Chapter XLVIII: A Twist of Fate

Chapter 48: A Mismatch of Events

As the dawn approached but the sky was still dark, the city gates swung open. A small troop of only five or six riders handed their passes to the guards for inspection before quietly exiting the city.

After leaving the city, the leader, a man with a wide-brimmed hat concealing most of his face, suddenly pulled on his reins, turned his horse, and gazed at the towering city walls, fixating on the direction of the imperial palace. All the emotions stirring within him were concealed by the darkness of the night.

After a long while, one of his trusted servants whispered a reminder, "It's time to go."

Liang Zhen closed his eyes briefly, turned his horse, and flicked the reins. Without hesitation, he spurred his mount forward.

Zhu Yunxuan had sat motionless in the darkness all night until the first light of day began to filter through. Gao An softly informed him, "Your Majesty, the city gates are open... It's time to leave... Let this servant attend to your rest."

"No need," Zhu Yunxuan muttered. "Get me dressed for the court assembly."

The emperor, who hadn't been seen at court for a long time, suddenly appeared, causing the previously lethargic officials to become vigilant. Zhu Yunxuan immediately ordered the reading of the imperial edict, listing Liang Zhen's thirteen capital offenses, stripping him of his noble title, and condemning him to immediate execution. All his accomplices were to be exiled.

The edict had been issued days ago, but on the first day Zhu Yunxuan returned to court, he deliberately had it read aloud again in public, leaving no doubt about his intentions.

The officials prostrated themselves, shouting "Long live the emperor!" Perched high on his throne, Zhu Yunxuan remained immobile. At that moment, he truly became the ruler of the land, and no one dared to underestimate him anymore.

After the morning court had concluded, officials from the Cabinet and the Ministries of Personnel and War were retained to deliberate on promotions to fill existing vacancies. Zhu Yunxuan idly sketched names on a sheet of paper as the assembled officials below him stood, each lost in their own thoughts. Several times, they almost spoke up, only to despondently fall silent. Many among them had engaged in covert dealings with Liang Zhen in the past, and the fact that the Emperor had not yet held them accountable was seen as a lenient gesture. Under such circumstances, who would dare risk provoking further displeasure by thrusting themselves into the spotlight now?

Zhu Yunxuan was well aware of the thoughts swirling in these officials' minds. In the court, there were certainly more than just the few military officers he had dealt with who had colluded with Liang Zhen. It would be impractical for him to eliminate everyone, as it would only lead to further unrest within the political landscape. For now, his priority was to nurture a loyal faction and gradually weed out those disloyal elements one by one.

Once the assembly of officials had withdrawn, the Minister of Justice, who had been waiting outside for a considerable time, entered alone to report. Within a single day, he had uncovered everything Zhu Yunxuan had asked him to investigate. The former Duke of Xian, whose title had been revoked, was the one who had bribed the prison warden to mete out private punishment to Liang Zhen. Though he had lost his royal rank, he still belonged to the imperial clan and, as such, maintained a certain degree of dignity. Achieving such a deed was not particularly challenging for him.

Zhu Yunxuan frowned and said in a cold voice, "It has been mentioned to me that there used to be substantial interaction between the former Xiao Wangfu and the Marquis of Anle's residence. Investigate and see if there truly is any lingering entanglement between them."

"I accept the imperial command," the Chief Justice said with a trembling heart. The former Marquis of Anle's household had all been relatives of the rebellious Prince Liang Zhen. After losing their titles, they were taken by Liang Zhen to live on his estate. Now, due to their association with Liang Zhen, they had been consigned to servitude as government slaves. It seemed that His Majesty intended to treat the restless and demoted King Xian as a conspirator with Liang Zhen, thus dealing with him decisively.

The once weak and insignificant emperor, whom everyone had once disdained, had finally begun to reveal his true fangs.

After finishing his instructions, Zhu Yunxuan dismissed the attendant with a wave of his hand, leaning wearily back into his chair and closing his eyes.

A few junior eunuchs were cleaning on one side of the grand hall. One of them, holding something he had found, approached Gao An discreetly for guidance. Gao An took it and examined it carefully - it was a string of Buddhist beads that didn't seem particularly valuable and didn't belong to Zhu Yunxuan.

Hearing the commotion, Zhu Yunxuan reopened his eyes, glancing at them and asking softly, "What's the matter?"

