Fool
Xian Yue donned the disguise mask and assumed Chu Yuan’s appearance, entering the palace together with Xian Yu.
Before the imperial bedchamber, Xian Yu looked from left to right and noticed something amiss.
He kept watch on their surroundings and spoke in a low voice, “Those who have come are all princes. His Highness is absent. By all reason, the Prince Consort need not have come.”
Xian Yue replied, “Noble Consort Xu now holds the phoenix seal in Empress’s stead. Since she summoned the Prince Consort, her intentions are likely not simple.”
Xian Yu thought the same. The two exchanged a glance, both becoming highly vigilant.
“Fortunately, it is not truly the Prince Consort who came today,” Xian Yu said with relief. “The palace had its own elaborate rules.”
“Third Sister-in-law, over here.” Lu Rongshen knelt upon the ground and beckoned to Xian Yue.
Xian Yue smiled and inclined his head toward him. Then he moved to the other side and knelt with composed grace.
Lu Rongshen: “?”
His eyes widened, unable to understand why Chu Yuan kept such distance from him. He glanced at the tightly closed doors of the bedchamber, lifted his robes, and scrambled to his feet, hurrying over to kneel beside him.
Xian Yue covered his mouth and nose, coughed lightly, and said in a hoarse voice, “Eighth Brother, I have recently contracted a slight chill. You should keep your distance, lest the illness be passed to you.”
Hearing his voice turned rough and hoarse beyond recognition, Lu Rongshen understood at once. It was out of concern that his third sister-in-law kept away from him.
He immediately thumped his chest, moved with emotion. “Third Sister-in-law, be at ease. My body is strong. With Third Brother absent, I will take care of you in the palace today.”
Xian Yue: “...”
Looking at Prince Jing’s slight frame, he could not bear to refuse such goodwill and inclined his head in acceptance.
The vermilion palace doors were opened from within by palace attendants and drawn slowly to either side. Supported by her maid, Noble Consort Xu emerged with stately composure.
The princes bowed in unison.
“Rise.” Noble Consort Xu now wielded power. Her retinue surpassed even that of the Empress. More than twenty eunuchs and maids followed behind her, crowding the corridor.
Her gaze swept across their faces, arrogance faintly visible within her eyes. In recent days all had gone smoothly for her. With the phoenix seal in hand, she commanded the harem with a single call and was held in reverence.
She rearranged her expression into one of grief. She raised a handkerchief and dabbed at the corners of her eyes and spoke with an air of sorrow. “His Majesty has fainted several times of late. The dragon body is unwell. This Consort has attended him day and night without removing my garments. I have often heard His Majesty murmur your names, thus I summoned you into the palace.”
“His Majesty has only just awakened. You may enter now.” She stepped aside, still wiping at tears that were not there.
Prince Qi remained expressionless as he was carried inside upon his wheelchair by four eunuchs.
Prince Rui, Lu Rongze, followed behind him.
Xian Yue followed beside Lu Rongshen, entering last.
Just as he was about to step inside, Noble Consort Xu called out.
“Prince Consort of Prince Li, remain. Come speak with this Consort.” She raised her lacquered nails and stopped him.
Without giving him a chance to reply, she turned and led the way to a side hall.
Lu Rongshen had already entered the hall, but seeing this, he retreated.
“Third Sister-in-law, I shall accompany you.”
Knowing Noble Consort Xu’s domineering nature, he feared she might trouble Chu Yuan and wished to protect him.
Xian Yue refused. After persuading Lu Rongshen, he proceeded alone with Xian Yu.
At the doorway, Xian Yu was stopped by a palace maid.
“Her Highness wishes to speak privately with the Prince Consort. No others may enter.”
Xian Yu grinned. “Understood.”
He withdrew briskly and began admiring the scenery, his unconcerned manner leaving even the palace maids at a loss for words.
Xian Yue walked in with perfect composure.
“Prince Consort of Prince Li, be seated.” Noble Consort Xu reclined lazily, a delicate embroidered fan resting upon her knees.
“I thank Your Highness.”
Her finely drawn brows lifted slightly. “What has happened to your voice?”
Xian Yue explained once more.
“Prince Li is now away on imperial duty. The Prince Consort remains alone in Ye Jing and must take care of his health. Otherwise, when Prince Li returns, he will surely be distressed.” Noble Consort Xu covered her lips as she smiled.
Xian Yue cooperated, lowering his head with a faint blush.
“This subject understands. Many thanks for Your Highness’s concern.”
Noble Consort Xu soon turned to her true purpose.
“This Consort has heard that you frequently associate with the Nie family. I am curious. By what means did you gain the approval of that peculiar old man, Nie Chouwen?”
Her tone remained gentle, her smile unchanged, yet beneath it lay probing chill.
Xian Yue widened his eyes, panic clearly visible. “Your Highness, forgive me. This subject has no such method.”
“Is that so?” The smile on her face faded slightly. “This Consort merely asked in passing. There is no need for such nervousness. To gain the favor of the Nie family, this Consort would not dare act against you.”
“However, though Nie Chouwen no longer serves in court, he still holds His Majesty’s esteem. If His Majesty were to learn of this, what do you suppose he would think?”
Xian Yue rose and knelt before her, his hands trembling. “This subject dares not conceal anything. Since the Wanchao Hui, Old Master Nie discovered that this subject possessed only meager talent, with no hope of distinction. Out of pity, he often invited this subject to his residence to discuss poetry and prose.”
“Every word spoken by this subject is true. Not a single falsehood is dared.”
