Jun Huailang and Jun Linghuan settled down in Mingluan Palace just like that. To keep Jun Huailang from falling behind in his studies, Consort Shu even specially arranged for him to study at Wenhua Hall together with the other princes.
Knowing that Jun Huailang would be studying with him, Xue Yunhuan, who had always regarded going to Wenhua Hall as though he were going to the execution ground, became interested in studying for the first time. Early on the first morning, he specifically came to Mingluan Palace to call Jun Huailang and go with him.
This little tyrant did not even find it troublesome, insisting on leaving a quarter of an hour early every day just so he could come looking for Jun Huailang.
The princes were currently studying nothing more than the Four Books and Five Classics. They studied literature in the morning and practiced martial arts in the afternoon. What they were learning was already thoroughly familiar to Jun Huailang from his previous life, so studying it now was quite easy for him. He even had enough time left over to obey the Empress’s decree and supervise the little tyrant’s studies.
For several consecutive days, everything was quite peaceful. The only exception was the desk in the corner of Wenhua Hall, which remained empty the entire time.
Half a month later, the lychees from Lingnan came into season and were sent to the palace at full speed on fast horses. That day happened to be a day when the princes had a break. They only needed to study literature at Wenhua Hall in the morning and could rest in the afternoon.
Although Consort Shu was favored and received the greatest number of lychees in the entire palace, the Empress still specially sent someone to Wenhua Hall to tell Jun Huailang to come to her palace after class and eat fruit together.
Jun Huailang knew that the Empress was doing this to thank him. During the days he had been here, Xue Yunhuan’s studies had improved remarkably, to the point that even the Grand Tutor’s praise had reached the Empress’s ears.
Jun Huailang therefore did not refuse. After class, he returned to the Empress’s palace together with Xue Yunhuan.
When they arrived at Qifeng Palace, it was quite lively inside. The Empress’s senior palace maid was waiting at the entrance. Seeing the two of them arrive, she smiled and said, “His Majesty is inside as well.”
Jun Huailang thanked her, then entered the main hall of Qifeng Palace together with Xue Yunhuan.
Emperor Qingping was talking with Empress Jiang about something, and the atmosphere inside was somewhat tense. Just as he reached the doorway, Jun Huailang heard Empress Jiang hesitate and say, “But the Fifth Prince is already this old. Consort Shu is young, so I’m afraid she won’t agree.”
The Fifth Prince?
When Jun Huailang heard this, he immediately slowed his steps.
Emperor Qingping, however, said displeasedly, “But only Consort Shu can suppress Xue Yan’s baleful aura.”
Empress Jiang said gently, “But the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s written prediction is ultimately only a prophecy. It cannot be entirely believed…”
The senior palace maid hurriedly called out loudly from the outer room, “Reporting to His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress, His Sixth Highness and the Jun heir have arrived.”
The two immediately stopped their conversation. Emperor Qingping said nothing, while Empress Jiang smiled from inside the hall.
“Quickly, let them in. You must be tired after studying all morning, aren’t you?”
Xue Yunhuan had not paid the slightest attention to what his father and mother had just been discussing. He was entirely preoccupied with those fresh, plump lychees, and ran inside in just a few steps.
Jun Huailang followed him inward.
From what the Emperor and Empress had just said, could it be that the Emperor wanted Consort Shu to raise Xue Yan because of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s prediction?
Although Jun Huailang believed in matters involving gods and ghosts—for without gods and ghosts, he himself would never have been able to be reborn—this written prediction from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau was clearly fabricated out of thin air.
Xue Yan was not a threat to the Imperial Star at all. Instead, he possessed an extremely noble destiny. And Consort Shu could not suppress his baleful aura either. On the contrary, Consort Shu had died only a few years later.
It was as though someone had secretly calculated everything step by step. Everything seemed perfectly reasonable, pushing Xue Yan toward Consort Shu’s side.
It was only a few lines of astrological prediction, yet Jun Huailang seemed to see a vast, indistinct net, enclosing the Jun family and even the entire imperial family within it.
While silently pondering this, Jun Huailang entered the hall and bowed to Emperor Qingping and the Empress.
“Rise.” Emperor Qingping’s expression softened slightly, and he let the two of them sit nearby.
