Chapter 35 Thunderclap

Chapter 35: Clap of Thunder

Zhong Qingfu returned to the prefectural office deeply troubled.

The sky was completely dark, and the Crown Prince had already retired for the night, having declined having officials join him for dinner.

Zhong Qingfu had just thought to himself how long it had been since he encountered such a low-maintenance superior when he saw the Crown Prince's household guards marching out in formation.

Instantly alert, Zhong Qingfu immediately asked his deputy, who was waiting for him, "Where's the Crown Prince sending his men?"

From the looks of it, almost the entire three-hundred-strong contingent stationed in the city had been dispatched. Even if they were to search the residences of the Vice-Prefect and the County Magistrate, they wouldn't need that many!

Moreover, it was impossible to convict them so quickly.

Although Xishan County wasn't far from Congzhou City, there were many matters to investigate, and the Imperial Guards likely wouldn't return with any news today.

The deputy replied, "They said it's a shift rotation, going to the Garrison camp to relieve others."

Zhong Qingfu whirled around in disbelief, seeking confirmation, "You're saying this is a shift rotation??"

When changing shifts, doesn't everyone wait for the relief personnel to arrive first? Who sends everyone away all at once?

The deputy also found it incredible, "That's exactly what they said. They only left about a dozen personal guards; the rest all went out. They even informed the Garrison, telling them to guard the residence well."

It made no sense at all.

Zhong Qingfu remarked, "With capable generals on the frontier, a prince seeking military merit only needs to follow along for a walk; it's as easy as pie."

The deputy glanced around and lowered his voice further, "Perhaps the Crown Prince feels secure with five hundred Garrison troops guarding the residence, so he's comfortable letting the household guards leave. This is a sign of his trust in us."

However, Zhong Qingfu couldn't be completely at ease and sent someone to secretly follow them.

The person who followed them all the way returned to report that they truly were just changing the guard and did nothing else. The newly arrived household guards then went to take up posts at the North Courtyard.

Only after repeatedly confirming this did Zhong Qingfu relax slightly. It seemed Xiao Yunlang genuinely didn't suspect major issues within the Congzhou officialdom and felt quite at ease staying here.

He reviewed the courtroom records from the day. The Xiao family's falsification of scholarly credentials had been exposed right then and there by Liu Hexuan, leaving them unable to refute. The County Magistrate's answers were also poor. These individuals had already been ordered imprisoned by the Crown Prince.

The Vice-Prefect had managed to give decent verbal responses, but Wei Wuyou's investigation revealed he had kept a mistress hidden from his wives and concubines. Furthermore, the mistress seemed to possess property from other manors, requiring further investigation. Therefore, the Vice-Prefect was also temporarily detained.

Zhong Qingfu thought to himself, the Crown Prince had a full plate of pressing matters, not even having time for a simple meal with officials. What would his reaction be upon hearing Jiang Yanzhou intended to host a banquet?

To be prudent, he needed to test the waters first. He had to confirm the Crown Prince wouldn't attend before he could feel at ease.

On this point, Zhong Qingfu truly underestimated the Crown Prince's energy and stamina.

Xiao Yunlang posted only his own men at the North Courtyard. Why? Firstly, for peace of mind. Secondly, to conveniently leave openings for messengers. Thirdly... it also made it easier for him to exploit gaps himself. Any movements wouldn't be detected by the Congzhou Garrison troops.

Tonight, the wind picked up. It swept through the courtyard, rustling the leaves, shaking the branches, and howling. If someone stepped on a roof tile and made a sound, it would be drowned out.

Especially since some individuals possessed excellent lightness skills, leaving no trace on snow, moving across roofs and through windows without a sound.

Jiang Yanzhou went to bed early tonight but slept restlessly, hovering on the border between sleep and wakefulness. His limbs felt heavy, and even in his dreams, occasional light coughs escaped.

Only in dreams did he not have to hold back. Whenever his throat felt uncomfortable, he would unconsciously curl deeper into the quilt, letting out soft whimpers from his throat.

His consciousness sometimes surfaced, aware he was lying on a stable pillow; other times it sank heavily, as if drowning in bottomless water.

Wakefulness and drowsiness ebbed and flowed, dragging him into a sensory tide, adrift with nothing to rely on, left only with a body burning with fever and feeling limp.

When the wind rose tonight, hearing its fierce howling made Jiang Yanzhou feel uneasy. The dark clouds during the day had been too heavy. Such nights involuntarily reminded him of being locked outside years ago, when the wind was followed by thunder.

It was the thunder at night he truly feared.

So he had Feng Lan leave a candle lit. The dim, yellowish candlelight flickered faintly, casting shifting shadows in the room. It didn't bring Jiang Yanzhou peace; instead, it gave him a nightmarish feeling.

In his semi-conscious state, he vaguely felt something touch his forehead.

