Qin Ziyu pretended not to notice, offering a faint smile despite being under a gaze that scrutinized him like a pool of frigid water. He maintained an air of complete composure.
The clash of red and gold in his attire masked his sickly fragility, making his complexion appear much ruddier and emphasizing the innate nobility in his every gesture.
Qin Ziyu sat across from Xiao Ci, with Qin Zizheng to his right, who raised a wine cup to congratulate the Great Qin Dynasty on its prosperity and strength.
Qin Ziyu drank the sweetened water from his cup. The aroma of wine in the air was pungent and rich, yet not overwhelming one could tell it was excellent wine just by the scent.
A palace maid knelt behind Qin Ziyu. Seeing his cup was empty, she immediately refilled it. Qin Ziyu beckoned her closer, and she leaned in to listen.
“Go and fetch a jar of wine for me,” he whispered.
A flicker of shock crossed the maid’s face. “Your Highness, the Emperor specifically ordered that you may only drink soup.”
“We also have red date and wolfberry soup; would Your Highness like to try some?”
Qin Ziyu stole a glance toward the high platform and secretly pouted.
“No one is watching anyway. If you don’t tell and I don’t tell, only the heavens and earth will know. Just let me have one sip.”
Heaven knew he had endured for so long. He could tolerate not eating spicy food or meat, but being forbidden from drinking wine was truly unbearable.
The maid’s face instantly flushed red, and she prostrated herself on the ground. “This servant wouldn’t dare. Please, Your Highness, spare me.”
Seeing her trembling with fear, Qin Ziyu suddenly felt it was pointless. They were all just workers; he didn’t want to make life difficult for others. He only wanted to sneak a drink, yet why was it so hard?
“Yu’er, are you feeling unwell?”
The Emperor saw everything clearly from above, though he couldn’t hear the specifics.
Just as the maid was about to kowtow and beg for forgiveness, Qin Ziyu spoke before her: “Your son noticed the dark circles under Father’s eyes and feared you were overexerted. I thought that since they serve in the Chonghua Palace, they might be able to remind Father to rest.”
“However, a mere palace maid would never dare to advise Father. It was my lack of consideration; it has nothing to do with her.”
The Emperor nodded with gratification, stroking his newly grown beard. “My son is thoughtful. I have indeed been unable to rest well these past few days. Now that Minister Xiao is here, I can finally get a good night’s sleep!”
He raised his cup toward Xiao Ci from a distance. Xiao Ci rose to return the gesture. “This subject will certainly do his utmost to share His Majesty’s burdens.”
As the two drained their cups, Qin Ziyu followed suit by taking a sip of his soup, quietly observing Xiao Ci.
Three days ago, Lu Moyun had entered the palace, reporting a theft case within Chang’an City. The thief hadn’t stopped at stealing; they had insolently left the words “I was here” near the treasures, acting with extreme arrogance. How could such lawlessness be permitted right under the Son of Heaven’s feet? The entire Shuntian Prefecture was mobilized, searching every street and alley in Chang’an, yet they found nothing.
Qin Ziyu and Lu Moyun were not interested in the case itself; they were simply watching the drama out of boredom, wondering when the farce would end.
Amidst such high tension, the thief had not only refused to stop but had even stolen the “Iron Dan” (Imperial Certificate of Exemption) that had been passed down for five generations in the Earl of Chengyang’s manor. He had further declared that his next target was the Imperial Seal.
Although the Emperor knew this was impossible the palace was strictly guarded, especially the Chonghua Palace where not even a mosquito could fly in, let alone a thief the news caused a massive stir in Chang’an. The commoners spread the news far and wide, waiting for the seal to be stolen. It brought them no benefit, but no harm either; after all, one might live for hundreds of years and never see the legendary State Seal!
The Shuntian Prefecture couldn’t catch the person, and the Prefect was worried sick. As the matter escalated, it alarmed the Brocade Guards, yet it still ended in a stalemate.
Qin Ziyu guessed that the Emperor had summoned Xiao Ci to catch the thief.
Hmm… a thief shouting “catch the thief”?
The court was already a mess; now it was becoming even more chaotic.
Qin Ziyu glanced at the Prince of Jing beside him. Qin Zizheng, seeing him look over, raised his cup with a smile. “Will Imperial Brother join me for a drink?”
“Please.”
Qin Ziyu clinked his cup against his in mid-air one filled with wine, the other with sweet soup.
Accompanied by the lingering sounds of the zither, lunch ended. Qin Ziyu rose to take his leave, walking side-by-side with the other two. He walked in front, but the footsteps behind him were very close. Xiao Ci was tall with long legs; one of his strides was worth two of Qin Ziyu’s, creating a strong sense of pressure.
Qin Ziyu had never seen a eunuch so tall. He was half a head taller than both him and Qin Zizheng. Even if Qin Ziyu’s height had shrunk a bit due to illness, he was still nearly 1.8 meters; Xiao Ci must have been around 1.9 meters.
However, he hadn’t seen many eunuchs before. Qing’an and Qingkang were still young and growing; height varied from person to person.
Leaving the Chonghua Palace, Qin Ziyu stepped aside to make way. “I walk slowly. Lord Xiao surely has important matters to attend to; do not let me delay you.”
Xiao Ci crossed his arms, looking off to the side, pointedly not looking at him. “Your Highness is thoughtful. This subject takes his leave.”
He bypassed Qin Ziyu, his long legs carrying him out of sight in just a few strides.
“What kind of attitude is that?” Qin Zizheng frowned, watching Qingkang fasten Qin Ziyu’s cloak. “How dare he be so arrogant in front of Imperial Brother!”
The scent of wine wafted toward him. Qin Ziyu turned his face away. “Lord Xiao has official duties; it is only natural he has no time for pleasantries.”