The Empress smiled and instructed the palace maids to bring out the pastries and lychees.
“Thanks to Huailang these past few days, Huan’er has been much more diligent with his studies.”
Emperor Qingping gave a sound of acknowledgment from the side.
“The children of the Jun family have always been outstanding.”
Jun Huailang hurriedly thanked them and said that His Majesty was too kind with his praise.
Meanwhile, the palace maids brought out several exquisite little plates one after another. Besides the fresh lychees, there were also many pastries made from lychees, each with a delicate appearance and giving off the fragrant scent of lychee.
“I only had these lychee cakes made today. I thought they tasted quite good, so Your Majesty should try one as well.” The Empress smiled as she handed Emperor Qingping a piece, then said, “Huailang, your aunt usually loves sweet foods. I prepared several plates for her. Take them back later and let her try them.”
Jun Huailang nodded and thanked her.
Beside them, Xue Yunhuan had already devoted himself entirely to eating.
Jun Huailang, however, noticed that Emperor Qingping did not take the pastry from the Empress’s hand at all. Instead, he looked toward Jun Huailang and asked, “Huailang, shall I find you a companion to play with? Would you like that?”
He was already a boy of ten or so. What did he need a playmate for?
Jun Huailang knew that Emperor Qingping was dissatisfied with their earlier conversation. He was deliberately introducing another topic, both to make his intentions clear to the Empress and to use Jun Huailang’s mouth to convey the message to Consort Shu.
Before Jun Huailang could answer, Xue Yunhuan became anxious. He put down the half-peeled lychee in his hand.
“Father, Huailang and I already play together very well!”
Emperor Qingping glanced at his foolish son and did not respond. Instead, he continued speaking to Jun Huailang.
“I see that your aunt likes children, so I thought of letting her raise a child at her side. But your aunt has a hot temper and little patience, so I thought it would be more trouble-free to let her raise an older child.”
If Jun Huailang had not heard his conversation with the Empress just now, perhaps he might have believed some of what the Emperor was saying.
But now, he found this elder rather hypocritical.
It was one thing to rely on a consort in the imperial harem to suppress Xue Yan’s so-called baleful aura. He even had to come up with such a lofty excuse and seriously explain it to a junior like himself.
Naturally, Jun Huailang would not openly oppose Emperor Qingping.
Never mind him—even the Empress could not change a decision once Emperor Qingping had made it.
He looked at Emperor Qingping and smiled.
“Of course that would be wonderful. His Majesty has been so considerate of my aunt. She will certainly be happy.”
Empress Jiang sat at the head of the hall and let out an almost inaudible sigh.
Only after hearing Jun Huailang’s words did a satisfied expression finally appear on Emperor Qingping’s face. He did not stay much longer with the Empress. After drinking another half cup of tea, he left.
Everyone in the hall rose to see him off.
When they reached outside the hall, Emperor Qingping’s sedan chair was already waiting there. The senior eunuch Lingfu helped Emperor Qingping sit inside, whereupon Emperor Qingping said rather unhappily, “The Empress truly does not understand propriety.”
Lingfu immediately understood what he meant and smiled ingratiatingly.
“Her Majesty the Empress has lived deep within the palace for so long and does not hear about the affairs of the world. How could she possibly have Your Majesty’s far-sighted wisdom?”
Emperor Qingping gave a cold snort.
Seeing that he was seated securely, Lingfu hurriedly ordered the sedan chair bearers to set off, and he followed closely alongside.
Emperor Qingping propped his head up with one hand and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.
Ever since Xue Yan had returned to Chang’an, he had constantly kept his heart on edge. Although the Imperial Astronomical Bureau had said that the Imperial Star was currently flourishing and would not be affected by baleful influences, he was still uneasy.
It was not until two days ago, when the Imperial Astronomical Bureau pointed out a way for him, that he finally relaxed somewhat.
They had said that the palace was filled with an abundance of yang energy. A baleful star carried yin and evil influences, which could be suppressed with yang energy. After making their calculations, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau had ultimately designated Mingluan Palace as the best place to suppress the baleful influence.
And coincidentally, during those very days, Consort Shu had been pestering him, stubbornly wanting to raise a child at her side.
