4 004
Chapter Four
Qi Jingyan gently stroked Yi’er’s head and looked toward Mu Feng. “What is this?”
Mu Feng took a couple of steps forward and presented the earthenware bowl before Qi Jingyan. “Your Highness, this is mutton stewed with wild mountain bamboo shoots, prepared by Miss Meng. Old Medic Tang said it’s delicious. Would you and the little prince like to try some?”
Qi Jingyan glanced briefly into the bowl, then raised his eyes to look at Meng Yuning standing nearby, before returning his gaze to the dish. A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.
Mu Feng, assuming his lord was wary of the Meng family, quickly added, “Old Medic Tang has already tasted it; there’s no poison.”
Meng Yuning hurriedly nodded in agreement. “No poison, no poison. I’ve eaten it too.”
Qi Jingyan looked at Meng Yuning once more, then turned to Yi’er. “Would you like to try it, Yi’er?”
The little boy stood by the bed, clutching Qi Jingyan’s arm, eyes fixed on the food in the bowl as he licked his lips. At the question, he nodded eagerly. “Yi’er wants meat.”
Qi Jingyan patted his head and nodded to Mu Feng. “Serve a bowl.”
Mu Yun quickly moved the table beside the bed and set it before Qi Jingyan.
Mu Feng happily placed the earthenware bowl on the table, and Meng Yuning also set down the bowl she was holding. “Your Highness, this is shepherd’s purse porridge. It’s also safe to eat. If you don’t believe me, I can have a bowl first.”
Qi Jingyan raised his eyelids slightly. “...No need.”
He then reached out to Mu Yun, who promptly handed him an empty bowl. Qi Jingyan picked up a wooden spoon and scooped a few pieces of the bamboo shoots into the bowl.
Yi’er stood beside him, pointing at the chunks of mutton in the bowl, fidgeting on his tiptoes. “Brother, meat, want meat.”
Qi Jingyan smiled and agreed. He gathered all the pieces of mutton—about seven or eight chunks—from the bowl into his own. Setting down the spoon, he picked up a piece of mutton and brought it to Yi’er’s mouth.
The little boy recoiled slightly but refused to eat, instead pushing Qi Jingyan’s hand toward his own mouth. “Brother, you eat first.”
Qi Jingyan hesitated briefly, then nodded and ate the piece. He paused as he bit into it, then continued chewing.
The meat was tender and flavorful. Compared to the tough mutton in the medicinal porridge prepared by Old Medic Tang the day before, this was an entirely different experience. If he hadn’t overheard Mu Feng muttering that only two pieces of dried mutton remained, he might have thought this was a different kind of meat altogether.
Qi Jingyan chewed slowly and gracefully, while Yi’er grew increasingly anxious. His small mouth moved as if mimicking chewing, his saliva dripping audibly. “Brother, is it tasty?”
Qi Jingyan nodded and picked up another piece to feed Yi’er. This time, the boy didn’t refuse; he took a big bite and chewed voraciously, his eyes growing brighter with each mouthful.
Qi Jingyan’s lips curved slightly. “Eat slowly. There’s more.”
---
Mu Yun watched the scene, his expression suddenly tinged with sorrow and worry.
According to the laws of the current dynasty, upon the Empress’s passing, the princes were to observe a three-year mourning period during which they were forbidden from eating meat or drinking wine, or else it would be considered severe filial impiety.
Exceptions were made for the elderly or infirm, and children as young as the Seventeenth Prince could eat normally. But for an adult prince like Qi Jingyan, strict adherence to mourning customs was mandatory.
On the day the Empress died, the prince—his legs broken and body battered—was released from the imperial dungeon by the Emperor and hastily placed onto a carriage to depart immediately.
For the first three days, the prince lay on the carriage without eating a single grain of rice, only Old Medic Tang forced down a few bowls of medicinal rice soup.
They assumed the prince was “cutting off fortune” by fasting for three days, and they intended to follow suit. But the prince forbade it.
They wanted to eat vegetarian meals instead, but the prince said that if the meat was spoiled, it would waste the late Empress’s efforts, so they should continue eating as usual and need not fast alongside him.
Although they were reluctant, Old Medic Tang privately told them that the prince had just been deposed from the position of Crown Prince, and if no one listened to such a small request, he might truly lose heart.
Old Medic Tang also said the prince’s life had been exchanged for the Empress’s.
The road ahead was perilous, full of thorns and obstacles. Their highest duty was to eat well and rest well, to be in the best condition to escort the two young princes safely to Lingnan—that was the greatest filial piety and loyalty they could show the Empress.
They said nothing then but swore silently to protect both princes with their lives.
