Chapter 94

Chapter 94

The people crowding around Ying Fusheng were driven away by the furious imperial physician, looking back every few steps as they left. The courtyard buzzed with noise, and Ying Fusheng looked down at the peace charm thrust into his hand—a light object, yet it felt inexplicably heavy.

This kind of liveliness differed from that of Cining Palace—noisy, chaotic, and lacking in decorum.

More than mere profit… Ying Fusheng pinched the charm. Without a word, he tucked away the sachet given by Vice Prefect Xu.

Qi Hanzhou lowered his head to watch the subtle movements. The youth, wrapped in a thick coat, was a beat slower as he stored the sachet into his sleeve.

As the physicians herded the people outside the door, Qi Hanzhou kept his gaze fixed on them until the boisterous crowd left the small courtyard, which gradually fell silent. He didn’t wheel Ying Fusheng far away; usually, the physicians shielded him from meeting anyone. Old Wu, however, did the opposite—besides making him bask in the sun daily, he also let him get some fresh air.

“It’s just…” Ying Fusheng murmured.

Qi Hanzhou looked down at him. “Just what?”

“I said these people are strange. If I were them, I’d be thinking about how to secure my own position right now,” Ying Fusheng said. “Having spent years in officialdom, they should see the imperial court and Jiangnan eyeing them covetously. Everyone wants Jiangling. They could easily frame someone, stir up internal strife in the prefectural office, and turn their current merits into crimes…”

Qi Hanzhou said, “Because they know you’re different.”

As the commotion subsided, Ying Fusheng unconsciously looked toward him, frowning slightly.

He actually didn’t like the wind—the biting cold of winter. In his previous life, the dilapidated place in the Cold Palace was overgrown with weeds, and Consort Ning often sent people to watch him. Back then, what Qi Hanzhou could do was arrange a few comfortable spots in the hall, but cold winds still seeped in, and the charcoal in the hall never burned warm enough.

In truth, before meeting Qi Hanzhou, he and Song An had an even harder time.

Thinking of this, Ying Fusheng suddenly froze… He couldn’t quite recall how he had met Qi Hanzhou in his previous life. It seemed that one day he just appeared by his side. He remembered much and little about that life—fragmented memories—but today, for some reason, he felt an urgent urge to recollect.

Qi Hanzhou noticed his frown. “Uncomfortable?”

Ying Fusheng snapped back to reality as a hand gently pressed against his forehead—it was Qi Hanzhou.

“No fever.” He smiled. “I was just thinking that I’ve never sat with you so openly before.”

One was a prince, the other a close minister to the emperor.

Meetings in the palace required climbing walls; meeting outside meant avoiding outsiders at all costs.

But now, he could sit openly with Qi Hanzhou here—a feeling he had never experienced, from his past life to the present.

For just a moment, he felt transported back to the quiet days in Cining Palace. This kind of peace and calm was something he had never imagined.

Ying Fusheng was dressed warmly, his sleeves slightly gathered. He said, “The Qi family is the sword of Imperial Power. Once you return to the capital, I fear there will be no lack of trouble.”

“You’re worried about me?” Qi Hanzhou asked.

Ying Fusheng answered without hesitation, “Naturally, I’m worried. The Junior General is both my pillar and ally—how could I not be?”

Qi Hanzhou saw that he looked no different from usual, and suddenly remembered the dependency he had shown while unconscious. Once awake, his defenses were solid as ever, no trace of his sickly temperament. It had been the same for years—the moment he was in front of others, he put on this facade, polite and courteous.

Ying Fusheng noticed Qi Hanzhou’s silence and frowned slightly. What was wrong with Qi Hanzhou now? Could something have happened during his coma?

He carefully considered the events in Jiangling. Apart from not revealing the plan ahead of time, he had hidden nothing from Qi Hanzhou. Since they both had reasons to stay in Jiangnan, why was this man still acting this way? He could only think of possible omissions during his unconscious period and decided to ask Song An about it later.

Suddenly, Qi Hanzhou’s thumb and forefinger pressed against his brow, gently smoothing out his furrowed forehead.

“You don’t need to guess about other things,” Qi Hanzhou said, withdrawing his hand.

This abrupt move startled Ying Fusheng. Footsteps approached from not far away—it was Song An and the imperial physician. Qi Hanzhou stood up, exchanging a glance with the Light Garment Guard up high. “I still have matters to attend to. Your Highness, rest well.”