Then he let out a scoff, continuing forward with Qingkang’s support. “Besides, I, this Crown Prince, am merely one in name only. Unlike Brother Zheng, who at least holds a position in the Ministry of Works. When the officials see you, their attitude is far more respectful than when they see me.”
“Imperial Brother, do not say such things. The others are fine; it is only Xiao Ci. Forget about your presence even in front of the Emperor, he…” Qin Zizheng stopped abruptly. “I have overstepped; please do not take offense, Imperial Brother.”
Qin Ziyu’s breathing grew heavier as he came to a halt. “What is there to overstep? You haven’t wronged him.”
“How is Imperial Brother’s body still so weak?” Seeing him bow his head and pant, Qin Zizheng said, “Why not take a sedan chair back? I am here, and Qing…”
Qingkang timely offered his name.
“Mhm. Qingkang, go and summon a sedan chair.”
Qin Ziyu began to cough deeply. He couldn’t speak, and since the Prince of Jing was the master, Qingkang didn’t dare disobey, running off to find someone to summon the chair.
Qin Zizheng supported Qin Ziyu’s arm. Seeing him cough more and more violently, he reached out to lightly pat his back until Qin Ziyu stopped.
“Thank you.”
Qin Ziyu used a handkerchief to wipe the moisture from his lips, leaning half his weight against the Prince of Jing. He wasn’t faking fragility; this body had not yet fully recovered, and he couldn’t help it when he inhaled the cold air.
“Imperial Brother is still being so polite with me?” Qin Zizheng looked around. “This is a wind-tunnel; it isn’t suitable to stand here long. Forgive my rudeness.”
With that, Qin Zizheng swept Qin Ziyu up in his arms and headed toward a nearby pavilion. As they moved, the clothes at his chest were gripped tight. He didn’t look down; the person in his arms was very light, feeling as if he might drift away.
Qin Zizheng took off his outer garment and placed it on a stone chair, then carefully set Qin Ziyu down, blocking the cold wind with his own body.
“You’ve just recovered yourself; put your clothes back on.” Qin Ziyu tried to rise, but was pressed down by Qin Zizheng. “Don’t move.”
“Imperial Brother needn’t worry about me. I’ve been strong since childhood. Besides, didn’t Imperial Brother also suspect I wasn’t really ill, and that I had ulterior motives for summoning Imperial Physician Li?”
The cold wind blew, but Qin Zizheng remained as steady as a mountain.
Qin Ziyu felt the warmth on his shoulders and sighed inwardly. If only Xiao Ci were this easy to talk to. It would make “hooking up” with him much easier.
He looked up. “Does Brother Zheng have ulterior motives?”
Stinging sunlight passed through the gaps, and Qin Ziyu blinked. His entire face was in the shadow, yet a stray ray of light reflected off his eyes. His long lashes cast deep and shallow traces on the bridge of his nose, shifting constantly with every blink.
Qin Zizheng fell silent for a moment, listening to the rustle of leaves in the wind.
“Before this… no.”
They were of similar age, and being cousins, their voices were somewhat alike. Qin Ziyu’s voice was more gentle, while Qin Zizheng’s carried more of a youthful spirit.
Qin Ziyu smiled. “And after?”
Qin Zizheng remained silent and did not answer, his Adam’s apple bobbing once.
Qingkang soon arrived with the sedan chair, helping Qin Ziyu onto it while thanking Qin Zizheng profusely. He followed the chair as it departed.
Qin Zizheng stared at the figure on the sedan, standing in place for about fifteen minutes until the cold wind woke him. He put on his outer garment and headed in the other direction.
Returning to the Eastern Palace, Qin Ziyu immediately nestled by the heater. Qing’an brought his medicinal soup and served him as he drank it.
“Tell Chen Zhuo that Imperial Physician Li’s family is safe and sound. Tell him not to worry. As for Imperial Physician Li’s matter, I will continue to investigate.”
Qing’an obeyed and retreated with the empty medicine bowl.
“I will take a short nap. Xiao Ci will be in the palace tonight; remember to wake me,” Qin Ziyu said. Sleeping now would allow him to be more alert at night.
Qingkang followed him behind the screen and instructed two young palace maids to keep a close eye on the time.
As autumn faded into winter, the days grew shorter. Qin Ziyu felt as though he had just fallen asleep when voices reached his ears. Opening his eyes, he saw that the sky was already dark.
Qingkang said, “Your Highness is truly as brilliant as a god. The Governor entered the palace exactly at 4:00 PM and is currently in the Kaiyang Palace.”
“Mhm. You go and rest; have Qing’an come here.”
The eunuchs worked in shifts. Qin Ziyu knew they worked hard and had to stand guard at night, so he tried to let them rotate their rest.
The twilight wind was even colder. Qin Ziyu hadn’t eaten dinner yet; he had to drink his medicine twice a day once half an hour after breakfast and once after lunch. He didn’t take it at night. Imperial Physician Chen said his spleen and stomach were weak, and taking medicine at night would worsen the damage.
So, staying away from the Eastern Palace at night was no problem. This time, he brought not only himself but also his blanket. A blanket filled with the scent of pear blossoms and medicine.
This was Qin Ziyu’s third time at the Kaiyang Palace. He was already familiar with the way and pushed open the doors without waiting for Xiao Wenzi to announce him. Xiao Wenzi was left standing to the side, speechless.
The Crown Prince truly treats this place as the Eastern Palace!
Qin Ziyu struggled to carry the blanket, walking forward under Xiao Ci’s sharp gaze without pausing for a single step. He came to a halt before Xiao Ci, with only the desk between them.
“Lord Xiao, are we sleeping?”