Chapter 32

Chapter 32

"It's useless?" Zhu Qinghou wouldn't believe it. He opened the medicine bottle again and took another look inside. "How can you know without checking it out?"

Back when Li Zhen first lost his sight, every imperial physician in the Imperial Hospital had examined him. Each one shook their head, admitting they were powerless.

How could a mere Bright Eyes Pill possibly work?

The corners of Li Zhen's lips lifted in a faint curve, carrying a hint of quiet mockery. He reminded Zhu Qinghou calmly, "I was poisoned."

Without an antidote, all the medicinal pills and tonics in the world would be futile.

Zhu Qinghou's expression froze, as if frozen solid. After two breaths, he finally spoke, his tone sheepish. "The antidote... Li Jue should have it."

Truth be told, he wasn't entirely sure if Li Jue actually possessed an antidote.

Even if he did, obtaining it wouldn't be easy.

A deathly silence fell in the hall. A raindrop dripped from the eaves, splattering on the long steps. A curtain of rain veiled the sky's light.

Li Zhen straightened his robe, sitting up straight and proper, putting a small distance between himself and Zhu Qinghou—a gap of less than three fingers' width.

Zhu Qinghou naturally noticed. He looked at the gap for a beat, then shifted, deliberately leaning closer.

"...Get away." Li Zhen chided in a low voice. He was never one for harsh words; even his reprimands carried an air of cultured gentleness.

He was resisting Zhu Qinghou's touch.

Anyone else would have carefully retreated, making sure to stay out of Prince Su's line of sight.

But Zhu Qinghou had a reckless streak. Shamelessly, he leaned in, resting his head against Li Zhen's chest, listening to his steady, strong heartbeat.

He asked softly, "Are you still angry with me?"

Perhaps aware of his own fault, Zhu Qinghou's voice was much quieter, hazy and indistinct, like a little hook tugging at one's ear.

He waited a beat, getting no response from Li Zhen. Just as he was about to lift his head to look, he suddenly felt a chill at the side of his neck. Cold, slender fingers stroked the pulse throbbing in his neck.

The man whose hands held his life lowered his head and whispered by his ear, "Zhu Qinghou, I really want to..."

...Want to what?

Kill him?

He should see if he could actually bring himself to do it before making threats.

Zhu Qinghou laughed at him inwardly.

The next moment.

A sharp pain suddenly pierced his heart. It was unclear whether it was pain or an itch, as if a bolt of lightning had split the air, stirring ripples. Zhu Qinghou's body went limp, collapsing into Li Zhen's arms. He said weakly, "Xian Pu, it hurts..."

His constitution was sensitive, and he had been raised in pampered luxury. A single unit of pain felt like three on him, and by the time it left his lips, it had become ten.

Pitiful and aggrieved, as if Li Zhen were being utterly unreasonable and bullying him.

Li Zhen gripped Zhu Qinghou's narrow shoulders, helping him up and holding him firmly in his arms. His palm covered the young man's face, stroking the distinct, well-defined features that had matured so handsomely.

It was like a touch, yet also like a silent form of control.

The icy chill of the five fingers made Zhu Qinghou shudder. Remembering the reason for Li Zhen's sudden attack, he instinctively explained, "That medicine..." He had only uttered two words when he abruptly changed tack. "The antidote must be in the Crown Prince's hands. We should think of a way to steal it back, or seize it."

Li Zhen had already released him, taking a handkerchief and wiping his hands with detached coolness. Not only were his movements indifferent, but his voice also carried an aloof, unfeeling coldness. "I've already investigated."

Li Jue was so afraid of him; how could he possibly leave an antidote behind?

This path was blocked, that path was blocked—every route seemed sealed.

Zhu Qinghou was never one to dwell on worries. He pinched the medicine bottle in his hand. "Just try it. Maybe by sheer luck, it'll work?"

Bao Pu, standing guard outside, sneered inwardly. They say all medicine is three parts poison. Never mind that it's useless; this medicine hasn't even been tested. How could His Highness possibly take it?

Li Zhen lowered his gaze and took the medicine bottle from Zhu Qinghou's hand.

Zhu Qinghou was somewhat surprised. He was about to remind him to have it tested first, but Li Zhen closed the lid and said calmly, "Jian Su, return this medicine."

Jian Su pushed the door open, respectfully took the medicine bottle, and turned to leave.

Zhu Qinghou's eyes widened slightly as he tried to persuade him. "What if it works? How can you send it back without even checking?"

Li Zhen opened a scroll, tracing and distinguishing each character with his fingers. He said indifferently, "I don't need it."

He didn't need Feng Shan's gift, nor did he need Zhu Qinghou's goodwill.

Zhu Qinghou gritted his teeth. For the first time in his life, he felt an impulse—to bite Li Zhen, bite him until he couldn't be so stubborn anymore.

Perfectly good medicine, delivered right to his door—he should at least try it. But instead, he just sends it back as is.

What kind of attitude was that?

"Fine," Zhu Qinghou said, his displeasure making his words sharp. "Then you can spend your whole life never seeing me again."

Li Zhen's breathing instantly grew lighter, the rise and fall of his chest becoming even calmer. He had always been one to conceal his emotions; the angrier he was, the more composed he appeared.

"Xiao Yu," he called Zhu Qinghou's childhood name in a low voice, cutting him off. His tone was cool and deep. "The forces you've cultivated outside, I can uproot them completely."

Those people were low in status and influence, fragile as tumbleweeds in the treacherous sea of officialdom. With Zhu Qinghou as their leader, they had barely gathered into a meager force.

