Chapter 5

Chapter 5

National Teacher Ye flew into a rage and challenged me to a duel of arts.

It was the most dangerous trap I had ever faced in my life.

Though Ah Fei swore up and down that science would definitely defeat superstition, I knew the truth: it all came down to which of us was the better fraud.

There were three rounds. National Teacher Ye lost to me in every one.

He collapsed to his knees, kowtowing until blood ran from his forehead.

Then I delivered the final killing blow.

“Imperial Father, Hebei has suffered three months of drought. Kill this demon, and sweet rain will surely fall!”

From books, I had learned how to read the stars and observe the weather.

Within three days at most, rain would fall in Hebei.

The National Preceptor had been famous for years. Relying on his reputation and the emperor’s trust, he had neglected his stargazing.

Laziness is a person’s greatest enemy.

His kneeling body trembled like chaff in a sieve.

The suspicion in the emperor’s eyes had already sealed his fate.

All he had to rely on was the emperor’s trust.

And I would turn that trust into my own support from now on.

A woman in magnificent robes stepped out from behind the emperor.

The three-tiered phoenix crown on her head flashed with dazzling light.

Though the Empress was older now and no longer favored, she was the mother of the nation and deeply trusted by the emperor.

The trust of those in power brought power with it.

“It seems the Seventh Prince truly does possess some divine ability.”

Her slender fingers reached beneath my eyes. “Can you calculate this palace’s future fortunes as well?”

I swept a glance over the lines of her palm.

Her life line was very long.

Only… an extremely faint branch line cut across it.

I curled my lips into the gentlest smile imaginable and congratulated her. “Imperial Mother will surely live to a hundred and have all your wishes fulfilled.”

“This child is clever and has a good heart. Your Majesty, why not…” The Empress smiled warmly as she spoke on my behalf.

The emperor’s scrutinizing gaze swept over me.

With a wave of his hand, he said, “Throw the man surnamed Ye into prison first.”

“As for you…” He narrowed his eyes. “Lock him up with Second Prince!”

Second Prince and I were put in the same cell.

He had been badly frightened and soon developed a raging fever.

I forced all of my food on him.

Ah Fei was locked up with us too. I handed her a prescription, and she took out the bits of silver she had exchanged from the System to beg the jailers to buy and decoct the medicine.

I knew medicine. That prescription was one I had read in an old medical text from the previous dynasty.

Second Prince called softly for his mother consort, tears seeping from the corners of his eyes.

I stayed by his side the entire time.

Beside me, Ah Fei sighed with emotion. “So in Dream of the Red Chamber, when Qingwen cried for her mother all night, that was realism after all.”

Who was Qingwen? And what was Dream of the Red Chamber?

I had to make sure that when his fever broke and he woke up, the first person he saw was me.

Ah Fei said, “Look at the way you’re staring at him. It’s like you want to eat him alive.”

I did not look away. “Mm. He is rather handsome.”

Truthfully, I thought Second Prince was the best-looking of all his brothers.

Ah Fei’s mouth fell open. She grabbed my shoulder and reminded me in a low voice, “Don’t forget your grand ambitions!”

I nodded. “Of course I haven’t forgotten.”

“It’s just…” I reached out and stroked his lips. “Wow, Ah Fei, this is so unfair. He’s been delirious for so many days, and his lips are still soft.”

Unlike the two of us. In the Cold Palace, with too little clothing and not enough food, our lips cracked from the winter cold until they looked like rabbits’.

Li Jing’s fever gradually receded.

Seeing that he was about to wake, I sliced open my wrist.

Blood dripped into the medicinal broth.

If I was going to perform an act of deep brotherly devotion, then I had to perform the whole thing.

Three days later, morning light shone through the prison window, and Li Jing opened his eyes.

He saw me with pale lips, and the still-bleeding wound on my wrist.

Ah Fei wiped her tears beside us. “Second Prince, you’re finally awake. You have no idea-my master used an ancient blood curse to heal you, drawing your illness into his own body.”

I turned and pretended to scold her. “Too much talk.”

Li Jing’s gaze swept over my wrist.

He blinked, his long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

Looking at my wound, he abruptly bowed to me.

“Seventh Brother, you have saved me from disaster twice now! From this day forward, Second Brother will protect you with my life.”

A weak smile rose at the corner of my mouth.

You had better remember that oath well.

Remember it for the rest of your life.