Chapter 48: Frosty Wind

Chapter 48: Frosty Wind

Taro is cooked until tender, then mashed and combined with yam flour and powdered rock sugar to form a dough. This is shaped into translucent balls and boiled to create a glistening orb. These are then carefully wrapped in steamed bun skins along with Job's tears, corn, and other ingredients. Upon steaming, the buns open to reveal a treasure trove of pearl-like, lustrous fillings. Essentially, these are sweet dumplings, but with an ingenious twist that demands meticulous craftsmanship.

Tang Xi dared not let the Crown Prince do it himself; instead, she rolled the dough herself, steamed and kneaded it with great fervor, all the while softly explaining the process to him: "Your Highness, look how delicate and smooth this dough is. It doesn't stick to your fingers yet remains moist. This is just the right amount of pressure. It's actually quite similar to making pastry dough..."

Rong Bi lowered her gaze and saw on the smooth skin, faint lines formed by nail marks, clearly spelling out a message: "A hidden conduit beneath the lake leads outside."

Rong Bi's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her eyelashes. "With Eunuch Tang's guidance, I have gained much insight. There will come a day when I can repay his kindness."

Tang Xi shaped the dough with great respect, "I dare not take credit for it. The late Empress was very kind to me in the past. I've heard that Your Highness is currently weak. It would be best to focus on your well-being and avoid agitation, which might worsen your condition."

Rong Bi understood that Tang Xi was advising the Crown Prince to maintain a calm demeanor. However, Rong Bi merely intended to keep his options open. Nodding, he replied, "Of course, I am diligently studying and recuperating. Occasionally, I prepare medicinal dishes and tend to vegetables for both physical and mental health, just in case."

Only then did Tang Xi relax, "Your Highness, please take care. It's a blessing for the kingdom."

But Rong Bi countered, "As the weather warms up, I wish to plant some lotuses in the lake of the Treasure Scroll Palace. Not only can we admire their beauty from the lakeside, but we can also enjoy boating and play elegantly on the water. Moreover, the lotus roots and seeds can be used in our meals – it's a win-win-win situation. Eunuch Tang, could you recommend some suitable lotus varieties?"

Tang Xi responded, "Your Highness, sowing lotus seeds is typically done for bowl lotuses or pot lotuses. For a lake, it's better to transplant mature lotus rhizomes. If Your Highness doesn't mind, I'd be honored to take care of this matter for you."

Rong Bi had initially probed Tang Xi, but she hadn't expected him to accept the task without hesitation. Providing information about the secret tunnel was already invaluable to the Crown Prince, yet he offered to supply manpower as well. Eunuchs in the palace often owned properties outside and maintained a number of young boys as adopted sons for their old age. Naturally, he had his own people for such tasks. However, this endeavor carried an additional layer of risk.

Indeed, Eunuch Tang was a kind man. Rong Bi sincerely expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Eunuch."

Tang Xi replied, "It's my duty to serve His Highness."

The steamed buns prepared by the Crown Prince himself indeed looked translucent and exquisite. Rong Bi tasted one and found them decent, merely pleasing to the eye with a touch of ingenuity. She had heard of this pastry, a favorite of the late Empress, when she was still in the Imperial Kitchen. This time, she had simply used it as an excuse, but since they had gone through the trouble of inviting someone to make them, they had to be presented to the Emperor. She instructed her servants to select a basket for the Emperor and rewarded Tang Xi.

Yuan Zixu was surprised to receive steamed buns personally made by the Crown Prince. "Weren't they all medicinal soups before? Why did he switch to pastries today?"

Li Dongfu replied with a smile, "I've heard that His Highness the Crown Prince suddenly craved the pearl buns that the late Empress used to make. He thus summoned Chef Tang Xi from the Imperial Kitchen to attend to him, personally preparing the pearl filling and wrapping the buns himself. The first batch was hurriedly sent over to pay respects to His Majesty."

