He pointed at Chao Yan and said through gritted teeth, “Were you deliberately trying to make me angry so you could take advantage of me?”
Chao Yan smiled. “No.” His eyes curved pleasantly as he smiled. “I simply misspoke, that’s all.”
Gu Yun looked straight at him. After watching him for a moment, he said coldly, “You’re lying. May you spend the rest of your life nursing a weak stomach.”
Chao Yan remained as calm as still water. “Can we sit down and talk properly?”
Gu Yun frowned, gave him a once-over, pulled over a chair, and sat beside the bed. “Fine.”
Chao Yan sat on the edge of the bed, closing the distance between them, and murmured something in a low voice.
Gu Yun did not catch it. Leaning closer, he said, “Say that again.”
Something warm brushed against his ear. The other man had kissed him.
Gu Yun: “……”
In the bright daylight, the young man’s sharp, striking features seemed especially vibrant and full of life.
His fingers cupped Gu Yun’s face. A trace of a smile lingered at the corners of his lips, and his voice flowed like a gentle stream, soft and unhurried.
“A-Yun is very clever.”
He rested his forehead against Gu Yun’s. “Well? Would you like a reward? Perhaps a kiss?”
Gu Yun: “……” Bloody cur.
Gu Yun shoved the Crown Prince away and left without looking back.
The Crown Prince fell back onto the bed and tilted his head, watching the elaborate lotus-pink skirt sweep across the threshold. The light footsteps gradually faded with time until, at last, even against the sable-lined quilt spread over the bed, they could no longer be heard.
He had left completely.
Chao Yan draped an arm across his eyes, a low sound escaping his throat, like incoherent murmuring in a dream.
Within the bedchamber, the agarwood chips in the ceramic incense burner slowly released their fragrance under the heat. A sweet, cool scent filled the room. The golden floor tiles had long since been warmed by the underfloor heating. The plain gauze curtains had been gathered into a bundle and hung straight down.
Daylight streamed boldly through the windows and fell upon Chao Yan on the bed.
He propped himself up, raised an arm, and unhooked the tie securing the curtains. The plain gauze drifted open like flowing water, enclosing the bed. The thin fabric dimmed some of the light.
Chao Yan narrowed his eyes. It was still rather bright.
He pulled the warm quilt over himself, bent one leg, and reached a hand beneath it. The snow-white, soft hem of his robes hung down, folding into ripples like waves.
He turned his face into the bedding and breathed lightly. The other hand, exposed to the air, clenched tightly. The force made his knuckles protrude sharply and pale. Veins rose across the back of his hand, twisting like the roots of an ancient tree all the way beneath his sleeve.
The trailing edge of the curtain brushed the floor, gradually warming.
He eventually rose and changed his clothes. His phoenix eyes drooped lazily as he watched the warm water cover his wrists while he cleaned himself unhurriedly and meticulously.
After changing the water twice, he finally finished washing his hands. Taking a cloth from the side, he dried away the moisture.
His palm, lined with clearly defined creases, was utterly different from that person’s soft, jade-like hand.
The latter was undoubtedly more pleasant.
Chao Yan set aside what he was holding, left the bedchamber, and entered the outer hall.
The hall doors were shut tightly, leaving not the slightest gap for light to enter, yet the latticework of the doors and windows was translucent. Through them, every corner remained brightly lit.
He took a seat in the place of honour and gently pressed at his brow.
“Zhao He.”
“Your Highness.”
Zhao He had been standing outside the hall. Upon hearing his voice, he snatched the hangover remedy from a personal eunuch, knocked on the door, and entered.
He eagerly placed the bowl beside Chao Yan.
The remedy was only warm now. Had it not been kept hot in a padded food container, it would have gone cold in such weather.
Chao Yan accepted the bowl and took a sip.
The taste was wrong.
Turning his head, he spat it out, pressed down the spoon, and looked at Zhao He.
A chill immediately crawled up Zhao He’s spine.
He hurriedly explained, “Your Highness Consort instructed the kitchens to add a few medicinal herbs to reduce internal heat while preparing it. We consulted the Imperial Physician first. The ingredients are not incompatible.”
Chao Yan smiled.
The wine he had drunk earlier had already eased much of his restlessness. After finishing the bowl, a cooling sensation spread right through him.