Gao An handed the beads over for him to inspect. Zhu Yunxuan was slightly taken aback; they were something Liang Zhen never parted with, an object he had mentioned before, the only keepsake left to him by his father.

Zhu Yunxuan took the object and held it in his palm, subconsciously rubbing it as his gaze darkened. "…Where did you find this?"

The little eunuch replied, "Your Majesty, I was just cleaning and found it beneath the seating couch."

Zhu Yunxuan's lips curved slightly, but he didn't ask any further questions.

All the gifts Liang Zhen had once given him were shattered or lost during their numerous arguments. Now that Liang Zhen was gone, only this unassuming string of Buddhist beads remained.

After a long silence, Zhu Yunxuan hung it on a decorative piece on his desk, gazing at it quietly for a moment before turning away.

Half a month later.

In the misty drizzle near dusk, the horseback riders stopped outside an inn, promptly greeted by a servant.

Liang Zhen dismounted, and the servant informed him that this was the best inn in town, where they would spend the night. The next day, they would cross the river and enter the territory of Jiangnan.

Liang Zhen didn't comment, asking no further questions as he stepped inside.

The servant went to arrange rooms with the innkeeper, originally hoping for a separate courtyard. However, unfortunately, the last courtyard had been claimed by someone else an hour ago. There were still a few upper-class rooms available, so he asked if they would do.

Upon entering, Liang Zhen casually chose a table in the spacious lobby and was promptly served with a hot cup of tea by a waiter. This town was large and close to the south, attracting a multitude of travelers from all directions, making the inn's business thrive. It being mealtime, the hall was filled with people, chatting in various dialects from across the land, creating a lively atmosphere.

Liang Zhen sipped his tea nonchalantly, listening to a group of merchants from the north at the nearest table discussing the recent sensational case of the rebel prince's execution in the Great Yan Empire.

"One can't deny that this vassal king, at merely twenty-four, was truly talented and ambitious. Only two years ago, he played a crucial role in helping the current emperor ascend to the throne. Unfortunately, his arrogance displeased the monarch, and now look where it has led him."

"I've heard whispers around the capital that this vassal king was actually the late emperor's... illegitimate son. How else could someone so young wield such power and receive a royal title? But without official recognition, it meant nothing in the end. He merely paved the way for others to succeed, losing both his position and life. The affairs of the imperial family, indeed, are astonishing."

"Indeed, I've also heard these rumors, described in great detail. They say the late emperor adored this illegitimate child, but no matter how much he favored him, they didn't share the same surname. Upon the late emperor's passing, the new ruler could not tolerate him. Even with the favor of having helped in the ascension, his life was still forfeited. A tragic tale, indeed."

"In the end, it was his own doing. Who asked him to amass an army and attempt to imprison the emperor? It's simply the rule that winners write history while losers fade away."

These merchants were quite bold, likely because they felt distant from the imperial court and its influence, allowing them to freely discuss matters of state and even the emperor's personal affairs without reservation.

Hearing their conversation, Liang Zhen swirled his tea cup, turning up the corners of his lips in a self-deprecating smile.

A servant approached Liang Zhen, relaying the innkeeper's message and asking if he should stay or seek another inn.

Liang Zhen replied calmly, "Let's stay here. After all, we've come this far. Who would recognize me, the man rumored to have been executed?"

Ascending the stairs, Liang Zhen found himself on the third floor of the inn where his chamber proved to be reasonably tidy. He paced to the window, which was half-open, and gazed outside. Rows of separate courtyards stretched before him, with the most distant one bustling with numerous people engaged in various tasks. Guards dressed in military attire stood watch at its entrance.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and gazed for a moment, then summoned someone and instructed, "Go and investigate who is staying in that quarter."

"Indeed."

Fifteen minutes later, the messenger dispatched by Liang Zhen returned with an update: "It was Duke Ding, accompanied by his family. They set off for the south about half a month ago. We managed to catch up with them due to our swift journey."

"Duke Ding..." Liang Zhen murmured softly, lost in thought. "Why didn't they stay at the inn?"

"The nearest relay station isn't within this town; perhaps it's more convenient for them to stay here."

Liang Zhen remained by the window, his eyes fixed intently on the dimly lit courtyard. After a moment of silence, he instructed again, "Investigate thoroughly how many... children they've brought along. Be cautious and don't let anyone discover your presence."

