“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. Yu Gong Zhao Ye’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 wild mountains 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?” Yu Gong Zhao Ye touched his forehead and lightly flicked it with a finger. “Why don’t you ask whether you’re the one who’s 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 Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s sleeve downward, he found the ends of his hair. There was still a trace of moisture there. He had probably hurriedly washed up 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. Yu Gong Zhao Ye paused slightly. “Not entirely.”
Wei Fu turned aside and coughed twice more. “What happened? Did you run into some difficulty?”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye had rushed back to Bihan City because he wanted to tell Wei Fu about Jiang Feng Xun as soon as possible. However, back at Yinhe Tower, merely hearing Jiang Feng Xun’s name had nearly made Wei Fu faint. In his current condition, if he learned that Wei Huai Jun had long since passed away, Yu Gong Zhao Ye 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, he checked his pulse. “The Royal 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?”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye lowered his voice. “You.”
Wei Fu froze.
At first glance, it did not sound like a kind answer. But he knew Yu Gong Zhao Ye. 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 he disliked him being injured and troublesome, then it had to be the opposite. Yu Gong Zhao Ye did not want to see him hurt, yet the news he had carried back over thousands of miles was destined to worsen those injuries.
“Who’s in trouble?” Wei Fu jerked upright and seized his hand. “Xie You Lan? Or…”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye 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 Qi Li 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 Yu Gong 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 Qi Li stated 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 aggressive medicines, lest they damage his vital qi.”
Yu Gong Lie reviewed the records and nodded. “Qi Li Xiang specializes in treating injuries and poisons. Since he examined him and found no issue, it means the Royal Physicians handled matters properly. Very good.”
Having served Yu Gong 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 matter. Royal Physician Qi Li’s actions… may not be appropriate.”
The words overstepping 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 Qi Li Xiang to examine him.” Yu Gong 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?” Yu Gong 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, Yu Gong 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.” Yu Gong 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.” Yu Gong Zhao Ye asked as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. “So you’re not going to investigate? Have you never heard the word secretly?”
Jin Han: “……”
The rear courtyard of Yeguang Palace 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 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 had produced that fox spirit surnamed Wei? Why did everything become especially strange and uncanny the moment it involved him?
With lowered brows and an obedient expression, he said, “We are already investigating.”
A faint movement came from the inner room. Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s attention had clearly been fixed there the entire time, and he immediately rose as though preparing to leave. “Any leads?”
Jin Han said, “None for the time being. The biggest problem right now is what the poison was and where it was administered. After inspection, the cup of wine Chancellor Wei drank was not poisonous.”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye asked, “What about the things that entered his mouth?”
“None of them were poisonous.” Jin Han also felt this was deeply troublesome. “All palace attendants who handled the wine, food, bowls, and dishes that night have been detained and questioned. No one has confessed yet. I have already sent people to inquire throughout the city’s markets and black markets.”
After a brief moment of thought, Yu Gong Zhao Ye instructed quietly, “When asking around, pay attention to whether there are any foreign gu insects that activate upon contact with alcohol, especially from Yanyuan. Find out whether the Ten Aspects Sect has any sorcery of this sort.”
A chill ran down Jin Han’s back, and he answered, “As you command.”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye turned and entered the inner room. Qi Li Xiang had just removed the needles from Wei Fu. When he saw Yu Gong Zhao Ye come in, his gaze instantly turned into two sharp knives, as though he wanted nothing more than to cut open Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s heart, liver, spleen, and lungs to inspect them thoroughly. “Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Xiang.” Yu Gong Zhao Ye gave him the courtesy of a junior before an elder. “How is the poison in Shuchen’s body?”
On the bed, Wei Fu was slowly putting on his clothes. Hearing that form of address, he and Qi Li Xiang raised their brows at the same time.
Qi Li Xiang was in his forties, with clear features and a graceful bearing. At a glance, he looked like a refined gentleman, but because he was always moving in and out of a bandit den, his manner of practicing medicine and handling affairs carried a rather decisive, ruthless edge. “The poison is fierce, but he vomited enough blood that most of it is more or less out of his system,” he said unhurriedly. “In addition, treatment came in time, so he had already passed the most dangerous point. The main issue now is regulating and treating the damage to his lungs and internal organs.”
