Chapter 25

Yin Ke was a high-ranking provincial official. Once he caused trouble, the court inevitably had to take action.

The banner he raised was “Purge the Monarch’s Side.”

At present, everyone knew who stood at the monarch’s side.

Prince of Pingnan, Yun Yin, had just made a shocking speech at the monarch’s birthday celebration. The signal was clear. It could be seen as establishing authority for the monarch, or as making a gesture for all the world to see. But someone was determined to tear through this thin layer of paper.

A retainer under Yin Ke wrote a lengthy denunciation, listing dozens of Yun Yin’s crimes, the most severe of which directly accused him of monopolizing court administration while disregarding the lives and deaths of the common people. It claimed the source of the failed drought relief in the Southwest was actually Yun Yin.

Between the lines, it directly accused Yun Yin of caring only for power struggles, of shielding his own people even at the cost of innocent lives.

The turmoil of many days now had an explanation. The so-called strangeness was merely a fuse.

Besides this, there was Li Zhaoyi.

Since Li Zhaoyi’s ascension to the throne, he had been constrained at every turn. The court officials saw this clearly, but since Yun Yin hadn’t truly done anything too outrageous, and the Yan Dynasty couldn’t be entrusted to Li Zhaoyi yet, they simply turned a blind eye.

This fact was pointed out by Yin Ke, who even made a big issue out of the birthday celebration.

He claimed the Prince of Pingnan was arrogant and tyrannical, having long since lost any respect for the monarch, and that, given time, the Li clan’s empire would likely change hands.

Yin Ke even brought up his own past experiences following Yun Qingyuan, stating that as a former subordinate of the Old Prince, he truly couldn’t bear to let fear drive him to watch idly as a loyal subject’s descendant strayed down the wrong path.

This denunciation, written with considerable literary skill, seemed to be penned in tears of blood. For a time, rumors spread everywhere. Someone copied it and sent it to Yun Yin’s desk. Everyone thought he would be furious, but he just smiled dismissively.

He sighed softly: “I didn’t expect this.”

There were more unexpected things to come.

No one had expected that this seemingly honest and simple Governor had actually been raising a private army.

And by the time this was discovered, the capital was already in chaos.

–

By the time the capital descended into chaos, Li Zhaoyi was no longer in the Imperial Palace.

On the outskirts of the capital, there was a secluded yet imposing residence, adjacent to the Royal Racecourse.

This was a villa built during the prime years of Emperor Ruide. It was meant for the imperial family to occasionally travel and enjoy outings, or to reside outside the palace for brief periods to escape the summer heat.

Li Zhaoyi hadn’t known of this place before. It was late one night when Yun Yin suddenly entered the palace. He said the situation was somewhat complicated, and Li Zhaoyi needed to stay here for a while, but no one could know.

When he said this, De Quan wasn’t even by Li Zhaoyi’s side.

After many days, he saw Mu Ke again.

The man saluted him. Li Zhaoyi finally saw his features clearly—very ordinary, but carrying the unique aura of frost and snow that belonged to the Yun Clan:

He saluted him: “Your Majesty.”

Li Zhaoyi looked at Yun Yin.

Yun Yin was also looking at him. Catching his gaze, he first paused slightly, then the corner of his mouth curved up.

In the next moment, Li Zhaoyi was pulled into his embrace.

Smiling, he said, “Your Majesty, so obedient.”

Li Zhaoyi was held by him. Fingers callused from handling weapons brushed his cheek, the intimacy and ambiguity so pronounced it was impossible to ignore. In his peripheral vision, Mu Ke remained completely motionless, head bowed, as if he hadn’t heard a single ambiguous sound.

Being treated like some little pet—

That was how Li Zhaoyi felt. In any case, after a bout of intimate whispering and touching, Yun Yin finally let him board the carriage.

Before leaving, he said: “Your Majesty.”

Unusually, he paused for two seconds, and then he said softly, “Don’t be afraid. This subject is here.”

Li Zhaoyi said, “Mm.”

He was distracted, wondering if Lu Zhong knew about him leaving the palace.

Only after getting on the carriage did he realize that Yun Yin had just been trying to soothe his emotions.

He was afraid Li Zhaoyi would be scared alone.

~

Li Zhaoyi didn’t think there was anything to be afraid of.

Although the villa had layers upon layers of guards, and no one familiar to talk to, he had no real freedom in the palace either. Ultimately, it was all just staying in one place; the location didn’t really matter.

The first day, the third day, the tenth day.

After Li Zhaoyi had stayed alone and quietly for half a month, even Mu Ke couldn’t bear it anymore.

He appeared from some unknown place and said tactfully, “Your Majesty, you could actually take a walk in the courtyard too.”

Li Zhaoyi looked at him. Backlit, his delicate profile held a look of confusion and gentleness.

He had truly been well cared for these days.

Mu Ke still remembered when Yun Yin first brought Li Zhaoyi to Bright Clarity Hall, he was thin and weak all over. Because he had changed environments, he fell sick every few days, and his eyes were timid. Like a fragile, abandoned little kitten no one cared about.

