Chapter 29: Tormented Beyond Measure

Chapter 29: Tormented Beyond Measure

As May progressed, the days grew increasingly sweltering. Zhu Yunxuan, having fainted from heatstroke, eventually heeded the imperial physician's advice and moved to an auxiliary palace by the North Sea for respite. Morning court sessions were altered to a smaller gathering every third day and a grand assembly on the fifteenth, allowing him time to rest and ensure the safety of his pregnancy.

Liang Zhen visited him daily, assisting with the mundane tasks at hand. Zhu Yunxuan remained aloof as always, only contributing to the conversation when discussing matters of substance. Liang Zhen no longer attempted to force his company upon him and instead found a peculiar joy in this peaceful coexistence with Zhu Yunxuan.

On a sweltering summer afternoon, a gentle breeze from the lake outside the window carried with it a hint of sweet floral fragrance, bringing a touch of cool respite. Liang Zhen paused in his writing, lifting his gaze to see the emperor seated behind the imperial desk, his shoulders straight and brows slightly furrowed as he perused official documents. The sun softly illuminated his handsome profile, tempering the stark aloofness that kept others at arm's length.

Servants brought up a refreshing dessert, a chilled silver ear and lotus seed soup, still exhaling delicate vapor as it was served. Zhu Yunxuan's demeanor softened, and he accepted the sweet broth. Liang Zhen couldn't help but curve his lips into a smile as he watched.

He stirred the spoon casually, saying to Zhu Yunxuan, "In this sweltering summer, silver ear and lotus seed soup is refreshing and cooling. If Your Majesty enjoys it, please have more."

Zhu Yunxuan wore an indifferent expression and did not respond. Unperturbed, Liang Zhen continued, "These lotus seeds were picked from my estate this very morning and delivered fresh. They're not overly sweet, with just the right flavor."

Lotus pods were also cultivated in this secondary palace, yet somehow they were never as fine as those from Liang Zhen's estate. The lotus seeds were either underripe or overripe, lacking the perfect plumpness. Nevertheless, Liang Zhen always instructed his people to select the best ones and send them to Zhu Yunxuan, regardless of whether his gesture was appreciated or not.

Zhu Yunxuan gazed at the plump and tender lotus seeds in his bowl, inhaling the sweet aroma that lingered around his nose. Suddenly, he lost his appetite. Setting the bowl aside, he picked up his pen and resumed going through the memorials on his desk.

Liang Zhen's lips curved slightly. "Your Majesty, aren't you going to have any? Doesn't it suit your taste?"

Zhu Yunxuan's expression was distanced, his gaze slightly focused as he met Liang Zhen's smiling eyes. For a moment, their gazes locked, but then Zhu Yunxuan averted his sight, picking up the bowl and swiftly finishing the soup.

He had no intention of getting entangled with Liang Zhen over such trivial matters; they were meaningless distractions.

In the afternoon, the Minister of Justice came to report an issue that involved the Marquis of Anle. They dared not make decisions on their own and sought the emperor's judgment.

"The Marquis of Anle has allowed his servants to murder tenants on his estate, seize peasant women, and already seven or eight people have died. The aggrieved tenants couldn't bear it and reported to the local authorities. As the matter concerns a noble house, the local office directly referred it to our Ministry of Justice. I've dispatched people to verify, and indeed, such incidents occurred. What should be done...?"

Zhu Yunxuan frowned slightly. Glancing at Liang Zhen, he saw that his expression was calm and composed, as if he wasn't surprised at all. He knew then that Liang Zhen must have been aware of the situation beforehand.

The Minister of Justice continued, "Yes, indeed, it's the tenants from the Marquis of Anle's manor."

Zhu Yunxuan's voice turned cold. "To behave so wantonly, trampling upon the common folk like this, the Marquis of Anle truly has great audacity."

Turning to Liang Zhen, he asked, "What is your view, Prince Zhao, on how to handle this matter?"

Liang Zhen coughed softly. "Since it involves my father, I dare not comment hastily."

Zhu Yunxuan gazed at him steadily, and Liang Zhen returned the look without flinching, a faint smile still playing on his lips. After a moment, Zhu Yunxuan looked away and issued a solemn edict: "The Marquis of Anle, for allowing his servants to disregard human life and break the law, shall be stripped of his title and have his property confiscated. All assets shall be compensated to the victims after being recorded in a register. The servants involved in this case shall be dealt with according to the law as a warning to others."

