—”The wheezing syndrome often occurs in winter. The lungs are delicate organs, afraid of cold and dampness, and require careful protection. Did the little prince catch a chill again today?”
Indeed, he did. Today, he walked a section of the waterway beneath the Xiaonan Pavilion and then stayed in the cold and damp dungeon for so long. His soaked clothes clung to his body, causing his body temperature to drop further. How could he not fall ill?
Imperial Physician Zhao fed Li Fuxiang a pill and, after checking his pulse, adjusted the previous prescription, instructing him to take care of himself carefully in the coming days and to maintain a cheerful mood as much as possible.
But asking him to stay cheerful was a wasted effort—he was still sulking even now.
At Li Fuxiang’s age, he had no idea how complicated and ceremonious marriage was. The type of bride he could marry in the future had little to do with his preferences but was closely tied to his identity and status.
From the moment Li Fuxiang stepped out of Xiaonan Pavilion, his position was entirely different. As long as the emperor remained in power, Li Fuxiang could freely choose any woman under heaven, regardless of her family background—provided that he himself didn’t behave outrageously. Even if his enlightenment came late, and he remained mediocre all his life with no great achievements, it didn’t matter much. With Li Fuxiang’s mild temperament, even as a leisurely prince, he could live a life of wealth and peace. However, being unable to speak was a significant issue.
No matter whose daughter was to be married, upon hearing that the groom was mute, the family would certainly hesitate and reconsider.
“Call me ‘Father Emperor,'” the emperor said. “Call me Father Emperor, and I’ll agree to let you see her tomorrow.”
Li Fuxiang knew this man was the emperor, the ruler of the world who never went back on his word. He could imprison him with a single command or release him just as easily. He could trample someone into the mud or raise them to the clouds.
So, he must keep his word, right?
The emperor originally thought Li Fuxiang wouldn’t be so easily coaxed and would take more time to come around. To his surprise, after pondering for just a moment, the boy immediately and decisively gave in: “Father Emperor.”
The emperor finally heard that long-awaited “Father Emperor.” But as he savored it over and over in his heart, he didn’t feel the joy he had anticipated. When something comes too easily, it often diminishes its value. This “Father Emperor” was no exception; Li Fuxiang had merely treated it as a condition of their transaction.
Li Fuxiang gazed at him with expectant eyes.
The emperor, feeling awkward internally, had to swallow his emotions. He summoned the palanquin to escort Li Fuxiang back to Qianqing Palace, resolving to discuss with Grand Tutor Liu tomorrow to teach this child the principles of filial piety and proper roles between father and son, ruler and subject.
—
The Gao Residence.
That night, Gao Jing lay on the bed with his wife, their fingers intertwined but their minds heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Madam Gao turned over and sighed softly.
Gao Jing asked, “Madam?”
Madam Gao replied, “Husband, tell me honestly, has our Ah Xing been wronged in the palace?”
“As a subject, who in the palace hasn’t suffered some grievances?” Gao Jing said. “It’s just that our Ah Xing’s temperament is different from other children. I don’t feel at ease leaving her in someone else’s care; it’s better to keep her by our side and personally guide her.”
Madam Gao was startled: “What do you mean by that? Is Ah Xing’s temperament not good?”
Gao Jing turned to face her and placed his hand on her belly. “Don’t worry about these things for now. Trust me; I’ll take good care of Ah Xing as she grows up and protect both of you as best as I can.”
Madam Gao clasped her husband’s hand. “I’m over three and a half months along now, and logically, everything should be stable. But for some reason, I’ve felt anxious lately.”
Gao Jing comforted her: “Don’t overthink it. Stay calm.” In the stillness of the night, the couple leaned on each other. Madam Gao sighed softly, almost whispering: “…Children are the debts parents owe.”
—
Gao Yuexing had suddenly returned home and found herself lying in her own bed, feeling somewhat out of place. Her elder sister, Gao Yuemin, was already sound asleep by her side. The two sisters had chatted a lot tonight, mainly because the elder sister had missed her too much.
There were no children of her age in the Gao family to play with. Gao Jing had no concubines, so there were no children from secondary wives, only an older brother who had long been sent away to study at the academy.
Gao Yuemin was lonely all by herself.
Gao Yuexing tiptoed out of bed, went to the outer room, and opened the window, letting the icy night wind blow against her face.
How was Li Fuxiang doing now?
Would he feel sad because he couldn’t see her?
A belated wave of sorrow washed over Gao Yuexing’s heart. Just thinking about never being able to see him again made her unbearably restless.
She had traversed more than ten years of time, meticulously planning for so long, only to spend a few short days with him.
It wasn’t enough!
She was dissatisfied and unwilling.
Gao Yuexing knew that at the age of sixteen, she would marry the young general Li Fuxiang in splendid attire. But that was still ten years away. Was she supposed to endure this long decade in a deep boudoir, harboring a longing that would only grow day by day?
The more Gao Yuexing thought about it, the more upset she became. Exhausted from standing, she returned to bed, but even then, she tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.
The next morning, when she went to the main hall to pay her respects, Gao Yuexing looked dispirited. Similarly, Madam Gao hadn’t rested well the previous night either; the expensive powder on her face couldn’t hide her fatigue.
Gao Yuexing saw only her mother and not her father. Calculating the time in her head, she asked, “Morning court should have ended by now. Has Father not returned yet?”
Madam Gao called the two children to breakfast and said, “Your father has been very busy these past two days and often doesn’t know when he’ll be able to come home. He just sent word through a servant that His Majesty has matters to discuss. You two should eat first; don’t wait for him.”
