Chapter 26

Chapter 26

The sky had darkened. Eunuch Qin stood at the entrance of Qingyuan Palace, watching the palace maids light the red crane-shaped lanterns.

He remembered how these girls used to resemble lifeless figures, silent except for the jade pendants clinking as they walked.

During Emperor Wuzong's reign, the palace housed tens of thousands of concubines, maids, and Inner Officials—so many that the palace couldn't accommodate them all. Yet within just a few years of the current emperor's ascension, the palace had emptied by half, with many halls turning into abandoned palaces.

Instead, crows had multiplied, their cawing filling the imperial court by dusk, making it seem like a ghost town.

Truthfully, His Majesty rarely troubled the palace maids. But his terrifying demeanor and well-known preference for silence had gradually turned the palace into an ever-quieter place.

A few years ago, on an evening when the scent of blood still lingered in Qingtai Hall and ghostly rumors spread through the palace, he recalled the early darkness before snowfall. As he stepped out of Qingyuan Palace, he spotted two motionless figures in the corridor's northern wind. In the dim light, they looked like paper effigies—scaring him out of his wits.

Only later did he realize they were maids coming to light the lanterns, frozen in fear upon seeing someone emerge from Qingyuan Palace.

Now, these girls walked in small groups, occasionally whispering to one another. It seemed Prince Huan's return had breathed warmth back into the palace.

As the corridor lanterns lit up, an ornate carriage rumbled in, its curtains swaying, pearls and golden bells chiming softly.

This was the grandeur befitting the imperial family!

This time, His Majesty had truly indulged, bestowing such a splendid carriage upon the prince!

Before the carriage even stopped, Eunuch Qin was already smiling.

The curtain lifted, revealing first the coolly elegant Qing Xi, then the round-faced Shuang Fu. From between them emerged Fu Ye—His Highness Prince Huan, who seemed more radiant with each passing day.

Without waiting for Qing Xi or the others to assist him, Fu Ye hopped down and asked, "How is Your Majesty?"

"Your Highness has returned at last," Eunuch Qin said with a smile. "His Majesty just took his medicine and has lain down."

Fu Ye strode into Qingyuan Palace, Eunuch Qin hurrying after him.

Turning back, Fu Ye asked, "Has your foot injury healed?"

Eunuch Qin smiled. "By Your Highness's grace, it's fully recovered."

Fu Ye smiled faintly and entered the main hall of Qingyuan Palace, swiftly passing through layers of screens and drapes. Seeing his urgency, Eunuch Qin grew even more pleased and silently gestured for the red-robed inner officials waiting outside the bedchamber to withdraw.

Fu Huang lounged on the daybed. The hall was warm, and he wore only a thin robe, though his frame remained gaunt. His hair was loose, the collar revealing a lean but strong chest, his skin still tinged with a sickly pallor.

The Crown Prince's voice and smile still lingered in his mind. Shaking off that vision, Fu Ye approached and gently took Fu Huang's pulse.

The pulse was erratic, and Fu Huang's exhaustion was evident. Fu Ye turned to Eunuch Qin. "Has His Majesty not been taking his medicine on time?"

"He has," Eunuch Qin replied softly. "But these past few days, he caught a slight chill, and with so many affairs of state, he's slept too little."

Roused by their talking, Fu Huang frowned. "Done wandering about?"

Fu Ye only smiled. "Imperial Brother."

Fu Huang said, "Rub my temples."

Only then did Fu Ye remove his outer robe, while Eunuch Qin personally presented warm water for him to wash his hands.

After cleansing his hands, Fu Ye kneaded Fu Huang's temples for a while before saying, "To be honest, after so many days apart, I've longed for your presence, Imperial Brother."

Fu Huang remained silent.

Eunuch Qin beside him interjected, "His Majesty misses you dearly too."

Fu Huang opened his eyes and glanced at him, prompting Eunuch Qin to bow his head and retreat, motioning for the Inner Officials standing outside the hall to withdraw even further.

Fu Ye caught the familiar scent of medicine on Fu Huang. Perhaps it had been too long since he last smelled it, but today the scent of herbs felt oddly comforting.

With his eyes closed, Fu Huang said, "Don’t think that just because the Empress Dowager treats you well, you should pour out your heart in filial piety. You could become a pawn without even realizing it."

Fu Ye froze for a moment but, surprisingly, didn’t argue. Instead, he massaged Fu Huang’s head even more attentively. "Understood," he replied.

This reaction was unexpected by Fu Huang.

