Chapter 47: Parting Ways

Chapter 47: Parting Ways

In mid-February, Zhu Yunjing and He Huailing, accompanied by their three children, bid farewell to Zhu Yunxuan and embarked on their journey back to the Southern Border.

Zhu Yunxuan had completed his postpartum confinement, and the young prince's health had improved, but full recovery would require long-term care. Zhu Yunjing planned to take him to the Southern Border in search of renowned physicians. The child's future now rested in his own hands.

On the day of their departure, Zhu Yunxuan, disguised in plain clothes, left the palace to see them off. It was still chilly, so the children remained in the carriage with their nurses. Zhu Yunjing alighted from the carriage for a final farewell with his brother. In silence, they faced each other, aware that it might be a long time before they met again.

After a moment, Zhu Yunjing placed a hand on Zhu Yunxuan's shoulder and sighed, "From now on, you are truly the ruler of this land. Do your best."

Zhu Yunxuan nodded, "Brother... take care of yourself. In a few years, I'll bring Father Duke Ding back to the capital."

Zhu Yunjing smiled nonchalantly, "The pirates in the south haven't been dealt with yet. No need to rush. I rather enjoy being out here. It's so much more freeing."

A subtle quiver appeared at the corners of Zhu Yunxuan's lips, his expression revealing his hidden sadness. Zhu Yunjing walked to the carriage, took the tightly wrapped child, and presented him to Zhu Yunxuan, "At a time like this, won't you hold him?"

Zhu Yunxuan was momentarily stunned but eventually raised his hand, hesitantly taking the infant wrapped in swaddling cloth. As if sensing something, the sleeping child murmured softly and slowly opened his eyes, but did not cry. Instead, he stared dazedly at Zhu Yunxuan.

Lowering his head, Zhu Yunxuan gazed intently at the child in his arms, his hands trembling slightly. His eyes gradually reddened with emotion.

He Huailing approached and softly reminded Zhu Yunjing, "It's time to leave."

Zhu Yunjing sighed inwardly, taking the child back into his arms. Zhu Yunxuan seemed dazed, as if he had lost his soul, until the child, without any warning, burst into tears in Zhu Yunjing's hands.

Zhu Yunxuan instinctively reached out, still wanting to hold the baby, but his hand froze mid-air. After a moment, it slowly dropped back down.

Zhu Yunjing gently patted the swaddled infant, soothing them, while speaking to Zhu Yunxuan, "It's getting late. We should go; otherwise, we won't reach the nearest relay station before dusk. You should also hurry back to the palace. You've just recovered from confinement, so don't catch a cold from the wind."

Watching the procession disappear into the distance, Zhu Yunxuan stood rooted to the spot for a long while. It was only with Gao An's quiet reminder that he gradually came back to reality, his voice hoarse as he said, "Let's return to the palace."

After the carriage had left, He Huailing dismounted and returned to the carriage, informing Zhu Yunjing of the last task he had done for Zhu Yunxuan before he left.

"I was ordered by His Majesty to find a prisoner in the prison for condemned criminals who resembles Liang Zhen. I've arranged for him to be disguised as Liang Zhen. Tonight, he will be swapped with the real Liang Zhen in the Dali Temple Prison."

Zhu Yunjing was taken aback, disbelief etched on his face. "He plans to release that damned scoundrel?! Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"

He Huailing coughed awkwardly. "I didn't mention it because I was afraid you'd ruin everything... Perhaps His Majesty still can't bear to part with him..."

Zhu Yunjing's anger flared, shooting an icy glare at He Huailing. He then lowered his gaze to the child in his arms, who had finally stopped crying. "Forget it. Poor little one, your father thinks more of your good-for-nothing father than of you. From now on, you'll be our child. It's pitiful that even after a full month, you still don't have a name. Starting today, you shall be called Rong'er."

In the royal carriage returning to the palace, Zhu Yunxuan sat silently, lost in thought, as the sounds of bustling city life filtered in from outside. Gao An, sensing his distress, tirelessly described the excitement outside, trying to lift his spirits. Suddenly, Zhu Yunxuan spoke, "Head to the Supreme Court Prison."

"Ahh?"

Zhu Yunxuan calmly repeated, "I said, go to the Supreme Court Prison."

The carriage veered towards the northern part of the city where the prison was located. As the wheels rolled on, Zhu Yunxuan's troubled mind gradually found peace.

Upon arrival, he revealed his identity, and the prison warden, along with the guards, rushed out to prostrate themselves. Zhu Yunxuan ignored them and stepped inside.

Liang Zhen was imprisoned in the darkest cell at the end of a dimly lit corridor. Halfway there, Zhu Yunxuan paused, seemingly hesitant. The people trailing behind him dared not urge him. After a long moment of hesitation, he resumed his slow walk forward.

Liang Zhen sat on the ground with his legs crossed, facing away from the door, clad only in a thin prisoner's garment. He was bent over, holding a wooden stick, drawing something on the floor.

Zhu Yunxuan stood outside the cell, squinting slightly, silently observing Liang Zhen's back. His eyes, dark and profound, seemed to hold a brewing storm, which eventually calmed.

Feeling someone's presence, Liang Zhen turned around. Upon seeing Zhu Yunxuan, he raised an eyebrow, unsurprised. "I knew you would come, Your Majesty."

Gao An shooed away the eager warden and guards, who had been vying for attention, leaving the space solely for the two of them.

Through the iron bars of the prison door, Zhu Yunxuan looked at the man who had risen to his feet and was now walking towards him with a cold gaze.

