Chapter Fifty: In the Vast Unseen

Chapter 50: Fateful Connections

Two days after the Winter Solstice, Zhu Yunxuan visited Yuanji Temple. On this day every year since ascending the throne, he came to the temple to perform a ceremony in memory of his late mother. It had become an annual tradition.

In the past, Liang Zhen had accompanied him, but now he was alone.

The old abbot's chanting echoed through the grand hall as Zhu Yunxuan gently rubbed the Buddhist rosary around his wrist, kneeling before the Buddha with utmost devotion.

As the sun began to set, he rose and exchanged Buddhist greetings with the old abbot. Noting the persistent worry etched on the emperor's face, the abbot comforted him, "Your Majesty is known for your filial piety. The late Empress will surely have the blessings of heaven. There is no need for excessive concern."

Zhu Yunxuan sighed. "Actually, it's not just for my mother. Today, I also wish to light a perpetual lamp for a child, ensuring their happiness, health, and safety year after year."

Handing over the pre-written astrological birth information, the abbot studied it and said, "For this child, someone lit a lamp for them three years ago."

Zhu Yunxuan was taken aback. "Someone already lit a lamp? Who was it?"

"It was Young Master Liang. Before leaving the capital three years ago, he made one last visit to this temple to light a lamp for this child, guiding their path to the next life."

Zhu Yunxuan murmured, "…It was him."

"It was him."

Zhu Yunxuan stumbled out of the grand hall, standing dazedly beneath the arcade. The cold wind brushed against his cheeks, but he was oblivious to it.

Turned out that three years ago, Liang Zhen had already done what he intended to do. Although their motives were different, both their wishes and thoughts were for that child.

At this moment, he suddenly regretted not telling Liang Zhen the truth back then. Was he too cruel to him?

Gao An softly called from behind, "Your Majesty..."

Zhu Yunxuan came back to his senses and murmured, "Follow me to the back."

They wandered aimlessly among the temple's overlapping pavilions and towers, climbing up steps and reaching a high point. Scanning the surroundings, he could no longer see the relaxed figure playing chess in the pavilion.

Standing atop the tallest pagoda in the temple, the entire mountain monastery unfolded before his eyes. The distant mountains and streams seemed to be gilded by the setting sun. Tired birds had returned to their nests, while the monks were hurrying to fetch the last bucket of water before nightfall. Everything was in order, except for him, who felt like an outsider amidst this picturesque scene.

In the more distant foothills, there was a vague outline of vast grasslands now concealed under layers of pristine snow. He vividly recalled racing alongside that person on those grounds. But now, things had changed irreversibly.

"…Who does that manor at the foot of the mountain belong to now?"

Gao An was taken aback before realizing that Zhu Yunxuan was referring to the hot spring manor at the foot of the mountain that once belonged to Prince Zhao. "After Prince Zhao was... executed, all his assets were confiscated by the state. That manor should have been converted into an imperial estate. As long as Your Majesty hasn't granted it to anyone else, it's still yours."

After a long silence, Zhu Yunxuan said calmly, "Keep it."

Losing interest in looking further, he closed his eyes and turned away.

The next morning, just after returning to the palace, Zhu Yunqiong came to the Ganlin Palace to pay his respects. Zhu Yunxuan asked him to stay for lunch. In the afternoon, seeing that the child was yawning endlessly, he allowed him to rest in a side chamber.

Princess Shu He, the Grand Princess, entered the palace. Upon hearing that Zhu Yunqiong was also there, she looked at Zhu Yunxuan with a complicated expression. After much hesitation, she asked, "I've heard that Your Majesty has appointed a tutor to teach the child. What's your plan? Do you really... want to elevate this child?"

She had been present when Emperor Zhaoyang passed away, so she was well aware of the succession turmoil. Even now, there were still stubborn or ill-intentioned people who believed that the imperial edict produced by the cabinet ministers was genuine. Yet, instead of being wary of his younger brother, Zhu Yunxuan brought him close and seemed intent on personally raising him. How could others not speculate?

Zhu Yunxuan shook his head slightly. "Aunt, you're overthinking. I have no such intentions."

"Then what is this...?"

"He is, after all, my royal brother and the son of the previous emperor. Yet, within these palace walls, he was mistreated by servants and suffered from hunger, leading to illness. How can I stand idly by? He is a dragon's descendant, so I can't allow him to be illiterate. If he turns out well, I will ensure his safety for life."

Princess Shu He sighed. "As long as you know what you're doing, that's good. It's admirable that you have such broad-mindedness. You two are both my nephews, and I naturally wish for both of you to thrive. But if I had to choose between the two, this old woman would still side with you."

Zhu Yunxuan smiled gently, comforting her, "I understand, Aunt. I know your concerns and worries. There's no need to worry. It's good for him to come here every day and keep me company; otherwise... I would be far too lonely."

"You, why must you torment yourself like this..."

