Chapter 17: Asking For Help

The taste of Loufushun wine is sweet, and Zhao Yan took another cup greedily. Before long, a faint blush appeared on her fair cheeks. Zhao Yan had a weak constitution and blushed when drinking, unlike her lively appearance now.

Occasionally, under the flickering light of fireworks, Liu Ji suddenly stepped over the Liu Ying on the steps, squinting to carefully scrutinize her. With a cup of wine in her hands, Zhao Yan blinked slowly in puzzlement at Liu Ji’s sudden approach.

Liu Ji muttered as if drunk, then reached out to pat Zhao Yan’s shoulder, “In the future, I will take care of you for him.”

There was a hint of color on Liu Ji’s otherwise solemn face, but without hesitation, Liu Ying intercepted Liu Ji’s restless hand and frowned, “Please, be more cautious in your words and actions, Liu Ji.”

Liu Ji unconcernedly withdrew her wrist, propped her hand on the step, and looked up at the dark, icy-like night sky, smiling provocatively, “Liu Ying, you’re just jealous that the Crown Prince favors me.”

Zhao Yan suddenly felt like everything had returned to the time before that tragic event at the end of summer, with Liu Ji and Liu Ying, who couldn’t stand each other, accompanied by the amiable Zhao Yan.

The heavy rain at the Huayang Palace at the end of summer came to mind, dampening her thoughts.

The golden hairpin fell to the ground, and the girl in the boldly red dress clenched her fists, her red lips moving rapidly, uttering the words that would haunt her forever in the rain to her brother…

Zhao Yan abruptly closed her eyes, stopping herself from recalling further.

After a moment, she trembled and opened her eyes, looking casually at Liu Ying, who seemed intoxicated by alcohol, beside her. “So, Liu Ying, what did the Crown Prince say before he left?”

Realizing that these two were engaging in a coordinated conversation, Liu Ying sobered up instantly and said, “This servant should go prepare the bed,” then vigilantly got up.

She almost fled, but when she was a yard away, her steps slowed.

“The mistress doesn’t want His Highness to know too much, for His Highness’s own good.”

The fireworks ceased, and the world suddenly fell silent, with only the dim lights swaying under the eaves.

Liu Ji gently shook the small wine jar and listened to its sound, “It’s not too late to give up now.”

She raised her eyes, intoxicated with alcohol, and replied with just two words: “Absolutely not.”

With a yawn, she put the empty wine glass on the steps and headed towards the sleeping quarters.

Liu Ji raised her head and finished the last sip of Loufushun wine, and the empty wine jar rolled down the stone steps. She placed her hand over her heart, through the thick winter coat, faintly touching a piece of silk paper hidden in the layers of fabric…

Due to the spring festival sacrifices, Zhao Yan’s New Year’s rest was extremely bitter.

Before dawn every day, she had to ride a sedan chair to the Temple of Heaven to learn the sacrificial rituals from the ceremonial officials. After a period of this, she was utterly exhausted.

“With so many trivial matters one after another, it’s no wonder the Crown Prince’s illness has worsened like this.”

Zhao Yan sat on the bed, rubbing her sore waist, finally understanding the difficulties of sitting in the position of the Eastern Palace.

“Tomorrow is the suburban sacrifice. His Highness just needs to endure a little longer.”

Liu Ying handed her a warm handkerchief to wipe her hands, remembering the message from the Lady-in-waiting Kun Ning Palace just now, and said in a deep voice, “The mistress received news that the Emperor has selected an acting assistant tutor to temporarily teach His Highness literature. Tomorrow, when all the officials gather for the suburban sacrifice, they may meet His Highness.”

It was one trouble after another. Just dealing with someone like Wen Renlin was already enough for her to handle.

“The Prime Minister on the Left, Lord Li, and the Grand Mentor of Literature personally recommended him, but the specific person is still unknown.”

