That day, Shu Changyu took emergency leave and stayed home to recover.
Madam Li specifically invited an imperial physician from the palace. After a full examination, the verdict was still the same old speech.
Third Young Master Shu had fallen ill in childhood and been left with a weak constitution. He could not withstand even the slightest chill. Now he had gotten soaked in the rain and drunk alcohol in thin clothing, so naturally he had caught a severe cold. He would need at least ten days to half a month of proper rest at home before showing improvement.
Hearing this, Madam Li’s eyes filled with tears.
Shu Changyu lay on the couch, his face flushed red while his lips were pale and bluish. Burned by fever into unconsciousness, he looked pitiful beyond words.
“He got caught in the rain yesterday, and instead of dressing him properly, you even let him drink alcohol!”
Nearby, Gu Lanyong frowned as she scolded Kongqing.
“You’ve been with Young Master since childhood. You should be the most attentive of all. How did you let him end up like this?”
Only after the imperial physician left did Shu Changlan cautiously poke her head in from outside.
She had always known her younger brother was frail, but she was naturally rough around the edges.
After spending so long among rough soldiers in military camps, rain meant nothing to her. Even if knives fell from the sky, people would still drink.
Who would have thought this kid—not only thin and weak-looking, but practically made of paper bones—would collapse from a little rain?
Hearing movement, Madam Li turned to look at her.
Shu Changlan blinked and crept inside.
Madam Li felt deeply for this daughter. Though born a woman, she had barely enjoyed any of the carefree joys of girlhood. After her elder brother died, she went north alone and joined the army, never again living at home for long.
This time she had caused real trouble. Seeing her guilty and at a complete loss, Madam Li simply couldn’t bring herself to scold harshly.
When Shu Changlan entered, Madam Li sighed.
“You were far too careless. Why didn’t you come see your mother first after returning home? Instead you went straight into your brother’s room and never came out.”
Shu Changlan scratched the back of her head.
“I… just missed him.”
“Don’t ever do this again.”
Gu Lanyong, however, showed no mercy and continued lecturing.
“Who in this family doesn’t worry about your brother’s health? Only you, with your thick nerves, treat him like one of those soldiers in your military camp.”
Shu Changlan immediately lowered her head and accepted the scolding with sincere humility.
Gu Lanyong had always been a refined lady from a proper household. She usually spoke softly and gently.
Even when scolding people, she still sounded soft and gentle.
To Shu Changlan, it felt like warm spring rain pattering against her face—soft, damp, and utterly harmless.
After all, she was someone who had already endured plenty of military beatings.
She had thick skin.
—
Shunxi had served by the Empress’s side since entering the palace as a eunuch at age twelve.
Aside from him, all his brothers relied on the Empress’s favor. Even his only sister had married a servant of the Jia household.
He had spent years gathering information for the Empress.
That morning, after finishing his shift, he was heading back to his quarters.
As he passed a quiet corner, someone suddenly grabbed his clothes.
Before he could turn around, a strong force yanked him into the shadows.
Terrified, he looked up and saw a smiling face.
The person was tall and slender, half a head taller than him. Though he still wore the face of a youth, sharp, handsome features were already emerging.
It was none other than the Second Prince.
“…This servant greets Your Highness the Second Prince.”
Having served beside the Empress and seen plenty of palace affairs, Shunxi only panicked briefly before regaining composure.
Jing Mu smiled and patted his shoulder.
“You worked the night shift. Must’ve been exhausting.”
This sudden casual greeting left Shunxi confused.
“T-thank you for Your Highness’s concern. This is merely a servant’s duty.”
Jing Mu smiled.
“I know. Your whole family makes a living under the Empress’s protection. Naturally you must serve with utmost loyalty, right?”
“Your Highness, what do you mean by that…”
“So occasionally gathering bits of information from my residence and offering them to the Empress is also unavoidable, yes?”
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Shunxi’s back.
He immediately dropped to his knees.
“Your Highness, I have no idea what you mean. This servant merely attends to Her Majesty’s daily needs. How would I obtain information about you?”
“It’s fine. I already know.”
Jing Mu smiled.
“But what you probably don’t know is that Handan was granted to me by Father Emperor.”
He paused.
“Then again, why would the Empress let you know something like that?”
Shunxi jerked his head up.
He had no idea how Jing Mu knew about him and Miss Handan.
Palace life was lonely. Eunuchs and palace maids becoming paired companions was common.
He had admired Miss Handan for a long time.
She was shy and reserved, rarely responding to him.
But he knew something.
She had never rejected him the way she rejected others.
That meant it was only a matter of time.
Seeing his reaction, Jing Mu smiled.
“She’s in my residence. How could I not know?”
Then his tone remained light, but his meaning turned cold.
“But you should also know—whether I kill her or keep her now depends on a single sentence from me.”
“Please show mercy, Your Highness!”
Shunxi dropped fully to the ground, forehead slamming hard against the stone.
“If I show mercy, who will show mercy to me? The Empress certainly doesn’t intend to let me live peacefully.”
Jing Mu smiled and slowly crouched down.
“On one side is your whole family. On the other is the woman you love. Tough choice, isn’t it?”
