Chapter 36

Gu Jun immediately became alert. He haphazardly threw on the outer garment he had worn before, lifted the bamboo curtain, and looked outside.

He saw the door had been broken open. Several men wearing hemp clothes, their heads and faces covered, some clutching firewood chopping knives, some gripping wooden clubs, were engaged in a tangled fight with Lin Yue.

Lin Yue appeared to be somewhat at a disadvantage. The back of his head had been struck by a wooden club, and fresh blood flowed freely.

Gu Jun's mind exploded with a bang. With no time to think further, he immediately grabbed the kitchen knife from the washstand and prepared to go help.

Lin Yue said: "Go out!"

Gu Jun froze.

Lin Yue's eyes stared straight at him, carrying an indisputable meaning. "Go out!" Gu Jun noticed his mouth shape—it was saying, don't become his weak spot here, remember to lock the door.

Gu Jun gritted his teeth. While they were tangled in combat, he ran outward. Someone tried to block him, but he brandished the kitchen knife and forced them back.

Gu Jun darted out, then with a "bang," shut the door. Immediately after, he picked up the lock and locked the door.

The people in the courtyard had all been woken up by now and gathered around, asking what had happened.

Gu Jun said: "Someone wants to kill us!"

Hearing this, everyone was stunned.

The homeowner was relatively composed. He first told someone to fetch the neighborhood head for help, then went to check on his dog. Discovering the dog had been poisoned to death, he cursed and swore, demanding these perpetrators pay for it.

Gu Jun was wholly worried about Lin Yue. Just then, the movement inside the room quieted. He was about to run to the window to look when knocking sounds came from inside the door.

"Open the door." Lin Yue's voice rang out.

Gu Jun said: "Are you that bastard?"

Lin Yue said: "Don't force me to deal with you."

Gu Jun thought to himself: Seems the other hasn't been coerced by the attackers. He hurriedly opened the door, without even considering the possibility that the other's combat ability was excessively high.

Lin Yue walked out carrying the smell of blood. His hair was disheveled, his clothes somewhat disheveled. He casually tossed aside the blood-dripping chopping knife in his hand.

He took the handkerchief Gu Jun handed over, folded it, and pressed it onto the wound on the back of his head. That wound was still bleeding, though the amount of blood was very small.

—The handkerchief was gifted by the ready-made clothes shop owner.

He looked toward the homeowner and asked if he had sent for the neighborhood head.

The homeowner had never seen such a fierce person before; his heart was full of fear. Steadying his nerves, he said: "Sent for, sent for."

Lin Yue thanked him.

The homeowner pointed at the several attackers lying every which way inside the room, their bodies still bleeding, his face ashen. "Are they all dead?"

"No." Lin Yue replied.

The homeowner let out a long sigh of relief. He had thought his house was going to become a haunted dwelling.

Lin Yue assured the homeowner he would restore the room to its original state and also compensate for the dog. Having obtained the homeowner's understanding, he said to everyone:

"For disturbing everyone, I truly apologize. In a few days, I will treat everyone to wine. Please go back and rest for now; everything is fine now. If anything was damaged, inform my wife, and we will compensate as agreed."

Everyone repeatedly said: "It's good that you're all right," and went back to rest.

At this time, the village head arrived.

The homeowner watched as the neighborhood head took his men and carried the attackers—some unconscious, some gravely injured—out of the courtyard and toward the yamen. Only then did he go back to rest.

The neighborhood head knew Lin Yue's status was no ordinary one and handled this matter with exceptional diligence.

Gu Jun had not had a chance to speak with Lin Yue all this time. Only after the village head left did he have the opportunity.

By now, he had already wiped the blood inside the room clean.

He took out the last handkerchief from the room, folded it, and handed it to Lin Yue. The original handkerchief was already soaked through with blood.

"I'll go fetch a doctor for you. Keep the wound pressed and wait for me in the room."

Lin Yue agreed and replaced the original handkerchief.

Gu Jun ran outward. Just as he reached the gate, he heard a "thud—" and turned his head back. Lin Yue had lost consciousness and fallen to the ground.

