Chapter 7

Chapter 7

When the beast tamer said this, it truly caught everyone off guard.

The Eighth Prince seemed flustered and added, "Could it be a mistake? That wound could have been caused by a recent collision!"

He was, after all, still a young boy, and in his agitation, he didn't know what he was saying.

The beast tamer lifted the wing, revealing a tear beneath that, though hidden at first glance, had already split wide open. Forcing flight under such an injury would only worsen the wound.

Those present understood implicitly. The Eighth Prince's repeated commands for Xiaoqing to take flight had seemingly become the source of this injury.

The Crown Prince was about to offer a word or two of explanation, but the Empress Dowager's attention was already wholly fixed on the injured falcon. She did not spare them even a glance, merely asking the beast tamer coldly, "Regardless of anything, I, the Empress Dowager, must have it healed."

The beast tamer nodded. "You need not be overly concerned, Your Majesty. After applying the medicine, just ensure it does not spread its wings too much in the coming days."

He was about to perform some emergency treatment on the wound. The Crown Prince stepped forward to observe, but the falcon, sensing someone approaching, immediately pressed its head closer to Ying Fusheng.

Lady Yu, trying to smooth things over and also to ease the Empress Dowager's mind, interjected, "Xiaoqing truly is spirited. It seems to have recognized its savior."

What the Empress Dowager prized most about the falcon was precisely this intelligence.

Hearing this, her expression indeed improved somewhat.

The falcon pressed close to Ying Fusheng, showing clear signs of affection. The beast tamer seized the moment to hold the falcon down and finally began tending to its wound.

The Eighth Prince's attempts to explain went entirely unnoticed. "Grandmother..."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, clearly unwilling to revisit the matter.

As the Eighth Prince continued to rush to justify himself, Ying Fusheng turned his head slightly and noticed the Crown Prince, who had fallen silent beside him.

Ying Fusheng was not surprised by the fat bird's current behavior. Earlier, it had been forced to fly by the Crown Prince, then driven several times by the Eighth Prince, with the Empress Dowager's tacit approval. Naturally, the falcon would for a time feel some aversion toward them.

Remembering how the falcon had earlier been guided to fly toward him, the Eighth Prince had inadvertently helped Ying Fusheng. But given the Eighth Prince's temperament, such behavior was likely instigated by someone else. A slight movement played at the corners of Ying Fusheng's lips. Ignoring the gaze cast his way, he spoke at the right moment: "Fortunately, it was just a false alarm. It is my fault for not coming earlier to pay my respects. Had I done so, perhaps I might have noticed the problem sooner."

As he spoke, his eyes revealed a hint of self-reproach.

The Empress Dowager, realizing only belatedly that he had just recovered from a serious illness, looked at him directly for the first time since he arrived. "Are you feeling better now?"

Ying Fusheng replied respectfully, "Thanks to Grandmother's concern, I am much better now."

The exchange between grandmother and grandson left the Crown Prince, who had suddenly been sidelined, feeling rather awkward. As he glanced at Ying Fusheng, he lowered his eyes to conceal the deep color beneath.

It was then that he suddenly spoke, asking—

"I've heard that the Sixth Brother rarely leaves Weiyang Palace. How is it that you are so familiar with falcons?"

Hearing this, everyone was taken aback. They recalled that it was the Sixth Prince who had subdued Xiaoqing. Without him, it would not have been so easy to restrain the struggling raptor.

Ying Fusheng, however, appeared puzzled. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "What does familiarity have to do with it? It was flying low, and its posture seemed off—easy to pin down."

Hearing Ying Fusheng's naive response, the Empress Dowager laughed. "You wouldn't know this, but it always flies like that. This is your first time seeing it, which is why the others didn't notice either."

Ying Fusheng looked at the bird, his face registering a dawning realization. He murmured, "Is that so?"

The Empress Dowager's laughter eased the atmosphere. The staff of Cining Palace were accustomed to Xiaoqing's odd flying posture, and they knew this was the Sixth Prince's first encounter with it. He had stumbled upon Xiaoqing's wound by chance. So this was why the little creature had been so irritable lately—no one had discovered its injury.