The Minister of Justice was clearly taken aback that the emperor would directly strip the Marquis of Anle of his title. After a momentary pause, he quickly obeyed the imperial order.

Once the officials had withdrawn, Liang Zhen raised an eyebrow with a smile, praising Zhu Yunxuan. "Your Majesty truly loves your people like a father, inspiring admiration."

Zhu Yunxuan replied coldly, "After all, the Marquis of Anle is the father of Prince Zhao. If Prince Zhao doesn't plead for mercy but instead adds fuel to the fire, it will undoubtedly confirm his disobedience. He deserves to be condemned by a thousand voices."

Liang Zhen dismissed the matter nonchalantly. "As a filial son, I have already shown my devotion by bringing my father and uncles back to the estate for their old age. As for the rest, I never cared about empty titles. It's enough that Your Majesty understands my necessity. Besides, I am merely ridding the people of a menace."

How could a group of illiterate peasants from the countryside dare to file complaints against their powerful landlords at the capital's provincial office? And how could their suffering reach the emperor's ears so smoothly? It was evident that Liang Zhen was once again involved. His claim of taking his relatives back to the estate for retirement was just an outward pretense. In the future, who else could interfere with how he chose to torment those people?

Yet Zhu Yunxuan had no desire to know these details. Liang Zhen always claimed his own misfortune, vowing to retaliate against those he despised. But who wasn't pitiful? Would the pain he inflicted on others be any less?

A bitter taste rose in Zhu Yunxuan's heart, and his grip on the pen tightened abruptly. Waves of pain washed over his abdomen, hot and swollen as if being torn apart by an invisible force. Lately, this had become his routine: abdominal pain, fever, muscle cramps, and occasional nausea. All these symptoms seemed to relentlessly remind him of the unwanted presence within his womb.

Seeing Zhu Yunxuan's face turn ashen, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead, Liang Zhen's smile vanished in an instant. He rushed forward, shooing away Gao An, then embraced Zhu Yunxuan tightly.

Clenching his teeth to hide his vulnerability, Zhu Yunxuan felt Liang Zhen's trembling arms around his aching body, which only fueled Liang Zhen's panic. He turned to yell at Gao An, "Hurry up and summon the imperial physician! Are you deaf?!"

It was understandable for Liang Zhen's anxiety. Despite Zhu Yunxuan's frequent discomfort, he had always tried to endure it privately, especially not in front of Liang Zhen. During the day, the episodes were manageable, but at night, they worsened. Unless the pain became unbearable, he would bear it stoically. Liang Zhen, aware that Zhu Yunxuan resented him, hadn't spent the night here for quite some time and thus was unaware of his suffering. This was the first time he witnessed Zhu Yunxuan in such distress.

Gao An grew anxious as well. With a determined grit of his teeth and a stomp of his foot, he dashed out.

By the time Doctor Fang hurriedly arrived, Zhu Yunxuan had already fainted from the pain and then regained consciousness, drenched in sweat as if he had just been pulled out of water. The elderly doctor knelt beside him to take his pulse while Liang Zhen stared intently, his expression grim.

After a moment, Doctor Fang cautiously replied, "His Majesty has been consuming too many cold foods recently, which is why this happened. Even in the sweltering summer, one must be cautious and not indulge in too much cold food. I'll prescribe some more pregnancy-stabilizing medicine."

Zhu Yunxuan's face was as pale as paper. Exhausted, he closed his eyes.

Liang Zhen couldn't help but furrow his brow. "He can't eat anything chilled?"

"Of course not. Now that His Majesty is... with child, things are different. Caution should always come first."

Liang Zhen fell silent for a moment. Indeed, he had no experience in taking care of someone who was pregnant, and his attempt at doing so had only worsened the situation.

Doctor Fang retreated to a side chamber to prepare a prescription and settle Zhu Yunxuan into a restful state. Liang Zhen got up and left, casting a glance at Gao An before going. Gao An hesitated, looking at Zhu Yunxuan, who had already closed his eyes. Reluctantly, he followed Liang Zhen out.

Liang Zhen absentmindedly flipped through Zhu Yunxuan's calligraphy and painting practice pieces on the imperial desk. He felt that the landscapes depicted by the young emperor somehow carried an inexplicable sense of loneliness and desolation, leaving him momentarily lost in thought.