Liu Ying’s voice lowered, seeming worried, “With the addition of Concubine Zhen by the Emperor’s side, the Kun Ning Palace has become increasingly wary and isolated. The mistress is not as sensitive to information as she used to be.”

Therefore, the pain of losing a son was not only a fatal blow psychologically but also a disaster for the Empress’s precarious position and the impending turmoil of the state.

“I understand and will be cautious,” Zhao Yan reassured.

She had already encountered the most dangerous person in the Imperial City, and no matter who else came, they couldn’t be more frightening than the stern Prince Su, who hid his true intentions.

Tomorrow was the Lantern Festival, and the Imperial City lifted its curfew. Various lanterns had already been hung on the streets in advance.

Under the winding street lights, with snowflakes drifting down, men and women enjoying the lanterns with paper umbrellas came and went incessantly, as if spring had arrived overnight, blooming with various flowers.

In the Left Chancellor’s Mansion, within the tranquil garden, two figures were reflected on the warm yellow window paper, engaged in a game of chess.

Li Kexing, the Left Chancellor, placed a chess piece and said solemnly, “Just as Master of Literature said, after the Crown Prince recovered from his illness, his thoughts have changed a lot. Great Xuan is the only hope for our policies to be implemented. We must guide him properly and not let him act recklessly.”

At the other end of the chessboard, a gentle and elegant hand reached out, following the rules of the game to place a piece, “Understood.”

“Secondly, it’s just an old man’s selfishness.”

Li Kexing remembered another proud and rebellious favorite disciple, his brows furrowed with melancholy, “You must have heard of the death of your junior brother Shen Jingming. Although he wasn’t as stable and respectful as you, he was my closed-door disciple whom I taught with all my heart. Now, he’s involved with the Eastern Palace and died under suspicious circumstances. With you taking on the role of temporary tutor to the Crown Prince, if there’s an opportunity…”

“The teacher’s meaning is understood by the student.”

The person holding the chess pieces under the light was very young, perhaps in his early twenties, wearing a loose-sleeved blue shirt, tall and elegant. Although his facial features weren’t exceptionally handsome, they were fair and clean, and every gesture and movement displayed the innate etiquette of a noble, reminiscent of the crystalline snow that never melted on a high mountain.

“The student and Jingming received the teacher’s grace and are as close as brothers. It is the student’s duty to fulfill this responsibility.”

Li Kexing’s eyes showed affection.

If it weren’t for the unexpected disaster on Qixi, the one sitting here discussing literature and playing chess with would have been that child, Shen Jingming. At that time, a dignified and upright young gentleman, and a talented and arrogant youth, would have clashed, creating dazzling sparks in both literary and political circles.

Unfortunately, the “Two Jewels of the Li Family” were ultimately left with only half.

“I know you aspire to be noble and want to return to the Hanlin Academy to write and speak out. Getting involved in this power struggle must have been difficult for you.”

With a long sigh, Li Kexing collected the pieces, “As the Prince Su, working with him, you must be cautious and restrain yourself.”

The young man stood up, folded his sleeves, and respectfully performed a ceremony, saying each word clearly, “This student, Zhou Ji, will diligently follow the teacher’s teachings.”

…

The Spring Festival ceremony was held at the Southern Suburban Altar.

In the middle of the night, it was bitterly cold, but Zhao Yan was forced to change into a solemn ceremonial robe and follow the palace attendants to wait in front of the Temple of Heaven. When she arrived at the Temple of Heaven, she saw civil and military officials standing densely packed, and she was surprisingly late.

However, when she looked up at the sky, it was pitch black with no hint of light, still far from dawn. Ministers came to greet her one after another, and the Marquis Ningyang, Wei Yan, was also there.

“Uncle.”

Zhao Yan returned his greeting and asked, “Where is Aunt?”

She remembered that noble ladies could also participate in this ceremony, a privilege reserved only for the most distinguished relatives. Given Wei Yan’s deep love for his wife, why hadn’t he brought her along?

