Chapter 46: Heartrending Sorrow

Chapter 46: Heartrending Sorrow

In the Ganlin Palace.

Zhu Yunxuan leaned on the couch, seemingly asleep. Upon entering, Zhu Yunjing took a glance and left for the side hall without lingering.

The young prince was punctured with silver needles all over his body, immersed in a medicinal bath. Silent and still, he was carefully held by a few nurses. Doctor Fang knelt beside, continuously administering acupuncture.

The child had been alive for over twenty days, enduring at least two hours of acupuncture and herbal baths each day. His tiny, delicate body was covered in needle marks, pitiful to behold. Yet, this was the only way to keep him alive.

Fortunately, the child was resilient. Despite several near-death experiences, he managed to cling to life and gradually showed signs of improvement.

Zhu Yunjing squatted down, reaching out to caress the child's face. He asked Doctor Fang, "How long until he recovers?"

After inserting the final needle, the elderly doctor wiped his brow and replied to Zhu Yunjing, "In a few more days, we should be able to cease the acupuncture. The young prince is no longer in immediate danger, but he will remain frail. It's likely he won't have the same strength as ordinary people in the future..."

Zhu Yunjing frowned. "Can't he fully recover?"

"It seems difficult," the doctor said.

"Is there truly no way at all?"

The old physician pondered and replied, "…This old minister has an old friend who is a descendant of the Southern Border's Master Physician Yu, with medical skills far surpassing mine. Perhaps he might have a method to save the young prince. However, he has long withdrawn from the world and might not be willing to come to the capital."

"Master Physician Yu? The one who created the fertility potion back then?"

"It's him."

Zhu Yunjing glanced at the little prince, whose eyes were now slightly open, and sighed. "Forget it. Write a letter to that gentleman. When the young prince reaches full moon, I'll take him to the Southern Border."

Now that Zhu Yunxuan was struggling with letting go, he was trapped in his own web. Since he didn't wish to see this child, it might be for the best to take him away first. With time, things would eventually change.

Doctor Fang promptly agreed. "That would be excellent. This old minister will write the letter immediately."

The nanny carried the child out of the medicinal bath, cleaned him up, and fed him. Unusually, the baby remained awake. As Zhu Yunjing took him over, the infant even unknowingly smiled at him.

Zhu Yunjing's heart softened. Lowering his head, he rubbed his nose against the baby's cheek and carried him to the main hall.

Zhu Yunxuan still leaned on the couch, his head turned sideways, staring blankly out the window at the early spring blooms beginning to sprout.

Hearing Zhu Yunjing's laughter, Zhu Yunxuan turned his head to see Zhu Yunjing smiling as he gently nibbled on the young prince's hand. Zhu Yunxuan's gaze sharpened slightly, but before he could react, Zhu Yunjing had already approached with the child in his arms and sat down beside him.

Zhu Yunxuan shifted uneasily, his eyes wandering. Unaware of his discomfort, Zhu Yunjing focused entirely on the infant, casually remarking to Zhu Yunxuan, "Rarely do I come when this little one is awake. Look at how big his eyes are, round and sparkling, just like you were when you were young."

Silent, Zhu Yunxuan allowed Zhu Yunjing to bring the child closer. Avoidance was futile, so he cast a glance at the swaddled baby. To his surprise, the infant giggled again. Zhu Yunxuan froze for a moment, then lowered his head to see that the child had grasped one of his fingers.

Startled, Zhu Yunxuan didn't withdraw his hand. Zhu Yunjing observed, lifting the corner of his mouth. "I didn't expect this little one to have such strength now. He's much better than when he was first born."

"{Doctor Fang} said what?"

"He needs daily acupuncture sessions and medicinal baths. It'll take a few more days, but he should improve significantly after a month. However, whether he can recover to the health of a normal child will depend on his fate."

"I... I can't take proper care of him here..."

Zhu Yunjing sighed helplessly. "Alright, if you don't want to, then you don't have to. I'll take him away. Poor child, being separated from his father at such a young age. What will become of him?"

Zhu Yunxuan murmured softly, "When he grows up... let him show you his filial piety."

Zhu Yunjing scoffed. "I already have two children. Why would I snatch yours? I'll take care of him for now. If you change your mind, you can always ask for him back anytime."

Zhu Yunxuan lowered his gaze, silent. Zhu Yunjing pouted and said, "You're the child's father. At least give him a name."

Still, Zhu Yunxuan remained quiet, staring blankly at the swaddled infant. His heart was in turmoil, yet he found himself unable to utter another word.

He couldn't afford to develop feelings for this child, not even the slightest hint of compassion. It didn't matter what the child was called or which family name he bore; he shouldn't concern himself with such matters.

When the tiny baby, who had been observing him, let out a soft coo, Zhu Yunxuan's heart tightened. He instinctively withdrew his hand, only for the baby to burst into tears.

Zhu Yunjing promptly took the child, gently patting the swaddle as he patiently soothed the infant. Soon, the exhausted baby fell asleep, and the nanny carried him away.

Looking at Zhu Yunxuan's increasingly dejected expression, Zhu Yunjing softly patted his wrist. "Forget it. I'll take the child away, down south, far from you. But you have to promise me that once you recover, you'll quickly appoint a queen and concubines, and have more children. As long as you have a legitimate heir, I won't insist on you accepting this child."

Zhu Yunxuan's throat felt bitter. "…Alright."

In the depths of night, Zhu Yunxuan woke up again from a nightmare. He sat up, clutching his splitting headache with both hands. After a while, his rapid heartbeat gradually slowed.

The details of the dream had already faded from memory, though it seemed related to Liang Zhen, something soaked in blood. Zhu Yunxuan didn't want to dwell on it further. He called for Gao An, who was sleeping outside.

Gao An ordered someone to bring hot tea, which he then passed to Zhu Yunxuan. He attempted to light a lamp, but Zhu Yunxuan stopped him. "Leave it like this…"

Only in the darkness could he conceal the emotions that tormented him, tearing at his heart. No wonder Liang Zhen said he had grown accustomed to, and even enjoyed, this kind of darkness. Zhu Yunxuan leaned against the headboard with his eyes closed, seemingly feeling for the first time what Liang Zhen had endured.

In the stillness, a faint cry came from the side palace, intermittent yet persistent. Gao An studied Zhu Yunxuan's expression, hesitating to speak. Zhu Yunxuan furrowed his brow slightly before asking softly after a long moment, "Why is he crying again?"

"Perhaps the young prince is hungry," Gao An whispered, explaining, "Newborns usually need to be fed every two hours, even at night."

"Mm?" Zhu Yunxuan murmured, lost in thought with a distant look in his eyes.

After a while, the crying continued. Zhu Yunxuan muttered, "Why is he still crying? Hasn't the nurse fed him?"

Gao An ventured cautiously, "Shall I send someone to check on him, Your Majesty?"

Seeing Zhu Yunxuan's lips press together in a thin line, seemingly in agreement, Gao An took it as consent and summoned a young eunuch to inspect the young prince's condition in the side palace.

A short while later, the eunuch returned, reporting that the young prince had suddenly run a fever, and Doctor Fang was currently attending to him.

Zhu Yunxuan involuntarily clenched his fists. Even for an ordinary child, a sudden fever was a serious matter. Let alone a child who was still fighting for survival; any minor ailment could be fatal.

Gao An's heart ached as he suggested, "Your Majesty, might you want to see the young prince?"

Zhu Yunxuan's gaze darkened, his heart nearly twisting in pain, but his face betrayed none of it. "…I'm not a physician. What use would it be for me to go?"

Gao An dared not speak further and stood silently by, sighing inwardly.

Zhu Yunxuan did not sleep again. Instead, he leaned against the headboard, lost in thought, listening blankly to the faint sounds coming from the side palace.

After two hours, the cries finally ceased. Gao An sent someone to check, and upon their return, they reported that the young prince had cried himself to sleep, still feverish. The nanny dared not put him down and held onto him tightly. Doctor Fang was also keeping watch.

Zhu Yunxuan closed his eyes lightly. Gao An glanced at the time on the Western clock, now past the second hour of the Tiger. He softly urged Zhu Yunxuan, "Your Majesty, please rest a while more."

Zhu Yunxuan remained silent, still motionless, his empty gaze fixed on some unseen point as if his soul had left his body, making it even harder to fathom his thoughts.

He leaned against the bedhead like that, staring blankly through the night until the first light of dawn began to filter in.

At the fourth hour of the Rabbit, the young eunuch rushed back with excitement, "The young prince's fever has subsided! Doctor Fang says there's no cause for concern!"

Gao An exhaled softly. Zhu Yunxuan's clenched fist, which he had held all night, gradually relaxed, his palm damp with sweat.

Gao An tried to persuade him once more, "Your Majesty, please take a short rest. If Duke Guo comes to the palace later and sees that you haven't slept all night, he'll scold this servant again."

Zhu Yunxuan's parched lips moved slightly as he croaked an order, "Call for the carriage. You take the child personally to Duke Ding's residence. Also, have Doctor Fang accompany you."

"…Your Majesty!"

"Go."

Seeing Zhu Yunxuan's resolute expression, Gao An had no choice but to reluctantly carry out the order.

Just as dawn arrived, the side gate of Duke Ding's residence was knocked on. Upon hearing the report, Zhu Yunjing rushed out. With a grim face, Gao An conveyed Zhu Yunxuan's intentions and informed him that the young prince had been feverish all night, and the emperor hadn't slept either.

Zhu Yunjing was momentarily stunned before he shook his head helplessly. "Alright, since he's already sent here, hand the child over to me. Return to the palace and report to the emperor. Tell him that I'll be occupied for a few days and won't be visiting the palace."

Gao An sighed as he returned to the palace, relaying Zhu Yunjing's words to Zhu Yunxuan. "Your Majesty, Duke Ding is obviously upset with you. Why did you have to send the young prince away in such haste?"

Zhu Yunxuan asked calmly, "A while ago, you mentioned that Prince Zhao had someone convey a message. He's now imprisoned at the Ministry of Justice. Who helped to pass the message?"

Gao An was taken aback, not expecting this question. Regaining his composure, he quickly reported, "There's a prison guard at the Ministry of Justice who owed a favor to Prince Zhao. By coincidence, he knew a palace servant. So, he helped to pass the message. This servant has already been reprimanded, and they won't dare do such a thing again in the future."

Zhu Yunxuan didn't pursue the matter further. After a moment of silence, he instructed Gao An, "Summon all the cabinet officials. I need to draft an edict."