The eunuch who came to deliver the imperial edict was the Emperor's most favored, Eunuch Li.
Four young eunuchs followed behind him, and everyone knelt to receive the decree.
A young eunuch presented the imperial edict with both hands. Eunuch Li took it, cleared his throat, and read, "By imperial decree, the Fifth Prince, Shen Yu..."
Shen Yu was enfeoffed by the Emperor as Prince Yuqing, remaining in the capital to serve. He was also bestowed a princely manor and some silver treasures.
Shen Yu knelt on the ground. He hadn't expected his father, the Emperor, to keep him in the capital. His mother must have played a part in this mediation.
"This humble son accepts the decree and thanks my father, the Emperor, for his generous reward."
After he received the imperial edict, Eunuch Li smiled and said, "His Majesty indeed dotes on the Prince, bestowing many good things."
The Emperor had granted him a nominal position with a significantly higher salary. Though the Emperor had not personally come, every reward listed in the imperial edict had been carefully planned for Shen Yu.
Shen Yu replied, "Since Eunuch is here, please stay for a celebratory drink before returning to the palace."
Eunuch Li declined, "That would be most pleasant, but palace affairs are busy. I must return early. Congratulations to Your Highness."
After a few brief pleasantries, Eunuch Li departed.
After seeing off Eunuch Li, Shen Yu walked to Luo Wanwan's side. He slowly reached out and took Luo Wanwan's hand. Her hand trembled slightly, then meekly clasped his.
The two performed the final rites.
The matchmaker announced, "Rites complete—"
Shen Yu whispered into her ear, "Xin..."
Luo Wanwan's body stiffened. She slightly lowered her head, the red veil concealing her inner unease.
He changed his address, "I should be calling you 'wife' now. Go back and wait for me. I'll find you after the guests have dispersed."
"Mm," she agreed, nodding as several servants helped her walk into the manor.
The Empress also returned to the imperial palace after the rites were concluded, and the atmosphere at the banquet became much more relaxed.
Lin Yanxi and Shen Muzhou sat at the same table, while Shen Yu went around toasting guests.
"Oh, Little Ninth, today is a joyous occasion, have another drink." In just a short while, he had already pulled Shen Muzhou to drink three cups of baijiu.
Xiao Liu stood behind Shen Muzhou, watching his master with concern.
Shen Muzhou's health could no longer withstand such strong liquor. It was Shen Yu's wedding day, and he didn't want to spoil the mood. He calmly drank another cup, a smile remaining on his face.
He had initially worried that Shen Yu would distance himself from him due to the matter with Luo Jingxin. Now that Shen Yu could accept Luo Wanwan, Shen Muzhou felt a great deal of relief.
After Shen Yu left, Lin Yanxi placed a small piece of squab into his plate and whispered, "Eat something before you drink more."
Shen Muzhou, who usually had a stoic expression, looked at the squab in his plate and then at the young girl before him. He unexpectedly broke into a rare smile.
As he tilted his head and smiled at her, his eyes were exceptionally bright, imbued with a noble and gentle aura, completely contrary to his previous aloof and cold demeanor.
He was surprisingly handsome when he smiled.
Lin Yanxi's ear tips turned slightly red. She averted her gaze to her plate, her heart pounding rapidly.
After slowly finishing the food on his plate, he couldn't eat anything else. Shen Muzhou, having been pulled into drinking several cups, was starting to feel unwell.
A chill emanated from the depths of his being. He said to Lin Yanxi, "I'm going out for a bit to sober up."
Lin Yanxi said, "I'll go with you."
Shen Muzhou frowned and looked at the small wooden box on the table. "Don't you have something to give to Luo Wanwan?"
Lin Yanxi stood up from the table, holding the small wooden box, and said with a grin, "Right, then I won't accompany you. I'm going to find Wanwan."
With that, she took the small box and left the banquet. Seeing her go, Xiao Liu quickly stepped forward to support Shen Muzhou. He endured his discomfort and slowly made his way out of the banquet.
