Chapter Six: The Taoist and the Prince

“Move out of my way!” Yan Liu said impatiently.

Junlin Liu stared in confusion for a moment, then hurriedly scrambled to his feet. He glanced at the attire of the person before him and said, “Are you a young Taoist?”

Yan Liu clicked his tongue and brushed the dust off his robe. “Yes, I’m a Taoist. So what? What does it have to do with you?”

Junlin Liu seemed dazed, then suddenly asked, “You’re all right?”

Yan Liu frowned. “What’s wrong with you? You bumped into me and you’re hoping something happened to me?”

Junlin Liu abruptly stepped forward and grabbed Yan Liu’s hand, his lips curling up in an uncontrollable smile. “You—you’re actually fine!”

Yan Liu impatiently pulled his hand away. “What’s wrong with you? Honestly, are you sick?”

Junlin Liu remained in place, unable to hide his excitement. After all, he was only five years old. He thought to himself, so there really are people who can’t be harmed by me. Those others—I clearly hadn’t done anything, hadn’t even gotten very close, yet they would suddenly collapse and lose consciousness. Only upon seeing them fall did Junlin Liu realize he was like a plague, and his face had been marked with a warning: strangers, keep away.

Thinking this, Junlin Liu furrowed his brow, pursed his lips, and suddenly burst into tears.

Yan Liu was startled by the scene, thinking his tone must have been too harsh and frightened the boy. He quickly said, “Hey, don’t cry! I’m the one who got bumped into, remember?”

Junlin Liu paused, then cried even louder, but soon his stomach growled even louder than his sobs.

Yan Liu, seeing Junlin Liu fuss so much, felt all his irritation dissolve. Today, he’d finally met someone who could outcry him, and he had to admit defeat. From his sleeve, he pulled out a paper packet, its enticing aroma instantly catching Junlin Liu’s attention. Junlin Liu’s gaze locked onto the packet; his sobs gradually subsided.

Yan Liu coaxed, “If you stop crying, I’ll give you some roast chicken. How about that?”

Junlin Liu sniffled softly. “Aren’t you not allowed to eat meat?”

Yan Liu’s lips twitched as he fought the urge to smack the boy, answering in a low voice, “I’m a Taoist, not a monk! Fool!”

Half a roast chicken vanished under the combined assault of the two children. Yan Liu contentedly patted his slightly rounded belly and turned to leave, but before he could take a step, Junlin Liu tugged at the corner of his robe.

Yan Liu turned back with a forced smile, “What do you want now?”

Junlin Liu lowered his head shyly and whispered, “I—it’s my first time here, and I got lost.”

So you need me to guide you out, huh? Yan Liu rolled his eyes helplessly, took Junlin Liu’s hand, and said, “Come on, let’s go!”

Junlin Liu was startled, quietly clasped Yan Liu’s hand in return, his cheeks flushing bright red. Since he could remember, this was the first time he’d held someone’s hand. The warmth from Yan Liu’s palm seemed to spread not just to his own hand, but to his entire heart. Even decades later, when he recalled his childhood, he would remember this as the warmest moment of his life.

In the inner hall.

The air felt frozen, as if everything was locked in ice.

Little Xiangzi knelt trembling on the floor, shaking uncontrollably.

The Empress pressed her lips together and said in a low voice, “Where is the young prince?”

Little Xiangzi replied through tears, “The—the young prince, he’s missing, Your Majesty have mercy! I know my guilt, I know my guilt!”

The Empress shouted, “You fool!”

Master Qingyu stepped in to comfort, “Your Majesty, do not panic. You should thank him instead.”

The Empress stared in disbelief. “Master, he lost the heir to the Liu Kingdom!”

Master Qingyu smiled meaningfully. “Your Majesty, no need to worry. The child has returned.”

Indeed, not long after, the voices of children echoed, “Master, Master, Yan Liu is back! Where are you hiding?”

Master Qingyu replied, “Yan Liu, come in. I’m in the inner room.”

“I knew it, you’re hiding…” Yan Liu’s words suddenly halted. As he entered, the woman sitting beside his master fixed her gaze on him—more precisely, on his hand entwined with Junlin Liu’s.

Junlin Liu looked up, his expression immediately turning blank. “Mother.”

The Empress stared in shock at the young Taoist holding her son’s hand and asked, “Master, who is this?”

Master Qingyu looked at his disciple with satisfaction. “Your Majesty, this is what I wanted to say. My disciple here is the young prince’s destined benefactor. With him at the prince’s side, the prince will surely return to normal.”

With him at his side? Although it wasn’t the first time Yan Liu had seen his master smoothly spin tales, was it really appropriate to drag him into this without so much as a warning? Yan Liu grumbled inwardly.

The Empress asked, puzzled, “Is this true?”

Master Qingyu replied calmly, “It is indeed true, Your Majesty. All you need to do is send the young prince to me during the winter months, and by the time he comes of age, all will be revealed.”

The Empress was silent for a moment, then said, “I will return to discuss this with His Majesty. If the Emperor agrees, then I will trouble you with this task.”

Master Qingyu answered, “Of course.”

The Empress, having finally found a solution, wished to return to the palace and report to the Emperor, eager to settle the matter. She glanced at the two children still holding hands, a flicker of displeasure passing through her eyes. She stepped forward and tugged at Junlin Liu’s clothes, nearly causing him to stumble. She immediately withdrew her hand, chilled from the contact. Thankfully, it was not yet winter, or she would have suffered more than a chill.

The Empress walked ahead, deliberately keeping some distance from Junlin Liu and said, “Little Xiangzi, return to the palace.” The kneeling Xiangzi sprang to his feet and hurried after her.

A shadow crossed Junlin Liu’s face, and Yan Liu felt an odd pang in his heart.

When the mother and son had moved away, Yan Liu asked, “Old man, who are you deceiving this time?”

Master Qingyu, without hesitation, rapped Yan Liu on the head. “Who are you calling old man? Say ‘Master’!”

Yan Liu pouted. “Fine, fine, Master.”

Master Qingyu explained, “That’s not deception. That woman is the Empress! If I deceived her, I’d want to live a long life—see you get married one day!”

Yan Liu protested, “Master, I’m only five years old.” What kind of master instills thoughts of marriage and finding a wife in his disciple at such an early age? This shameless old man!

The immortal air Master Qingyu displayed before the Empress vanished instantly. He grinned, “Of course, though I have considered living comfortably on imperial stipends. You know how hard it’s been raising you from infancy, how much of my youth I sacrificed!”

Youth? Yan Liu chuckled inwardly. Thanks to his master’s “guidance,” Yan Liu said, “Master, a few days ago, Cuihua from the village below asked after you. Should I send her a reply?”

Master Qingyu frantically waved his hands. “No, no, I was wrong! I was wrong, isn’t that enough?” Cuihua was indeed a persistent woman.

Yan Liu sneered inwardly. Try to outwit me? Hmph!