Indeed, no one cared about him.

In the entire palace, the one who cared about him the most was probably Yun Yin.

At that time, Yun Yin was very busy, barely able to spare time to manage Li Zhaoyi. But he didn’t forget him.

The palace servants obeyed him completely. His order was: “This Prince doesn’t care what you do, but I don’t want to keep hearing the words ‘His Majesty is sick again’ every few days. How to manage it, you figure it out yourselves.”

Thus, warm tonics and medicinal meals were continuously sent to Bright Clarity Hall.

But back then, although his health was recovering, Li Zhaoyi still seemed somewhat dull and timid.

During this period, he studied under a Great Confucian Scholar and was also taught etiquette. He himself didn’t notice the change, but Mu Ke, who hadn’t seen him for a while, felt as if he had been completely reborn, beautiful as a piece of warm jade.

Jade needs to be warmed and nurtured by people.

Mu Ke felt a complicated mix of emotions. When he came back to his senses, Li Zhaoyi was still looking at him.

He said, “Can I?”

“Of course,” Mu Ke said.

Thus, Li Zhaoyi stepped out of the small area he had been staying in for the first time. Mu Ke accompanied him for a walk in the courtyard.

–

The weather that day was very clear.

Li Zhaoyi hadn’t heard any news from the palace for a long time.

Just looking at the sky and the surrounding scenery, it was easy to imagine that everything was peaceful and beautiful.

But Li Zhaoyi knew that wasn’t the case.

At least, the guards had increased recently; he recognized the Yun Clan’s emblem.

Those guarding him were the Yun Clan’s Iron Cavalry.

He wanted to ask, but felt it would be improper.

What if it couldn’t be talked about? Mu Ke would be put in a difficult position by his questions.

Perhaps because he had been brooding and torn these past days too much, Li Zhaoyi fell sick, after a long time.

It started with just a stuffy nose and a heavy head. He ignored it. So his body gave him a severe warning, and by that night, his forehead was burning hot.

Mu Ke called for the Imperial Physician. In his dazed state, Li Zhaoyi only felt he had caused trouble.

When he woke again, his first words were: “Actually, it’s not a big deal…”

His voice was broken, followed by several coughs.

When he finished coughing and saw the person in front of him clearly, he suddenly froze.

Yun Yin took a towel and wiped his sweat: “What’s wrong?”

He must have rushed back specially. His voice was still a bit hoarse. Li Zhaoyi was about to speak, but caught a faint scent of blood.

He looked up. Yun Yin seemed to sense it.

He handed the towel to a nearby Palace Servant and stood up.

Li Zhaoyi came to his senses, wanting to say it was nothing.

Yun Yin had already turned around.

He said softly: “Rest well.”

After saying that, his next words were: “It’s almost over.”

He left.

Li Zhaoyi stared at the spot where he had been, lost in thought for a while. Whether it was because the Imperial Physician had added some calming herbs to his medicine, as he drifted off, he fell back into a hazy sleep.

But this time, he suddenly had a dream he hadn’t had in a very long time.

~

The moment Li Zhaoyi opened his eyes, he sensed something was wrong.

The surroundings were filled with thick fog, making his already drowsy mind even less clear. He felt cold on his body. Lowering his head, he realized he wasn’t wearing the soft, expensive sleepwear, but the thin, somewhat tattered material he had worn back in the Cold Palace.

This kind of fabric couldn’t ward off the cold because it let the wind through. Normally, in winter, Li Zhaoyi would stay inside, relying on the thin blanket Lu Zhong sent to survive the harsh cold.

Why is it so cold when it’s clearly spring?

He thought hazily.

He tried to move his nearly frozen fingers, got off the bed, and pushed open the door, only to be met by icy snow particles.

Li Zhaoyi shivered from the cold.

Despite the intense stimulation, his mind only grew more muddled.

In a daze, he suddenly heard the mocking laughter of several people.

“Look at him, hahaha! He went to pick it up! He actually wants to pick it up!”

“It’s just a broken kite. It’s an honor that this young master wants it, and you dare refuse? Tell me, which palace’s servant are you?”

“Young Master Cheng, Young Master Cheng! Oh dear, young ancestor, this is… ah!”

“What are you afraid of? Who cares who he is? He’s in the Cold Palace now. This young master has never seen anyone who could leave once they’ve entered. Aren’t you so fond of this kite? Why don’t you jump in after it? Afraid of the cold? If you’re afraid, this young master can help you!”

…Should he pick it up?

The water is so cold.

But Lu Zhong made that for him.

Lu Zhong was very busy and had no time to visit him. That kite had taken him a long time. Li Zhaoyi treasured it greatly. Although, in truth, he had no way to fly a kite in this palace anyway.

“Fly it outside, Your Highness.” Lu Zhong’s voice, with its usual hoarseness, seemed to echo in his ear, cold yet gentle. “Keep this kite safe, Your Highness. When you get out, this servant will fly it with you. We’ll go to Jiangnan. In Jiangnan, the third month is absolutely beautiful.”

