Chapter 171: The Prince’s Deep Love for His Wife
The Return to Heart Assembly was in the morning.
The Regent had his own entrance position. He was groomed and ready early in the morning, about to head toward the Danfeng Gate.
Today he wore black and gold princely attire. His rank allowed for python patterns; a four-clawed golden python floated on his chest, very majestic. The cross-collar was bound high, his thin lips were pressed tight, and the bridge of his nose was straight. He was very handsome.
He did not like others serving him closely.
But Wei Wanlan pattered over to tie his jade belt. He was very happy; he rested his chin on the top of Wei Wanlanâs head.
The tiny Wei Wanlanâif he had a tail right now, it would wrap around the Regent just like the belt.
Wei Wanlan fought back a sob. The belt buckle snapped together accurately, locking Su Jingzhi in. There was an inexplicable sense of dĂ©jĂ vu that “he had captured Su Jingzhi,” but just as he had captured him, he had to let him go.
Wei Wanlan condemned himself, then said in his heart: I have no choice.
He stood on tiptoe and gave Su Jingzhi a fierce peck.
The bad system wants to tear the two of us apart, but Zhen won’t let them have their way. Zhen will come back, Zhen will definitely come back!
Su Jingzhi didn’t know that one day he would become the shy one. The experience was unique. He lowered his eyes slightly and patted Wei Wanlanâs head.
“Wanwan. Truly worthy of being the Master of the World. Such spirit.”
“Mn-hm!” Wei Wanlan, full of spirit, feigned relaxation. Straightening his back, he watched the Regent leave.
“Your Majesty, you should change into your ceremonial robes as well,” Eunuch An reminded him from the side. “The robe you specifically requested, the ‘Ten Thousand Nations Coming to Court Crown and Tassels,’ this slave has already prepared for you. It is hanging in the inner room. Shall this slave serve you in changing?”
The Ten Thousand Nations Coming to Court Crown and Tassels, a system reward, was an extraordinarily magnificent ceremonial robe that could cover the wearer completely.
Wei Wanlan was prepared. “Eunuch An, go to the private treasury for Zhen. Pick out a few good items for the Imperial Medical Office. The medical officials cannot participate in the Return to Heart Assembly, but this body of Zhen’s was entirely cured by the Imperial Physicians. Since we thought of it, letâs not chill their hearts.”
As long as An Ruyi wasn’t there, no matter who else changed the clothes for the puppet dummy, even if they noticed something amiss, they wouldn’t dare discuss it recklessly.
An Ruyi bowed his head. “Yes.”
“Right, Bai Linyue must also be rewarded. Remember to reward him heavily. The old man is advanced in years; deliver the gift to him, do not make him kneel to receive it.”
“Yes.”
“Wait, Eunuch An!”
An Ruyi turned back. “Does Your Majesty have further decrees?”
“Zhen has recently been investigating the case of your grandfather and father. The Imperial Brother did not listen to honest counsel and forcibly punished Censor An. The decree to exonerate the An family was sent down by the Secretariat yesterday. Zhen wanted to tell you personally.” After all, you treat Zhen well too.
“Your Majesty!!!” An Ruyi knelt immediately, his eyes shimmering, filled with tears. “This slave could die ten thousand times and not repay Your Majesty’s grace… Your Majesty and the Prince are this slave’s eternal benefactors. Your Majestyâ”
An Ruyiâs tears wet the peony velvet carpet of the Purple Tuan Hall.
Seeing him so moved, Wei Wanlan couldn’t help but feel a sting in his eyes too. His deer-like eyes blinked. “Don’t give thanks. Go quickly.”
Take good care of the Regent for Zhen.
Don’t let him get angry all the time, don’t let him skip meals because he’s looking for Zhen QAQ.
“Yes. This slave will go do it immediately!”
Another important person sent away.
After An Ruyi left, Wei Wanlan executed the switch, bringing out the fake puppet dummy, while he hid under the bed in the Purple Tuan Hall, clutching all the supplies prepared for his escape.
He also brought two secret guards. One was Chen Shiba, who had saved him at the Sonid outpost, and the other was also very honest, a Jinwu Guard. Theoretically, he should have brought Eunuch An, but he didn’t dare. He was afraid Eunuch An would see him choke to death, and even more afraid that Eunuch An cared too much and would leak his whereabouts.
…
“The auspicious time has arrived. The Return to Heart Assembly begins.”
“Envoys of ten thousand nations enter for audience. Play the musicâ”
“Long live, long live, long long live!”
“May the Emperor live for ten thousand years!”
Under the moon of Chang’an, within Chongren Ward, the crack of a residential door creaked open.
Wei Wanlan wore a common white robe, very plain, his small face pale. For the newly rented house, the name written wasn’t his. The landlord was an old lady who only rented out a few rooms of the entire residence to him.
He looked young, and indeed he was small, so the old lady treated Wei Wanlan as a child. “Little Gentleman, you are living alone? For two months?”
