Chapter 78: Extra 6
[Thirteen and Eighteen — Youth]
Over the past few years, Ji Ze had been studying at the palace academy, and during his free time, he often liked to follow Li Cong around.
Youthful energy was always abundant, and Ji Ze’s lively nature made him interested in many things. Li Cong didn’t hesitate to let him get involved in court affairs. Moreover, many of Li Cong’s trusted aides were formerly from the Yinghui Pavilion, so Ji Ze didn’t seem out of place around him.
In the short term, this arrangement didn’t cause any trouble. But over time, some rumors inevitably began to spread.
Because Ji Ze was young and impulsive, he sometimes spoke and acted without restraint, which naturally gave others ammunition to gossip.
As time went on, some court officials grew dissatisfied with Ji Ze’s excessive involvement in politics. Their displeasure wasn’t purely out of jealousy — more so, they resented how much Li Cong indulged him. After all, Ji Ze was only thirteen, but sharp-tongued enough that many older officials had been on the receiving end of his wit.
This situation… was somewhat embarrassing for them.
Li Cong, being perceptive, had noticed this for a while but had chosen to ignore it.
Until one day, during a meeting in the imperial study, a court official openly criticized Ji Ze in front of Li Cong.
“Our dynasty is no stranger to precedent. Ji Ze is, after all, Wang Ye’s only son and close to His Majesty, which is only natural,” an elder official said. “But his temperament is too unruly. He knows very little about state affairs, so if Your Majesty truly intends to keep him involved, you should let him study more to prevent his youthful ignorance from leading to reckless speech that might disrupt your wise decisions.”
Li Cong had heard such remarks from old officials many times and was skilled at focusing on what mattered.
He didn’t mind most of it, except he was somewhat displeased at the phrase “only son, if barely.”
“‘Only son, if barely’ of the Imperial Uncle?” Li Cong frowned. “True, Ji Ze doesn’t bear Imperial Uncle’s surname. Back then, Imperial Uncle had carefully considered matters and hadn’t planned to let him inherit the title. But now, looking back, my current status is largely thanks to Imperial Uncle’s relentless efforts over the past decade. Without him, not only would I be lost, but the entire Dayu court might have descended into chaos.”
What exactly Li Zhan meant by “careful consideration” needed no explicit explanation. Li Cong already knew.
Ultimately, it was about preventing idle speculation and baseless jealousy from causing trouble for the uncle and nephew, so he simply didn’t take unnecessary actions.
Perhaps Li Zhan’s private motives were not just about this, but also because of Ji Qingzhou.
But to outsiders, the only explanation was the former — meaning Li Zhan’s actions were forced by the court officials.
Li Cong, mentioning this now, showed some irritation.
Everyone knew he and Li Zhan were of one mind…
The official hurriedly added, “Wang Ye has devoted himself tirelessly to the Dayu dynasty and protected Your Majesty greatly. We all remember this.”
“In that case, I must not be ungrateful,” Li Cong said thoughtfully. “Later today, I will have someone draft an edict to grant Ji Ze an official title.”
The official was stunned and didn’t know how to respond.
He had come to complain about Ji Ze, yet the topic suddenly shifted to the boy receiving a noble title?
Li Cong’s word was law. That very day, the edict was drafted, appointing Ji Ze as “Prince Fu”, symbolizing long-lasting blessings.
The next morning at court, the imperial edict was publicly announced, shocking all officials present.
Ji Ze was only thirteen—too young even to marry—and yet he was made a prince outright. Many thought this was excessive.
“Your Majesty, this exceeds precedent!”
“Ji Ze is not of the legitimate royal line. How can he hold the title of prince?”
“Your Majesty, please reconsider.”
…
The ministers argued back and forth, clearly dissatisfied with Li Cong’s decision.
But Li Cong was resolute and had no intention of retracting the decree. The imperial edict was promptly sent to the prince residence that day.
Li Zhan and Ji Qingzhou both understood Li Cong’s temper and said nothing.
The boy appeared gentle from childhood but was very stubborn. Once he made up his mind, it was not easily changed.
Besides, by now everyone already knew Ji Ze was Li Zhan’s son. Even if he didn’t bear the Li surname, that fact couldn’t be changed. Since that was the case, there was no need to forever hide it. If the court officials wanted to gossip, let them.
