Chapter 29: He’s Still Alive

“The Crown Prince asked His Majesty to arrange the marriage.  His Majesty summoned General Xue and his daughter. The imperial edict arrived the next day.”

Wu Huan recalled his shock at the news of Xue Ling’er becoming the Crown Prince’s concubine.  “I assumed Your Highness was recovering somewhere, thinking that more people knowing your whereabouts would increase the danger.  So, I didn’t tell anyone.  It seems I was wrong. If I’d told General Xue that Your Highness was missing but not dead, Miss Xue might not have agreed to marry the Crown Prince.”

“Irrelevant people aren’t worth your attention. Keep an eye on the Crown Prince and Prince Zhao.  It’s either them or us.”

Xiao Jinyu’s grip on his teacup tightened; it shattered. Wu Huan was startled.  His Highness must have suffered greatly; his aura had changed.  General Xue too…  other people betraying him was one thing, but as a general under Wu Huan, how could he turn his back so quickly?

“Your Highness, we have spies watching them, and people are also hidden in the Crown Prince’s and Prince Zhao’s residences.”

Wu Huan reported his progress. He hadn’t been lax despite Xiao Jinyu’s disappearance. “Your Highness, I found a lot of blood at the cliff. Are you alright? I’ve asked a trusted imperial physician to wait outside. Should I have him examine you?”

“Yes, bring him in.”

Xiao Jinyu sat on the bed. The imperial physician took his pulse and bowed. “Your Highness’s pulse is steady and strong.  There’s nothing wrong.  Did you suffer any external injuries? Let me examine you.”

Xiao Jinyu slowly extended his right leg. “A deep wound on my right leg, and an arrow wound below my knee.  They’ve healed.”

The imperial physician lifted his trousers, examining the leg, looking puzzled. “When were you injured, Your Highness?”

Xiao Jinyu raised an eyebrow. “A month ago.  The wounds have healed for half a month.”

The imperial physician shook his head.  “That’s impossible!  The wounds couldn’t have healed in half a month, especially since they were deep.  You should have been bedridden for half a year!”

Xiao Jinyu remembered the clumsy stitches in his dream.  “Someone sewed up my wounds.  After the wounds healed, the stitches were removed.  It itched when the wounds were freshly sewn but wasn’t very painful, not as excruciating as usual.”

“Sewed like clothing?” The imperial physician muttered, bowing to Xiao Jinyu.  “Your Highness’s wound healed remarkably well. Could you introduce this person? If they became a military physician, the army’s casualty rate would decrease significantly.”

He looked at Xiao Jinyu expectantly. Xiao Jinyu, a military man, cared about his soldiers’ safety, so the physician thought he would agree.  But Xiao Jinyu refused without hesitation. “She’s not a physician. She only cleaned and sewed the wounds and applied antiseptic and analgesic medicine. That’s all.”

The situation was unclear; his struggle with the Crown Prince and Prince Zhao would intensify. He didn’t want to involve Xie Jiu’er and bring her harm.

The imperial physician nodded disappointedly. “Alright. I’ll figure it out myself. Your Highness is in excellent health with no aftereffects.”

He left.

“Your Highness, are you alright?  The imperial physician seemed a little disappointed.”

Wu Huan asked as Xiao Jinyu came out.

“My return is probably known throughout the city now.”

Xiao Jinyu looked towards the palace.  He was back, but no family member would be overjoyed at his safe return.  They must be disappointed.

In the Crown Prince’s palace, there was chaos; many palace servants knelt.  “Useless! Such a good opportunity, and you failed! He’s back, and the whole city knows, yet you’re still in the dark? Is this how you usually serve me?”

“Your Highness, it’s done. You’re the Crown Prince. Even if Qin Wang returns, it’s useless. When we welcome the concubine, let’s celebrate grandly.  You can treat General Xue well as your future father-in-law. Let those who oppose you see.”

It was the aged Qing, the Crown Prince’s attendant.

The Crown Prince, still furious, shouted. “Keep an eye on him. Even if he’s alive, we must pressure him; don’t give him a moment to breathe.”

In the palace, the Emperor, listening to the new beauty’s singing, heard the news of Qin Wang’s return, shocked, then calm.  There was no joy or excitement.

“Summon Qin Wang to the palace.” The Emperor walked to the door, looking at the empty courtyard, lost in thought.

Xiao Jinyu received the summons, smirked, changed clothes, and went to the palace.  The Emperor had no interest in listening to music; he was reviewing memorials.

The empire was newly unified; he’d worked hard to select officials and govern the regions.  Months later, he’d seen initial results.  After collecting grain from the nobles, it could be distributed to the people for planting.

By next year, the devastation of the century-long war would be controlled. The situation was stable, but his three sons were at odds.

His second son, who had won half the empire, was ambushed. He thought his son was dead, but he had returned safe and sound.

A father would be happy, especially for his most proud son. But Xiao Jinyu, a seasoned warrior, disappeared suddenly.  Even without investigation, he knew the Crown Prince and Prince Zhao were involved.

The three brothers would fight to the death, which he didn’t want to see.

Xiao Jinyu entered the hall.  Neither spoke, creating an awkward silence.  The eunuch Feng Bao cheerfully instructed his apprentice, “Quickly make some ginseng tea for Qin Wang.  He must have suffered.  The late Empress would be heartbroken.  His Majesty has been worried sick; he hasn’t slept well since Your Highness disappeared, often waking up in the middle of the night, dreaming of Your Highness being injured.  It’s all over now; Your Highness is safe!”

He wiped away nonexistent tears.