Lin Yanxi wandered around the Prince's manor. Shen Yu's residence was not as large as Prince Mu's manor, but it was full of life.
Everywhere she looked, there were flowers and greenery. Birdcages hung from the corridors, housing various parrots and exotic birds she couldn't name.
There was even a dedicated area for raising crickets.
She quickly found a room decorated with "囍" (double happiness) characters. The door was tightly shut, and two maids stood guard outside.
"Please halt, Miss." The two maids blocked Lin Yanxi's path.
Lin Yanxi said, "I am the legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor's mansion, and a close friend of your side madam. I have prepared a gift and wish to give it to her personally."
The maids outside hesitated, saying, "Please forgive us, Miss. It is the rule that until the side madam's veil is lifted, she cannot see outsiders."
"Perhaps Miss could visit another day, or I can take the gift to the side madam for you."
The small box contained the deeds to two shops. Luo Wanwan had mentioned wanting to open a business that day.
"Oh, I see. That's how it is." Lin Yanxi sounded a little disappointed, then added, "Then I will visit another day."
She left with the small box. It was still early, and the banquet likely hadn't ended. She would be bored returning, so she decided to wander around the garden.
Although Shen Yu did not involve himself in court affairs, his residence was decorated with great care.
She walked a few steps and reached a secluded area. Just as she was about to turn back, a familiar figure caught her eye.
"Pfft—" Shen Muzhou leaned against the wall, barely able to stand. A mouthful of blood that he could no longer suppress gushed out.
Xiao Liu stood beside him, quickly taking out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his mouth. But before he could finish, another large mouthful of blood poured out.
He was frantic and at a loss, "Your Highness, what should we do? I'll call the imperial physician."
Shen Muzhou grabbed Xiao Liu's sleeve and gently shook his head. "The imperial physician cannot cure my illness."
"Then I'll call the second young lady. She can use talisman arts to treat your cold affliction."
Shen Muzhou's voice was weak but carried a hint of anger. "I said, don't tell her."
"Give me the Rebirth Pill."
Xiao Liu was startled, and could no longer control his emotions, his voice laced with tears. "Your Highness, you can't take the Rebirth Pill anymore!"
Shen Muzhou's gaze, cold and sharp, swept over him. He repeated, "Give me the Rebirth Pill."
Xiao Liu sighed helplessly, took out a jade box from his sleeve. Inside the opened box lay a black pill.
Shen Muzhou did not hesitate. He picked up the black pill, about to put it in his mouth, when a small stone suddenly struck his hand, and the pill fell to the ground.
He looked in the direction from which the stone had been thrown. Lin Yanxi stood by the corner of the wall, her small face set in a serious, stern expression as she looked at him.
They gazed at each other for a moment. Lin Yanxi spoke first, "What were you eating?"
Shen Muzhou said, "A pill. It merely alleviates my cold affliction."
Lin Yanxi said angrily, "You're lying."
When she was angry, her eyebrows would knit together tightly, and her voice would turn cold, devoid of any warmth.
"Xiao Liu, tell me, what exactly is this?"
Xiao Liu stood there, conflicted. Shen Muzhou's gaze turned slightly cold, signaling Xiao Liu not to speak carelessly.
But he truly couldn't bear to watch his Prince continue like this. He knelt on the ground, crying, "The Rebirth Pill. For those who are about to die, taking the Rebirth Pill can bring about a temporary return of vitality, making one look rosy-cheeked and energetic. But in reality..."
"Xiao Liu!" Shen Muzhou's shout interrupted him.
Lin Yanxi glared at him and said with evident displeasure to Xiao Liu, "You tell me. Who dares to make things difficult for you?"
The young girl was now completely unafraid of him. She knew that the truth could no longer be concealed today.
Xiao Liu continued, "But in reality, it is a slow-acting poison. It will gradually deplete a person's body. Even if the original illness is cured, the body will be beyond recovery."
"Beyond recovery..." She hadn't expected it to be like this.
