Time slipped by swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, three months had passed.
Counting on his fingers, the Emperor had now been staying at the temporary palace for over half a year. Autumn had already arrived, the air crisp and the skies clear. In just a few days, it would be the Zhongyuan Festival.
The Emperor sent word back to the capital with an imperial decree, commanding the Crown Prince to bring the Crown Grandson and the newborn great-grandson—now three months old—to the temporary palace for several days, to spend the Zhongyuan Festival together.
Upon receiving the decree, the Crown Prince immediately sent for the Crown Grandson to discuss the matter.
“A’Yao, your imperial grandfather has suddenly issued a decree ordering the two of us to stay at the temporary palace for a while.” The Crown Prince spoke gravely, his brow slightly furrowed. “Ever since I received the decree, my eyelid keeps twitching, as if something ill is about to happen.”
The last time he’d had such an ominous feeling was years ago on the battlefield. That time, he had been gravely wounded and nearly lost his life.
A cold glint flashed in the Crown Grandson’s eyes. “Father, do you suspect Prince Yan will use this opportunity to make a move against us?”
Since Jiang Rongyue’s death, the Crown Grandson had grown noticeably thinner, his temperament growing colder and sharper, and he spoke little. His gaze had become deep and forbidding—a single glance from him was enough to send a chill straight to the bone.
The Crown Prince nodded slowly. “Yes. I do have that concern.”
“Your imperial grandfather has been taking the Longevity Pills for some time now. If the pills truly contain something addictive, their effect should already be taking hold. Your grandfather can no longer do without them. As for this decree—I cannot tell whether it was your grandfather’s own idea, or Prince Yan’s doing.”
The Crown Grandson’s lips curled coldly. “It’s certainly tied to Prince Yan. Grandfather has been at the temporary palace for over half a year, and Prince Yan has been secretly scheming and preparing for just as long. Now, feeling confident of victory, he can no longer hold back and means to strike against us during the Zhongyuan Festival.”
The Crown Prince’s expression grew even graver. “I suspected as much too. But since your grandfather has issued the decree, there’s no way to refuse this trip to the temporary palace.”
“Why would we refuse?”
The Crown Grandson’s voice was icy, a chilling killing intent seeping through his words. “Prince Yan has been eyeing us covetously for so long, and we’ve been on guard, waiting for him to act. I’ve long since grown impatient waiting. If he dares to make his move, it would suit me perfectly.”
“Let’s take this very opportunity to let Grandfather see Prince Yan’s true face, and root out this threat once and for all! Then Father can finally rest easy.”
Such words, brimming with killing intent, were enough to set the listener’s blood boiling.
The Crown Prince’s brow finally relaxed, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “You make it sound so simple. I only fear that if anything should go wrong, your grandfather might be harmed.”
Yet there was something in his tone that sounded a touch insincere.
The Crown Grandson and the Crown Prince exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them, before he said lightly, “Grandfather is the true Son of Heaven, blessed with long life and fortune, and protected by the heavens themselves. Father need not worry.”
He paused, then added, “I will go with you to the temporary palace, Father. But Nian’er is still too young to endure the jolting of a carriage. Let his mother stay behind at the residence with him.”
The child had lost his birth mother the moment he was born, and his body was frailer than that of an ordinary infant—he had not even been carried out of doors in these three months. How could he possibly withstand the strain of travel?
The Crown Prince nodded. “You’re right. Nian’er should stay at the residence. Once we reach the temporary palace, I’ll explain it to your grandfather myself. I doubt he’ll take offense.”
The father and son then went on to discuss the practical details of the journey.
. . .
Five days later.
Outside the temporary palace, the Crown Prince’s procession could be seen approaching from a distance.
The Crown Prince’s personal guard numbered roughly five hundred men; the steady drum of hooves rang out like ceaseless, muffled drumbeats. Anyone faint of heart hearing it might well have found their legs going weak.
Prince Yan, observing every courtesy, went out ten li to welcome them.
Having not seen each other in over half a year, the two brothers greeted one another with great warmth.
“Sixth Brother, you’ve worked hard all this while. It’s fortunate you’ve been here looking after Father, so that I could focus my mind on managing the court.” The Crown Prince clapped Prince Yan affectionately on the shoulder, his face full of smiles.
Prince Yan answered with a smile. “It’s only my duty. Such praise from you, Elder Brother, only embarrasses me. The court’s stability is entirely due to your diligence. I haven’t been able to help with anything else, so I’ve simply done my best looking after Father’s health—my small way of easing your burdens. Now that you’ve come to the temporary palace, you should stay a good while before returning to the capital.”
The Crown Prince agreed readily.
It was a picture of perfect brotherly harmony.
Prince Yan’s gaze then fell on the Crown Grandson standing nearby, and he sighed with what seemed like genuine concern. “A’Yao, it’s only been three months, and you’ve grown so much thinner. I know Jiang Rongyue’s death has grieved you, but no matter how sad you are, you must take care of your own health. The dead are gone; the living ought to live on all the better.”
These seemingly concerned words struck the Crown Grandson’s wound like a sharp blade, cutting deep.
The Crown Grandson’s lips twisted, no warmth in his eyes at all, only ice. “My thanks to Sixth Imperial Uncle for the concern. I will take this advice to heart.”
Their eyes met, and in both flashed a cold, murderous intent.
But the killing intent vanished as quickly as it appeared—so fast it was nearly imperceptible, and almost at once both returned to normal.
. . .
Half a shichen later.
The Crown Prince and the Crown Grandson knelt together to pay their respects. “Your son greets Father.”
“This grandson greets Imperial Grandfather.”
The Emperor laughed heartily. “Enough, enough—rise, both of you.”
The Crown Prince thanked him with a smile and rose first. As he took a brief look at the Emperor’s face, he was inwardly startled.
In recent years, the Emperor’s health had grown frail with age, and he was often confined to his sickbed, his complexion habitually pale and worn—every bit the picture of a man in his declining years.
But now, the Emperor’s complexion had grown noticeably ruddier, his laughter full of vigor; he looked years younger, and even the wrinkles on his forehead seemed to have softened.
The Longevity Pills truly held some hidden power!
“Grandfather has only been at the temporary palace a little over half a year, yet he looks far more spirited than before—vigorous and full of energy, much younger.” The Crown Grandson spoke with an expression of astonishment. “Could it be that Grandfather has been taking some miraculous elixir? Otherwise, how could there be such remarkable effects?”
Having his pride flattered exactly where it pleased him most, the Emperor laughed heartily again. “A’Yao truly has a keen eye! Your Sixth Imperial Uncle invited several renowned immortal masters to refine the Longevity Pills for me. Taking one each day, my appetite is now even better than before, my ears and eyes are sharp, and my whole body is full of strength. I feel myself years younger as well.”
“If I keep taking them for a full year, I’ll extend my life by ten years! These Longevity Pills are truly a rare and wonderful thing.”
All of this, in the end, was thanks to Prince Yan’s effort!
As he spoke, the Emperor glanced at Prince Yan with a smile.
The Crown Grandson immediately cupped his hands and smiled. “This grandson offers congratulations to Imperial Grandfather—may your blessings and longevity stretch on forever, ever young and undying!”
The Emperor, delighted body and soul, was overjoyed. “I’ll take them for a year first and see. The two of you are still young and vigorous—you have no need of these yet. Once I’ve seen their full effect in time, I will bestow these Longevity Pills upon you as well, so that we may all partake together.”
. . .