Compared to ordinary falcons, Xiaoqing was far smaller in build. It was usually pampered by the Empress Dowager, and its fierce demeanor diminished when at rest, leaving it looking like a chubby ball.

Seeing that Xiaoqing had been treated and had hopped a little farther away, its round eyes fixed on Ying Fusheng, who stood beside the Empress Dowager.

Meeting the little fat bird's gaze—so free of wariness, lacking the sharpness of a falcon, and instead imbued with an endearing innocence—Ying Fusheng was reminded of how different it was from the falcon he had once owned. That falcon, when injured and returning to him, had looked at him with entirely different eyes—hostile, threatening, as if it wanted to kill him.

Witnessing this, the Empress Dowager smiled. "Xiaoqing seems to have taken a liking to you. If you have nothing to do, come and see it more often."

Ying Fusheng pushed away his thoughts. Lowering his head, a faint smile curved at the corner of his lips. "Yes. Grandson will certainly visit often."

Watching the falcon that had once been close to him now currying favor with someone else, a flicker of displeasure passed through the Eighth Prince's eyes. He was about to step forward, but the Crown Prince beside him took his hand.

With a slight glance, the Crown Prince silenced the Eighth Prince.

The Crown Prince stood quietly, watching and listening to the conversation between the Empress Dowager and Ying Fusheng. The knuckles of his fingers, hidden in his sleeve, tightened. His expression had unknowingly grown cold.

By the time they left Cining Palace and returned to Kunning Palace, Empress Xu was handling matters concerning Wangyue Pavilion, waiting for the two to join her for the evening meal. The Eighth Prince, who had always stayed by Empress Xu's side, was sulking the moment he returned and remained silent for a long while.

-*

Seeing him silent, Empress Xu asked, "What's wrong?"

The Crown Prince recalled the Empress Dowager's smile toward Ying Fusheng just before they left. The Empress Dowager treated all princes and princesses in the palace equally, and her decision to let Ying Fusheng stay temporarily at Cining Palace had already been unexpected. Thinking back to the ominous incident at Wangyue Pavilion, he had originally arranged things to win the Empress Dowager's favor and mitigate the fallout from that bad omen. He had never anticipated Ying Fusheng's sudden appearance.

Before the Crown Prince could speak, the Eighth Prince blurted out, "It's all Ying Fusheng's fault!"

Empress Xu frowned. "What happened?"

"It's nothing. We just met the Sixth Brother at Cining Palace today. He seemed much better from his illness and came to pay respects to Grandmother."

The Crown Prince did not stop the Eighth Prince from speaking. Only when he saw Empress Xu's inquiring gaze did he continue, "He looked well. He knows how to please Grandmother."

These past few days, as Empress Xu dealt with the Wangyue Pavilion affair, she had come to realize how much trouble Ying Fusheng's earlier words had saved. Consort Ning might be lacking in judgment, but this child was indeed filial. "Even while ill, he remembered to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. He is a child who knows his place."

The Eighth Prince fumed, "He's just pretending. He put on that act. If he knew the bird was injured, why didn't he say so earlier? He only pointed it out then to curry favor with Grandmother."

Empress Xu asked, "What happened?"

The Crown Prince had no choice but to recount the day's events. "Xiaoqing was injured, and Grandmother was in a bad mood. But the Sixth Brother must have noticed the problem earlier. He didn't say anything, only revealing it when the beast tamer arrived later."

Empress Xu was somewhat surprised. She remembered that child—recalled his clear and logical defense when Consort Ning was in trouble. Ordinarily, she had little impression of this prince. Ying Fusheng was not particularly outstanding, and she seldom heard anecdotes about him. She only vaguely remembered him as a quiet, taciturn child who rarely spoke. "He had just recovered and left his quarters. None of you had noticed the injury. How could he have known beforehand?"

The Eighth Prince grew agitated. "He did!"

Empress Xu merely glanced at the Eighth Prince and said, "Your mother has taught you: observe first, act later. Do not act impulsively."

