The Emperor suddenly felt bored. The Prince of Lu’s heir had always stayed in his estate, rarely venturing out or socializing. The Emperor had brought him along this time specifically to assess his health, fearing the heir might plot something behind his back.
The Emperor was a suspicious man. He would only feel at ease if he saw things with his own eyes, as even imperial physicians could be bribed. Now, it seemed the physicians' diagnosis was accurate.
The noble scions present were all astute individuals. Although the Emperor hadn't explicitly stated his intentions, they had all subtly tried to probe him, but to no avail.
Upon returning that day, news spread that the Prince of Lu’s heir had fallen ill. The Emperor, who had brought several imperial physicians with him, immediately dispatched them to his residence for a consultation. The results were much the same as the previous imperial physicians' reports: an ailment from birth, inherent frailty, requiring only the best medicine for sustenance.
Initially, the imperial physicians visited daily to check his pulse, but later, they simply prescribed a pile of medicine and no longer made appearances.
Huangfu Xingchen knew that the Emperor’s suspicions towards him had temporarily subsided. This was the purpose of his charade in front of everyone.
Afterward, no one invited him out anymore. Apart from the inconvenience of contacting his subordinates outside, his life was no different from when he was in his estate. During the day, he would meticulously pick through the medicine prescribed by the imperial physicians, have the maids brew it, and drink it. At night, he would meditate and practice martial arts on his bed.
There was one thing they hadn't been wrong about: the original owner of this body had indeed been frail since birth and required slow recuperation. Therefore, he also took medicine daily.
While his situation was quiet, he heard that the hunting grounds had been anything but peaceful.
First, the First Prince, while hunting, was accidentally separated from his party. He pursued a prey deep into the mountains, only to be ambushed and severely wounded. Had his guards arrived any later, his life would have been lost.
The Emperor was furious. He couldn't believe that assassins dared to appear under his nose. He dispatched a large contingent, determined to uncover the truth and find out who dared to provoke him.
The investigation led to the Second Prince. When the Emperor ordered his arrest, he discovered the Second Prince dead in his own courtyard under mysterious circumstances.
The Emperor was utterly dumbfounded. Although he had been angry at the Second Prince for harming his elder brother, he had never wished for his death. The Emperor launched another investigation into the Second Prince's demise, but no leads emerged. The matter reached a stalemate.
Everyone at the hunting grounds lived in fear. Even Huangfu Xingchen was not spared, ensuring his courtyard was tightly guarded and instructing An Yun to monitor the Emperor’s every move. Although he was innocent, he feared being framed.
After all, it was obvious to any discerning observer that this was a power struggle among the princes. In this round of conflict, the Second Prince had been outmaneuvered and became collateral damage. However, the Emperor didn't see it that way. These were his sons, and their suffering and deaths pained him.
When he was unhappy, he would seek to vent his frustrations on those around him. No one wanted to be the scapegoat.
At that moment, the Emperor felt a deep sorrow. He had initially believed his sons were still young and that they would have a few more years of harmonious coexistence. But he had underestimated the allure of the throne. While he was still in his prime, they had already begun to vie for it. The Second Prince's death gave him a moment of despair and solidified his resolve to quickly name an heir upon his return, shattering the illusions of certain individuals.
He harbored suspicion towards every one of his sons. In his eyes, although the eldest son was severely injured, he wasn't dead. Who knew if it was a staged event, a ploy to frame the Second Prince? The remaining princes were also potential suspects, especially the Third Prince. With the First Prince injured and the Second Prince gone, he stood to gain the most from the current situation.
Ultimately, after some discussion between the Emperor and the princes, Huangfu Xingchen was notified a couple of days later that they would be returning to the capital.
He breathed a sigh of relief. Truthfully, he had long wished to leave. This place was rife with hidden schemes and stratagems; a single misstep could lead to being trapped and unable to escape. Moreover, he wished to return to the capital to see Wu Caiwei.
On the afternoon of his return to the capital, he eagerly went to Qingpeng Tower. Upon meeting, they shared updates on their respective situations and their identities in this life.
"To outsiders, I appear sickly and frail. I won't be able to visit you frequently. It seems we must find a way to marry sooner, so I don't have to endure the pain of longing," Huangfu Xingchen said with feigned seriousness.
"It's alright. I can focus all my energy on my career. Raising an army is an expensive undertaking. You can find someone to come here specifically for the funds," Wu Caiwei replied. She felt that if love is long-lasting, it transcends the need for constant togetherness. She quite enjoyed her current solitary life.
"It seems you're living quite a carefree life. I think of you constantly, yet it appears you don't miss me at all," Huangfu Xingchen murmured, a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Am I not accumulating wealth for your grand ambition? It's another way of showing my love for you," Wu Caiwei said with a smile. People say men remain boys until death; she hadn't believed it before, but now she truly did, finding it somewhat exasperating.
"Excuses, all excuses," Huangfu Xingchen grumbled, clearly dissatisfied. After some thought, he continued, "Do you remember the guard I reprimanded the last time we met? He's my confidant. Let him be in charge of the finances."
Wu Caiwei nodded without hesitation. Her memory was excellent. The man had appeared visibly worried about Huangfu Xingchen, clearly a loyal subordinate. Although he had rebuked them, she had a good impression of him.
Huangfu Xingchen knew he was under constant surveillance by the Emperor. While he wanted to spend more time with her, his reason told him he had to leave quickly, lest the Emperor start monitoring Wu Caiwei.
Back in his estate, he lay alone on his bed, contemplating the future. He and Wu Caiwei were truly worthy of being married for so many years; she understood his intentions as soon as she heard of his predicament. He didn't want to remain in a passive position, constantly living in fear. His destiny should be in his own hands. Moreover, he and Wu Caiwei were to be married, and perhaps have children. He had to protect those he held dear.
Huangfu Xingchen felt no guilt about relying on his future wife for financial support, spending her money. After all, they had spent centuries together, becoming an indispensable part of each other's lives. Such distinctions no longer mattered.
An Yun had once been a starving beggar saved by Huangfu Xingchen, who not only taught him martial arts but also literacy. He was eternally grateful to his master and vowed to be loyal to his death.
The last time, he had sensed that his master might know that man. Although his master appeared gentle and approachable on the surface, An Yun knew that he didn't truly care for anyone. When his master now instructed him to liaise with that man and collect money from him, he was even more astonished. Such a good thing?