Yuan Zixu glanced at the food box held by the young eunuch, gesturing for it to be opened. Indeed, it revealed steaming buns, their interiors glistening and translucent with various sweet fillings, perfectly rounded. He was slightly taken aback, memories flooding back of that maiden holding a pearl bun for him to taste, beneath the fluttering, snow-white magnolia flowers.

Indeed, such pastries could become overly sweet with excessive consumption, but back then, he was an unprivileged prince in the palace where frugality was encouraged. Meals were limited to two a day, and he had not yet established his own residence. After archery and horse-riding lessons, his stomach would be rumbling with hunger. He was genuinely delighted when the young maiden went through great lengths to make him snacks. Empress Shen lingered in his memories precisely because she embodied the most beautiful period of his youth, a time when the capital's most talented maiden was deeply enamored with him.

He fell silent for a moment before saying, "You two share it." Li Dongfu hastily expressed his gratitude. After a while, Yuan Zixu mumbled to himself, "I thought the Third Prince had tipped him off, and that he'd made progress, thus refraining from seeking me out. It seems he couldn't hold back after all."

With a wistful tone, Li Dongfu explained with a smile, "I've heard that the Crown Prince was discussing with Eunuch Tang Xi today about planting lotuses in the lake of the Treasure Scroll Palace. This way, they could admire the flowers, enjoy boating, and even savor lotus seeds and rhizomes."

Yuan Zixu chuckled. "This is all for my benefit, to reassure me. You're making dumplings to evoke old memories while still tending to your flowers and lotuses to keep me at ease. Well done, you've improved. Actually, you must be tormented in your heart. Yi Yang is my first daughter; could I not love her? I worry just as much, but state affairs come first. I see that the Crown Prince has indeed made progress – he now understands the art of subtlety."

Li Dongfu remarked, "His Majesty has indeed put in great effort for this."

Yuan Zixu exhaled deeply. "My heart is no less tormented, but Jingtian remains the thorn in our dynasty's side. Both the previous emperor and Emperor Taizong lost sleep over this issue, as if it were a splinter stuck in their throat. If I can resolve this lingering threat during my reign, I shall face our ancestors with more peace of mind."

Observing Li Dongfu's heartfelt yet resolute refusal to meet the Crown Prince again, the Emperor's silent sympathy for the prince's futile efforts tugged at his heart. The monarch's heart was indeed as hard as iron; the more he expressed pity and compassion for the two children, the harsher his actions became. If Prince Jingbei were to learn that the Emperor had married Princess Bei Xi off to the Second Prince, what would be his reaction? Speaking of the Second Prince, it was evident that the Emperor had grown truly weary of him. In recent days, he had repeatedly reprimanded him and even suspended his duties at the Ministry of Rites, assigning him instead to solely attend to Empress Lu's illness.

Yet, the following day, news came from the Precious Scroll Palace that the Crown Prince had fallen ill, his fever unrelenting and his consciousness muddled. He seemed to be murmuring about his elder sister, battlefields, and other nonsensical ramblings. The attending eunuchs, not daring to neglect their duties, hastily informed the supervisors in charge of the watch.

In no time, Yuan Zixu received the news and summoned three royal physicians to attend to the prince. Soon, the medical reports reached his desk, all presenting similar findings: a sluggish pulse, "depression," fever with chills, excessive internal heat, burning skin, emotional imbalance, agitated mind, moments of clarity followed by confusion, and obstructed vital energy flow. The three court physicians prescribed various remedies, including Bupleurum Decoction for Unrestrained Liver, Purging Powder, White Tiger Decoction, and Purple Snow Pill, all aimed at reducing fever and calming the spirit while replenishing energy.

Relieved to learn that the prince would likely recover with treatment, Yuan Zixu instructed the physicians to attend to him diligently. He then ordered Li Dongfu to reprimand the eunuchs attending to the prince, docking their pay and promising a light beating as a warning once the prince had recovered.

