The next day, Yun Heng woke up early. Opening his eyes, he saw no one around, so he pushed aside the quilt and climbed out of bed himself. "Ziyuan sister, come quickly and help me dress."
Hearing his call, Ziyuan put down her work and came in from outside. "Young Prince, why have you awakened so early today?"
Yun Heng reached for his clothes. "Immortals don't need sleep."
"Who says Immortals don't need sleep? All things in the world require rest." Ziyuan fetched an Immortal Robe and changed him into it. "Especially you—you must sleep well."
Yun Heng obediently spread his arms, waiting for Ziyuan to dress him. "Why especially me?"
Today, Ziyuan chose an apricot-colored Immortal Robe for him, paired with a Lingyun Crown. It made the little one's eyes bright and teeth gleaming, his brows and gaze like a painting. If placed in the mortal realm, even a Fairy Child stepping out of a painting would not be so lovely. Lovely indeed, but dressing him was particularly intricate.
Ziyuan smiled. "Because you are a little Immortal. Little Immortals must sleep more, absorbing the essence of sun, moon, and earth to help you cultivate into a great Immortal."
Yun Heng even adjusted his belt himself. "But today I must rise a bit earlier."
"Why?"
"Father Emperor is going on a Tour of the Three Realms today. I want to bid him farewell."
Once dressed, Ziyuan combed his hair. Just as the hair crown was secured, Yun Heng eagerly dashed out.
The little one skipped and jumped out the door, bumping straight into the Queen Mother. He immediately rushed over, urging, "Mother Empress, let's go to the Southern Heavenly Gate now."
The Queen Mother picked him up, pinching his little cheek. "So early? What are we going to the Southern Heavenly Gate for?"
Yun Heng said, "To bid Father Emperor farewell. He's about to depart for the Tour of the Three Realms!"
The Queen Mother chuckled. "Seems you really want Father Emperor to hurry off?"
"Not at all!" Yun Heng frowned. "I… I can't bear to part with Father Emperor. I want to accompany him more."
The Queen Mother teased him. "Well then, Father Emperor says he can't bear to part with Heng'er either, so he'll stay longer with you and postpone the Tour of the Three Realms."
"No, no…" Yun Heng grew anxious, waving his two little hands before his chest. "Father Emperor's celestial duties shouldn't be delayed because of me."
The Queen Mother was nearly amused to death by her son. "You're already worrying about Father Emperor's celestial duties?"
"Of course!" The little one straightened his chest. "I am the Young Prince."
"Come, little Young Prince. Your Father Emperor is at Taiwei Yuqing Palace. I'll take you to see him."
Yun Heng tentatively asked, "So Father Emperor will still go on the Tour of the Three Realms today?"
"Of course he will. I was just teasing you earlier."
"…"
Arriving at Taiwei Yuqing Palace, Yun Heng immediately spotted the Eight Scenes Imperial Carriage placed outside the palace.
That was the Jade Emperor's carriage. Yun Heng often rode with his Father Emperor in this Eight Scenes Imperial Carriage. Once it set off, eight scenes would surround them: geese landing on flat sands, sails returning from distant shores, sunny mist over mountain markets, twilight snow over river skies, autumn moon over Dongting Lake, night rain over Xiaoxiang, evening bells from misty temples, and sunset over fishing villages—a magnificent spectacle.
Inside Yuqing Palace, Yun Heng fawned over the Jade Emperor for a while. As the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother discussed celestial duties, the little one seized the chance to slip out.
He ran outside the palace to play. The Immortal Children and Fairy Maidens around were busy preparing the Jade Emperor's procession, so no one paid him heed. He took out his golden bow and silver pellets and amused himself.
The little one aimed at the Red-crowned Phoenix perched beneath the tree. Drawing and releasing the golden bow, a silver-glinting marble shot forth. The Red-crowned Phoenix, caught off guard, flapped its wings on the branch. The marble grazed its feathers and flew into the thicket.
A passing Immortal Child who witnessed this scene assumed the Crown Prince was too young and had poor aim, missing the target. Little did they know that just yesterday, he had already dismantled the halls of the Jasper Pool.
He missed not because he couldn’t hit it, but because he didn’t want to.
Yun Heng ran to the base of the tree, stood on tiptoe, and stretched out his hand. The Red-crowned Phoenix spread its wings and descended before him.
The little one guiltily stroked the magnificent feathers of the Red-crowned Phoenix. "Did I scare you? I just wanted to play with you for a while."
The Red-crowned Phoenix gently brushed its wing over his head, like a loving elder comforting a remorseful child.
