The door was heavily shut.
The spring breeze was gentle, tree branches swayed slightly in the wind outside the window, the azure sky was framed in the small square window, and faint bird calls could be heard.
The woman lying on the ground opened her eyes wide to look at that patch of sky, using her last bit of strength to reach out towards the window.
‘Little Shuang’er, can you see it?’
‘The sky beyond the frontier is ten thousand times vaster than here. If you had met me two years earlier, I would have taken you to gallop on horseback across the grasslands, pick flowers, drink wine and dance – how wonderful that would have been!’
‘In my next life, I want to be an eagle soaring in the sky, eating the most delicious rabbits, enjoying the most refreshing storms, never living for anyone else!’
‘Stay in the palace too long and people turn into ghosts. Little Shuang’er, you’re the purest girl I’ve ever met.’
‘The wind and sand in the Northern Frontier carry the sharpness of a burning blade. If there’s a chance, I’ll take you to see it.’
‘I want to fly away from this man-eating palace. Little Shuang’er, will you come with me?’
Why couldn’t she fly out… Why couldn’t she fly out even after exhausting all her strength…
Her thin, pale wrist fell heavily onto the floor, the blackened blood slowly spread out, staining that pristine white.
The pale golden sunlight shone through the window, illuminating the swallows painted on the porcelain vase.
The sound of the porcelain vase falling inside the room was both crisp and muffled.
Liang Ye stood at the doorway with an indiscernible expression. Wang Dian gathered his sleeves and looked at the endless forest outside the back courtyard, “With Tan Yishuang’s mindset, she wouldn’t have so boldly poisoned Chong Heng. She just wanted to die – her words can’t all be trusted.”
Liang Ye silently looked at the distant sky, “Zhen is not blaming you for killing Bian Feng.”
“I know,” Wang Dian followed his gaze, only seeing a few swallows flying low, “You’re ruthless, I’m cruel – neither of us should reproach the other.”
Liang Ye tugged at the corner of his mouth, “Back then, Zhen carried Chong Heng to find her, and she gave Zhen a bowl of milk soup.”
Wang Dian turned his head slightly, appearing ready to listen patiently.
“But Zhen didn’t like it,” Liang Ye smiled at him, “The previous bowl of milk soup Zhen drank had arsenic in it, and my stomach hurt for several days.”
Wang Dian stared at him for a while.
“Cui Qi hasn’t sent news for a long time, we should go back,” Liang Ye turned away and went down the stairs.
Wang Dian followed him from behind, tightly gripping his hand through the wide sleeves as they walked together towards the carriage, “The milk soup made in the palace tastes gamey. I’ve modified the recipe – Ah Huan and Chong Heng both like it very much.”
Liang Ye turned his head to look at him.
Wang Dian raised his hand and vigorously ruffled his hair, smiling both tenderly and mischievously, “I’ll make it for you when we return to the palace.”
Liang Ye gave a soft laugh, lowering his head to make it easier for him to pat, “Alright.”
****
The Imperial Palace, Capital.
Liang Huan sat on the ground building with blocks. Hearing footsteps outside, he pitter-pattered behind the wheelchair to hide, still holding a round building block he hadn’t had time to put down.
Cui Qi turned to look at the child who had shrunk into a ball, trying to make his voice sound less cold, “Ah Huan, come out.”
Liang Huan asked him quietly, “Has Uncle returned?”
“No,” Cui Qi said, “Do you miss your Uncle?”
Liang Huan nodded vigorously, “Uncle is… the least fierce person.”
Cui Qi smiled faintly.
Liang Huan furrowed his little brows, “Father is the second least fierce.”
Cui Qi was taken aback for a moment, looking at his young face, “Come here, let Father take a good look at you.”
Liang Huan slowly shuffled over to him while hugging his blocks, looking at him timidly. Seeing that he just looked without speaking, he lowered his head to play with his little blocks for a while, then couldn’t help but reach out to touch his knee, asking worriedly, “Uncle said Father’s legs are injured, when will they get better?”