The Crown Prince's hand, resting under the table, clenched tighter. "Mother's words are wise."

Hearing Empress Xu praise Ying Fusheng, the Eighth Prince felt a surge of resentment. He only took a few bites of his meal.

Empress Xu then looked at the palace maid beside her, who seemed to understand something and promptly withdrew.

Turning her gaze to the Crown Prince, Empress Xu's tone suddenly changed. "Do you dislike this younger brother of yours?"

"How could I?" The Crown Prince stiffened.

"You are the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. Others will not become obstacles in your path."

Empress Xu continued, "If you dislike him, you may tell me directly."

"The Sixth Brother is unwell, so naturally, Grandmother would be concerned about him." The Crown Prince concealed the deep look in his eyes, resuming his usual warm demeanor. He added several dishes to Empress Xu's plate and asked, as if casually, "Mother, is the birthday gift for Grandmother ready?"

"No need for you to worry. These days, focus on reviewing your lessons and don't fall behind when your father returns."

Empress Xu's voice softened toward the Crown Prince, seeming to glance at him, before gently saying, "Let's eat first."

After the meal, when the Crown Prince left Kunning Palace, it was already late in the evening. A palace attendant ran out from within, carrying several garments and the Empress's message: "Your Highness, Her Majesty noticed you were dressed lightly and specifically instructed to send these clothes. You must take care of your health."

Seeing this, the Crown Prince looked back at Kunning Palace. The attendant said, "Her Majesty cares deeply for you."

She does care... His mother rarely concerned herself with affairs within the palace, but she was always attentive to his matters, arranging even minor illnesses and trivial issues meticulously. The Crown Prince draped the clothes over his shoulders, gripping the hem slightly. Only after the Empress's people had departed did he ask the attendant, "What birthday gift is Her Majesty preparing?"

The Crown Prince's personal attendant replied, "Your Highness, it is still the same as before. Her Majesty specially sent someone to the common folk to procure several paintings and calligraphy works."

"Her Majesty's birthday gifts are always simple." The Crown Prince masked the fleeting shadow in his eyes.

Empress Xu was known for her aloof nature, never actively seeking the Emperor's favor—this was common knowledge in the palace.

But couldn't she think more for herself? The Emperor has just achieved a great victory; how could paintings and calligraphy be presentable?

The Crown Prince turned, as if to say something, but suddenly halted. In past years, he had raised the issue, but each time his mother responded, 'Your father dislikes extravagance; doing more only invites more mistakes.'

This time would likely be the same.

Amid national celebrations, his mother still failed to adapt.

Seeing him pause, the attendant cautiously spoke, "Your Highness..."

"It's nothing." The Crown Prince seemed preoccupied with other thoughts, his tone turning cold. "Return to the palace."

-*

By nightfall, Cining Palace grew quiet. Earlier, the Grand Empress Dowager had invited Ying Fusheng to dine.

"Even with a light diet after illness, you must eat some minced meat."

Ying Fusheng paused slightly as something was added to his bowl.

The Grand Empress Dowager disliked speaking during meals. After this remark, she softened, and the meal passed quietly, as the attendants seemed accustomed.

The Grand Empress Dowager rarely kept anyone for meals. Even when the Crown Prince and Eighth Prince visited earlier, she hadn't invited them. Ying Fusheng looked at the food in his bowl, eating obediently. Years of captivity had taught him to read people's moods.

After the grandmother and grandson finished eating, Ying Fusheng rose to take his leave. But just as he was about to go, the Grand Empress Dowager suddenly called him back. She said little, merely giving Lady Yu a meaningful look.

Soon, Lady Yu brought a fox fur cloak and draped it over him: "It's cold outside; Your Highness must take care of your health."

"Thank you, Grandmother." Ying Fusheng bowed.

The Grand Empress Dowager simply waved her hand. "Go and rest."

Returning to the side hall, Lady Yu personally brought the medicinal broth for the day. The Grand Empress Dowager had a cold temperament; she treated all princes equally. If there was any favoritism, it was toward the Crown Prince. But whether this preference was due to his status as Crown Prince or other reasons was debatable. One thing was certain: the Grand Empress Dowager disliked scheming, manipulation, or those who played petty tricks.

