Chapter 49

**Chapter 49**

At that moment, the carriage had just passed through the side gate and reached the Celestial Gate when the palace official quickly turned it around.

The Celestial Gate stood majestic, flanked by two towering statues of *xiezhi*, mythical law-enforcing beasts, with golden light streaming from behind them. Rows of golden-armored guards lined outside, snapping to attention in unison as they saluted him.

The palace gates had just closed. The officer of the Tianwu Guard stationed there hesitated before speaking, “Your Highness has already exited the palace. Several gates are now shut—re-entry requires another formal report.”

Fu Ye said, “Then report now.”

The officer dared not delay and immediately dispatched a subordinate to relay the message.

By now, daylight had fully broken. Shuang Fu watched Fu Ye nervously, asking timidly, “Your Highness… what’s wrong? Is His Majesty’s illness… *that* serious?”

He almost died.

Fu Ye stood at the gate, pacing anxiously. Though he had adapted to being a prince, instinctively restraining his emotions in front of the guards, his throat tightened painfully. He ordered, “Ride to deliver the report.”

“Yes!”

But the guards were only permitted to ride horses within the outer city. The message would first be carried by horse, then on foot, relayed from guard to official, layer upon layer, all the way to Qingyuan Palace.

Inside Qingyuan Palace…

The moment the prince left, the side gate of the eastern courtyard opened.

Lately, the emperor had been dining and conducting official business there.

Fu Huang hadn’t had much of an appetite recently. For breakfast, he’d only managed a bowl of nourishing porridge and two bowls of medicine.

The emperor drank them without a word.

Eunuch Qin offered a warm towel and said, “Since His Highness is coming after his studies, he’ll naturally dine in the palace tonight. Should this old servant have the kitchen prepare more of His Highness’s favorites?”

Fu Huang glanced at him. “Must you ask me about this?”

Eunuch Qin smiled. “This old servant is just too eager. It’s been so long since I last served His Highness—I’ve gotten carried away.”

Fu Huang understood his meaning but only murmured, *Quenching thirst with poison.*

He wanted the prince close, yet knew that having him nearby changed nothing. It was merely self-flagellation.

Futile agony.

Maybe his illness hadn’t fully lifted, but he no longer possessed the decisive ruthlessness of before.

A lifetime of turmoil, all for this one person—and still, he could only keep drinking poison to ease his longing.

Bitter as it was, the poison sustained him. He’d likely drink it till his dying day.

Eunuch Qin took back the towel and handed the emperor a cup of water to rinse his mouth. “His Highness does care deeply for Your Majesty.”

Even if not the devotion the emperor craved.

Yet even this was something.

Fu Huang stayed silent, just rinsing his mouth before bidding him to summon Chancellor Xie and the rest.

The prince had barely left when Chancellor Xie and the others arrived through Dongchen Gate, now waiting in the western side chamber’s study.

Eunuch Qin went to summon them.

Left Commander-in-Chief Xu Zongyuan, visiting the eastern annex for the first time, looked up at the plaque above the door and remarked, “I heard this eastern annex of Qingyuan Palace used to be the prince’s residence?”

Chancellor Xie immediately glanced back.

Eunuch Qin smiled warmly and said, “This is now His Majesty’s bedchamber. Please come in, my lords.”

Upon entering, they were met with dazzling opulence, like an immortal’s paradise.

Xu Zongyuan was stunned.

A blunt man unaccustomed to palace visits, his few previous encounters with the emperor had taken place in Qingyuan Palace’s main hall. He had thought the emperor embarrassingly plain, his living quarters less splendid than his own mansion, making him feel overly indulgent upon returning home. Hearing that the emperor despised ministers living too comfortably, he had even built a humble “Hall of Hardship Reflection” for himself.

Now, it seemed the emperor knew how to enjoy luxury too. This place was so exquisite even immortals could dwell here.

