Chapter 98: The Stone Hut in the Imperial Mausoleum

Qixue and Helan Ji’s trip to escape the summer heat was both for leisure and to pay respects at the graves of the Late Empress and the Former Crown Prince.

The Summer Palace had been built near the Imperial Mausoleum specifically to facilitate the Emperor’s ancestral sacrifices. It was not far from Shangjing—about a day’s journey. They set out early in the morning and arrived before nightfall.

Due to Helan Ji’s cold constitution, no ice basins could be placed in his carriage, so Qixue rode in his own palanquin. He laid a mat over an ice basin and transformed into Rabbit Tuan, sprawling comfortably on the chilled surface. Though the weather was sweltering, he found the journey quite pleasant.

The closer they got to the Summer Palace, the cooler the temperature became. The area featured gentle hills, shimmering lakes amid verdant mountains—a truly exquisite landscape, a feng shui treasure spot.

The Emperor’s procession arrived at the Summer Palace just before sunset. That night, both Qixue and Helan Ji retired early. The next morning, while the weather was still cool, Helan Ji carried the drowsy Rabbit Tuan into the Imperial Mausoleum.

No palace servants or guards followed behind them, but numerous demons lurked in the shadows and underground, silently protecting their safety.

The still-sleepy Rabbit Tuan nestled in Helan Ji’s arms, chewing lazily with his three-petaled mouth and wriggling his plump rabbit rear before drifting off again. Only when Helan Ji gently stroked his little head and patiently waited for him to wake did he hear Helan Ji say, “Yuan Yuan, we’ve arrived.”

“……?”

Rabbit Tuan opened his misty black eyes. What came into view was not a tomb or underground palace, but a dilapidated stone hut.

The hut was built from large stones piled together, with mud plastered in the gaps. Due to the humid mountain climate, grasses sprouted from the cracks, and the stone surfaces were covered in slick moss. The wooden door was rotten through, even sprouting a few mushrooms.

Helan Ji said, “This was my dwelling in the Imperial Mausoleum back then. I lived in this stone hut for six years.”

Hearing this, Rabbit Tuan instantly sobered up and examined the hut in shock.

Its dilapidation was secondary; what stunned Rabbit Tuan most was how tiny it was, with no windows—like a tomb itself. How stifling and oppressive it must have been to live inside.

Helan Ji asked, “Do you want to go in and take a look?”

Rabbit Tuan nodded without hesitation. “I want to see.”

Helan Ji carried him inside, removing the rotten door panel and setting it aside. He ducked through the low doorway, and a foul, damp stench hit them immediately.

By the light from outside, Rabbit Tuan saw the interior was just as rundown. The furnishings consisted only of a half-collapsed low couch and a small tea table for meals. Along the wall stood earthenware jars and bowls for catching water, while the corner held rubble and several rusted chisels—tools Helan Ji had once used for stone carving.

Just looking at these meager furnishings, Rabbit Tuan could imagine how bitter Helan Ji’s life had been. In this dark, cramped space, a child had endured alone for a full six years. How had he survived it?

Rabbit Tuan fell silent for a long time, his rabbit ears drooping softly, his mood plummeting.

He ached terribly for the young Helan Ji and simultaneously hated the old Emperor and Rong Consort. He wondered if those two culprits were also buried in the Imperial Mausoleum. He wanted to drag their coffins from the graves and toss them into a fire as kindling.

After a while, he sadly licked Helan Ji’s finger. “Your Majesty, you suffered so much…”

Helan Ji stroked Rabbit Tuan and carried him to the doorway, reaching down to touch the notches on the frame.

“Back then, Mother often measured my brother and me, praising how much we’d grown. After she passed, I had to record it myself and tell her at the tomb. Look, this notch is my height at eight years old.”

He lifted Rabbit Tuan to the mark. Rabbit Tuan touched it with his paws, his emotions a tangled mix. “So Your Majesty was this short at eight?”

He knew Helan Ji had often gone hungry upon arriving at the Imperial Mausoleum. This mark was far shorter than a typical eight-year-old’s height—he probably hadn’t grown much at all since then.

Fortunately, Xu Taifei had later secretly aided His Majesty, ensuring he at least had full meals, which allowed him to grow so tall and handsome…

Rabbit Tuan looked up at Helan Ji and gestured with his paws. “So when did Your Majesty suddenly start growing taller?”

Helan Ji said flatly, “Starting the year I returned to the palace, when I was twelve.”

“That year, Father Emperor fell gravely ill, nearly dying. After recovering, he aged greatly, while Third Imperial Brother was in his prime. Father Emperor grew suspicious of him and finally remembered me, summoning me back—not out of affection, but to use me against Third Imperial Brother.”

“Of course, I didn’t disappoint Father Emperor’s expectations. I first killed Third Imperial Brother, then Father Emperor. It was my way of showing heart to my brother, so he wouldn’t be lonely on the road to the Yellow Springs.”

After viewing the stone hut, Helan Ji carried Rabbit Tuan deeper into the Imperial Mausoleum. Along the way, Rabbit Tuan spotted some vibrant wildflowers in full bloom and directed Helan Ji to pick a bouquet as his offering.

As they spoke, they arrived at the tomb chambers of the Late Empress and Former Crown Prince.

The two chambers stood adjacent, which violated protocol. Originally, they had been buried in modest graves. It was only after Helan Ji ascended the throne that he relocated them to these prime feng shui sites.

Beside them was an empty tomb chamber, reserved for Helan Ji himself.

