Unedited
“With me here, you will not die!” Mo Ruo had assured him countless of times with the same words.
Jing Xian smiled faintly. He closed the lid and placed the box beside him. Then, he lifted his heavy eyelids and looked out of the window. In a weak voice, he said, “Mo Ruo, my life and death is beyond your control. After imperial mother passed away 14 years ago, I’ve been shut behind these palace walls. As days turn into years, I am nothing but a puppet, a show for everyone to see, fuelled only by medicine. Even a single step out of this palace, and countless eyes pierced through me, staring at my every move. Up to this day, I can’t say that living is a torment, but it has become quite tiring.”
‘How bleak!’ For 14 years, he was confined inside this ruined palace hall. In crude words, Qi Zhen Emperor imprisoned him in this place for life. Even if the crown prince ascend to the throne later, he have to remain here, destined to never leave this cage.
Mo Ruo grabbed his arm and said in earnest, “Wait until I cure your illness, then the emperor will have no reason to keep you here.”
“Will there be a day when I am healthy?”
“There will. I must believe me!”
“Mo Ruo, thank you.” Jing Xian’s pale lips stretched into a grateful smile.
“I owned your imperial mother, so helping you is a must. Besides, before my father died, he did make it clear that I must find a way to cure you. Since that old man entrusted me with such heavy responsibility, I cannot let him be unable to rest at peace in the underworld.”
‘What a filial son!’
Although Mo Ruo was sloppy and had a penchant for wine and beauty, the words he spoke were always truthful, not to mention that this task was handed over to him by his deceased father. “To sum it, take care of yourself, and don’t concern yourself with other thoughts.”
“I know.” Jing Xian promised. Then, he asked, “That’s right! I heard that imperial father handed over the missing girls case to Jing Rong. How is it? Was he able to investigate the truth?”
“He almost died.”
‘Huh?’ Jing Xian eagerly inquired. “What do you mean? Did he get into an accident?”
Mo Ruo shook his head and sighed. “The case is solved, but he is injured.”
“Is it grave?”
“With me here, he is alright, but you know his temper – one-track mind. Although saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-floor pagoda, only he can completely disregard his own life to do save another.”
Despite the last sentence being vague which evaded Jing Xian’s understand, he didn’t inquire further about it. He warned, “If he is fine, then that is good. Since the case is solved, imperial father will certainly allow him to unseal the coffins. If he can dig out the truth of the Imperial Duke case, his position within the imperial court will rise. But still, you have to remind him that he must not display his true ability too quickly.”
Mo Ruo was puzzled. “Hey, young man, you’ve been cooped up in this palace alone, but your ears have very long reach. All those small and big matters don’t escape from your grasp!”
“You have to admit that being ignored has its own advantage. It could be tiring just watching the falling leaves return to its roots, so it’s a nice distraction to listen to Bi Lu gossiping about outside matters. It helps pass the time. You also know that Bi Lu doesn’t have much ability, but with old age, he loves gossiping about anything inside and outside of the palace. Any matters will make his ears erected in joy. Since he is also bad at keeping secrets, he would tell me everything. I do enjoy listening to him.” It took Jing Xian quite a long time to finish his explanation as each sentence took him all his strength.
Next to him, Mo Ruo patiently listened. His curiosity stirred. He sat up straight and inquired, “I really want to know what Bi Luo narrate to you.”
“Everything that should be say what said.”
“Ah? Come on, let me hear. I was away from the capital for a while, so I don’t know everything that happened during my absence. Fill me up with some of the gossips.”
Jing Xian squinted his eyes. He was somewhat tired. He retracted his morbidly white fingers under his sleeves. Then, he slowly told Mo Ruo. “These two days, the rebellious people from Qu Jiang have arrived to the capital. Remember to warn Jing Rong that the investigation of the Imperial Duke has to wait after the situation at the borders is stabilized. He must not go to Lin Mountain to unseal the coffins during this period as to avoid attracting imperial father’s anger.”
Mo Ruo didn’t hear any interesting gossips, and he felt somewhat disappointed. He pat his thigh, got up and said, “Never mind! I’ll pass your warning to him. Take a good rest. I will come visit you next time. In the meantime, ease you mind and recuperate. One day, you will be able to leave the imperial palace.”
Jing Xian indifferently smiled in reply. His eyes closed as he said, “Imperial mother once said that the falling leaf will return to its roots, but where does it belong in the end? Is leaving the imperial palace the answer? If… it happens… one day…” His voice became more and more weak and soft as he gradually fell asleep on the rocking chair.
Mo Ruo lightly sighed. He thought to himself that Jing Xian is probably the only prince in this world that would be so miserable. Mo Ruo took a thin blanket and covered Jing Xian before leaving the room.
