Chapter 44

Yu Zhi clutched the small cat in his arms as if grasping the last piece of driftwood while drowning.

　　Zombie-like, he stumbled toward the dais. Through a haze, he vaguely sensed someone shouting. A constant buzzing filled his ears, his mind spinning. Beyond Luo Ting’s soft, steady breathing, he heard nothing.

Soft fur brushed against his neck. Yu Zhi slowly lowered his head, meeting a pair of large, grape-like eyes.

　　The kitten seemed to sense something.

It rubbed against Yu Zhi, extending its tiny paw to gently stroke his cheek, as if comforting him.

Yu Zhi’s eyes reddened.

On his wedding day, Luo Tingshi and his daughter were missing, presumed dead. His son was his only remaining pillar of support.

　　Grasping the kitten’s paw, Yu Zhi stepped unsteadily into the altar hall. Guards carried Luo Tingshi inside, carefully placing him on a small bed. Physician Zhang hurried forward to examine his injuries.

　　As the dark ceremonial robe was slowly removed, Yu Zhi turned his head away, tears dampening his lashes.

Luo Tingshi didn’t want him to see.

He wouldn’t look.

　　“Your Majesty! Thankfully, this shielded the blow, preventing damage to the vital heart meridians. There is still hope!” Physician Zhang pulled out a blood-soaked object, wiped it, and handed it to Yu Zhi. “Your servant believes this belongs to you.”

　　Yu Zhi cradled the bloodstained, damaged object in his palm, staring at it blankly for a long moment before the memory returned.

This was the small cat stone pendant he had carved with his own hands.

　　At the age of five, he had wanted to give his father a birthday gift. He had followed the craftsman his father had sought out for him, learning diligently for a long time until he finally carved something decent. Then the incident with the rockery occurred. To thank Luo Tingshi, he had given him this kitten pendant.

He never imagined Luo Tingshi would keep it pressed against his heart all this time.

　　Yu Zhi clutched the stone pendant, unable to resist glancing at the figure on the bed.

Red—blood red filled his eyes.

The entire plain-colored undergarment was stained crimson. Yu Zhi covered the kitten’s eyes in his embrace, holding his breath, afraid to disturb Imperial Physician Zhang as he tended to Luo Tingshi.

　　Every moment of waiting felt like his heart was being trampled through mountains of blades and seas of fire. His soul was being torn into shreds, each fragment searing with unbearable agony.

Though Imperial Physician Zhang said there was hope, what if…

Yu Zhi had never imagined a future where Luo Tingshi might not exist in his life.

　　Luo Tingshi, you must not come to harm.

–

“Your Majesty, the bleeding has ceased. His Majesty is no longer in mortal danger.”

Court Physician Zhang smiled, wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, and rose to address Yu Zhi: “Your Majesty requires careful tending. He must rest quietly for some time.”

　　Yu Zhi’s taut nerves suddenly snapped. Darkness flooded his vision, and he staggered backward several steps.

“Your Majesty!” An attendant darted forward to steady him.

Chief Physician Zhang watched him with concern. “Your Majesty, please allow me to take your pulse.”

　　Yu Zhi shook his head, gently pinching the little cat’s head nestled in his embrace. He turned the creature around and whispered, “He was choked by the throat earlier and is frightened. Examine him quickly—see if he’s injured anywhere?”

　　Chief Physician Zhang took the limp kitten into his arms, examining it thoroughly from head to toe. His voice was solemn. “It sustained minor injuries, but nothing serious. Your Majesty need not worry excessively. This little… kitten is remarkably resilient. It didn’t utter a single cry despite its injuries, showing great consideration for Your Majesty.”

　　Yu Zhi bent down to look at the kitten, his expression heavy. He silently thought, “Good child, it is your father who has wronged you.”

“Meow…” The kitten let out a soft meow and yawned.

“Your Majesty, I will tend to him. You may rest assured.”

　　How could Yu Zhi possibly be at ease?

His daughter’s whereabouts within the palace remained unknown, and his heart burned with worry. Instinctively, he turned his gaze toward the direction of the palace outside the hall. Outside, in the fading afternoon sunlight, two figures cast long shadows upon the stone steps.

　　His father and his father!