Wei Yan explained, “Ayu is ill and recuperating at home, so it’s inconvenient for her to come.”

Only then did Zhao Yan remember that her aunt was also like a fragile lamp in the wind, suffering from a heart ailment. It was said that she had exhausted herself in the past, and her life depended on the rare medicinal herbs collected by Wei Yan, which not only depleted their wealth but also consumed countless connections and efforts.

Marquis Ningyang had been diligently taking care of her for ten years, and even her indifferent father, the Emperor, had once said, “The Wei family has produced a rare gem.”

Just as she was thinking, Wei Yan’s gaze fell on Zhao Yan behind her, and he smiled and greeted, “Chancellor Li.”

With that, he stood up straight and looked at the young man next to the Chancellor, “If I remember correctly, this is the top scholar of the Tianyou Examination in the sixteenth year of Tianyou, right?”

Zhao Yan subconsciously turned her head to look, and when she saw that familiar figure, she was slightly stunned. She thought she was mistaken until Li Kexing and his student stepped into the torchlight, and the warm orange light illuminated Zhou Ji’s icy face clearly, causing her heart to skip a beat.

Zhou Wanlan!

How could he be here!

In her astonishment, Zhou Ji’s gaze also turned towards her, pausing for a moment, seeming a bit puzzled.

“Wanlan, quickly greet His Highness the Crown Prince,” Li Kexing timely introduced.

Zhou Ji quickly regained his composure and respectfully bowed, “I, Zhou Ji, greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Zhao Yan could only force herself to greet him with a hoarse voice, “Minister Zhou, no need for formalities.”

Fortunately, the Emperor and Empress finally arrived, and Zhao Yan and Zhou Ji’s group respectively retreated to the sides, kneeling and bowing, finally breaking the awkward encounter.

On the way to the Southern Suburbs, Zhao Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief in the carriage.

“The young gentleman beside Chancellor Li is probably the new tutor to His Highness,” Liu Ying observed Zhao Yan’s expression and whispered, “Does His Highness seem to suspect something?”

“It’s not a big problem, just…” Zhao Yan hesitated, lowering her voice, “Just during the time at Huayang Palace, he also served as my tutor for a month.”

That month was unforgettable for Zhao Yan.

Before meeting Zhou Ji, she never knew that someone could be so patient to the point of exasperation. When she snuck into the pantry to steal snacks, Zhou Ji would be standing outside the window watching her. When she climbed the wall to play, Zhou Ji would be standing below watching her. When she skipped class to row a boat and pick lotus, pushing aside the lotus leaves, Zhou Ji would be on the bank watching her as he walked.

Until she was willing to sit down obediently and study with him. Once he set his mind to something, nothing could shake him.

The sound of the carriage wheels drowned out the conversation between the master and servant.

Liu Ying pondered, “So, he’s likely to recognize His Highness. This person shouldn’t be kept close.”

“It’s not necessarily.”

“What does His Highness mean?”

Zhao Yan smirked, “Zhou Ji has difficulty recognizing people, a bit of inability to recognize the faces of familiar people.”

When they took their positions for the ceremony, Zhao Yan deliberately walked past Zhou Ji, and this time he indeed didn’t glance at her, showing no reaction at all.

Even so, the Empress was still worried when she heard about it.

Liu Ying brought a message from the Empress: “The Empress has already consulted on behalf of His Highness. The Emperor, considering the Crown Prince’s frailty, has allowed His Highness to skip the sacrificial banquet and return to the palace early to rest.”

Zhao Yan had only slept for an hour last night and was indeed feeling a bit weary, so she nodded and said, “Change to a lighter carriage. I’ll take a nap.”

Liu Ying promptly arranged it.

As the carriage swayed along the route back to the palace, Zhao Yan leaned against the carriage wall with an embroidered pillow, trying to catch up on her sleep.

