Chapter 25 - 2#

In the years that followed, Shen Jue would occasionally come over, but only when Murong Xiu wasn’t around.

…

Liu Anshun led Shen Jue by the hand toward the small room behind the Imperial Kitchen. “You’ve come at just the right time. I was about to have breakfast. What’s the reason this time?”

Shen Jue thought for a moment before replying. “His Highness threw a jade pendant into the pond and ordered me to retrieve it. But I couldn’t get it out. His Highness said if I didn’t bring it back, I couldn’t eat. I was too hungry.”

Liu Anshun frowned. Although this palace was a place that devoured people without spitting out bones, it wasn’t a place to torment a child like this. He had known Shen Jue for three years now. In these three years, he had never once seen Shen Jue have a full meal under Sixth Prince Murong Xiu. He had once thought of secretly transferring the child out of Qizhang Hall, but the head eunuch of Qizhang Hall waved his hand at him and said ambiguously, “This matter, it’s best you don’t get too involved.”

Liu Anshun didn’t understand. “That master dislikes this child so much—wouldn’t it be better if he didn’t have to see him?”

The head eunuch’s face was full of difficulty, unwilling to say more. “Don’t bring this up. It’s just not possible.” He paused, as if he really did feel sorry for Shen Jue, then added, “It’s fine if you secretly give him a little something to eat, but don’t let that master find out.”

Liu Anshun had no choice but to drop the matter, but in his heart he had no good impression of that tormenting Sixth Prince. To be so young and already know how to grind someone down—he didn’t know what kind of person he would grow up to be.

…

“Forget it, come eat with me.” Liu Anshun brought Shen Jue to the room behind the Imperial Kitchen. Breakfast was already laid out on the table inside.

Shen Jue looked at the breakfast, and his eyes couldn’t help but brighten. Now that he had turned into a child, his mind seemed to be suppressed as well. Although he knew he shouldn’t stare so directly at the food, he just couldn’t help it.

Holding back from reaching out to grab it with his hands was already his limit.

Liu Anshun gently patted him on the shoulder. “Go eat. Eat until you’re full, then talk to me.”

“Thank you, Eunuch Liu.” After thanking him, Shen Jue immediately sat down on the stool. He looked at the breakfast before him and decided to first drink some congee to settle his stomach. He hadn’t eaten for too long, and if he started with something too greasy or hard, his stomach probably wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Liu Anshun saw that Shen Jue went for the congee first, and a hint of relief and a touch of heartache appeared in his eyes. Before he entered the palace, he had a younger brother at home, about the same age as Shen Jue now. He didn’t understand anything and had no idea how to take care of himself. But Shen Jue, young as he was, already knew how to look after himself and had endured so much suffering to survive.

Just now, when Shen Jue said that Sixth Prince Murong Xiu had made him retrieve the jade pendant, it sounded light and simple, but making such a young child go into the water—the risk of something going wrong was enormous. Actually, the child didn’t come to him often; he only came when he was so hungry he couldn’t bear it anymore.

Liu Anshun thought for a moment, then walked over to Shen Jue and gently stroked his little head. “Shen Jue, how about I find a way to get you assigned to work here? Would you be willing?”

Shen Jue, biting on his spoon, turned his head to look at Liu Anshun.

Liu Anshun had a plump, fair face, like a steamed bun, making him seem easy to get along with. Seeing Shen Jue looking at him, he gave a gentle smile. “Don’t worry. If you come work here, I’ll make sure you get enough to eat.” Then, looking at Shen Jue’s current height with disdain, he added, “You’re too short now. You need to grow taller. Otherwise, you’ll stay all stunted, and people will say you’re ugly in the future.”

Shen Jue blinked and then nodded.

Seeing this, Liu Anshun patted his little head again. “Alright, you eat here for now. I’ll step out for a moment.”

…

Inside Qizhang Hall.

A handsome young man stood within, while several eunuchs knelt before him, including the head eunuch of Qizhang Hall, Lu Li.

“Didn’t you say he was in the palace? So where is he?” Although Murong Xiu’s voice was not loud, the eunuchs beneath him trembled all over. When they were first assigned to Qizhang Hall, they thought this unfavored Sixth Prince would be easy to bully. But within a few days, they had tasted Murong Xiu’s methods, and from then on they dared not even breathe loudly in his presence. Fortunately, there was always Shen Jue to serve as a punching bag.

In the late summer weather, Lu Li’s forehead was beaded with sweat. “This servant does not know.”

“Don’t know?” Murong Xiu’s tone rose. He shifted his gaze to the people kneeling on the ground and suddenly walked over to Li Feng. From the corner of his eye, Li Feng caught a glimpse of Murong Xiu’s robe and held his breath. Just as he tensed up, Murong Xiu stepped on him, forcing the air out of him.

Murong Xiu planted his foot on Li Feng’s back. It was unclear how a fourteen-year-old boy could have such strength, but he pressed Li Feng, who was two years older, flat against the ground, causing even his bones to ache.