"Understood."

The servant bowed and left to carry out the order. Liang Zhen's hand rested on the window frame, unconsciously applying more pressure.

He couldn't discern the truth from what Zhu Yunxuan had said in prison. Even if there was only a fraction of a percent chance that it was a lie, he wasn't willing to let it go unchecked.

It was impossible for Zhu Yunxuan to raise the child without acknowledging him. If he said the child was gone, it could mean either that the child had truly… passed away, or that he had been sent away. The only place Zhu Yunxuan might have sent the child was to his elder brother.

As time ticked by, the cold dishes served by the inn servant remained untouched on the table. Liang Zhen stood by the window, staring in the direction of the courtyard, a mix of anticipation and anxiety swirling within him as he awaited the final verdict.

Half an hour later, the servant returned with news, "There are two children – a boy around six or seven years old, and an infant who looks to be over half a year old."

Liang Zhen's heart, which had been suspended high, plummeted into a deep abyss. Swallowing hard, he asked with difficulty, "Are you sure?"

"I've carefully surveyed the area, avoiding the guards in the courtyard. There's no mistake – there are indeed two children."

After a moment of stunned silence, Liang Zhen's gaze dimmed, and he said wearily, "Very well, I understand. You may leave."

In the courtyard, He Huailing was having dinner with Yuan Bao. One of his subordinates entered with a message delivered via carrier pigeon from Zhu Yunjing. Zhu Yunjing wrote that they had crossed the river and reached Xiangzhou that morning. It would take about another two weeks to reach the Southern Border. Everything was well, so he needn't worry.

Relieved, He Huailing put down his worries. Two days ago, he and Zhu Yunjing had parted ways – he took their two sons back to Fujian, while Zhu Yunjing carried the young prince to the Southern Border to seek medical treatment.

Yuan Bao whispered, "When will Father come back?"

He Huailing ruffled his hair with a smile. "When your little brother is better, your father will return."

Epilogue 1: Lovers (2)

The next morning, before dawn had even broken, the still-sleepy young prince was delivered to Duke Ding's residence.

Holding his son in his arms as they alighted from the carriage, Zhu Yunxuan guiltily patted the boy's head and instructed him, "Rong'er, be good here and play with Brother Yuan Bao and Ming. In a few days, your father and I will come to fetch you."

"How many days is a few days?" The young prince looked up at him, unwilling to part.

Zhu Yunxuan felt even guiltier. "Uh... maybe three days, or perhaps five, but definitely no more than that."

"Okay," the little prince nodded obediently, raising his hand to wave. "Rong'er understands, Rong'er will behave."

"Good boy."

With a sense of relief, Zhu Yunxuan watched as Rong'er was led inside by a nursemaid. Turning to Liang Zhen, he nudged his companion with his chin. "Your wish has been granted."

Liang Zhen chuckled and gave the order to set off.

Spring was in full bloom, with grass growing lush and birds singing sweetly – the perfect season for an outing beyond the city walls. They arrived at the hot spring villa at the foot of Yuanji Temple just after daybreak. After changing their clothes, the two of them ventured outside to explore the surroundings.

Liang Zhen held Zhu Yunxuan's hand, guiding him up the rear mountain of Yuanji Temple along a winding path. After a while, Liang Zhen plucked a fruit, wiped it clean, and offered it to Zhu Yunxuan.

"This fruit is unique to the Southern Seas. I found its taste appealing, so I attempted to transplant it here. Thanks to the year-round hot springs, the climate here is warmer than elsewhere, and it actually flourished. Try it."

Zhu Yunxuan took a bite. The skin was thin, and the juice was abundant, with a pleasantly sour-sweet flavor. "It's quite good."

Liang Zhen raised an eyebrow in a delighted smile. "In the next month, when the weather gets hotter, the taste will be even better. Originally, I planned to have someone pick them for delivery to the palace then. But since you're here today, you get to have a taste of the fresh ones."

Zhu Yunxuan chuckled. "Then I indeed came at the right time."

A grin bloomed in Liang Zhen's eyes as he tightened his grip on Zhu Yunxuan's hand. "This way."

