Futile Devices Scans

Wei Fu was exceptionally skilled at reading expressions and understanding what lay beneath spoken words. Yu Gong Zhao Ye was such a reserved person, someone who rarely displayed joy or anger on his face, yet whenever he looked at Wei Fu, his eyes were full of heartache. That “I’m sorry” beside the sickbed was not only about the poisoning.

I’m sorry. I couldn’t bring your parents back.

Wei Fu did not know when Yu Gong Zhao Ye had taken such a burden upon his own shoulders. Just as he had always silently carried the expectations of many people in the shadows, treating himself as a buffer against suffering before it reached others. Yet how could this possibly be his responsibility?

Without Yu Gong Zhao Ye, Wei Fu would have spent his entire life waiting. No matter how cruel the truth might be, sharp as a blade, it was still a gift to him. Besides, after going to such lengths, was not Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s entire purpose to give him a place where he could cry his heart out without interruption or restraint?

And so, like a vine winding itself around a tree, Wei Fu entrusted his memories, his pain, and his tears to this person.

“Grandfather said Father was never much good at studying, but he was very skilled with weapons. At six years old, he could already ride a horse by himself and draw a small bow to hunt rabbits. He also said my photographic memory must have come from Mother. He said Father even struggled to learn characters and simply never had the aptitude for scholarship.”

“But I don’t remember what they looked like. I never saw Father performing acts of chivalry. Before all this, I didn’t even know Mother’s name…”

“It’s not that I never suspected the truth. I just didn’t dare think too deeply about it. I lied to myself… After all, it had been so many years. If they were still alive, surely they would have found some way to send word or come see me…”

Late at night, beneath a single dim lamp, the curtained bedchamber lay shrouded in darkness, like a sunless chasm hidden deep within the mountains. As though afraid of the cold, Wei Fu wrapped Yu Gong Zhao Ye tightly in his arms, like a drowning man clutching desperately to a piece of driftwood. Pressing his tear-soaked face against Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s damp shoulder, he spoke in a low voice, rambling and broken, his words disjointed and incoherent. It felt less like he was confiding in someone and more like a man sitting amid the ruins of a collapsed house, talking to himself.

“When I was little, I often felt resentful. I blamed them for bringing me into the world and then abandoning me. The Duke Zhenguo’s Manor clothed and fed me in luxury. A mute child born into such a family had it better than countless healthy commoners. To be dissatisfied with that was selfish… Yet I couldn’t stop myself from being selfish. I always wondered why they couldn’t take me with them. Did they abandon me because they had a healthy child and no longer wanted me? Was it heaven’s decree that I could only have one thing, that between wealth and a complete family, I was destined to enjoy only the former?”

Hearing this, Yu Gong Zhao Ye felt a deep ache in his heart. Reaching up, he deliberately mussed Wei Fu’s hair.

“You were only a child. None of it was your fault.”

With his eyes closed, Wei Fu spoke in a voice so low it was nearly a dream.

“I kept blaming them, but in truth, I was the one who burdened them.”

Without the means to protect himself and without the ability to choose, all that remained was being left behind.

“Do you remember that night in the mountains when there was thunder and torrential rain? I had a nightmare. Maybe it was because I had returned to the threshold of death, but I finally remembered who had given me the scar on my neck. I wanted to go to Linghua Sect and inquire about my parents, to find out what had happened all those years ago. Unfortunately, I alerted the wrong people and was captured. Fortunately, I also ended up meeting Xie You Lan.”

“That was when I first began to grasp the outline of the past. I learned that Xie You Lan was my elder half-brother through our mother, and that my parents had not abandoned me willingly. They had been forced to flee because of Beizhu Palace’s threats.”

“Xie You Lan hated my father, but he still felt pity for my mother. So he killed Beizhu Palace’s spies and let me go. He told me never to ask about my parents again, lest I attract the attention of the old Palace Master Xie…”

In his youth, resentment toward his parents outweighed longing for them. If he had never learned the truth, he could have continued hating them forever. As the years passed, perhaps he would have found peace, perhaps he would have carried regret, but eventually everything would have worn away with time and turned to dust alongside him.