——

[By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:]

[I, having inherited the Heavenly Mandate, govern all under heaven. Day and night, I am reverent and cautious, never daring to forget the stability of the ancestral temples or the firmness of the state's foundation. Recently, the heir apparent has not been established, causing unease within and without the court. I ponder upon obtaining a worthy successor to anchor the hearts of all under heaven.]

[The Ninth Imperial Prince, Chao Yan, whose countenance is outstanding and talents pure and beautiful, whose filial piety and fraternal duty are rooted in his nature, whose benevolence and virtue align with public expectation. In serving me, he inquires after my meals morning and night, fully discharging the duties of a son; in facing the people, he is magnanimous and measured, repeatedly demonstrating good governance. Civil and military officials all praise his worthiness; commoners and the masses all extol his benevolence. This is truly Heaven's favor upon the state, bestowing a pillar of talent.]

[Now, in accordance with ancient regulations and following public sentiment, having reverently informed Heaven, Earth, the Ancestral Temple, and the Altars of State, I bestow upon him the golden album and precious seal, establishing him as the Crown Prince and instating him in the Eastern Palace.]

[You shall reverently inherit this great foundation and scrupulously observe the duties of the heir apparent: ...]

[...]

[Proclaimed to all within and without the court, let all be informed.]

[Thus decreed.]

[The 30th Year of Anqing, 16th day of the 4th month]

A sharp, neither male nor female voice reverberated in the surroundings.

In a dazed stupor, Lin Yue felt a splitting headache.

He discovered himself kneeling on extremely hard golden bricks. Struggling to lift his head, he saw black soap leather boots, the boot shafts embroidered with cloud patterns in gold thread. Further up, a light red skirt embroidered with symbols of the earth bearing all things, representing the four emblems, came into his view.

He did not see the person's face clearly before his entire being sank into complete darkness.

The darkness was boundless; he felt as if he stood at the edge of a cliff, lost in direction.

The sensation of weightlessness from stepping into empty space assaulted him from time to time. Unconsciously, he recognized this as a dangerous signal.

So, relying on intuition, he groped around in all directions.

With his movements, the weightlessness came more fiercely, more frequently. After much trial and error, he grasped that which existed.

"Hiss—"

Gu Jun was hugging a book, slumped over the bedside, sleeping blurrily, when suddenly the other forcefully gripped his shoulder.

Pain flared up. He was about to scold the other when he noticed the other hadn't woken, brows tightly furrowed, sweating profusely, struggling on the bed. He swallowed back the less-than-friendly words into his stomach.

He set the book down, reached out to pick up the kettle on the floor, poured half a cup of warm water, pried open the other's mouth, and fed him a little.

Then he took the cloth set aside, dipped it into cold water to soak, wiped away the cold sweat on the other's face, then put it back in the cold water, rubbed and wrung it dry, shook it out, folded it, and placed it on the other's forehead.

"Sleep, hurry and sleep."

Gu Jun said softly, imitating what his mother did when he was sick, gently patting the other.

No one knew whether the water fed to him had taken effect, or the cloth placed on his forehead had worked, or his mother's method had done the trick. In any case, after a moment, the other no longer struggled. His tense body relaxed, and his hand fell.

Gu Jun breathed a sigh of relief, his face showing worry as he looked at Lin Yue.

The doctor had come to see him—it was precisely the same doctor who had treated him before.

The other told him that Lin Yue's skull had not been injured by the wooden club; he had only suffered a flesh wound. However, as to why the other had fainted, the doctor could not give a clear reason either, only telling him that the other would certainly wake up, that there was no injury to the brain.

This doctor was already among the best there was; looking further would not yield anyone better. Gu Jun had no choice but to trust him.

If Lin Yue didn't get better later, then he... then he could support the other.

The money in the house now was enough to cover expenses for the next several months. As long as he focused on studying, he could find a job before the money ran out and support himself and this cheap husband of his.

Gu Jun picked up the book, bent over the bedside, propped his chin on his hand, and flipped through it.

Soon it would be dawn. He had stayed up all night and was terribly sleepy. After reading for a short while, his eyelids stuck together again.

