Futile Devices Scans

Elio’s Notes: 偷感很重 is internet slang for someone giving off an unusually furtive, self-conscious vibe, as though they’re trying very hard not to be noticed. It doesn’t literally mean they’re stealing anything.

“So this is the sort of thing Your Highness likes?” Wei Fu immediately regained his confidence upon hearing that. Pinching his rough, hoarse throat into a deliberately delicate voice, he said, “Thank you for the praise. Shall I sing another song for Your Highness?”

Even affection by association had its limits. Before Chancellor Wei’s singing voice, even crows would willingly admit defeat. Yugong Zhaoye’s fingers moved, swiftly pinching his mouth shut and gently yet unquestioningly pushing him back onto the pillow. “Next time for sure. Focus on recovering first.”

The gauzy bed curtains filtered the daylight outside into something soft and hazy. Sitting at the bedside, a faint weariness from travel lingered between his brows. All the sharp edges and hostility he carried had been sheathed away, leaving behind only a mountain-like steadiness. With his imposing presence subdued, the beauty of his sculpted features emerged unobstructed, reminding Wei Fu of that silhouette long ago in the vast wilderness at dusk, etched forever into his eyes and heart by the final rays of sunlight.

Wei Fu reached out and caught his sleeve. Staring silently at him for a moment with wide eyes, he still felt dazed. “I’m… not dreaming, am I?”

“I’ve already let you hug me, kiss me, and take all the liberties you wanted, and only now do you think to ask whether you’re dreaming?” Yugong Zhaoye touched his forehead and lightly flicked it with a finger. “Why don’t you ask whether you’ve burned your brain out and started hallucinating?”

That sharp tongue was proof enough that this was the real person.

Only then did Wei Fu secretly relax. Following Yugong Zhaoye’s arm downward, he found the ends of his hair and felt a trace of moisture there. He had probably washed up in a hurry before entering the residence and had not yet had time to dry it completely. “Your Highness’s… cough, cough… business has already been taken care of? It was much faster than I expected.”

Speaking too much made him start coughing. Yugong Zhaoye paused slightly. “Not entirely.”

Wei Fu turned aside and coughed twice more. “What happened? Did you run into some difficulty?”

Yugong Zhaoye had rushed back to Bihan City because he wanted to tell Wei Fu about Jiang Fengxun as soon as possible. However, back at Yinhe Tower, merely hearing Jiang Fengxun’s name had nearly made Wei Fu faint. In his current condition, if he learned that Wei Huaijun had long since passed away, Yugong Zhaoye simply did not dare gamble on the outcome.

“Xiao Guan, I want to bring in a physician to examine you.” Holding Wei Fu’s wrist between his fingers, Yugong Zhaoye checked his pulse. “The Imperial Physicians still haven’t determined what poison you were given. The medicine they’re using may not even be treating the right problem. I want someone trustworthy to take another look. Only then can I be at ease.”

Though sick, Wei Fu was not foolish. “If a famous physician wants to examine me, I’d be delighted. Arrange it however you like… but don’t change the subject. Your Highness, what’s troubling you?”

Yugong Zhaoye lowered his voice.

“You.”

Wei Fu froze.

At first glance, it did not sound like a kind answer. But he knew Yugong Zhaoye. This was a stubborn man who would rather carry a mountain himself than shift responsibility onto someone else. Although two and a half of every three sentences were usually spent teasing him, he had never truly said a harsh word to him.

Why would I make things difficult for him?

If it wasn’t because Yugong Zhaoye disliked him being injured and troublesome, then it had to be the opposite. Yugong Zhaoye did not want to see him hurt, yet the news he had carried back over thousands of li was destined to worsen those injuries.

“Who’s in trouble?” Wei Fu jerked upright and seized his hand. “Xie Youlan? Or…”

Yugong Zhaoye tightened his grip slightly, forcibly suppressing the turbulent emotions threatening to rise.

“Let the physician examine you first.”

“Your Majesty, the Royal Army has reported that Qili Xiang, Deputy Commissioner of the Northern Dipper Division of the Royal Medical Academy, entered Chancellor Wei’s residence this afternoon and remained there for nearly three quarters of an hour before departing.”

The weather in Bihan City had already grown warm. However, because the king’s lingering cold had yet to improve, the doors and windows throughout the palace remained tightly shut, allowing not the slightest breeze inside. Fine beads of sweat had formed on the forehead of the attendant Tian Qing, while the pale cosmetic powder applied to Yugong Lie’s face remained perfectly intact.

“What prescription did he leave for Chancellor Wei?”