When he left, he called Bi Lu and instructed the latter. “Carefully attend the Sage King. You have to remember that he must not let him drinking anything medicine from the Great Hospital. Follow my previous prescription and you must make him drink everything accordingly. Did I make myself clear?”
Bi Lu nodded. “This old servant understands!”
Mo Ruo watched the dilapidated courtyard, then spoke again. “Is this place even fit for people to live? No matter what, he is still a prince. Go fetch some people to repair this place and refurnish it.”
“Yes, yes, yes…” Bi Lu agreed.
After Mo Ruo glanced one more time inside the room, he reluctantly left.
………………………..
The closure of the missing girls case was arranged to be announced through a written post by the capital governor. Next, he had to report to the Supreme Court, but first, he had to head to the Rong estate and give the announcement post to be double-check by Prince Rong.
Inside a pavilion.
“The Supreme Court can conceal the situation and leave the case on standby, so that after your injuries are better, you can report directly to the palace like Prince Yi did?” The governor spoke frankly. It was clear that he agreed to let Jing Rong claims all the credits for this case. If Qi Zhen emperor was pleased, there might be rewards bestowed! Perhaps as the capital governor, he would get some shares of it.
Although bandages were wrapped around Jing Rong’s head and hands, his appearance remained overbearing as always. His sharp falcon-like eyebrows knitted and his eyes were like a raging volcano. He took his teacup and took a sip. Then, he put the teacup down before speaking. “There is no need. Let the Supreme Court handles it. Another thing, that Gan Chouliang should be re-examined. As for how… Although he didn’t kill anyone, he destroyed the corpse and evidences which is tantamount to the same crime.”
“Yes, this humble official understands.”
“You can withdraw.”
The capital governor saluted Jing Rong, then he rolled up the announcement post. He was about to leave when urgent footsteps could be heard from afar. With a dignified appearance, a runner stood outside the pavilion.
“Your Highness, something bad happened.”
“What is the matter?” Jing Rong asked solemnly.
“Miss Ruan is missing!”
Clang! The teacup in Jing Rong’s hand dropped noisily on the table.
…………
Meanwhile, a young servant girl in East courtyard entered a room while holding Ji Yunshu’s clean clothes. Then, she gave a folded paper to Ji Yunshu.
“Teacher Ji, is this note yours?”
Ji Yunshu was perplexed as she received the note. “This is mine?”
The girl nodded. “This fell off from your other clothes.”
“Which one?”
“It’s from the clothes you wore when you were injured.”
Unedited
“With me here, you will not die!” Mo Ruo had assured him countless of times with the same words.
Jing Xian smiled faintly. He closed the lid and placed the box beside him. Then, he lifted his heavy eyelids and looked out of the window. In a weak voice, he said, “Mo Ruo, my life and death is beyond your control. After imperial mother passed away 14 years ago, I’ve been shut behind these palace walls. As days turn into years, I am nothing but a puppet, a show for everyone to see, fuelled only by medicine. Even a single step out of this palace, and countless eyes pierced through me, staring at my every move. Up to this day, I can’t say that living is a torment, but it has become quite tiring.”
‘How bleak!’ For 14 years, he was confined inside this ruined palace hall. In crude words, Qi Zhen Emperor imprisoned him in this place for life. Even if the crown prince ascend to the throne later, he have to remain here, destined to never leave this cage.
Mo Ruo grabbed his arm and said in earnest, “Wait until I cure your illness, then the emperor will have no reason to keep you here.”
“Will there be a day when I am healthy?”
“There will. I must believe me!”
“Mo Ruo, thank you.” Jing Xian’s pale lips stretched into a grateful smile.
“I owned your imperial mother, so helping you is a must. Besides, before my father died, he did make it clear that I must find a way to cure you. Since that old man entrusted me with such heavy responsibility, I cannot let him be unable to rest at peace in the underworld.”
‘What a filial son!’
Although Mo Ruo was sloppy and had a penchant for wine and beauty, the words he spoke were always truthful, not to mention that this task was handed over to him by his deceased father. “To sum it, take care of yourself, and don’t concern yourself with other thoughts.”
“I know.” Jing Xian promised. Then, he asked, “That’s right! I heard that imperial father handed over the missing girls case to Jing Rong. How is it? Was he able to investigate the truth?”
“He almost died.”
‘Huh?’ Jing Xian eagerly inquired. “What do you mean? Did he get into an accident?”
Mo Ruo shook his head and sighed. “The case is solved, but he is injured.”
“Is it grave?”
“With me here, he is alright, but you know his temper – one-track mind. Although saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-floor pagoda, only he can completely disregard his own life to do save another.”
Despite the last sentence being vague which evaded Jing Xian’s understand, he didn’t inquire further about it. He warned, “If he is fine, then that is good. Since the case is solved, imperial father will certainly allow him to unseal the coffins. If he can dig out the truth of the Imperial Duke case, his position within the imperial court will rise. But still, you have to remind him that he must not display his true ability too quickly.”
