Ye Xiaoyuan was startled by his retching, which seemed as if he wanted to vomit out his very organs, and quickly patted his back.
The little prince's thin back trembled under his palm; he could almost feel the overly prominent bones. Ye Xiaoyuan wished he could suffer in his place. "Your Highness has endured such hardship..."
After a while, the little prince seemed to have vomited so much that he lacked even the strength to lift his head. Resting in the crook of his arm, his voice was plaintive. "It's so bitter... much more bitter than last time... Companion Ye, I don't want to drink it."
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Your Highness, how can you get better without medicine?"
"I'm not unwell. I'll be fine tomorrow."
This was the truth. The simulator's illness simulation would vanish perfectly when the time was up; whether he took medicine or not would have no effect.
Just as Ye Xiaoyuan was about to persuade him further, the little prince suddenly looked up. Meeting those moist, innocent, clean eyes filled with pleading, which looked exceptionally pitiful, Ye Xiaoyuan's heart instantly melted completely, unable to utter a single word of refusal.
He reached out and touched Qu Dubian's head. It was still warm, but he seemed much more spirited.
"Alright then," he conceded.
At worst, he would keep watch through the night, checking on His Highness several more times.
"Then I'll still keep this bowl of medicine for Your Highness."
Qu Dubian: "..."
There's really no need to be so frugal.
He thought for a moment. "Companion Ye, where is the person who came today?"
"In the small kitchen. It's warm there from the steam from boiling the medicine."
"I want to go see him and give him this bowl of medicine."
Ye Xiaoyuan showed a disapproving expression. "Your Highness..."
"Is Companion Ye going to say no again?" His long, curled eyelashes lowered, appearing dejected.
With his past life's experience, Qu Dubian felt no embarrassment employing such tactics against Companion Ye, who was only fifteen or sixteen—a high school student in his previous life.
What thick skin? He was not even three years old yet, still a baby!
The facts proved that as long as Qu Dubian was willing, anyone who held goodwill towards him was powerless against this approach. In his past life, it was his fans; in this life, it was a completely defenseless eunuch acting as his nanny.
In less than three minutes, Ye Xiaoyuan yielded.
He wrapped Qu Dubian into a ball with two thick little blankets and held him in his arms.
Then, carrying the little prince with one arm and holding the medicine bowl with the other hand, he walked steadily and securely. Not a single draft reached the little prince nestled in the blankets, and not a drop of the medicine spilled.
-
Small Kitchen.
The place was empty. Besides occasionally reheating leftovers, it was hardly ever used.
The little eunuch curled up in the corner was semi-conscious, his lips parched and cracked, burning with fever. He almost thought he was going to die—not in the icy snow, but in this kitchen.
In his daze, his mouth seemed to be pried open, followed by warm, bitter medicinal liquid being poured in.
He mustered all his strength to swallow the liquid down and struggled to open his eyes.
Eunuch Ye was holding a child whose only visible feature was its eyes. Seeing him awake, Ye Xiaoyuan visibly relaxed, his eyes curving like crescent moons. "You're awake."
The real taste of medicine in his mouth stunned the little eunuch. So it wasn't a hallucination.
No reaction? Could the fever have addled his mind? Qu Dubian wondered suspiciously and asked, "What is your surname? Do you have a name?"
The little eunuch seemed to snap back to reality. Seeing him about to kneel, Qu Dubian quickly stopped him. "No need for that."
Ye Xiaoyuan reminded him, "Your Highness, in our dynasty, eunuchs who enter the palace must change their names and are no longer allowed to use their family surname. Only with special imperial grace or great merit can a eunuch be granted the right to use his family surname again."
Ancient times truly had no regard for human rights. After entering the palace, even one's family surname was stripped away.
The little eunuch stopped his movement, his eyes lowered to avoid offense, and said softly, "This slave's family name is Qi. After entering the palace, I haven't been given a proper name yet."
Qu Dubian snuggled deeper into Companion Ye's embrace, tilted his head, and thought for a moment. "Winter is just too cold. How about... from now on, you be called Wen Xiaochun?"
He gave himself a mental thumbs-up. Warm Spring—what a perfectly appropriate name for the level of a child just over two years old! Hearing this, Ye Xiaoyuan's lips curved into a smile. The little prince and his mother, the Consort, were truly mother and son, even using the same naming pattern.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for bestowing this name," the little eunuch said. "This slave will be called Wen Xiaochun from now on."
