The servants worked together to carry the man into the room. Just as they were about to leave, someone appeared at the door. The newcomer was tall and extremely handsome. When the servants saw him, they bowed and greeted, “Young Master Xu.”
The young man, addressed as Young Master Xu, gave a slight nod and strode into the room. Upon seeing only one person on the bed, his expression changed visibly. “Is it just him?”
“Yes, there was indeed only this gentleman outside,” one of the servants replied. As soon as he finished, the usually composed young master staggered slightly. The servants were startled and quickly moved to help him, but he raised a hand to stop them.
“Go fetch Doctor Wang,” the young master said softly.
Doctor Wang was a renowned physician in Kangwu County, known for his exceptional medical skills. Yet, even he shook his head repeatedly at the sight of the man’s injuries after his clothes were removed.
The man’s body was covered in wounds, especially on his back, where arrow scars—both old and new—were so numerous they couldn’t be counted. The sight was harrowing.
“Doctor Wang, you must do everything you can to save him.”
Doctor Wang sighed before responding, “I’ll do my best, Young Master Xu.” As he turned to speak, he suddenly noticed the pale face of the young man beside him. Startled, he exclaimed, “Young Master Xu?”
He Xulan, who was going by the alias Young Master Xu, pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from the corner of his lips. “It’s nothing. I’m just in a bad mood. Doctor Wang, please tend to him quickly.”
He Xulan left the room and walked into the courtyard, where he suddenly stopped, as if unable to take another step. The red plum blossoms in the garden were in full bloom, and as he gazed at them, a figure seemed to materialize in his mind.
That person, hiding behind a plum tree, used to call him “brother.”
He Xulan averted his gaze and walked in a different direction until he reached another room. He pushed the door open, quickly made his way to the desk, and wrote a few words on a piece of paper. After rolling it up, he went to the window, scattered some bird feed on the windowsill, and shortly after, a pigeon flew over. He Xulan placed the message into the pigeon’s tube and tossed it into the air.
The pigeon spread its wings and soared away.
At that moment, a servant approached.
“Young Master Xu, Li Wu’s household has finished preparing the five-colored longevity noodles. You can go taste them.”
He Xulan pressed his lips together and, after a long pause, said, “No need. Pay them and let them go.”
The servant was stunned. The longevity noodles had been planned for days, and it had finally been decided that Li Wu’s household would prepare them. Young Master Xu had intended to taste them one last time today—so why suddenly cancel?
“Shall we still have Li Wu’s family prepare the noodles for tomorrow’s Little New Year’s Eve?” the servant asked, uncertain, as a significant amount had already been paid to secure their services.
“No need.”
The servant thought he might be imagining it, but Young Master Xu’s voice sounded strange—almost sorrowful. However, when someone is upset, shouldn’t their voice be choked with emotion? There was no such thing in Young Master Xu’s tone. Perhaps the servant was just overthinking it.
***
“What’s this? You go out once and now you’ve grown wings? Have you forgotten who I am?” Cui Lingjing’s expression grew more menacing and terrifying as Xueya remained still. “Come here!”
The last two words were shouted.
Xueya trembled in fear. At that moment, the chief eunuch’s voice came from outside.
“Your Majesty, please allow this servant to handle this little wretch. Don’t upset yourself.”
“Get out!” Cui Lingjing roared, hurling a teacup toward the door. The immediate silence outside was deafening.
Seeing Cui Lingjing’s unpredictable mood swings and sensing his gaze on him again, Xueya had no choice but to crawl toward him. However, with his hands bound, crawling was extremely difficult, and it took him a long time to reach the emperor.
Cui Lingjing’s eyes were fixed on the boy crawling toward him. Sensing that the boy intended to stop a short distance away, he let out a cold chuckle. “Come to my feet.”
When Xueya finally reached him, Cui Lingjing had lost his patience and leaned down to grip the boy’s face.
Xueya trembled uncontrollably as he faced Cui Lingjing up close. The medicinal smell grew stronger the nearer he got. Despite the fact that Cui Lingjing’s clothes were infused with dragon musk, it couldn’t cover the overpowering scent of medicine.
“Why are you shaking?” Cui Lingjing suddenly laughed, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You must be pleased to see me like this, right? Are you thinking that I’m going to die soon, and then you can run off with He Xulan?”