Tian Qing presented the medical records retrieved from the Royal Medical Academy.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, Royal Physician Qili said that the previous prescription remains sufficient and did not issue a new one. He instructed that Chancellor Wei simply rest quietly and allow the toxins to leave his body naturally. There is no need for harsh medicines, lest they damage his vital qi.”

Yugong Lie reviewed the records and nodded. “Qili Xiang specializes in treating injuries and poisons. Since he examined him and found no issue, it means the Imperial Physicians handled matters properly. Very good.”

Having served Yugong Lie for many years, Tian Qing was among his most trusted attendants. Carefully studying the king’s expression, he cautiously offered his thoughts. “But he is a Royal Physician assigned exclusively to Yeguang. For him to suddenly pay a visit must mean Yeguang ordered it. Yet Your Majesty never authorized Yeguang to involve itself in this case. Royal Physician Qili’s actions… may not be appropriate.”

The words overstepping his authority remained unspoken, but both men understood the implication perfectly.

“Chancellor Wei was brought back by Yeguang. They bear responsibility for his protection. Given the seriousness of what happened, it is only natural for them to send Qili Xiang to examine him.” Yugong Lie spoke calmly. “Besides, his involvement is not necessarily a bad thing. Chancellor Wei has long known of Yeguang’s existence. If Yeguang remained completely uninvolved, he might instead feel that Longsha had treated him poorly.”

Tian Qing still looked uneasy. “My concern is that Yeguang may not stop at merely examining him. If they disregard protocol and begin investigating the case in secret…”

“What protocol?” Yugong Lie interrupted him.

“Th-that…”

Tian Qing found himself at a loss for words.

“Yeguang is different from the other government offices. It cannot be constrained by ordinary rules. Its greatest rule is that the interests of Longsha must always come first.” Pressing his fingers against his temple, Yugong Lie spoke tiredly. “I did not order them to investigate because there is no need. Chancellor Wei was attacked on Longsha soil. No matter who the culprit turns out to be, we cannot escape responsibility. At a time like this, instead of minimizing the damage, should we really start digging three feet into the ground to uncover even more evidence against ourselves? Are we not embarrassed enough already?”

Tian Qing bowed deeply. “Your Majesty is correct.”

“Have the Royal Army continue guarding the residence.” Yugong Lie tossed the records back to him. “Chancellor Wei needs rest. Do not trouble him with government affairs. Let the Cabinet deliberate and handle them instead.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“His Majesty never explicitly ordered Yeguang to participate.” Yugong Zhaoye asked as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. “So you’re not going to investigate? Have you never heard of doing something secretly?”

Jin Han: “…”

The rear courtyard of Yeguang Hall was now saturated with the scent of medicine. Jin Han was reporting in the front hall, and smelling that medicinal aroma, he could not help thinking: You would know all about that. Not only did you secretly return to the royal capital yourself, you secretly brought someone else back too. Looking at the two of you, it’s practically as if you secretly got married behind everyone’s backs.

What mountain did that fox spirit surnamed Wei crawl out of? Why does everything become especially strange the moment it involves him?

Lowering his brows and eyes obediently, Jin Han said, “We’re already investigating.”

A faint sound came from the inner room. Yugong Zhaoye’s attention had clearly been fixed there the entire time. He immediately rose, preparing to leave. “Any leads?”

“Not yet. The biggest problem is that we still don’t know what poison was used or where it was administered. The wine Chancellor Wei drank that night has been examined, and there was nothing poisonous in it.”

“What about the food?”

“Nothing there either.” Jin Han also found the matter deeply troublesome. “Every palace servant who handled the food, wine, bowls, or dishes that night has been detained and questioned, but no one has confessed. I’ve already sent people to make inquiries at the markets and underground markets throughout the city.”

Yugong Zhaoye pondered briefly before instructing in a low voice, “While investigating, pay attention to whether there are any foreign gu parasites that activate upon contact with alcohol. Especially anything from Yanyuan. Find out whether the Ten Aspects Sect has any similar sorcery.”

A chill ran down Jin Han’s back. “Understood.”

Yugong Zhaoye turned and entered the inner room. Qili Xiang had just finished removing Wei Fu’s acupuncture needles. The moment he saw Yugong Zhaoye enter, his gaze transformed into two sharpened blades, as though he wished he could dissect Yugong Zhaoye’s heart, liver, spleen, and lungs on the spot and examine every last one.

“Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Xiang.” Yugong Zhaoye greeted him with the courtesy of a junior. “How is Shuchen’s condition?”

Wei Fu, who was slowly putting his clothes back on from the bed, raised an eyebrow at the form of address at exactly the same time as Qili Xiang.

