Half an hour earlier.
Wen Xiaochun, with a dark blue cloth tied over his mouth and nose, disguised as a palace servant responsible for disposing of night soil, pushed a wooden barrel cart slowly along a deserted palace path.
The barrels emitted a faint stench.
It was the rule for night soil carriers to use this path at night, so the patrol team merely covered their noses, routinely stopped him, and looked inside the barrels.
Only after confirming nothing was amiss did they wave him through.
Wen Xiaochun kept his head down, faintly hearing the guards' hushed conversation: "Huh, why do I feel like another night soil carrier just passed by not long ago?"
"Must be a new one. Sometimes you see two at night, but they're responsible for different areas. They all use this palace path; it's farthest from the Eastern and Western Twelve Palaces, to avoid the stench offending other noble residents."
"Oh, I see..."
Wen Xiaochun slightly quickened his pace, the sound of the cartwheels rolling over the ground remaining steady.
He took a detour and stopped outside the Astrological Bureau.
Although the Astrological Bureau was within the palace grounds, it held a special status. Officials serving here, except for those on daily duty, were not permitted to stay overnight, making it akin to a government office where ministers reported after court.
Similarly, it had no dedicated guards, only the occasional passing patrol.
Infiltration became exceptionally simple.
Wen Xiaochun stopped before the massive stone stele in the Astrological Bureau's courtyard.
There were two lines of characters on the stele he couldn't quite understand, recognizing only a few scattered ones, all of which the little prince had once taught him.
He looked around, then went to the wooden barrel on the cart, pulling out a black cloth from inside. Beneath it were papers soaked through with oil.
Having served as the minor official in charge of oil in the main kitchens for so long, he had thought the oil that those people flattered him with was useless. He never expected it would come in handy through this strange twist of fate.
Wen Xiaochun took out all the oiled papers, then retrieved a piece of paper from his chest, on which a character was written in crooked strokes.
He had practiced this character many times; the little prince had taught him stroke by stroke before he finally learned it.
Using this character as a guide, he laid the heavy, oil-soaked papers on the ground one by one.
As he arranged them, he thought.
There were too many wicked people in this world. The little prince was kind-hearted and so very young. If no one protected him, if no one sought revenge on his behalf, I fear that anyone would be able to bully him in the future.
Once the character was laid out, Wen Xiaochun pushed his cart back along the planned route.
As he retreated, he freed one hand, blew on a fire starter to ignite it, and tossed it behind him without looking back. Flames instantly surged, the blistering heat wave causing his light blue eunuch's robe to billow.
-
Holding Qu Dubian, Yi Shier sped all the way.
He directly bypassed the guards outside the Hall of Peaceful Residence, entered the main hall, and didn't even alert anyone.
It was almost the moment Eunuch Yu turned his head that he saw a black-clad figure wearing a wooden mask and holding a child. He was startled, a sharp cry of 'Protect His Majesty!' almost escaping his lips.
Then he saw Yi Shier kneel on one knee: "Your Majesty, the young prince has been found."
Only then did Eunuch Yu suppress his heart, which felt like it was about to leap from his throat, and realize this person must be one of the Emperor's shadow guards. He had only heard their voices from behind a screen before; this was the first time he had seen one.
Emperor Chongzhao turned abruptly.
His gaze fell directly on the child in Yi Shier's arms, whose face was flushed red with fever.
The child, though over two years old, still looked tiny, with a thin face adorned with large, beautiful round eyes, now clouded with haze, appearing dazed and confused.
In his youngest son's face, Emperor Chongzhao saw the shadow of Consort Yun.
These eyes, they were so very alike.
Faint discussion sounds came from outside, as if the imperial physicians were talking. Yi Shier silently handed the child to Eunuch Yu and vanished.
Feeling the scalding temperature in his arms, Eunuch Yu's heart sank: "Your Majesty! The young prince's condition is dire."
Emperor Chongzhao: "The imperial physicians! All of you, come in!"
Yi Shier went to the shadow guard leader stationed near the Emperor.
The leader made a hand signal: Appearing directly before people will cause your stealth rating to plummet. It will likely be deemed unqualified. Shadow guards protect the Emperor. Why did you break protocol for a prince?
Shadow guards with an inadequate stealth rating have only two paths: death or lifelong imprisonment.
Yi Shier showed no reaction.
They, the shadow guards, were loyal only to the Emperor. But at that moment, seeing the little prince sitting alone on the ground, utterly listless, he felt that the Seventh Prince, so lively on paper, shouldn't be burned into the fool the imperial physicians spoke of.
So, he had revealed himself.
The leader gestured: Go to the detention cell. Await interrogation.
Yi Shier gave a slight bow and disappeared again.
The leader shook his head slightly, refocusing his attention on the hall.
Hearing the call, the imperial physicians hurried in. After finishing their bows, they looked up and saw the child in Eunuch Yu's arms, greatly astonished.
"The young prince has been found?"
"Quickly, quickly, Eunuch, please lay the young prince down so we may take his pulse."
