I'm here to join you

Imperial Study

"Your Majesty, I hear His Highness the Crown Prince is out of danger..."

Seeing the worry on Emperor Jinyuan's face, Dequan could not help stepping forward to speak.

Emperor Jinyuan's hand paused over the memorial he was holding, and he glanced at him.

"Did I ask you?" he said, sounding displeased.

"This old servant spoke out of turn..."

Dequan hurriedly withdrew, afraid that even a moment's delay would get him dragged off for a flogging.

He had served Emperor Jinyuan for more than twenty years, yet he still could not fathom his thoughts.

Serving a sovereign was like living beside a tiger.

Emperor Jinyuan paused.

Then, pretending to ask casually, he said, "Have you found out who did it?"

Dequan stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, it was a guard serving the fifth prince... He has already killed himself out of fear of punishment."

Emperor Jinyuan's expression darkened at once.

As he remembered it, his fifth son was simple-minded. He just lacked sense and was easily led astray...

Each of his sons gave him more trouble than the last!

Emperor Jinyuan told Dequan, "Tell Consort De to keep the fifth prince in line. If he does this again, she cannot blame me for disregarding our bond as father and son!"

"And confine him to his room to reflect on his actions. He is not to take a single step outside for a year!"

Emperor Jinyuan looked out the window, his expression unreadable.

Suddenly, he asked, "Dequan, I have already distanced myself from the crown prince to this extent. Why do they still refuse to leave him alone?"

"This old servant is too dull to understand," Dequan replied.

Emperor Jinyuan glanced sideways at him and snorted. "You sly old fox!"

"This old servant would not dare..." Cold sweat kept breaking out on Dequan's forehead.

"You had better not!"

Emperor Jinyuan swept his sleeve aside and walked out of the Imperial Study.

"Which palace will Your Majesty stay in tonight?" Dequan caught up and asked.

Emperor Jinyuan stopped in his tracks.

After a moment, he replied, "Prepare to go to the Eastern Palace. I will visit the crown prince!"

Eastern Palace

"Cough, cough..."

The crown prince opened his eyes to find a worried face before him.

"What happened to me...?"

Consort Wan breathed a sigh of relief when he finally woke.

"You fell into the water. Do you remember?"

"You have been asleep for a whole day..." Consort Wan explained simply. "Does anything still feel wrong?"

"I'm fine..."

The crown prince furrowed his brows.

He remembered being on his way to the Hall of Diligent Study when a guard suddenly blocked his path, saying he had something to tell him.

The guard had led him to the pond, then pushed him in...

He remembered nothing after that.

But before he lost consciousness, he seemed to have seen someone swimming toward him...

He asked, "When I fell into the water... who saved me?"

"Prince Yu, of course." Consort Wan handed him a cup of water. "He stayed by your side all day. I just sent him off to rest."

The crown prince lowered his eyes.

Although he had vaguely suspected that his Little Imperial Uncle had saved him, hearing it confirmed still shook him.

Of course.

In this palace, his Little Imperial Uncle was the only one who treated him like a living, breathing person.

But he had only just promised his Little Imperial Uncle that he would protect himself, and then this had happened... His Little Imperial Uncle must be disappointed in him...

"What is it?" Consort Wan asked worriedly when he suddenly fell silent.

"I'm fine."

Seeing the concern all over her face, the crown prince was moved. "Thank you for looking after me."

"Silly child, what are you saying?" Consort Wan said, her heart aching.

I'm your mother...

Of course I should look after you.

Nothing matters more than knowing you're all right.

"I'm fine now. Please go and rest."

Noticing the exhaustion in her eyes, the crown prince could not help saying it.

"No need. I'm fine," Consort Wan refused.

How could she leave her son's side when he needed looking after...?

"Are you hungry?" she asked. "Would you like something to eat?"

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Consort Wan stiffened slightly.

The crown prince's heart lurched.

What was going on?

Why would Emperor Father suddenly come here at this hour?

Surely he hadn't come to punish me?

