Chapter 803 Falling Ill

The crown prince's illness came on suddenly and got better quickly. With Si Niang's meticulous care, unless it was truly the Tianjue Ji family determined to take Xiao Chuanye's life, it would be difficult for any major problems to arise.

However, according to Si Niang's observation, this child's body was truly in poor condition.

Si Niang was referring to his mental state, and even used a metaphor, saying that it was a younger version of the "Daiyu Syndrome" (referring to fragile and melancholic temperament, named after a character in "Dream of the Red Chamber"). Even if it wasn't due to domestic squabbles, his mind was too heavy, and his thoughts were scattered, causing him to continuously leak energy even at an age when he should be growing and consolidating his foundation.

The Sword Saint had also personally examined the child's body and concluded that he was not martial material at all; his aptitude was mediocre.

Perhaps feeling that his words were too harsh, the Sword Saint softened his tone, saying that the child had put all his talent into his brain.

However, what was unavoidable as a result was that he was "top-heavy."

The reason the child had become like this was, to a large extent, the pressure of the royal inheritance brought by his father and his imperial grandfather.

Ji Lao Liu was an unkillable cockroach, an anomaly, but that didn't mean his son could perfectly inherit his mantle in this regard.

And before the late Emperor passed away, looking at Ji Chuanye lying on the bed, the words he uttered, "Good Holy Grandson," actually became a heavy burden, directly pressing down on the child's immature shoulders.

The Emperor judged his son by himself; the late Emperor regarded his grandson as a son who had been kneaded by him but still maintained reverse growth.

Finally, the Crown Prince of Great Yan was forced into such a predicament early on.

In this era, there weren't many who hoped their daughters would become phoenixes, but there were a great many who hoped their sons would become dragons.

In the imperial family, it had been distorted to the point of being called perverted; what was even more perverted was that they were used to it.

When Empress He learned that her son was going to be sent to Jindong, her sadness might not have been solely because her son was leaving her side, but because she was aware of her son's physical condition.

From a mother's perspective, she worried that this trip to Jindong might be a permanent farewell between mother and son.

This wasn't an exaggeration; it wasn't an exaggeration at all. In this era, the probability of young children dying early was truly not low.

Giving birth to eight children, and ultimately having four survive to adulthood, was considered fortunate.

After some delay, the group finally entered Fengxin.

…

"Here."

Zheng Fan put the crown prince down on the ground.

The crown prince didn't seem too restrained. A child who had truly seen the world wouldn't be afraid of strangers, and he was used to keeping everything in his heart and slowly ruminating over it himself. Not showing emotions on his face was standard for the imperial family, and he had already mastered it early on.

On the contrary, Tian Tian, who was standing there to welcome him, was actually a little flustered when he saw the crown prince.

Looking at his younger brother, the crown prince, he smiled, then looked up at his godfather and smiled.

Tian Tian was fair-skinned and rosy-cheeked, still a delicate porcelain doll.

The crown prince was young and slender; Tian Tian standing in front of him was obviously bigger.

A bed had been added to his room. Tian Tian knew that he would have a younger brother to accompany him from now on. He was very happy, but from childhood, apart from being able to occasionally play with Liu Dahu and Jian Bi starting last year, he was mostly alone.

He had originally been looking forward to the baby in Er Niang's belly coming out to play with him.

Unexpectedly, one had arrived first.

Tian Tian was very happy, but because of this happiness, he didn't know how to express it for a moment.

He could only take out a handful of candied chestnuts from his pocket and hand them to the crown prince:

"Brother, eat."

The crown prince reached out and took them.

Zheng Fan stepped forward, picked up Tian Tian, and kissed him hard on the face.

Unlike the crown prince, who was forcibly stuffed over by Ji Lao Liu, Tian Tian was the true apple of his Pingxi King's eye.

He had watched him grow up from infancy, and every time he returned from an expedition, he could notice that the child had grown a little. All-encompassing paternal love was certainly out of the question, but this child truly filled most of the softness in Zheng Fan's heart.

"Giggle… Daddy, beard, hurts."

Returning from an expedition, there was naturally no time to groom his beard. The Yan people didn't pay much attention to the saying "our body, hair, and skin are received from our parents." Zheng Fan had also reached a point where he didn't need to rely on growing a beard to maintain his image. Usually, he still shaved his beard often, only leaving a small tuft on his jaw.

