Chapter 13
Seeing Gao Liang, who had been missing for days, startled Ji Qingzhou.
During Gao Liang’s absence, Ji Qingzhou had felt guilt and fear and had considered various possibilities. However, he never expected Gao Liang to reappear in the study, which implied that the regent not only spared him but also arranged for him to serve closely.
What could be the deeper meaning behind this?
Unfortunately, Gao Liang was assigned to serve in the study, and with only a door separating them, Ji Qingzhou dared not communicate with him and hurried back to the small courtyard with growing concern.
Tu Dayou had obviously been waiting for his return and asked as soon as he entered, “Was everything alright on your first day of duty?”
“Everything was fine,” Ji Qingzhou replied absentmindedly.
“Today, the regent called Master to discuss moving to the Yinghui Pavilion to handle state affairs,” Tu Dayou said, recounting what Li Zhan had instructed Yao Chang’an. He wondered, “Do you think the regent’s sudden decision means he plans to move into the palace?”
Ji Qingzhou had been preoccupied with Gao Liang’s situation but responded, “His Majesty is still young; perhaps he intends to move into the palace to take better care of him.”
In the original story, the regent did not show much concern for the little emperor, not even moving into the palace to oversee him. However, what Ji Qingzhou observed today seemed different.
“People in the court are discussing how the regent seems quite different from before since his return to the capital,” Tu Dayou said. “He has become much colder, and he used to dislike having attendants serve him, but now he has actively requested Master to arrange for some attendants and even provided him with a list of names.”
Ji Qingzhou looked at Tu Dayou and asked, “What list?”
“I only heard Master mention it briefly, but it doesn’t concern us,” Tu Dayou said. “Since we are currently serving in the court and need to meet the regent frequently, moving us to serve elsewhere would be redundant.”
Ji Qingzhou thought to himself that the regent’s sudden change in behavior must be due to the recent incident at the Fengxian Pavilion. It made sense; a high-ranking prince like him would surely be disturbed by such a scheme.
“What’s wrong with your hand?” Tu Dayou finally noticed the burn on Ji Qingzhou’s hand.
Ji Qingzhou had run some cold water over it and then explained to Tu Dayou what had happened when he saw Gao Liang.
“You were worried about his safety before, right? His safe return indicates that the regent no longer suspects anything,” Tu Dayou said, seeing Ji Qingzhou’s troubled expression. “Have you forgotten my advice? The matter has passed; since the regent isn’t pursuing it any longer, being overly cautious will only raise suspicion.”
Ji Qingzhou nodded, acknowledging Tu Dayou’s point.
Since the regent had shown no unusual behavior towards him, it meant the matter was indeed over. What he needed to do now was to completely forget about that night at Fengxian Pavilion, continue serving the little emperor faithfully, and avoid getting involved in any unnecessary disputes or offending anyone.
“The regent had lunch delivered to the study today,” Ji Qingzhou told Tu Dayou.
“So what?” Tu Dayou was initially puzzled, but then he realized the implication.
The regent had always been extremely cautious, never dining in the palace and even avoiding tea. Now, he not only planned to move to Yinghui Pavilion but had also arranged for attendants and changed his old habits.
“You’re suggesting…” Tu Dayou began to understand.
“Something abnormal is definitely up. Who knows if he’s just putting on an act?” Ji Qingzhou said.
Tu Dayou quickly realized that Ji Qingzhou was warning him to be cautious, suggesting he might be setting up a trap to make it look like someone else was responsible.
Ji Qingzhou’s suspicion proved to be accurate.
After lunch, when Ji Qingzhou went to the little emperor’s quarters to bring him to the study, he found that the regent was not there.
The little emperor, being innocent and unable to keep secrets, revealed through a few questions that although the regent had ordered lunch, he did not eat it and left the palace while the little emperor was taking a nap. He likely returned to the residence.
Why go to such lengths?
Ji Qingzhou thought the regent’s caution might be excessive but couldn’t help feeling a bit fearful.
He didn’t know whether it’s his misconception but the regent now seemed even more unpredictable than in the original story…..
“Does your hand still hurt?” Li Cong, who was copying scriptures at his desk, often distracted and chatting with Ji Qingzhou.
Ji Qingzhou bowed slightly and replied, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It doesn’t hurt much now.”
“Teacher says one should be sincere with others. As your sovereign, you shouldn’t deceive me,” Li Cong said seriously.
Ji Qingzhou was surprised and had to correct himself, “I apologize, Your Majesty. My hand does hurt a little, but it’s not too severe.”
Li Cong chewed on his brush for a moment, then suddenly jumped down from his chair and dashed over to the bookshelf at the back of the room. He carefully retrieved a small wooden box from the bottom shelf. Ji Qingzhou moved to get a closer look, but Li Cong raised a small hand in a shushing gesture and pointed to the door, indicating that Ji Qingzhou should keep watch.
Although Ji Qingzhou was puzzled, he followed the instruction and stood by the door.