Xueya, his mouth stuffed with cloth, couldn’t speak. Faced with Cui Lingjing’s accusation, he could only shake his head frantically in panic.
Cui Lingjing tilted his head and laughed out loud this time. “Lies. I know what you’re all thinking. You’re all hoping I die, forcing me to adopt a child, waiting for me to kick the bucket. But I won’t give you the satisfaction. While I live, none of you will have peace. And when I die, I’ll make sure you all suffer.”
Just saying those words seemed to drain Cui Lingjing’s energy. He released Xueya and, after catching his breath, called out, “Someone, come in.”
The chief eunuch and his attendants quickly entered the room.
“Take him away and clean him up properly. What’s tomorrow?” Cui Lingjing asked.
“Your Majesty, tomorrow is Little New Year’s Eve,” the chief eunuch replied.
Cui Lingjing’s expression grew dazed for a moment. “Little New Year’s Eve? Then we must prepare for a palace banquet, right?”
The eunuch, uneasy, replied carefully, “Your Majesty, the Little New Year’s Eve banquet has been canceled this year. The imperial physicians said your health isn’t suitable for attending banquets, and the Ministry of Rites hasn’t made any preparations for the event.”
Upon hearing this, Cui Lingjing’s face darkened. “Who said there would be no banquet? Did they ask for my permission?”
“Five days ago, Your Majesty—” The eunuch’s words were cut short.
“That was five days ago. Tomorrow, there will be a banquet, and it will be grand. Tell Hu Hongguang that if I’m not satisfied, he can kiss his position as Minister of Rites—and his head—goodbye.”
As soon as Cui Lingjing finished speaking, the chief eunuch immediately dropped to his knees. “Understood, Your Majesty. I’ll take care of it at once.”
Cui Lingjing seemed to grow tired and slumped back in his chair, closing his eyes. “Summon the head of the Astronomical Bureau to the palace.”
***
While the head of the Astronomical Bureau was on his way, Xueya was being held down by several people as they scrubbed him clean. The eunuchs were so rough, it felt as if they were trying to peel his skin off. Fortunately, the arrow wounds on his arm had already healed, leaving only scars.
However, when the eunuchs noticed the scars on his arm, they immediately reported it to the chief eunuch.
Upon seeing the scars, the chief eunuch furrowed his brows so tightly that it could have crushed a mosquito. “Quick, summon the imperial physician.”
It took some time for the physician to arrive. Meanwhile, Xueya was pulled from the bath and dressed in layers of ornate clothing. He was dressed in women’s attire once again, but this time even more lavish. A matron applied thick makeup to his face, and his headdress was extravagantly adorned with gold thread inlaid with pearls and emerald jade—an outfit of unparalleled luxury.
When Xueya looked in the mirror, he couldn’t even tell whether the person reflected was male or female. Neither could the imperial physician. When he arrived and saw Xueya, he mistook him for a palace consort and didn’t dare examine his arm until the chief eunuch reminded him.
After prescribing the medicine, Xueya was brought to the imperial study.
There were others in the study. Xueya recognized one of them as the same person who had declared him a bringer of misfortune during the rain ceremony.
“Tell me, does he match my fate well?” Cui Lingjing, still slumped in his chair with little energy, asked.
The head of the Astronomical Bureau took one look at Xueya and immediately knelt. “Congratulations, Your Majesty. This person’s birth chart perfectly complements your fate. His presence will ensure your health and vitality.”
“Well said. You’ll explain that at tomorrow’s banquet.” As Cui Lingjing spoke, he extended his hand toward Xueya. When Xueya didn’t move, the chief eunuch shoved him forward.
“Aren’t you going to go over?” the eunuch warned in a low voice.
Xueya, trembling with fear, reluctantly approached Cui Lingjing. The emperor’s hand was still outstretched, and after a moment’s hesitation, Xueya placed his hand in his. As soon as he did, Cui Lingjing gripped it tightly. His hand was ice-cold, devoid of any warmth.
“I’m planning to make you a noble consort. I’m sure godfather will be delighted when he hears. By the way, where is godfather now?” Cui Lingjing’s gaze was as sharp and cold as a snake’s, fixated on Xueya as if he were a prized possession.