Outside, roses burst into full bloom, their fragrance drifting in. The half-open vermilion window framed the emperor like a painting, as he sat by it. Xu Zongyuan stole a glance and saw the emperor looking lifeless, even more gaunt and severe than last time, frowning as he listened to their discussion of deploying troops.

Neighboring Dayong now had a new ruler who changed the reign title to Liang. Their new sovereign, Huang Tianyi, was a military genius and insatiably belligerent. Expecting him to settle as emperor after overthrowing the Chen clan of Dayong, none anticipated his vast ambitions. In recent days, his army marched straight to Lang’s borders.

Lang was a vassal state of Great Zhou. The author of *Palace Notes*, Dowager Concubine Fang (a footnote: A consort of lower rank in the imperial harem), was a princess from Lang. Though small, with only two prefectures and six commanderies, Lang occupied a crucial geographical position (a footnote: Strategically located between Great Zhou and Liang, Lang served as a buffer state whose allegiance often determined regional power balances), its narrow territory sandwiched between Great Zhou and Liang.

Lang sought military reinforcements, and as the suzerain, Great Zhou naturally had to send troops. Today, Chancellor Xie, along with the Ministers of the Army and Civil Appointments and several military commanders, entered the palace to discuss aiding Lang.

In the study, the ministers spoke warily of the neighboring Huang Tianyi, said to have never lost a battle. Eunuch Qin, eavesdropping by the doorway, recalled Fu Huang of old.

He remembered Fu Huang had also never lost a battle. The new ruler next door was at the height of his power—how would he compare to His Majesty?

As he mused, he noticed an Inner Official hurrying into the courtyard, standing inside the decorative arched gateway and looking at him.

He approached and asked, “What is it?”

The official bowed his head and said, “The Gatekeepers reported that the prince wishes to enter the palace.”

Eunuch Qin paused. “Has the prince left the palace?”

“Yes, he just left and is now outside the gate.” The official added, “They say… the prince appeared quite agitated.”

Eunuch Qin immediately reported this to Fu Huang.

Fu Huang said, “Wasn’t he returning for the evening meal?”

Before the ministers, Eunuch Qin cautiously replied, “Perhaps it’s something urgent.”

He then hurried excitedly to the palace gates to welcome him personally.

Fortunately, today’s breakfast had included several of the prince’s favorite dishes.

Soon, Fu Ye’s carriage stopped at the main gate of Qingyuan Palace.

Eunuch Qin hurried forward with a smile, only to see the prince spring from the carriage and march directly into the palace.

The Inner Officials at the gate quickly bowed.

Eunuch Qin followed after him. “What brings Your Highness back?”

Noticing Fu Ye’s unusual demeanor and red-rimmed eyes, he asked urgently, “What happened?”

Fu Ye asked, "Where is the Emperor?"

Eunuch Qin felt uneasy, sensing something major was about to happen, and stammered, "His Majesty is... is..."

His Majesty is in the eastern annex.

But the eastern annex is not for His Highness's eyes now. If he were to enter, he would see the clothes His Highness had just taken off today, along with his usual tea set and other belongings, all strewn about the hall.

A plaque had even been hung there. The Emperor had renamed the eastern side hall, now calling it the "Spring Dawn Hall."

The characters on the plaque were taken from the poem His Highness himself had written—"Spring Dawn"—neatly penned but unrefined, unmistakably in His Highness's handwriting.

"His Majesty is currently meeting with ministers. Perhaps Your Highness could wait in the main hall first."

Seeing Fu Ye’s strange expression, Eunuch Qin was startled and quickly guided him to the main hall, immediately calling for Shuang Fu to ask, "What happened to His Highness?"

Shuang Fu was petrified: "I don’t know."

"..." At this moment, Eunuch Qin longed for Qing Xi.

"Then why is His Highness like this?"

Shuang Fu said, "His Highness had been reviewing the Emperor’s pulse records in the carriage, and after a while, he became like this."

"Pulse records?"