Yu Zhi focused his gaze. His father held a fluffy little kitten in his arms.

His daughter was safe?

Overcome with joy, tears welling in his eyes, Yu Zhi hurried toward the palace gates. He stepped forward urgently and asked, “Father, is she all right?”

　　“Someone tried to steal the cat. We were too late. Brother was taken away.” Ye Jiang’s almond-shaped eyes, usually filled with warmth, turned icy as she looked up at Yu Zhi. Seeing his deathly pale face, she felt overwhelming guilt. “We’ve failed you. Your father has dispatched all the Imperial Guards to search for him.”

　　Yu Zhi exhaled in relief. “As long as my sister is safe. Father, do not worry. My brother is with me. He sustained only minor injuries, and Physician Zhang is treating him now.”

　　As father and son spoke, Yu Heng scrutinized Yu Zhi, confirming he was merely shaken and unharmed. Slightly reassured, Yu Heng inquired, “What about him? I heard you two were attacked on the way here.”

“Father, he suffered severe injuries, nearly fatal.”

　　In front of his father, Yu Zhi reverted to the child he once was, burying his face in Ye Jiang’s embrace and sobbing uncontrollably. “He… he did it all… to save me.”

　　Ye Jiang hadn’t seen Yu Zhi cry in years, and his heart ached terribly. Knowing the boy was genuinely terrified this time, he gently patted Yu Zhi’s back, soothing him with the same soft voice he’d used to comfort him as a child: “It’s okay to let it out. He loves you so much, he wouldn’t abandon you.”

　　Exchanging a glance with Yu Heng, they led Yu Zhi into the palace hall.

Soon after, Yu Zhi awkwardly extricated himself from Ye Jiang’s embrace, roughly wiping the tear stains from his face before turning hastily. “Leave the kitten to you two. I’ll go tend to him.”

　　Sitting before Luo Tingshi, Yu Zhi was still filled with regret. As the ruler of a nation, crying openly in his father’s arms before everyone was utterly humiliating.

　　But the moment he saw Luo Tingshi’s bloodless face, all such thoughts vanished instantly.

Yu Zhi gently clasped Luo Tingshi’s hands, running his fingers over the thin calluses on his palms as he silently prayed.

Luo Tingshi, please wake up soon.

　　Sunlight slanted across the east wall, casting a brilliant golden glow. Luo Ting’s pallid face appeared even more translucent under the golden light. Yu Zhi poured a cup of water, moistened Luo Ting’s lips, and patiently fed him, helping him swallow little by little.

　　Perhaps from crying too hard earlier, Yu Zhi’s eyelids felt intensely sore. He forced himself to finish feeding Luo Ting the water. Before he could set the cup down, overwhelming drowsiness suddenly swept over him.

“Clatter—” The porcelain cup in Yu Zhi’s hand crashed to the floor.

　　His head tilted sideways as he slumped asleep on the bedside.

　　-

　　When he opened his eyes again, Yu Zhi found himself in a palace.

He looked around, his gaze falling on the moon-gray palace walls outside the window. Suspicion filled him—this place looked exactly like the imperial palace of the Sheng Kingdom.

Sounds came from outside, and Yu Zhi followed the noise.

　　Drawing nearer, Yu Zhi hid behind a pillar and peered out cautiously.

A woman in pale pink court robes was scolding her child. Though the palace lady possessed delicate features, her expression was savage. She hurled vicious curses at the child, her entire demeanor terrifying—a complete waste of her beauty.

　　The child stood shielded before her, its face obscured.

For some reason, Yu Zhi felt an uncanny familiarity with the child.

When the woman grew tired of scolding, she turned and retrieved a small box from a nearby display cabinet. Her slender fingers lifted the lid. Yu Zhi peered curiously inside, catching a flash of silver—a silver needle.

　　What was she doing with that needle?

The woman gave a cold laugh, yanked the child’s collar, and drove the needle viciously into the child’s finger.

“Scream! Why aren’t you screaming?” The woman seemed to have gone mad, stabbing the child repeatedly.

No, she had to stop her.

　　Without hesitation, Yu Zhi lunged forward, rushing to shove the woman aside. But he missed. Staring blankly at his hands, Yu Zhi tentatively reached out to push her, only to pass right through her shoulder.