Gao Yuexing didn’t think much of it, assuming they were still busy dealing with the spies from Fox. After breakfast, her mother kept her in the embroidery workshop to practice needlework. Gao Yuexing picked up a colorful thread and, seeing a piece of embroidery depicting birds flocking to a phoenix hanging on the wall, skipped tracing the patterns. She picked up a needle and casually began stitching the colorful phoenix onto the fabric.
Madam Gao stood behind her with her hands behind her back, eyes wide in surprise. “What’s happened to my daughter? Has she suddenly had a breakthrough? Your embroidery skills have improved so quickly!”
Gao Yuexing smiled faintly. “Embroidery isn’t difficult. It’s just that I was lazy before and let down Mother’s teachings and expectations.”
Madam Gao looked at her suddenly sensible daughter and felt no joy. Instead, an inexplicable sourness welled up in her heart.
A six-year-old girl should be innocent and carefree, yet here she was, prematurely understanding the ways of the world. The smile on her face was slowly fading. How could a mother’s heart not ache at this sight?
Gao Yuexing lowered her head slightly, her expression serene. But beneath that calm exterior, it felt as if there were bottomless, turbulent undercurrents—so deep and fierce that one couldn’t predict when they might erupt.
Gao Jing returned home close to noon. After tidying himself up, he announced that he wanted to take the two children to the temple fair.
The annual temple fair at Qingliang Temple was bustling with activity. The temple had even prepared delicious vegetarian meals for the children.
Recalling the lively scenes of the temple fair, Gao Yuexing felt as though it was a memory from a distant past. So, despite her gloomy mood, she found herself looking forward to it.
The temple fair was crowded with people. Gao Jing brought enough servants to ensure the children’s carriage could pass through. Step by step, they made their way through the bustling outer grounds and entered the quieter temple interior.
The temple itself was much calmer. Gao Jing carried Gao Yuexing the entire time, not letting her feet touch the ground, and bought all sorts of trinkets to cheer her up.
Gao Yuexing instinctively felt her father was acting a bit unusual today, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly how. She buried her shallow doubts in her heart, her gaze unconsciously drawn to the various novelties around her.
In one of Qingliang Temple’s meditation rooms, a distinguished guest had arrived today, accompanied by a child. The pair, one adult and one child, had just finished their vegetarian meal and moved to a quieter, more open area of the temple, overlooking the lively scenes below.
This pair was none other than the emperor and Li Fuxiang.
They looked toward a happy family of four playing under a bodhi tree.
Gao Jing was holding his wife, resting on a rock to catch their breath. Gao Yuemin was leaping up, trying to grab the red silk ribbons tied to the bodhi tree. Gao Yuexing played along for a while before tiring out and nestling into her father’s arms.
“Look, that is her home,” the emperor said to Li Fuxiang. “She doesn’t belong to you and cannot remain by your side alone.”
Li Fuxiang looked at everything, his expression a bit melancholic. “Who is that?”
He was referring to Gao Jing.
The emperor replied, “That is her father. That is her home, the person she is closest to.”
Li Fuxiang finally spoke the longest sentence he ever had: “He is her father, and you are my father.”
The emperor felt a surge of joy. “Yes!”
Li Fuxiang asked, “Then did he also lock her up?”
The emperor’s joy, which had been floating in mid-air, suddenly crashed to the ground without warning.
Clearly, the two children had completely different understandings of what a father meant.
The emperor bent down to pick him up and said, “No, a father cherishes and loves his child, giving them the best food and toys in the world. From now on, I will always protect you.”
Li Fuxiang looked at him in confusion. “A father will kill me.”
So, he understood everything.
The emperor suppressed the ache in his heart and said, “No, never. A father will protect you with his own life.”
Li Fuxiang seemed deaf to his promises. Stubbornly immersed in his own understanding, he said, “I want to live. I must live.”
The emperor saw that reasoning with him was futile and could only give up. Gently, he stroked his thin back and said, “Father once wronged you, and I apologize. One day, you will grow up and understand. You may continue to hate me, or you may forgive me. Either way, it’s okay.”
Li Fuxiang’s gaze remained fixed on Gao Yuexing’s small figure.
The emperor pointed at her and said, “Look, how happy she is by her father’s side.”
The light of expectation on Li Fuxiang’s face gradually dimmed.
Suppressing his heartache, the emperor said, “I know you like her. But Gao Yuexing does not belong to you alone. If she wants to come to you, her father’s approval is required. You must grow up quickly so you can openly bring her to your side.”
As the emperor turned to leave with Li Fuxiang in his arms, Gao Jing suddenly looked up in their direction but only saw a blurred figure retreating.
Following her father’s gaze, Gao Yuexing looked as well, but she was a step too late and saw nothing.
A carriage left through the back gate of Qingliang Temple, escorted by guards, descending the mountain road and heading toward the palace.
At the same time, Gao Yuexing knelt before the Buddha, earnestly bowing her head and making a wish. She prayed for her beloved to have a lifetime of peace and happiness.
The abbot of Qingliang Temple was drawn to the little girl and glanced at her briefly. His calm and wise eyes suddenly filled with shock.
The wooden fish slipped from his hands and fell to the ground.
The venerable abbot, who had never lost his composure, was visibly shaken.
The young monk standing beside him asked in confusion, “Abbot?”
The abbot rose from his prayer mat and stared at Gao Yuexing’s figure, muttering in disbelief, “This young benefactor’s destiny chart… the sun and moon overlap… strange, strange… how is this possible?”