“At the time, the Marquis said he would send the belongings here to the prince’s residence. Why has he changed his mind and now wants me to go there personally to inspect them?”
Seeing that Chu Zhaohuai was not reacting with the irrational loss of control the Marquis had expected at the mention of the belongings, the attendant carefully pulled a list of the items from his sleeve and handed it over.
“This is the inventory of Madam Bai’s belongings. The Marquis said that the eldest young master will understand once he has seen it.”
Chu Zhaohuai reached out and accepted the list, scanning through it at a glance.
The Bai family’s dowry had already fallen into Chu Zhaohuai’s hands. The remaining belongings were nothing more than some medical books and medicinal herbs. There were only one or two particularly rare and valuable items and even those could be obtained if he was willing to grit his teeth and spend some silver.
However, there were a few things that caught Chu Zhaohuai’s attention.
“What is the ‘manuscript book’ listed at the end?”
The attendant replied, “The Marquis said that while Madam Bai was alive, she researched many prescriptions for treating the eldest young master’s heart condition. They are all recorded in the manuscript book.”
Chu Zhaohuai froze, his lips pressing together unconsciously.
No one had ever cared about him.
The love that Madam Bai had carried for him across thirteen years suddenly surged toward him and even now, it still left him feeling at a loss as to how to respond.
Chu Zhaohuai repeatedly folded and unfolded the corner of the list. His eyes lowered as he struggled to suppress the ache rising in his throat before looking over it once again.
The manuscript book, Madam Bai’s letter and one other item hidden among the densely packed list of medicinal herbs, something no one had paid any attention to.
Zhen Stone.
Chu Jing probably did not know what this thing was used for. Otherwise, he would never have written it down on the inventory.
According to the medicinal formulas recorded in ancient texts, the dan poison that had accumulated within Ji Xun’s body because of the fierce medicines he had taken could be treated by using Zhen Stone. It happened to be capable of fighting poison with poison. Chu Zhaohuai had previously been worrying about how he would find this very substance yet unexpectedly, it had appeared right before him.
Chu Zhaohuai folded up the list and put it away, then glanced at the sky.
The bitter north wind was howling and it looked as though snow would fall again soon.
Chu Zhaohuai said, “Go back and tell the Marquis that I will go to the Marquis’s residence with the prince first thing tomorrow morning.”
The attendant lowered his head, making it impossible to see his expression.
“The Marquis instructed me to bring the eldest young master back to the residence today. The carriage has already been waiting outside the prince’s residence for quite some time.”
Chu Zhaohuai’s brows drew together slightly.
The attendant continued, “The capital is dry and prone to fires during this season. The Marquis is worried that the belongings might catch fire and be destroyed. It would be best if the eldest young master went over as soon as possible.”
The hand holding the teacup came to a sudden stop. Chu Zhaohuai’s gaze instantly turned cold. After a long moment, he finally asked, “Has the second young master returned to the residence?”
The attendant’s expression did not change in the slightest. “He has already returned.”
Chu Zhaohuai thought it over again and again before finally getting to his feet and straightening his cloak.
“Uncle Zhao.”
Uncle Zhao entered with a slight bow. “Wangfei.”
“I have something to take care of today, so I’ll be going to the Marquis’s residence for a while,” Chu Zhaohuai said. “If the prince returns, I’ll trouble you to let him know.”
Uncle Zhao nodded. “Yes.”
The attendant’s expression was faintly unnatural.
There were simply too many schemes and underhanded struggles in the capital. It would be best to get away from this place as quickly as possible and return to Lin’an, where he could grow flowers and sell medicine.
Chu Zhaohuai gathered his wide sleeves and followed the attendant out of the prince’s residence. Stepping onto the mounting block, he climbed into the carriage.
The carriage began to move.
The northern wind howled outside, whipping the carriage curtains into a wild flutter.
Chu Zhaohuai shuddered almost imperceptibly. He could not help thinking that the Marquis’s residence was truly stingy. They had not even bothered to put a charcoal brazier inside the carriage.
But the moment that thought crossed his mind, he suddenly realized something. His brows immediately knitted tightly together.
He had only stayed in the prince’s residence for a few days yet he had actually grown accustomed to being pampered.
Once one became accustomed to luxury, returning to a simpler life was difficult. He had better leave the capital as soon as possible.
Chu Zhaohuai touched the packet of medicinal powder hidden inside his sleeve and quietly let out a breath.
He usually carried three kinds of medicine with him at all times: poison powder, animal repelling powder and medicine to alleviate his heart condition. That way, if he encountered any unexpected danger, he could save himself in time.