Today's easing of tension might be a good start.

"Your Highness." A eunuch from Cining Palace spoke. "Weiyang Palace has sent someone with some gifts."

During Ying Fusheng's illness, Weiyang Palace had repeatedly sent people, but Cining Palace's stance had been firm, and Consort Ning's people had not been allowed in. Now that someone had arrived, it seemed the Grand Empress Dowager had permitted it. Today's falconry incident had left a favorable impression on Her Majesty.

Half of the gifts were medicinal herbs for convalescence, the rest were various trinkets.

It was clear this was Consort Ning's scheme—to soften his stance and change the Grand Empress Dowager's attitude. Ying Fusheng looked thoughtful, then asked softly, "How is Mother?"

The eunuch delivering the gifts, seeing that the Sixth Prince was speaking with him, quickly replied as Consort Ning had instructed: "Her Grace misses Your Highness deeply and is very worried about your health."

Ying Fusheng's questions were scattered; the eunuch, eager to ease the tension, said almost everything: "Her Grace has scarcely touched food or drink these days, praying daily and chanting sutras, begging for your recovery."

Is that so? Ying Fusheng listened with keen interest.

The eunuch, believing the Sixth Prince truly cared for Consort Ning, spoke at length about how she had been, becoming parched.

In just a few exchanges, Ying Fusheng confirmed Song An's safety and felt somewhat relieved. Before coming to Cining Palace, he had instructed Song An to lie low. Consort Ning was under scrutiny; harshly punishing palace attendants would harm her image in the palace, so Song An was likely unharmed.

Knowing Song An was safe, Ying Fusheng's demeanor softened.

The eunuch from Weiyang Palace strove to portray Consort Ning as a mother yearning for her son, until he ran out of words. Finally, a eunuch from Cining Palace, noticing the Sixth Prince looking weary, spoke up to remind him.

Seeing that the prince had relented and that Consort Ning's words seemed to have been heard, the eunuch, having fulfilled his task and knowing not to disturb the prince's rest, quickly departed.

"Would you do me a small favor, Eunuch?" Ying Fusheng asked.

The eunuch replied, "Please speak plainly, Your Highness."

"I have been ill for some time, and Grandmother has worried over me. Her birthday is approaching; as her grandson, I ought to show some filial devotion." Speaking thus, Ying Fusheng looked a little shy. "I have heard that the mountain temple outside the capital is a place of spiritual power. I would trouble you to make a trip on my behalf."

Hearing the Sixth Prince's concern for the Grand Empress Dowager, the eunuch realized that temple visits were common—palace consorts often asked others to pray on their behalf. He could simply inform Lady Yu. He couldn't help but say, "Your Highness is sincere. This matter can be handled by a palace attendant. Do you have any other orders?"

Ying Fusheng paused, then spoke again: "One more thing. I once had a eunuch attending me. Could you call him here for me?"

Hearing the prince's gentle tone and how polite he was even to a eunuch, the eunuch readily agreed: "I'll take care of it."

The eunuch withdrew, and the hall fell into silence.

The day's fatigue washed over him. Ying Fusheng reached up to touch the fox fur cloak. The soft fabric against his skin brought an unfamiliar warmth. It was probably a hand-me-down from one of the princes—slightly too large, with gold and silver threads in the seams.

He fingered the collar, his thoughts drifting.

In his memories of the future, his imperial grandmother would die of a serious illness. After that illness, without the Grand Empress Dowager's watchful eye, control of the imperial harem passed to Empress Xu. But Empress Xu was aloof and rarely concerned herself with daily matters. This led to chaos in the harem, covert rivalries among consorts, and many spies planted even in the court and among the people—especially among the eunuchs serving his father. All of this laid the groundwork for his father's eventual incurable illness and death during a coup.

But that was years in the future.

Illness had come and gone quickly; his grandmother's face had already faded from his memory.

"The birthday banquet..." Ying Fusheng murmured. "It's a joyous occasion."

