Chapter Eighteen: A Clever Acquisition
At court, Chu Lianmo stepped forward. “Father, I have something to report.”
“Speak, Mo’er.”
“Father, I won the hunting competition yesterday,” Chu Lianmo smiled at Emperor Chu Wen. “Shouldn’t you reward me?”
“…Heh.” With no major matters in court recently, Emperor Chu Wen was relaxed and smiled. “You’ve never cared for material rewards. You earned military merits, and I insisted on rewarding you… What do you want?”
“Father, though I have many wives and concubines, I have no sons, and I’m somewhat anxious. Therefore, I ask that you allow Second Brother to give Lin’er to me.”
“What did you say?!” Chu Weide was furious. “You know how much I care for Lin’er, and you want to take him from me!”
Unfazed by Chu Weide’s anger, Chu Lianmo said calmly, “Second Brother, Lin’er is only an illegitimate son. You shouldn’t be so attached.”
Chu Weide roared, “You saw Lin’er’s excellent performance yesterday and want him for yourself, don’t you?”
Chu Lianmo smiled, “Even if Lin’er is outstanding, could he surpass me? Why would I need him?
“Father…” He looked at Emperor Chu Wen again. “What do you think?”
Emperor Chu Wen said, “He’s just an illegitimate son. If you like him, take him.”
In Chu, it was common for childless men to adopt a nephew, so Emperor Chu Wen didn’t think much of it.
“Father?!” Chu Weide was panicked, kowtowing frantically. “Please don’t take Lin’er from me! I beg you!”
Emperor Chu Wen frowned slightly. “I’ve spoken; I won’t take it back. Don’t be unreasonable.”
“Then,” Chu Lianmo smiled, changing the subject. “Second Brother, if you’re unwilling to part with Lin’er, you can give me Xuan’er.”
“Good!” Chu Weide, seeing a glimmer of hope, readily agreed. “Give me Chu Yunxuan!”
“…” Emperor Chu Wen frowned. “Prince De, there are rumors that you favor concubines over your wife and treat legitimate and illegitimate sons differently. I didn’t believe it, but now I see it’s true.”
“Thank you, Second Brother.” Chu Lianmo smiled contentedly.
In fact, Chu Lianmo wanted Chu Yunxuan.
Directly asking for someone’s eldest son would be rude and might displease Emperor Chu Wen. By first asking for Chu Tianlin, Chu Weide would object strongly, and then he would readily agree to give him Chu Yunxuan.
Chu Weide, scolded again by his father, realized he’d fallen into a trap.
Chu Ziqian also looked serious.
Since he hadn’t consummated his marriage and didn’t intend to take concubines, he had considered adopting a child from Chu Weide.
Chu Weide had many wives and concubines but only two sons. Chu Ziqian couldn’t ask for either the eldest or the favored illegitimate son, so he could only urge Chu Weide to have more children. Chu Weide always agreed, but none of his wives or concubines had become pregnant in years.
Chu Ziqian thought Chu Yunxuan was intelligent and gentle, only lacking courage, suitable for great responsibility, but Chu Weide only valued his frivolous younger son.
Chu Lianmo had achieved his goal.
After court, he sent people to bring Chu Yunxuan to the Rui Wangfu.
Chu Yunxuan was still unconscious with a high fever.
He murmured, “Father, I’m truly sorry… Father, please forgive me…”
Chu Lianmo felt sympathy and immediately called for physicians.
He summoned Liu, the physician who had treated Chu Yunxuan, and another physician, surnamed Ouyang.
“Physicians, what’s wrong with Xuan’er? Why is he feverish and unconscious? What’s his illness?”
Liu said, “Your Highness, the young prince has a common cold; it’s not serious. I’ll prescribe some fever-reducing medicine.”
Ouyang said, “His pulse suggests a cold.”
Chu Lianmo looked sharply at Liu. “You already prescribed medicine this morning. Why hasn’t his fever subsided?”
“…” A strange expression crossed Liu’s face. “Perhaps the medicine wasn’t suitable. I’ll adjust it.”
“Tell me the truth!” Chu Lianmo’s expression hardened. “You can’t cure a common cold. Why are you a physician?”
“…I’m guilty!” Liu knelt down. “The De Princess gave me money and told me to prescribe ineffective medicine…”
“You’re so audacious!” Chu Lianmo rebuked. “And that woman is only a concubine. Why call her Princess?”
Even after many years of widowhood, Chu Weide hadn’t elevated Sun Jiaojiao from her servant status.