Actually, Lu Zhong had never been to Jiangnan either, but everyone in the palace had seen Consort Xu.

The top courtesan of Jiangnan, whose very gaze carried the soft mist of spring rain.

Li Zhaoyi’s heart pounded.

He wasn’t afraid, but was suddenly plunged into a vast emptiness.

He walked toward—or rather, he watched himself walk toward—that huge sheet of ice.

He knew how piercing and cold the lake water was. His kite was floating right in the middle of the ice. Yet he still walked straight towards it. Beneath his feet, the ice began to make sounds of cracking.

At that very second, an arm wrapped around his waist.

He was lifted, turning into what he had always wanted to become—a bird circling in the sky.

The sound of rushing wind rang in his ears as he was carried back to the shore. Somehow, the shore had fallen completely silent. The few people who had just been laughing and jeering moments ago were now like geese with their necks wrung, stammering: “H-His Highness the Heir.”

No one paid them any attention.

Li Zhaoyi’s hands were freezing. He stretched out his hand, and the wet kite was placed in his palm.

That familiar yet strange voice sounded by his ear, utterly nonchalant.

“Here,” he said. “Little one.”

“Your kite. Keep it safe.”

–

When Li Zhaoyi woke from the dream, he still hadn’t fully come back to his senses.

A dim candle flame flickered in the hall. Palace Maids and Eunuchs were on watch in the outer room. Only the half-open window revealed a sliver of the cold, clear moon, reminding Li Zhaoyi that it was late at night.

He had just had a dream.

A dream he had once desperately wanted to dream again, but couldn’t, no matter what.

That year, he was ten years old.

Before the age of ten, he was a fallen Imperial Prince whom anyone in the palace could bully. Not just the noble young masters and ladies visiting the palace, even the Chief Eunuch in charge of the Cold Palace would occasionally trip him up.

For a time, Li Zhaoyi thought he would die in the Cold Palace. Indeed, that year, he nearly did die on this frozen lake, just because he wouldn’t hand over his kite to a scoundrel. But heaven had mercy, and someone saved him.

The one who saved him was Yun Yin.

No one knew that the current Regent and Puppet Emperor once shared such a past.

At that time, Yun Yin was seventeen. Three years at the Border Pass had forged a spirited young man. The Yun Clan was also at its peak. He had returned to assist Li Zhaoyu and saved Li Zhaoyi, who was being bullied by the roadside.

This was the first meeting between Li Zhaoyi and Yun Yin.

No treacherous political struggles, no probing back and forth.

Yun Yin was called away by eunuchs who rushed over after hearing the news.

Li Zhaoyu had summoned him urgently, so he only had time to say one thing: “My name is Yun Yin. If you need anything, you can find me at the Eastern Palace.”

Li Zhaoyi didn’t need help.

He knew very well that no one could save him.

But from that day on, he knew that if one day he had to willingly die in someone else’s place…

Then besides Lu Zhong, that person…

Could only be Yun Yin.

–

The cawing of a few crows sounded outside the window. Li Zhaoyi pushed open the half-window.

It was already dark, but he was no longer sleepy.

The headache had lessened somewhat. He sat by the window, thinking of the past.

Initially, he had thought Yun Yin simply didn’t remember. But later, he also realized Yun Yin must have forgotten him, or simply hadn’t connected him to the person he saved that day.

After all, back then, his face was covered in dirt and he was only ten.

Li Zhaoyi quietly watched the moon.

That’s fine too, he thought.

As long as he remembers, that’s enough.

Lu Zhong always told him: Your Highness, I regret teaching you kindness. Kindness isn’t needed in this palace.

He didn’t know about what happened between Li Zhaoyi and Yun Yin. It was only because Li Zhaoyi had asked him about Yun Yin, and his words clearly weren’t out of dislike. Unable to get answers, Lu Zhong could only gently advise against it.

But Li Zhaoyi said: Teacher, then you shouldn’t have taken care of me.

Because of a chance kindness, Lu Zhong was willing to risk caring for his benefactor’s descendant for eighteen years. Li Zhaoyi hadn’t deliberately learned it, but he at least knew how to write the four characters for “repaying kindness.”

There were very few people he could repay.

Besides Lu Zhong, only Yun Yin remained.

Lu Zhong was family. Yun Yin…

What was Yun Yin?

Li Zhaoyi didn’t know. His mind returned to that chaotic, topsy-turvy night.

Just as his thoughts began to stray, a familiar figure suddenly vaulted in through the window before him.

He was so startled that he shot up from his chair. His first reaction was to check the outer room for Mu Ke.

Before he could even turn his head, Lu Zhong said:

“Don’t bother looking. They’ve been drugged.”

Li Zhaoyi’s lips moved: “…Teacher?”

“Pack your things,” Lu Zhong looked at him, his words concise and to the point. “Gather everything you need to take. Change your clothes.”

“Right now. I’m getting you out of here.”