They expected the prince to maintain a vegetarian diet until the three-year mourning period ended, but on the fourth day, he unexpectedly asked for a bowl of mutton soup and a lamb chop. As he fed the little prince, he ate alongside him.
Everyone was stunned. Mu Feng even leaned close to ask quietly if the prince had hit his head in prison, forgetting such a significant matter.
But the prince acted as if he hadn’t noticed their expressions, finishing the lamb chop and the mutton soup on his own.
No one knew what was going through the prince’s mind, and no one dared to ask.
Later, Old Medic Tang explained that the prince’s survival after such a calamity was a blessing in itself. No matter what he ate, as long as he lived well, the Empress would be comforted and never blame him.
They had been detained, unaware of the Empress’s death until the prince was suddenly released. They were never given a chance to prepare mourning clothes.
When the Dowager Empress sent several carts of belongings, there were two sets of mourning garments, one large and one small. The prince inspected them but ordered them to be put away without saying he would wear them.
After that, it was as if he forgot everything—eating and sleeping as usual.
Most frighteningly, aside from his eyes being bloodshot when released from the dungeon, he remained calm and composed.
Even when the little prince cried out for his mother at night, the prince simply held him gently and comforted him, shedding not a single tear.
They felt something was wrong with the prince but dared not advise him, so they sought out Old Medic Tang again.
Old Medic Tang sighed deeply and told them that since the prince did not mention mourning for the Empress, they should pretend it never came up and avoid bringing it up.
Thus, everyone continued as before. Even if saddened or worried, they dared not show it.
But such a state of the prince was truly unsettling.
Meng Yuning watched the two princes eating and thought of the mourning customs described in her books. She sighed softly.
The initial decree had been delivered to the dungeon by a eunuch accompanying the Third Prince, who sarcastically said the Empress had traded her life for Qi Jingyan’s.
Upon hearing this, Qi Jingyan had laughed bitterly at first, then wept mournfully until he vomited.
But ever since being carried out from the dungeon, he behaved like an emotionless mannequin, forever tranquil.
---
While they were lost in thought, Qi Jingyan had finished feeding all the mutton. The little boy, still unsatisfied, peered into the bowl and found nothing left. His small voice was full of disappointment. “No more meat.”
Qi Jingyan spoke kindly, “You’ve eaten too much. Here, have some bamboo shoots.”
Yi’er obeyed and took a bite, his big eyes lighting up again. “Brother, you eat too.”
Qi Jingyan placed the remaining half of the bamboo shoot into his mouth. The wild bamboo shoots were fragrant and tender, carrying the rich aroma of mutton—delicious indeed.
The brothers shared bites back and forth, quickly finishing the entire bowl of stewed wild bamboo shoots and mutton, leaving no broth behind.
Afterward, Qi Jingyan served a small bowl of shepherd’s purse porridge to Yi’er. Having eaten, the boy hugged his round belly and sat on the bed, unable to rise. Qi Jingyan smiled and slowly ate his own bowl.
Qi Jingyan’s leg injury had not healed. Although the carriage was padded with thick quilts, it was still jostling and rough. To avoid worsening his injury, they had traveled slowly since leaving the capital.
The journey out of the capital, which normally took about two days, had stretched to seven due to their frequent rests.
In the first three days, the prince ate nothing. In the following days, he ate only small amounts alongside the little prince, whose appetite was poor after repeated shocks and longing for the Empress and Dowager Empress. Both had visibly lost weight.
But today, the two princes ate a surprisingly large meal.
Mu Yun and Mu Feng exchanged glances, each seeing a smile in the other’s eyes. Eating well was a good sign.
Meng Yuning breathed a sigh of relief. Now that she had become useful, perhaps they would protect her more in future assassination attempts.
Qi Jingyan finished the last spoonful of porridge, set down his bowl and chopsticks, took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, and then looked toward Meng Yuning. After a few glances, he ordered, “Clear it away.”
Mu Feng responded cheerfully and efficiently gathered the used bowls and chopsticks into an empty earthenware bowl, then lifted the half bowl of shepherd’s purse porridge and quickly stepped out of the tent.
Qi Jingyan looked at Mu Yun and pointed to a chest near the tent. “Bring me the white ointment.”
Mu Yun acknowledged and complied.
Qi Jingyan held the white porcelain bottle out to Meng Yuning. “This reduces swelling and bruising. Use it.”
Surprised by the sudden gift, Meng Yuning waved her hand instinctively. “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I don’t need it.”
Qi Jingyan did not withdraw his hand but glanced coolly at her legs. “We’ll be traveling later. You should ride in that luggage cart.”
Meng Yuning followed his gaze to her legs and immediately understood. Embarrassed, her face flushed suddenly. She hurried forward to accept the ointment. “Oh, thank you, Your Highness.”