Ye Xunyang slept exceptionally soundly this night without even dreaming a single dream. Early the next morning, just as the sky was beginning to grow bright, he woke up of his own accord.
Sitting up and taking a look, he saw that things were very good. Each slept on their own side, the boundaries were clear, and everything was peaceful and safe.
However, the moment he remembered that Lou Jin had gotten up even earlier than him on that previous day, his competitive streak flared up. He could not let a sick person always wait for him to have the morning meal.
He got up to wash and rinse, changing into a form-fitting outfit convenient for movement. He planned to go out into the courtyard first to stretch his muscles and bones, and then, once Lou Jin got up, he would bring up the matter of having the freedom to leave the estate.
By the time he finished practicing a set of boxing forms and returned to the room with a light sheen of sweat all over his body, a maid came to report that the Prince had already gotten up and was currently in the study.
Ye Xunyang felt rather surprised. This person had gotten up far too early, and going to the study at such an early hour meant he was truly diligent.
He hastily wiped his face and walked toward the main courtyard study.
Outside the study, Lou Jin’s senior attendant, Wang Quan, was faithfully standing guard.
Upon seeing Ye Xunyang, Wang Quan bowed and saluted. “Your Highness the Consort, the Prince is currently having his meal.”
“Mn, I am looking for the Prince regarding a small matter,” Ye Xunyang said as he prepared to walk right inside.
Wang Quan did not block him, instead stepping aside and speaking in a low voice. “The Prince has given orders that if the Consort arrives, you may go directly inside.”
The furnishings inside the study were simple yet exuded elegance. Lou Jin was sitting at the desk beside the window, reading a letter.
His complexion remained pale, but his gaze was clear. Seeing Ye Xunyang enter, he did not seem surprised, merely covering the letter with a book close at hand.
“Have you eaten the morning meal yet?” Lou Jin put down his silver chopsticks and asked in a natural tone.
“Not yet.”
Ye Xunyang walked right up to him, deciding to get straight to the point.
“Your Highness, I came to ask if I am able to leave the estate normally. For instance, going out to wander around the streets, or returning to the General’s Mansion to check on my mother, and things like that?”
Upon hearing this, Lou Jin was slightly startled, and a trace of realization and faint amusement flashed across his eyes. “When did this Prince ever say you could not leave the estate?”
Ye Xunyang was choked up by his question, rubbed his nose, and laughed somewhat sheepishly. “Well… I was thinking that since I bear the title of Consort, I ought to pay some attention to appearances. If I went out casually and people started gossiping, causing trouble for Your Highness, that would not be good.”
He was too embarrassed to say that he had assumed he also had to abide by the rules of secluded boudoir women.
Watching his somewhat awkward appearance, Lou Jin felt the amusement at the bottom of his eyes deepen, though his tone remained calm. “You and I entered into marriage by an imperial decree, open and aboveboard.”
“You are a man and a descendant of a military family; how could you imitate women and remain shut up indoors? This estate is not a cage. If you want to go out, then go out. If you want to go anywhere to look around, you may do so. You just need to pay attention to your safety and bring guards along. If you return to the General’s Mansion, send someone to give notice in advance so that a carriage and horses can be prepared.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Xunyang felt immense joy, and a smile instantly bloomed across his face, clearing away the clouds to reveal the sun. “Really? Then many thanks, Your Highness!”
Seeing him looking so happy, Lou Jin added, “Since you have already taken over the affairs and ledgers of the estate, I must trouble you to put more effort into managing them well. Within the estate, aside from this study where you must announce yourself if I am handling important matters, you may pass unimpeded through all other places.”
“Of course, if you wish to enter the study, you may find Wang Quan to inform me at any time. It is not a forbidden area.”
At this moment, Ye Xunyang was in an exceptionally wonderful mood. He felt that the sick prince before him looked more agreeable no matter how he looked at him, and he promptly replied, “Your Highness, rest assured. Matters of the estate are left to me, and I will definitely not let you down! Then… I will not disturb you any further?”
Watching the appearance of Ye Xunyang instantly brimming with spirit as he departed, Lou Jin nodded. “Go ahead, and remember to have your morning meal.”
Ye Xunyang left the study in high spirits, his steps feeling much lighter.
Inside the study, Lou Jin watched the receding figure of Ye Xunyang, the amusement in his eyes gradually receding and being replaced by a hint of deep contemplation. After finishing his administrative tasks, he summoned Wang Quan.