The young girl's eyes instantly reddened. She walked over to him, sobbing.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why did you lie to me? Why did you keep it from me?"
She was in Prince Mu's manor every day, how could she know nothing.
He would rather take the Rebirth Pill than tell her the truth?
Shen Muzhou's hand weakly reached out to hold her tightly clenched fist. His hand was chillingly cold. His usually deep and calm peach blossom eyes were filled with helplessness and sorrow.
"It's alright. I have already paved the way for you."
His voice was calm as he spoke, and the sorrowful gaze in his peach blossom eyes was deeply etched in her heart, burning her heart with a pang of sourness, making her want to cry.
His former sharpness was gone.
The young girl pulled her hand away, her eyes red as she let out a cold laugh. "Do you think I'll be grateful to you for doing this? Do you think it's great? Who cares?"
"Who are you trying to impress by being a good person? You and I are in a mutually beneficial relationship. Before you help me achieve my desires, you need to stay alive."
Her words were like sharp blades, slicing into his heart. Yet, he did not get angry. He tightened his grip on her palm and then gave her a weak smile.
What he had always wanted was never for someone to remember his kindness.
Lin Yanxi took two steps back, turned, and ran away.
"Your... Your Highness, this servant deserves to die." Xiao Liu knelt on the ground, not daring to rise.
He looked at the girl's retreating figure, lost in thought for a long time.
---
Prince Mu's Manor.
"Master, Master." Lin Yanxi ran into Jiang Mingsheng's courtyard, clamoring to find her master.
Jiang Mingsheng was taking a nap in the courtyard and was roughly pulled awake.
He was about to grumble in dissatisfaction and throw a tantrum when he saw his beloved disciple crying with tear-streaked cheeks.
"Oh dear, what happened?"
Lin Yanxi sniffled and said, "Shen Muzhou is going to die. He took the Rebirth Pill."
Jiang Mingsheng had been imprisoned for decades and had never heard of the Rebirth Pill.
She explained, "It's a pill that, if taken, means you won't live. Xiao Liu said he's beyond recovery. Master, Master, please help me! Save him!"
Originally, she had wanted to wait until she found a safer method. But the moment she learned he was going to die, seeing him vomit blood everywhere, and the sorrow and helplessness in his eyes.
She couldn't wait any longer.
Jiang Mingsheng patted his sleeve and brushed away some of the tears from her fair face haphazardly.
"Blood Talisman... have you truly made up your mind?"
Lin Yanxi nodded.
Jiang Mingsheng's face rarely showed such a serious expression. He dismissed the servants outside the courtyard. "Let's go, into the house."
He took out a yellow paper with black runes. His eyes dimmed as he looked at the talisman.
At that moment, Shen Muzhou quickly returned from outside the manor. Xiao Liu supported him as they appeared in Jiang Mingsheng's courtyard. Lin Yanxi glanced at him.
She condensed her qi into a talisman art and pointed at the open doorway. A talisman seal immediately hovered on the wooden doorframe.
Shen Muzhou was blocked outside by the talisman seal. "No, Yanxi."
She didn't say much, just smiled at him.
Jiang Mingsheng placed the black talisman into a bronze basin and held a sharp blade. "Disciple, are you absolutely sure?"
Lin Yanxi looked at Jiang Mingsheng and said, "Master, if... please take care of the Grand Tutor's mansion and the Jiang clan."
Jiang Mingsheng said displeasedly, "This old man won't bother with these things. If you need taking care of, you'll do it yourself."
This was seemingly said to Jiang Mingsheng, but in reality, it was directed at Shen Muzhou.
Seeing her pick up the short blade, Shen Muzhou desperately tried to break into the house and overcome the seal. However, he was repelled by the backlash of the talisman art and was thrown back a considerable distance.
"Your Highness," Xiao Liu cried out in alarm.
He fell to the ground, clutching his chest, his mouth full of a metallic taste. Blood trickled down the corner of his lips.
"Yanxi, don't do this. It's not worth it."