In the second year of the Qisheng era, on the nineteenth day of the first lunar month, in the capital city. At the Drunken Butterfly Mountain Palace, lived the late emperor's widows. Apart from Empress Rong, mother of Ji Jie, all the consorts who had borne children for Emperor Jianyuan moved here after the new emperor ascended the throne. They spent their days eating vegetarian meals and praying to Buddha for peace.
"Cough, cough, cough..." The intermittent coughing came from inside the room. The maids and eunuchs who followed from the palace either clasped their hands together in prayer or knelt before the Buddha statues, silently sobbing, afraid to disturb the person inside who was barely sleeping.
Since last spring, Consort Heqing Tai had fallen ill several times, none as severe as this one. Unlike the imperial palace, the mountain palace was home to a group of widows with no ties to Emperor Qisheng. The monthly charcoal supply was mediocre, causing discomfort and insufficient warmth. This winter was particularly cold. On the night of the Lantern Festival, Lady Ye felt well enough to watch fireworks in the courtyard, but by midnight, she fell gravely ill, nearly crossing into the realm of the dead. Fortunately, the attending imperial doctor arrived promptly, lowering her fever and saving her life.
Prince Jing, Ji Xiang, rode through the night to reach her side. Upon hearing from the maids that his mother was safe, he fainted and had to be carried inside to rest.
Though under the care of the imperial doctors, Lady Ye could no longer get out of bed since that day. She felt weak during the day and had low fevers at night, often delirious but miraculously pulling through each time.
Starting from the second day of the Lantern Festival, Ji Xiang stayed by her bedside, devoting himself to filial piety. With his presence, Lady Ye's spirits improved, though she ate little and grew weaker by the day.
On the third day of Lady Ye's illness, Ji Xiang served her breakfast. As the maids prepared to bathe her, he retreated to the antechamber. Just as he sat down to eat some pastries, a maid reported that someone from the palace wanted to see him.
As the seventh prince, Ji Xiang had three older brothers—Ji Jie, Ji Yi, and Ji Huan—who were all formidable in their own ways. Knowing he had no chance of becoming emperor, he had always been gentle and obedient. After his coming-of-age ceremony two years ago, Emperor Jianyuan passed away before arranging a marriage for him. Ji Xiang didn't mind, living alone in his palace, occasionally visiting his mother and other consorts, never causing trouble.
But being compliant doesn't mean trouble won't find you. After Emperor Jianyuan's death, Ji Jie caused him numerous troubles. Following his mother's guidance, Ji Xiang complied with everything his elder brother demanded. When ordered to marry the niece of Empress Rong, he did so, treating his wife with utmost care, fearing retaliation from her aunt.
When Ji Jie abolished the feudal system, the fourth prince, Ji Jing, committed suicide in protest, while the fifth and sixth princes also showed resistance. Only Ji Xiang handed over his royal seal without question, allowing him to remain in the capital with a nominal title and a stipend of a thousand households. He no longer needed to report daily to the Ministry of Personnel, effectively becoming a real parasite.
It had been months since Ji Jie last troubled him. As Ji Xiang pondered what this visit might entail, he wiped his hands with a hot towel and went out to meet the visitor.
Standing in the courtyard was a middle-aged man with a prosperous appearance, small eyes permanently curved in a smile. Despite his seemingly friendly demeanor, Ji Xiang couldn't help but feel uneasy about him.
"Greetings, Prince Jing, are you well?" The man bowed perfunctorily.
Ji Xiang's lips tightened as he stepped down the steps, asking with annoyance, "What does His Majesty want?"
The man placed one hand on his large belly and gestured for them to move indoors: "It's cold outside, shall we discuss inside?"
Ji Xiang frowned: "Mother is unwell, I don't want her to hear anything distressing. Let's talk here."
The man smiled with squinted eyes: "Your filial piety will surely move heaven, and Consort Heqing's illness will improve. Very well, let's talk here."
Ji Xiang had mentally prepared for various possibilities, whether it was leaving the capital or losing his status, as long as his and his mother's lives were spared, he could endure it.
"Yes, patience leads to great achievements. Whatever he demands, I will agree."
"Consort Heqing and the late Empress Xiaoling were cousins. After Empress Xiaoling's death, you raised Prince Wu personally, forming a deep bond," the man spoke slowly. Ji Xiang's heart sank, sensing impending doom.
Indeed, the man continued: "Now, Prince Wu is far away in Yan Prefecture, and Consort Heqing has been ill for a long time. Does he know?"
Ji Xiang mentally steeled himself, answering humbly: "Mother told me not to inform Second Brother, so he likely doesn't know."