Mo Ruo was puzzled. “Hey, young man, you’ve been cooped up in this palace alone, but your ears have very long reach. All those small and big matters don’t escape from your grasp!”
“You have to admit that being ignored has its own advantage. It could be tiring just watching the falling leaves return to its roots, so it’s a nice distraction to listen to Bi Lu gossiping about outside matters. It helps pass the time. You also know that Bi Lu doesn’t have much ability, but with old age, he loves gossiping about anything inside and outside of the palace. Any matters will make his ears erected in joy. Since he is also bad at keeping secrets, he would tell me everything. I do enjoy listening to him.” It took Jing Xian quite a long time to finish his explanation as each sentence took him all his strength.
Next to him, Mo Ruo patiently listened. His curiosity stirred. He sat up straight and inquired, “I really want to know what Bi Luo narrate to you.”
“Everything that should be say what said.”
“Ah? Come on, let me hear. I was away from the capital for a while, so I don’t know everything that happened during my absence. Fill me up with some of the gossips.”
Jing Xian squinted his eyes. He was somewhat tired. He retracted his morbidly white fingers under his sleeves. Then, he slowly told Mo Ruo. “These two days, the rebellious people from Qu Jiang have arrived to the capital. Remember to warn Jing Rong that the investigation of the Imperial Duke has to wait after the situation at the borders is stabilized. He must not go to Lin Mountain to unseal the coffins during this period as to avoid attracting imperial father’s anger.”
Mo Ruo didn’t hear any interesting gossips, and he felt somewhat disappointed. He pat his thigh, got up and said, “Never mind! I’ll pass your warning to him. Take a good rest. I will come visit you next time. In the meantime, ease you mind and recuperate. One day, you will be able to leave the imperial palace.”
Jing Xian indifferently smiled in reply. His eyes closed as he said, “Imperial mother once said that the falling leaf will return to its roots, but where does it belong in the end? Is leaving the imperial palace the answer? If… it happens… one day…” His voice became more and more weak and soft as he gradually fell asleep on the rocking chair.
Mo Ruo lightly sighed. He thought to himself that Jing Xian is probably the only prince in this world that would be so miserable. Mo Ruo took a thin blanket and covered Jing Xian before leaving the room.
When he left, he called Bi Lu and instructed the latter. “Carefully attend the Sage King. You have to remember that he must not let him drinking anything medicine from the Great Hospital. Follow my previous prescription and you must make him drink everything accordingly. Did I make myself clear?”
Bi Lu nodded. “This old servant understands!”
Mo Ruo watched the dilapidated courtyard, then spoke again. “Is this place even fit for people to live? No matter what, he is still a prince. Go fetch some people to repair this place and refurnish it.”
“Yes, yes, yes…” Bi Lu agreed.
After Mo Ruo glanced one more time inside the room, he reluctantly left.
………………………..
The closure of the missing girls case was arranged to be announced through a written post by the capital governor. Next, he had to report to the Supreme Court, but first, he had to head to the Rong estate and give the announcement post to be double-check by Prince Rong.
Inside a pavilion.
“The Supreme Court can conceal the situation and leave the case on standby, so that after your injuries are better, you can report directly to the palace like Prince Yi did?” The governor spoke frankly. It was clear that he agreed to let Jing Rong claims all the credits for this case. If Qi Zhen emperor was pleased, there might be rewards bestowed! Perhaps as the capital governor, he would get some shares of it.
Although bandages were wrapped around Jing Rong’s head and hands, his appearance remained overbearing as always. His sharp falcon-like eyebrows knitted and his eyes were like a raging volcano. He took his teacup and took a sip. Then, he put the teacup down before speaking. “There is no need. Let the Supreme Court handles it. Another thing, that Gan Chouliang should be re-examined. As for how… Although he didn’t kill anyone, he destroyed the corpse and evidences which is tantamount to the same crime.”
“Yes, this humble official understands.”
“You can withdraw.”
The capital governor saluted Jing Rong, then he rolled up the announcement post. He was about to leave when urgent footsteps could be heard from afar. With a dignified appearance, a runner stood outside the pavilion.
“Your Highness, something bad happened.”
“What is the matter?” Jing Rong asked solemnly.
“Miss Ruan is missing!”
Clang! The teacup in Jing Rong’s hand dropped noisily on the table.
…………
Meanwhile, a young servant girl in East courtyard entered a room while holding Ji Yunshu’s clean clothes. Then, she gave a folded paper to Ji Yunshu.
“Teacher Ji, is this note yours?”
Ji Yunshu was perplexed as she received the note. “This is mine?”
The girl nodded. “This fell off from your other clothes.”
“Which one?”
“It’s from the clothes you wore when you were injured.”
