[Under-the-table rivalry]
The words of the Beastmaster were truly beyond everyone’s expectations.
The Eighth Prince seemed to panic. “There must be a mistake!” he stammered. “That wound could have just been from the collision just now!” He was, after all, only a child; in his desperation, he began to talk nonsense.
The Beastmaster lifted the bird’s wing. The laceration underneath had looked hidden, but it was actually a large, jagged tear. Forcing it to fly with such an injury would only cause the wound to worsen.
Everyone present knew in their hearts that the Eighth Prince forcing Xiao Qing to take flight multiple times earlier was likely the source of this injury.
The Crown Prince wanted to offer an explanation, but the Empress Dowager’s attention was entirely on the injured falcon. She didn’t spare them a single glance, only coldly asking the Beastmaster: “No matter what, I want it healed.”
The Beastmaster bowed his head. “Your Majesty need not worry too much. After applying the medicine, just ensure it does not spread its wings too wide for the next few days.”
As he prepared to perform emergency treatment on the wound, the Crown Prince tried to step forward to take a look. Unexpectedly, as soon as the falcon sensed someone approaching, it frantically burrowed its head toward Ying Fusheng.
Auntie Yu stepped in to smooth things over and soothe the Empress Dowager’s heart. “Xiao Qing truly is spirited; it’s as if it recognizes its savior.”
The Empress Dowager prided herself most on the falcon’s intelligence. Hearing this, her expression indeed softened slightly.
The falcon stayed very close to Ying Fusheng, showing a clear sense of affinity. Taking advantage of this, the Beastmaster held the bird down and was finally able to treat the wound.
No one cared for the Eighth Prince’s lingering explanations. “Grandmother…”
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, clearly unwilling to discuss the matter further.
While the Eighth Prince was still busy trying to vindicate himself, Ying Fusheng glanced sideways, noticing the Crown Prince, who had fallen silent beside them.
Ying Fusheng wasn’t surprised by the “fat bird’s” behavior. It had been forced to fly by the Crown Prince and driven hard several times by the Eighth Prince—all while the Empress Dowager looked on with silent approval. Naturally, the falcon would feel a temporary repulsion toward them.
Thinking back to how the falcon had been guided to fly toward him earlier, the Eighth Prince had actually indirectly helped him. However, knowing the Eighth Prince’s temperament, this behavior was likely guided by someone else. Ying Fusheng’s lips twitched slightly; ignoring the gaze coming from beside him, he spoke at the opportune moment:
“Fortunately, it was a false alarm. It is my fault for not coming to pay my respects sooner, otherwise, perhaps I could have discovered the problem earlier.” As he spoke, his eyes showed a hint of self-reproach.
The Empress Dowager belatedly remembered that he had just recovered from a major illness. Since Ying Fusheng arrived, she looked at him directly for the first time. “Is your health any better?”
Ying Fusheng replied respectfully, “Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. I am much better.”
As the grandmother and grandson went back and forth, the Crown Prince—suddenly left out in the cold—felt quite awkward. When he looked at Ying Fusheng, he lowered his eyes to hide the dark look within them. Suddenly, he spoke up:
“I heard that the Sixth Brother rarely leaves Weiyang Palace. How are you so familiar with falcons?”
Everyone froze, realizing only then that the Sixth Prince had been the one to restrain Xiao Qing. Without him, it wouldn’t have been easy to subdue the struggling raptor.
Ying Fusheng adopted an expression of confusion. After hesitating, he said, “What does familiarity have to do with it? It was flying low and its posture looked wrong, so it was easy to pin down.”
Hearing Ying Fusheng’s innocent answer, the Empress Dowager laughed. “You wouldn’t know—it usually flies like that. Since it was your first time seeing it, you noticed, whereas they never did.”
Ying Fusheng looked at the bird, a look of sudden realization dawning on his face. “Is that so?” he murmured.
The Empress Dowager’s laughter eased the atmosphere. The people of Cining Palace were used to Xiao Qing’s odd flying style; knowing this was the Sixth Prince’s first time seeing it, they figured he had just stumbled upon the truth. No wonder the “little ancestor” had been so temperamental lately—it was injured, and no one had noticed.
