In the imperial study.
The Emperor set down his brush after reviewing the memorials, stretching his stiff shoulders as he stood. Gazing at the white snowflakes drifting outside, he spoke in a low voice.
"Prepare the carriage for the Eastern Palace."
The Crown Prince had always been frail. Every winter, he would be bedridden, plagued by a persistent cough. Now, with the heavy snowfall, the Emperor couldn’t help but worry.
Eastern Palace.
The palace was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the crackling of charcoal in the brazier and the intermittent coughing—like the mournful howl of a winter wind through barren branches, heavy with desolation.
Xiao Fuzi disposed of the medicinal dregs, sighing inwardly.
In the past, when the Third Prince was around, the Crown Prince’s residence had been livelier.
Now, it was silent as a tomb.
Without disturbing the slumbering Crown Prince, the Emperor paced to the outer chamber.
"What do the imperial physicians say?"
Seated at the head of the room, he listened to the attendants’ report.
"Your Majesty, it’s the same as every year. The physicians come morning and night to check his pulse, and the medicine has never been interrupted. However, His Highness has had little appetite lately and eats less."
The Emperor reviewed the physicians’ notes—the diagnosis remained unchanged.
"Spare no expense for any medicine he needs. If anything happens to the Crown Prince, none of you will keep your heads."
The Emperor left as quietly as he had come.
Lying in bed, the Crown Prince heard the fading footsteps and let out a bitter, mocking laugh before closing his eyes again.
His father’s words were always honeyed, but in truth, he was the most selfish of all. They were nothing more than pawns in his schemes.
Back in the imperial study, the Emperor picked up a memorial but found himself unable to focus.
"What was Prince Kang’s first act upon arriving in Yingchuan?"
"Your Majesty, Prince Kang went straight to an obscure academy—the Guanfu Academy—and has been spending his days with Third Lu, climbing hills and tilling fields."
The Emperor frowned. "Tilling fields?"
"Yes."
"Which academy?"
"Guanfu Academy. It’s said that in ten years, not a single scholar from there has passed the provincial exams. The academy has only three teachers, one of whom is lame. Unable to collect tuition fees, they’ve resorted to farming for survival. So Prince Kang studies in the mornings and farms with them in the afternoons."
The Emperor: "..."
Indeed, Youcheng had always loved books, and the Crown Prince had often tutored him. But since returning from Yingchuan last year, he’d become even more unruly and lazy. Given his status, attending a prestigious academy was out of the question. Perhaps this humble Guanfu Academy would temper his character.
"What of the local officials and gentry?"
"He hasn’t received them."
The Emperor gave a slight nod.
"Send him this copy of The Songs of Chu, along with my pine-patterned inkstone from the treasury. Also, add a thousand taels of silver as tuition. Tell him to study well and guard Yingchuan in my stead."
"As you command."
...
The Lu Residence.
Lu Yuanyi sighed, glancing between his elder brother and Lady Lu.
"Mother, Brother, can I go to Guanfu Academy with Chaochao?"
Lady Lu shook her head.
"No."
Lu Yuanyi slumped, crestfallen.
Without Chaochao, nothing was fun. There was no one to accompany him to school, no one to cheer him on during exams, no one to comfort him when he was scolded.
"Are you going to study or to play? Perhaps I should send you to Yuxi County and let your father have a word with you."
Lu Yuanyi dared not argue and silently shoveled rice into his mouth.
Lady Lu massaged her temples, exasperated by her son’s childishness.
"Who knows what Prince Kang’s temper is like? Being a study companion may sound prestigious, but it’s likely fraught with hardship. Don’t make things worse. If you truly care for him, focus on your studies. With an official post in the future, you might be able to protect him."
Lu Yuanzhao recalled the noble young men he’d seen in the capital—outwardly refined, yet galloping through the streets without regard for commoners or vendors, their eyes cold and inhuman. If even they were so callous, how much worse must a prince raised in the palace be?
In Lu Yuanyi’s mind, an image formed—a small, pitiful figure being bullied mercilessly. His fists clenched.
