Chu Heng looked at Prince Qi, who had an unpleasant expression, and offered a gentle smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, "Have you and the others co here for a reason?"
Upon hearing this, King Heng called over the other princes and said with a smile, "Second Imperial Brother, it’s your first ti joining us younger brothers for the autumn hunt. We are all so delighted, but we are worried about the rigors of the journey. We fear that it might be too much for you, so we specifically ca to check on you."
Chu Heng appeared very pleased upon hearing this. He extended his emaciated hand, only skin and bones, through the carriage window towards Thirteenth Prince, who was closest to him. His eyes brimd with gratitude as he spoke, "I thank all my younger brothers for their concern. A bumpy ride is nothing! I am very happy to be with you all, and I hope to see everyone’s impressive skills on the day of the grand hunt!"
The Thirteenth Prince, a re child of five or six, looked at Chu Heng’s unsightly, one might even say ghastly, face with a growing sense of fear. The cold touch on his forehead felt like the chilling hand of a ghost from the stories, causing him to shrink in terror and involuntarily turn his head aside. Yet, knowing better than to make a scene, he didn’t cry.
Chu Heng’s hand fell back emptily, a flicker of pain crossing his face as he stared at his own pallid, bloodless hand, and spoke with an air of profound lancholy, "This is the first ti I’m joining you for the autumn hunt, and I suppose it will also be the last."
King Heng saw this, a flash of dark intent twinkling in his eyes and then disappearing as quickly as it ca. Moistening his eyes, he adopted a sorrowful expression, "Second Imperial Brother, you must not have such negative thoughts before the very end. Who knows, perhaps soday a hermit of exceptional ability will appear and cure you of your poison!"
"A hermit of exceptional ability? Where would we find such a person? To live another day is simply to prolong my agony; I’d rather be freed from it sooner, to suffer less from this affliction..." Chu Heng said distractedly, as if he had lost all vitality. He seed engulfed by layers of deathly aura, unable to break free.
"No, Second Imperial Brother, you must not give up so easily. Our father and Empress Dowager are advanced in years and are especially fond of you. Could you bear to have them witness the agony of white hair mourning black hair? All of us, your brothers and sisters, are longing for you to be safe and well. Second Imperial Brother, you must find the strength to go on..."
King Heng appeared increasingly distressed, ceaselessly persuading Chu Heng to rally, with such a show of fraternal devotion that even the youngest princes, who could scarcely tell pretense from sincerity, were moved to tears.
Xiao Ruiyuan observed King Heng’s performance with a cool eye and suddenly found Prince Qi’s impatient face more agreeable.
Chu Heng did not wish to see King Heng’s insincerity and, looking down, he said, "Thank you for trying to console , Third Imperial Brother. In the future, I hope you will lead all the younger brothers to show filial piety to our father and Empress Dowager, on my behalf as well. If I should have a spirit lingering below, I will be sure to thank you properly, Third Imperial Brother."
"Second Imperial Brother..."
Displaying a painfully distressed appearance, King Heng saw Chu Heng’s complexion beco ever more sallow and tearfully persisted in his attempts to persuade him. Having successfully garnered the affection of several of the younger princes, he finally left contentedly with Prince Qi and the young princes.
Once they had gone, Chu Heng seed to lose all his strength, leaning against the carriage wall, drenched in cold sweat and struggling to even raise his hand.
Xiao Ruiyuan deftly retrieved his water sack, poured a cup of Spirit Spring Water, and carefully helped Chu Heng to drink it. He then quickly cut a small slice of the ginseng Mo Yan had given him and had Chu Heng hold it in his mouth to replenish his fading Original Energy.
Soon, Chu Heng’s complexion improved sowhat, and he seed much more spirited. Staring blankly out the window at the branches swaying in the wind, he suddenly said to Xiao Ruiyuan, "Hanzhang, when your cousin dies, cremate him just like the Yi people do, and scatter his ashes in the wind to be at peace. What do you say, is that good?"
Xiao Ruiyuan’s brow twitched violently, and he really wanted to loudly say "No," but upon eting Chu Heng’s longing gaze, he found the words just wouldn’t co out.
Chu Heng didn’t mind the lack of response from Xiao Ruiyuan; the light that burst forth from his eyes only grew brighter!
...
After a brief rest, the long procession of carriages continued towards Phoenix Mountain.
Prince Qi abandoned his own carriage and climbed into the one up front with King Heng. As soon as he got on, he couldn’t help but ask, "Third Royal Brother, wouldn’t it be better if that sickly one died? Why encourage him to rally? If he really does recover, who knows how long it will drag on before he dies, then won’t you have to continue..."
King Heng’s complexion changed, and he quickly covered Prince Qi’s mouth, his eyes sharply scanning the surroundings. Seeing that no one outside paid any attention to them, he closed the carriage window tightly and released his hand, sternly warning Prince Qi, "Don’t speak nonsense like this. If it reaches our father’s ears, not even mother will be able to protect you!"
Upon hearing this, Prince Qi’s face turned a bit pale, and he couldn’t help but lower his voice, bitterly saying, "We’re all our father’s sons, but if it weren’t for the sickly one’s short life expectancy, would father have any room for another son in his eyes? I may be diocre and incompetent, but Third Royal Brother, you’re so many tis better than that sick one. Yet father still favors him more. Isn’t it just because he managed to be reincarnated in Empress Dowager’s belly, as a legitimate son? If mother hadn’t been disinclined to compete, you might have taken the Phoenix seat the year father ascended the throne, and you would be Crown Prince. Where would there be any room for that sickly one’s affairs!"
By the end of this, Prince Qi’s voice unconsciously rose quite a bit. Luckily, the carriage windows were tightly shut, so those outside could only vaguely hear a word or two, unable to discern exactly what was being said inside the carriage.
Watching Prince Qi prattle on, each sentence more treasonous than the last, King Heng felt his temples throbbing violently, wishing he could kick this fool out of the carriage.
Thinking back, it was this fool who had caused their father to beco suspicious of him. Had it not been for his quick reaction to cancel the plans that followed, he might now have been deposed and imprisoned like King Kang, forever cut off from that position!
If it wasn’t for the fact that this fool was still sowhat loyal to him, being the adopted son of his mother, and for now, it was only possible to keep on good terms rather than to offend, he would not want to associate with such a fool at all.
Suppressing the urge to kick soone out of the carriage, King Heng adopted a gentle expression and explained to Prince Qi, "Since ancient tis, whether in the Imperial Family or among commoners, legitimate sons have always been accorded the highest respect. Second Imperial Brother is a legitimate son, his status naturally higher than ours. Even if he is physically weak, it is only natural for our father to dote on him more. Seventh Imperial Brother must not continue to brood over this matter! As Second Imperial Brother’s younger brothers, it is our duty to care for him. If our father knew, I believe he would hope we did so too, if only to make Second Imperial Brother a bit happier!"
These words were spoken with righteous grandeur and without fault, but only King Heng knew the true purpose of this visit...
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