The next day, Xiao Huan arrived at the Eastern Palace with a stern expression. He couldn’t understand why the Crown Prince, who was so ill he could barely get out of bed, still insisted on having him accompany his studies.
The Crown Prince noticed Xiao Huan’s eyes swollen like walnuts but didn’t call him out on it. Instead, he ordered a servant to boil eggs for him to soothe the swelling.
"My eyes ache after reading for too long, so I’ve grown accustomed to using warm eggs for relief. Why don’t you try it?"
Xiao Huan inwardly grumbled that the Crown Prince must be mocking him for crying at his age. Reluctantly, he accepted the eggs.
"You needn’t stand on ceremony here in the Eastern Palace. I’ve heard you excel in martial arts. There’s a training ground here where the Imperial Guards can spar with you."
Xiao Huan bristled at the suggestion.
"I—I’m not a child who needs others to play with me!"
"My mistake. Let’s call it mutual guidance, then. It’ll prevent the Imperial Guards from becoming complacent, unaware that there are always greater heights to reach."
Only then did Xiao Huan puff up with pride.
"Fine, we’ll spar. Don’t underestimate me just because I’m young—I can hold my own!"
When Xiao Youcheng arrived at the Eastern Palace with Lu Chao, they found Xiao Huan loudly challenging the Crown Prince’s Imperial Guards to a match.
Lu Chao, disguised as a servant from the Kang Manor, had accompanied Xiao Youcheng to pay respects at the Eastern Palace. Seeing Xiao Huan in his martial attire, brimming with confidence, he couldn’t help but ask,
"Is that the eldest grandson of the Marquis of the Northwest, the one kept in the capital?"
Xiao Youcheng nodded. Over the years, his father, the Emperor, had grown wary of the Marquis’s military power. If the Marquis ever rebelled, this young heir would serve as leverage against the Xiao family.
So this was the boy they’d encountered at the teahouse.
Feeling Lu Chao’s gaze, Xiao Huan turned and locked eyes with him. Lu Chao gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, inwardly impressed. Of the Xiao family’s younger generation, he’d now met two—both radiant and clear-eyed, embodying the very image of young generals in his mind.
Yingge must be about their height by now. His last letter boasted he could take on ten men single-handedly, dreaming of charging into battle. Hmph. If Yingge’s uncle got selected for the campaign, he’d have to write and warn him to watch out for the Tatars. If things went south, Yingge could always seek refuge with him in Yingchuan.
The Eastern Palace was unusually quiet, with few maids or eunuchs in sight.
"The Crown Prince prefers tranquility, so there aren’t many attendants here. Don’t be nervous when you meet him."
Xiao Youcheng had brought Lu Chao to bid farewell. With his father’s birthday celebrations over and the Crown Prince’s health improved thanks to the divine medicine, there was little left for him in the capital—especially with the Second Prince constantly picking fights. Better to return to Yingchuan, where he could live freely as an idle prince.
Upon learning of his impending departure, the Crown Prince had made one request: to meet Lu Chao. So before leaving, Xiao Youcheng brought him to the palace.
As they stepped into the inner chambers, the faint scent of medicine lingered in the air—not unpleasant. Lu Chao kept his eyes downcast.
"This humble one pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Ahem, please rise!"
The Crown Prince couldn’t help but smile at Lu Chao’s meek demeanor—so unlike the bold personality described in Xiao Youcheng’s letters.
"Younger Brother Youcheng has spoken of you often, but we’ve never had the chance to meet until now."
The Crown Prince’s voice was gentle, though illness had left it somewhat frail.
Lu Chao glanced up and met a pair of warm, smiling eyes.
"I’ve been bedridden for some time, so my hospitality may be lacking."
"Not at all! Merely being granted an audience is an honor. Your Highness should focus on recuperating."
Lu Chao was genuinely moved. Most people worn down by prolonged illness grew bitter—especially those in positions of power. Yet the Crown Prince remained a true gentleman.
"Youcheng owes his life to you. And in Yingchuan, you’ve stood by him through thick and thin. As his elder brother, I’m deeply grateful. I’d intended to express my thanks sooner, but feared any overt gesture might bring you trouble. I hope you won’t hold it against me, Chaochao."