With disheveled hair, tattered clothes, and blood on his face, there was no trace of the former Regent Zhao's charismatic power that once dominated the Great Yan court.

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes swept over the man's bloody face and the whip marks covering his body, his pupils constricting slightly.

Stopping just one step away from Zhu Yunxuan, Liang Zhen's lips curved up slightly. "These past days, I've been betting that His Majesty would eventually come to see me."

In a cold tone, Zhu Yunxuan replied, "You're quite capable, to still manage to send messages to the palace even after ending up here."

Liang Zhen shook his head and sighed. "Your Majesty, this place is far too desolate and lonely. Surely you don't intend to keep me imprisoned for life?"

"I trust you're aware that I've already issued an imperial edict. In three days, you will be beheaded," Zhu Yunxuan reminded him sternly.

He hadn't dealt harshly with Liang Zhen; he had only planned to execute him alone. The rest of his followers and trusted associates were sentenced to exile, which was punishment enough. Liang Zhen's public execution would serve as a warning to the entire court, ensuring that no one would dare underestimate the emperor from then on.

Liang Zhen's gaze lingered on Zhu Yunxuan for a moment. "And so?"

"Tonight, someone will switch places with you. Your wish will come true – you'll leave the capital, never to set foot in Great Yan again, and... never let this emperor lay eyes on you again."

"Are you really willing to let go, Your Majesty?"

"Liang Zhen, what right do you have to speak to me in such a manner now?"

Liang Zhen smiled softly. "If Your Majesty truly could let go, you wouldn't be here today. There's no need for anger, I only wish to talk with you."

As he spoke, he used the wooden stick in his hand to fiddle with the lock on the prison door, and surprisingly, it opened. Zhu Yunxuan watched him warily. Liang Zhen pulled open the door but didn't step out. "Come in and talk with this subject, Your Majesty. The wounds on my body ache terribly, and I cannot stand for long."

Liang Zhen sat down against the hay pile in the corner of the cell. Zhu Yunxuan stood a few steps away, still wary.

Fixing his gaze on him, Liang Zhen imprinted his image repeatedly in his mind. "Your Majesty has lost more weight..."

Zhu Yunxuan remained silent. Liang Zhen's eyes moved downward, pausing slightly at his flat abdomen. "Has the child been born? Has the month passed?... Where is the child?"

Under his sleeve, Zhu Yunxuan's hand clenched gradually. After a moment of silence, he forced out the words. "It came on the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, premature and weak. Doctor Fang did all he could, but one night there was a sudden high fever... It couldn't be saved."

Liang Zhen froze, unconsciously tightening his grip on the stick until veins bulged on the back of his hand. He stared intently at Zhu Yunxuan, searching for any hint of deception in his expression.

Zhu Yunxuan met his gaze calmly. After a long while, something seemed to fade completely from Liang Zhen's dark eyes. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "Did Your Majesty come here just to tell me this?"

"…You should be aware."

Liang Zhen sneered silently, "Should this minister be grateful for Your Majesty suddenly becoming so considerate? ... In these dark and gloomy prison cells, I've been reliving the past days and nights. I'm both regretful and unregretful. I always thought... there was still a chance. But at this very moment, I finally understand what you mean by 'meaningless.'"

For the first time, Zhu Yunxuan witnessed Liang Zhen's eyes reddening in front of him. He was speechless, and after a long silence, he merely said, "That secret imperial edict..."

"Your Majesty can rest assured," Liang Zhen closed his eyes wearily, "The secret edict was burned long ago, along with all the evidence. If Your Majesty changes your mind now, it's not too late."

Zhu Yunxuan lowered his gaze and muttered, "Since I agreed to let you go... I won't go back on my word."

Again, they stood in silence. Zhu Yunxuan turned around and slowly walked towards the prison door.

Suddenly, Liang Zhen stood up, stepped forward, and grabbed Zhu Yunxuan's wrist, pulling him forcefully. Zhu Yunxuan, caught off guard, was spun around and crashed into Liang Zhen's embrace.

Liang Zhen held onto him tightly, not letting go. Zhu Yunxuan didn't resist. After a moment of stunned silence, he gently closed his eyes.

The warm breath against his ear was like a whisper, "After I leave, take good care of yourself. Don't... put yourself through such torment anymore."

Zhu Yunxuan bit his lip hard, his eyes shut tightly as tears continuously rolled down his cheeks.

Outside the prison, upon seeing Zhu Yunxuan emerge, the jailor, who had been waiting for a long time, obsequiously approached. Before he could speak, Zhu Yunxuan suddenly asked in a cold voice, "Who authorized you to use torture?"

The jailor was taken aback. Upon seeing the icy expression on Zhu Yunxuan's face, his knees buckled, and he trembled as he fell to the ground, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. Stammering, he could not articulate a coherent response, "This... this servant..."

Zhu Yunxuan's gaze fell on the horsewhip in the hands of the guard driving the carriage. Gao An immediately understood and went over to retrieve the whip, presenting it respectfully before him with both hands.

Zhu Yunxuan grasped the whip and, turning around, fiercely lashed it twice at the prostrating jailor. Amidst the man's cries of agony, he tossed the whip aside and sternly commanded, "Drag him away. Report this incident to the Minister of Justice. Order him to investigate the person behind this and deal with them accordingly."

The others kneeling on the ground were all cowed with fear and dared not defy the order.

Once inside the carriage and with the doors shut, Zhu Yunxuan seemed to deflate, leaning exhaustedly against the backrest. He closed his eyes again, hiding the glistening moisture in the corners of his eyes.