Rabbit Tuan jumped down from Helan Ji’s arms and transformed into human form, looking around. “Where’s your father emperor’s grave?”

He was determined to stomp on that old bastard’s tombstone a few times!

“It’s gone,” Helan Ji said. “Last year, a mountain torrent washed it open. His coffin floated away with the flood, was struck by lightning, split open, and his corpse turned to charred remains.”

Qixue’s eyes widened in disbelief. Helan Ji added, “This time it’s real—I didn’t tamper with it. Probably divine retribution for his evil deeds.”

“He got off too easy,” Qixue snorted coldly. “Why didn’t it strike him dead while he was alive?”

Helan Ji smiled faintly. “Come on, let’s pay respects to Mother and Brother.”

The accompanying demons brought offerings: incense, candles, paper money, meals, yellow wine, pastries, and the flowers Qixue had picked. Qixue had wanted to make the pastries himself, but they’d come too hastily today. Since they’d be staying nearly two months, they could return later—he’d prepare then.

They entered the Late Empress’s tomb chamber and paid respects before her coffin. They dusted it clean, lit the eternal lamp, arranged the offerings, poured the wine, and knelt on the cushions, silently sharing their thoughts with her.

Qixue closed his eyes and chattered silently to the Late Empress in the coffin.

“Your Ladyship, it’s me, Yuan Yuan—the little rabbit A’Man rescued back then. Do you remember me?”

“Thanks to Your Ladyship’s blessings, I’ve lived well these years. Last year, I finally took human form. See, aren’t I pretty? If you and Crown Prince were still alive, you’d surely like me too, right?”

“All those who hurt you are dead now. A’Man became Emperor and avenged you both.”

“Since you and Crown Prince left, A’Man’s life has been miserable. But not anymore—now he has me. As long as I’m here, he won’t suffer. I’ll protect him well.”

“I’ll give everything to bless A’Man. If your spirits in heaven can hear our prayers, please watch over him too…”

Qixue spoke at length. Even when Helan Ji opened his eyes, he was still talking to her.

Helan Ji didn’t interrupt, just gazed quietly at his profile. After a while, feeling he’d said enough, Qixue turned to Helan Ji and noticed he’d been watched for some time.

A bit embarrassed, he asked, “How long have you been waiting for me, Your Majesty?”

“Not long.”

Helan Ji stood and extended a hand to Qixue. “Come, let’s pay respects to Brother next.”

The ritual for the Former Crown Prince was similar. Qixue silently prayed for the prince to bless his younger brother.

But as they prepared to leave, Qixue grew sentimental. “I probably won’t be able to come often anymore. I’ll miss you both. You don’t need to miss me… just take good care of A’Man for me.”

After murmuring this, he transformed back into Rabbit Tuan and hopped into Helan Ji’s arms.

“Hoo…”

A mountain breeze suddenly blew through—cool, gentle, serene. It softly ruffled Rabbit Tuan’s fur, like invisible hands caressing him in response.

“The wind’s picking up.”

Helan Ji glanced at the changing sky and said to Rabbit Tuan, “Rain’s coming soon. Let’s head back.”

–

A refreshing mountain rain arrived, light but persistent, lasting a full two days.

After the rain cleared, the palace lakes sparkled like jewels, and the air filled with the fresh scent of vegetation. Rabbit Tuan lounged on a soft cushion under the eaves, enjoying the cool breeze, his tail tip twitching merrily.

Eunuch Xue presented Helan Ji with freshly decocted medicine—pitch-black and bitterly aromatic. Helan Ji frowned slightly, downed it in one gulp, then immediately followed with the sweet soup Rabbit Tuan had prepared.

“How is it?” Rabbit Tuan clambered onto Helan Ji’s knee, asking smugly. “It’s been a while since I made sweet soup for Your Majesty. My skills haven’t slipped, have they?”

“They haven’t. It’s as delicious as ever.”

Helan Ji wiped his thin lips with a handkerchief, placed it on the tray, and the servants withdrew with it. “Thank you, Yuan Yuan.”

“Why are you still so polite with me, Your Majesty… As long as you want it, I’ll make it for you.”

Rabbit Tuan nuzzled his palm, acting coquettish. He hadn’t expected Helan Ji’s stoic nature to include a fear of bitterness and love for sweets—like a child. He adored this side of him; it was especially endearing.

“You’ve been thoughtful, Yuan Yuan.”

Helan Ji stroked Rabbit Tuan’s soft body, his fingers brushing the ears as he said in a low voice, “But for me, sweet soup still isn’t quite enough… When do you plan to make it up to me?”

Rabbit Tuan’s tail tip quivered, a faint pink flush spreading over him. He whispered, “I’m ready anytime… but Your Majesty, are you sure your health can handle it? I’m worried you might overexert yourself…”

“How could matters between husband and wife be exhausting?”

Helan Ji lifted the entire rabbit up, meeting his shy eyes. “Don’t you feel my desire for you every night we share a bed?”

Rabbit Tuan flushed deeper. He wasn’t made of wood—of course he felt it. Every night, Helan Ji embraced him from behind, pressing close… so large and obvious, he hadn’t dared speak of it.

Rabbit Tuan hummed for a moment before murmuring, “Since Your Majesty puts it that way, then tonight. Give me one day to prepare, and I’ll make it up to you properly…”

“Good.”

Helan Ji kissed his pink nose tip. “Tonight it is. I’ll be waiting.”

“You’d better make it good.”