He had plenty of patience to find them, one by one, and pull them out by the roots.

Zhu Qinghou, very sensibly, fell silent.

He gazed at Li Zhen's eyes, concealed by the white silk, a tumult of emotions churning within him. He reached out and took hold of the white silk at Li Zhen's temple.

Li Zhen waited for him to speak.

But Zhu Qinghou remained silent. His fingertips played with the end of the white silk as he gently nestled against Li Zhen's chest.

Li Zhen was still for a moment, then drew him into his embrace, tightening the fox-fur cloak around him.

"Back then, the one behind the scenes who drugged me was Li Jue, wasn't it?"

Zhu Qinghou was startled. Li Zhen already knew? Since when?

He pressed his lips together, uncharacteristically hesitant, and offered no explanation.

Li Zhen didn't seem bothered by his silence. He played with his hair unhurriedly. "Were you protecting him, taking the blame for him, or..." He spoke the next words calmly, his voice cold. "...were you his accomplice?"

Taking the blame, or being an accomplice.

...Does that matter?

Zhu Qinghou gave a low chuckle, the sound seeming to well up from his throat, muffled and resonant.

The whole time, Li Zhen simply listened quietly to his laughter.

After Zhu Qinghou finished laughing, he asked, "Does it matter?"

Regardless, Li Zhen was already blind. Instead of thinking properly about how to cure his eyes, he was picking over the past, determined to assign blame.

What was the point of all this?

Outside the hall, the storm cast the world in a murky, shifting gloom, and even the light within dimmed somewhat, blurred and uncertain.

Li Zhen was silent for a long moment before softly saying, "You have a point." He laughed, the sound so faint it seemed almost an illusion. "It truly doesn't matter."

Zhu Qinghou sensed the odd tension in the air. He felt a stifling sensation in his heart, unable to articulate what he was feeling, and for a moment, he didn't want to respond.

Yet Li Zhen seemed to find his voice, speaking of his own accord. "Whatever he can give you, I can give you too."

"He can see me, but can you see me?" Zhu Qinghou muttered inwardly. He didn't dare say it aloud, fearing Li Zhen might lose control of the Twin Hearts and the Gu Worm would act up again.

Though he hadn't spoken, Li Zhen seemed to hear him nonetheless. His fingers, which had been stroking Zhu Qinghou's hair, stilled, and his voice carried an eerie, tender affection. "I will see you."

There were so many medicines in the world; he'd try every last one until he got better.

...If all else failed, he could make Li Jue go blind too.

In the Eastern Palace of Yejing, a thousand miles away.

Li Jue was restless and distracted. Without his having to say a word, the attendants were immediately escorted out, and in the blink of an eye, a new group replaced them.

From start to finish, Li Jue never once lifted his gaze to look.

"Yongzhou..." His expression was icy, enough to make anyone who saw it shudder. "How is it now?"

Xiao Shengjue had been sent back to Yejing ahead of schedule. They'd assumed the harsh cold of Yongzhou had driven him back, but who could have guessed—

He had gone mad.

A man who had been perfectly fine, gone for less than two months, returned with his mind unhinged, scared out of his wits.

This was clearly a provocation against the Censorate and the Eastern Palace.

The incident had occurred right under Prince Su's nose. They had intended to seize evidence and impeach him, but upon investigating the details, they discovered Xiao Shengjue had actually been engaging in corruption and bribery in Yongzhou, using the Eastern Palace's name.

Such stupidity infuriated Li Jue.

"Now that the trade market is nearing completion, the court is preparing to send the Trade Superintendency to take over," the Chamberlain said, treading carefully as the matter involved Prince Su.

Li Jue's expression was grave, his handsome face filled with solemnity. Over these days, that Xiao fellow had demanded who knows how much silver from the Eastern Palace to build that trade market.

Watching pure white silver being thrown in without even a sound in return, he was fuming with frustration.

Li Jue gave a few instructions, determined to seize control of the trade market, then proceed to purchase the tea and cloth needed by the Wei people to sell at high prices.

Most importantly, they must not allow Prince Su to profit.

After handling all the necessary affairs, Li Jue lifted his gaze toward the direction of Yongzhou and let out a soft sigh. The Chamberlain, observing his expression, lowered his voice. "That person has been gone for two months now. Falling into Prince Su's hands, I'm afraid..."

I'm afraid he's already dead, and in pieces.

Li Jue understood the implication.

He was momentarily stunned. "We were like brothers, after all. When sending people to Yongzhou, take care of his funeral arrangements as well."

As the legitimate son of the Central Palace, Li Jue had always followed the rules, restrained himself, and adhered to propriety, never overstepping even half a step. Secretly arranging for a lowly slave to be buried, he believed he had already shown deep affection and loyalty.

The Chamberlain looked at the faint expression on Li Jue's face and felt a sudden chill.

Zhu Qinghou—who was he?

His Highness's closest cousin, who had done countless things for the Eastern Palace over the years. To Li Jue, he was a blood relative; to the Crown Prince, he was a loyal subject.

Even back then...

He had shouldered such a heavy crime for His Highness.

And now, His Highness merely uttered an offhand remark, asking someone to bury him and grant him a simple funeral.

Well, the man was already dead.

The Chamberlain sighed inwardly.

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Author's Note: Xiao Yu: Xian Pu, take the medicine [please] [I beg you]

Xian Pu: I don't need it (supremely stubborn) [sunglasses]