Just as she was dozing off, the carriage suddenly came to an abrupt stop, causing Zhao Yan to almost fall over unguardedly. She quickly woke up and asked, “What’s wrong?”

The Gu Xing who was leading the way halted his horse, his hand on his sword hilt, cautiously looking around as he said, “Something doesn’t seem right.”

Before his words could fully sink in, a series of swishing sounds could be heard whizzing through the air.

“Protect His Highness!” The Gu Xing shouted, deflecting the incoming arrows with his sword.

In the blink of an eye, Liu Ying swiftly threw herself over, shielding Zhao Yan tightly beneath her. Almost simultaneously, several arrows pierced through the carriage curtains and embedded themselves in the carriage wall near Zhao Yan’s ear.

Liu Ying trembled imperceptibly, and Zhao Yan noticed the conspicuous red seeping from beneath her damaged sleeve.

“Liu Ying, you’re injured!”

“Your Highness, don’t move, I’m fine…”

Fine? Blood was almost dripping onto her face!

“Don’t be foolish, don’t throw yourself on me! Can you move your other hand? Hold onto something!”

With her fatigue completely gone, Zhao Yan instinctively grabbed a table from inside the carriage. Understanding her intentions, Liu Ying endured the pain and reached out her other hand, using the table as a shield to block the windows, intercepting the stray arrows.

“Execute justice for the heavens, kill the dog emperor who exploits the people for his own gain!”

The cries for vengeance sounded from the roadside, and amidst the chaos, the two horses pulling the carriage were hit by arrows and panicked, galloping wildly.

Thrown into disarray, Zhao Yan bounced around inside the carriage, and when she came to her senses, the carriage had run over a hundred yards, leaving the Gu Xing and other guards far behind.

What’s worse, Liu Ying had fainted, and the coordinated assassins were catching up.

Desperately crouching under the carriage, Zhao Yan reached out to try to control the reins, but her internal organs were all jumbled from the chaotic ride, rendering her efforts futile. Another arrow came flying, and the horse finally foamed at the mouth and collapsed. Zhao Yan was also thrown out of the carriage by the immense inertia, rolling to the ground.

The masked bandit raised his knife and approached Zhao Yan step by step.

Seeing that it was a young man, the bandit was momentarily stunned.

Just now in the carriage, Zhao Yan had heard them shouting about killing the “dog emperor,” realizing that this group of desperados had targeted the wrong person.

She quickly formulated a plan and was about to speak, but then she heard the sound of galloping hooves ahead. A group of riders approached from one end of the street, led by a man riding a spirited black horse, dressed in a dark robe, his figure tall and familiar.

It wasn’t the imperial guards coming to the rescue, but rather coincidentally, the Prince Su, who happened to be on his way to pay respects at the Southern Suburbs.

However, the bandits didn’t see it that way. Subconsciously grabbing Zhao Yan, they held their knives to her neck as a hostage.

After all, the arrow was already on the string, and they needed to bring back a head to report. This young man seemed weak and feeble, but his clothes were luxurious, likely indicating his noble status. He might not be the Crown Prince, but he should at least be a prince or a prince’s son.

“Get out of the way! Otherwise, I’ll kill him!” the bandit roared.

The cold blade pressed against the vulnerable side of her neck, eliciting an innate tremble of fear. If she said she wasn’t afraid, it would surely be a lie.

Stiffening her body, Zhao Yan struggled to swallow, her innocent eyes fixedly staring at the Prince sitting high on his horse. She looked pitiful beyond measure.

The cold wind whistled by, and the dark cloak of Wen Renlin billowed in the wind. At the next moment, he calmly averted his gaze and turned his horse aside.

Yes, he averted his gaze, allowing the bandit to take the hostage away.

It was as if the trembling figure under the knife was just a complete stranger to him.

Black spots danced before Zhao Yan’s eyes, and she gritted her teeth in frustration.

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