Chapter 100: Distracted

To send a living person into the Palace of Clouds and Smoke was no easy feat; truly, it was the most daring thing the Crown Prince had ever attempted. If Lie Chang'an were an ordinary man, it would have been simple enough—disguise him as a eunuch, and he could enter without suspicion. But the trouble was, he lay unconscious on the bed, entirely unaware, which left the Crown Prince at his wit’s end.

The Crown Prince was troubled all day, so much so that even when he went to pay his respects to the Empress and the Dowager Empress, his mind wandered. The Empress, eager to visit Gu Li, exchanged only a few words and failed to notice his distraction. But when he reached the Dowager Empress, she spoke at length and soon realized her grandson was absent-minded, his responses hollow.

“Chu’er, what’s wrong?” she asked, noticing the pallor of his face and feeling anxious—was it possible, now that the Princess had recovered, the Crown Prince was unwell?

“Are you overworked? Shall I summon an imperial physician to examine you?” As she raised her hand to give instructions, the Crown Prince hurriedly shook his head. “No, no, Grandmother, I’m fine, please don’t worry.”

The Dowager Empress gazed at him fondly, sighing softly. “You, from childhood to now, have never caused your family worry. Always sensible and diligent, whether during your father’s stay at the Southern Gardens or these recent days when Gu Li was poisoned, you handled state affairs in their stead, never faltering. I can see you are thorough and responsible—a good child.”

The Crown Prince felt guilty at such praise, and when he met her loving, approving gaze, he could only sigh inwardly. Grandmother, if you knew your grandson is scheming how to smuggle a grown man into your precious granddaughter’s bedchamber, you would not speak so kindly.

The Dowager Empress smiled. “By the way, Gu Li has only just awakened, her body still weak. Having suffered so much, she must be properly rewarded. Your father has chosen rare medicinal herbs, jewels, and curiosities brought by emissaries from various lands, all to be presented to her. I, too, found several treasures, to be sent with the Empress’s gifts to the Palace of Clouds and Smoke. You should see if you have anything amusing or precious to send as well—cheer her up, and her spirits will rise, her body recover faster.”

“Yes, yes,” the Crown Prince replied absently, then caught the gist and asked, “Grandmother, when will Father send these gifts to the Palace of Clouds and Smoke?”

“I’ve had Granny Zhang sort through them. Once the selection is done, they’ll be brought to Chengkun Hall and your father will bestow them upon Gu Li.”

“Very good. I’ll hurry back to the Eastern Palace and choose a few fine treasures to send to Gu Li as well.”

With that, the Crown Prince was so excited he forgot to perform the customary bow and departed in haste, leaving the Dowager Empress shaking her head and laughing softly in resignation.

This child, whenever it came to matters concerning Gu Li, lost all composure.

He returned to the Eastern Palace at dusk, just as it was time for supper, but he had no appetite. Upon entering, he immediately ordered Xiao Ji to fetch several large chests, then went to the storeroom to select valuable items to fill them.

Xiao Ji, baffled by the Prince’s urgency, nonetheless followed his orders, directing servants to comply.

After supper, the Dowager Empress and Empress sent their chosen treasures to Chengkun Hall, filling several large chests. Combined with the Emperor’s gifts, the bounty was considerable. The process took until late evening, when a procession of servants carried the wooden chests toward the Palace of Clouds and Smoke.

The Crown Prince timed his actions precisely, instructing Xiao Ji and the others to carry his own chests from the Eastern Palace, quietly blending them into the procession heading for the Palace of Clouds and Smoke.