Some time ago, he had been chased and hunted through Jiangnan until he had practically been crying for his life. When things had reached their most dangerous point, it was only because of the poison he carried that he had barely managed to keep himself alive.
Hopefully, things would not reach the point where he had to use poison this time.
While his thoughts wandered aimlessly, a sudden “Whoa!” came from outside the carriage. The horse gave a sharp neigh before gradually coming to a stop.
Chu Zhaohuai frowned and lifted the curtain to look outside.
This was a secluded, remote alley. They had not arrived at the Marquis’s residence.
His heart gave a heavy thump.
At the same time, he heard hurried footsteps approaching the front of the carriage, followed by the sound of someone stepping onto the carriage shaft.
Chu Zhaohuai’s pupils contracted and his hand clenched tightly.
The next instant, someone lifted the curtain and entered.
Chu Zhaohuai did not even blink. He suddenly swung his hand.
Someone shouted, “Watch out for his poison!”
The intruder had clearly come prepared. The moment the poison powder was flung toward him, he spun his cloak, blocking all of it from reaching him. He then took half a step forward and in an instant, he was right in front of Chu Zhaohuai.
The carriage was narrow and the man’s presence was overwhelmingly oppressive. His tall figure filled the carriage compartment completely.
Chu Zhaohuai’s heart pounded violently. Acting on instinct, he reached out again.
The black clothed man was clearly a battle hardened martial artist. He strode forward and casually seized Chu Zhaohuai’s wrist before twisting it viciously.
A sharp burst of pain shot through Chu Zhaohuai’s wrist. Cold sweat instantly broke out across his body. Enduring the pain, he shouted, “Who are you people?! I am- ”
Before he could finish, the man yanked Chu Zhaohuai toward him as casually as though he were dragging a lifeless object. His broad palm held a damp cloth soaked with medicinal powder, which he pressed firmly over Chu Zhaohuai’s mouth and nose.
With a cheerful smile, he said, “Divine Physician Bai, long time no see.”
Chu Zhaohuai’s pupils shrank violently.
It was the same group of people who had hunted him through Jiangnan!
“Mmph!” Chu Zhaohuai struggled desperately, trying to break free.
If it came down to fists and kicks, he could not even beat Ji Yi, let alone this tall, powerful man who had clearly undergone martial training. Chu Zhaohuai practically exhausted every ounce of strength he possessed as he reached his trembling hand toward the edge of the carriage curtain.
He was gripping it so hard that his knuckles had turned a ghastly blue white, while the veins on his wrist stood out faintly beneath the skin.
Before long, that hand had completely exhausted its strength and slipped down helplessly, his body staggering as he collapsed.
Seeing that he was no longer moving, the black clothed man finally released him and casually laid him inside the carriage. He then raised a hand and removed the eye veil that was soaked with traces of water.
The howling cold wind lifted the carriage curtain, allowing the light to pour inside and fall across the face of the unconscious man.
The man crumpled the eye veil into a ball and casually tossed it aside. When he lowered his eyes and looked at Chu Zhaohuai, he froze slightly.
For a brief moment, he actually wondered whether he had grabbed the wrong person.
With a face like this, was he really Chu Jing’s son?
Tsk, tsk. Who would have thought that even rotten bamboo could produce such a fine shoot?
Someone outside the carriage called out, “How is it?”
“Mm. His method of scattering medicine is the same as that person’s in Jiangnan. He has a mole on his cheek and he’s so beautiful that he looks almost like a woman. No wonder he managed to make that mad dog, Prince Jing, lose his soul over him.” The man bent down and gripped Chu Zhaohuai’s chin, turning his face from side to side as he examined him. “, It’s confirmed. It’s him. Leave the city.”
The horse neighed softly and the carriage slowly began moving toward the outskirts of the city.
…..
Outside the city, at the imperial hunting grounds.
Prince Jing was quite the cripple yet he had insisted on coming out to hunt. The scale of the expedition was enormous as well but after an entire day of activity, he had not even caught a glimpse of a deer.
The prince’s arrows never missed their mark. With only a single shot, he had managed to bring down a rabbit.
Yin Chongshan pushed Ji Xun back toward the camp first, secretly observing the prince’s expression.
Mm.
It did not look very good.
That was understandable, too. Yesterday, he had boldly declared, “When this prince returns, I’ll bring you a deer.”
Yet after hunting for an entire day, he had not even seen the tip of a deer’s fur.
Anyone would feel embarrassed after that.
Yin Chongshan cautiously asked, “Your Highness, shall we return to the residence?”
Ji Xun said nothing.
Just like a few days ago, when he had gone fishing and ended up catching nothing but a tiny little fish fry.