The most anxious was Imperial Physician Qiu, who knew Qu Dubian's condition. It had already been so critical in the morning; after being missing all afternoon, no one knew what state he was in now.
Imperial Physician Qiu: "Eunuch, quickly have someone prepare hot water!"
He was just about to take the young prince from Eunuch Yu's arms when the child, who had been quietly nestling there, suddenly moved, clutching Eunuch Yu and not letting go.
"...No, I don't want to."
A tiny, hoarse voice squeezed out from his throat, pitifully weak.
Eunuch Yu was also anxious, coaxing, "Your Highness, be good, let the imperial physicians take your pulse."
Qu Dubian's eyes held a misty haze. He looked towards the man standing in the bedchamber, wearing the dragon robe.
Emperor Chongzhao was taken aback.
His young son was clever; even having never met him, he recognized him instantly. He remembered the note this child left before disappearing today—
wanting to see his father emperor.
The child's eye rims were red, his nose tip red. He stared fixedly at him for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out his hands towards him. The little teardrops in his eyes were crystalline, as if harboring winter frost, tinged with a faint expectation.
It was the gesture of a little child asking to be held.
Emperor Chongzhao instinctively took a step forward.
The child couldn't help but stretch his arms even higher, a bit happy, "Fa..."
The next moment, Emperor Chongzhao remembered the Astrological Bureau's words about not becoming too intimate with his young son, and his steps halted abruptly.
Thus, Qu Dubian didn't even manage to utter the two words 'Imperial Father' fully, his mouth slowly tightening into a line.
Even Eunuch Yu couldn't help feeling tense, lifting the child slightly towards Emperor Chongzhao.
"Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongzhao clenched his fist, one hand behind his back, ultimately turning his face away and saying, "Treat his illness first."
Could he really resist holding the young prince? Indeed, not raised by his side, there wasn't much affection. His Majesty truly is... Eunuch Yu lowered his head and said softly, "Your Highness, let's treat the illness first, alright?"
The child lowered his arms that had been raised for a hug. The teardrops hidden in his eyes finally fell, as if the courage and accumulated expectation he had mustered with great effort had collapsed completely due to that veiled rejection.
Emperor Chongzhao's lips parted.
His young son directly turned his head away, not looking at him anymore, grabbing the front of Eunuch Yu's robe, burying his face in it, and sobbing, "No imperial physicians, no imperial physicians, don't want anything, only want Companion Ye..."
"I want Companion Ye..."
Qu Dubian fully demonstrated just how difficult a sick child could be when throwing a tantrum. With so many imperial physicians plus Eunuch Yu present, not a single one had managed to calm him down.
And it wasn't even the annoying kind of loud wailing. He was just sniffling and crying softly, his voice hoarse and weak, tugging at everyone's heartstrings.
The physicians in the bedchamber were at a loss. To prescribe medicine, they needed to diagnose his pulse first. Now that the little patient was uncooperative, their medical skills were useless.
Eunuch Yu rocked the child in his arms, his anxious gaze frequently shifting to Emperor Chongzhao.
"Your Majesty…"
Imperial Physician Qiu's heart went out to the child. "Your Majesty, please try to comfort His Highness. We absolutely must not delay any further!"
Looking at that little face so reminiscent of Consort Yun's, Emperor Chongzhao clenched and unclenched his fist, then relented. "...Give him to me. I will hold him."
But when he reached out, the child in Eunuch Yu's arms simply shied away, ignoring him.
Qu Dubian thought grimly to himself, Do you know the consequence of hurting a child's heart? Rejecting a hug, is it? You'll be in trouble later.
Emperor Chongzhao stiffened and withdrew his hand.
Seeing the child was almost too weak to cry anymore, his own heart grew anxious. He scanned the room and couldn't help but raise his voice, "Who is this Ye Companion?!"
Eunuch Yu, feeling the child's temperature rising, hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Ye is the one who has always attended to His Highness. Please have someone fetch him quickly, otherwise…"
Emperor Chongzhao: "Go, now!"
Only upon hearing this did Qu Dubian stop his whimpering. He stretched out his tightly clenched hand for the physician to examine, though he still nestled in Eunuch Yu's arms, refusing to go to the bed.
With Emperor Chongzhao's permission, Eunuch Yu had to sit on a stool holding him, while the physician crouched down to take his pulse.
-
When Ye Xiaoyuan received the news that the little prince had been found, his legs went weak for a moment.
The palace servant who came for him quickly supported him. "Eunuch Ye! You mustn't collapse. His Highness is waiting for you. Without you, he probably won't take his medicine. Please come with us quickly."
"...Let's go, let's go, quickly."
While relieved, Ye Xiaoyuan couldn't help but worry even more. He hurried back to the Peaceful Residence Hall.
Inside the hall, the small kitchen was already in use—some were heating water, others brewing medicine, all in an orderly manner. Entering the bedchamber, Ye Xiaoyuan immediately spotted the little prince, still nestling in Eunuch Yu's arms, refusing to move, and whimpering with tears.