“You should know, shouldn’t you? Where is he?”

Li Feng’s face crumpled like a bitter gourd, and he stammered, “Your Highness, this servant really doesn’t know.”

The corner of Murong Xiu’s mouth twitched. He lifted his foot and stamped down hard again, this time on Li Feng’s head. Li Feng let out a miserable cry and was about to beg for mercy when he heard the person above say, “Since he hasn’t come back, you go and retrieve that jade pendant for me. If you don’t get it back, you don’t need to come up either.”

Li Feng could only respond in acknowledgment. As soon as Murong Xiu released his foot, he scrambled up and rolled out.

The remaining few, seeing Li Feng punished to retrieve the jade pendant, immediately lowered their heads even further, wishing they could vanish from Murong Xiu’s sight.

“The rest of you go find him. If you don’t find Shen Jue, don’t bother coming back either.” Murong Xiu spoke each word deliberately, and the ferocity in his eyes was like a wild beast, ready to crawl out at any moment. After they all left, Murong Xiu suddenly clapped a hand to his abdomen. His hand trembled slightly. There was no wound on his stomach now, but he always felt a dull ache there, as if the dagger from his previous life was still lodged in his body.

“I’m tired, so let’s end it here.” Those were Shen Jue’s words before he killed him in the previous life.

That one sentence was engraved on his heart.

Perhaps the heavens couldn’t bear to watch, so they let him be reborn. Between him and Shen Jue, only he could decide when it was over.

Murong Xiu slowly closed his eyes, temporarily sealing the beast within.

…

Liu Anshun arrived just as Lu Li was heading out. Seeing Lu Li in a hurry, he sensed something was wrong. When Lu Li noticed him, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he quickly walked over. “Head Steward Liu, what brings you to our hall today?”

Liu Anshun smiled. “I was about to ask you why you’re in such a rush.”

Lu Li sighed. “A young eunuch has gone missing from our hall. Speaking of which, last time, Head Steward Liu, didn’t you want to transfer that child to your place? Do you remember?”

So it was Shen Jue.

Liu Anshun hesitated, then said, “To be honest, the child came to my place this morning. That’s why I’m here. Is the Sixth Prince inside?”

Hearing this, Lu Li tugged at him. “You’re not still thinking of transferring Shen Jue to your place, are you?” He grimaced and shook his head. “You don’t know how furious the Sixth Prince was just now. He said if we don’t find Shen Jue, we don’t need to come back. If you go see him now, you’re just asking for trouble. Better quickly hand Shen Jue over to me.”

“But…”

Lu Li cut him off directly. “No ‘buts.’ Is he in the Imperial Kitchen? Take me there first, or I really won’t be able to report back. You feel sorry for the child, but that can wait. First, let the Sixth Prince calm down.”

Liu Anshun thought about it and felt Lu Li had a point. After all, he was just a servant. Though Murong Xiu was not favored, he was still a legitimate master. How could a servant dare to meddle in a master’s affairs? This would have to be handled slowly.

Liu Anshun led Lu Li to the room where Shen Jue was. But when they entered, they saw Shen Jue lying face down on the table. Startled, Liu Anshun hurried over to check on him and found that his body was burning hot.

“He has a fever.” Liu Anshun frowned, turning to Lu Li.

On hearing this, Lu Li’s brows knitted together like two earthworms on his face. After a moment, he said, “I’ll carry him back first and see what the Sixth Prince says. His being sick might not be a bad thing—maybe when the Sixth Prince sees he’s ill, his anger will cool.”

With that, he came over and prepared to lift Shen Jue onto his back. Liu Anshun reached out to stop him, worried. “This child won’t die, will he?”

“Oh, my dear Head Steward Liu, whether he lives or dies depends on his own fate. How long have you been in the palace, and you still don’t understand that? Don’t be soft-hearted. The longer we delay, the angrier that master will get.” Lu Li forcibly pushed aside Liu Anshun’s hand, hoisted Shen Jue onto his back, and headed out.

Liu Anshun watched Shen Jue’s thin, frail body and could only sigh.

Indeed, in this world, who lives and who dies depends on one’s own ability. But whenever he saw Shen Jue, he thought of his younger brother at home, and he couldn’t help but feel a little more pity.

…

Meanwhile, Lu Li carried the boy back to Qizhang Hall. Not daring to put him down, he went straight to Murong Xiu’s presence. Murong Xiu was sitting in the study reading a book. When he saw Lu Li carrying Shen Jue in, his hand, holding the book, tightened involuntarily.

Lu Li first set Shen Jue on the ground, then knelt to report. “Your Highness, this servant found Shen Jue at the Imperial Kitchen. He has a fever and has fainted.”

Murong Xiu looked away, refusing to look at the person on the floor, and asked coldly, “What was he doing at the Imperial Kitchen?”

Lu Li replied, “Shen Jue seemed to be starving, so he went to the Imperial Kitchen.”