The initial touch was slightly cool but soon became soothingly warm. Unlike his body's alternating chills and feverish heat, this sensation felt very comfortable, something to cherish.

In his daze, he unconsciously nuzzled against it lightly, like a kitten, his brow relaxing slightly, a hint of contentment appearing at the corner of his mouth.

As he nuzzled drowsily, the hand resting on his forehead stiffened momentarily.

Beside the bed, Xiao Yunlang sat in the solitary lamplight, leaning over to look at Jiang Yanzhou.

His hand only stiffened for an instant before, along with his gaze, melting into a silent tenderness.

He moved his fingers, gently brushing aside the strands of hair on Jiang Yanzhou's forehead. Sensing Jiang Yanzhou's breathing had steadied and his sleeping face looked more serene, he carefully withdrew his hand.

He said softly, "Good, the fever's gone."

Beside him, Feng Lan also kept his voice low, "The fever had already subsided before he went to sleep. He just still coughs occasionally."

Xiao Yunlang stood up and walked with Feng Lan to the outer chamber, "He told you not to mention it?"

Feng Lan lowered his head, "Yes."

Compared to before, when Jiang Yanzhou paid no heed to himself at all, there indeed was a change. But whether this change was for better or worse was still hard to say.

"I can indulge him in other matters, but not this one. He has no sense of his own limits, not even aware if he needs company."

Xiao Yunlang passed by the already extinguished incense burner and was stopped by the lingering scent. He tilted his head, "Cedar?"

"Yes," Feng Lan replied, "The young master has been using cedar incense these past few days. He says it smells nice. Previously, we prepared the incense for him as we saw fit; it's rare for him to express a liking for something."

Xiao Yunlang didn't think much of it either, "If there's not enough, I have more at my place."

Outside, the wind had been blowing for a while, and now rain began to patter down, soon turning into a torrential downpour. The heavy rain lashed the eaves, cascaded like a waterfall against the steps, its dense sound beating against everything.

Feng Lan pushed the door open to look, "Your Highness, the rain's at its peak right now. Perhaps rest for a while and leave when it lets up?"

With fierce winds and slanting rain, and no urgent matters, Xiao Yunlang saw no need to make things difficult for himself. After a moment's thought, he simply said, "Let me stay in the outer chamber. You go rest in the adjacent room. No need to keep watch; I'll leave before dawn."

Feng Lan hurriedly said, "How could we let Your Highness condescend to stay in the outer chamber!"

The outer chamber was where subordinates and attendants like them stayed. This wasn't a military campaign with poor conditions; there was no reason for them to sleep in side rooms while their master slept in the outer chamber.

"Just for one night; it's not a big deal," Xiao Yunlang waved his hand, already walking towards the bed in the outer chamber, "Go to sleep."

Feng Lan still hesitated. He had just taken a step forward, intending to persuade further, when a sudden insight struck him.

Xiao Yunlang's growing closeness to Jiang Yanzhou was something others might not know, but they, the bodyguards, saw it clearly.

Especially on this long journey, certain behaviors were truly hard to explain otherwise.

It was indeed improper for the Crown Prince to stay in someone else's outer chamber. But if it was the Crown Prince staying in the Crown Princess's outer chamber... well, that didn't seem like such a big problem?

Thinking this, Feng Lan hesitated briefly before ultimately retracting the foot he had stepped forward.

Feng Lan glanced at Xiao Yunlang, then at the inner room, and said nothing more, proceeding quietly to the neighboring room.

Feng Lan hadn't yet used the bedding in the outer room—the pillow and quilt were clean. Just as Xiao Yunlang spread out the quilt and lay down, a flash of lightning streaked across the window.

Thunder?

A low, distant rumble rolled by, not too loud. Xiao Yunlang turned over, resting his head on his arm, hoping the thunder would end with just that one rumble. After all, Jiang Yanzhou had just fallen into a peaceful sleep—he didn't want to disturb him.

But thunder pays no heed to human affairs, refusing to fade away after a single, lingering rumble. That was merely its opening salvo.

Xiao Yunlang felt the flickering light and dark, listening as the thunder drew closer and grew louder.

When another silver-white flash tore through the night sky, the thunderclap that followed was deafening, earth-shattering.

The layers of clouds collapsed, and the shadows of trees outside clawed and shrieked as if alive. Xiao Yunlang’s eyes snapped open, and he sat up abruptly—amidst the deafening roar, he had heard a faint, pitiful whimper.

The sound was so soft that someone with poorer hearing might have missed it entirely in the noisy rainstorm or dismissed it as a trick of the ear.

But Xiao Yunlang was certain he had heard it—and it wasn’t some small animal battered by the downpour… it was a human voice.

Without a second thought, Xiao Yunlang strode toward the inner room. As he lifted the curtain, a flash of lightning split the night into daylight, and in the stark white glare, he found a person on the verge of shattering.

