Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Consort Ning felt like she had fallen into a frozen cellar, instinctively stepping forward to shield Ying Fusheng.

Only when there was no further movement behind her did she quietly glance at Empress Xu, who was adjusting the bedding for the Eighth Prince, and her heart gradually calmed.

"What's the matter, sister?" Consort Yun spoke up then: "The Sixth Prince is in discomfort and calling for you..."

Consort Ning snapped back to reality, seeing Consort Yun standing behind her, and hearing Ying Fusheng's faint murmurs, she hurried over. But his voice was like a cold wind, seeping bit by bit into her lungs. As she looked at Ying Fusheng, half-asleep and half-awake, the impending sense of crisis felt threatening, and she couldn't control her strength when she reached out to touch his face.

"Your Ladyship!" Bi Zhu called out in alarm.

The unconscious Sixth Prince muttered "it hurts," and Consort Ning jolted awake, realizing she had exerted force.

This commotion drew the attention of those around. The physician even looked disapprovingly at Consort Ning. Consort Yun covered her face with an embroidered handkerchief, chiding, "How can you be like this, sister? The Sixth Prince is ill now; you mustn't be so distracted."

Almost everyone was looking at Consort Ning. She wanted to explain, but the words died in her throat when she saw Empress Xu approaching.

Seeing Empress Xu getting closer, Consort Ning recalled what had just happened and, unable to stop herself, stepped forward to block her view. In her haste, she stumbled at the foot of Ying Fusheng's bed.

Empress Xu's gaze flickered, a hint of strangeness in her eyes. But hearing the Eighth Prince's sounds beside her, she set aside her suspicions for now and went to check on him.

Consort Ning's heart was racing with panic, realizing her actions were inappropriate. She could only console herself that the Empress hadn't noticed. She quickly stood up, only to hear a scolding voice nearby.

"Consort Ning is overly worried about her son, so it's natural she's distracted," the Empress Dowager said coldly. "Please have Consort Ning withdraw."

Consort Ning wanted to defend herself, but the Empress Dowager's icy glare made her blood run cold. "No... I was just worried about my son."

For a moment, she found it hard to explain herself.

Ying Fusheng opened his eyes, dazed, and reached out to grab Consort Ning's hem. But she was too busy trying to explain to the Empress Dowager, not sparing him even a glance, and his hand brushed past hers.

Empress Xu witnessed this and frowned instinctively. "Consort Ning."

Several people around saw this scene. The Sixth Prince had already been traumatized by the assassination attempt, yet instead of comforting him, Consort Ning seemed distracted and agitated. Before the Sixth Prince was brought in, Consort Ning had been fussing over the Eighth Prince by Empress Xu's side. But when her own son arrived, her actions were repeatedly bizarre.

When Consort Ning was called by Empress Xu, she turned and saw Ying Fusheng looking at her. She realized how impulsively she had acted.

"This child is rather pitiful," Consort Yun said, dutifully walking over to Ying Fusheng. "If his eunuch hadn't wandered into my courtyard by mistake, he might have been lost without anyone knowing."

At Consort Yun's words, the Empress Dowager's anger reached its peak. Two princes being attacked was a major incident. The Eighth Prince had guards protecting him and had sent word immediately when trouble arose, while Ying Fusheng only had a single personal eunuch. Empress Xu handed the Eighth Prince over to her attendants and gave a subtle glance to the eunuch outside, who understood and entered.

"Your Ladyship, this way," the eunuch said.

Consort Ning wanted to argue: "I..."

But Empress Xu didn't even look at her. Without further words, the eunuch stepped forward and unceremoniously led Consort Ning out.

Those around were silent, watching the Empress Dowager and Empress punish Consort Ning. Empress Xu turned to the physician beside her. "The Sixth Prince still has a high fever. Please attend to him, physician."

Consort Yun added, "Yes, what are you waiting for? The Sixth Prince still has a high fever."

Ying Fusheng's consciousness was still on the edge of drowsiness, but Consort Ning's panic and Consort Yun's strange behavior had all fallen into his eyes... He seemed to glance at Consort Yun with intent, as if confirming something, then gradually relaxed his breathing and let his consciousness sink into a nightmare.

...

That night at Huguo Temple was one of chaos.