Outside the bamboo fence wall, torches flickered as a squad of government troops ran past. The flames were torn into twisted shapes by the night wind. Wei Wanlan coughed a few times, choked badly. “Living for two months.”
If he didn’t die after two months, the system’s one-year term would be effectively voided.
When the time came, Wei Wanlan would find a way to communicate with the bad system using the Nine Dragon Mirror. He had arguments prepared: the system could not extend the punishment time or create psychological pressure for the user; that would be illogical.
The logic-monster system would surely have nothing to say.
Outside, the troops shouted as they ran:
“Looking for a youth of seventeen or eighteen, very large eyes, fair skin, loves to eat sour things, cannot tolerate the smell of smoke!”
“Portraits have been distributed to every squad, search carefully!”
The landlady immediately cast a glance at Wei Wanlan, suspicion flashing in her eyes.
Fortunately, Wei Wanlan had taken anti-vomiting medicine before leaving the palace. He forcibly suppressed the nausea from the wafting smell of fuel and didn’t vomit.
He knew the Regent had already discovered his escape.
Spilled water cannot be gathered; he didn’t dare imagine Su Jingzhiâs current state. He changed the topic quickly. “Actually, I rented this for my younger sister. My sister had a conflict with the family; she can only rely on me to help her hide outside for a while.”
Prince, sorry about this. You want to find a boy, so Zhen can only become a girl.
A young girl of this age having a conflict with her family must be a matter of romance.
It was inconvenient for the old lady to ask further. Wei Wanlan took the initiative to describe how infatuated and bitter his “sister’s” life was, making the old lady believe about seventy or eighty percent of it.
Seeing the time was about right, Wei Wanlan cupped his hands. “Thank you, Granny. I also have mundane matters to attend to. I will entrust my sister to you.”
“Gentleman, you are too polite.”
Wei Wanlan turned into Miss Wanwan.
Miss Wanwan lived in Chongren Ward. This was the first time in this life living alone. The two secret guards were each given activity funds by Wei Wanlan and only kept watch nearby. They were not to communicate with him or leave their posts, maximizing the reduction of their presence while protecting his life.
The rented house had everything. He had money, so he didn’t worry about food or clothing. Inside the room, he set aside a section of the wall specifically to draw the character “Zheng” (to count days). As long as he wrote twelve “Zheng” characters, if he didn’t die, he would go back.
Miss Wanwan rarely went out.
Usually, he did radio calisthenics at home, read storybooks, and raised two little goldfish. The goldfish were swapped with the old lady’s grandson for two pieces of candy.
These ten-odd days passed peacefully. He drew three “Zheng” characters on the wall.
Perhaps because he knew he was out of the palace and couldn’t access the Imperial meals, he hadn’t choked. He ate liquid food every day, so eating was actually fine.
It was just that Wei Wanlan felt his body getting more and more tired.
Even though he exercised after every meal, his limbs were weary, and the layer of meat on his belly seemed a bit thicker. He touched it secretly when sleeping at night; the tummy was indeed fatter. Very helpless.
He would miss the Regent.
But he didn’t dare to think about it. The reason he lived in Chongren Ward was also because it was very close to Su Jingzhiâs Regent Manor. The most dangerous place is the safest place.
The Regent probably couldn’t imagine that the runaway Little Emperor Wei Wanlan actually wanted to stand on the second floor of the courtyard all the time, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
Unfortunately, he never saw him.
In the enormous Regent’s Manor, there was not a trace of the Regent.
The government troops on the street still shouted the same thing every day: “Looking for a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth who fears smoke and loves sour flavors.” “If there is anyone resembling the portrait, be sure to inform the troops.” In the end, it was impossible to find him.
Every time Wei Wanlan heard it, he would add in his heart: Regent, wait a little longer. Zhen is coming back soon. When Zhen comes home, I will definitely make it up to you properly.
Wei Wanlan rarely dreamt recently. The only dream he had was of two puppies. The puppies slept obediently in his arms, but their small eyes were wet, their noses trembling, as if longing for something. They whined softly, appearing not very happy.
Wei Wanlan wasn’t happy either.
…
“Your Highness. Please have your meal first.”
An Ruyi heated the food and brought it into the study for the Regent. The meal was light. Following the Imperial Medical Officeâs suggestion, he brewed a cup of silver ear and goji berry water to replenish qi and nourish the heart.
The bowls and dishes made soft, tiny sounds.
The posthumous edict lay on Su Jingzhiâs desk. There were also memorials reported from various regions. He temporarily withdrew his gaze. The Regent still had that same appearance, but one felt his spirit had been drawn away.
An Ruyi could not bear to look.
Once, the Regent was tyrannical and violent. He watched his master be redeemed by Your Majesty, gradually recovering his handsome and spirited demeanor. Now, because of Your Majesty’s departure without goodbye, the Prince’s condition was clearly deteriorating again.
Su Jingzhi quickly finished all the food on the table. He actually had no appetite, but he had to manage state affairs and secretly search for Little Wan; he needed a body that could hold up.