Maybe before, Li Zhan might have been cautious, but now Li Cong was eighteen and a mature emperor. Moreover, Li Zhan rarely involved himself in politics anymore. Let people talk all they want; it wouldn’t stir up any real trouble.
That same afternoon, Ji Ze received his title and went to the palace specifically to pay thanks.
When he reached outside the imperial study, he suddenly heard a loud crash inside—something like a porcelain cup falling and breaking.
Then, faintly, he heard Li Cong’s angry voice…
Soon after, a junior attendant rushed out in a hurry, “Quick, send for the imperial physician! His Majesty’s hand was cut by a broken cup!”
Ji Ze’s face instantly tightened. He wanted to go inside to check but held himself back.
“Who’s inside?” he asked the attendant at the door.
“Minister Liu from the Ministry of Revenue,” the junior attendant answered.
Ji Ze raised an eyebrow but said no more and turned away.
The next day at noon, Minister Liu’s only son suffered injuries from a fight with Ji Ze.
Ji Ze had just been made a prince, and Minister Liu’s status at court was significant, so the altercation could not be resolved lightly. Eventually, the matter was brought before Li Cong. Li Cong had been in a bad mood lately, and seeing the bruises on Ji Ze’s face only added to his frustration.
“Who threw the first punch? And why?” Li Cong asked in a low voice.
“I started it. I just didn’t like that Liu kid’s face!” Ji Ze said arrogantly.
As soon as he said that, Minister Liu and his son, who also had bruises, both looked quite displeased.
Li Cong’s expression darkened further. He had hoped Ji Ze, being clever, would at least try to defend himself without making things worse. But unexpectedly, Ji Ze took full responsibility, leaving Li Cong helpless to defend him.
“Since both of you are hurt, neither is really the victim here,” Li Cong glanced at Ji Ze. “But since you threw the first punch, your responsibility is naturally greater. I’m punishing you with three days of solitary reflection. Think hard about where you went wrong.”
“I wasn’t wrong,” Ji Ze stubbornly replied.
“You…” Li Cong was utterly shocked to hear him talk back, and his expression changed immediately.
“I am Prince Fu, while he’s only a minister’s son. Why should I be punished for fighting him?” Ji Ze demanded.
“Ji Ze!” Li Cong frowned and shot him a stern look, struggling to contain his anger. “Guards, take Ji Ze to Yinghui Pavilion and lock him up. He’s not allowed any food without my permission. Let’s see how long his stubborn mouth lasts.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than some men dragged Ji Ze away.
Ji Ze looked utterly defiant and cursed loudly at Minister Liu and his son as he was taken off.
Minister Liu hadn’t expected things to escalate this far and was even more surprised that Li Cong would actually punish Ji Ze.
News of the incident spread quickly throughout the court.
Li Cong had just made Ji Ze a prince, and now he was locking him up and cutting off his food.
Judging by this, he was truly angry.
The officials pondered quietly and thought to themselves that the emperor’s indulgence toward this cousin wasn’t as excessive as they had imagined.
The boy’s temperament was unruly, and Li Cong’s steady nature meant that after spending so much time with him, frustration was bound to arise. Perhaps the princely title was more out of old loyalty to Wang Ye’s family rather than imperial favor.
With this thought, many officials’ dissatisfaction with Li Cong’s decision to grant Ji Ze a title faded somewhat.
Three days later, after court ended, Li Cong went to Yinghui Pavilion.
Though Li Zhan no longer worked there, Li Cong still kept it well maintained, so it wasn’t neglected.
Ji Ze was locked inside the main hall of Yinghui Pavilion. Li Cong headed straight there upon arrival.
The doors and windows of the hall were tightly closed, and no lamps were lit inside, leaving the room dimly lit.
“Where is he?” Li Cong asked a young attendant who followed behind him.
“Your Majesty, it seems he’s in the inner chamber,” the attendant replied.
Hearing this, Li Cong strode toward the inner chamber. From a distance, he saw Ji Ze curled up on a couch.
Ji Ze was thirteen now—almost a young man—and because he had been practicing martial arts, he was not as thin as ordinary boys his age. In fact, he looked quite upright and strong.
Li Cong sat down by the couch and pushed Ji Ze’s body gently.