This time he was too sleepy; without even closing the book, he tucked it into his chest, then pressed down on the open book and sank into dreamland.

The lamp oil in the bean oil lamp slowly melted away.

Time ticked and trickled, flowing across the four fields.

A bit of white rose at the edge of the gray-black sky. But in the blink of an eye, gorgeous purple-pink and purple-gold rays of light replaced the white, swiftly spreading to the surroundings. The myriad ravines and numerous mountains, though their contours ran like dragons, were powerless to obstruct it. The rosy light quickly approached the area near the capital.

A group of riders on fine horses galloped across the solid, flat main road, racing toward the capital.

The capital, in recent days, had seen continuous drizzling rain.

The white poplar trees by the roadside had thick trunks and grew tall; their neat, unadorned branches pricked out with patches of deep green leaves. The cold, fine rain gently tapped the leaf surfaces. A sense of dreariness filled the city.

The group took out their travel permits, had their identities verified at the city gate, entered the capital, and went straight to Chancellor Meng's residence.

At the beginning of the Xuan Dynasty, the Three Departments and Six Ministries system was established.

The Three Departments referred to the Department of State Affairs, the Chancellery, and the Secretariat.

The Six Ministries referred to the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of War, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Works.

Later, due to an event that endangered the very foundation of the state, the Three Departments were abolished. Their original duties were handed over to the Six Ministries and newly established institutions, with the Six Ministries reporting directly to the Emperor. At the same time, the Chancellor system was also abolished.

By the Anqing era, the current Emperor had fallen ill from overwork. Adopting the Prince of Yan’s suggestion, he reinstated the Three Departments and the Chancellor system. Moreover, the number of Chancellors was not limited; they divided governance of the Six Ministries and assisted the monarch.

At Chancellor Meng's residence, several officials were queued up waiting to see the Chancellor.

The group arrived at the Chancellor's residence, dismounted, and the leader went to the gatehouse and handed over a name card. The gatekeeper received it, opened it for a look, and immediately led him in to see the Chancellor.

The servants of the Chancellor's residence invited the accompanying members to rest, while the tired horses were taken away to be groomed and fed.

A string of officials, high and low, saw this and looked at each other, covering their faces and murmuring quietly.

"Who is that? To be able to see Chancellor Meng so easily."

"Doesn't look like any notable figure either."

.

Chancellor Meng was handling official business in his study. He had already reached the age where one's ears become obedient, somewhat plump, his hair and beard all white, spots on both cheeks, eye bags prominent, his eyes pitch-black.

The leader arrived in front of the study. Chancellor Meng set down his brush and had him brought into the room.

"My lord." The leader bowed to Chancellor Meng, took out a letter from within his chest garment, and respectfully handed it to Chancellor Meng.

Chancellor Meng took the letter, opened it for a look, and immediately laughed out loud, slapping his desk: "Good! Good! Good!" He tossed the letter into the fire basin, saying, "No one tracked you on the road, I trust?"

"My lord, rest assured, we acted with the utmost caution."

Chancellor Meng said: "Go down now."

The other withdrew. Chancellor Meng told his attendant: "Go summon my young son and Ning Fu."

Meng Zhao and Ning Fu entered the study. "Father, what matter do you have for me?"

Chancellor Meng said: "His Highness has been found. You and Ning Fu take men to receive His Highness. Remember, you must not make any noise. If you encounter obstacles on the road, you may dispatch the local military. Here is the tiger tally personally bestowed by His Majesty and the handwritten edict. Keep them safe." He pulled open a hidden compartment beneath the desk, took out the tiger tally and the handwritten edict, and handed them to the two men respectively.

The two answered in the affirmative and were about to exit when Chancellor Meng called them back.

Chancellor Meng looked at the letter in the fire basin, about to be reduced to ashes. He paced in the study for a moment, sat back at the desk, picked up his brush and wrote a page of paper, folded it, sealed it in an envelope, and handed it additionally to Meng Zhao.

"Take this with you."

"Father?"