After a while, Li Cong returned the small box to its place, climbed back onto his chair, and waved Ji Qingzhou over.
“Put out your hand,” Li Cong said mysteriously.
Ji Qingzhou extended his hand, and Li Cong placed a small candy in his palm. Ji Qingzhou stared at the candy, recognizing it as something familiar.
“Eat it, and it won’t hurt anymore,” Li Cong said. “You must keep this a secret. My uncle won’t let me eat sweets, and neither will my mother.”
“Where did this candy come from?” Ji Qingzhou asked.
Li Cong lowered his voice and beckoned Ji Qingzhou closer. When Ji Qingzhou leaned in, Li Cong whispered, “My little aunt gave it to me. I’ve been secretly keeping it and only eat one when I really crave it.”
Li Cong looked up at Ji Qingzhou with hopeful eyes.
Ji Qingzhou couldn’t bring himself to refuse and popped the candy into his mouth.
Li Cong’s face brightened with satisfaction, as if he had accomplished something very joyful.
The candy melted in Ji Qingzhou’s mouth, releasing a mild sweetness. As he savored the taste, he suddenly remembered something. No wonder the candy looked familiar—the girl from the palace banquet at Fengxian Pavilion had given him an identical candy.
Since that girl was the younger sister of Duke Qiu and thus also the younger sister of the current Empress Dowager, she must be the “little aunt” Li Cong referred to.
Ji Qingzhou, who had finally relaxed, felt his unease return unexpectedly.
Although he instinctively felt that the girl would not betray him, there was always the risk that someone might find an opportunity to question her and reveal something. The most troublesome part was that Li Zhan had met the girl that night and knew for sure that she had seen him.
Yet Ji Qingzhou also considered that the regent might have already let the matter go.
Otherwise, why would he have returned Gao Liang safely?
Still, Ji Qingzhou couldn’t completely put his mind at ease.
A few days later, Ji Qingzhou learned from Tu Dayou that the Empress Dowager’s birthday was approaching, and a palace banquet would be held in her honor. Among the guests listed was Qiu Lanxi, the daughter of Duke Qiu.
“Is it appropriate to hold a birthday banquet so soon after the death of the previous emperor?” Ji Qingzhou asked.
“In Dayu, we don’t have such customs. Even after the emperor ascended the throne and the regent returned to the capital, palace banquets were held. What’s inappropriate about celebrating the Empress Dowager’s birthday?” Tu Dayou replied.
Ji Qingzhou thought to himself that in the original story, no more banquets were held after that event in the palace.
It was surprising how much his presence had changed things…
However, Qiu Lanxi’s presence in the palace might not necessarily be a bad thing. Ji Qingzhou thought that if he had a chance to meet her, he could at least confirm whether she had divulged any information. Although he had instructed her thoroughly that night, he still felt uneasy.
Especially after the rumors came out…
“When does the female entourage usually enter the palace on the day of the palace banquet?” Ji Qingzhou asked.
“Why, do you want to sneak a peek at the women?” Tu Dayou asked with a teasing smile.
Ji Qingzhou smiled and replied, “There’s an old friend I’d like to speak with. Since I can’t leave the palace often in the future, I fear that opportunities to meet will become increasingly rare.”
Tu Dayou didn’t question further and agreed to arrange it for Ji Qingzhou on the day of the banquet.
Ji Qingzhou had considered this matter repeatedly, and as Tu Dayou suggested, letting it go might be a solution. However, he was too cautious to take risks because the impression the regent had left on him was too frightening. He felt that, given the regent’s methods, he wouldn’t easily let things pass.
Since this situation had not occurred in the original story, Ji Qingzhou couldn’t predict the outcome even with a script in hand.
This made it crucial for him to pay attention, as a single misstep in the palace could cost him his life.
Days passed in the blink of an eye.
On the day of the birthday banquet, Ji Qingzhou accompanied the young emperor to the palace school as usual.
Before the classes ended, Tu Dayou went outside the palace school and called Ji Qingzhou out.
“How did it go?” Ji Qingzhou asked.
“It seems the heavens are on your side,” Tu Dayou said in a low voice. “Miss Qiu has been bedridden since the last palace banquet. This time, she came to the palace because she missed His Majesty. After His Majesty finishes his class, you should accompany him back to the palace quarters, and Miss Qiu will visit him.”
Given that many women had come to the palace for the Empress Dowager’s birthday, if not for this, the Empress Dowager would have ordered someone to bring the young emperor over. Ji Qingzhou silently rejoiced, feeling that this opportunity was like a gift from heaven.
At last, when the class ended at noon, Ji Qingzhou hurriedly took the young emperor to the palace quarters.
However, as soon as he stepped into the hall, he sensed something unusual.
Before he could react, the young emperor dashed into the hall and threw himself into someone’s arms, calling out cheerfully, “Uncle!”
Ji Qingzhou: …
So much for the heavens helping him?
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