"Before we left the palace, we went to the Imperial Hospital... Oh, and we also visited Cien Palace."

Eunuch Qin went pale. Glancing back at Fu Ye's expression, he felt as if his limbs turned to lead, thinking, *This is bad. His Highness looks so distraught—he must have found out something.*

He bolted to the eastern annex.

Dear heavens! Just moments ago, he had been overjoyed, thinking His Highness was returning to have breakfast with the Emperor.

What fresh chaos is this?!

Entering the eastern annex, he held his tongue in front of the ministers. Fu Huang glanced at him, discussed a few more matters with Chancellor Xie and the others, then dismissed them.

As Chancellor Xie and the others left the eastern annex and passed through the arched gate, they saw a chubby junior eunuch in a blue robe standing in the courtyard, while several red-robed Inner Officials guarded the entrance to the main hall.

Chancellor Xie asked the eunuch at the arched gate, "Has His Highness entered the palace?"

The eunuch at the gate replied, "Yes."

Xu Zongyuan, hearing this, exclaimed, "Where? Where?"

He had only heard of this prince but had never seen him before.

The Minister of War glared at him. As they crossed the courtyard, they caught sight of Fu Ye standing at the entrance of the main hall.

He was dressed in a lychee-colored dragon robe, stooped slightly against the doorframe. The wind rustled his robes, making the golden dragons embroidered on them seem ready to take flight. When he noticed the ministers, he gave a curt nod in acknowledgment, then turned away.

At this distance, Xu Zongyuan stared at him, thinking, *Good heavens, is this Prince Huan?*

*No wonder everyone says Prince Huan is beautiful—he looks like an immortal stepped out of a painting!*

After the ministers left Qingyuan Palace, the Minister of War quietly said to Chancellor Xie, "It’s been a while since His Highness last entered the palace, hasn’t it?"

After the prince left the palace, he didn’t return for a whole month. They whispered among themselves that he must have lost the emperor’s favor.

Truly, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger—the current sovereign is notoriously difficult to please.

Chancellor Xie shook like a leaf, not daring to speak further.

Was this the prince’s first visit, or had he been sneaking into the palace multiple times already?

Don’t even think about it! He dared not involve himself in such matters. With that thought, he quickened his pace.

The Minister of War: "..."

Chancellor Xie had been lamenting his old age and declining health lately, insisting on resigning—yet here he was, moving like a spring chicken!

Meanwhile, Eunuch Qin reported everything to Fu Huang: "The prince looked downright spooked, his expression terrifying."

He was on the verge of tears: "Does the prince know something? This old man has never seen him like this before."

God help me—it was as if a sword hung over his head, and sooner or later, it would strike!

Fu Huang remained silent for a long while.

"Your Majesty, you must hold on!"

Fu Huang said, "The Empress Dowager wouldn’t have the nerve."

"But the prince’s expression was truly horrifying. He looked furious."

Fu Huang asked, "You said he saw the pulse records?"

"Yes. Shuang Fu mentioned they first went to the Empress Dowager’s palace before heading to the Imperial Hospital and taking Your Majesty’s pulse records."

A thought struck Fu Huang, and the corners of his lips curled into a bitter smile.

What strangers they’d become as brothers.

He stood in the hall for a long while, watching the roses sway in the courtyard, running wild in the summer heat. When he stepped out, the green ink on the plaque behind him spelled out the words "Spring Court"—glowing green, the handwriting clumsy but earnest, clearly penned with great care.

When Fu Ye wrote those characters, his heart was sincere, his emotions true—so his prayer was answered.

By now, many Inner Officials of Qingyuan Palace were sneaking peeks from the courtyard, watching Fu Ye from afar as he stood at the entrance of the main hall.

The palace stood hollow, even the reek of medicine had faded. Earlier, Chancellor Xie and the others had emerged from the eastern annex—likely where Fu Huang now resided.

Had he lain in the eastern side chamber when he was at death’s door?