Having fed the medicine to this future longevity potential stock, Qu Dubian returned to his bedchamber content. Ye Xiaoyuan felt his hands—still warm, not chilled—and then felt his forehead; the temperature had even dropped a bit compared to before.
Slightly relieved, he poured a cup of hot water for the little prince to drink before letting him go to sleep.
After keeping watch by the bedside for a while and seeing that the little prince seemed to have fallen asleep, he tucked in the quilt corners and went to the small kitchen again.
-
Ye Xiaoyuan crouched in front of Wen Xiaochun, his expression no longer as gentle as before. He examined this fellow, who had been granted both medicine and a name by His Highness, with near indifference.
After a long while, he finally spoke. "You've seen it. In the Juran Hall, there are only the little prince and me. We lack clothes and food. Even servants with some status live better than this."
"The medicine you drank today was begged for the little prince. To the masters of other palaces, one dose of medicine is nothing, but in Juran Hall, it's a precious treasure. The little prince himself was still feverish, yet he gave the medicine to you."
"Whether you stay or leave after you recover, you must remember this kindness today."
Someone with such stubborn eyes, who desperately clung to his ankle crying for help when near death, seizing every chance to survive—Ye Xiaoyuan didn't believe such a person had no ambition in their heart.
People always strive to climb higher. Juran Hall held little promise. Even if this person left, it would still count as sowing a seed of goodwill.
He left a steamed bun and a bowl of hot water, tossing out a final sentence. "Get well quickly. Teach His Highness some martial arts."
After he left, Wen Xiaochun reached out, eating the cold steamed bun bite by bite, finally almost wolfing it down. He gulped down the hot water, and only then did he feel some warmth returning to his body.
Wen Xiaochun hadn't lied; he did know martial arts, learned by sneaking lessons outside a martial arts school.
A year ago, he had killed his rotten, gambling-addicted father with a wooden stake, rescued his mother from the brothel, and fled all the way to the capital. But his mother, frightened by his blood-soaked appearance, sold him to a human trafficker instead. With the money she got, she ran off with another man.
He hadn't developed internal energy, and the fist and foot techniques he learned were useless against knockout drugs. Passed from the trafficker's hands, he later, by chance, entered the palace and became a eunuch.
Beaten, sold, abandoned, humiliated.
Until just now.
Only in the little prince's clean, soft eyes did he feel a trace of warmth.
Wen Xiaochun pushed aside the tattered quilt, struggled to get up from the ground, and kowtowed three times heavily towards the bedchamber where a faint lamplight glowed.
[Character: Wen Xiaochun
Favorability: 38]
The child sleeping on the bed in the bedchamber turned over.
Come to think of it, he should really thank the person who tried to harm him with the medicine. Not only did it provide him with another type of illness to write insights about, but it also gave him a tool—the medicine—to increase favorability.
And so, another day passed.
Only when the lifespan countdown changed to 1 was Qu Dubian allowed to run around on the ground.
Naturally, he couldn't drink the remaining two doses of medicine either, so he begged Ye Xiaoyuan to brew those two doses as well and have Wen Xiaochun drink them.
After three doses of medicine, Wen Xiaochun visibly recovered, managing to survive this ordeal. Thanks to his robust constitution, he was now able to join in the work.
Qu Dubian eagerly called him over to teach him Tai Chi. The two of them stood in the bedchamber, both assuming their stances.
"Let's begin."
Wen Xiaochun responded with an affirmative and first demonstrated the routine himself. His postures were very standard, and his foundation was solid.
Ye Xiaoyuan was his lucky star.
Qu Dubian sighed with admiration and began practicing earnestly.
Although his current body was weak, the dancing talent from his past life remained. He quickly picked up the movements with decent form. The first two attempts were far from standard, but by the third round, he finally heard the simulator chime.
[Daily martial arts practice check-in successful. Lifespan +1 day.]
[Remaining lifespan: 2 days.]
Qu Dubian breathed a sigh of relief and plopped down on the floor under the praise of Ye Xiaoyuan and Wen Xiaochun, sweating profusely from exhaustion.
He had finally succeeded in checking in. If he hadn't, he would have turned into a stiff little corpse tomorrow.
Ye Xiaoyuan used a handkerchief to wipe his face, looking at his cheeks which finally had a bit of color, and thought that practicing martial arts was indeed good for him.