“Take it away.” He put down his chopsticks.
An Ruyi breathed a slight sigh of relief. Neither of the two was willful. Even when Your Majesty threw a tantrum, he never went on a hunger strike; on the contrary, he would eat more, turning grief into appetite.
“This slave boldly suggests,” Eunuch An stepped forward, his voice very low but logical, “Your Majesty leaving the palace this time is perhaps not due to naughtiness.”
An Ruyi continued, “The edict said he had to leave because of a matter, and Your Majesty planned everything. This slave believes Your Majesty encountered some trouble. And it is inconvenient for him to tell you.”
“The strange thing is what matter.” Su Jingzhiâs fingertips touched a corner of the edict.
Possessing the world, the four seas at peace, just having received the homage of ten thousand nations, and his physical ailments curedâwhy on earth did he run?
Body possession and rebirth?
Magic spell expiring?
Or was he just a little immortal from the heavens who had experienced enough of the mortal world, and the Deity called him back?
Thinking about it more and more maddeningly, that deep unease, the premonition that Wei Wanlan did not belong to this world, gripped him like a nightmare again, sinking his entire heart.
Even if you have to go back…
Even if you really have to go back, you should tell me. Let me know where you are?
Wanwan.
Wanwan.
Seeing the Regent about to drive his sanity to a dead end, the veins on the back of the hand he pressed on the edict bulged. The large and heavy red sandalwood table buzzed. Sweat floated on his brow, his gaze revealed obsession; the man was near madness.
An Ruyi hurriedly knelt. “Your Highness! Your Highness, take care! The edict only says it is ominous if he does not return by next year, meaning Your Majesty is not in danger yet. He fled the palace; perhaps there is something in the palace Your Majesty cannot touch. The situation is not that severe yet, Your Highness, please see clearly…”
An Ruyi kowtowed repeatedly, blood trickling from his forehead.
The crimson color slightly recalled Su Jingzhiâs rationality.
Su Jingzhi caught his breath.
Thinking carefully about An Ruyi’s words, his mind was touched by a certain sentence. He captured this information: “You guess there is something in this palace he has to hide from… that is possible.”
An Ruyi didn’t dare reply.
“If we follow this assumption, and he is hiding from the Imperial Palace, then he must still be in Chang’an, just away from the palace halls.”
Su Jingzhiâs eyes fixed tightly on that edict, even wanting to find him through the things he left behind, by capturing his scent.
Then he ordered in a low voice:
“He has a specialty; he is very good at changing his appearance. This Prince has looked for a youth in Chang’an for so many days. He definitely can hear it. The reason we still can’t find him is perhaps because he is currently not a youth at all.”
Wei Wanlan could disguise himself and use makeup. An Ruyi knew somewhat that the Son of Heaven loved the art of disguise.
An Ruyi said, “Your Majesty is ice-snow clever.”
“Pass down the order. Have the soldiers change to searching households for a seventeen or eighteen-year-old unmarried maiden. Fair skin, deer-like eyes, a wisp of bangs on the forehead that won’t stay up. Draw the portrait based on this.”
Within the capital, no official family dared to hide the Emperor.
He must be among the common people, very likely near the Imperial Palace!
The more Su Jingzhi thought, the more reasonable it seemed. The precise map of Chang’an’s one hundred and eight wards appeared three-dimensionally in his mind. He concentrated, narrowing the range further:
“Yongxing, Heshan, Taiping, Xingdao, and also Chongren Ward. These are closest to the palace. Housing prices are high; he does not lack silver.”
“Pingkang Ward is chaotic with people. He has self-respect; he would surely not settle there.”
“Buying a house requires a deed transfer; he would definitely rent. The homeowner needs to be kind and of simple background, not a high official or noble. Preferably, the house should have some aura of life, keeping some flowers, plants, cats, or dogs. He would like living there.”
“Search according to these conditions. Waitâalso organize some fireworks and acrobatic performances in the wards near the palace. He loves watching them.”
“He won’t be able to resist coming out.”
It was hard to say this combination plan wasn’t perfect.
An Ruyi listened on his knees, almost feeling that when the Regent was emotionally stable and using his full brainpower, it was a bit terrifying.
He couldn’t help worrying for Your Majesty. If the Prince caught Your Majesty immediately, while he was angry right now, would he really get angry at Your Majesty?
Eunuch An carefully lifted his eyes to observe the Regent.
Only to see Su Jingzhi lower his eyelids halfway, his voice exhausted:
“He only took the prescription for the anti-vomiting medicine, not the medicine itself. Medicine has to be brewed personally. What if he gets scalded? The well side is slippery and wet; drawing water is dangerous too.”
“Don’t scare him. Go find him quickly.”
Eunuch An hurriedly ran off, thinking to himself that he had indeed worried too much. The Prince was anxious to find him because he cared too much.
What An Ruyi saw was a heart earnestly loving his wife.
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