“How are things in the Eastern Garden?”
Zhao He collected the bowl and spoon and lowered his voice.
“The Eighth Prince has yet to wake. They say His Majesty is extremely angry. His Majesty’s mood had improved somewhat when Your Highness left. I suspect he managed to pry something else out of the Eighth Prince afterwards.”
Chao Yan tapped the table and considered this for a moment. Then he rose and headed outside.
“Take out all the account books relating to properties purchased under the name of the Eastern Palace and under my own name. Place them all in the bookcase of the main hall study. Make sure no one else notices.”
Zhao He immediately followed after him. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Chao Yan added, “Prepare a list of the impoverished students we have sponsored.”
“Yes.”
“Go and see to it.”
With that, Chao Yan casually threw a crane cloak over his shoulders and left the bedchamber.
The weather outside was bitterly cold. The old trees stood bare, and snow covered everything around them.
After taking a few steps, his pace gradually became unsteady, revealing traces of drunkenness and a pounding headache.
Li Lan and the others had been waiting outside. Seeing this, they hurried forward to support him.
Chao Yan asked, “Where is Vice Commissioner Hua?”
The Vice Commissioner Hua he referred to was Hua Que, the Emperor’s appointed commander responsible for his protection.
Li Lan replied, “Commander Liu is currently catching up with him.”
Hua Que himself had no idea what old acquaintanceship Commander Liu was supposedly reminiscing about. He had never met the man before.
Expressionless, he looked at Commander Liu.
Commander Liu said, “I am the palace attendant sent by His Majesty to supervise the Crown Prince, and you were sent by His Majesty to protect him. We’re on the same side. If we exchange information, our duties become much easier. Vice Commissioner Hua, wouldn’t you agree?”
Hua Que thought to himself: No wonder His Majesty sent you to monitor every move the Crown Prince makes. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, you’ll probably be the first person he has executed.
Unaware of Hua Que’s thoughts, Commander Liu continued prattling on.
Hua Que was thoroughly fed up and was already searching for an excuse to leave when Li Lan arrived, informing him that His Highness was heading to the Ministry of Justice on official business and requesting Vice Commissioner Hua’s escort.
Commander Liu interjected, “Has His Highness sobered up?”
Li Lan shot him a glance. “His Highness still has many matters to attend to.”
“Don’t keep His Highness waiting,” Hua Que said.
Unable to leave quickly enough, he departed with Li Lan.
Commander Liu watched them disappear into the distance. Standing where he was, he squeezed the handle of his whisk before heading towards the side hall of Chunhe Palace.
Chao Yan and his attendants made their way slowly to the Ministry of Justice.
The officials there noticed that something was off about him and all stepped forward to offer their greetings and inquire after his health.
Chao Yan merely said that he was fine and proceeded directly to his office. Once there, he dismissed everyone inside.
The moment they were gone, he returned to normal.
Opening a drawer, he removed several sealed case files, broke the seals, and summarised the findings. Folding the papers neatly, he slipped them into his sleeve.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Garden.
The Emperor sat upon the palace steps, which had been padded with cushions. His expression was dark and gloomy.
Grand Eunuch Huang and the others knelt on either side of him with their heads lowered.
After sitting in silence for some time, the Emperor spoke quietly. “So this is my retribution?”
Grand Eunuch Huang was greatly alarmed. “Your Majesty, why would you say such a thing?”
Though he asked the question, he knew perfectly well why the Emperor had spoken those words.
The Emperor had seen the Eighth Prince, Chao Yao, harm his own brothers and had inevitably been reminded of his younger self, who had resorted to every means imaginable to seize the throne.
Fear had taken root in his heart. He believed Heaven was now punishing him.
When people reach old age, they often begin believing in all manner of things.
Besides, this Emperor valued family ties and descendants even more than the Emperors before him.
Grand Eunuch Huang said, “Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler beneath the heavens. Whatever Your Majesty does is right. Some people fail to understand the current state of affairs and therefore make baseless accusations, claiming Your Majesty was wrong.”
The Emperor sighed.
“Your Majesty,” Grand Eunuch Huang continued, “your health is not robust. Please don’t remain seated outside and risk catching a chill.”