"Your Highness must be hungry. The meal is still warm."
Qu Dubian nodded and beckoned to the quiet young eunuch behind him. "Xiaochun, you come too."
Wen Xiaochun was taken aback. Facing the little prince's sparkling eyes, he instinctively smiled and softly agreed. Ye Xiaoyuan reluctantly accepted this newcomer and gave him his portion of food, though they could only go out to eat after serving the little prince.
While eating, Qu Dubian asked, "The medicinal herbs are all used up, right?"
"Yes, the last dose was given to Xiaochun."
Qu Dubian thought for a moment. "Go to the Imperial Hospital and get more. Keep getting them until they refuse. Just say I'm still sick, even worse than before."
"Pah, pah, pah! Your Highness will not fall ill. Besides... it's very unlikely the Imperial Hospital will give us any."
Qu Dubian said, "Just go and ask, Ye Xiaoyuan. If they don't give you any, come back. It's good to stock up on more herbs."
What he thought was: if those who wanted to harm him were still determined, they would surely continue to give him medicine, and that medicine would be evidence.
Given the current situation, he had no one to back him up. The only thing he could do for now was to hold the evidence in his hand and wait for the right moment to retaliate.
"Alright," Ye Xiaoyuan agreed.
For the next half month, Ye Xiaoyuan went to collect medicine daily. Surprisingly, the Imperial Hospital did provide it, though only one dose per day, no more. Even so, it was enough to delight Ye Xiaoyuan, who wished he could keep collecting like this forever.
He hid these herbs in a cabinet like a grain-hoarding hamster.
Qu Dubian didn't pay much attention to this. He worked hard to get used to the pronunciation of the Great Zhou official language, finally fully integrating his memories with his body's instincts, so he no longer had to think about whether his pronunciation was correct before speaking.
He could barely be considered a little illiterate of Great Zhou who could speak but couldn't read.
Apart from that, the words [Remaining lifespan: 1 day] that greeted him every morning upon opening his eyes lit a fire under him, granting him unparalleled self-discipline.
After persistently checking in for half a month, as his body gradually gained strength, the simulator finally initiated its first prize draw!
[Martial arts practice check-in completed for fifteen days. Count reset. Initiate prize draw?]
Qu Dubian solemnly washed his hands. Although he didn't know what was in the prize pool, he devoutly hoped it was lifespan.
Draw!
[Drawing in progress...]
[Congratulations! You have drawn: One-time Prank Dream Maker x2!
Function: You are the dream-weaver who sets the dream. Designate a friend for a harmless prank!
[Prize item has been placed in the simulator backpack.]
Qu Dubian: "..."
He flopped back onto the bed, his eyes vacant.
What a useless thing.
After a while, he rolled over and started pondering. In this imperial palace, the most powerful person was his so-called father. If he could gain his father's attention, his life would instantly become much easier.
Why not let his father see him in a dream and evoke that cheap father-son affection?
No, no, no!
What if the father-son affection wasn't evoked, and instead his father thought he was a demon and had him killed?
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He quickly ran out and called to Ye Xiaoyuan, who was sweeping snow in the courtyard, "Ye Xiaoyuan! I need to ask you something!"
"Coming!"
Ye Xiaoyuan first told Wen Xiaochun to keep sweeping, blew on his hands to warm them, and entered the room. "What does Your Highness require?"
Qu Dubian asked, "Ye Xiaoyuan, my mother, Consort Yun, and my fath... the Emperor didn't have a good relationship, right? Otherwise, why would Father never come to see me?"
In this body's memories, Ye Xiaoyuan had only told him that his mother was a very gentle person, but hadn't mentioned anything else. He needed to figure out why the original owner was so out of favor and thrown into this godforsaken place.
Ye Xiaoyuan instinctively wanted to conceal the truth.
Qu Dubian tugged at his sleeve. "Don't lie to me, Ye Xiaoyuan. I want to know."
Ye Xiaoyuan was utterly defeated by Qu Dubian's coaxing.
He sighed. The little prince had become much more lively after his illness.
The reason the little prince was thrown into the Ju'an Palace wasn't a secret; many people in the palace knew.
He thought for a moment, planning to obscure the details of this secret and tell it to the child as a story.
-
Purple Palace Hall.
Emperor Chongzhao ascended the throne at twenty-two and had now reigned for eight years. He had seven princes and one princess.
