Chu Yunzheng’s chest hurt with anger, but before he could react, the Empress handed him the ice performance list: “Your Majesty, the ice performance troupe has been waiting for your command. Please select a performance.”
The Empress provided an escape route; Chu Yunzheng collected himself and pointed to a performance, then handed the list to Chu Yuan, saying, “Prince of Ning, choose a performance. Let’s watch the ice show first, and we’ll discuss her situation later.”
Chu Yuan did not take the list. Instead, he stood up, pulling Ruan Ning with him, and bowed to Chu Yunzheng: “My wife’s status is unclear. Staying here might invite gossip. I request permission to withdraw. Your Majesty, please forgive me.”
Chu Yunzheng’s fingers trembled with anger, but Chu Yuan acted as if he didn’t notice and was about to leave. At that moment, Chu Xiang turned and said, “Prince of Ning, please wait.”
Chu Yuan stopped.
Chu Xiang handed over the performance list, saying, “It’s rare we’re gathered today. Prince of Ning, please choose a performance.”
Chu Yuan chose a performance, and Chu Xiang returned the list to the Empress, pulling Chu Yuan back to his seat while glancing at the wine pitcher and cups.
Suddenly, music began, and two groups of dancers in ice skates gracefully glided across the frozen lake, lightening the atmosphere. Chu Yuan poured a cup of wine and offered it to Chu Yunzheng with both hands: “I wish Your Majesty longevity and eternal joy.”
Chu Yunzheng, surprised by his respect, was delighted and drank without hesitation. As he set down the cup, he saw Chu Yuan and Ruan Ning bowing, saying, “We thank Your Majesty for your grace!”
A doctor then knelt and said, “In reply to Your Majesty, Prince Ning has an arrow wound on his left leg. I have the necessary medicinal herbs, but as the weather is cold and windy, he needs to rest in a closed room for three to five days, avoiding wind and movement.”
Realizing that rest meant he couldn’t return to the capital, Chu Yunzheng noticed the doctor seemed unfamiliar and frowned, asking, “Which medical institution do you serve?”
“Your Majesty,” Chu Yuan said, “my injury is not that serious. I want to go hunting.”
“How can that be?” Chu Yunzheng quickly walked to Chu Yuan’s bedside. “With an injury to your leg, you can’t hunt. Lie down peacefully and don’t go out. I’ll come to see you every day.”
“Your Majesty,” the doctor interjected, “Prince Ning’s wound is at a meridian point. He cannot withstand even the slightest breeze. Visitors coming and going might be detrimental to his recovery.”
Chu Yuan replied, “Don’t be so alarmist. I know my injury best. It’s not serious. It’s already stopped bleeding. Just bandage me tightly, and I’ll go hunting tomorrow.”
Chu Yunzheng, worried he would worsen his injury, insisted, “You’re not allowed to go anywhere. Stay in the room. I won’t disturb you. When you’re healed, I’ll take you fox hunting.”
After much persuasion, Chu Yuan finally agreed to rest. To keep him from feeling bored, Chu Yunzheng instructed Ruan Ning to serve him and arranged for palace servants to deliver meals and medicine outside the door, forbidding the opening of doors and windows to prevent wind. After these instructions, he reluctantly left.
Ruan Ning sat on a stool behind the bed, listening to Chu Yunzheng meticulously arranging everything for Chu Yuan, from eating and drinking to clothing and entertainment. Her feelings were complex. Chu Yunzheng was truly good to Chu Yuan, but could an adult tolerate being managed like a child?
As Chu Yunzheng reached the door, he looked back at Chu Yuan, who was sitting by the bed railing with bright eyes. He instinctively called out, “A’Yuan, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Chu Yuan replied softly. “Your Majesty, it’s cold and snowy. Please take care of yourself.”
Chu Yunzheng felt a heavy-hearted sense that something was off. Just as he was about to inquire further, Chu Yuan smiled and said cheerfully, “Your Majesty must stay for several days. When I’m healed, I’ll go fox hunting with you.”
Chu Yunzheng smiled and nodded, “Good, rest well. I’ll wait for you.”
When he returned to his palace, Duke An had already been kneeling for a while. Since Chu Yuan’s injury was not serious, Chu Yunzheng’s mood had improved. He said leisurely, “Duke An, with such a treasonous person in your household, how do you think I should deal with you?”
Duke An kowtowed repeatedly, bleeding from his forehead, crying and pleading, “This criminal was incompetent in discipline. I beg Your Majesty for mercy!”
He knew this matter had nothing to do with anyone else in the Duke of An Guo’s mansion. Duke An Guo was an old minister, and pushing too hard might discourage other ministers. Since Liu Yi looked like he wouldn’t survive, he might as well do him a favor.
He said, “Forcing a father to harm his son goes against heaven’s harmony. Duke An Guo’s actions prove that you have no second thoughts about me and Prince Ning. However, Liu Yi has committed an unfilial and disloyal act, and you cannot escape blame. I decide to strip you of your title, demote you to a commoner, ban Liu family descendants from official positions for three generations, and exile Liu Yi three thousand li, to depart immediately.”
Duke An Guo breathed a sigh of relief while feeling as if his heart was being sliced. If he had known the emperor would show mercy, he wouldn’t have struck so heavily. His son was badly injured and might not survive. But if he hadn’t struck so hard, how would the emperor have shown mercy? He deeply hated Huo Rou; if his son hadn’t been infatuated with her, they wouldn’t have ended up in this situation.
The sudden turn of events left Huo Rou stunned. Upon hearing that Liu Yi was not condemned to death, she quickly kowtowed: “This woman thanks Your Majesty for his great mercy on behalf of Young Master Liu!”
Though her acting was good, Chu Yuan Zheng, who came from the deep palace, could see she didn’t care about Liu Yi’s life at all. He looked at Duke An Guo and said flatly, “Since this woman is willing to share Liu Yi’s punishment, you may dispose of her.”
Duke An Guo clenched his fist, deciding to make her wish she were dead. Huo Rou was bewildered, thinking: Everything is truly over now…
Late at night, the window of Chu Yuan’s palace was lifted, and two figures slipped out. The taller one embraced the smaller one, leaping onto the roof and traversing the palace walls, quickly escaping the outer perimeter of the palace.
The guard soldiers were distracted, and the two walked out of the palace gate. After a few steps, a lamp lit up in the dark night. Chu Xiang stood holding a glass palace lantern, with a carriage and several horses behind him. He softly called, “A Yuan.”
The two were Chu Yuan and Ruan Ning. Chu Yuan ran to him, saying, “Crown Prince, I’m leaving!”
“Safe travels,” Chu Xiang supported his shoulder and handed him a token from his chest. “Take this. You’ll have assistance along the way. Go directly to Yumen Pass.”
Chu Yuan took it with both hands, looked at him deeply, then hugged him and whispered something in his ear. Ruan Ning only vaguely heard “big brother.”
As she was puzzled, Chu Yuan wrapped his arm around her waist and leaped onto the carriage, laughing, “Sit tight, we’re leaving!”
The horses pulled the carriage forward, and Chu Yuan waved to Chu Xiang, who extinguished the lamp and disappeared into the darkness.
The horses ran quickly, and the night wind blew through the curtains, bringing a chill. Ruan Ning wrapped her cloak tightly but still shivered. Soon, a warm arm encircled her waist as Chu Yuan leaned in to kiss her, his laughing eyes sparkling: “Ning Ning, we’re free!”
His voice was a warm current in the winter night, making Ruan Ning feel warm all over. She laughed, rubbing her cheek against his stubble and returning his kiss softly: “A Yuan, we’re free!”