Ji Ze, who had been lying on his side, went limp from the push and collapsed fully onto the couch.
Li Cong was startled, especially since Ji Ze’s eyes were tightly shut, showing no sign of waking up.
“Ze’er!” Li Cong reached out to touch his neck, intending to check his pulse.
At that moment, Ji Ze moved suddenly, grabbing Li Cong’s wrist and snapping his eyes open.
“You…” Li Cong was momentarily stunned and truly frightened.
Seeing his prank worked, Ji Ze burst into laughter and sat up on the couch.
“Who taught you these tricks? You gave me a cold sweat!” Li Cong said.
“Imperial Brother ordered to cut off my food; of course I’d be starving!” Ji Ze grumbled.
“Didn’t I have someone secretly bring you food?” Li Cong asked.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Ji Ze quickly said, “I knew you wouldn’t let me starve.”
Li Cong sighed, not in the mood to joke.
Ji Ze, trying to please him, moved closer and took Li Cong’s hand to look at it.
“How’s your old injury?” Ji Ze asked.
“It’s just a scratch, nothing serious,” Li Cong replied.
Hearing this, Ji Ze relaxed and leaned on Li Cong, sighing. “Imperial Brother, you really shouldn’t put up with their nonsense because of me. I don’t care about this so-called prince title — it’s only because they think it means something.”
“If you don’t care, I want to give it to you anyway,” Li Cong said. “I don’t mind anything else, but if they say you aren’t the legitimate son of the Imperial Uncle, isn’t that the same as saying you aren’t my legitimate brother?”
Ji Ze chuckled, “Their mouths are on their own heads; let them talk.”
“You know their mouths run wild, so why did you go pick a fight with that Liu kid? And why did you drag me into the mess, making a scene right in front of Minister Liu? Were you just looking for me to punish you?” Li Cong said helplessly.
Ji Ze quickly replied, “I honestly just couldn’t stand that kid. I’d wanted to hit him for a long time.”
“Come on,” Li Cong shot him a glance. “Well, now you got what you wanted. Everyone at court knows you got punished. No one’s going to bring up your prince title again.”
Hearing this, Ji Ze immediately smiled broadly.
That day’s commotion was purely to keep Li Cong from being bothered by those officials. Luckily, it had some effect, so his effort wasn’t wasted.
Li Cong’s gaze fell on the youth’s face. Seeing the bruise from a few days ago hadn’t fully healed, he frowned and asked, “Does it still hurt?”
“That Liu kid wasn’t strong enough to really hurt me. I let him land the blow on purpose — otherwise, if I had no injury on my face, we’d both be in the wrong,” Ji Ze said excitedly. “But I hit him where it counts. He’ll probably be sore for days. Haha.”
Li Cong sent someone to fetch medicine and personally applied the ointment to Ji Ze’s wound.
Though Ji Ze’s injury wasn’t serious, he still dramatically howled and complained for a long while.
After that day, Ji Ze’s behavior at the palace school grew even more “mischievous,” frequently causing the teachers to complain to Li Cong.
Ji Ze’s reputation for being unruly spread around, and since he got “disciplined” by Li Cong every now and then, officials gradually stopped paying much attention to him. Of course, the main reason was that after this incident, Ji Ze rarely involved himself in court affairs alongside Li Cong.
Several months passed in a blink. On a winter day, Ji Ze went to see Li Cong to say goodbye.
“Royal Father is taking Dad south to spend the winter. I’ll be going with them,” Ji Ze said.
“Heading to Jiangnan?” Li Cong asked.
“They’ll pass through Jiangnan and might go even further south,” Ji Ze smiled. “I heard Jiangnan sometimes gets snow, but Royal Father wants to find a place without snow, somewhere warmer. After winter ends, we’ll probably return in early spring next year.”
Li Cong nodded and added, “I really wish I could go with you to see it.”
“When you no longer have to stay in the capital, I’ll accompany you on a trip,” Ji Ze said. “Once I get there, I’ll write you letters. When you get my prince seal, have someone speed it up and send it to you.”
Li Cong smiled and said, “Go, but remember to come back early.”
“Okay,” Ji Ze smiled at him and started to leave.
After a few steps, he heard Li Cong call out to him again.