The good looks of the Qu imperial family were passed down through generations. Although Emperor Chongzhao was now in his thirties, he still maintained a good physique and had handsome features.
The emperor, in the prime of his life, was dealing with the mess left by the previous emperor, gradually strengthening his control over the court.
After finishing a stack of memorials, he put down his brush and stretched his wrists.
The chief eunuch, Eunuch Yu, immediately presented a cup of cold tea. The current emperor disliked hot tea; even in the depths of winter, it had to be cool.
Two years ago, a newly assigned attendant near the emperor didn't know the rule and served hot tea. He was punished and sent to the slave registry for reassignment the same day, likely meeting a bad end.
"Your Majesty, Consort Gui sent someone with hibiscus cakes. They are still in the side hall."
Emperor Chongzhao took a sip of tea. "I'm not hungry."
He drank half the cup, pushed open the window to look outside, and smiled slightly. "A timely snow promises a good harvest. The people will have a good harvest next year."
Eunuch Yu said, "Indeed. It's all due to Your Majesty's diligent governance."
The cold air from outside rushed in, dispelling the stuffiness inside the room. Emperor Chongzhao exhaled softly, feeling his mind clear up a bit. "The weather has turned colder. Increase the charcoal allotments for each palace."
"Your Majesty is most benevolent. This servant will see to it immediately!"
As he bowed and prepared to leave, he heard a hesitant, "...Wait."
Eunuch Yu waited quietly for his instructions.
Emperor Chongzhao stood by the window, his fingertips lightly tapping the windowsill. After a few seconds of silence, he said, "Add more to that child's palace as well. Don't say it was my order."
Eunuch Yu was inwardly surprised and ventured, "Does Your Majesty wish this servant to go and check on him?"
Emperor Chongzhao shook his head.
Only a nearly imperceptible sigh remained. "It's been almost three years now..."
Eunuch Yu stepped back, turned, and gently closed the hall doors. He called his own apprentice to go in and attend to matters, then stood before the doors, gazing at the high steps, and was suddenly struck by a wave of emotion.
The Seventh Prince residing in the Ju'an Hall was Consort Yun's child. In her time, Consort Yun had enjoyed favor surpassing all others in the harem, receiving all the partial affection and regard of an emperor.
After Consort Yun became pregnant, the officials of the Astrological Bureau came to report to His Majesty, saying the child in her womb was a calamitous reincarnation, burdened with heavy sin. If born, it would cause Consort Yun's death.
Consort Yun did not believe it. Though the Emperor was worried, he could only order people to take good care of her. Unexpectedly, Consort Yun ultimately died in difficult childbirth, only having enough time to give the child a name before passing away.
The Emperor was heartbroken and suspended court for three days.
The head of the Astrological Bureau further advised: Consort Yun's son must stay far from His Majesty for three years, observing filial mourning in a secluded place. Only after the baleful influence upon him was dispelled could Consort Yun be reborn peacefully into wealth and comfort.
The Emperor thus issued an order for the Seventh Prince and the palace maids and servants attending him to move to the Ju'an Hall. Whether out of resentment or aversion, the Emperor never inquired about that child's situation again from that day forward.
Nearly three years had passed. Eunuch Yu had thought the Emperor had forgotten.
He never expected His Majesty still remembered that child.
So many women in the rear palace had borne children for the Emperor, employing all manner of schemes in their rivalries and jealousies, yet none could compare to a Consort Yun who had been dead for three years. Even her child, though not raised under his knee and lacking much fatherly affection, was still remembered.
Indeed, how can the living compete with the dead?
Eunuch Yu straightened his lapels, flicked his horsetail whisk, and as he walked, began thinking about the matter of adding charcoal braziers to the Ju'an Hall.
The Emperor did not ask after the young prince, but as His Majesty's chief eunuch, he had heard from the lads under him a few times that the prince was said to be living rather poorly.
Eunuch Yu, like everyone else in the palace, understood perfectly well in their hearts what an ill-omened existence a prince branded with the reputation of having caused his mother's death and being a calamitous reincarnation was. It was uncertain whether he could even leave the Ju'an Hall after turning three.
What did it matter if the Emperor remembered? As long as the thorn in His Majesty's heart remained for a single day, that young prince would never receive his father's affection.
Bringing up the addition of charcoal braziers today was likely the limit of what could be done.