Chaochao, wait for me! Your second brother will come to save you!
Su Yunzheng shared the same sentiment. Now noticeably slimmer, he no longer carried the chubbiness of his youth, his movements graceful like a true young gentleman.
"Grandmother, can I transfer to another academy?"
The Grandmother of the Su Family saw right through him. Patting his arm, she motioned for him to sit.
"I was just about to discuss something with you."
"Please, go ahead."
"Your father wrote that his term ends this year. After the New Year, he’ll be reassigned to Xuzhou. Our family will finally be reunited."
Su Yunzheng’s mouth opened and closed, emotions churning within him.
His grandmother understood. Even she, an old woman, had dear friends here. At her age, leaving meant some farewells would be permanent.
Old companions can be found everywhere—
Except for the heart of youth, lost beyond recall.
When Su Yunzheng arrived at Guanfu Academy, Lu Chao was just finishing class.
After asking around, he made his way to the foot of Guanfu Mountain. He hadn’t expected much, but as he looked up, he saw a boy in a short jacket bouncing down the path, a bucket in hand.
"Chaochao!"
Lu Chao had been heading to water the wheat fields below the mountain and was stunned to see a familiar face.
"Yunzheng?! What are you doing here?"
Overjoyed, Lu Chao grinned at his former desk mate before suddenly realizing.
"Did you skip class? Since when are you so bold?"
"No, no! I told Grandmother—my servants are waiting in the carriage!" Su Yunzheng waved his hands frantically.
"I came specifically to see you."
"What’s wrong? Did something happen?"
When he’d left the Lu family’s school, they’d promised to meet during breaks and exchange letters. For Su Yunzheng to seek him out like this—something must be amiss.
"Chaochao, I’m leaving Yingchuan."
Lu Chao froze. After hearing the reason, though, he smiled warmly.
"That’s wonderful news! Your father’s promotion to Xuzhou is a step up—it’s far more prosperous than Yingchuan. And your family will finally be together."
Su Yunzheng gave a pained smile. "But we won’t see each other anymore."
Lu Chao laughed and playfully punched his shoulder.
"None of that sentimental nonsense! A true man’s ambition spans the seas; even miles apart, we remain close. Don’t forget to write when you’re in Xuzhou! Here—I didn’t know you were coming, so I didn’t prepare a gift. Take this as a token of my wishes for your safe journey and boundless success."
From his pouch, Lu Chao pulled out a delicate bamboo whistle—one he’d carved from his teacher’s bamboo. He used it whenever he wandered off or got lost; a single blow would summon his teacher.
Su Yunzheng accepted it, his eyes bright and round, his smile revealing pearly teeth—a picture of youthful exuberance.
"Deal! With your talents, I know you’ll achieve greatness someday. I’ll strive to catch up. When the capital is fragrant with osmanthus, that’s when we’ll meet again!"
Lu Chao chuckled dismissively.
He’d be lucky to pass the county exams, let alone the imperial ones. But when his elder brother or Yuanyi went for the exams, he could always tag along.
After bidding farewell to Su Yunzheng, Lu Chao went back to watering the fields. There was no way around it—since he had failed to recite the assigned text yesterday, he now had to water three entire plots today. How utterly miserable.
At the thought, Lu Chao kicked a wheat sprout in his master’s field in frustration.
That old man was truly unreasonable!
And to think he’d pretended to be deaf and dumb just to trick him into becoming his disciple!!
Not to mention Xiao Youcheng, who seemed to have been drugged into stubbornly insisting on staying in this place, refusing to budge no matter what. He even claimed it was because the Great Master Putuo had divined his fate and declared this the only suitable spot for him. Superstition would be the death of them all.
What kind of academy made its students farm?! And carry manure buckets, no less!! And forbade them from bringing servants! What was the point of earning money if he couldn’t even use it?!
"Lu Chao! Hurry up! What are you dawdling for?! If you’re late, there won’t be any food left!"
Murong Yun’s voice carried from a distance, and Lu Chao immediately sped up his work. Because no matter how lackluster this academy was, its dining hall was genuinely delicious!!