During the grand prayer event at Huguo Temple, when assassins targeted the imperial heirs, the Eldest Prince led his men to quickly neutralize the other assassins and secure the defense. Fortunately, both princes were unharmed, only frightened and suffering from chills, so the physicians had to stay on duty overnight.

The rooms were brightly lit, and the specially transferred guards outside surrounded the area, patrolling to protect the two princes. Only when the Sixth Prince's condition stabilized did the people on duty get some rest. As dawn began to break, only the drowsy attendants remained in the rooms.

A figure slipped silently into the inner courtyard, bypassing the patrolling guards, moving like a shadow.

Qi Hanzhou flipped inside without disturbing the sleeping attendants. He took a few steps to the bedside, where the usually sharp individual now lay quietly asleep. He reached out to check for breath; the hot air burned his fingertips... He truly had a fever, and a severe one.

The wound on Ying Fusheng's neck had been bandaged. That fragile neck could be broken with a single move.

Qi Hanzhou frowned, staring at him warily.

In the end, he didn't strike.

-*

At Huguo Temple, news of the attack on the princes was rushed into the capital overnight. The Eldest Prince had the bodies of the slain assassins dragged aside, and the Imperial Guard sealed off all parts of Huguo Temple. The Emperor ordered the Eldest Prince to investigate thoroughly, to capture all the culprits, granting him the authority to mobilize the Imperial Guard.

When Consort Yun returned to her courtyard, the Eldest Prince was already waiting there. Seeing her, he asked, "Mother, how are things with the Empress Dowager and Empress?"

"The Eighth Prince, being mischievous, shook off his attendants and took the Sixth Prince to the lantern hall, just when Lady Hu was attacked by assassins," Consort Yun said as she entered the room. "The Sixth Prince had no one with him either. If that eunuch hadn't wandered into my courtyard, who knows what might have happened. As for the Empress... she's always like that. It's hard to guess what the Xu family is thinking. But as for Consort Ning, her attitude toward the Sixth Prince is truly strange. What about Lady Hu?"

"She was overly frightened and has already rested," the Eldest Prince replied, then paused thoughtfully. "That timing was perfect."

Consort Yun hesitated. "Is Hu Buyu really that formidable?"

Anlong was a remote and strategic location, where all military supplies and grain for the northern border had to pass through. Hu Buyu had held this position for over a decade. Just that alone made his ability and cunning hard to ignore. It was said that many had tried to win him over, but in vain. To serve as a local prefect in a place like Anlong was enough to earn him the attention of many in the court.

"Mother, you don't know. Many in the court have their eyes on him. He was previously in Anlong and holds a lot of information. Now that Father has called him back to the court... many don't want him to return. I haven't even moved yet, but someone has already struck first."

Consort Yun's expression turned serious. "Are you thinking...?"

The Eldest Prince mused, "I'll think it over."

Just then, someone reported from outside—

"Your Highness, Lady Hu requests an audience on urgent business!"

As the words fell, Consort Yun and the Eldest Prince exchanged a glance.

A look of thoughtfulness crossed the Eldest Prince's face. He murmured, "This sixth brother of mine seems to be quite a lucky star..."

...

After dawn, the prayer event at Huguo Temple continued.

The assassination was not to be publicized. The ministers, their families, and other consorts only knew of some commotion the previous night, unaware of the details.

When Ying Fusheng woke the next day, his consciousness took a moment to return. He looked around the room and asked, "Did anyone come last night after I passed out?"

He received no answer. Turning, he saw Song An with red-rimmed eyes, which made Ying Fusheng feel uncomfortable. "If you look like that, Bi Zhu will become suspicious."

"Your Highness should take better care of yourself," Song An said, handing him the medicine.

Ying Fusheng averted his gaze. "I won't die yet."

Song An wanted to say more, but Ying Fusheng rested his hand on his reassuringly and turned to another matter. "What I entrusted to you yesterday—was it done?"

"It's done. There seems to be some activity at Consort Yun's place today," Song An said. "But why did you deliberately pass the news to her side, Your Highness?"

Ying Fusheng finished the medicine, a calculating glint in his calm eyes. "Lord Shen's coachman should still be at the mountain gate of Huguo Temple by now, right?"

Ever since Shen Changcun became the Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud, Ying Fusheng had had less contact with Shen Yunfei.