Yet by a twist of fate, he learned the truth after all. The reason Wei Huai Jun and Jiang Feng Xun had entrusted him to others was not abandonment. On the contrary, it was born entirely from parental love.

The stronger the attachment and longing that arrived too late, the more devastating the emptiness that followed.

Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s thumb slid down from the corner of Wei Fu’s reddened eye and gently traced the slender scar on his neck.

“Was that when your condition recovered?”

“There’s a scar on Xie You Lan’s palm,” Wei Fu said quietly. “It’s deeper than mine. When he cut my throat, he grabbed the dagger with his other hand. He never truly intended to slit my throat. The injury itself wasn’t serious. I just lost my nerve from the fright and couldn’t speak afterward.”

“Once I understood what had really happened, I could speak again.”

Fifteen years old had been a watershed that rose abruptly from the ground, dividing his life into a before and an after.

Escaping death from the jaws of danger, surviving a brush with death, meeting the fated person destined for him, finding his elder brother, learning the hidden truth behind his parents’ choices, and seeing a chronic affliction cured overnight… After reaching the end of misfortune, blessings had begun to arrive. Everything was slowly getting better, so much better that it rekindled hopes long buried beneath the years. Perhaps tomorrow his parents would push open the gate of the little courtyard and return to his life.

Yet looking back from the present day, he finally realized that even then, they had already been separated by life and death at opposite ends of the world. There had never been any possibility of a happy reunion.

“I lied to you for a long time. I’m sorry…”

Even now, he was still apologizing. Yu Gong Zhao Ye felt that Wei Fu had cried for so long that his thoughts had become muddled and he was simply saying whatever came to mind. He gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment.

“It’s alright.”

Someone was patiently comforting him, treating him with gentleness. Instead of easing, Wei Fu’s sense of grievance only swelled higher.

“Xie You Lan is so proud and arrogant, yet he betrayed his own father and saved me, this illegitimate child, twice. My mother and I were separated for twenty years, and I didn’t even dare mention her to anyone. Were we not humble enough? Were we not obedient enough? Had we not yielded enough? Why would fate still refuse to spare her?”

Gripping the corner of Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s robe, he seemed like a lost bird separated from its flock, with nowhere left to go except to curl up among the branches and tremble.

“Who am I supposed to seek revenge on for them? Where do I go to demand justice? When my father died in battle, when my mother was trapped in the mountains suffering, I knew nothing. There was nothing I could do…”

“There, there,” Yu Gong Zhao Ye murmured softly, stroking his tense back again and again. “Don’t trap yourself in a dead end. Your mother said it herself—she left in order to protect you and Xie You Lan. That was her greatest wish. You grew up safe and unharmed. That means you did not fail her sacrifice.”

“You’re the one who saved my life. Without you, I’d already be dead.” More warmth dampened his shoulder. The more Yu Gong Zhao Ye comforted him, the sadder Wei Fu became. Half-dazed, he sniffled and spoke through his tears. “And, Your Highness… A’Ying, thank your mother for me. Everyone in your family must be bodhisattvas descended from heaven. I don’t know how I could ever repay…”

Although Yu Gong Zhao Ye held the title of Divine Envoy in Yeguang Hall, he had never truly believed in fate or predestined bonds. Yet after learning of the connection between Xie Wang Shu and Jiang Feng Xun, even he found himself wavering. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind Wei Fu’s ear.

“Maybe in a previous life you saved me many times too. Don’t worry about repaying anything. Save me again in the next life instead.”

Wei Fu had cried himself into a daze. Whatever Yu Gong Zhao Ye said, he believed.

“Alright. In the next life, I’ll find you first. I’ll protect my parents and be Xie You Lan’s older brother…”

You’ve thought this through quite thoroughly.