“Merely discussing poetry and literature?” Noble Consort Xu blew lightly upon her nails, her gaze cold. “You are the Prince Consort of Prince Li. Your every action concerns the entire Prince Li Residence. Have you considered that this may bring trouble to Prince Li?”
Chu Yuan raised his head in confusion, shaking it in alarm. “This subject does not know. This subject had not considered such matters.”
“Fool.”
Noble Consort Xu looked down upon him with mockery.
Seeing that face, more beautiful than any woman’s, she thought instead that he was nothing more than a useless fool with only his looks.
Better that he was foolish. Easier to handle when one is simple. Perhaps Prince Li doted on him merely as a plaything, nothing that would pose a threat.
As she calculated within her heart, in the imperial bedchamber, Emperor Hongjia spoke with his five sons for a time. His strength soon waned, and he dismissed all but Prince Rui.
“Father Emperor, take some ginseng broth.” Seeing his sallow complexion and deepened lines at the corners of his eyes, Lu Rongze felt he had aged several years in mere days.
“Set it there. Has your health improved of late?”
“This son is unfilial. With Father Emperor unwell, I have failed to attend at your side and have instead caused you worry.” Lu Rongze spoke, his eyes reddening.
Emperor Hongjia looked at his fourth son. From birth, he had never been without medicine. His figure was weaker than his brothers, even less robust than the younger princes.
His complexion remained poor, his bearing sickly.
Over the years, he had neglected this son a great deal.
“When the imperial physicians arrive, you shall also be examined. Yuan Sheng, send the ginseng tribute from Duan Kingdom to Prince Rui’s residence.”
Yuan Sheng smiled. “His Majesty truly cares for His Highness.”
Lu Rongze knelt to give thanks.
“There is a matter for you.” Emperor Hongjia gestured for him to rise. “Destroy Zhengqing Temple. Increase efforts to capture Zhengqing. Zhen will flay him alive.”
Lu Rongze said, “Father Emperor, Zhengqing Temple took months to build and much silver. To destroy it would be wasteful. Why not decree it and be converted into a refuge for orphaned children, and appoint teachers to instruct them?”
“Excellent. It shall be done as you say.” Emperor Hongjia nodded with satisfaction.
He then asked several questions regarding court affairs. Lu Rongze answered with composure.
“Good. You are steadier than your brothers. With you overseeing the court, Zhen may be at ease.”
Lu Rongze froze.
He knelt once more. “This son thanks Father Emperor for his favor, yet... this son does not wish to oversee the court.”
Silence fell within the chamber.
“Why?” Emperor Hongjia’s gaze darkened.
Lu Rongze pressed his forehead to the ground. “This son is willing to share Father Emperor’s burdens. Yet at night I often cough blood, and by day must rest for hours to recover. The spirit is willing, but the body fails.”
“Summon the imperial physicians.” Emperor Hongjia rang the bell at his bedside.
Soon, Head Imperial Physician Wu entered with two others.
After taking Lu Rongze’s pulse, he said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Prince Rui’s body must be carefully nourished. He should not be overworked. Maintaining a calm spirit is essential.”
Lu Rongze smiled faintly. “Many thanks.”
Hearing this, Emperor Hongjia dismissed him without raising the earlier matter again.
After Lu Rongze left, Emperor Hongjia pressed his temples.
“Now that no one else is present, speak truthfully. How is his condition?”
The physicians lowered their heads, none daring to speak. Seeing his impatience, Head Imperial Physician Wu knelt.
“Your Majesty... Prince Rui’s time is likely limited.”
“Insolence!”
Emperor Hongjia flung the bowl of ginseng broth beside him. It shattered upon the ground, fragments scattering.
“Forgive us, Your Majesty.”
Head Imperial Physician Wu said, “From childhood, His Highness has taken countless medicines. Most no longer have effect. His body is severely depleted. Repeated coughing of blood has damaged his five viscera and six organs beyond repair.”
“Find a cure. If you fail, Zhen will take your heads.”
“This official’s death would be of little consequence, but this official cannot bring himself to deceive Your Majesty. If there were even a fraction of hope, this official would lay down these old bones and do everything in his power to treat His Highness. They say that long illness makes a physician of the patient. His Highness himself surely knows the state of his own body.”
Silence settled over the chamber for a long time.
The Emperor leaned back against his gold-threaded pillow. He closed his eyes, his voice low and drained. “Withdraw. None are to speak of this.”
“Yes.”
Xian Yue emerged from the side hall to find Lu Rongchen crouching nearby waiting for him.
“Third—”
Xian Yue gave a few sobs, covering his face with a handkerchief as he hurried away.
Xian Yu followed close on his heels.
Lu Rongshen: “!!!”
“Third Sister-in-law, wait for me.” He leapt up and hurried after them.
This was serious. Noble Consort Xu had reduced Third Sister-in-Law to tears. His Third Elder Brother was going to hear about this and come back overnight to beat her half to death.
The three of them eventually reached a quiet lane with few people around.
“Third Sister-in-law, do not cry. Noble Consort Xu has always been sharp-tongued—”
Before he could finish, Xian Yue lowered the handkerchief. His face was dry, his expression indifferent.
“Eighth Brother, the weather is hot. Return early.” Xian Yue said, one hand at his hip, his manner entirely composed
Lu Rongshen blinked blankly. “... Oh.”
“We will be on our way, then.”
Lu Rongchen stared at the retreating figure, poised, at ease, not looking back, and could not shake the feeling that today’s Third Sister-in-Law was somehow different.
Somewhat...
Unrestrained.
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Xian Yue: Keep a low profile.
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