"Tian Tian, from now on, you're responsible for taking care of your brother."

"Okay, Daddy."

Tian Tian agreed.

Zheng Fan put Tian Tian down and said to Ji Chuanye, "Chuanye, call him brother."

Tian Tian smiled a little shyly, with obvious anticipation on his face.

Ji Chuanye took half a step back, put his hands together in front of him, and respectfully saluted:

"Chuanye greets Brother Tian Tian."

Um…

Tian Tian also took half a step back and saluted in a very proper manner:

"Tian Tian greets Brother Chuanye."

This scene looked extremely comical.

However, fortunately, children were still children after all, and there wasn't a scene of "This Prince greets the Heir of Jingnan."

"Tian Tian, take good care of your brother."

Tian Tian nodded and said, "Okay."

"You guys go play, Daddy has things to do outside."

"This child takes his leave."

Ji Chuanye was also about to salute Zheng Bo (Uncle) to take his leave, but Tian Tian reached out and grabbed his wrist.

"Brother, I'll take you to see…"

The crown prince staggered, lost his balance, and fell to the ground.

His forehead hit the ground and broke the skin.

"…" Tian Tian.

It could only be said that the people Tian Tian usually played with were too much of "beasts"; even Liu Dahu and Jian Bi were big kids and practiced martial arts. He himself was also very sturdy, and he was truly unaccustomed to the crown prince's "weakness."

On the side, Eunuch Zhang was about to open his mouth and scream.

But as Zheng Fan's gaze swept towards him, he immediately closed his mouth again.

When entering the Marquis's residence, Eunuch Zhang saw the two stone lions at the entrance of the residence.

"It's normal for children to have bumps and bruises, Eunuch Zhang."

"Your Highness, this servant is here."

"I allow you to live in the residence and pay your respects to the crown prince on weekdays, but don't interfere too much."

This wasn't a threat; it was a clear warning.

"Your Highness, rest assured, this servant understands."

Zheng Fan left first; there were still matters waiting for him to deal with in the signing room in front.

"Brother, I'm sorry."

Tian Tian looked at the wound on Ji Chuanye's forehead and blew on it.

Ji Chuanye wasn't angry, but said, "It was Chuanye's own carelessness, it's not Brother's fault."

Eunuch Zhang carefully said, "Your Highness, this servant will get you some medicine. This servant will go ask the residence where the pharmacy and doctor are…"

Originally, the crown prince's entourage had guards, servants, and teachers, and everything was provided for, but because Zheng Fan directly picked up the child and left when he went to pick up the child, the rest of the entourage could only return home except for Eunuch Zhang, who was able to follow as a personal attendant.

Eunuch Zhang was "new to the place" and didn't know where the doctor in the residence was.

Logically speaking, such a large residence should have a dedicated doctor.

Eunuch Zhang was wrong; there wasn't a dedicated doctor in the residence.

Firstly, there weren't many people in the residence, and among these few people, only a minority would get sick.

Moreover, Si Niang, Blindman, Xue San, and others all knew "medical skills." They could easily take a look at ordinary headaches and fevers.

The two madams in the "harem" also had Si Niang prescribe prescriptions to help them regulate their bodies.

Tian Tian looked at the wound on the crown prince's forehead and said to Eunuch Zhang, "I know."

Eunuch Zhang knew the identity of this young master, and he had also seen from the previous situation how much the Pingxi King loved this Heir, although it was difficult for outsiders to believe, but it had to be admitted that in this residence, this Heir was more favored than the Crown Prince of Great Yan.

"Then I'll trouble Heir, then."

Tian Tian lowered his head and looked at the crown prince, asking, "Can Brother walk?"

"I can."

"Then follow me."

Tian Tian took Ji Chuanye's hand, the big doll leading the small doll, and the two entered the inner courtyard.

Eunuch Zhang, worried about the Crown Prince's injury, also followed behind.

Then, the three came to the outside of a small courtyard. Inside the courtyard, there were birds and flowers, which should be a greenhouse.

Tian Tian took the crown prince in, and Eunuch Zhang also walked in, then froze. This pavilion, this inscription, this arrangement, was clearly the small courtyard of a certain madam.

He had rashly barged in, which was really…

Then, Eunuch Zhang lowered his head, and then raised his chest again.

Hey, what was a eunuch still worrying about here?