The man clicked his tongue: "Old age brings illness swiftly. One careless moment, and it could be too late."
Ji Xiang flared up instantly: "What do you mean?"
The man waved his hands, laughing: "Your Highness needn't be angry. I'm merely relaying His Majesty's words. Reflecting on Emperor Jianyuan's passing, he expressed concern that Consort Heqing might never see Prince Wu again. He intends to issue an edict summoning Prince Wu back to the capital."
Recalling Ji Yi? Ji Xiang was genuinely shocked. Why bring him back? To eliminate him and possibly themselves? Thinking this, sweat broke out on his palms.
"Your Highness?"
"Ah!" Ji Xiang snapped back to reality, "What is it?"
The man smiled accommodatingly: "Although His Majesty and Prince Wu are blood brothers, their relationship isn't as close as yours. The emperor fears Prince Wu might refuse the summons, and issuing an edict could harm their brotherly bond. He wants you to write a letter inviting Prince Wu to visit due to Consort Heqing's illness."
Ji Xiang hadn't expected them to use his family ties to lure Ji Yi back. Stunned, he stood there, unsure how to respond. Had Ji Jie discovered something? His mother urged him to endure, waiting for Ji Yi to gather strength and return to reclaim the capital. Now, Ji Jie intended to exploit their familial bond to trap Ji Yi!
The man added with a smile: "It's been over a year since Emperor Jianyuan's death, and Prince Wu hasn't returned to pay respects. That's quite unusual, wouldn't you say?"
Ji Xiang's back broke out in cold sweat. Finally, he managed to say, "What... what should I write?"
Seeing his acquiescence, the man relaxed: "I've drafted the content. Shall I dictate, and you write?"
"...Very well, I'll write as you say."
The man's smile was warm: "Please proceed!"
Reluctantly, Ji Xiang entered the antechamber with him, calling for a maid to bring writing materials.
Without any regard for propriety, the man stood beside the desk, watching every word Ji Xiang wrote. Though repulsed, Ji Xiang remained silent, writing as dictated.
"...Last year, when our father passed away, Mother cried day and night, missing you. She couldn't eat or sleep, growing weaker. Repeated illnesses left her bedridden for months, unable to eat properly."
Ji Xiang wrote mechanically, feeling numb.
The man scrutinized each word: "After the Lantern Festival, she developed a high fever, unable to rise during the day or sleep at night, repeatedly calling your name in delirium..."
Ji Xiang's hand trembled, unable to continue.
"What's wrong, Your Highness?" The man removed the ink-stained paper and replaced it with a fresh sheet. "Please hurry, lest Mother sends for you."
Ji Xiang stared blankly at the blank paper. The man placed a hand on his shoulder, whispering: "While you were away, your wife visited the empress dowager frequently. Yesterday, she suddenly felt unwell. The imperial doctors confirmed she's pregnant."
This revelation sent another wave of cold sweat down Ji Xiang's spine. Since their wedding night, he hadn't touched his wife, yet now she was pregnant? "That's wonderful news," he forced a smile.
The man smiled: "Soon, Mother will have a grandchild. This good news should cheer her up, along with the excellent medicine His Majesty sent."
The implied threat was clear—if he didn't comply, his mother would lose her medicine.
With no way out, Ji Xiang steadied himself and began copying the draft. The man nodded approvingly.
After sealing the letter, the man inspected it carefully before placing it in an envelope and sealing it with wax. Then, he left.
Exhausted, Ji Xiang felt drenched in sweat. After the man left, he sat motionless until summoned by Lady Ye for lunch.
Lady Ye, still too weak to sit up, leaned against pillows. Ji Xiang fed her carefully, while the maids served simple dishes, a far cry from her former lavish treatment.
"Xiang'er," she called after a few bites.
Ji Xiang responded quickly: "Is the food unsatisfactory?"
Lady Ye's gaze, though weak, was sharp: "Do you think I'm deaf? What did the visitor want?"
Ji Xiang froze, trying to change the subject: "Just an old friend, bringing some medicine upon hearing I was visiting you."
Lady Ye scoffed: "Don't lie to me. I know they're coming after you next. Tell me, what did the emperor demand this time?"
Realizing he couldn't hide it, Ji Xiang stuttered: "He asked me to write... a letter to Second Brother."
Lady Ye gripped the blanket tightly: "What did you write?"
"Mother is very ill, missing him, urging him to return to the capital—"
Before he finished, Lady Ye slapped him hard, surprising him with her strength. Ji Xiang stood stunned, his cheek swelling instantly.