“Hmm?” Cui Qi made a questioning sound.
“Uncle said they will get better,” Liang Huan said with certainty, “Father will be like Liang Ye, taking me flying.”
“Where are your manners? You should call him Father Emperor,” Cui Qi said.
“Uncle said I don’t have to if I don’t want to,” Liang Huan’s every word was about Wang Dian, and he deeply believed everything he said to comfort children, “Nineteenth Uncle only bullies me, and he takes back his words when he can’t beat me. I don’t want him to be my father.”
Cui Qi asked, “Do you want Wang Dian to be your father?”
“Wang Dian is Uncle, Uncle can’t be father,” Liang Huan disapproved, “Ah Huan only has you as father.”
Cui Qi was silent for a moment, then raised his hand to pat his head, “Ah Huan, do you miss Uncle?”
“Yes,” Liang Huan nodded vigorously, “When will Uncle come back?”
“I don’t know,” Cui Qi said, “Should I have someone take you to find Uncle?”
“Really?” Liang Huan’s eyes brightened.
“Really,” Cui Qi looked towards the door, “Baili Daren, please come in.”
“This minister greets Your Highness the Crown Prince and Cui Daren,” Baili Cheng’an raised his head after bowing, but before he could even clearly see the little Crown Prince’s face, the child had already hidden behind the wheelchair, with only a small section of his white robe showing.
“Baili Daren,” Cui Qi returned the greeting with cupped hands, his expression solemn as he said, “Currently there are spies from the noble families both inside and outside the palace. I entrust the Crown Prince to Daren. Please head east and ensure you deliver the Crown Prince into His Majesty’s hands.”
“Cui Daren need not worry,” Baili Cheng’an’s gentle features showed determination, “Thank you for your efforts in dealing with Bian Cang in the palace.”
Liang Huan rarely threw tantrums, but when he was changed into the clothes of a young eunuch, he looked at Cui Qi with a tense little face, wanting to call out “Father” but hesitating because others were present, his eyes reddening as he gripped his little sleeves.
“Your Highness must listen well to Baili Daren to find your Uncle,” Cui Qi said coldly, “Go now.”
Liang Huan was held by the hand by Baili Cheng’an, his round eyes instantly filling with tears, his mouth pursed as if about to cry as he looked at Cui Qi, clearly very unwilling.
“I, Minister Cui Qi, respectfully send off Your Highness the Crown Prince.” Cui Qi coldly bowed to him, then heartlessly turned his wheelchair around to face away from him.
“Your Highness, we should go now,” Baili Cheng’an glanced at Cui Qi, reached out to pick up Liang Huan, and by the time they reached the palace gates, half his sleeve was already wet with the little Crown Prince’s tears.
Baili Cheng’an took out a handkerchief to wipe the little Crown Prince’s eyes, smiling helplessly, “So Your Highness is actually a little crybaby.”
Liang Huan sniffled and looked at him with teary eyes, “The handkerchief… smells nice.”
Baili Cheng’an paused for a moment, then smoothly tucked the handkerchief into his hand, smiling gently, “If you like the smell, I’ll give it to you, alright? Be good and follow me quietly to find your Uncle, hmm?”
Liang Huan clutched the handkerchief and nodded hard, “After finding Uncle… we’ll come back.”
“This is Your Highness’s home,” Baili Cheng’an turned to look at the majestic palace behind them, his expression sinking as his voice grew cold, “Of course we’ll return.”
The tightly closed palace doors were suddenly thrown open.
Chaotic footsteps instantly filled the entire spacious hall as someone stepped in wearing official boots, looking at the lonely wheelchair and the frost-like person sitting in it.
“Cui Daren,” a young voice rang out in the hall, carrying a hint of still-immature pressure, “Please hand over His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Cui Qi played with the smooth little building block in his hand, raising his eyes to look at the young official standing against the light, his voice carrying an indescribable tone that could have been surprise or expectation, but only showed faint mockery, “Xun Yang?”