Chancellor Meng said: "The Prefect of Nanling sent word that His Highness is currently safe and sound. Since he is safe and sound, yet now dwells humbly in a small place without sending any word out, and moreover has made no move to come in person to the capital—this is not normal. There may be some unforeseen changes. After you go, do not act rashly in your tasks."

"Yes, Father."

"Yes, my lord."

Chancellor Meng watched them leave the study and sighed. Just as he was about to sit and continue handling official business, an attendant hurriedly ran in: "My lord, Eunuch Huang requests an audience."

Chancellor Meng went to the main hall.

Eunuch Huang sat on the left side of the main hall. He was one of the Emperor's great favorites, ranked second among the eunuchs, just below the Seal-holding Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Even Chancellor Meng had to give him some face.

The two exchanged greetings upon meeting.

Chancellor Meng said: "What business brings Eunuch Huang here?"

Eunuch Huang said: "His Majesty's dragon body is unwell. An edict has been passed ordering you to enter the palace immediately to attend him in his illness."

Chancellor Meng furrowed his brow: "What does the Imperial Physician say?"

The eunuch answered: "As if you wouldn't know? It's the old ailment. His Majesty has decreed you to enter the palace and attend him; this shows trust in you. This is already the fourth time this month. No one else enjoys the Emperor's favor more than you! I am envious, but could never hope for such!"

Chancellor Meng thought to himself: This Imperial favor—if you envy it, take it!

I am busy to death, and His Majesty still adds to my chaos. The slightest discomfort and he thinks he is dying, growing anxious and uneasy, absolutely needing trusted confidants by his side. Being by his side would be one thing, but he also has to ramble on about this and that, seeking reassurance, so that every time I come back from attending him, I have to work through the night.

If this continues, His Majesty won't die, but I will!

He is already sixty-three years old this year.

"Chancellor Meng, quickly get ready and come with me to the palace. The enclosed carriage is waiting for you outside." Eunuch Huang urged.

Chancellor Meng, looking dead tired, said: "A moment."

Unhurriedly tidying up a bit, Chancellor Meng had someone support him as he stepped steadily onto the stool and boarded the enclosed carriage, entering the palace with Eunuch Huang.

.

When Lin Yue woke, it was already light out.

He thought of the contents of the dream he had not forgotten.
—Proclaimed to all within and without the court, let all be informed.
—Black soap leather boots, boot shafts embroidered with cloud patterns in gold thread...

How could he dream of such strange things? Analyzing them together, it seemed that in the dream, he was kneeling to receive an imperial edict.

If there is a thought in the day, there will be a dream at night. Could this be related to his desire to pass the imperial exams and obtain official rank?

Lin Yue subconsciously felt this was not the case. He pondered for a moment, then opened his eyes.

The bright daylight stabbed into his eyes, making him want to weep. He raised a hand to cover his eyes. Once he adjusted to the light, he released his hand and propped himself up from the bed.

The back of his head throbbed faintly, still within a tolerable range. But the area of his forehead felt somewhat heavy. Casually touching it, he found it wet and soft. Peeling it off, it turned out to be a cloth.

Lin Yue turned his head and saw the person who had placed the cloth on his forehead.

The other was sprawled crookedly by the bedside, sleeping very soundly, his left face pressed onto a book. His cheek was deformed and reddened from the pressure, yet the book was pressed perfectly flat and smooth.

Lin Yue found it amusing. He dressed, got out of bed, properly set aside the cloth, moved the water basin and other items the other had placed at his feet, bent down to pick the person up, placed him on the bed, pulled the blanket over, and covered him properly.

The other was roused by him and hazily called out "husband."

Lin Yue, on one knee half-kneeling on the bed, heard this and his heart stirred. He reached out to stroke the other's cheek. The warm, delicate sensation made him forget the other's gender. His fingertips probed the corner of the other's lips, stroked them a couple of times, then he leaned his body down, his face approaching the other's face.

"Lady Lin!" The homeowner was knocking outside.

Lin Yue had already felt Gu Jun's even breathing. After this interruption, it was as if waking from a dream, and he immediately retreated. He pressed his lips together, walked to the door, and opened it. Looking at the homeowner, he said: "What is it?"