Filled with worry, the crown prince was about to get out of bed when Emperor Jinyuan entered and said, "You are still weak. There is no need to get up!"

Emperor Jinyuan surveyed the Eastern Palace, then frowned.

When had the Eastern Palace fallen into such a sorry state?

It was worlds apart from how it had looked when he lived here. He barely recognized it...

Then he caught sight of the woman beside the bed and froze.

"Wanwan... you're here too," he said, inexplicably guilty.

Consort Wan did not look at him as she tucked the quilt around the crown prince.

"What, am I not allowed to be here?" she replied coolly.

Did she need his permission to look after her own son?

"That is not what I meant..." Emperor Jinyuan involuntarily glanced at Dequan.

Why hadn't he told me Consort Wan was here too?

Dequan thought, You never asked...

And didn't you previously forbid any mention of Her Highness Consort Wan?

Emperor Jinyuan was speechless.

He stole a glance at Consort Wan.

Why wouldn't Wanwan look at me?

After all these years apart, hadn't she missed me at all?

Emperor Jinyuan followed his own gaze to the crown prince on the bed.

It seemed Wanwan had learned the crown prince's identity.

No wonder she was ignoring me.

She must be angry.

But back then, the Deposed Empress had still been in power. If he wanted to make Chang'er crown prince, he could only place him under her name.

He had never expected Wanwan to fall ill from longing for her son and refuse to see him again...

It was his fault.

He had not dared visit Wanwan either, afraid she might suddenly confront him.

Nor had he dared pay too much attention to Chang'er, lest he make others wary of him.

But in the end, he had still failed in his duty as a husband and father to protect Wanwan and Chang'er.

"How do you feel?" he asked the crown prince. "Are you still uncomfortable anywhere?"

"Emperor Father, I feel much better," the crown prince replied.

"It is late. Emperor Father should return and rest..."

He was unused to this sudden concern from Emperor Jinyuan.

He did not know what Emperor Father's intentions were.

This was his first time seeing Emperor Father from so close, and his first time speaking to him...

In the past, he had always wished Emperor Father would find time to visit him...

But now his feelings were in turmoil.

Seeing the crown prince's unease, Consort Wan said to Emperor Jinyuan, "It is late. If Your Majesty has no other business, please return to your chambers and retire. Allow me to see Your Majesty off!"

Emperor Jinyuan's eyes widened, and his composure crumbled.

I've barely said a few words, and Wanwan and the crown prince are already throwing me out?

"What about you?" he abruptly asked.

"I am worried the crown prince may need help during the night, so I will stay here," Consort Wan answered honestly.

"I am worried about the crown prince too..." Emperor Jinyuan immediately replied.

"What does Your Majesty mean by that?" Consort Wan asked with a frown.

"What do I mean? I just want to sleep between you two!" Emperor Jinyuan declared indignantly.

Other people would beg me to stay the night, but you two won't even let me have a cup of tea before chasing me out!

I won't allow it!

Everyone instantly turned to stone.

Dequan stiffened too.

What madness had gotten into His Majesty this time?

["I just want to sleep between you two~" What's gotten into this foolish emperor tonight?]

[Why does that tone sound like he's wheedling?]

[All the trouble I went through to rush back was worth it. I made it just in time for a great show!]

Emperor Jinyuan's expression instantly darkened.

Had I really spoken in such a nauseating tone?

What utter slander!

Noticing the searching looks from Consort Wan and the others, he felt his dignity slipping.

Feigning anger, he called to the person outside, "Get in here already! What are you skulking around out there for?"

[Oh dear, discovered so soon! This foolish emperor really does have sharp eyes!]

Xiao Yu swaggered in as though he owned the place. "Greetings, Elder Imperial Brother and sister-in-law!"

Hearing him address Wanwan as his imperial sister-in-law, Emperor Jinyuan's expression improved considerably.

But his very next sentence turned the emperor's face green-

"I'm here to join you!"

He immediately exploded. "How dare you!"