“It’s already difficult to hunt deer in snowy weather,” Yin Chongshan persuaded. “I’ll immediately send someone to the Court of State Ceremonial Affairs to get a live deer. Once we return to the residence, we’ll simply say that you hunted it yourself. The wangfei will certainly be delighted.”
Ji Xun: “…”
Ji Xun gave him a cool sideways glance.
The moment Yin Chongshan saw that look, his scalp went numb. He knew that the prince was about to begin his gentle, cutting criticism of him again. He braced himself and waited.
Then he heard Ji Xun say coldly, “Then why haven’t you gone yet?”
Yin Chongshan: “…”
Yin Chongshan kept his face rigid and solemnly replied, “Yes.”
The hunting grounds were bitterly cold. Even Ji Xun, who was normally afraid of heat, had put on a light cloak. A snow wolf was lazily sprawled at his feet, while a small charcoal brazier had been placed inside the tent. Only then was it possible to keep him from freezing stiff.
Someone lifted the tent curtain and hurried inside.
The jade pendants at his waist clinked and rattled against one another.
Just from that familiar sound, it was obvious that the person entering was Lu Wujie.
Commander Lu patted the snow from his clothes. “Hey, what were you two talking about just now? Why was Chongshan laughing so hard?”
Ji Xun: “…”
Ji Xun glanced at him. “Why have you come here again?”
“It’s all because of that bunch of bandits causing trouble.” Lu Wujie crouched beside the charcoal brazier and warmed himself, casually brushing away the lingering cold from his body. “The New Year is approaching and quite a few wealthy families in the capital will be going to Huguo Temple to draw lots and pray for blessings. His Majesty ordered me to patrol the roads and keep watch along the way, just in case anything happens.”
Ji Xun said indifferently, “If drawing lots and praying for blessings in this world actually worked, there would be wild emperors everywhere.”
“A sincere heart makes prayers effective.” Lu Wujie knew that Ji Xun did not believe in gods or Buddhas, so he did not say anything more about it and simply asked, “When do you plan to go suppress the bandits? If you handle this assignment properly, it will be a great achievement. Who knows, perhaps your salary and official allowances will even be restored.”
“Achievement?” Ji Xun said. “What achievement?”
Lu Wujie looked at him strangely. “How many people throughout history have ever dared to rob travelers right beneath the Imperial City? If you wipe them out, Your Highness, Prince Jing, your name will be remembered for generations to come.”
“Commander Lu, perhaps you should move farther away from that charcoal brazier.” Ji Xun’s lips curved into a smile that was not quite a smile. “This prince is afraid that when the Court of State Ceremonial Affairs prepares its vegetarian banquet during the New Year festivities, they’ll discover they’re short of braised tofu and come kneeling at Commander Lu’s feet, begging you to crack open your skull and donate them several pounds.”
Lu Wujie: “…”
Ji Xun’s “sharp tongue” had nearly made Lu Wujie’s face turn red. He forced himself to remain calm and said, “I humbly ask Your Highness to enlighten me.”
Ji Xun did not want to play with an idiot. He leisurely peeled a fengxian orange.
After taking a bite, however, he felt that something seemed to be missing from the flavor. He casually set the orange aside and stopped eating it.
Lu Wujie was still questioning him. “Your Highness? Your Highness.”
Ji Xun finally deigned to speak.
“Before the New Year, Prince Wuchang secretly sent someone to examine Liang Fang’s pulse. They discovered that someone had poisoned the heir of Prince Wuchang. A month ago, he dispatched two hundred elite soldiers to hide in Nanxia Forest, waiting for an opportunity to take the heir back to his fief.”
“Nanxia Forest? Isn’t that where the mountain bandits are?” Lu Wujie sucked in a sharp breath. “Private soldiers would be easy enough to expose even if they were hiding outside the capital, let alone if they disguised themselves as bandits. Is Prince Wuchang really being this brazen?”
Ji Xun was probably rendered speechless by his stupidity and no longer wanted to talk to him.
Fortunately, although Lu Wujie was a martial man, he had managed to claw his way through the capital’s tangled affairs and rise to the position of commander, which meant he was not entirely lacking in brains.
“That’s not right. This year, the capital has been conducting strict household registration inspections. At most, Prince Wuchang could have arranged for those people to settle outside the city. There’s no way he would be this blatant.”
Two hundred people scattered throughout the areas outside the city could do nothing more than assume identities such as hunters or farmers. Although such identities were inconspicuous, inspections around the capital were extremely strict and they could easily attract unwanted trouble.
Someone in the palace had probably noticed the changes occurring outside the city. That was why they had used “suppressing the bandits” as a pretext to make Ji Xun take on this troublesome assignment that offered him nothing but hard work and no reward.