Amidst laughter and conversation, they strolled along, stopping occasionally. When they reached the stream, Zhu Yunxuan squatted down, scooped up some water, took a sip, and then, just as Liang Zhen had once done for him, offered it naturally to Liang Zhen. Liang Zhen watched Zhu Yunxuan with a smile, leaning down to drink from his hand. His warm lips brushed lightly against Zhu Yunxuan's fingertips, causing the latter's hand to tremble slightly, spilling the remaining water in his palm.

Liang Zhen burst into laughter at Zhu Yunxuan's chiding glance and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Zhu Yunxuan playfully nudged him with his elbow. "Look, there are fish in this stream."

There were quite a few of them, small and only as long as one's palm. They swam in groups at times, and at other times, they scattered about with their tails flicking, joyfully darting through the water.

"There's nothing remarkable about having fish," Liang Zhen said, casually scooping one up with his hand. "Those who come to the back mountain are all monks from Yuanji Temple. Since they don't kill living creatures, they wouldn't catch fish. These fish in the stream live too comfortably."

Zhu Yunxuan chuckled. "Then why don't you release it quickly?"

Liang Zhen blinked. "Why should I release it? I'll cook grilled fish for Your Majesty later."

"But that's not right, is it? Fish in a place of Buddhism have spiritual essence. You can't just eat them randomly."

"No problem. Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven and can naturally consume such spiritual creatures."

"What about you?"

The corners of Liang Zhen's lips curved even more. "I am the Empress to Your Majesty, so I can naturally partake as well."

He really did send someone to fetch a wooden bucket, catching seven or eight fish in one go. Zhu Yunxuan helplessly reminded him, "If you keep fishing like this, there won't be any left. Abbot Fang will ban you from coming here when he finds out."

"Luckily, we can ask someone to release fry later," Liang Zhen said, satisfied. He handed the wooden bucket to the servant following behind and took Zhu Yunxuan's hand. "Come, let's go explore further up."

At noon, the two returned to the village at the foot of the mountain. They set up a table in the courtyard in front of their residence, laid out charcoal braziers, and sat on the ground. Without calling for servants, they started grilling the meat themselves.

The array of fish previously caught were laid out on the rack, alongside cured wild boar, lamb, and venison. Before long, the aroma of roasting meat began to waft through the air, accompanied by the sizzling of white smoke. Liang Zhen held a brush, coating the crispy, fragrant meat with a layer of honey, further intensifying its scent.

Zhu Yunxuan, propping his head up with one hand, watched him with a smile. "Is there anything my queen cannot do?"

Liang Zhen smiled in response but didn't speak. He sliced the cooked meat into small pieces, picked up a pair of chopsticks, blew on them, then offered the morsel to Zhu Yunxuan's mouth. "Try it."

As Zhu Yunxuan ate and nodded in approval, he poured himself a warm cup of wine. Raising his glass, he began the delightful combination of roasted meat and wine. Eventually, his vision grew hazy from the alcohol, and he discarded his cup, grabbing the wine jug instead, lying down with his head resting on Liang Zhen's lap. He tilted the jug to pour more wine into his mouth.

Liang Zhen gently held his hand. "Slow down on the drinking."

Zhu Yunxuan looked up at him with a dazed smile. "I want to drink more."

Liang Zhen presented a fruit he had plucked earlier, offering it to Zhu Yunxuan's lips. "Eat this, it will help cleanse your palate."

Zhu Yunxuan licked at the fruit, inadvertently grazing Liang Zhen's fingerpad. Liang Zhen lowered his head, gazing at him with a smile. "Your Majesty is drunk."

"Then why aren't you drunk?"

"When has Your Majesty ever drunk more than I have?"

Zhu Yunxuan's face was flushed with intoxication, his watery eyes flickering continuously as he whispered, "Can't you just let me win this time?"

"Who asked you to be such a wine connoisseur?" Liang Zhen chuckled, brushing aside the strands of hair that had fallen across Zhu Yunxuan's face. He twirled them around his finger for a moment before bending down to carry him horizontally.

Zhu Yunxuan remained still, looping his arms around Liang Zhen's neck and allowing himself to be held. Resting his head in the crook of Liang Zhen's neck, he murmured softly, "It's barely noon, still bright daylight out there..."

"Let's soak for a while."

They passed through the room and found the hot spring pool in the backyard. Once they submerged in the water, Zhu Yunxuan felt drowsy and grew warm, turning his back and lying on the stone slab at the edge of the pool, most of his body exposed.