“The Junior General came every day while Your Highness was ill. He administered Your Highness’s medicine,” Song An said. “Many times, the Junior General stayed without leaving. The physicians all said that Junior General Qi standing there warded off evil and cleansed bad luck.”

Ying Fusheng paused slightly upon hearing about the medicine administration during his illness. He realized something: “I didn’t say anything, did I?”

Song An explained, “Your Highness had nightmares while ill and spoke nonsense. Every time, you called the Junior General by his given name.”

Calling him by name… he was used to it.

No wonder he said those strange things.

Song An added, “Rest assured, those who served you during your illness were all trustworthy. Your private friendship with the Junior General won’t be exposed.”

Ying Fusheng’s gaze dropped slightly. He touched his brow—the spot where Qi Hanzhou had pressed was warm and hot.

The man had come and gone like the wind, already out of sight.

Friends?

…

The imperial envoy from the court could not stay long in Jiangling. The Jiangnan officialdom’s attempt to plant spies in the Jiangling Prefecture failed. The day after the court hearing, Weng Yanqing had already drafted a list of officials for the Jiangling Prefecture and presented it to Ying Fusheng for review.

The position of Jiangling Prefect was crucial; it remained vacant because Prince Yan was temporarily handling affairs. As for other officials, Vice Prefect Xu continued in his role as vice prefect, while others were promoted or demoted according to merit. In the end, the corrupt officials from Jiangling Prefecture were taken away by the court, and those who remained were the ones who had followed Ying Fusheng in handling the Jiangling flood.

After Ying Fusheng approved it, he presented this new list to the Minister of Personnel for review before Meng Jinyuan set off back to the capital.

Seeing the vacant prefect’s post at the top, Meng Jinyuan knew that this Sixth Prince had grasped the emperor’s intentions to perfection.

After all, Prince Yan was only acting in the role, and Jiangling was not a true fief. Leaving the Jiangling prefect’s position empty meant that the emperor could at any time dispatch someone from the court to fill it—a gesture of readiness to yield power at any time.

“Will the court send someone?” a subordinate asked.

Meng Jinyuan put away the list, knowing that once it reached the court, it would only have one outcome. “No.”

That was precisely why Prince Yan had the audacity to leave the position vacant.

When the court officials departed, some of those who had accompanied Ying Fusheng to Jiangnan returned with them. Those who stayed were mostly from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War. The emperor recalled some and left others, clearly aware that the Sixth Prince had supporters behind him. Under such circumstances, leaving people with the Sixth Prince was not just an act of favor and grace but also carried other intentions.

Ying Fusheng watched Meng Jinyuan and the others leave. Qi Hanzhou had already sent the Embroidered Uniform Guard to escort them secretly.

“The court needs a pair of eyes in Jiangnan and Western Shu. The commander-in-chief is currently missing, and Commander Qi won’t return to the capital.” Ying Fusheng said, looking at Qi Hanzhou. “So I have to show my stance, don’t I?”

Leaving the prefect’s post vacant meant that Jiangling belonged to the imperial family—it was the emperor’s eyes and ears in the south. This was a gesture of goodwill.

Qi Hanzhou listened as he changed his titles several times a day. “In a few days, I’ll go to Jiangnan.”

Ying Fusheng frowned. “Any news?”

“There are some things I still need to investigate.” Qi Hanzhou saw his interest pique. “You stay in Jiangling. I’ll send word if anything comes up. I’ll leave a Light Garment Guard with you. If anything happens, I’ll return immediately.”

He let out a faint whistle, and a falcon descended from above. Once released, it landed quietly on Ying Fusheng’s wheelchair.

Ying Fusheng paused.

The falcon almost ingratiatingly rubbed against him.

“It’s been trained. It won’t bite you.” Qi Hanzhou turned to leave.

“Qi Hanzhou,” Ying Fusheng suddenly called out.

Qi Hanzhou paused mid-step and turned around.

Ying Fusheng leaned back in his wheelchair and said calmly, "Leave early and come back early."

The next day, Qi Hanzhou left with his men.

Ying Fusheng had thought that with him gone, he'd be relieved, but unexpectedly, once winter arrived, Wu Lao grew even more attentive to his health. Chen Xuqiu was drawing out the poison while Ying Fusheng recovered, and even Doctor Chen from Jiangnan was summoned by Chen Xuqiu. Three physicians, plus an imperial doctor, and the people Qi Hanzhou had left behind.