Compared to normal falcons, Xiao Qing was much smaller. Pampered by the Empress Dowager, it lacked any majestic air; when it sat still, it looked like a fat ball.
Once the medicine was applied, Xiao Qing hopped a short distance away, its round eyes staring intently at Ying Fusheng by the Empress Dowager’s side.
Ying Fusheng met the little fat bird’s defenseless gaze. It lacked the sharpness of a falcon and had more of a clumsy cuteness. It was worlds apart from his falcon in his previous life. When that one returned injured, it looked at him with a different gaze—hostile, threatening, wanting to kill him.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager smiled. “Xiao Qing seems to like you. If you have nothing to do, come visit it often.”
Ying Fusheng withdrew his thoughts, his lips curving into a smile as he bowed his head. “Yes. I will certainly come often.”
Seeing the falcon—which used to be close to him—acting cute for someone else, a flicker of displeasure crossed the Eighth Prince’s eyes. He wanted to step forward, but the Crown Prince grabbed his hand. A single look from the Crown Prince was enough to make the Eighth Prince go quiet.
The Crown Prince watched silently, listening to the conversation between the Empress Dowager and Ying Fusheng. The knuckles hidden in his sleeves tightened, and his expression turned cold.
…
By the time they left Cining Palace and returned to Kunning Palace, Empress Xu was handling the affairs of Moon-Viewing Pavilion while waiting for the two of them for dinner. The Eighth Prince, who always stayed by Empress Xu’s side, was sulking and hadn’t spoken since they got back.
Seeing his silence, Empress Xu asked, “What is the matter?”
The Crown Prince recalled the Empress Dowager’s smile toward Ying Fusheng before they left. The Empress Dowager treated all the other princes and princesses in the palace with equal distance; her keeping Ying Fusheng at Cining Palace was already unexpected. He thought about the “ill omen” incident at Moon-Viewing Pavilion—he had ordered people to handle it and had planned how to please the Empress Dowager to mitigate the fallout. He never expected Ying Fusheng to appear out of nowhere.
The Crown Prince remained silent, but the Eighth Prince beside him couldn’t hold his tongue. He had originally intended to please his grandmother today, but ever since Ying Fusheng arrived, trouble had fallen on him instead, souring the Empress Dowager’s mood. “It’s all that Ying Fusheng’s fault!”
Empress Xu frowned. “What happened?”
“It’s nothing. We just ran into the Sixth Brother at Cining Palace. He seems much recovered and went to pay his respects to Grandmother.” The Crown Prince didn’t stop the Eighth Prince’s outburst; instead, meeting Empress Xu’s questioning gaze, he added: “He seems well. He is quite adept at pleasing Grandmother.”
From handling the Moon-Viewing Pavilion affair over the past few days, Empress Xu knew exactly how much trouble Ying Fusheng’s words had averted. While Consort Ning had acted tactlessly, the child had indeed shown great filial piety. “To remember to pay respects to the Empress Dowager while ill—he is a sensible child.”
The Eighth Prince said resentfully, “He’s just putting on an act. He makes that face, and when that bird was injured, he didn’t say anything earlier just so he could claim credit before Grandmother at that exact moment.”
Empress Xu asked, “What is this about?”
Seeing the situation, the Crown Prince had no choice but to explain today’s events. “Xiao Qing was injured, and Grandmother was upset. However, Sixth Brother likely discovered the issue early on but didn’t speak up, waiting until the Beastmaster arrived to make it clear.”
Empress Xu was somewhat surprised. She had a slight impression of the boy, remembering his clear-headed defense when Consort Ning was in trouble. Normally, she didn’t think much of this prince; Ying Fusheng was not particularly outstanding, and she rarely heard rumors about him, vaguely remembering him as a dull, quiet soul. “He has just recovered and come out. If even you two didn’t notice the injury, how could he have known beforehand?”
The Eighth Prince was exasperated: “He just did!”
Empress Xu merely gave him a look and said, “I have taught you: observe first, act later. Do not act on impulse.”
