Going to the Imperial Rear Garden wasn’t easy for Zhou Hui.
A canopy, curtains, cloaks—everything was prepared. Several eunuchs held the curtains to block the wind.
Behind Zhou Hui, two servants carried charcoal braziers.
Yan Zigu looked and wondered: was all this really necessary?
Zhang Cheng had warned her once: the Crown Prince was born weak. He couldn’t stand the wind. In the past, only Madam Fu suggested he go outside for a walk. No one else dared to mention it.
If the Crown Prince caught a chill, the imperial doctors would be called. The officials would hold responsible the people who let him get sick. Madam Fu might get a small punishment, but her position protected her. Others could be in serious trouble.
Yan Zigu thought: why couldn’t the Crown Prince just want to go out himself? Maybe he already wanted to, just waiting for someone to suggest it.
The Crown Prince was sickly as a child. The Emperor worried, and punished caretakers who were negligent. Zhou Hui, being filial, didn’t want the Emperor or Empress worried. He also didn’t want servants to get in trouble. So he avoided risks that might make him sick.
Going out less meant less wind, moving less meant less sweating, eating only certain foods avoided stomach problems.
Yan Zigu didn’t regret Zhang Cheng’s explanation. She just thought: the Crown Prince always stays inside; even good people would feel bored. Walking outside wouldn’t harm him. He’s not made of paper.
But seeing the full setup for his outing, she felt a little nervous.
She had been at the palace only a short time and had never checked the Crown Prince’s pulse. If he really caught a chill, it wouldn’t matter if she got punished—she could handle that alone. But if it affected her father or grandfather, it would be disastrous.
So Yan Zigu watched the wind carefully and instructed the curtains to be closer, to keep the breeze out.
Zhou Hui looked at the boats on the lake.
Yan Zigu quickly advised, “Boating isn’t much fun. The view from the shore is the same. Your Highness can just sit and enjoy the lake.”
“I thought you brought me to the Imperial Rear Garden so I could take a boat ride,” Zhou Hui said, looking at her.
Yan Zigu chuckled awkwardly. Her love of fun must have been obvious, if he could guess that.
She could enjoy herself freely, but taking a boat ride was not appropriate. She wanted to make sure the Crown Prince’s visit was safe and complete. Even if he didn’t go on the boat, she could sit in one herself and let him see.
Right now, she only hoped he could finish safely and return to the palace. Then she would make ginger tea to prevent any possible chill.
“Interesting. Why is the Second Brother willing to leave the Eastern Palace today?” Zhou Hong came from a distance, accompanied by a woman in pale yellow. He made a perfunctory bow.
Zhou Hong’s attendants bowed too.
Yan Zigu, copying Zhang Cheng, just lowered her head slightly.
“I came out to enjoy spring,” Zhou Hui said.
“Spring is nice, but Second Brother should be careful. Don’t catch a cold, or you’ll get a headache. That wouldn’t be good,” Zhou Hong said, pretending to care, though malice was obvious.
He was only seven months younger than Zhou Hui, similar height, and slightly more solid build. Handsome, but with an arrogant, showy expression that was unpleasant.
Zhou Hui smiled and didn’t get angry.
Zhou Hong glanced around. “No wonder Second Brother brings such a big setup for a simple spring outing. Otherwise, at the Dragon Boat Festival at Jin Pond, the wind is strong. Like last year, the Second Brother would return sick. The Emperor would worry, and the festival joy would vanish—what a disappointment.”
“I follow Father’s arrangement,” Zhou Hui said gently. “Even if I am weak, I don’t want the people to leave disappointed.”
During the Dragon Boat Festival, the Emperor and Crown Prince go to watch for the people. It’s about sharing joy with them.
It was really just a question of Zhou Hui wanting to go or Zhou Hong wanting to stop him.
Zhou Hong’s face darkened. He couldn’t get the upper hand and noticed Yan Zigu. “Is this Second Brother’s new palace maid? She looks good standing there.”
“The Second Brother should have someone in his own room,” Zhou Hui said.
His tone carried obvious lewdness.
Yan Zigu opened her mouth to reply, but Zhou Hui’s glance stopped her.
He smiled at Zhou Hong. “I’ll go back first, so I don’t interfere with Third Brother’s matters.”
Yan Zigu wore palace clothes, making her identity clear. Even if she was favored by the Crown Prince, it was within the rules. The woman behind Zhou Hong in plain clothes blushed. A noblewoman being called someone else’s “good fortune” in public? That was degrading.
Yan Zigu walked past Zhou Hong with a dark expression.
In the evening, after duty, she ate a meal, returned to the Eastern Palace, and told Cui Yun, “I’ll take your night watch tonight.”
“I’m worried the Crown Prince might have a fever. It’s safer if you watch him yourself.”
Using that excuse, she persuaded the night-duty eunuch and entered the Crown Prince’s bedchamber. Normally, eunuchs watched overnight while palace maids waited in the duty room.
In the dead of night, everything was silent.
Yan Zigu listened to his steady breathing, waited until he was asleep, then quietly entered. She gently lifted Zhou Hui’s hand and took his pulse.
Let’s see what kind of weak body you really have.