“Imperial Brother?” Ji Ze asked.
Li Cong waved at him, “Take care on the road. I’ve prepared your birthday gift. When you return next spring, I’ll give it to you all at once.”
Ji Ze nodded quickly and then left.
Li Cong watched his retreating figure for a moment, then smiled faintly, a trace of reluctance touching his expression.
His beloved younger brother was growing up and it was time to go see the world.
[Fifteen and Twenty Years old — Side by Side]
Ji Ze had planned to return by early spring the next year.
But unexpectedly, the return was delayed again and again — he still hadn’t come back by the next spring.
Li Cong received letters one after another.
The tone of the boy in the letters was still as lively and unrestrained as before, showing no sign of awkwardness or maturity.
But Li Cong knew Ji Ze had probably grown as tall as him by now.
The boy who was thirteen was almost fifteen…
[…Daddy was greedy for sweets, especially a kind of fruit here. He wished he could eat it to his heart’s content every day. But although the fruit was delicious, eating too much was bad for health. So Royal Father forbade him from eating it. Yesterday, Daddy secretly bought some, but Royal Father found out and was furious. He even gave me a beating…]
[I felt wronged but had no one to tell… Later, Royal Father calmed down and gave me the fruit Daddy bought… He feared that eating too much would harm Daddy’s health, but didn’t worry about me getting sick from eating too much…I remembered the old court rumors saying I wasn’t Royal Father’s real son — now I think maybe they had a point…]
[A while ago, I went to the town with my master to offer free medical treatment. The people there respected you deeply… I told them I’d been to the capital and they were so envious. They asked me to bow to you a few times on their behalf next time I see you… Master said you are a good emperor. I think he’s right…]
[Master is going south to travel and offer free clinics along the way. I plan to go with him, so I won’t be returning to the capital for a while… I miss you a lot and hope those people don’t make you angry while I’m gone… If you do get mad next time, don’t throw tea cups again and hurt your hand… Tea cups are expensive, and it’s a shame to break them…]
Every letter Ji Ze sent was thick with daily trivialities, but Li Cong loved reading them.
Sometimes there was a drawing tucked inside, all kinds of subjects, though the art skills were quite average.
Through Ji Ze’s letters, Li Cong learned that during these two years, Ji Ze not only spent winter in the south but also traveled to many places. Especially after following Tang Shu away, Ji Ze gained a wide range of experiences and often shared them with Li Cong.
Later, some letters even included dried herbal leaves.
Li Cong learned a lot about herbs he had never seen before — some even unknown to the Imperial Physician Courtyard doctors.
That year, Ji Ze was fifteen, and Li Cong was twenty.
In the autumn of that year, news arrived from the south about an epidemic outbreak.
Because the south was far away, by the time the news reached the capital, it was already two weeks old.
Li Cong held the official dispatch in his hands, feeling a mix of emotions, and was silent for a long time.
Later, the imperial physicians deduced that this epidemic was likely the same one that had struck the capital fifteen years ago.
Li Cong was very familiar with that disease because Ji Ze had contracted it back then and had nearly lost his life…
Li Cong stayed up all night discussing the matter with his ministers. The next day, he sent people to assist the local authorities since the capital had more experience handling such crises and might be of help. But before the capital’s aid even arrived—less than two weeks after they were dispatched—more reports came flooding in from the south.
The official documents claimed that a miraculous doctor had helped control the epidemic and reassured the court not to worry.
Some time later, the capital’s envoy returned with shocking news…
It was said that this miraculous doctor had developed a method to prevent the epidemic, and among those who tried it, eighty percent avoided infection. The envoy not only brought back this news but also the method itself.
The Imperial Physician Courtyard was amazed after careful study. Had they not seen it with their own eyes, and had the local government not reported it so clearly, many would have dismissed it as a fairy tale. But now the results proved this method was highly effective.
Following a proposal from the Imperial Physician Courtyard, Li Cong personally drafted an imperial decree ordering the local government to send this miraculous doctor to the palace for an official commendation.
The physicians were eager, looking forward to meeting this person and discussing medical knowledge…
After all, to achieve such medical skill, there was probably no one else in the entire Dayu who could compare.
After winter began, the legendary doctor was finally summoned to the palace.
