“Logically speaking, given our relationship, I wouldn’t mind showing you, but it really has shrunken, and I don’t want to admit it.” Qin Ziyu was in great agony. This was a matter of a man’s dignity; he wished he could just undergo surgery.
Seeing his low spirits, Lu Moyun asked, “Is it really that serious?”
“A centimeter is still a shrinkage!” Qin Ziyu wailed, looking as if he might drop dead from anger in the next second.
Lu Moyun: “…”
“Keep it for your own viewing pleasure, then. I’m leaving.”
Qin Ziyu ignored him, remaining sunk in his depression. Even though this broken body gasped for air after the slightest movement and he didn’t actually plan on doing anything he was, after all, supposed to be pursuing Xiao Ci how could he manage without enough dignity? Fortunately, Xiao Ci didn’t have “it” at all; otherwise, Qin Ziyu would truly feel inferior.
The rumors were growing more and more outrageous.
At first, they said the Crown Prince and Xiao Ci were at odds and that the Prince had been kicked out of Kaiyang Hall.
Then, it was whispered that the Crown Prince had caught Xiao Ci in some scandalous act, only for it to turn into a massive joke.
Later, at some unknown point, rumors began that the two were conspiring for the throne. Those rumors eventually faded since no one took them seriously; after all, given Qin Ziyu’s health, the Emperor would likely outlive him.
Qin Ziyu shook his head. Ancient people simply didn’t know how to market. If he were the one spreading rumors, he’d say the Crown Prince had “forced himself” upon Xiao Ci, using his royal status to suppress him while Xiao Ci resisted to the death.
Those words alone “forced himself” could dominate the palace entertainment headlines for 365 days.
And on the 366th day, he’d actually do it.
“Is there any movement at Kaiyang Hall today?” Qin Ziyu asked, biting into a fragrant pear.
Qing’an shook his head. “The Director has not entered the palace these past few days.”
Two palace maids entered the room giggling, each carrying a pot of Rose Begonias with tender pink flowers in full bloom.
“Your Highness, these are a new variety cultivated by the palace gardeners. This servant asked the flower room for two pots; they look perfect in this room.” Jinrong walked inside and placed one on the table directly facing Qin Ziyu.
The other pot was yellow and was placed outside the screen.
Qing’an’s eyelid twitched at the sight. Who trained these girls? They have no sense of etiquette at all who places flowers like that?
He turned to look at Qin Ziyu, but the Prince was all smiles and friendliness, appearing to highly approve of their actions.
Ever since these two maids arrived at the Eastern Palace, they didn’t have to do any sweeping or laundry. They only had to make the beds, tidy the room, and keep the Crown Prince entertained.
The Crown Prince was always smiling in front of them, occasionally rewarding them with pastries or jewelry. Consequently, the two girls had no sense of fear and grew increasingly naive.
“Lord Qing’an is here too! This servant went to the Imperial Kitchen to get some Chrysanthemum Tea and left it in your room, Lord.”
Qing’an immediately grinned, the sternness vanishing from his face.
Everyone in the Eastern Palace knew the Crown Prince didn’t drink tea, and the Imperial Kitchen knew it too. But when the Eastern Palace asked for things, the kitchen didn’t dare refuse. Thus, the servants benefited. Chrysanthemum tea wasn’t worth much, so the kitchen wouldn’t make a fuss before the Emperor over such a small matter.
Jinrong bowed to Qin Ziyu. “Lord Qing’an, don’t think this servant is being meddlesome. It was His Highness who thought of you and specifically ordered me to go fetch it!”
Qing’an was overwhelmed by the favor and was about to kneel when Qin Ziyu raised his hand. “I’ve seen how anxious you’ve been lately, to the point where your mouth is blistering. Drink more tea to ‘clear the fire’ in your system, lest you actually fall ill.”
Ultimately, Qing’an’s anxiety was on his behalf.
Previously, he had ordered Qing’an to the Mass Grave outside the palace. Upon his return, Qing’an had been captured by Xiao Ci and only survived by feigning a defection to his side. Now caught between both parties, the poor eunuch wished he could sprout a twin brother to take his place.
Jinfan said, “I have a sister from my village who works at the Chunghua Hall. I heard that the Prince of Jing entered the palace today.”
Chunghua Hall was the palace specifically used by the Emperor for handling government affairs. Unauthorized personnel were not allowed to approach. To be able to serve there meant one had a powerful backer.
Power struggles were rampant within the court. The Commander of the Five Capital Guards was the Imperial Noble Concubine’s biological brother. The Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet shared a bond of teacher and pupil with the Prince of Jing. Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard (Jinyiwei) belonged to the Emperor, one of its Assistant Commissioners had once been saved by Xiao Ci and helped him secretly many times. The Six Ministries were in even greater chaos—sometimes people attacked their own side without even knowing it.
The original host’s mother, the late Empress, hailed from the Marquis of Zhaoyi’s estate. The Marquis of Zhaoyi had once suppressed the rebellion in the Southern Borders and was enfeoffed upon his return to the capital, later commanding the Left Military Command. He was a genuine “power minister” and was later promoted to the rank of Duke. Unfortunately, after the Empress passed away, the Duke fell bedridden and soon followed her to the grave. She was his only daughter, so the Duke’s estate gradually declined. Now it merely held an empty title, much like Qin Ziyu’s position as Crown Prince.
He remembered that in the novel, the Duke had a distant relative who entered the Embroidered Uniform Guard through his own merit. What was his name?
Qin Ziyu couldn’t remember for a moment. He only remembered that this person stabbed Xiao Ci in the later stages of the book he had quite the backbone.
“This sister of yours…”
Jinfan said, “Rest easy, Your Highness. It was merely idle chatter; this servant has a sense of propriety and did not intentionally spy for news from Chunghua Hall.”
