The Prince of Ji had never heard of his son’s illness, but he knew for certain that his own consort’s ailment had indeed been cured by the second daughter of the Mu family.
Though she had refused any payment when she came to treat the consort, claiming it was to repay his son’s kindness. From this, it was clear that the relationship between his son and the second young lady of the Mu family was far from ordinary. Yet, his son never mentioned her, instead speaking of the eccentric young lord who had recently arrived at their estate.
This left the Prince of Ji utterly perplexed. With the Emperor present, he couldn’t press further, so he simply clasped his hands in agreement. As father and son left the palace, the prince couldn’t help but gaze at his beloved son riding beside him, his eyes filled with concern over what they had just heard.
“Ye’er, when did you fall seriously ill? Why didn’t you tell me?”
The thought that his son had been ill without his knowledge gnawed at him, and the prince couldn’t suppress his frustration.
“It was nothing serious. Just a minor incident while I was out—a scuffle where I was caught off guard by a sneak attack. But I’m much better now, Father. Don’t worry.”
Cold Mingye knew that aside from Qingfeng, Baiyu, and a few others, no one had been aware of his poisoning. Even when his younger brother had once visited during an episode, he had Baiyu send him away.
As for his chronic ailment, he himself didn’t even know when it had started. Baiyu had told him that the girl had saved him during one of his episodes, though she had instructed them not to reveal it to him. Hearing that he had been poisoned left him baffled—how and when had it happened?
Still lost in thought about who might have poisoned him and the Emperor’s strange behavior, Cold Mingye forced a calm smile to reassure his father.
“Young man, even Hao’er and the Emperor knew, yet you hid it from your own father. Thank the heavens you’re alright, otherwise I—”
Though he didn’t know what trouble his son had gotten into, the prince knew his martial skills were exceptional, and his four retainers were no ordinary men. Yet, his son had still been injured.
The fact that the Emperor and his younger brother knew while he had been kept in the dark made the prince look at his son with a mix of reproach and worry.
“It’s all in the past, Father. Just relax. Look at me—I’m perfectly fine now. Let’s return and consult Master Liu to see if he’s willing to enter the palace for the Emperor… Though I wonder why the Emperor suddenly needs a skilled physician. Could the Empress Dowager’s condition have worsened beyond his control?”
Seeing his father’s lingering displeasure, Cold Mingye sighed inwardly. His father had been an unremarkable prince in his youth, but he had devoted himself to raising his son with care. Without his father’s guidance, he wouldn’t be where he was today.
His father had always been kind and attentive to him, unlike his younger brother, whom he rarely disciplined—only scolding or reprimanding when they met.
Though he didn’t understand why his father favored him so, Cold Mingye softened his tone to ease his worries. As his father’s expression finally relaxed, he turned to the matter at hand.
“Father, do you have any idea why the Emperor summoned us so urgently today? Could it be related to the Empress Dowager’s recent relapse?”
“I’m not sure either. The Empress Dowager’s condition is chronic, so it shouldn’t be serious. If it were, the Grand Princess would have rushed to the palace by now. There’s been no word of it.”
The prince shook his head, equally puzzled, but offered a reasonable explanation.
“That’s true. Given the Grand Princess’s close relationship with the Empress Dowager, she’d be the first to visit if anything were amiss. But there’s been no news at all. Could the Emperor himself need a physician?”
Cold Mingye nodded, considering the possibility.
“Enough speculation. As subjects, we shouldn’t presume the Emperor’s intentions. Let’s return and discuss this with Master Liu before deciding anything.”
The prince sighed, and the two continued their ride in silence.
After a while, the prince glanced at his son—his handsome, unruly features so like his own, yet exuding a quiet, unyielding arrogance. The sight filled him with pride.
His own life had been unremarkable, but his son was his greatest achievement. Remembering their duty, he hesitantly broached another topic.
“Ye’er, what if Master Liu refuses to serve the Emperor? I actually know someone else—why not recommend the second young lady of the Mu family?”
At the mention of her, Cold Mingye’s expression shifted imperceptibly. Ever since their encounter outside the city, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she resembled someone familiar—someone he could hardly believe.
Though their interactions had been fraught with tension, and he had deliberately kept his distance, he had still followed her secretly when she returned to the city.
Now, hearing his father bring her up, he suddenly felt an urge to see her again.
“Her? She’s even more stubborn. She only treats those she favors. Even if the Emperor himself begged, she might refuse. I just remembered—I have something to attend to. You go ahead, Father. I’ll return shortly, and we can meet with Master Liu together.”
With a dismissive wave, he spurred his horse and rode off before his father could protest.
The prince sighed, watching his son disappear. Though frustrated by his indifference to marriage and personal matters, he knew pressing further was futile.
Meanwhile, Cold Mingye dismounted near the Mu residence and, avoiding attention, slipped unseen toward the back gate.
In the Bamboo Fragrance Courtyard, Wanqing was pacing restlessly, her steps still unsteady but her complexion much improved. Beside her, the ever-watchful Honglian hovered like a shadow, ready to steady her at any moment.
Exasperated, Wanqing sat down in a nearby pavilion.
“Honglian, must you follow me so closely? I’m exhausted just watching you. A little internal injury isn’t the end of the world—walking helps recovery, doesn’t it? Honestly, whose side are you on—mine or Prince Ning’s?”
Her tone was playful but firm, and Honglian could only smile sheepishly in response.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage