“Are you serious?”
This isn’t humbling yourself; this is a blatant provocation!
The only reason Qin Ziyu wasn’t dead yet wasn’t luck—it was that Xiao Ci was so thoroughly enraged that he wouldn’t let him die a quick or easy death.
“Naturally,” Qin Ziyu said. “Otherwise, would you even be seeing me right now?”
“Don’t look so gloomy. This is already the best possible way. Rest assured, as long as Xiao Ci wants me to suffer, he’ll keep me around to play with. By the time we’re done playing, who knows who will be the one left standing.”
“And if you fail?” Lu Moyun’s brow furrowed. He didn’t think this was a good plan, especially regarding Xiao Ci. The original host had tormented him for years; why would Xiao Ci ever develop feelings for Qin Ziyu?
Qin Ziyu tilted his head and smiled. “Then I won’t have lost anything anyway!”
Since death was the end regardless, he didn’t care.
“Lu San, you grew up surrounded by luxury and a big family. I didn’t. I only have myself. If I die, I die; there’s nothing to be sad about.”
Qin Ziyu certainly didn’t want to die as long as there was hope, no one chose death—but to him, simply “staying alive” wasn’t the most important thing.
As they spoke, a commotion arose outside. Qingkang raised his voice in a high pitch: “The Emperor has arrived!”
Qin Ziyu and Lu Moyun exchanged a glance. Lu Moyun supported him as they stood and walked toward the entrance.
“Imperial Father!”
Before Qin Ziyu could even kneel, a bright yellow figure appeared and firmly caught him.
“Yu-er.”
Judging by the voice, the man was past fifty.
Qin Ziyu thought to himself: Yu-er (Fish-er)? Why not Shui-er (Water-er)?
Calling me so affectionately now—if he really cared about this son, he should have visited long ago.
Since he couldn’t kneel, he was easily hoisted up by the Emperor. He had intended to put on an act and squeeze out a few tears, but being lifted like a child left him stunned, unsure of how to react.
Seriously, why can everyone in this world just pick me up?
Lu Moyun timely took Qin Ziyu from the Emperor’s hands. “His Highness has not yet fully recovered. This official shall help His Highness sit first. Please excuse my lack of etiquette.”
He supported Qin Ziyu as they turned around, making a series of faces at him.
Qin Ziyu: Is your eye twitching?
Lu Moyun: If you want to die, don’t stay alive.
Qin Ziyu: Be careful, this is my house. My “cheap” dad is watching.
The Emperor strode inside and took the seat of honor. Only then did Qin Ziyu have the time to clearly see his features.
It was a very dignified face. Although wrinkles clustered at the corners of his eyes and his temples were greying, one could still see his youthful handsomeness.
Qin Ziyu suddenly thought of someone from his own memories, and his gaze darkened.
“This son is unfilial to have troubled Imperial Father to visit in person.”
After helping Qin Ziyu sit, Lu Moyun knelt to one side. The Emperor’s eyes swept over Qin Ziyu before landing on him.
“Moyun, why are you here?”
The Emperor’s tone was gentle, and he wore a smile. Based on his voice alone, one would think the man sitting there was a wise, benevolent, and kind monarch.
A faint scent of pear blossoms drifted by, thinning the tension in the air.
Lu Moyun kept his head down, his attitude respectful but neither subservient nor overbearing. “The Sixth Prince was concerned about the Crown Prince’s illness and commissioned this official to come for a diagnosis. Unfortunately, my skills are lacking, and I am unable to ease the worries of the Prince or Your Majesty. It is my own incompetence.”
“So that is how it is.” The Emperor withdrew his gaze and looked back at Qin Ziyu. “My son has been ill for years. I have invited physicians from all four corners of the world, yet none have been able to cure him. Moyun, you needn’t feel guilty. Rise.”
Lu Moyun kowtowed. “Yes.”
“Sit.”
“Someone, bring tea. Bring Ginger-Date tea for Yu-er,” the Emperor ordered.
The maid beside him complied and hurried out to brew the tea. The Emperor then asked about Qin Ziyu’s recent diet and whether he was sleeping well.
Qingkang knelt and replied, “His Highness’s appetite has improved lately; he can drink half a bowl of porridge. He goes to bed early at night, but he often wakes in the middle of the night and cannot sleep peacefully.”
“Are you using Anxi Incense?”
Qingkang: “The physician said His Highness cannot use incense for the time being.”
The maid’s movements in serving the tea were as fluid as water, her sleeves fluttering as she walked—a pleasing sight.
The Emperor took a small sip, a flash of displeasure crossing his brow. He set the cup down with a slightly heavy thud.
Qin Ziyu said, “This son cannot drink tea, and only some old tea remains in the Eastern Palace. Please do not take offense, Imperial Father.”
He took a long breath, covered his mouth with a handkerchief, and coughed violently, his throat making a wheezing sound.
“Why is the coughing so severe? Where is Physician Li?” the Emperor asked.
Qingkang served Qin Ziyu while replying, “The Prince of Jing is unwell. Physician Li was called to the Prince of Jing’s Manor early this morning.”
“Zheng-er is ill? Why did I not know?”
The head eunuch beside him, Qingji, said, “That is indeed the case. The report came in at the fourth watch (1-3 AM). The Prince suddenly developed a high fever during the night. This servant was afraid of disturbing Your Majesty and hasn’t had the chance to report it yet.”
