Later that day, news spread that the Emperor was seriously ill and Crown Prince Chu Xiang was acting as regent.
At Jade Gate Pass, the news arrived over a month later.
During this month, the barbarians attacked several times but were repeatedly defeated by Chu Yuan, who had become famous in the Jade Gate Pass area. It was said that even the barbarians used his name to scare children. Ruan Ning often teased him as the “麻胡子” (Ma Huzi) of Great Chu.
When the official report reached Chu Yuan, he was with Ruan Ning, overlooking the snow-covered Black Mountain, persistently asking about Ma Huzi. After reading the report, his heart sank.
Ruan Ning nestled closer to him and softly asked, “What’s wrong?”
“The Emperor is seriously ill, and the Crown Prince is acting as regent,” Chu Yuan said after a long while, crumpling the report, his brow furrowed.
Though he had a complicated relationship with the Emperor, their feelings were profound. Ruan Ning hesitated and asked, “Do you want to go back?”
“I’m worried this might be the Emperor’s trap,” Chu Yuan said.
Chu Yunzheng was only in his early fifties and had always been healthy. Chu Yuan found it hard to believe he could become so ill in just over three months and suspected he was feigning illness to lure him back.
He was concerned about his health but didn’t want to return to the capital, knowing Chu Yunzheng would seize any opportunity to control him.
When his mother had married and planned to escape with her husband after giving birth, he had tricked her back to the palace, keeping her under soft imprisonment until her death. He had always been unscrupulous in obtaining what he wanted. In the past, he might have risked confirming his fears, but now, with Ruan Ning, he dared not gamble.
“Never mind, we’ll stay here,” Chu Yuan embraced her, inhaling her subtle body fragrance, calming his agitated mood.
Despite this, Ruan Ning noticed he was often restless, concerned for the Emperor.