“Mm,” Qin Ziyu nodded. “The Prince of Jing has been ill for many days; it is indeed time he recovered.”
Naturally, the first thing one did after recovering was enter the palace to express gratitude.
“How is Physician Li?”
Qing’an said, “Physician Li resigned his post yesterday due to old age and has returned to his hometown.”
“Why did he leave in such a hurry?” Qin Ziyu frowned. “We should have bestowed more silver upon him. Physician Li worked hard caring for me; we cannot let the elderly man leave with a cold heart.”
Qing’an explained, “After Lord Li resigned, he came to the Eastern Palace. Your Highness was asleep at the time, and the Lord feared disturbing you, so he specifically told us not to tell you yet. Physician Chen also knows about this.”
“Couldn’t you have woken me up?” Qin Ziyu felt a sense of loss. He felt that Physician Li knew something but didn’t dare speak. Now there was truly no way to ask.
As they were speaking, Chen Zhuo (Physician Chen) brought in the medicine. As soon as the door opened, Qin Ziyu smelled the bitterness. When the man drew near with the pitch-black liquid, Qin Ziyu’s face became a “mask of pain.” “Why does it smell even more sour to me now?”
After drinking medicinal soup for nearly a month, Qin Ziyu felt as if he were soaked in medicine inside and out. He somewhat admired the original host; to have drunk medicine for so many years without turning into a complete lunatic was impressive.
Bitter, sour, and nauseating—this wasn’t something a human should have to swallow. Forget one Xiao Ci; if it had been him, the palace would currently be filled with Xiao Cis. A hundred, a thousand, ten thousand Xiao Cis—no one would get to live!
“This is the prescription Master left behind before his departure. Please try it, Your Highness.”
Chen Zhuo’s eyes were filled with both hope and heaviness. His hands were trembling slightly, though whether from excitement or something else was unclear.
Jinrong took the medicine bowl from him. “Lord Chen worked hard brewing this; let this servant help His Highness drink it.”
She walked to Qin Ziyu and performed a “Ten Thousand Blessings” bow. “Your Highness says this medicine is bitter, but this servant only smells the fragrance of flowers. Once Your Highness finishes the medicine, I fear the fragrance will be even stronger!”
“Jinfan made Red Date Cakes. Your Highness can eat them after the medicine to see if they are sweet. If they aren’t, Your Highness must scold her severely to vent this servant’s anger.”
“Mischievous girl,” Qin Ziyu laughed and scolded. Since Jinrong arrived, there was much more joy in the palace. The girl was very likable and a smooth talker.
“How has she offended you now?”
Jinfan bit her lip and made a gesture as if to hit Jinrong. “This servant merely stole a bite of her pear while she was sleeping last night, and now she’s harboring a grudge!”
Qin Ziyu laughed until he was doubled over. “Alright, alright, I’ll drink the medicine. You two can cause a ruckus later.”
He picked up the bowl and tilted it back, gulping it down. It felt like throwing gall into bitter melon juice; the thick, pungent smell was inescapable. As the black liquid hit the bottom, Qin Ziyu shoved a red date cake into his mouth, his facial muscles twisting violently.
The previous medicine was sour and bitter; this time, there was a spicy kick added to it.
Once the nausea was suppressed, Qin Ziyu returned to his graceful, lazy, and languid appearance.
“Well? Are the cakes sweet?” Jinfan asked quickly.
Being stared at by those round, expectant eyes, Qin Ziyu nodded. “Yes, sweet.”
Jinfan was delighted. “This servant shall make them for Your Highness again next time!”
Less than fifteen minutes after finishing the medicine, Qin Ziyu felt warmth returning to his hands and feet; they were no longer ice-cold. He set the hand-warmer aside and asked Chen Zhuo what ingredients were used.
With a thud, Chen Zhuo suddenly fell to his knees. “Your Highness!”
“I beg the Crown Prince to uncover the truth and avenge my Master!”
His action stunned everyone. For a moment, Qing’an and the others stood frozen like statues.
The sudden outburst left even Qin Ziyu unable to react. It took a long while before he found his voice. “What did you say?”
Chen Zhuo looked up, a single tear sliding into his beard. His eyes were wider than ever before, hiding a bone-deep pain.
He steadied his emotions and said in a heavy voice, “There was nothing unusual when Master resigned yesterday. He even chatted with me for a long time, telling me to guard against arrogance and serve Your Highness well.”
“I thought Master had finally left the palace and was very happy for him. But when I returned home last night, I saw the letter he left for me.”
He pulled an envelope from his robe. It was wrinkled, clearly having been squeezed tightly. Qin Ziyu opened it and pulled out the paper.
To Wenzhu:
I am resigning today without consulting you as the matter arose suddenly. I hope you do not blame me.
…
Regarding the Crown Prince’s illness, I have studied it for many years, but alas, time flies and I still have not grasped the key. I have attached a prescription; you may continue the research.
Most of the letter consisted of instructions for Chen Zhuo. Qin Ziyu skimmed through it until he saw a line of small characters at the very end:
“Everything is fate, nothing is by man’s design. From today we part; may all news and traces vanish.”
Wenzhu was Chen Zhuo’s courtesy name.
Chen Zhuo said tearfully, “When I saw the letter last night, I felt something was wrong. I rushed to Master’s estate, but it was empty yet many ornaments and jewelry were left behind.”
It was clear how hurriedly they had left. Even if one resigns, there is no need to leave on the same day. Those ornaments were worth a lot of silver. He had asked the city guards through contacts, and no one had seen his master, nor was there a record of a travel permit for returning home.
Chen Zhuo was grief-stricken, his voice cracking with sobs.
“Your Highness… this is Master’s suicide note!”