Li Dongfu, accustomed to such punishments when his master fell ill, promptly acknowledged the order. Yuan Zixu sighed, addressing him, "See? He's still young and can't hide his emotions. When I refused to see him, he became anxious and fell ill. It's quite pitiful, reminding me of his childhood. Back then, any slight discomfort would cause him to run a fever without complaint. He'd still go to the study hall for calligraphy and lessons. If not for Yi Yang's sharp observation, even the servants wouldn't have noticed his illness."

Li Dongfu hurriedly replied, "Indeed, Your Majesty. You did severely punish them back then and replaced everyone around the prince."

Yuan Zixu chuckled. "Now, it's not the servants' fault. The prince's own pent-up emotions led to his ailment. Forget it, a light punishment with the cane should suffice."

Li Dongfu acknowledged the order without hesitation and dared not neglect his duty. He personally went to the Treasure Scroll Palace and inquired with the servants about the preparation of the medicine. After confirming that it was being boiled, he conveyed the emperor's verbal instructions and reprimanded them accordingly. Suddenly, a voice echoed from within the room, "Is that Eunuch Li?"

Startled, Li Dongfu hurriedly entered the chamber, bowing deeply as he said, "Your Highness? Are you feeling any better? I just checked on the medicine prescribed by the royal physicians, and it's being prepared as we speak. The Emperor is deeply concerned about your health and has instructed me to oversee the situation."

Yuan Jun slowly sat up, and Li Dongfu rushed forward to support him. Feeling the prince's feverish body through the thin clothing, he noticed the flushed complexion under the lamplight, along with the prince's crimson lips – all signs of illness. Surprisingly, the prince's demeanor remained calm and composed.

The prince, known for his fastidious nature, disliked having others attend to him closely. With a wave of his sleeve, he dismissed the servants and gradually leaned back onto the bed, propping himself up with an elbow resting on a large bolster behind him. Then, he gazed at Li Dongfu, his eyes still cold and distant as before.

A chill ran down Li Dongfu's spine. "Your Highness, please lie down. I'll have the medicine brought to you right away."

Yuan Jun asked softly yet resolutely, his voice carrying an undeniable authority despite its feebleness, "How long have I been asleep? What's the date today? What did the imperial physicians say?"

Li Dongfu hurriedly replied, "Today is the fifteenth. You went to bed last night, and this morning, the eunuchs couldn't rouse you, so they reported it in alarm. The royal physicians were summoned, and they diagnosed you with a cold and Qi imbalance, nothing serious. They said you just need to take some medicine and rest well. The Emperor is deeply concerned and has ordered the physicians to take turns guarding Baohan Palace in shifts, examining you twice a day. They must ensure Your Highness recovers swiftly."

Yuan Jun mentally calculated the days and nodded. "Bring the medicine here."

Amidst the flurry of activity, the eunuchs brought hot towels to wipe his sweat, served the medicine, and offered digestible pastries so he wouldn't be on an empty stomach.

After the commotion, Yuan Jun drank the medicine without hesitation and then lay down, closing his eyes to rest. Seeing the prince's calm expression, seemingly asleep, Li Dongfu felt his forehead, which was still warm. He instructed the attendants to be vigilant and left to report back to the Emperor.

Once everyone had left, Yuan Jun retrieved the journal from under his pillow. Flipping through its pages, his gaze darkened. His return was not well-timed; he was needed more over there, but what happened here was equally significant. He hoped that when Rong Bi arrived, she could promptly inform his elder sister about the situation here. Despite her recent tireless efforts, she might be preoccupied as well.

He knitted his brows, worry etching across his face. He wished for a smooth military campaign in Jingbei and that the young lady official would manage the pressures on the front line. Fortunately, Rong Yi was also present – the young lady official would surely be delighted to see her own brother.

Weak and parched, he slowly lay back down, pondering if his illness was somehow connected to their body swap. Moreover, in the journal, it was casually mentioned that Eunuch Tang Xi should be asked to help with planting lotus in the lake, but a few dots were added afterward, indicating a secret code to denote the importance of this particular entry – three dots signifying that it was an urgent matter not to be overlooked.

Why was planting lotus so important?