“The Royal Physicians’ prescription takes a moderate and balanced approach. It is merely a few medicines for clearing heat and calming the spirit. It does no harm, but it does no particular good either. In truth, young people are strong and healthy. There is no need to be so cautious. Tomorrow I will perform acupuncture on him once more. After he takes seven days’ worth of medicine according to my prescription, he will be fine.”
Wei Fu straightened his clothing and solemnly bowed to him. “Sir’s skill has brought me back from the brink. This junior has received the miracle physician’s treatment and is deeply grateful.”
The moment he spoke, even he startled slightly. After just one round of acupuncture, the rasp in his throat had already faded by sixty or seventy percent, and one could hear something of his original voice again.
“Chancellor Wei is too courteous.” Qi Li Xiang gave him a reserved nod. “You are not fully recovered yet, so you must still keep your emotions calm. Avoid great joy and great sorrow.” He slashed Yu Gong Zhao Ye with the corner of his eye. “And also avoid wicked, improper thoughts.”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye: “?”
“What if something goes wrong?” he asked, still not entirely reassured. “Do you have anything like life-saving pills?”
“I said no means no.” Qi Li Xiang had had enough of these deaf people who treated medical instructions like wind past their ears. “What matter could possibly be so urgent that it cannot wait even a moment?”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye said, “So you do have some. Give me a bit, in case of emergency.” Qi Li Xiang snapped, “I did not devote myself to medical studies so you could behave recklessly!”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Wei Fu revealed a pale yet resilient smile. “Miracle physician, please rest assured. I can hold on.”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye gravely stopped him. “Don’t. You really may not be able to.”
Bang!
The furious physician slammed the medicine box heavily onto the table and swept his sleeves as he left. “Then just wait for Xiling to come attacking!”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye: “……”
This was Wei Fu’s first time inside Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s room. Sitting on the bed, he looked around and sincerely praised, “Your Highness is no longer satisfied with mere wall-climbing affairs. Now you have upgraded to stealing people directly from under the eyes of the Royal Army and the Egret Guards. Truly impressive courage.”
In the afternoon, Qi Li Xiang had gone to his residence to check his pulse, while Yu Gong Zhao Ye had brought a subordinate and secretly slipped in at the same time. Wei Fu had watched with his own eyes as that person removed his face covering, revealing a fake face identical to his own, asked him about his usual habits and the names of the servants around him, then changed into his clothes and lay down on the bed.
Wei Fu himself had been wrapped in a cloak by Yu Gong Zhao Ye and, in broad daylight, had followed the flower thief out through the window, onto the roof, and away.
“Didn’t you hear the medical instructions? With your current body, whatever is being stolen, it is not your turn. Be good and lie down.”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye stood before the table weighing the medicine box in his hand, pretending to be very busy. In truth, for a moment, he did not quite dare turn around to look at him.
Killing someone was merely a matter of a head dropping to the ground, but on this matter, he was rarely so hesitant and afraid to advance. He knew perfectly well that delaying would not lessen the pain, yet he still hoped that the false illusion of happiness born from ignorance could linger for even one more moment.
Behind him, Wei Fu bargained, “In any case, this is your territory. No one is going to come. Your Highness, lie down with me for a while.”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye said, “What time do you think it is, 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 bird wading through water, then opened his arms without allowing any protest and locked Yu Gong Zhao Ye perfectly into his embrace.
He reached out to cover the back of Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s hand, holding those hard knuckles and also holding the cool silver medicine box.
The candlelight flickered like shattered gold, reflected in his lonely eyes.
Even holding a bright moon in his arms could not illuminate the long, lonely night that had been empty for twenty years.
“I don’t think life-saving pills will be very useful.” Pressing close to the cool crown of Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s head, he suppressed the hoarseness and trembling in his throat and pleaded softly, “Your Highness, I want you to wipe away my tears.”
Futile Devices Scans 
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