Tian Tian whispered:

"Snake Snake, Snake Snake?"

Eunuch Zhang nodded, there should be a female official named "She" in this madam's courtyard, who was good at medical skills.

Then, Eunuch Zhang suddenly felt a chill down his back.

He had practiced a little Qi cultivation method, but his path was too shallow. Turning his head, he saw a huge snake head standing behind him.

"Protect the Crown Prince!"

Eunuch Zhang immediately screamed, jumped backward, and stood in front of the crown prince.

The crown prince was also stunned.

Zheng Bo (Uncle) had taken him to ride the Pixiu (mythical wild beast) before, and there were actually many Pixiu beasts of all kinds during the grand sacrifices in the palace. After seeing them for a long time, he regarded Pixiu beasts as another kind of horse.

Suddenly, a huge green python appeared in front of him, which was really… scary.

Tian Tian took the initiative to walk to the green python. The green python lowered its head and rubbed Tian Tian with its head.

"Huff…"

"Huff…"

The crown prince and Eunuch Zhang almost simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

The green python was scary, but fortunately, it was domesticated.

Although they didn't know why the demon beast wasn't raised in the Imperial Beast Bureau, but was raised at home.

Tian Tian patted the green python, then a piece of snake scale fell from the green python's body. Tian Tian picked up the snake scale and came to the crown prince, covering the snake scale on the wound on his forehead.

Immediately, a cool feeling came, which was very comfortable.

"Does it not hurt anymore?"

"Hmm."

Tian Tian smiled relievedly.

When learning to walk before, Tian Tian would also fall while walking, which was normal for children. The green python would take the initiative to drop its snake scales for you to apply to the wound.

This thing can be used as medicine to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, clear heat, and detoxify.

"Brother, are you hungry?" Tian Tian asked.

The crown prince shook his head.

"Then I'll take you to play that."

Tian Tian took the crown prince to his small courtyard. There were many toys in the courtyard. The master loved this godson and ordered San'er to make many merry-go-rounds and seesaws here, which was almost a small amusement park.

The crown prince first sat on the seesaw, and then Tian Tian also sat on it.

Tian Tian came down, the crown prince went up, and then he didn't move.

"Umm…"

Tian Tian had never encountered this kind of thing before, because the one sitting opposite him before was Mo Wan (a demon child).

Eunuch Zhang on the side also understood, walked over, reached out and grabbed the crown prince's side, slowly pressing it down, and then slowly releasing it.

In this way, going up and down, the two children finally started playing.

Next, the two children played many other toys.

Eunuch Zhang was exhausted, his waist was hurting.

When the two children started playing on the slide, Eunuch Zhang supported his waist and leaned on a pillar, taking a rest.

Then, Eunuch Zhang saw a black cat and a fox lying on the grass not far away. The two animals seemed to be leisurely enjoying the sun.

Seeing Eunuch Zhang looking at himself, the fox didn't know where to dig out an apple, pushed it, rolled it, and went straight to Eunuch Zhang's feet.

Immediately afterward, the fox lay back down.

Eunuch Zhang frowned, but still bent down to pick up the apple, wiped it on his clothes, and took a bite, um, it was very sweet.

After seeing the green python raised at home, Eunuch Zhang felt that he wouldn't find anything strange seeing anything in this residence.

At this time, Eunuch Zhang found that someone was coming at the courtyard gate, turned his head to look, although that person was not wearing a eunuch's uniform, he saw at a glance that he was from the same profession!

Zhao Cheng looked at the Yan state eunuch uniform on Eunuch Zhang's body, and was also surprised, but then looking at the two children playing inside, he was not surprised.

He was the young man who Zheng Fan had brought back from the Chu land who had cut himself off. Now he was not working in the Marquis's residence, but was a supervisor below, with a high position, but in name he still belonged to the princess's courtyard. Today, the princess and the Third Madam went to the orchard to pick a lot of fruits. He accompanied them, and according to the princess's instructions, brought some washed fruits for the children to taste.

Eunuch Zhang stepped forward and took the tray from Zhao Cheng's hand.

Zhao Cheng looked at Eunuch Zhang carefully, and smiled;

"I still miss this feeling a little bit."

After this cut, can you change your career?

Eunuch Zhang didn't know how to answer Zhao Cheng's words.

Zhao Cheng saluted and took his leave.