Fu Huang continued, "You don’t need to be overly loyal to me either. These past few days, I’ve been thinking—if I were to die someday, ought I take you along?"

Fu Ye: "..."

Fu Huang’s voice was eerily soft, making it impossible to tell whether he was serious or not. It sent a chill down his spine!

Fu Ye gave a weak laugh.

But then Fu Huang asked him outright, "Would you be willing?"

How could he even respond?!

Fu Ye rested his chin on Fu Huang’s shoulder. "Then, Imperial Brother, live ten thousand years. I’ll live nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-five, and then you can take me with you."

He was so close that his breath burned against Fu Huang’s ear.

Fu Huang reached out and gently touched his cheek.

The Empress Dowager had fallen ill, and Fu Ye was duty-bound to attend to her. Otherwise, would he follow Fu Huang’s example of flouting conventions and tarnishing his name?

That wouldn’t do either.

He had never cared how others criticized him, but Fu Ye being slandered? Unacceptable.

He wanted Fu Ye to remain a coddled blossom of privilege, untouched by hardship.

Yet these past few days, with Fu Ye absent, his headaches had returned with a vengeance, feeling more unbearable than ever. For some reason, he’d grown almost resentful of Fu Ye. During his idle moments, he had seriously debated dragging Fu Ye into death with him.

But now, it seemed he no longer felt that way.

He thought that, as things were, there was no hurry to meet death.

Fu Ye, oblivious to these thoughts, probably assumed he was joking.

Softened, he stopped Fu Ye from massaging and asked, "Have you eaten dinner yet?"

"The moment I heard your headache was back, I rushed back immediately—who could think of food?" Fu Ye declared his loyalty. "If your headache was acting up, you should have sent for me sooner."

Mollified, Fu Huang summoned Eunuch Qin to prepare dinner.

Tonight’s meal was clearly tailored for Fu Ye—all his favorite dishes.

It had been too long since he’d dined with anyone else. Watching Fu Ye devour his meal was oddly satisfying; he ate like a starved man.

Yet despite eating so much, he was still rail-thin.

Now when he looks at him, he always feels he looks pathetic.

After dinner, Fu Ye returned to his own quarters to prepare for a bath.

Bathing in the temporary palace was quite inconvenient, so he hadn’t bathed for several days.

Now he acts like the palace is his own home, and upon returning to the East Hall, everything feels familiar.

But the East Hall was transformed from how it was when he left.

The place was completely changed.

It had become much more luxurious.

The most eye-catching addition was a pearl curtain, woven with golden silk and pearls from the South Sea tribute. When candlelight shone upon it, it gleamed like moonlight. The window now bore a delicate golden bird holding a flower, and a clepsydra with red fish swimming. A candle was lit at the very bottom, making the entire clock stunningly clear and beautiful.

There were even more changes in less conspicuous places—many small items had been replaced. For instance, the lamps in the hall were all changed to ones shaped like jade figures holding flowers, each with a unique design and different blossoms—some peonies, some orchids—each in varying colors. Individually, they seemed unremarkable, but together, they created a dazzling display of jade figures presenting a hundred flowers.

There was also a glowing sword, its scabbard inlaid with rubies.

The most amusing part was the addition of several intricately carved wooden animal dolls.

Probably during the days he wasn’t in the palace, Fu Huang had ordered all the palace treasures to be brought out.

He felt that now, the place he lived and the place Fu Huang lived were likely the most opulent and the most austere spots in the entire palace.

Now, he was really spoiled.

To check whether the prince was satisfied, Eunuch Qin made a special trip to the East Hall. Though there were many treasures to mention, he particularly introduced the Dragon Brilliance Sword.

That Dragon Brilliance Sword was originally presented as tribute when Dowager Concubine Fang married into the palace, specifically gifted to His Majesty when he was still the Crown Prince. During His Majesty’s most glorious days, he wore this sword wherever he went—it could be said to be worth its weight in gold.

Upon hearing this, Fu Ye could no longer focus on anything else. He clung to the sword, running his fingers over it for a long time.

The image of the sixteen-year-old Fu Huang from his dreams vividly reappeared before his eyes.

The emperor’s majesty—he’d never measure up.

Eunuch Qin was thrilled with Prince Huan’s reaction.

Prince Huan must have been deeply moved, for he began practicing his handwriting straight out of the bath.

Upon returning, Eunuch Qin remarked with emotion, "The prince is truly diligent. He just got back and is already practicing calligraphy."