Qili Xiang was in his forties, with open, handsome features and the refined bearing of a gentleman. But because he spent so much of his time among what was essentially a den of bandits, he had developed a rather decisive, ruthless style when practicing medicine and handling affairs.

“The poison was fierce, but he vomited enough blood that most of it has already been expelled,” Qili Xiang said unhurriedly. “Treatment was also administered in time, so he was already past the most dangerous stage. The main concern now is repairing the damage to his lungs and internal organs.”

“I looked over the Imperial Physicians’ prescription. It takes a mild, balanced approach—nothing more than some medicines to clear heat and calm the spirit. Harmless, but not especially useful either. Young people are strong and healthy; there’s no need to be quite so cautious. I’ll perform acupuncture on him once more tomorrow. Then, after seven days on my prescription, he should be fine.”

Wei Fu finished arranging his clothes and bowed solemnly toward him. “Sir’s miraculous skill has brought me back to health. This junior is deeply grateful for the Divine Physician’s treatment.”

The moment he spoke, even Wei Fu himself was mildly startled. After only one round of acupuncture, sixty or seventy percent of the raspiness had already disappeared from his throat, and his original voice could once again be heard beneath the remaining hoarseness.

“Chancellor Wei is too polite.” Qili Xiang gave him a restrained nod. “You are not fully recovered yet, so you must still keep your emotions steady. Avoid extreme joy or grief…” His gaze sliced toward Yugong Zhaoye. “…and refrain from lustful or improper thoughts.”

Yugong Zhaoye: “?”

“What if something goes wrong?” he asked, still uneasy. “Do you have any life-saving pills or something similar?”

“I said no, and I mean no.” Qili Xiang had had enough of these deaf people who treated medical instructions as nothing more than wind passing their ears. “What could possibly be so urgent that you absolutely have to do it right this instant?”

Yugong Zhaoye: “So you do have some. Give me a few, just in case.”

Qili Xiang: “I did not spend my life studying medicine so you could behave recklessly!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Wei Fu gave him a pale yet valiant smile. “Divine Physician, don’t worry. I can handle it.”

Yugong Zhaoye stopped him gravely. “Don’t. You really might not be able to.”

Bang!

The furious physician slammed a medicine box heavily onto the table and swept out of the room.

“Then just wait for Xiling to invade!”

Yugong Zhaoye: “…”

This was Wei Fu’s first time inside Yugong Zhaoye’s room. Sitting on the bed, he looked around with genuine admiration. “Your Highness is no longer satisfied with merely climbing walls for a secret affair. Now you’ve upgraded to stealing a person right out from under the noses of the Royal Army and the Egret Guard. Such courage.”

That afternoon, when Qili Xiang entered the residence to take his pulse, Yugong Zhaoye had secretly infiltrated at the same time with one of his subordinates. Wei Fu had watched helplessly as the man removed his face covering to reveal a false face identical to his own, questioned him about his daily habits and the names of the servants around him, then changed into Wei Fu’s clothes and lay down in his bed.

Wei Fu himself had been wrapped in a cloak by Yugong Zhaoye before being carried off in broad daylight with the flower thief—out the window, across the rooftops, and straight to freedom.

“Didn’t you hear the physician’s instructions? With the body you have right now, you’re in no condition to be doing any ‘stealing.’ Lie down and behave.”

Yugong Zhaoye stood before the table, weighing the medicine box in his hand and pretending to be extremely busy. In truth, for once, he found himself almost afraid to turn around and look at Wei Fu.

Killing someone was no more than a matter of one stroke and a fallen head, yet when it came to this, he found himself hesitating at every step. He knew perfectly well that delaying would not lessen the pain, but still wished that the false happiness of not knowing could linger for even one moment longer.

Behind him, Wei Fu began bargaining. “This is your territory anyway. There’s no need to worry about anyone coming in. Your Highness, come lie down with me for a while.”

Yugong Zhaoye: “At a time like this, you’re still acting spoiled. You…”

The room was not large. There were only a few steps between the bed and the small table. Wei Fu silently edged up behind him like a long-legged wading bird, then opened his arms without warning and wrapped Yugong Zhaoye tightly in his embrace, leaving not the slightest gap between them.

He reached out and covered the back of Yugong Zhaoye’s hand, enclosing those hard knuckles together with the cold silver medicine box.

The candlelight flickered like scattered gold, reflected in the desolation at the bottom of his eyes.

Even with a bright moon held in his arms, its light could not illuminate the long, lonely night of the twenty years missing from his past.

“I don’t think the life-saving pills will be much use.”

Wei Fu leaned close to the cool crown of Yugong Zhaoye’s head. Suppressing the hoarse tremor in his voice, he pleaded softly:

“Your Highness, I want you to wipe my tears for me.”