He saw Shunxi’s forehead pressed to the stone bricks.
Two clear drops of water fell onto the ground.
Jing Mu sighed inwardly.
The Empress truly didn’t know how to use people.
Her most trusted confidant was this young, inexperienced, and burdened by so many attachments.
Wasn’t that simply handing others leverage?
“I’m not a bad person. I don’t want to make things difficult for you.”
Jing Mu smiled.
“In fact, I’m here to bring you an opportunity.”
“Take the information I give you back to the Empress. You’ll surely be rewarded.”
Shunxi looked up, eyes red and streaked with tears.
“Tell the Empress that today I cornered you here and forced you to hand over your clothes and token. Tonight I plan to sneak out of the palace to meet Minister Ye.”
He continued.
“The best plan is to catch me together with Father Emperor when I return to the palace. If luck is good, they can use this opportunity to grant me some princely title and kick me out of the palace to establish my own residence.”
He looked directly at Shunxi.
“Did you remember all that?”
“This… Your Highness…?!” Shunxi looked utterly disbelieving.
Among the princes, by age, the First Prince should have been the first to leave the palace and establish his residence.
But all the princes were eyeing the Crown Prince position.
Once made a prince and sent out, their chances of becoming Crown Prince would become tiny.
If the First Prince still remained in the palace, but the Second Prince was sent out—
that would be cutting off his own path.
Jing Mu had no interest in explaining.
“You don’t need to know why. Just tell me whether you remember.”
“If you handle this properly, I’ll personally grant Handan to you as your wife.”
“If you fail…”
His voice softened.
“What happens to her depends on my mood.”
Shunxi still stared blankly at him.
“Did you remember?”
Jing Mu frowned and repeated.
“I—I remembered.”
Jing Mu nodded.
He lightly tugged the waist token from Shunxi’s belt and weighed it in his hand.
“Strip.”
“Leave your outer robe, outer trousers, and boots.”
“Then get lost.”
—
That evening, as dusk fell, the General’s Manor received an unexpected visitor.
“The young man at the gate says he’s second in his family and is Third Young Master’s student. He came today to visit him while sick.”
The gate servant reported this to Madam Li.
Shu Changlan, who was drinking tea with Gu Lanyong, looked surprised.
“When did Jingchen start taking students? He’s still half a child himself, and now he’s already a teacher?”
Madam Li’s face changed drastically as she shot to her feet.
“Second in his family, and also Jingchen’s student—that means…”
“The Second Prince from the palace!”
She hurriedly ordered the servant.
“Quick, invite him in!”
Then she rushed toward the gate.
Shu Changlan and Gu Lanyong both changed expressions and followed.
Gu Lanyong frowned anxiously.
“Why would this prince come here? Palace security is incredibly strict. How could a prince casually leave the palace?”
Madam Li had no answer.
She hurried after the servant.
From a distance, they saw a tall, graceful youth standing at the gate.
He wore an ill-fitting eunuch’s uniform with sleeves and pants too short, quietly waiting there.
When he saw them, the youth smiled slightly and stepped forward.
“The Second Prince is truly handsome!”
Shu Changlan blurted out.
Gu Lanyong tugged her sleeve, and she awkwardly shut up.
As soon as he reached Madam Li, he bent to bow.
Madam Li hurriedly stopped him.
“Your Highness mustn’t!”
After speaking, she gestured for the gate to be shut quickly to avoid drawing attention.
Jing Mu pressed his lips into a shy smile, looking remarkably obedient.
“First, I must apologize to Madam Shu.”
“I heard in the palace that Grand Tutor Shu caught a cold. I was worried, so I slipped out to visit.”
“I came uninvited. I hope Madam Shu won’t blame me.”
“Blame you? Of course not!”
Madam Li found the boy very likable, but worry still filled her heart.
Looking at his clothes, she asked:
“Your Highness, did you come out without His Majesty’s knowledge? If His Majesty finds out…”
“Mother, look at him.”
Shu Changlan stepped forward.
“He has all his clothes and token. Nothing’s missing. He definitely came out properly.”
She grinned.
“He must’ve slipped out without anyone noticing. No need to worry!”
Then she grabbed Jing Mu.
“Come, Sister will take you to see your Grand Tutor!”
“He’s not your younger brother. What do you mean calling yourself sister? No manners.”
Madam Li scolded.
The moment Shu Changlan saw this youth, she felt an immediate fondness.
Jing Mu looked up at her and smiled, warm and obedient.
“Thank you, Sister.”
“Your reputation at Yanmen Pass—I’ve heard of it since my days in the military. Like thunder in my ears.”
The two of them instantly got along and headed toward Shu Changyu’s bedroom together.
Author’s Note:
Shu Changlan: Call me Sister!
Madam Li: No manners!
Jing Mu: Future mother-in-law, Sister didn’t say anything wrong…
Madam Li: What did you just call me?!
—
Suddenly I kind of want to pair Shu Changlan and Sister-in-law as a CP… Have I lost my mind?!
Also, this trash author started a silly short story in my author page! Interested readers can check it out!
Next chapter: first kiss 😀