The one who should have been lying peacefully in bed was gone, replaced by a tightly wrapped bundle huddled in the corner of the bed, trembling violently.

Xiao Yunlang froze for a moment, then realized what was happening. He hurried forward, approaching the person in the corner, and reached out a hand. “Jiang Yanzhou?”

The trembling bundle paused.

But it remained curled into a tight ball, refusing to unfurl even slightly.

Xiao Yunlang tentatively extended his hand, his fingers brushing through soft hair until they touched a cold cheek.

Slowly, he lifted Jiang Yanzhou’s face. Jiang Yanzhou didn’t resist.

Xiao Yunlang had seen this face look fragile before.

But that had been due to illness, when Jiang Yanzhou’s consciousness couldn’t control his body.

When the young master was awake, his eyes always held a clear, bright light—unlike now, when they seemed emptied of soul, hollow.

Jiang Yanzhou’s porcelain-like face was utterly devoid of color, its chill seeping into Xiao Yunlang’s palm. He looked at Xiao Yunlang, his pupils contracting slightly.

Another thunderclap exploded nearby, and Jiang Yanzhou shuddered violently. This time, he didn’t press his lips together—his mouth opened, but no sound emerged.

—He couldn’t even cry out.

It was as if he had returned to that terrifying night of his childhood, when after screaming himself hoarse with no one to answer, he had lost his voice.

Speech is an ability, and when pain goes unheard, when one realizes time and again that no one cares, that ability slowly fades away.

But fear is innate, buried deep in the bones, always there to remind you of experiences you haven’t forgotten.

Driving it away isn’t easy.

When Jiang Yanzhou was startled awake by the thunder, he had already anticipated how difficult the night would be.

He had prepared himself to face the fear alone once again, but this time, before the thunder could torment him further, a pair of warm, strong hands suddenly covered his ears.

Palms couldn’t truly block out the earth-shattering thunder, but body warmth could pull someone back from icy despair into the world of the living.

Xiao Yunlang covered his ears and drew him into his embrace. Whether Jiang Yanzhou could hear him or not, he had to say, “Don’t be afraid. It’s alright.”

Just moments ago, he had thought Jiang Yanzhou feared nothing external—only to witness this scene.

Xiao Yunlang cupped his face firmly. “It’s alright. I’m here.”

Jiang Yanzhou’s fingers twitched spasmodically. Beneath the quilt, he had already pinched red marks into his own arm.

The thunder returned.

It was just a loud noise—nothing to be afraid of, really. But… he was still scared. What could he do?

As Xiao Yunlang spoke, he seemed to remember something and suddenly paused. When he spoke again, he changed tack.

“No, I was wrong. It’s okay to be afraid. Everyone is afraid of something,” Xiao Yunlang said. “Tell me what you’re afraid of. Shout it out.”

“I’ll listen.”

Jiang Yanzhou’s eyes reddened instantly.

His lips trembled, his voiceless throat washed over by the sour ache in his eyes and chest. He still couldn’t stop trembling, but Xiao Yunlang’s voice was so clear, resonating through his bones as if it could drown out even the thunder.

He shakily raised a hand, accidentally brushing against the back of Xiao Yunlang’s hand. The touch felt so scalding that he immediately pulled away. His fingertips hovered uncertainly in the air several times before finally settling, clutching tightly at Xiao Yunlang’s sleeve.

Both hands, gripping with all their strength.

It was impossible to tell how much time passed. The thunder gradually faded, but Xiao Yunlang didn’t rush to let go.

With the deafening noise gone, his voice sounded even clearer.

Xiao Yunlang said, “Actually, when I was little, I was afraid of thunder too.”

Jiang Yanzhou’s grip on his sleeve tightened.

As if three long years had passed, his throat finally managed to force out a few hoarse, broken sounds: “…You don’t have to… comfort me like this.”

Though the tone was low and fragmented, the words could just barely be pieced together into a sentence. Hearing Jiang Yanzhou finally find his voice, Xiao Yunlang let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“It’s true. I’m not lying to you.”

Xiao Yunlang was telling the truth.

Back in the cold palace, whenever lightning flashed and thunder roared at night, turning the place into something like a haunted house, the young Sixth Prince Xiao Yunlang—just a small child—couldn’t possibly claim he wasn’t afraid.

When he first left the cold palace at age six, this fear of thunder still lingered.

But his fear was different from Jiang Yanzhou’s. He would wrap himself in a quilt, hide behind a pillar, and bare his teeth at the lightning and thunder, like a beast raising its spines after being startled.

In the cold palace, his nanny would stay with him. But after leaving, she stood at a distance and said, “Your Highness, you must climb out on your own.”

Xiao Yunlang had no choice.