Suppressing the urge to run over, he first knelt and kowtowed to Emperor Chongzhao.
Emperor Chongzhao motioned for him to rise. "Go see Little Seven quickly. He has been calling for you."
Eunuch Yu was already sweating profusely. Seeing Ye Xiaoyuan was like seeing a savior. He carefully stood up. "Eunuch Xiaoyuan, you're finally here!"
Ye Xiaoyuan hurriedly patted the chill from his clothes before taking Qu Dubian over.
"Your Highness…"
Hearing his voice, the child who had been sobbing immediately stopped crying.
Watching this scene, Eunuch Yu went to Emperor Chongzhao's side and quietly consoled, "Eunuch Xiaoyuan has been with His Highness since childhood. It's normal for His Highness to be somewhat dependent on him."
Qu Dubian opened his eyes and felt instantly reassured. He had been worried that sleeping for too long might have gotten Ye Companion punished for losing him. It seemed his cheap father wasn't that foolish.
He nuzzled against Ye Xiaoyuan's arm.
"Ye Companion."
Ye Xiaoyuan held back the stinging in his eyes, swiftly carried him to the bed, tucked him in, and as usual, held him partially in his arms.
"I'm here, your companion is right here. Your Highness must take your medicine properly later, and you'll feel better soon."
Qu Dubian: "Companion, I want to go find Mother Consort."
Ye Xiaoyuan's heart gave a jolt.
Before he could speak, Emperor Chongzhao's tone turned stern, "Don't talk nonsense!" Realizing his tone was wrong, he walked to the bedside and softened his voice, "Take your medicine obediently. You will get better."
The child didn't make a sound.
He turned his head away, his fever-flushed cheek resting against Ye Xiaoyuan's palm, just not looking at his imperial father.
Emperor Chongzhao pressed his lips together.
Eunuch Yu also fell silent, the atmosphere turning somewhat strange for a moment.
Even Ye Xiaoyuan, simple as he was, sensed something was off, but not knowing what had just happened, he could only gently stroke Qu Dubian's back as comfort.
After a while, Qu Dubian said sullenly,
"Companion, I want the medicine from last time."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Last time?"
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Reporting to Your Majesty, His Highness fell ill some time ago and was given medicine by the Imperial Hospital. A few doses remain, stored in the cabinet. His Highness probably remembers it well because he saw it worked very effectively for Xiaochun."
He added, "Your Highness, we should still listen to the physicians. Perhaps the cause of this illness is different from last time?"
The child insisted stubbornly, "Just that one. I won't drink any other."
Emperor Chongzhao waved his hand. "Have someone go prepare it. Let the physicians examine it after it's decocted. If it's suitable, use it. If not, we'll discuss further." At most, it would just mean one more person preparing the medicine. The priority was to placate the child.
As soon as Ye Xiaoyuan said where the previous medicine packets from the Imperial Hospital were kept, someone immediately went to prepare them.
Only then was Qu Dubian satisfied. He was truly grateful to whoever had tried to harm him initially. The excessive dose of medicine sent by the Imperial Hospital back then had not only saved Xiaochun but could also help him now at this critical moment.
He then asked weakly in a small voice, "Where is Xiaochun?"
Ye Xiaoyuan paused, then replied calmly, "He is probably still looking for you. Once the news of your being found spreads, he should return very soon."
With both of his own people from the Peaceful Residence Hall safe, Qu Dubian felt completely at ease, waiting for the bowl of medicine that would soon be brought.
Not long after, the captain of the guards hurried in to report.
"Your Majesty, the Astrological Observatory has caught fire, burning down more than half of the hall."
"The palace servants fighting the fire say it's because the Astrological Observatory deceived Your Majesty, and Heaven has sent down punishment, hence the fire in the dead of night."
Emperor Chongzhao frowned. Leaving the bedchamber to the physicians, he walked out and looked distantly towards the location of the Astrological Observatory.
He gently rotated the emerald green thumb ring on his finger. "What happened over there?"
"After the fire was half extinguished, a character appeared beneath the stone tablet of the Astrological Observatory."
"What character?"
The guard captain bowed his head deeply. "It can be vaguely made out as the character for 'Lie'."
The distance was too great to see the fire from here, only the faint glow reddening the horizon. Emperor Chongzhao fell silent, his hand rotating the thumb ring also pausing. His tone was unclear whether it was mocking or cold.
"My palace is truly lively—the Imperial Hospital, Eternal Peace Palace, the Six Eastern Halls, the Astrological Observatory… incidents one after another. Pass the order: dispatch more personnel to fight the fire."
"Yes."
Emperor Chongzhao turned and re-entered the chamber, adding,
"If the Director of the Astrological Observatory requests an audience tonight, there is no need to admit him."
-
In a secluded corner, away from the crowd.
Wen Xiaochun adjusted the dark blue cloth covering his face and glanced back at the place engulfed in raging flames.
Inauspicious, is it? Let's see who is truly inauspicious.
He lowered his head meekly, and the rumble of cart wheels gradually faded into the distance.