Fu Huang thought he was faking it.

He knew full well that Fu Ye never cared much for studying.

Tonight, he wasn’t sleepy either. In a relaxed mood, he threw on a robe and reviewed the accumulated memorials from the past couple of days. Just as he was reading, a palace attendant came in and announced that Shuang Fu from the neighboring courtyard had arrived.

Shuang Fu had a very cheerful appearance—chubby-cheeked and stocky, with dimples even when he wasn’t smiling, like a lucky charm. In this regard, the Empress Dowager had chosen well—he looked every bit like Fu Ye’s servant.

Shuang Fu held a scroll and said, "His Highness just wrote a piece of calligraphy and wishes for Your Majesty to see what he thinks."

His Majesty had always been a strict teacher, holding high standards for the prince’s studies. The prince was finally stepping up!

Eunuch Qin was delighted and hurriedly took the scroll to present it to the emperor. Fu Huang unfurled the scroll, only to find a sprig of forsythia wrapped inside.

The handwriting couldn’t be called excellent, but it was decently legible—only a couplet.

"The winter storms have passed, tomorrow welcomes spring’s dawn."

Shuang Fu bowed his head and said, "When the prince returned, he saw the winter jasmine blooming and was inspired to write these two lines. He said he couldn’t think of the remaining two, so he decided to fill the rest with a flower instead."

He imitated it so well that one could almost picture how Fu Ye had instructed him to say it.

Eunuch Qin, standing nearby, praised, "Such fine poetry! Beautiful lines about flowers."

But Fu Huang remained silent, merely holding the winter jasmine for a long while.

Eunuch Qin, not much of a scholar, thought the two lines were quite good and wondered if the Emperor might give the prince a reward. "His Highness’s calligraphy has also improved greatly," he added.

The Emperor said nothing, only standing for no clear reason at the eastern courtyard gate—a reaction that took him by surprise.

By all accounts, the Emperor was quite fond of the prince these days.

Eunuch Qin put the winter jasmine in a Ge kiln celadon vase and set it on the desk. Seeing the winter jasmine bloom, he thought the weather must truly be warming.

Though the palace wasn’t full of flowers, this one sprig from Prince Huan probably meant more to the Emperor than a field of blossoms.

The prince really knew what he was doing.

At this thought, it suddenly hit him what day it was.

Staring at the flower, he pondered for a moment before it dawned on him.

Today was Flower Festival Day!

He jolted in realization. The Emperor had not celebrated his birthday in years, so even he had forgotten in the busyness.

Gazing again at the two lines of poetry on the desk, his heart swelled with feeling, nearly speechless. Hearing footsteps, he turned to see Fu Huang returning.

It was just a simple blessing, after all. As an emperor, what kind of poetry or auspicious words had he not seen before?

He assumed Fu Huang felt nothing, perhaps even anger, but his eyes were welling up. Not wanting Fu Huang to notice, he quickly lowered his head.

Fu Huang examined the calligraphy and finally remarked, "The calligraphy still needs work."

Eunuch Qin, who often spoke up for Fu Ye, this time did not mention the prince’s intentions, knowing Fu Huang must already understand.

The storms of life have passed; I promise you, only spring awaits.

The prince likely understood everything—he said nothing, yet spoke volumes. With his kind nature, these words were surely a sincere blessing.

Fu Huang stayed awake all night. As dawn approached, he heard Eunuch Qin softly crying.

He left the hall and went to the east chamber.

Fu Ye was still fast asleep when Fu Huang shook him awake.

"Morning, brother..." Fu Ye mumbled.

"You’re not seriously making me get up early to study today?!" Fu Ye could barely keep his eyes open.

He had been sleeping late these past few days—it was hard to go back to discipline.

"No need, you can sleep late tomorrow," Fu Huang said.

Fu Ye opened his eyes to look at him and saw Fu Huang looking at him.

"...Then does Brother have something to say?"

"Nothing," Fu Huang replied. "Go back to sleep."

He had simply come to see his Spring Dawn.

To let his Spring Dawn see him too.

From that moment on, he would be first in his heart, unwavering. He had thought all night, thinking only of what to give him, what more he could offer.

Even after giving all the palace treasures, it still felt insufficient—nowhere near enough.

All he could do was give him everything in his life, provide for him with all the world's riches, give to him, love him.

He wanted to give him even more, but feared he might not accept.

Yet he longed to.

Author's Note:

Second Son (Erlang), may you see the Spring Dawn.