“Prepare the carriage. We are going to the National Teacher’s Estate.”
He had to go find out why being close to Ye Xunyang could so wondrously alleviate the excruciating pain within his body.
Was this truly a coincidence, the hidden meaning behind the National Teacher’s divination of his fate, or something else entirely?
The National Teacher’s Estate was located in a secluded part of the capital, with a quiet and pristine environment.
Lou Jin’s arrival did not cause much of a commotion, and he was led directly to the inner chamber where the National Teacher practiced asceticism.
The National Teacher, Xuan Yunzi, had hair and a beard as white as snow and a lean, refined face. Dressed in plain Daoist robes, he was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.
Feeling Lou Jin enter, he slowly opened his eyes, the sharp light within his gaze restrained.
“The Prince’s complexion today seems somewhat better than in previous days.” Xuan Yunzi’s voice was peaceful, carrying no turbulent ripples.
Lou Jin maneuvered his wheelchair closer, dismissed those around him, and left only the two of them in the room.
Cutting straight to the point without any pleasantries, he said, “National Teacher, I have come today to seek guidance regarding this marriage.”
Xuan Yunzi slightly nodded. “Please speak, Your Highness.”
“After Ye Xunyang entered the estate, I discovered that as long as he is nearby, the excruciating pain that has plagued me for many years is significantly reduced, and I can even sleep peacefully.”
Lou Jin stared unblinkingly at Xuan Yunzi, paying close attention to his reaction.
“When the National Teacher performed the divination previously, you only said that the eldest son of the Ye family possesses a birth date of extreme yang, which can dilute the yin malevolent energy in my destiny. But what is the specific reason for this? Why does his proximity to me yield such miraculous efficacy? Is there a deeper cause and effect within this?”
This was the core puzzle he could not solve no matter how much he thought about it.
If it were merely compatible birth charts and conflicting auras, the effect would be far too immediate and specific, almost like some kind of substantive influence.
Hearing this, a trace of very faint astonishment flashed through Xuan Yunzi’s eyes before he fell into deep contemplation.
He calculated with his fingers, his brows slightly furrowing, and after a long while, he slowly spoke. “The circumstances described by Your Highness indeed exceed the ordinary effects of warding off misfortune through a wedding. According to the principles of destiny, for one whose birth date is of extreme yang, the yang energy carried within their body far exceeds that of ordinary people.”
“The poison Your Highness is afflicted with is cold and sinister, eroding bones and marrow, and its essence is the continuous devouring of life force. Young Master Ye’s extreme yang energy is perhaps precisely like the blazing sun shining upon ice, capable of naturally restraining and even dissolving the pain brought by that cold toxicity.”
He paused, his tone becoming even more solemn. “However, if the effect is this significant, it is as if Young Master Ye’s entire body forms a domain of his own, directly influencing Your Highness’s ailing body.”
“This is perhaps not simply a matter of conflicting destinies, but may involve some more profound physical constitution, or perhaps Your Highness and Young Master Ye share some extremely deep causal tie, making his aura act like fine medicine for you.”
“This matter touches upon heavenly secrets, and this poor Daoist cannot see through it entirely either. But in any case, Young Master Ye is beneficial to Your Highness’s condition; this point can now be determined. Your Highness might as well let nature take its course and grow closer to him, as it will surely be of great benefit to your recovery.”
Lou Jin remained silent for a moment, digesting the National Teacher’s words.
A special physical constitution? A causal tie? These explanations sounded somewhat esoteric, but they truly explained the genuine feelings within his body.
“Many thanks to the National Teacher for clearing up my confusion.” Lou Jin had formed a plan in his heart.
Leaving the National Teacher’s Estate and sitting inside the carriage returning to the Prince’s Estate, Lou Jin closed his eyes to rest his mind.
If Ye Xunyang truly was the key to alleviating his pain, then keeping him by his side was no longer just an expedient measure, but something concerning his own lifespan and perhaps the sole hope of recovery.
Since that was the case, while he had previously only thought of testing and utilizing Ye Xunyang and the Ye family, now he had to truly tether him to his side and make him willing to stay of his own accord.
As for Ye Xunyang over there, he was still single-mindedly plotting about getting a divorce in the future and treating him like a sworn brother.
Lou Jin opened his eyes, his gaze as deep as the night.
It seemed he would have to think of a way to ensure the title of husband and wife between them could not be cast off so easily.