The Crown Prince’s hand clenched beneath the table. “Mother is right.”
Hearing Empress Xu praise Ying Fusheng, the Eighth Prince felt a surge of resentment and only picked at a few bites of his food.
Empress Xu glanced at a nearby maid, who understood the signal and quickly went to attend to something. She turned to the Crown Prince, her voice suddenly shifting: “Do you dislike this imperial brother of yours?”
“How could I?” The Crown Prince stiffened.
“You are the Prince of the Eastern Palace,” Empress Xu said. “Others will not become obstacles to you. If you dislike him, just tell me directly.”
“Sixth Brother is in poor health; it is only natural for Grandmother to be concerned.” The Crown Prince hid the darkness in his eyes, regained his usual gentle demeanor, and served Empress Xu several dishes. He asked as if in passing, “Mother, is Grandmother’s birthday gift ready?”
“No need for you to worry. Focus on your studies these few days. Do not fall behind when your Father returns.” Empress Xu’s voice softened slightly when speaking to the Crown Prince. She looked at him and said gently, “Let us eat.”
After dinner, it was already late when the Crown Prince left Kunning Palace. A servant ran out with several garments and a message from the Empress: “Her Majesty saw that Your Highness was dressed lightly and specially ordered these clothes. Please take care of your health.”
The Crown Prince looked back at Kunning Palace. The servant said, “Her Majesty cares for you deeply.”
Care… His mother rarely interfered in palace affairs, except when it came to him. She arranged everything for even his minor illnesses. The Crown Prince draped the cloak over himself, his fingers tightening slightly on the hem. Only after the Empress’s people were far away did he ask his attendant: “What is the gift Mother prepared?”
His personal eunuch replied, “Reporting to Your Highness, it is the same as usual. Her Majesty specifically sent people to the common folk to find several pieces of calligraphy and paintings.”
“The birthday gifts Mother prepares every year are always so simple.” The Crown Prince masked a flash of gloom in his eyes.
Empress Xu had a cold and aloof nature and never took the initiative to please the Emperor—this was known throughout the palace. But could she not think more for his sake? Father had just won a great victory; how could mere paintings be fit for such an occasion?
The Crown Prince turned, wanting to say something, but his footsteps suddenly stopped. He had spoken of this in previous years, but every time his mother would say: ‘Your Father dislikes luxury; the more one does, the more mistakes one makes.’
Doubtless, it would be the same this time. At a time of national celebration, his mother still didn’t know how to be flexible.
Seeing him stop, the servant whispered cautiously, “Your Highness…”
“It’s nothing,” the Crown Prince said coldly, a different thought seemingly taking hold. “Back to the palace.”
At night, Cining Palace grew quiet. Earlier, the Empress Dowager had kept Ying Fusheng for dinner.
“You must eat light after an illness, but you still need to eat more meat porridge.”
Ying Fusheng paused; his bowl had already been filled with more food. The Empress Dowager disliked talking while eating; after saying that, she relaxed, and the meal was incredibly quiet—a silence the servants seemed long accustomed to.
The Empress Dowager rarely kept people for meals. Even when the Crown Prince and Eighth Prince had come today, she hadn’t invited them. Ying Fusheng looked at the food in his bowl and ate obediently. After years of imprisonment in his past life, he knew exactly how to read people’s moods.
Once they finished, Ying Fusheng rose to take his leave. Just as he was about to go, the Empress Dowager suddenly called him back. She didn’t say much, only giving Auntie Yu a look.
Before long, Auntie Yu brought a fox-fur cloak and draped it over him. “It is cold outside. Your Highness must take care of your health.”
“Thank you, Grandmother,” Ying Fusheng bowed.
The Empress Dowager simply waved her hand. “Go and rest.”
Back in the side hall, Auntie Yu personally delivered today’s medicinal soup. The Empress Dowager had a cold temperament and treated the princes equally, though if there was a favorite, it was the Crown Prince. Whether this favoritism was because he was the heir or for other reasons was debatable, but one thing was certain: she disliked those who plotted, utilized others, or played “clever” tricks.