Liang Zhen pressed against him from behind, his fingers gently tracing the flower tattoo on Zhu Yunxuan's waist, now more alluring in the water. Zhu Yunxuan didn't move, half-closing his eyes as he turned his head to look at Liang Zhen, his voice hoarse, "Is it pleasing to the eye?"

Liang Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly, "What does Your Majesty think?"

Zhu Yunxuan didn't respond, instead turning back to close his eyes lightly, a smile playing on his lips.

Times had changed, and what was once a mark of humiliation was now insignificant. Setting aside those meaningless worries, this tattoo now carried a sultry allure, becoming a source of pleasure between their sheets.

Liang Zhen leaned down, clasped his waist, and gently kissed the blooming red plum blossom on Zhu Yunxuan's chest. Zhu Yunxuan shivered slightly and couldn't help complaining, "What time is it? Every single time you come here, you can't help but think of that... thing."

Liang Zhen didn't act wildly anymore. With one hand around Zhu Yunxuan's waist, he entwined the other in his hair again and whispered, "A Xuan, I only want to do those things with you because I like you."

Zhu Yunxuan was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Liang Zhen to suddenly become so serious, making him feel uneasy. He coughed lightly and murmured, "I... know."

Liang Zhen looked at him with a smile. Zhu Yunxuan's eyes flickered, and he added, "My feelings for you are the same..."

"Mm," Liang Zhen smiled, leaning down to give his shoulder a light kiss.

Zhu Yunxuan turned back to face Liang Zhen, his gaze descending to his scarred chest. The black leopard on his shoulder seemed even more ferocious against the backdrop of the cruel whip marks. Its golden eyes gleamed, almost materializing. Just like Liang Zhen himself, there was a fierce nature beneath the surface, yet Zhu Yunxuan adored this leopard on his shoulder, as well as Liang Zhen.

After gazing silently for a long while, Zhu Yunxuan's fingers traced the scars on Liang Zhen's shoulder, his hazy eyes filled with infatuation. Liang Zhen caught his hand, kissed it, then pressed their lips together. He nibbled on the moist lips, savoring the intimacy.

"So hot..." Zhu Yunxuan murmured, lost in passion, unknowingly pushing against Liang Zhen's chest.

Liang Zhen chuckled against his lips. "The heat is good; it helps you sweat. It's easy to fall ill during this season. His Majesty was coughing last night."

"You heard that?"

Last night, their brief separation felt like a honeymoon, and they playfully teased each other until late into the night. Liang Zhen eventually fell asleep, but Zhu Yunxuan lay awake, tenderly embracing him, afraid that he would vanish if he closed his eyes. The incident involving Liang Zhen outside the palace had left Zhu Yunxuan deeply shaken. He regretted countless times allowing Liang Zhen to act as an imperial envoy and investigate such a perilous case, nearly costing him his life. He vowed never to let such a thing happen again.

Preoccupied with worry, Zhu Yunxuan barely slept all night and caught a cold, developing a cough. In the morning, he tried to hide his discomfort so as not to spoil their outing. Liang Zhen, however, had noticed and instructed his attendants to add an extra layer of clothing for him before they left.

Liang Zhen held Zhu Yunxuan's chin, showering him with kisses. He sighed and said, "A Xuan, if you're sick, you must say so. Don't avoid seeking treatment. You used to do this in the past, and yet you haven't changed. You can't continue doing this."

Zhu Yunxuan looked down. "If I tell you, you'll confine me in the palace again and not let me out."

Liang Zhen chuckled softly. "Tsk, it seems His Majesty is becoming quite the playful one now. It's rare, is it because you were suppressed too much in the previous years?"

This rogue always had a way of switching from seriousness to jesting. Zhu Yunxuan felt both embarrassed and annoyed. "Stop talking."

Liang Zhen merely laughed, sliding his hand down to rest on Zhu Yunxuan's waist, pulling him closer. Their bodies melded together intimately. Zhu Yunxuan sighed, "Why are you doing this again?"

"Helping His Majesty to sweat it out," Liang Zhen replied matter-of-factly, his warm breath cascading over Zhu Yunxuan's neck, then nipping at the highly sensitive spot behind his ear, eliciting an irresistible moan from Zhu Yunxuan.

Zhu Yunxuan smiled, closing his eyes, and wrapped his arms around Liang Zhen's body.