Li Cong watched him from afar, surprised to see that he looked quite young — not the elderly figure he had imagined, but more like a youth.
Only when the young man bowed respectfully before him and then looked up did Li Cong recognize him.
This person was none other than Ji Ze, who had been away for over two years.
Of course, the legendary doctor was not Ji Ze himself, but Tang Shu.
Tang Shu preferred freedom and had taught Ji Ze half his medical skills, so he sent Ji Ze in his place to the palace.
That very night, snow fell over the capital.
Li Cong and Ji Ze stood beneath the corridor of Fu’an Palace, watching the snowflakes drift down, both deeply moved.
“I never thought you would end up as a doctor,” Li Cong smiled. “And that you’d come to serve as a physician in the palace.”
“I heard the salary at the Imperial Physician Courtyard is quite good — that’s what tempted me,” Ji Ze replied.
The boy was now fifteen, nearly as tall as Li Cong.
Li Cong pinched Ji Ze’s arm and said, “You’re still sturdy, haven’t gotten thin.”
Ji Ze grinned and pinched Li Cong’s arm in return, saying, “You haven’t lost weight either, Imperial Brother.”
The two brothers exchanged a smile, then both turned to watch the falling snow outside.
“I remember fifteen years ago on Mid-Autumn Festival, when you fell ill with the plague. I was terrified I would lose you. I knelt in the Prince Residence courtyard, praying to heaven and earth, begging for your safety. I promised that if you survived, I would be a good emperor,” Li Cong said.
Ji Ze had heard Ji Qingzhou and Li Zhan mention this story more than once.
He was surprised — his elder brother had been only five or six years old at the time…
Ji Ze looked at him and said, “You did it.”
“Why did you choose to come back?” Li Cong asked.
Ji Ze looked at him, wanting to say he couldn’t bear to leave his brother alone facing the vast future.
As brothers, they should face the road ahead together. How could he enjoy freedom outside while leaving his elder brother alone in this vast world? But after a moment’s thought, he didn’t say this aloud.
After a pause, Ji Ze said, “Last year, on my birthday, my master asked if I had any wishes. I thought for a moment and said I hoped for favorable weather and harvests in Dayu, so you wouldn’t have to worry so much. My master laughed and said that without the power to save the world, my words were too bold.”
“You have saved many lives,” Li Cong said.
“But no matter how skilled a doctor is, they can’t save everyone in the world,” Ji Ze said. “In Dayu, only one person has that power — and that’s you.”
Li Cong looked at Ji Ze, momentarily speechless.
Ji Ze added, “Today is also my birthday. Imperial Brother, do you want to know my wish?”
Li Cong nodded, and Ji Ze stepped into the courtyard despite the snow, lifted his robe, and knelt down.
“Heaven and earth, gods and spirits…” The boy’s clear voice echoed in the cold night, cutting through the falling snow and reaching Li Cong’s ears, “Please help me protect Imperial Brother for a lifetime of safety and health.” The wish was simple and ordinary, nothing new, but to Li Cong it was a sincere promise.
Ji Ze’s words meant that he would stay in the palace, by Li Cong’s side.
Though he still held the prince title, since he intended to become a physician at the Imperial Physician Courtyard, no one would suspect him anymore. A doctor would hardly provoke the court’s jealousy…
Li Cong felt a warmth in his heart and stepped forward to pull Ji Ze up from the snowy ground.
Ji Ze looked at him and smiled, “My medical skills aren’t as good as my master’s. Imperial Brother won’t mind, will you?”
“I hope I rarely have to use them,” Li Cong replied.
“Well, as long as the salary doesn’t get cut, that’s fine by me,” Ji Ze said.
Li Cong chuckled and lightly pounded the boy’s shoulder with a fist.
Ji Ze laughed loudly and suddenly shoved a handful of snow into Li Cong’s collar.
“You little rascal! You’ve gone too far…” Li Cong grabbed him, about to retaliate.
Ji Ze ran off, scooping up snow from the ground to form a snowball, boldly throwing it at Li Cong.
Li Cong soon gave up trying to catch him and bent down to make a snowball himself.
Servants of Fu’an Palace heard the noise and came over to see the two brothers playing with snowballs.
Outside, the vast world was cold and wide, but it could not compare to the warmth shared within this small space between them.
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