Today’s softening was perhaps a good start.
“Your Highness,” a servant from Cining Palace said, “Someone from Weiyang Palace has sent some items.”
During the days Ying Fusheng was ill, Weiyang Palace had constantly sent people, but given Cining Palace’s stance, Consort Ning’s people had never been allowed in. That they were allowed today was surely by the Empress Dowager’s permission—the falcon incident must have left a good impression on the old lady.
The items sent were half medicinal herbs for recovery and half trinkets. One look told him Consort Ning’s intent: she wanted to soften him up to change the Empress Dowager’s attitude. Ying Fusheng looked thoughtful and asked softly, “How is my Mother?”
The servant who brought the items, seeing the Sixth Prince speaking to them, hurriedly followed Consort Ning’s instructions: “Her Highness misses Your Highness dearly and is very worried about your health.”
Ying Fusheng’s questions were varied, and the servant was so eager to mend the relationship that they told him everything: “Her Highness has had no appetite these past few days, chanting sutras and praying daily for Your Highness’s recovery.”
‘Is that so?’ Ying Fusheng listened with great interest.
The servant, thinking the Sixth Prince truly cared for Consort Ning, talked until their throat was dry about how she had been suffering.
Within a few sentences, Ying Fusheng confirmed Song An’s safety, and his heart eased. Before coming to Cining Palace, he had specifically told Song An not to stand out. Consort Ning was currently in the line of fire; punishing servants harshly would damage her carefully crafted image, so Song An was likely safe.
Once he knew Song An was unharmed, Ying Fusheng’s attitude relaxed.
The servant from Weiyang Palace tried their best to paint a picture of a mother longing for her son until they ran out of words. Finally, seeing the Sixth Prince show signs of fatigue, the Cining Palace servant stepped in to remind them of the time.
Seeing their prince’s attitude soften—as if he had taken Consort Ning’s words to heart—the servant felt their mission was accomplished. Knowing they shouldn’t disturb his rest, they quickly left.
“I must trouble you with a small favor,” Ying Fusheng said to the palace eunuch.
The eunuch replied, “Please speak freely, Your Highness.”
“I have been ill for a long time and am grateful for Grandmother’s care. Her birthday is approaching, and as a grandson, I should show some filial piety.” At this, Ying Fusheng looked somewhat bashful. He whispered, “I have long heard that the mountain temple in the outskirts is auspicious. I would like to trouble you to make a trip there for me.”
Hearing this and seeing the Sixth Prince’s devotion to the Empress Dowager, the eunuch didn’t mind. Consorts often sent people to temples to pray for blessings; it just required a word to Auntie Yu. He said, “Your Highness is sincere. I will send a servant to make the trip. Is there anything else?”
Ying Fusheng paused for a moment before speaking again: “One more thing. There was a eunuch who served by my side previously. Could you summon him for me?”
Hearing the Prince’s gentle tone and seeing how polite he was even to servants, the eunuch quickly agreed: “I shall go do so.”
The eunuch withdrew, and the hall fell silent.
The day’s exhaustion caught up with him. Ying Fusheng reached out to touch the fox-fur cloak. The soft fabric brought an unfamiliar warmth. It was likely an item belonging to one of the other princes left in the palace; it was a bit large, and the stitching contained gold and silver thread.
He rubbed the collar, his thoughts drifting far away.
In his memory, his Imperial Grandmother would die from a severe illness in the future. After that illness, without the Empress Dowager’s watchful eye, the power over the inner palace would shift to Empress Xu. But Empress Xu was cold and aloof, rarely managing worldly matters. This led to chaos in the harem later on—hidden rivalries among consorts and many moles planted by court officials, especially those placed around his Father. This had planted many hidden dangers for his Father’s eventual lingering illness and the palace coup.
But that was years away. The illness had come quickly and left just as fast; in his memory, this grandmother’s face had already become blurred.
“The birthday banquet…” Ying Fusheng murmured, “is a joyous occasion.” He had to prepare a gift; he couldn’t afford to be careless.