“If that woman harms the eldest grandson, you’re an accomplice! You’re so foolish!”
“I’m guilty! I’m guilty!” Liu’s face turned ashen; he kowtowed repeatedly.
“I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself. Get Xuan’er’s fever down today, and I won’t report your attempt to harm the grandson. Understand?”
“Yes! Yes!” Liu nodded. “I’ll do my best!”
Chu Lianmo turned to Qi Xiaojun. “Ajun, I have to handle affairs. I’ll leave Xuan’er in your care.”
“Please rest assured. I’ll take good care of him.” Qi Xiaojun nodded solemnly.
Qi Xiaojun had no experience caring for others, but sincerity mattered, especially with Aying’s help.
After Chu Lianmo left, Qi Xiaojun prepared medicine and put cool cloths on Chu Yunxuan’s forehead, constantly changing them.
Aying’s eyes welled up. “My young master finally has someone who cares for him!”
Qi Xiaojun was concerned. “He’s been drinking medicine for over an hour. Why isn’t he awake? Let’s call Physician Ouyang.”
Ouyang came and took his pulse. “His pulse is stable. He’s probably lost the will to live.”
“Mother…” Chu Yunxuan, who had been calling for “Father,” changed his words. “I want to find you…”
Qi Xiaojun’s heart trembled.
He held Chu Yunxuan’s hand and encouraged him:
“Xuan’er, your father doesn’t understand or approve of you. He’s not worth dying for!
Do you know who truly cares for you? Your Fourth Uncle. He made great efforts at court for you, and if you die, you’ll let him down.”
“…Um…” Chu Yunxuan slowly opened his eyes.
“Xuan’er, you’re awake!” Qi Xiaojun rejoiced.
“…Who… are you?” Chu Yunxuan pulled away his hand timidly.
“Oh right, I haven’t introduced myself. There were too many people at the hunt. My name is Zhou Jun. I’m your Fourth Uncle’s concubine. He asked me to care for you… No, you’ve been adopted by the Rui Wang, so you should call him Father.”
“Adopted?” Chu Yunxuan was shocked, his eyes reddening. “Father doesn’t want me anymore?!”
Qi Xiaojun sighed inwardly.
Children are naturally loyal to their parents, even if the parents are bad.
“It’s not that Prince De doesn’t want you; the Rui Wang saw you were pitiful, so he adopted you. You won’t blame him, right?”
“…Of course not.” Chu Yunxuan regained composure. “Fourth Uncle has always treated me well. I’m grateful… I should call him Father, and you…Mother, right?”
“Uh, no,” Qi Xiaojun shook his head. “I’m just a concubine…”
“I think that’s a good idea.” A familiar voice came from behind.
“Your Highness, you’re back.” Qi Xiaojun bowed slightly to Chu Lianmo.
Chu Yunxuan bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Father.”
Qi Xiaojun said, “You’re not well; rest. Your knees are swollen, and you’re still kneeling!”
“No.” Chu Lianmo said sternly. “Etiquette must be observed.”
He gestured for someone to give Chu Yunxuan a coat, then addressed him:
“I don’t care what your biological father demanded, but as my son, you must follow the rules of the Rui Wangfu. If you break the law, I won’t forgive you. I’ll have the rules sent to you; memorize them by tomorrow, and I’ll test you the day after. If you fail, I will punish you.”
“Your Highness, what are you doing?” Qi Xiaojun was displeased. “Xuan’er still has a fever!”
“Is the fever still high?” Chu Lianmo frowned, touching Chu Yunxuan’s forehead. “It doesn’t seem very hot.”
Qi Xiaojun said, “Even if the fever is gone, he’s still ill. How can he memorize things while sick?”
“It’s not that much. Can’t he memorize it in a day? Don’t spoil him.”
Chu Yunxuan, fearing a conflict, said, “I’ll memorize the rules. Please rest assured, Father.”
“Hmm, rise.” Chu Lianmo allowed him to stand. “Rest tonight. Memorize the rules tomorrow. Ajun, let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Qi Xiaojun was still worried, but followed Chu Lianmo out.
“Ajun,” Chu Lianmo explained his behavior. “Chu Yunxuan is still Chu Weide’s son. How can I guarantee he doesn’t have his father’s flaws? I will discipline him strictly.”
“But he’s a good child, and he’s timid. Being too strict will frighten him.”
Chu Lianmo smiled. “Doesn’t he have you, a loving mother, to spoil him?”
“…” Qi Xiaojun blushed slightly. He was a man, not a mother!