The little one brightened up again, leaning in to nuzzle his cheek against the Red-crowned Phoenix’s neck.
As the Red-crowned Phoenix returned to its perch, Yun Heng raised his golden bow and silver marbles once more.
This time, he aimed at the carved patterns on his Father Emperor’s Eight Scenes Imperial Carriage. With a clang, a tiny marble shot precisely through the openwork carving and landed inside the carriage.
Yun Heng clambered in, searching all around but failing to find his marble. Yet the interior of the Eight Scenes Imperial Carriage was so compact that one could see everything at a glance—the only blind spot was beneath the throne.
Peering down, Yun Heng spotted the marble inside. He reached for it, but his arm was too short, and no matter how he stretched, he couldn’t grasp it.
Marshal Wang, the general of the imperial guard, was preparing for the Jade Emperor’s tour when he passed by the Eight Scenes Imperial Carriage and heard faint rustling from within. He thought some audacious Immortal Child had dared to board His Majesty’s carriage without permission.
But then it occurred to him—this was impossible. The Eight Scenes Imperial Carriage was considered one of the Jade Emperor’s Magical Treasures. Magical Treasures recognized their masters and were not accessible to just anyone.
Peeking inside, he saw a little figure crawling on the floor, its head already wedged under the throne, leaving only half its body visible. The sight of its little bottom wriggling as it struggled to crawl further was utterly adorable—who wouldn’t want to give it a playful pat?
"Crown Prince?" Marshal Wang exclaimed, both surprised and curious. "What are you doing?"
His voice startled Yun Heng. The little one found himself stuck, unable to advance or retreat, trapped beneath the chair. It was Marshal Wang who lent a hand, helping him wriggle out from under the throne.
Yun Heng pitifully opened his palm, revealing a silver marble. Pouting, he looked utterly innocent. "Marshal Wang, have I done something wrong again?"
Marshal Wang glanced around. The Fairy Maidens and Immortal Children nearby were all busy with their tasks, paying no attention. He reassured him, "It’s fine. They didn’t notice."
Sitting inside the Eight Scenes Imperial Carriage, Yun Heng looked around and suddenly asked, "The Tour of the Three Realms must be very far, right? Will you visit many places?"
Marshal Wang thought for a moment. "For this tour, His Majesty will visit the Western Paradise to see Tathagata, then inspect the mortal realm, and also make a trip to the underworld. Perhaps even the Dragon Palace will be on the itinerary."
Just hearing these places filled Yun Heng with longing. Yet he couldn’t help but worry, "Visiting so many places… the Eight Scenes Imperial Carriage is too cramped. Father Emperor must be very uncomfortable sitting in it."
Seeing his genuine concern and the worry written all over his little face, Marshal Wang hadn’t expected that this child, only three years old, would be so considerate of his Father Emperor. He smiled and explained, “Don’t worry, Your Highness. The Eight Scenes Imperial Carriage is only used within the Heavenly Court. For His Majesty’s Tour of the Three Realms, he rides the Nine-Dragon Imperial Carriage.”
“The Nine-Dragon Imperial Carriage…”
The little one slumped his shoulders and sighed, then scrambled to his feet, reaching out toward Marshal Wang. Though he didn’t say a word, his small face clearly conveyed, “I don’t want to walk anymore. Carry me down.”
Marshal Wang was a military general, tasked with guarding the Ling Xiao Dian (Hall of Heaven) and serving as the Jade Emperor’s personal commander. Clad in golden armor and a crimson robe, with a fierce red face and glaring eyes, his appearance was imposing and formidable. Ordinary people dared not meet his gaze, but Yun Heng wasn’t the least bit afraid.
Marshal Wang spent his days by the Jade Emperor’s side and had frequent interactions with the young prince. He knew that while the boy was mischievous and playful, he was also a master at wheedling and acting spoiled. Even the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother found him hard to handle, let alone anyone else.
Marshal Wang immediately understood the unspoken request. He slung his golden whip behind his back and reached out to lift Yun Heng into his arms. Nestled against his chest, the little one kept his hands busy, poking at the tiger-head decorations on the golden armor.
Marshal Wang shook his head helplessly and quickly set him down. “Your Highness, please hurry inside. His Majesty is about to depart.”
When the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother brought Yun Heng to the Southern Heavenly Gate, a crowd of Immortal Officials was already waiting there.
Yun Heng craned his neck, looking left and right. Amid the swirling clouds and mist, he spotted an imperial carriage indeed, pulled by nine Golden-Scaled Sun-Shining Red-Whiskered Dragons. Seeing the great dragons, the little one couldn’t help but smile.