She vaguely knew of the complicated relationship between Zhu Yunxuan and the executed Prince Zhao, but she hadn't expected that he still couldn't let go of the past after all these years. Initially, she had advised Zhu Yunxuan to fill his harem and bear offspring, but as she witnessed his growing coldness and loss of ordinary human emotions, she dared not offer such counsel anymore.

When it came to love and affection, she understood it better than anyone else. All the symptoms stemmed from just one person, and nothing anyone else said could solve the problem.

Zhu Yunxuan's gaze lingered, and he didn't respond. The Grand Princess sighed, "Forget it, let's not talk about that. I came today to discuss something with you. These past two years, I've felt more and more lethargic, and I fear I don't have many years left. I've been thinking of visiting Jiangnan again. Back when I was a young girl, I accompanied your Imperial Grandfather there and met your Uncle. After so many years, it's time to return and take another look. Perhaps this trip will be my last."

Zhu Yunxuan was taken aback. "He's not coming back?"

"Yes, let's spend our old age in that deceased fellow's hometown. He always spoke highly of it, constantly reminding me about retiring there together when we were older, to fulfill his long-held desire."

A faint shimmer of moisture glimmered in the eyes of the Grand Princess. It was then that Zhu Yunxuan noticed her strands of hair, now tinged with silver. His thoughts grew momentarily hazy as he was reminded of a long-held secret he had never dared to share with his aunt: Years ago, the late Emperor believed that Empress Dowager Qing Hui, his stepmother, was responsible for the death of Liang Zhen's father. The elderly empress passed away only a few years after the current Emperor ascended the throne. While His Majesty treats Princess Shu He, his elder half-sister by birth, with utmost courtesy on the surface, is this truly the extent of their relationship? Were the deaths of the princess's husband and young daughter mere accidents, or were they something more sinister? Although these speculations lack any tangible evidence, Zhu Yunxuan cannot help but entertain the darkest possibilities. Yet at this point, broaching such matters would be futile, serving only to deepen sorrow and resentment.

"When does Aunt plan to depart?"

Princess Taichang's expression was somewhat wistful. "Preparations are already underway. We'll depart after the New Year, once spring arrives. I have no other attachments in this capital now, except for His Majesty."

"I'll escort Empress Dowager," Zhu Yunxuan blurted out, his heart trembling. But with a stronger resolve, he continued, "I'll accompany her. I also wish... to see the southern region."

"Your Majesty is going as well?"

Zhu Yunxuan nodded. "It's time for me to travel and broaden my horizons."

He had his own selfish motives. Perhaps, if he went to the south, he might... just might catch a glimpse of Rong'er. After three years of evasion, he had finally succumbed to his own desires.

The Grand Princess smiled. "That's good. The emperors of Great Yan have never been ones to confine themselves. Ever since our founding emperor, it has been customary to embark on tours. You've been on the throne for five years now; it's high time you traveled and explored. If you want to go, then go. No one can say anything against it."

When Zhu Yunqiong awoke, Zhu Yunxuan was already consulting cabinet officials about the tour. He issued an imperial edict on the spot. Once the officials had retired, Zhu Yunqiong approached his brother, noticing his unusually relaxed expression. Curious, he asked, "Has something pleasing happened to Emperor Brother?"

Zhu Yunxuan smiled at him. "After next month's Lantern Festival, I plan to escort our eldest aunt to the southern region. Would Ninth Brother like to join us?"

Zhu Yunqiong eagerly nodded. "May I come along?"

"Go if you wish."

In Minzhou, at the headquarters of the naval forces.

Zhu Yunjing held the letter in his hand, softly discussing with He Huailing about Zhu Yunxuan's impending southern tour. He chuckled and sighed, "Finally, he's come to his senses."

On a tiger-skin mat nearby, Rong'er and Ming'er were engrossed in a game of house with a collection of bamboo-made dolls. The two children eagerly assigned names and stories to these animal-shaped toys, assigning them various roles with great enthusiasm. Nine-year-old Yuan Bao, however, had no such interest. He observed the intricate craftsmanship of the dolls, picked one up curiously, and after examining it closely, reached out to dismantle it.

Rong'er, who had been chattering away, fell silent and blinked at Yuan Bao. Yuan Bao paused his action, smiling awkwardly. "Rong'er, you have so many already. Can you give this one to your big brother?"

But this time, the usually obedient child put up a fight and refused to agree. His black, grape-like eyes fixed on Yuan Bao, brimming with tears. After a moment, Yuan Bao gave in, placing the doll back down. "I can't win against you. Why do you love crying so much..."

Rong'er swallowed his tears and tenderly reached out to touch the doll that Yuan Bao had just set aside.

Watching this scene, Zhu Yunjing shook his head helplessly. He had seen these dolls before in the Ganlin Palace years ago and had even inquired from Gao An about their creator. To his surprise, three years later, Zhu Yunxuan hadn't discarded them but instead sent them to Rong'er. This child didn't vie for anything else, except for these seemingly insignificant and inexpensive trinkets. Perhaps it was indeed a manifestation of their innate father-son bond.

As for Zhu Yunxuan, what was he thinking? Had he truly put the past behind him? No one could say for sure.