Xiao Ai: "Reason, brother, reason! Your emotions are too obvious! I suggest you take a moment before seeing him. Otherwise, you’ll lose it completely."

Footsteps approached—first a group of Inner Officials, then the sweep of Fu Huang’s robes came into view.

Shuang Fu, shaking like a reed, rushed over and whispered, "Your Highness, His Majesty is here."

Fu Ye turned his head and saw Fu Huang already approaching the hall.

He still looked sickly, the bright sunlight only accentuating his ghostly pale complexion, like a walking corpse. The reek of bitter medicine wafted toward them. At the sight, Fu Ye’s eyes threatened to spill over again, but he drew himself up stiff.

A gust swept through the courtyard. Though he wore Fu Huang’s robes, his lips were pressed white, his eyes swollen and red, as if he had been crying for a long time.

Eunuch Qin fluttered over in a tizzy: "Your Highness, what’s wrong?"

The palace attendants in the corridor were even more terrified, too frightened to move.

Fu Huang ascended the steps and stopped under the corridor, studying him for a moment before asking, “What’s wrong with you?”

Xiao Ai: “Be careful! Be careful!”

But Fu Ye could no longer hear.

To hell with caution.

Fu Ye raised the physician’s notes in his hand and said to Fu Huang, “Brother…”

He only managed two words before anger and grief overwhelmed him. Choking back tears, he forced himself to speak. “You were this seriously ill, yet you didn’t tell me?”

Fu Huang saw Fu Ye’s twisted expression and tears rolling down his face. His heart ached painfully, bitterness flooding him as he hoarsely replied, “I’m fully recovered now.”

“Yes, yes,” Fu Ye said. “It’s all over now.”

He tightened his grip on the physician’s notes. “How could you be so cruel?”

With that, he turned to leave. Fu Huang reached out and grabbed him. “You didn’t come for a month, yet you call me cruel.”

“You were the one who sent me away from the palace. Without being summoned, how could I dare come?” Fu Ye retorted. “How was I to know you wanted to see me?”

Fu Huang was speechless. Seeing him cry so pitifully moved him deeply. “It’s my fault.”

Looking at Fu Huang—so gaunt he was nearly unrecognizable, having cheated death—how could there be any fault in that? The blame lay with himself. Overcome by fear and regret, Fu Ye lost all reason. He resented Fu Huang’s harshness and hated himself bitterly, unsure what to do. He lowered his head and sobbed, his body going numb from violent trembling, his arms shaking uncontrollably. Fu Huang drew him into a hug, whispering, “I was wrong. It’s all my fault.”

He understood why Fu Ye felt this way. To receive such deep affection—from a brother or otherwise—was enough for a lifetime. He had no further desires.

Fu Ye simply wept, tears soaking Fu Huang’s shoulder. Fu Huang’s medicinal scent was warm. Though ill, he was still alive. But Fu Ye couldn’t go on like this. Between sobs, he said, “I won’t leave. I want to stay by your side.”

Fu Huang was taken aback. Looking at Fu Ye’s tear-streaked face, how could he refuse? He softly replied, “Very well, don’t leave.”

“I’m coming back to the palace.”

Fu Huang gave a quiet nod. “Come back to the palace.”

Fu Ye’s nose stung even more. Crying, he said, “And don’t you dare dislike me!”

“Have I ever disliked you?” Fu Huang replied.

Through his tears, Fu Ye looked up at him. Fu Huang’s jawline was sharp, his nose high—so thin he was almost unrecognizable. The sight sent Fu Ye deeper into despair. “I love you, and it’s all your fault. You showed me such unusual kindness—how could I remain normal?”

He continued, “Even if you dislike me, it’s useless. I love you. I… I’ll follow you to the grave.”

As the words left his mouth, his love came pouring out.

Fu Huang was stunned.

Author's Note:

Xiao Ai: “Ahhhhhhh!”

Eunuch Qin: “….”

“??”

“!!”