He couldn’t touch her.

“Who are you?”

　　In his daze, a familiar voice called out from behind him. Yu Zhi whipped his head around.

Luo Tingshi!

The young Luo Tingshi.

Everything flooded back to Yu Zhi. Luo Tingshi had been gravely injured saving him. Yu Zhi had been tending to him when he’d somehow fallen asleep.

　　Could this be a dream? Yet why did the scene before him feel so real?

“Who are you talking to?” The woman shuddered in fright. Her gaze swept over the empty space before her, then fixed on her son staring intently at that spot. She clenched her teeth. “Damn it, you’re scaring me!”

　　Young Luo Tingshi tilted his head, peering into Yu Zhi’s eyes. “Your eyes look just like someone I’ve seen before. Hmm, your face looks a bit like them too.”

The child seemed to truly see something. The woman looked around in terror, let out a startled cry, dropped the wooden box, and scrambled away from the hall at a run.

　　Yu Zhi watched her retreat with a cold gaze before slowly bending down to crouch before Luo Tingshi.

The child before him appeared to be about nine years old. Could this be Luo Tingshi after returning from Yu Kingdom?

Yu Zhi lifted the child’s hands, seeing the dense cluster of needle marks covering them. A torrent of rage surged within him as he asked in a trembling voice, ” Has she always treated you like this?”

The child lifted a finger to touch Yu Zhi’s temple, his eyes filled with adoration. “You really look just like him.”

Yu Zhi’s heart lurched.

A sudden chill washed over him, like being stared at by a cold, wild beast.

　　The child before him was barely nine years old. How could he be so…

Yu Zhi tentatively asked, “Who is this ‘he’ you speak of?”

The child glanced at him. “You’re a wandering ghost. Telling you won’t hurt.”

Yu Zhi: “???” How had he become a wandering ghost?

　　“The Crown Prince of Yu Kingdom—a beautiful yet timid child.” The boy’s lips curved upward, his eyes flashing a darkness that sent chills down Yu Zhi’s spine. “He truly looks beautiful when he cries. If only he could cling to me like that forever, weeping like a pear blossom drenched in rain…”

　　A quarter of an hour ago, Yu Zhi had still felt pity for him.

A quarter of an hour later, Yu Zhi only wanted to flee from him.

How could the young Luo Tingshi be even more twisted than his adult self?

Yu Zhi tapped the young Luo Tingshi’s forehead sharply, lecturing him: “You’re still young. You mustn’t harbor such dark thoughts. When you like someone, you should cherish them with all your strength, not torment them. Understand?”

Young Luo Tingshi gave no clear response.

Seeing his stubborn, unyielding expression only made Yu Zhi’s headache worse.

“You’re injured. Let me tend to your wounds.”

　　Little Luo Tingshi raised his palm in refusal: “No need. I’m long accustomed to physical pain. No medicine required.”

Yu Zhi: “…”

Young Luo Tingshi really deserved a good spanking.

…But not like that woman. Even a tiger doesn’t eat its own cubs. She’d been far too harsh.

　　Yu Zhi frowned, forcibly grabbing the young Luo Tingshi’s wrist and pinning his hand on the table. He fished a medicine bottle from his bosom and applied the ointment.

Even stranger—how had that little medicine bottle followed him into the dream? The cool ointment felt so vividly real.

　　Was this… truly a dream?

If not a dream, then where was his Luo Tingshi?

“Are you here to claim someone’s life? Did that woman kill you?” Young Luo Tingshi propped his chin, studying Yu Zhi.

Yu Zhi: “…What kind of nonsense is this?”

　　Little Luo Tingshi’s gaze swept over Yu Zhi’s ceremonial crown. “Those robes are for sacrificing to heaven and earth. Are you the emperor? That doesn’t look like a Daxing crown—it resembles Yu Kingdom’s style.”

Yu Zhi finished applying the ointment for Little Luo Tingshi and forced a smile. “Why do you care so much? I came looking for my man, but he doesn’t seem to be here.”

Xiao Luo Tingshi asked, “What’s your man’s name? What does he look like?”

Just as Yu Zhi was about to answer, a sudden realization struck him. He looked down in disbelief.

He could touch Xiao Luo Tingshi.