As he spoke, he shuffled forward on his knees and offered over a hand warmer.
The Emperor accepted it and warmed his hands before finally rising.
As he walked back into the hall, he said, “I need to think carefully about how to deal with this. Too severe is no good, but too lenient is no good either.”
Grand Eunuch Huang rose as well and attempted to follow. The moment he did, pain shot through his knees, causing him to stagger and fall. Kneeling for so long in the depths of winter was truly unbearable.
The Emperor laughed. “You’re getting old.”
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Grand Eunuch Huang accepted his apprentice’s help and struggled back to his feet.
Smiling, he said, “No matter how old this servant grows, I shall still remain by Your Majesty’s side.”
…
Gu Yun sorted through the seeds.
The seeds he had requested from Chao Yan were cold-resistant grain varieties, along with sweet potatoes and potatoes.
The seeds Chao Yan’s people delivered were Iron-Stem Wheat, Garrison Wheat, Snow-Standing Wheat, and Tartar Wheat.
There were no sweet potatoes or potatoes. The accompanying note explained why.
The time had been too short. No one knew where to find these two unfamiliar crops. Searches were already underway, and should they be located, they would be delivered immediately.
Gu Yun was not particularly concerned.
His gaze shifted to the latter half of the note, which detailed the characteristics of the wheat varieties, the regions where they were cultivated, and their planting methods.
He copied everything down in preparation for improving the wheat strains.
His ideas on crop improvement were nowhere near as clear as his understanding of firearms manufacturing.
After all, he had never personally improved wheat before, whereas he had built firearms before and had done so successfully.
Still, he was not worried.
Though he lacked practical experience with wheat, he had read extensively on the subject. He had also assisted his grandfather and participated in the improvement of other crop varieties.
If only Grandad had transmigrated here too. He’s the real expert in this field…
Bah, what nonsense am I thinking?
At his age, if Grandad really transmigrated here, wouldn’t I be tormenting him to death?
What an unfilial thought.
Resting his chin on one hand, Gu Yun squatted beside the charcoal brazier, holding the note that had come with the bundle and feeding it into the flames.
The bright tongues of fire had only just begun licking at the paper when he heard that Chao Yan had already risen and gone to attend official business.
His thoughts stirred.
He was just about to ask whether Chao Yan had actually drunk the hangover remedy when Commander Liu arrived uninvited.
As a palace attendant, Commander Liu was permitted access to the Crown Prince’s inner quarters.
Moreover, backed by the Emperor himself, there was virtually nowhere in the Eastern Palace he could not enter.
Gu Yun knew of Commander Liu well enough.
Zhang Zhangshe, Zhao He, and the others mentioned him often.
According to them, Commander Liu was a first-rate troublemaker.
It would have been difficult for Gu Yun not to remember him.
Gu Yun poked the burning note deeper into the brazier, instructed someone to store the seeds away properly, and then led his attendants to the main hall.
Commander Liu was already there.
Gu Yun invited him to sit and politely asked the purpose of his visit.
Commander Liu said, “Has Your Highness Consort heard that His Highness has already left the Eastern Palace to attend to official business?”
Gu Yun looked puzzled. “I’ve heard. What of it?”
“Why did Your Highness Consort not try to dissuade him? His Highness has yet to recover fully. What if he exhausts himself and damages his health?”
Gu Yun understood immediately. The man had come to criticise him.
“Please do not take offence at my words, Your Highness Consort,” Commander Liu continued. “I am merely worried about His Highness.”
“Oh.”
Commander Liu: “?”
That’s it?
He stared fixedly at Gu Yun.
Gu Yun squeezed out a few tears and said mournfully, “His Highness would not even allow me to ease his discomfort. His heart is entirely occupied with affairs of state. How could he possibly heed my advice?”
Then he looked at Commander Liu.
“Commander Liu, you serve His Majesty. Have you ever advised His Highness? If you were to do so, he would surely listen. After all, your views represent His Majesty’s views.”
Commander Liu’s expression changed dramatically.
“Your Highness Consort, please mind your words. How could my views possibly represent His Majesty’s?”
Gu Yun replied, “You are one of the people His Majesty sent to the Eastern Palace. Does not your every word and action represent His Majesty?”
Commander Liu’s face immediately turned pale.
