“The Zhaowen Pavilion is close to the palace, I’m afraid something must have happened. Ever since His Majesty fell into a coma due to a sudden illness, the entire Imperial City has been in a state of anxiety. It’s better for us to go out less.”
‘Gu Ziyuan’ kept on reading the book, immersed in his own world.
After about half a day, the door of Zhaowen Pavilion finally opened.
‘Gu Ziyuan’ put down his book and left, when he suddenly heard an urgent report from afar.
“Report—the Third Prince plotted a rebellion, and as per the imperial edict, was punished by law and received the death penalty under the city gate.”
Himself didn’t even pause in his steps.
*****
Gu Ziyuan woke up.
He lifted the quilt, and felt dizzy. He drank several glasses of cold water to subdue the shock, and finally regained some sense.
“What’s up with that dream just now?”
He patted his chest, anxious and doubtful.
After calming down, Gu Ziyuan finally had room to ponder.
He remembered the conversation in the dream, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt scared.
First, the Third Prince was sent to the border, and later on it was said that the Third Prince plotted a rebellion and was sentenced to death at the city gate.
But Brother Luo is obviously doing well just now.
“Really, for no reason, how could I have such a dream.”
Gu Ziyuan had lingering fears.
“Maybe one day he should go to the Wu Temple and take a look.” He said to himself.
Gu Ziyuan also heard in the past when the nine stars aligned like a string of beads. The entire Great Yuan dreamed of the scene where the Third Prince committed suicide in Hangu Pass. He was still a little curious, and later, he simply heard that it might be an immortal appearing in one’s dream to make a request.
Thinking of this, he immediately “ptew, ptew, ptew.” (TL: spitting sound. Probably found it absurd)
That dream just now was definitely not an immortal appearing in one’s dream to make a request.
But it’s just that the dream was too real, as if he had really gone through such a lifetime.
However, after tossing and turning, Gu Ziyuan couldn’t fall asleep anymore.
He was thinking about the thought that had scared himself just now, thus he simply put on a thick robe and pushed open the door.
The Third Prince’s Mansion covered a vast area. Even in the middle of the night, there were floor-to-ceiling palace lanterns placed in the corners of the deep and winding corridors. Every other hour of vigil, there would be servants coming to change shifts. From a distance, it looked like stars had fallen to the ground, which looked extremely nice.
Blown by the cold wind, Gu Ziyuan rubbed his hands, somewhat not knowing where he should go.
It was natural for a guest not to walk around casually in the host’s house. Even if he wanted to see Brother Luo now, in this middle of the night, everyone had already rested, only he was haunted by a nightmare, and was on tenterhooks.
He walked around a corner and suddenly heard a commotion coming from ahead.
A servant leading an imperial physician to see a patient, hurried over with the lamp.
Gu Ziyuan knew that His Majesty bestowed two imperial physicians, one to take care of medicine during the day, and the other to stay up late at night, in case of emergencies. The one who was following the servant now was the imperial physician who works at night.
“Ah, Young Master Gu.”
The servant waiting at the corner glanced at him, and hurriedly saluted, “Was the young master disturbed by the noise?”
“No, no, I was haunted by nightmares in the middle of the night, woke up and came out for a walk.”
Gu Ziyuan waved his hand quickly, “What’s going on ahead? What was so urgent in the middle of the night?”
The servant said, “Just now, a servant came knocking on the door with a young master, holding His Highness’s token in his hand. The imperial physician was in a hurry to depart because the young master was too severely injured and could not be delayed.”
Gu Ziyuan sighed with emotion. “His Royal Highness Luo has always helped the weak and aid the needy.” (TL: Zong Luo)
He paused, but still couldn’t hold back, and asked in a low voice, “Has His Highness rested now?”
Gu Ziyuan forgot that he went to bed early, and when he woke up, he realized that it was not midnight, but almost midnight. Zong Luo had to drink medicine three times a day, and the last dose of medicine would have to be taken later. If he hadn’t rested yet, perhaps he could still see him.
“His Highness seems to have gone out earlier on some business, and hasn’t returned yet.” The servant said with a submissive appearance.
“This, it’s okay ah.”
After getting the expected answer, Gu Ziyuan gathered his loose robe in a bit of frustration, and was about to go back to his room, when he heard a voice from a distance. “Your Highness.”
The servant was a little surprised. “His Royal Highness is back.”
Gu Ziyuan looked up, pleasantly surprised.
In the place where the lights were dimmed, the prince in white had a tall and handsome appearance, with a somewhat inhumane sternness on his face.
The outermost crane cloak was nowhere to be found, and blood was still oozing from his neck.
Seen from a distance, the white clothes were covered with scarlet, as if plum blossoms had fallen into the snow. Just one glance could make one’s heart throb, and be struck with fright.
“Don’t worry.” From a distance, Gu Ziyuan heard Zong Luo’s low voice, “These are not my blood.”