Gao An stood silently by, and after a while, Liang Zhen reined in his thoughts and asked in a solemn voice, "Does His Majesty often experience such unbearable abdominal pain?"

"Yes... Usually during the night, His Majesty refuses to summon the court physicians and toughens it out," Gao An replied with a heavy heart.

Upon hearing this, Liang Zhen's brows knitted even tighter. "Is there anything else? Any other discomfort?"

"His Majesty has nightmares every night, accompanied by profuse sweating and dizziness..." Gao An knew he shouldn't divulge such information to Liang Zhen, but Zhu Yunxuan's condition was truly worrying. He couldn't confide in anyone else, so he could only hope that Liang Zhen could persuade the emperor to see the physician.

Liang Zhen's frown deepened. Just as Doctor Fang finished writing the prescription, he came over to report. Liang Zhen asked Gao An to recount Zhu Yunxuan's situation in detail and hesitantly inquired, "Why is His Majesty like this? Why such a strong reaction just from pregnancy?"

Doctor Fang answered cautiously, "Male pregnancy is naturally arduous. If His Majesty's emotions are unsettled, it becomes even more unbearable. I've added a few calming herbs to the prescription. Apart from that, we must pay extra attention, urging His Majesty not to worry excessively and not to get angry easily. A calm state of mind will alleviate his suffering."

Liang Zhen closed his eyes briefly, his voice turning grave. "This prince understands."

It wasn't until late at night that Zhu Yunxuan stirred, emerging from his groggy state. Upon opening his eyes, he saw Liang Zhen leaning against the side, holding a book. Hearing the movement, Liang Zhen's gaze shifted, reaching out to caress Zhu Yunxuan's still-pale cheek. Zhu Yunxuan instinctively turned his head, avoiding the touch.

Liang Zhen asked softly, "Is His Majesty hungry? Should I have someone bring the meal?"

Zhu Yunxuan didn't respond, and Liang Zhen took his silence as consent, instructing the servants to serve dinner. Considering Zhu Yunxuan's frail health, Liang Zhen ordered nourishing porridge. He didn't make Zhu Yunxuan sit up, instead allowing him to lean against the headboard while he meticulously scooped a spoonful, feeding it to him personally.

Zhu Yunxuan accepted the offering passively. Liang Zhen continued feeding him without resistance, as if indifferent to everything around him.

Despite Liang Zhen's subsequent offer to stay, Zhu Yunxuan merely knitted his brow slightly and did not say more.

When Liang Zhen embraced him from behind, Zhu Yunxuan instinctively shrank back – it was his most primal response, born of fear.

Liang Zhen patted his waist gently. "I won't do anything, Your Majesty. Go to sleep."

As he was held down to lie down by Liang Zhen, Zhu Yunxuan's entire body tensed up. Facing away from Liang Zhen, he clenched his fists in secret. Liang Zhen indeed did nothing but repeatedly pat his waist, attempting to soothe him.

Closing his eyes, Zhu Yunxuan gradually relaxed his body, but his guard and vigilance remained undiminished. He even deliberately softened his breathing. Liang Zhen, of course, noticed this. Recalling how the young emperor could once sleep soundly in his arms, he now found that this was no longer possible. A myriad of emotions swirled in his heart.

Feeling Liang Zhen's hand rest on his abdomen, Zhu Yunxuan's back instantly stiffened. After a pause, Liang Zhen whispered into his ear, "Does this area often cause you unbearable pain?"

Zhu Yunxuan bit his lip, not responding. Liang Zhen sighed softly. "Your Majesty, even if you hate me and despise the child in your womb, don't torment yourself. If you're unwell, summon Imperial Physician Fang for a consultation. Why endure it?

"You can't reject the child until after birth. Disliking him now would only risk your life. You may not care about life and death, but consider the future of your kingdom without an heir. What chaos would ensue if you were to die? Even if I don't deliberately stir trouble, what about others? How many of those royal princes are amiable? And think of your brother – at least consider him. Only you, as emperor, can protect him. Marquis Ding Yuan and anyone else cannot. If you were to pass, whoever succeeds you as emperor might not tolerate him."

"You wish to kill me, but you must first regain your strength before plotting. I've promised to wait, and I won't renege on my word. As long as you have the capability, I will not hold any grudge against whatever punishment you mete out later."

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes remained tightly shut, his eyelashes fluttering softly. He gave no response. After a prolonged silence, Liang Zhen patted his waist again. "Sleep."