Consort Ning wouldn’t prepare a birthday gift for him in advance. She didn’t even want him to appear at the banquet, so any gift she provided would likely be poor. But now that he had established a strong presence before the Empress Dowager, she would try to find ways to soften her stance since her initial plans had failed.
But for Ying Fusheng, this was different. He knew exactly how important this birthday banquet was in the future. Since he wanted to proceed step by step, he couldn’t let his guard down.
The Cining Palace staff were efficient. By the time Song An arrived, many things in the hall had been properly arranged.
“You weren’t punished, were you?” Ying Fusheng asked.
Song An was startled for a moment and shook his head. He had followed Ying Fusheng’s arrangements these past few days; after the Moon-Viewing Pavilion incident, the Prince had told him to lie low and rarely show his face before Consort Ning.
At first, he hadn’t understood, until Consort Ning returned from Cining Palace. That day, the servants who had followed the Sixth Prince’s orders to handle the Moon-Viewing Pavilion affair were punished, supposedly for neglecting the Prince’s health, and were given the cane. Those people had originally expected to claim credit when Consort Ning was released, only to receive a beating instead. They had all cried out in injustice.
‘So, the Prince knew all along…’
Ying Fusheng touched the paper and brushes the servants had brought, his fingertips lingering as if he cherished them. “Greedy for credit—everyone fixes their eyes on rewards to snatch them up. Sometimes, certain things are just pieces of meat dangled in front of them. Reaping the consequences of one’s own actions is better than a good play.”
Song An froze. Looking at the Prince again, he realized the Prince was speaking to him in earnest. Feeling as though his thoughts were seen through, he stood there awkwardly. “Your Highness, I didn’t…”
“Come and grind the ink,” Ying Fusheng said.
Seeing that the Prince didn’t mean to blame him, Song An hurried forward. As he took the ink stick, he heard the Prince’s next words: “This is fine imperial ink. Use it sparingly.” Song An suddenly became nervous, and his first stroke was too heavy.
He said embarrassedly, “I’m not very good at this…”
Ying Fusheng saw Song An’s clumsy hands and paused, only then noticing how young the person before him was.
Song An watched nervously, his fingers tightening. Suddenly, he heard a sigh from beside him, followed by the Prince saying: “Give it here. I will teach you.”
Ying Fusheng lowered his eyes, taking the ink with a sense of preciousness. In the Cold Palace of his past life, how could there have been such fine things? He said, “Good things must be used sparingly.”
Song An hurriedly said, “Your Highness will surely have many rewards in the future!”
‘What rewards? A cup of poisoned wine?’ Ying Fusheng smiled, relaxing for a rare moment. Then he said, “You are right.” Whatever he wanted, he had to win it for himself.
Song An was a quick learner. Ying Fusheng watched his movements. Before him were brush, ink, and white paper, yet the chill in his body hadn’t lessened. Only ten days remained until the Emperor’s return. There wasn’t much time left.
Over the next few days, Ying Fusheng didn’t falter in his etiquette, paying his respects to the Empress Dowager on time every day. Consort Ning sent people several times to check on his situation under the guise of concern. However, through several days of visits, the Empress Dowager could see clearly whether his health was improving or not. Since Ying Fusheng didn’t bring it up, she didn’t bother with it.
This infuriated Consort Ning several times in private, but constrained by the persona she had spent years building, she couldn’t fly into a rage.
Ying Fusheng spoke very little. When he paid his respects, he followed the rules perfectly and didn’t disturb her with unnecessary chatter. Many princes came to Cining Palace, but Ying Fusheng managed the boundaries perfectly. He didn’t use sweet words, but after several days together, the Empress Dowager’s impression of this grandson was quite good.
Preparations for the Moon-Viewing Pavilion banquet were in full swing. After the incident, the palace was full of tension and undercurrents, until a sudden urgent report arrived!
The wind and snow stopped. In the distance, troops arrived at the outskirts of the capital. Amidst the heavy sound of hoofbeats, battle flags fluttered. The citizens who came to watch from within the city saw, amidst thousands of horses and soldiers, the Imperial Carriage returning in triumph to the capital.