But arranging the emperor's carriage was the responsibility of this former Vice Minister of War.

"The mastermind failed to kill Madam Hu. Hu Buyu has entered the capital today," Ying Fusheng set down the medicine bowl and looked at Song An. "If I were the mastermind, I would kill Hu Buyu now."

Song An was startled. "Then shouldn't we send someone to protect Lord Hu!?"

"The Imperial Guard is watching, and Qi Hanzhou has more tricks... but that's not the main issue." Ying Fusheng smiled slightly. "Tell me, my imperial brother has been struggling with the Crown Prince for a long time. Now that the Crown Prince is under house arrest, and there's an opportunity to put someone in your debt—would you act?"

Outside the door, someone came to report hurriedly. A young Buddhist disciple stopped and said, "Your Highness, a coachman at the mountain gate asked me to deliver this letter to you."

Song An was taken aback and immediately looked at Ying Fusheng.

He unfolded the letter, and inside was only one sentence: "The horse has gone ahead."

"Madam Hu is clever. She knows full well about the assassin incident. So I gave her a plan—a plan to let Hu Buyu settle safely in the capital." Ying Fusheng's brow relaxed. "See? Someone has already acted."

While the chamber was quiet, undercurrents seethed elsewhere in Huguo Temple.

Outside the capital's outskirts, a group of people were chasing a carriage. The Imperial Guard lurked in the shadows, waiting for them to subdue the targets, when they heard a troop of cavalry thundering in from afar. It was actually the Imperial Army!

At this moment, the only person who could mobilize the Imperial Army was the Grand Prince, who had been specially authorized by the Emperor!

"What's going on?" The Imperial Guard lurking in the shadows were shocked. Weren't they supposed to be protecting Lord Hu secretly? Why had the Imperial Army also arrived!

Qi Hanzhou had just arrived at the capital's outskirts when he saw the majestic procession in the distance. His adjutant immediately sent someone to investigate and found that the Grand Prince himself was leading the troops, surrounding Hu Buyu's carriage without explanation.

"Lord Hu's route into the capital was secret. How did the Grand Prince find out—" the adjutant exclaimed in surprise.

"Someone must have told him," Qi Hanzhou instantly thought of the key person. Everything had changed since his appearance in the small Buddhist hall. "What a clever scheme."

The Imperial Army's move startled people both inside and outside the capital.

Madam Hu and her daughter were frightened by the assassination attempt and were under the Grand Prince's protection. Madam Hu quickly sought help from the Grand Prince, saying that her husband Hu Buyu was entering the capital to seek aid and might be ambushed, begging the Grand Prince to assist.

The Grand Prince was greatly alarmed and immediately mobilized the Imperial Army to protect Hu Buyu, the Prefect of Anlong. They indeed captured a group of people who intended to murder a court official!

The Imperial Army's protection was like an impenetrable fortress; not even a mosquito could get in, let alone an assassin.

The escort was almost ostentatious. Without anyone needing to explain, the moment the Imperial Army marched out, all the hidden eyes in the capital knew that Hu Buyu, Prefect of Anlong, had entered the capital and that the Grand Prince had used the Imperial Army to protect him.

While the whole city buzzed with discussion, Ying Fusheng returned to the palace with the Imperial Army.

His body had not fully recovered. Consort Ning, having offended the Empress Dowager during her stay at Huguo Temple, was punished with house arrest in the palace upon her return.

That night, only a few imperial physicians and consorts were present. Everyone noticed Consort Ning's dazed appearance. After the Sixth Prince regained consciousness, he asked about Consort Ning several times. The imperial physicians dared not speak directly and brushed it off vaguely. Fortunately, the Sixth Prince did not press further. He also heard that Consort Ning was unsettled and asked the physicians if there was any calming incense she could use.

Over the past two months, Chu Taiyi had been constantly running to Cining Palace. The Sixth Prince's health had been up and down. When he heard that the prince, even during his illness, wanted to send calming incense to Consort Ning, he was even more touched by his filial devotion. "Don't overthink it, Your Highness. The Consort has had her pulse taken and is fine. On the other hand, you have been sleeping poorly lately and should pay more attention."

The Empress Dowager, listening nearby, stopped moving her prayer beads. "You were unconscious for a whole day. The imperial physicians nearly had to use acupuncture on you... If your health is poor, don't wander around."