Seeing the haziness beginning to cloud Wei Fu’s eyes, Yu Gong Zhao Ye knew that between his frail condition and emotional exhaustion, sleep would soon claim him. Lowering his voice, he gently steered the conversation elsewhere.

“Then when you become his older brother, make sure to discipline Xie You Lan properly. He spent the entire journey speaking badly about you.”

Wei Fu hiccuped through a sob and asked hoarsely, “Did you scold him for me?”

“I argued with reason,” Yu Gong Zhao Ye replied. “He was very unconvinced. He’ll probably say it to your face next time.”

“He’s just a dead duck with a stubborn beak. He acts all fierce and aggressive, but he’s actually a good person.” After saying that, Wei Fu paused briefly, then added with great seriousness, “Though he really does say awful things.”

A faint laugh escaped Yu Gong Zhao Ye. His fingers brushed lightly across Wei Fu’s ear, carrying a trace of tenderness.

“You’d better say that in front of him next time. I’d like to see how furiously he jumps around when he gets embarrassed.”

The last words drifted away into the quiet darkness behind the bed curtains. Warm, steady breaths brushed against his neck.

Wei Fu had finally fallen asleep.

The next day.

“At least you didn’t commit any lustful or improper acts. That’s something,” Qi Li Xiang said as he swiftly turned Wei Fu into something resembling a porcupine with acupuncture needles. While he worked, he repeatedly looked Yu Gong Zhao Ye up and down with an expression that seemed to say I wanted you to become steel, but somehow you turned into copper instead.

“I told you not to experience extreme joy or grief, didn’t I?”

Yu Gong Zhao Ye had not slept all night. Leaning nearby and watching the treatment, he lazily asked,

“Are you sure there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that life-saving pill of yours?”

Qi Li Xiang’s fingers twitched. He suddenly felt an urge to stick a needle into him and make him mute.

“What do you think is keeping him breathing right now?”

In the latter half of the night, Wei Fu had suddenly developed a high fever and fallen unconscious. Half-awake, he had coughed twice before abruptly bringing up a mouthful of black-red blood. Although Yu Gong Zhao Ye had long prepared himself for setbacks in Wei Fu’s recovery, when it actually happened, his heart still lurched in alarm. He hurriedly administered the medicine and summoned Qi Li Xiang at first light for another examination.

“His emotions flared too violently, and his lungs and internal organs were already damaged to begin with. The blood he coughed up isn’t something to worry about too much. Just continue the treatment as planned.”

When Qi Li Xiang arrived that morning, he had seen Yu Gong Zhao Ye holding a cold towel against Wei Fu’s eyes. Naturally, he understood the cause of the relapse and asked no questions. Instead, he addressed Wei Fu directly.

“Judging by your pulse, Chancellor Wei, you spend your days overthinking and worrying, and you don’t get enough sleep. When you’re young and strong, it doesn’t seem like much. But over time it will drain your vitality. The Royal Physicians weren’t wrong to order you to rest and recuperate. More importantly, young people must learn to keep an open heart. Excessive brooding harms the body. You must not remain trapped in grief for too long.”

“Thank you for your guidance, sir. This junior has learned much.” Unable to move, Wei Fu could only incline his head slightly against the pillow. In a hoarse voice, he asked, “Sir, may I travel long distances in my current condition?”

Qi Li Xiang sucked in a sharp breath. For some reason, he first shot Yu Gong Zhao Ye a vicious glare before answering decisively, “No. Chancellor Wei, you are a scholar. You should understand what ‘recuperation’ means, shouldn’t you?”

“I understand…”

“Good.” Seeing that Wei Fu at least appeared willing to listen, Qi Li Xiang adopted an earnest tone. “You mustn’t act on impulse simply because you’re young. As the saying goes, ‘Drain the pond to catch the fish, and next year there will be no fish left.’ You have to leave room for your future.”

