited.
No answer came from beside him.
Lu Ronghuai pressed his lips together, disappointment filling his expression.
“Mm.”
He remained immersed in that bitterness until he suddenly reacted and raised his head.
Chu Yuan had already fallen asleep. His breathing was steady and his brows peaceful.
With Emperor Hongjia’s special permission, the two of them slept through the entire following day to recover their strength.
Chu Yuan woke that afternoon. Still drowsy, he opened his eyes to see Lu Ronghuai leaning against the bedpost reading a book.
“Your Highness,” he said, rubbing his eyes and lifting his upper body to look toward the window, “it is morning.”
Lu Ronghuai laughed. He closed the book and kissed Chu Yuan’s forehead. “It is evening. Night will soon fall.”
Chu Yuan spoke softly. “I slept for so long?”
“Indeed.”
Chu Yuan lay down again beneath the quilt and obediently pulled it up to his chest. “If night is near, I will continue sleeping.”
It was the first time Lu Ronghuai had seen him linger in bed. Curious, he looked a moment longer, affection filling his eyes, and reached out to pinch the soft flesh of his cheek.
“Eat supper first. Sleep afterward.”
“It does not matter if I do not eat.”
“The six kingdoms will depart tomorrow morning. We must rise early and there will be no time for breakfast. Are you certain you will not eat supper now?”
Chu Yuan opened his eyes, his expression brightened perceptibly. “They are leaving?”
“Mm. Father Emperor originally intended to continue the hunt, yet too many were injured or frightened and none wished to participate further. It could only end hastily.”
“Then we may return to the capital tomorrow?”
Lu Ronghuai paused.
Then he leaned down over Chu Yuan and whispered beside his ear, “We shall not return. This Prince will take you out to enjoy ourselves.”
“Where shall we go?”
“Ah-Yuan will know tomorrow at noon.”
“Only the two of us?”
Lu Ronghuai kissed the tip of his nose again. “A message has already been sent to Prince Li’s residence. Xian Yu and Le Shu have already set out.”
Chu Yuan looked surprised. “Will we be away for long?”
Lu Ronghuai thought for a moment and estimated roughly. “About one to two months.”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu-dog: My good days are about to arrive (rubbing hands eagerly).
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