Listening to the Empress Dowager's scolding, Ying Fusheng obediently admitted his fault, habitually playing weak: "The mountains were so quiet, I had never seen such quiet mountains before. I walked too far. I won't do it again."

Unexpectedly, upon hearing these words, the Empress Dowager's previous anger inexplicably dissipated. Looking at this grandson who had been plagued by illness since the winter month, her tone softened immediately: "What's so special about the mountains? Once you are fully recovered, the vast lands of Dayuan offer beautiful scenery everywhere."

Ying Fusheng was taken aback. He had prepared himself for the Empress Dowager's interrogation or reprimand, but hadn't expected her to say this. He was about to say more, but the Empress Dowager had already risen and instructed Lady Yu to add two more braziers in the side hall to prevent his cold from worsening.

After these instructions, Ying Fusheng was ordered by the Empress Dowager to stay in bed and recuperate. In particular, Lady Yu, the female official by the Empress Dowager's side, would come three times a day to ensure Ying Fusheng took his medicine, and he was excused from daily greetings.

Perhaps due to Chu Taiyi's superb medical skills, within just two days, Ying Fusheng's cold, which had worsened due to the rain, was mostly healed. As his health improved, he asked Song An about the situation at Huguo Temple that day. He had been in a daze afterward and didn't remember much. When Song An mentioned that Empress Xu had ordered the palace attendants to take Consort Ning away, Song An glanced at Ying Fusheng. Ying Fusheng showed no reaction, simply listening to him finish the account and said, "That should be about it."

Song An said, "Your Highness, is it the Xu family that concerns you?"

Ying Fusheng looked at him upon hearing this. Though Song An was still young, his knack for reading people was spot on. "Grand Secretary Xu holds an extraordinary position; how could I not care? Empress Xu is a perceptive woman. She may seem to handle palace affairs simply, but that doesn't mean she fails to notice everything. Personally punishing Consort Ning is already a big deal."

Even during the birthday banquet at the Wangyue Pavilion, Empress Xu had delegated the task to others, yet after Consort Ning's transgression, she handled everything perfectly, with no further slip-ups.

Song An was puzzled and looked at him with confusion.

Ying Fusheng's eyes were calm. "Song An, things are not always as they seem on the surface."

"There are many fools, but there are even more clever people."

As soon as Ying Fusheng was fully recovered and could go to lessons outside the hall, Eunuch Rong arrived at Cining Palace.

The last time Ying Fusheng had seen him was when Eunuch Rong summoned him to the drill ground. Now, this eunuch, who oversaw many affairs within the palace, still had a smile on his face when he met Ying Fusheng again.

Eunuch Rong said, "Your Highness, this servant has come to fetch you to the Qianqing Palace."

The Qianqing Palace was the emperor's bedchamber; one could not go there without a summons.

Song An hurriedly draped an outer robe over the prince. A palanquin was already prepared outside Cining Palace.

"Why has Father suddenly summoned me?" Ying Fusheng asked.

Eunuch Rong observed this prince who had recently attracted much attention. Seeing the fleeting joy on the prince's face upon hearing of the imperial summons, he hid his watchful expression and replied, "Maybe His Majesty misses you, Your Highness."

Before long, they arrived at the Qianqing Palace.

As soon as they reached the Qianqing Palace, they saw several memorials tossed to the ground. The entire hall was unusually quiet, with faint sounds of scolding emanating from within. Ying Fusheng stopped abruptly. Eunuch Rong told an attendant to announce them and soon led Ying Fusheng inside. Upon entering, he saw two ministers kneeling before the throne. He'd glimpsed them at a palace banquet and vaguely recognized one as the current Minister of Works, Zhou Bingjun, a veteran who had served two emperors. His grandson was the crown prince's companion.

"This time, the specifics of the military pay were handled by Lord Xu. He acted thoroughly, and any omissions I might have made were pointed out by him," said the Minister of Works.

"I dare not accept such praise," said the Minister of Works.

Hearing this, the emperor said, "Lord Xu is indeed thorough in his work. What about your Ministry of War?"

But that didn't calm the emperor's anger. He turned to the Minister of War and berated him: "The vacancies in the court remain unfilled, the mess of the military pay case hasn't been resolved. I ordered you to investigate, and only the Ministry of Works has submitted its report. What about the rest? I think you're unfit to be Minister of War!"