Seeing him launch into a lecture with no end in sight, as though he intended to set up a whole forum beside Wei Fu’s sickbed, Yu Gong Zhao Ye hurriedly cut in. “Since he’s already been moved here, he can stay with me for the next few days. It’ll also make it easier for Uncle Xiang to examine him whenever necessary. I’ll send someone to fetch his personal guard and have the affairs at his residence settled first.”

Under Physician Qi’s stern gaze of I dare anyone to ignore my medical instructions, Wei Fu could only watch Yu Gong Zhao Ye make his escape and sigh dejectedly. “Alright.”

The double would be enough to fool most of the Royal Army and the Egret Guards stationed at his residence, but Zhu Ling handled Wei Fu’s communications with Xiling. He absolutely had to be informed, otherwise he might inadvertently expose the secret.

Wei Fu forced himself to stay awake long enough to finish giving instructions to Zhu Ling. Only after the man departed—hesitant, confused, and looking back every few steps with obvious concern—did Wei Fu sink drowsily back onto the pillow. With his eyes closed, he thought: Yu Gong Zhao Ye had secretly switched him out and brought him here. If the King learned of it, it would be an act of outright insubordination. To Xiling’s Egret Guards, it would also appear as a sign of distrust. It was a move that was both dangerous and liable to offend people. He himself was hardly so precious that only Yeguang’s personal miracle doctor could heal him, or that he could recover only under the personal care of Yeguang’s leader…

Clop-clop. Clop-clop.

There seemed to be a lot of noise around him, as though he were lying in the middle of a bustling street crowded with people, carts, and horses.

Wasn’t he supposed to be recuperating quietly?

Wei Fu did not remember when he fell asleep. He only felt that the dream lasted an extraordinarily long time, until he slowly awakened amid a faint, rhythmic rocking.

Above him was an unpainted wooden roof. A soft blanket had been pulled up to his shoulders. Beneath him was a thickly padded bed that felt slightly too narrow for comfort.

The incense burner on the table had long gone cold. A breeze slipped through the gaps in the bamboo curtain, carrying with it the raw scent of grass and trees mingled with earth.

Wei Fu lifted the hanging curtain and glanced outside.

The sight of open wilderness and forested hills made him spring up as though someone had set fire to his backside. Stumbling forward, he fumbled frantically with the heavy carriage curtain and threw it aside.

The person driving the carriage sat steadily on the shaft, wearing a bamboo hat. His posture was relaxed, yet his tall, elegant bearing was unmistakable. A length of dark hair spilled from beneath the hat, catching the sunlight and gleaming like rippling water.

“Your Highness…?”

“You’re awake?” Yu Gong Zhao Ye glanced back at him. His manner was so natural it was as though they had already spent half their lives together. “Go back inside and put on another layer. The wind is strong. Don’t catch a chill.”

Wei Fu stared blankly. “Where are we going?”

“To see the person you most want to see,” Yu Gong Zhao Ye replied. “Otherwise, why would I have gone to so much trouble to get you out?”

“But…”

He was the Assistant Chancellor of Xiling. Leaving the capital without authorization and behind the King’s back would inevitably cause an uproar if discovered. What Yu Gong Zhao Ye had done was nothing less than defying the world. Even if he were the King’s own son, there would be consequences. Yet he was not only a prince—he was also Yeguang’s leader. If he became entangled with Wei Fu and someone seized upon it as evidence, no amount of explanation would clear his name.

All those concerns, all those considerations of the greater good, weighed heavily upon Wei Fu’s shoulders and heart. They had always forced him to act cautiously, never daring to relax his vigilance. Yet Yu Gong Zhao Ye had begun by punching a hole straight through the heavens. Bathed in the vast spring wind sweeping across the wilderness, the words of protest reached Wei Fu’s lips, only to die there.

“I think… I may have caused Your Highness a great deal of trouble…”

“There’s no helping it.” Yu Gong Zhao Ye sighed theatrically and said leisurely, “Who told you to cry so pitifully?”

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