"I wouldn’t dare! Truthfully, I only survived that ordeal thanks to Prince Kang. Without him, I’d have been long gone. Uncle Chen—the one who loves honeycomb egg yolk pastries—always says we’ve helped each other in Yingchuan. After all these years, formal thanks would only feel distant."
Xiao Youcheng slung an arm around Lu Chao’s shoulders and grinned at the Crown Prince.
"Elder Brother, Lu Chao and I are like family! No need for thanks—why, I even spend New Year’s with his family!"
Acting as if he were in his own home, Xiao Youcheng poured tea for the Crown Prince while urging Lu Chao,
"You love the Eastern Palace’s milk pastries, don’t you? His Highness had them prepared specially. Eat up while we’re still in the capital—you won’t find these back in Yingchuan!"
The Crown Prince chuckled. Youcheng had always been mature for his age; it had been years since he’d seen him so boyish.
After a brief exchange, Lu Chao excused himself, leaving the brothers to talk privately. He settled on the veranda with a plate of pastries, watching the martial arts display in the training yard.
That Xiao boy certainly had skill—his ruthless moves forced the Imperial Guards into steady retreat.
Xiao Huan, irritated by the scrutiny, was about to confront Lu Chao during the break when he realized the man had vanished.
Before leaving, Lu Chao received a small chest from a palace attendant, who smiled and said,
"His Highness prepared this token of gratitude. Open it only after returning to Yingchuan."
Lu Chao scratched his head. What could be so secretive?
Xiao Youcheng shrugged—he had no idea either. Their visit was cut short when Noble Consort Xian’s spies were spotted lurking outside the Eastern Palace, prompting a hasty escape through the side gate.
Lately, Noble Consort Xian had summoned him frequently. At first, she played the sentimental card, complaining about the Emperor’s newest favorites making her life difficult. When Xiao Youcheng feigned obliviousness, she bluntly suggested he leave his reward silver with her for "safekeeping" until his future marriage.
Xiao Youcheng, no fool, declared with righteous fervor:
"I’ve decided to use the funds to build more roads in Yingchuan—to pray for Father’s longevity! When the people prosper, they’ll praise His Majesty. Who knows? Their gratitude might even summon another divine blessing!"
Noble Consort Xian could only seethe silently, clutching her handkerchief. That wretched boy—daring to invoke the Emperor against her!
Back at the manor, Xiao Youcheng pulled Lu Chao aside and whispered excitedly:
"Between you and me, if the Crown Prince ascends the throne—ha! We can finally relax!"
With the Crown Prince in power, the scheming Second Prince would be kept in check. No one would threaten his life, leaving him free to enjoy his idle princely existence.
Lu Chao nodded emphatically.
That was the best news he’d heard all trip!
"We’ll see the willows of Jiangnan and the galloping steeds of the frontier!"
The two youths, hearts light with anticipation, dreamed of adventures to come.
Not long ago, when news spread that the Crown Prince might not hold on much longer, Xiao Youcheng fell into a long period of gloom. With the Crown Prince gone, the factions of the other princes were bound to clash fiercely. He had already prepared for the worst—yet against all odds, fortune smiled upon him once more!
The next day, Xiao Youcheng submitted a memorial to the emperor, bid his farewells at the palace, and leisurely returned to Yingchuan with his rewards in tow. Freed from the weight of his earlier worries, the three of them indulged in food and amusement along the way.
Meanwhile, Zhou Qingyuan, who had temporarily stayed behind in the capital, found himself in a rather humbling position. Aside from handling orders, he was also tasked with reporting every major and minor incident in the capital to Prince Kang.
"Hey, look! Princess Changle and the Imperial Son-in-law are brawling in the streets! And the Chen family’s been impeached by the censor—Chen Xiaosan, even your magistrate father got dragged into it!"
Chen Ning'an grinned, flashing a row of teeth. "I was the one who handed that impeachment letter to the censor."
It was merely a spark—but once he lit the fuse, others would fan it into a full-blown fire.
Lu Chao gave him an approving thumbs-up.
"At the winter banquet, Lady Roujia actually fell into the water and was rescued by the Second Prince? And they ended up embracing right in front of everyone?!"
!!!
"And Princess Baya keeps visiting the Eastern Palace—she even offered herself to him?!"
Lu Chao clicked his tongue in amazement. So the Crown Prince really had recovered—how scandalous! This was nothing short of a full-blown palace drama!