The Emperor gave a low, cold huff. “Dog-servant! You even dare to hide things from me! If anything happens to Zheng-er, I’ll have your head!”
Qingji knelt. “This servant is guilty! Your Majesty’s health is paramount; please do not get angry. The Imperial Noble Concubine ordered this servant to look after you carefully!”
At the mention of the Noble Concubine, the Emperor’s face softened. “Very well. Send someone to the Prince of Jing’s Manor immediately and bestow more medicine upon them.”
Qingji: “Yes, this servant obeys.”
As he passed Qin Ziyu, Qingji’s steps paused briefly. He switched his snow-white fly-whisk from his right hand to his left and personally led the group to the Prince of Jing’s Manor.
After his outburst, the Emperor comforted Qin Ziyu for a while, asking about his daily routine. Once he had finished expressing his concern, he chatted for a few more moments and then departed.
Lu Moyun stared at the Emperor’s receding back, his expression unreadable. Qin Ziyu walked over and lightly patted his shoulder. “What are you looking at?”
“He… and you…”
“I have no emotional bond with him; if he wants to leave, let him leave. There’s no need to be so melancholy. Don’t look so depressed you’re making me feel like you have a ‘thing’ with him and want to be my stepdad.”
Lu Moyun turned around, his face full of disapproval, but he said nothing more. He knew Qin Ziyu understood exactly what he was asking but was intentionally playing dumb.
“You are currently the Crown Prince of a nation; can you be a bit more serious?” Lu Moyun asked.
Qin Ziyu threw up his hands. “Do I look like a serious person to you?”
Lu Moyun ignored him and found a seat. “Physician Li is specifically assigned to care for you. There are so many physicians in the Imperial Academy, yet they chose him. This Prince of Jing…”
“Physician Li is the Court Physician and highly skilled. My condition has stabilized, so it’s not unreasonable for him to be called away. It’s quite normal.” Qin Ziyu sat down as well, rubbing his chest. He had coughed so hard earlier that his ribcage ached.
Lu Moyun: “Nominally, it makes sense, but it is clearly a targeted move against you.”
“Aside from Xiao Ci, I can’t think of a second person who would do this.”
“Since you know, why say it out loud? The Prince of Jing’s Manor was in such chaos last night—how could the Emperor not have known? He and Qingji were just putting on an act. He doesn’t dare offend Xiao Ci, yet he fears I might harbor resentment.” Qin Ziyu shook his head. “I have a task for you.”
“You needn’t say it; I’ve already found someone. Otherwise, how would I have dared to come see you? Rest assured, this person has already entered my teacher’s sect and become my junior brother. He can be used at any time,” Lu Moyun said.
Qin Ziyu gave him a thumbs up. “As expected of the two of us.”
Lu Moyun: “…”
Could he just praise me alone for once?
The two agreed to meet again in five days. Lu Moyun couldn’t stay long, nor could he visit too frequently without arousing suspicion.
Qin Ziyu toyed with the small jade bottle Lu Moyun had left behind. Inside was high-quality Jade-Fat Ointment, which could quickly reduce swelling and redness. He set the bottle down and called Qingkang to find needles, medicinal liquids, and saltpeter for disinfection.
The Prince of Jing remained bedridden for several days, his fever recurring. Physician Li stayed at the manor and didn’t return. The Emperor assigned a new Physician Chen to the Eastern Palace, who was tasked solely with caring for Qin Ziyu.
Physician Chen was about thirty years old, with a layer of beard on his chin. His eyes were very small so small they nearly vanished when he smiled—and he loved to smile. He squinted at everyone he met. It was said he was Physician Li’s disciple.
It was rare to find such a cheerful person in the Imperial Academy of Medicine. Most physicians kept cold, stone-faced expressions, looking so miserable that one would think smiling would cause them to ascend to heaven on the spot.
When Qin Ziyu asked about it, Physician Chen said with a smile, “The physicians in the Academy are bound by rules and fear offending the nobility. I am still young, and Your Highness is the first noble I’ve personally served.”
“My Master instructed me: as long as I perform my duties well, Your Highness will not take offense at anything I do. I am happy just to see Your Highness, and I hope Your Highness can be a bit happier as well. Perhaps it will help your recovery.”
He’s a good talker, Qin Ziyu thought. A clever man, far more transparent than his master.
“Do you know that my life is tied to yours? If something happens to me, Imperial Father will certainly not let you go,” Qin Ziyu said.
Physician Chen’s expression didn’t change. “I understand. Rest easy, Your Highness; I shall do my utmost to protect you.”
His master had served the Eastern Palace for years, so he was well-aware of the Prince’s condition—he’d even helped mix the medications. Taking over now was a logical step. Either way, if it wasn’t him dying, it would be his master. Being able to take his master’s place was a form of filial piety.
“In your opinion, how much time do I have left?” Qin Ziyu asked.
Physician Chen said, “Your Highness’s will to live is very strong, and your condition is gradually improving. If it can be maintained, I can guarantee three years without worry.”
“You certainly dare to speak the truth.” Qin Ziyu thought silently. Three years. That’s enough. Even if I die, I’ll take Xiao Ci with me and pave the way for Moyun.
“Summon Qing’an. Accompany me to Kaiyang Hall.”
Into the mountain of blades and the sea of fire, I must make my move.