He was all too familiar with these great dragons—weren’t they the same ones coiled around the pillars outside Tongming Hall? Every time he passed by, he would greet them.
The Jade Emperor first hugged Yun Heng, reluctant to part for several days, though he kept his emotions in check. He calmly instructed, “While I’m away these next few days, stay obediently at the Jasper Pool. No mischief. I’ll be back soon.”
The little one wrapped his arms around his father’s neck and nodded obediently. “Don’t worry, Father Emperor. Heng’er will be good.”
The Jade Emperor set his son down and exchanged a few more words with the Queen Mother. Then, stepping onto the jade steps, he addressed the Immortal Officials: “Li Jing, Nezha, Marshal Wang, the Four Heavenly Masters, and Taibai Jinxing will accompany me on the Tour of the Three Realms. Marshals Tianpeng and Tianyou will guard the Heavenly Court. The remaining Immortal Ministers shall attend to their respective duties.”
“Yes!”
Once all matters were settled, the Jade Emperor boarded the Nine-Dragon Imperial Carriage, ready to depart. Fairy Maidens and Immortal Children attended beside him, Heavenly Soldiers and Generals formed a protective guard around the carriage, and the civil and military officials mounted their steeds, following closely behind.
After seeing off the Jade Emperor, the Queen Mother dismissed the Immortals, instructing them to report any important celestial duties to her. She then turned, preparing to return to the Jasper Pool.
She reached out to take her son’s hand but grasped empty air. Looking down, she found Yun Heng had vanished again!
The little rascal was a repeat offender, slipping away unnoticed to roam all over the Heavenly Court, playing wherever he pleased.
Thinking he had run off with some Immortal again, the Queen Mother paused in thought before calling over a nearby Heavenly General. “Thousand-Mile Eye, come here.”
Thousand-Mile Eye, who guarded the Southern Heavenly Gate, hurried to the Queen Mother’s side and bowed respectfully. “What is your command, Your Majesty?”
“Look for me and see where the Crown Prince has run off to this time.”
Thousand-Mile Eye immediately used his divine power to help search for the child. After scanning the surroundings, his expression gradually turned peculiar. He cautiously raised his hand and pointed in a certain direction.
The Queen Mother followed his gesture and immediately felt as if smoke were rising from her seven orifices.
That was precisely the direction from which the Jade Emperor had just departed!
Thousand-Mile Eye said, "The Crown Prince… is on His Majesty's Nine-Dragon Imperial Carriage."
"!!!"
The Queen Mother held her forehead. When the Jade Emperor was speaking earlier, it had been unusually quiet beside her. She thought the little rascal had finally settled down for once, but who would have thought…
As it was a carriage used for travel, the interior of the Nine-Dragon Imperial Carriage was much more spacious and luxurious than the Eight Scenes Imperial Carriage.
At the front was a dragon throne, and before it stood an imperial desk, upon which were placed Immortal Tea and immortal fruits.
The journey was long, and the Jade Emperor was leaning back in his dragon throne with his eyes closed, resting. Suddenly, he heard some movement nearby. Opening his eyes, he saw a small, fair hand reaching out from beneath the curtain of the imperial desk, straining to grasp the immortal fruits on the glazed plate.
The Jade Emperor widened his eyes in disbelief. "Heng'er?!"
The little one squinted his eyes and smiled with exceptional innocence. "Father Emperor…"
"!!!"
The Jade Emperor grabbed his son by the collar. In his fury, he couldn't decide whether to give him a spanking first or interrogate him on how he had followed.
Seeing the Jade Emperor's expression, Yun Heng shrank back in fear, knowing he had truly angered his father emperor this time. He clasped his small hands behind his back, nervously twisting them together. "Father Emperor, I'm thirsty. I want to eat the immortal fruits."
"???"
At a moment when he was about to be punished, he was still thinking about the immortal fruits!
The Jade Emperor closed his eyes for a moment, pondered briefly, and tried his best to calm his anger. "I ask you, how did you follow us?"
The little one bit his lower lip and refused to speak.
The Jade Emperor pressed him onto his lap, pretending to strike. "You've been mischievous before, but today you've been so audacious. Do you think I will still indulge you?"
Yun Heng felt wronged. Every time he made a mistake, his father emperor would sternly scold him, saying he didn't act like a crown prince at all. How was that indulgence?
The little one refused to admit his mistake, so the Jade Emperor's palm mercilessly landed on his small bottom.
"Waaah" Before the palm even truly struck, Yun Heng closed his eyes and burst into tears. "Father Emperor can hit me if he wants, but I won't tell you that I climbed up by riding on the back of the big dragon."
"…"