Weng Yanqing handled everything efficiently every time, reporting to him while he ate, while Vice Prefect Xu and the others worked tirelessly.

Jiangling bore the burden of refugees from nearby prefectures and counties; some stayed in Jiangling to settle, while others followed Wang Guanzhi to continue repairing the dams. Jiangling had ample funds and grain, and after winter began, they reduced the people's tax burdens and registered the refugees into the household system... The Jiangling government handled everything thoroughly, and even Ying Fusheng was somewhat surprised as he listened to Weng Yanqing's reports.

Thanks to Jiangling's orderly management, when the severe cold of this winter arrived, the city held up. The southern frontier, Jiangnan, West Shu, and other areas had long suffered from heavy snow disasters; floods followed by heavy snow would normally have been a year of calamity, but not this year. The reputation of the Jiangling government and Prince Yan spread through the southern regions during this winter month, their names becoming known everywhere.

Qi Hanzhou returned once during this time, bringing news from Jiangnan.

He only stayed for two days, speaking little, always just watching by his side as he drank his medicine.

The Imperial Guard had a lot on their plate, and during this period, Qi Hanzhou also returned to the capital, bringing secret letters from Hu Buyu and others.

The matter in Jiangnan seemed more complicated than anticipated; he could not stay long and left again shortly after.

When the New Year arrived, Ying Fusheng turned sixteen.

The Empress Dowager’s letters came twice, each time asking about his health. Fearing she would worry, he only reported the good news.

Among the items sent with the letters were several sachets—some were special prayer sachets from the Huguo Temple, while others were mixed with medicinal herbs. Wu Lao, during one pulse examination, caught the scent of the herbs and said, "Whoever sent you these knows what they're doing; they soothe the mind and calm the spirit. You should wear them often."

Ying Fusheng held the sachet, smelling the fresh medicinal fragrance, but said nothing.

However, when sending his reply to the Empress Dowager, he added a few more things.

Ordered to rest and recover, he did not appear in public for the entire winter month, which only solidified the earlier rumors that he'd die young. Among the people, there were also whispers that Prince Yan was frail in health.

But during this time, news from the court arrived: the eldest prince took on a task, and the third prince went up north to gain experience. Meng Jinyuan brought Prefect Liu and others back to the capital, handing them over to the Dali Court for trial. Once in the capital, the case fell under the Imperial Guard, and the Xiao family passed along news that the emperor was looking into the Jiangnan case files.

Xiao Yan was a clever man. By sending this news, he indicated that the emperor had found something in Prefect Liu’s case and was preparing to take action in Jiangnan.

After the New Year, Ying Fusheng’s health improved, but to keep up appearances, he still used the wheelchair.

After two months of effort, Censor Xiao submitted a dossier from the Jiangnan local authorities. Ying Fusheng had Weng Yanqing organize them. Now that Jiangling had stabilized, things were strangely tense between the Jiangnan officials and the court. The second prince in the capital was unusually quiet, and the Ministry of Personnel didn't make a move.

"Censor Xiao said that about the three prefectures..." Weng Yanqing trailed off mid-sentence.

Just then, a faint noise came from outside, followed by a figure entering through the window. Upon seeing Ying Fusheng, he knelt and saluted: "Your Highness!"

The newcomer was Light Garment Guard Ye Xuanqi.

Weng Yanqing was startled, seeing two more people land behind him. "You all..."

Ying Fusheng smelled a hint of blood; several Light Garment Guards were wounded.

He had a bad feeling as Ye Xuanqi began to speak—

"The Young General's letter was intercepted on the way. By the time our men arrived, they only found this—"

The Light Garment Guards entered, all bearing injuries. Ye Xuanqi held out a blood-soaked falcon from the Qi family; it had an arrow in its abdomen and was barely alive. Most importantly, the letter tube on its hind claw had been opened, and it was empty.

"A few days ago, the messenger falcon arrived half a day late. We sensed something was off and followed its trail." Ye Xuanqi continued calmly. "This falcon only delivers secret messages—it is an internal Imperial Guard communication channel. The Qi family's falcons are all specially trained and very difficult to intercept, unless someone has the right whistle call."

When Ye Xuanqi reached this point, Ying Fusheng realized the severity of the situation.

The letter had been intercepted, and the whistle call was compromised.

"What about Qi Hanzhou?" Ying Fusheng's eyes narrowed.

Ye Xuanqi's expression grew grave. "Three days ago, the Young General stopped responding."