He needed to prepare a birthday present, and it could not be taken lightly.

Consort Ning would not prepare a birthday gift for him ahead of time; she did not even want him to show up at the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Whatever gift she might give would probably be unsatisfactory. But now that he had appeared before the Grand Empress Dowager and made an impression, Consort Ning's plan had failed, and she was trying to ease relations.

But for Ying Fusheng, this was different. He knew exactly how important this birthday feast would be in the future.

If he wanted to play it safe, he could not afford to be careless.

The eunuchs of Cining Palace were efficient. By the time Song An arrived, many matters in the hall had been taken care of.

"You weren't punished, were you?" Ying Fusheng asked.

Song An was slightly taken aback, then shook his head.

In the past few days, he had obeyed Ying Fusheng's orders. After the incident at Wangyue Court, the prince had told him to lie low and rarely appear before Consort Ning.

At first, he did not understand why. But when Consort Ning returned from Cining Palace, the eunuchs who had handled the Wangyue Court matter on the Sixth Prince's orders were punished—accused of neglecting the Sixth Prince's health and flogged. These people had been overjoyed when Consort Ning was released back to the palace, expecting rewards, only to be punished instead. All of them protested loudly.

So the prince had known all along.

Ying Fusheng touched the paper and brush sent by the eunuch, his fingertips gliding over them with a hint of reverence. "Those who crave glory rush to claim every merit, but sometimes certain things are just bait dangled ahead—reaping what they've sown is as entertaining as a play."

Song An froze, then looked at the prince, realizing this remark was sincerely meant for him. Feeling as if his thoughts had been read, he stood there at a loss, hands fidgeting. "Your Highness, I didn't..."

"Come, grind the ink," Ying Fusheng said instead.

Seeing the prince wasn't blaming him, Song An quickly stepped forward. As he took the ink stick, he heard the prince's next words: "This is fine imperial ink; use it sparingly, now."

He tensed up, and his first stroke landed too heavily.

Song An said awkwardly, "I'm not very good at..."

Ying Fusheng saw Song An's clumsy hands, his gaze pausing for a moment before he noticed how young the boy really was.

Song An watched nervously, his fingers slightly clenched, until he suddenly heard a soft sigh from nearby, followed by the prince's words: "Bring it here, I'll teach you."

Eyes downcast, Ying Fusheng took the ink stick with a touch of care. In the Cold Palace, he'd never had anything this fine. "Good things should be used sparingly," he said.

Song An quickly replied, "Your Highness will surely receive many rewards in the future!"

What rewards? A poisoned cup?

Ying Fusheng smiled, enjoying a rare moment of ease, then said, "You're right."

Whatever he wanted, he had to earn it himself.

Song An learned quickly. Ying Fusheng watched his movements as pen, ink, and paper lay before him, the chill in his body unabated.

Only ten days remained until the Emperor's return—time was running out.

Over the next few days, Ying Fusheng did not neglect courtesies, visiting the Empress Dowager every day at the appointed hour. Consort Ning sent people several times, under the pretense of concern, to spy on Ying Fusheng's condition. But after several days of morning visits, the Empress Dowager could see for herself that he was not fully recovered. Since Ying Fusheng did not speak up, she did not take it up.

This infuriated Consort Ning, who fumed in private, yet restrained herself due to her carefully crafted public persona.

Ying Fusheng spoke little. When paying respects to the Empress Dowager, he performed the rites properly and did not disturb her with idle chatter. Many princes came to Cining Palace to pay their respects, and Ying Fusheng struck the right balance. He offered no sweet words, but over the few days, the Empress Dowager came to view this grandson favorably.

Preparations for the Wangyue Court banquet were in full swing. After Consort Ning settled matters in the palace, tension and hidden currents filled the palace—until a sudden urgent report arrived within the palace!

The wind and snow subsided; in the distance, troops approached the outskirts of the capital. Amidst the heavy clatter of hooves, war banners snapped in the wind.

The common people, hearing the commotion, looked out from within the city walls and saw, among thousands of horses and soldiers, the imperial chariot returning in triumph to the capital.