He had to learn to face fear and hardship head-on, to pull himself up immediately. Otherwise, even if someone carried him out of the cold palace, he would still be shattered by fiercer storms.

Because he was weak and powerless, he had only one path to walk.

But now was different.

Though his struggle with the noble families wasn’t over, though he still opposed the emperor, and though the path to his own survival wasn’t fully paved—at the very least, on a stormy night like this, he could offer Jiang Yanzhou an embrace.

Jiang Yanzhou realized there was more than one path forward.

The candlewick flickered slightly, and the overflowing wax dripped down, searingly hot. Outside the window, the streaks of lightning were gone, and the thunder's roar had finally died away, leaving only the rustling of light rain.

Xiao Yunlang released his grip. Jiang Yanzhou’s cheeks had been warmed again by his touch. He gently wrapped his arms around Jiang Yanzhou, holding his slender frame.

Jiang Yanzhou’s dark lashes trembled slightly. Over Xiao Yunlang’s shoulder, he caught sight of the candle dripping with wax.

Jiang Yanzhou hadn’t cried earlier.

But for some reason, he felt like shedding tears now.

“Afraid of thunder?”

Jiang Yanzhou managed a faint “mm” in response.

“Did anyone ever comfort you before?”

Jiang Yanzhou shook his head against his shoulder.

Xiao Yunlang said, “You do now.”

Those four gentle words nearly undid Jiang Yanzhou. He drew a sharp breath, unsure whether any more pitiful sounds had escaped his throat.

Xiao Yunlang seemed to have held him for a long time. He had no memory of falling asleep, only that he had kept clutching Xiao Yunlang’s sleeve, unwilling to let go.

On thunderous nights, he had always stayed awake until dawn, never imagining there could be a day when he could close his eyes and sleep.

When he opened his eyes again, daylight already flooded the room.

Jiang Yanzhou lay nestled in the soft pillow, blankly lifting his fingers to look—empty.

The bed and the room were also empty, with only him inside.

He reached up and touched his own ears, and after a long while, he slowly sat up and called for Feng Lan.

Feng Lan entered, leading attendants and the imperial physician.

The physician took Jiang Yanzhou’s pulse while Feng Lan asked, “How are you feeling, young master?”

After a thunderous night, Jiang Yanzhou was usually disinclined to speak the following day, sometimes remaining silent entirely.

But today, he spoke. After nodding, he asked, “When did His Highness leave?”

Feng Lan replied, “At the hour of Yin, when the sky was still dark. The rain had already stopped when he left.”

The hour of Yin—how long had Xiao Yunlang even slept?

After finishing the examination, the physician nodded with relief. “This fever came and went quickly. Fortunately, there’s no serious issue.”

Jiang Yanzhou’s throat still felt uncomfortable, so his morning meal consisted mostly of broths and congee.

Outwardly, he seemed calm. After finishing his medicine, he fetched brush, ink, paper, and inkstone to practice calligraphy. But only when a drop of ink from the brush tip fell onto the paper, spreading into a blot, did he jerk back to awareness. Silently, he set the brush down again.

...He couldn’t focus.

Xiao Yunlang was a little... no, not just a little—he was simply too good to him.

Other advisors definitely didn’t receive such treatment.

So, this was Xiao Yunlang being kind to him, purely as a person.

Jiang Yanzhou still didn’t understand the exact reason, but he thought, aside from matters of state, he had only done one thing for Xiao Yunlang personally.

That was at the poetry gathering, where he had spoken a few words on his behalf.

This was, after much thought, the only time he had been able to help in Xiao Yunlang’s private affairs.

For Xiao Yunlang to treat him this way now... he could think of nothing to offer in return.

Not for state affairs, but for Xiao Yunlang himself.

The experience of sleeping through a thunderous night was something he had never had before.

The sensation lingered in his heart, so comforting he clung to the memory.

He had to think about what else he could do.

He needed to do a little more.

And then, could he boldly exchange it for another peaceful night during a thunderstorm?

Once more, just one more time would be enough—he wouldn’t dare hope for more.

Because he felt that as long as he had the chance to clearly remember this warmth again, he would have the strength to endure the thunderous waves and raging storms alone in the future.

He seemed a little greedy.

Jiang Yanzhou couldn’t help but curl the fingertips that had tightly gripped Xiao Yunlang’s robe the night before.

“Young master.” Feng Lan gently knocked on the doorframe, interrupting Jiang Yanzhou’s thoughts. “Feng Yi has sent news—it’s about the progress of the exam cheating scandal.”

Jiang Yanzhou immediately released his hand.

He was being particularly quiet today. Tilting his head, he gestured with his eyes for Feng Lan to enter.

He couldn’t come up with anything right away. His abilities were limited, so he would think while attending to official matters, just as before. Perhaps at some opportune moment, an idea would come to him spontaneously again.