The emperor waved his hand dismissively, sending a memorial flying into the Minister of War's face. "I will give you a few more days. Get out!"

The Minister of Works said, "Your Majesty, the post of Vice Minister of War is currently vacant. I recommend..."

"We'll discuss it later," the emperor said with a wave of his hand.

The two ministers had no choice but to rise and take their leave. There was one more person in the hall—the eldest prince was standing off to the side, clearly representing the Ministry of Revenue.

Ying Fusheng slightly lowered his eyes. Memorials were scattered across the desk.

Compared to the Minister of War's embarrassment, the Minister of Works, Zhou Bingjun, looked much more at ease. The military funds case involved multiple departments, and the Ministry of Works had performed exceptionally well during this time, which naturally made a better impression on the emperor. Recently, the crown prince had been behaving obediently, and the Xu family had been cautious. This show of weakness, along with the Minister of Works' recommendation, likely meant the emperor now had a list of candidates on his desk for Vice Minister of War.

Hu Shi and her daughter had not died, and the person behind the scenes could not get a grip on Hu Buyu, so they became anxious.

To influence the emperor's thoughts, you had to rack up political achievements... The so-called Lord Xu recommended by the Minister of Works was actually a disciple of the Xu family. At a time when the position was vacant, the emperor had his own candidates, and others in the court also had theirs. Thus, the choice of Vice Minister of War became difficult.

The emperor looked over. Ying Fusheng was about to bow and pay his respects, but the emperor slightly waved his hand and said, "You are not well; no need to bow. Come closer."

Since the palace banquet and the Wenhua Hall incident, Ying Fusheng had rarely been this close to him. He moved forward a step or two but kept a proper distance.

The emperor noticed this small gesture and said, "Why not come closer?"

Ying Fusheng paused slightly, then took a few steps closer. In his previous life, he'd had almost no chance to meet the Emperor. The one time he did, he was banished to the Cold Palace. Now meeting him again, he was unsure how close to stand.

The Great Prince, standing nearby, observed Ying Fusheng’s demeanor and remarked, “Sixth Brother appears shaken, maybe he hasn’t yet recovered.”

Hearing this, the Emperor asked, “Were you frightened by the assassination attempt the other day?”

Ying Fusheng’s hand, hidden in his sleeve, tightened slightly—this was a test about the incident at the Temple of National Protection. It wasn’t the first time. Earlier, when the Crown Prince had been punished, his father had summoned him to Wenhua Hall, probing his stance and that of the Shen family. Now, with the Temple incident surfacing, the Emperor, whose personal guard—the Brocade Guard—had fully investigated the attack on Hu Shi and her daughter, knew all the details. But Ying Fusheng’s appearance at that location was too coincidental, even though he had used the Eighth Prince.

Today, with officials present, he was summoned to witness all of this.

His imperial father was growing suspicious. Too many coincidences led him to doubt not a mere ten-year-old child, but the forces behind him.

The Emperor glanced at Ying Fusheng, his eyes probing. Yet Ying Fusheng stood there, pale-faced, not responding for a long moment, the bandage still wrapped around his neck, as if terrified by the Emperor's mention of the Temple, as if haunted by a nightmare.

“Your Highness?” Eunuch Rong prompted.

Ying Fusheng seemed to snap back to reality, steadying his voice as best he could: “I am not afraid. That night, it was my imperial brother who saved me. Without him, I... I...”

The Great Prince soothed him: “Don't worry, those villains have been executed.”

The Emperor grasped Ying Fusheng’s hand and noticed bruises on his arm, from getting knocked around. Much of the doubt in his eyes faded. He also noticed Ying Fusheng’s slender wrists. Gradually calming, Ying Fusheng hesitated for a moment, then asked, “That day I ran in a panic, and a woman saved me... Is she well?”

“Sixth Brother must mean Madam Hu. She is fine, already resting at home,” the Great Prince said.

Ying Fusheng nodded, still standing as if shaken.

The incident at the Temple seemed to have brought his inner fears to the surface.

The Emperor noticed his gaze lingering on the desk, where a small jade qilin lay. “Do you like it?”

Ying Fusheng came to his senses and shook his head.