Hearing this, Murong Xiu put down his book. He walked slowly over to Shen Jue and saw his small face flushed with an unnatural red. The corners of his eyes lifted slightly, and he crouched down. He reached out and directly felt Shen Jue’s stomach, finding it round and full. He let out a cold snort in anger.

So someone had dared to feed Shen Jue.

Murong Xiu’s sharp gaze immediately fell on Lu Li. “Did you give him food? Or who did?”

Lu Li thought, Oh no, but he didn’t dare lie. He confessed everything. When Murong Xiu heard that it was Liu Anshun from the Imperial Kitchen who had given Shen Jue food, his expression darkened noticeably.

Lu Li thought Murong Xiu was angry that someone had disobeyed his orders, but he didn’t realize that Murong Xiu’s reaction was more like that of someone whose pet had been fed by an outsider.

Murong Xiu stared at Shen Jue on the ground, his expression flickering. He had truly underestimated Shen Jue. But thinking about it, hadn’t the Shen Jue of the previous life also coaxed him into giving his heart? What was so strange about him coaxing an imperial kitchen eunuch now?

Murong Xiu clenched his teeth, feeling the dull ache in his abdomen again. He balled his fist and, unable to hold back, punched the ground. Lu Li was so startled that he scrambled forward on his knees, muttering, “Oh dear, Your Highness, no matter how angry you are, don’t hurt yourself. Shen Jue’s worthless life isn’t worth you caring so much…”

Before he could finish, Murong Xiu’s eyes turned dark and menacing.

Lu Li drew in a sharp breath. He really felt this Sixth Prince had a very strange temperament, and his eyes were nothing like those of a fourteen-year-old.

“Summon the imperial physician,” Murong Xiu said coldly.

Lu Li answered with an “Aye” and quickly scrambled up and went out. Only Murong Xiu and the unconscious Shen Jue remained in the hall. Murong Xiu slowly turned his head to stare at Shen Jue. He looked for a long time, and finally reached out his hand, but just before it touched Shen Jue’s face, he quickly pulled it back.

…

After the imperial physician bandaged Murong Xiu’s hand, he was about to take his leave, but Murong Xiu called him back. “Physician Lin, one of the servants in my hall seems to be ill. I’d trouble you to take a look.” He paused. “I’d rather not have him die in my palace and bring bad luck.”

The physician nodded and turned to Lu Li. “Eunuch Lu, where is this young eunuch? Could you take me there?”

Lu Li forced a smile. “He’s lying in the warm chamber of the side hall. This servant will lead the way.”

When the physician heard the patient was in the warm chamber, he was startled. And when he saw the boy was covered with a brocade quilt, he was even more surprised. He often treated people in the palace and sometimes attended to the servants, but even when they were gravely ill, they could only lie in their own cramped, chilly rooms.

The brocade quilt on the bed seemed like something only a master would use.

Lu Li smiled ingratiatingly beside him. “Physician Lin, please take a look at this child. He fell into the water yesterday afternoon.”

Physician Lin nodded. After examining him, he wrote out a prescription. “His body is weak, so besides fever-reducing medicine, I’ve also prescribed a few tonics. But will his monthly allowance be enough to buy these medicines?”

Servants’ medical care was different from a master’s; servants had to pay for their own medicines.

Lu Li glanced at the ingredients on the prescription and tucked it away. “If not, this servant will cover it first. After all, a life is a life.”

“You’re quite kind-hearted,” Physician Lin remarked with a smile before taking his leave. Having practiced medicine for many years, he could easily tell the cause of Shen Jue’s illness. It wasn’t from accidentally falling into the water, but from staying submerged for a long time, which had brought on this acute illness. However, it was none of his business, and he couldn’t interfere. There would always be some excuse, just like when palace maids were punished by kneeling by higher-ranking concubines and said they had fallen by accident.

After Physician Lin left, Lu Li went back to report to Murong Xiu. After informing him of Shen Jue’s condition, he also brought up Li Feng. “Your Highness, Li Feng is still in the pond looking for the jade pendant. One person in the palace is already sick. What do you think…”

“Give it to me,” Murong Xiu said abruptly.

Lu Li stared blankly. “Huh?”

Murong Xiu frowned impatiently. “The imperial physician examined Shen Jue. There must be a prescription. Give it to me.”

“Oh, oh.” Lu Li quickly produced the prescription and handed it over. Murong Xiu scanned the medicinal ingredients, several of which were not cheap. He pressed his lips together, pulled the pouch from his waist, and threw it to Lu Li along with the prescription.

“There’s some money in here. Use it to buy the medicine. As for Li Feng—if he can’t retrieve it, then you go retrieve it,” Murong Xiu said coldly.

Lu Li dare not respond. He quickly took the pouch and prescription and left.

The other two young eunuchs, afraid of provoking Murong Xiu, did not dare appear before him at all that day unless summoned. Murong Xiu sat alone in the hall for a while, then got up and went to the warm chamber.

He sat down by the bed, his eyes fixed intently on the person lying there. Suddenly, Murong Xiu raised his hand and clamped it around Shen Jue’s throat.