He didn't pay respects to the Heir, nor did he pay respects to the Crown Prince. This was the rule in the backyard of the residence. In front of Tian Tian, people in the residence were required to have as few etiquette as possible and be more natural.

Eunuch Zhang took the tray and prepared to give it to the two children to eat, but who knew that the fox and the black cat suddenly jumped on him.

After hesitating for a while, Eunuch Zhang didn't resist.

The black cat and the fox sniffed the fruits on the tray with their noses, and after confirming that there was no problem, the two animals turned their heads together to look at Eunuch Zhang, and then nodded to him together.

Eunuch Zhang blinked, and also nodded.

The black cat and the fox jumped down contentedly, and the two continued to lie there basking in the sun.

Eunuch Zhang then took the fruits to the two children.

The crown prince was covered in sweat, while Tian Tian wasn't even breathing hard.

The two children each took a fruit in their hands and began to bite.

"Brother Tian Tian."

"Yeah."

Counting from the late Emperor's side, Tian Tian should be of the same generation as Ji Lao Liu, so Tian Tian should be Ji Chuanye's uncle.

But counting from Zheng Fan's side, Zheng Fan and Ji Lao Liu were brothers, so they were brothers again.

It would be too strange for the two children to call each other uncle and nephew, so they called each other brothers from the beginning.

"Do you usually play by yourself every day?"

Ji Chuanye could see that there didn't seem to be a servant in this courtyard.

"No, there's a sister."

"Sister?"

"Yeah, my sister is very good to me. When I was at home, my sister would play with me."

"Chuanye also wants to pay a visit to his sister."

"Okay."

Tian Tian agreed.

"Is sister not at home?" Ji Chuanye asked.

"At home."

Eunuch Zhang heard this and said, "May I ask where Heir is? This servant will invite her."

Since the Crown Prince wanted to summon her, she should be called to see him.

Eunuch Zhang knew that Jingnan King only had this one son, and Pingxi King's children were still in the madams' bellies, so the "sister" that the Heir was talking about should be a maid in the residence who was usually responsible for taking care of him.

Tian Tian raised his head and smiled, and said;

"Sister is here."

"She's here?"

Eunuch Zhang also looked over, and then, um? Where is she?

Ji Chuanye also asked doubtfully:

"Brother Tian Tian, where is sister?"

"Yes, Heir, where is she?"

"Sister is here, standing next to you, Eunuch."

Eunuch Zhang lowered his head and looked at his feet, seeing nothing.

"Heir, are you joking?"

Just then, Eunuch Zhang suddenly felt a sinister chill coming from under him. When he looked down again, he found a vengeful infant looking up at him, with a sinister smile on its face.

"…" Eunuch Zhang.

"Mo Wan, the master ordered you not to get too close, the Crown Prince is weak."

A Ming walked in with a wine pot.

Mo Wan returned to the stone again and fell back on Tian Tian's lap.

Eunuch Zhang opened his mouth, took a few deep breaths, and at this moment, he really wanted to shout "Ghost", but he forcibly suppressed it.

He was a servant in the palace, and he had seen many strange things. There were many in the palace, but he really didn't expect to encounter such a "rich" experience on the first day he entered the Marquis's residence.

Eunuch Zhang stroked his chest, his mind a little blank.

"Tian Tian, the master is going to practice his saber."

"Yes, Uncle A Ming."

Tian Tian looked at the Crown Prince who was still a little confused, and asked;

"Brother, do you want to go see Daddy practice his saber?"

"Okay."

Tian Tian took the Crown Prince's hand and went to the front yard.

"Were you scared?"

A Ming looked at Eunuch Zhang.

Eunuch Zhang smiled a little awkwardly, still continuing to stroke his chest, and said:

"It's okay, it's okay."

"Take a sip and calm your nerves."

Eunuch Zhang nodded and said, "Thank you, thank you."

He took the wine pot, took two big sips,

Huh?

Eunuch Zhang reached out and wiped his lips, then looked at his palm, yes, it was blood!

…

The next morning,

Zheng Fan came over as usual to eat breakfast with his son, and the Crown Prince was also sitting on the side.

"Huh, where's Eunuch Zhang?"

The Crown Prince replied:

"Replying to Uncle Zheng, Eunuch Zhang is suffering from water and soil incompatibility, and has fallen ill."