Was that not killing two birds with one stone?
Emperor Qingping had finally resolved the great worry in his heart, at least temporarily, and could relax.
The court officials always told him not to be superstitious about divinations and omens.
But Emperor Qingping himself knew perfectly well that divinations could be trusted, whereas these court officials could not.
Every one of them made a living within their own court and had their own selfish interests.
He sat upon the Dragon Throne. The entire world depended upon him, and the entire world also schemed against him.
Only the immortals wanted nothing from him and were absolutely sincere toward him.
In the entire world, the only beings he could trust were the immortals.
——
After Emperor Qingping left, the Empress looked toward Jun Huailang, hesitating to speak.
After a moment, she said, “Your aunt is proud and strong-willed. Once she receives the imperial decree, she will certainly be unhappy. You will have to persuade her more.”
Jun Huailang nodded in agreement.
He knew that although the Empress was kindhearted, she too feared Xue Yan’s baleful-star destiny and had always kept her distance from him.
In her view, the Emperor rashly arranging for Xue Yan to enter Consort Shu’s palace might not only fail to suppress the evil influence but could instead invite disaster.
Moreover, Consort Shu was not someone who could tolerate suffering a loss.
The Empress had wanted to persuade Emperor Qingping to reconsider, but she already had a poor relationship with him. And whenever matters involving divinations, omens, and astrological prophecies arose, Emperor Qingping became especially stubborn and listened to no one.
There was nothing she could do.
Jun Huailang understood what she meant, but remained outwardly calm. He merely nodded as though he only half understood and agreed.
After they finished eating the fruit, the Empress kept him for lunch as well. She then had the palace attendants prepare a three-tiered pastry box and instructed Fuyi, who had been following behind Jun Huailang, to carry it.
Only then did Jun Huailang take his leave.
It was the afternoon, and the sunlight was pleasant. The wind of late autumn was not particularly cold against the body.
The little eunuch who escorted him out of Qifeng Palace was also quite talkative. Seeing the yellow leaves drifting all over the courtyard, he told Jun Huailang that the maple leaves in the southwestern corner of the palace were especially beautiful. It was just that no master lived there, so such beautiful scenery was being wasted.
Jun Huailang seemed to remember it as well.
When he was seven or eight years old, he had once entered the palace in autumn, and Xue Yunhuan had taken him there to look at the maple leaves. The maple grove was somewhat secluded, but at that time, there had still been a consort living nearby. Within that vast maple forest, there had even been a swing.
He thought that he did not know whether the swing was still there. If he could find it, he could take Linghuan there to play.
Jun Huailang had just eaten, and his stomach felt somewhat heavy. Hearing the eunuch speak of it, he became interested. He had the little eunuch point out the direction, then led Fuyi toward the area to look for it.
Following the direction the little eunuch had indicated, he walked toward it. As he went, he gradually sensed something vaguely familiar.
He still remembered that the eaves of that palace had been quite distinctive. After walking for about two quarters of an hour, he finally saw them in the distance.
The palace was three stories high, with its four upturned eaves hung with golden bells. From afar, it looked quite exquisite. The red maples below could vaguely be seen surrounding the palace.
Six or seven years had passed. The eaves had gone unrepaired for several years and looked somewhat dilapidated from a distance.
Jun Huailang recognized them at a glance and could not help smiling.
“It’s over there.”
As he spoke, he quickened his pace and headed in that direction.
Fuyi carried the food box and jogged all the way behind him.
“Young Master really has an excellent memory!” Fuyi said. “But that palace is so beautiful. How come no one has lived there for all these years?”
Jun Huailang said, “I heard that the consort who lived there died mysteriously inside the palace. Afterward, people said the place was haunted, so no one dared to live there anymore.”
Fuyi shuddered.
“Then… Young Master, do you still dare to sit on that consort’s swing?”
Jun Huailang, who had already died once before, naturally was not afraid of ghosts.
He turned around and saw Fuyi clutching the food box in fright, hesitating to move forward.
Jun Huailang could not help smiling.
Even a nonexistent female ghost could frighten him this badly.
If he found out that Jun Huailang himself had died and come back to life, just how terrified would he be?