If the bandits were successfully suppressed, the city defense troops could then use the excuse that “some remaining bandits may have escaped” to conduct an extensive search of household registrations within dozens of li of the capital.
If Prince Wuchang’s private soldiers were discovered, Liang Fang would be the first person caught in the crossfire.
“Prince Wuchang cares about this youngest son of his more than anything. If anything happens to Liang Fang, he’ll definitely fight you to the death.” The more Lu Wujie thought about it, the more his head began to ache. He said warily, “Yuanchuan and Jinling are separated by only a single mountain range. If you fall out with Prince Wuchang, you’ll be attacked from both sides in the future. Your Highness, you absolutely must not touch this miserable assignment.”
Ji Xun casually stroked the snow wolf lying at his feet and said, “This prince isn’t stupid.”
Just as he finished speaking, a guard from Prince Jing’s residence hurried over. With a loud “thump,” he dropped to his knees and reported succinctly.
“Your Highness, today the Marquis of Zhenyuan sent someone to invite the wangfei back to the Marquis’s residence. On the way, he was abducted by another group of people. Those people were prepared in advance and were trained assassins. We have failed in our duty and were unable to stop them.”
Ji Xun’s expression remained completely unruffled. He asked indifferently, “Where did they go?”
“Judging by their direction, perhaps Nanxia Forest.”
Ji Xun’s hand, which had been stroking the snow wolf, suddenly stopped.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Substitute BrideChapter 2 · Chu ZhaojiangChapter 3 · Very safeChapter 4 · He is the prince’s manChapter 5 · It was really hard to refuse their kind invitation.Chapter 6 · Thankfully it was just poisoning.Chapter 7 · Haha, I spit on “golden and jade hall”!Chapter 8 · Are you not satisfied with the homecoming gift?Chapter 9 · You must keep your identity hidden.Chapter 10 · I like whole fish banquetChapter 11 · BankruptChapter 12 · Add some funChapter 13 · FightChapter 14 · Three taels of silverChapter 15 · Go back to restChapter 16 · They’re all spendthrifts.Chapter 17 · Enough for branches and leavesChapter 18 · Rumors can kill peopleChapter 19 · I want to get closer to the prince.Chapter 20 · Why not move in and share a room?Chapter 21 · Ha, I’m not stupid.Chapter 22 Part 1 · Liang Fang’s prescriptionChapter 22 Part 2 · Liang Fang’s prescriptionChapter 23 · Be more cautious and vigilantChapter 24 Part 1 · Don’t touch meChapter 24 Part 2 · Don’t touch meChapter 25 Part 1 · Golden NeedleChapter 25 Part 2 · Golden NeedleChapter 26 · To avoid suspicionChapter 27 · Committing numerous evil deedsChapter 28 Part 1 · May I receive the worst possible fortuneChapter 28 Part 2 · May I receive the worst possible fortuneChapter 29 · I really didn’t mean to kill youChapter 30 · Protect the prince!Chapter 31 · The bird that fell into the trapChapter 32 · Embracing someone on the couchChapter 33 · The miracle doctor is going home!Chapter 34 · I shouldn’t have wanted to hurt himChapter 35 · A bout of madnessChapter 36 · NightmareChapter 37 Part 1 · SpecialChapter 37 Part 2 · SpecialChapter 38 · Being hunted downChapter 39 · Cause and Bitter FruitChapter 40 · Is he honest and kind?Chapter 41 · I am flattered and overwhelmed.Chapter 42 · No, I want to buy.Chapter 43 Part 1 · When the city gate catches fireChapter 43 Part 2 · When the city gate catches fireChapter 44 · It’s the face of a notorious thiefChapter 45 · Are you trying to comfort me?Chapter 46 · Thank you, Your Highness!Chapter 47 · Thank you, Your Highness!Chapter 48 · It’s delicious!Chapter 49 · SeducingChapter 50 · By imperial decreeChapter 51 Part 1 · Potent MedicineChapter 51 Part 2 · Potent MedicineChapter 52 · Wasn’t it impotence?Chapter 53 · I’m not busy todayChapter 54 Part 1 · Break his legs directlyChapter 54 Part 2 · Break his legs directlyChapter 55 · I really didn’t mean to mess with youChapter 56 · Don’t play the victim when you’re having a medical episodeChapter 57 · Let’s do it one more time!Chapter 58 Part 1 · I’ve got you!Chapter 58 Part 2 · I’ve got you!Chapter 59 · A doctor’s dutyChapter 60 Part 1 · Are you at peace with yourself?Chapter 60 Part 2 · Are you at peace with yourself?