The Emperor asked, and he answered, each time briefly.

Looking closely, the Emperor found the child seemingly modest and polite, but rather absent-minded in many matters. Upon entering the hall, he couldn’t stop glancing around; when questioned, he would avert his eyes, a somewhat timid character. But then again, even the Eighth Prince, his younger brother, was more worldly, while this one’s trip to the Temple acted like he'd never seen anything.

“If you like it, take it,” the Emperor said, handing it to him.

Ying Fusheng seemed flustered, accepting the smooth jade ornament from the Emperor’s hand.

“You are close with that Shen boy. Let him guide you—don’t stay cooped up in the palace all day,” the Emperor said.

Ying Fusheng replied, “Yes.”

The Emperor had no more questions and waved his hand. “Escort the Sixth Prince back.”

As Ying Fusheng turned to leave, he kept the Great Prince in the corner of his eye, who returned a gentle smile. Only then did he seem to compose himself and follow the eunuch out.

“Sixth Brother has been stuck in the palace for too long. The Temple visit truly frightened him,” the Great Prince remarked.

The attendants hurriedly escorted Ying Fusheng back. The Emperor’s expression softened as he looked at the capable Great Prince beside him: “You have done well in the Ministry of Revenue, and thanks to your handling of the Temple incident as well. Your younger brother is frail; you should look after him more at times.”

“I hear you took care of Madam Hu and her daughter. Well done,” the Emperor praised. “Hu Buyu was indeed summoned by me, but I never expected someone would be daring enough to harm him. It was thanks to your quick action—though mobilizing the Imperial Guard was rash, you handled the matter well.”

The Great Prince had been anxious to bring up Hu Buyu’s situation, and now, thanks to his sixth brother, his father had mentioned it. Before he could deliberate, the Emperor continued: “Hu Buyu had already solved many headaches for me in Anlong. His wife’s health is poor, and Anlong is not ideal for recovery. I intended to summon him and his family to the capital, but they were caught up in the assassination attempt.”

Hearing this, the Great Prince was thrilled. Never had his father spoken so candidly about state affairs with him. Suppressing his excitement, he asked, “Father, do you have any concerns?”

The Emperor shot him a sharp glance, which quickly softened. “You are quite observant.”

“It is my duty to share your worries,” the Great Prince said, watching the Emperor’s reaction closely. To his surprise, his father let this tone slide. “Could it be about the position of Vice Minister of War?”

The Emperor looked at him with keen interest. “So, you also have someone in mind?”

This inquiry made the Great Prince restrain his eagerness. The Ministry of War had always been his target, but previously it had been like a fortress. When Shen Changcun was finally removed, leaving such a crucial vacancy, the Xu family sought to promote their protégé. He, too, had his own candidate.

The person they originally intended to push into the Ministry of War could not match the Xu family’s political track record, especially since, after the Crown Prince was punished, his father had subtly leaned toward the Xu family... Rather than fight the Xu family to a ruinous fight, it would be better to win over his father’s preferred candidate.

The Great Prince pretended to think it over and finally said, “In my humble opinion, the military pay case implicates many court officials. Instead of promoting Lord Xu, I think it would be more suitable to bring someone in from outside the capital...”

...

Outside the Qianqing Palace, the atmosphere was heavy. As Ying Fusheng walked a certain distance away, the timidity and fear on his face gradually faded. The jade ornament in his hand was warm to the touch.

Even after leaving the hall, a bit of warmth still lingered.

Ying Fusheng looked down, put away the ornament, and his peripheral vision caught the bruises on his arm. He was grateful that this body bruised easily from bumps—otherwise, as a prince who couldn't even defend himself against assassins, being too clean would have seemed strange.

Next time he performed such a role, he needed to be more careful. Even as a child, he could still become the object of his father’s suspicions.

He touched the side of his neck. He had to thank Qi Hanzhou for that cut—if not for it, doubts would certainly have arisen.

Song An was waiting outside. Seeing his prince emerge, he hastened to attend to him. Ying Fusheng turned his head, looking in another direction, and spotted a figure in official robes far away.

Outside the Qianqing Palace, Hu Buyu, as if sensing something, glanced in that direction and saw a plain-colored figure passing by in the distance.

He had seen the palanquin outside; it was a prince.

“Lord Hu, His Majesty summons you.”