It was the first time he had asked for food since becoming this way.
The guard was so excited he could barely contain himself, responding repeatedly, "Good! Good! Your Highness, your subordinate will go at once!"
With that, he ran out foolishly.
The Prince only appeared to be in a sorry state; in reality, he had all that he needed, and there were many servants. However, Bai Li Chong Yan preferred peace and quiet, and apart from the guards protecting him, few people could get close.
When their master asked for food for the first time, everyone dared not delay. In less than half an hour, some clear congee and small dishes were brought.
His health was poor, so he couldn't eat rich foods.
The guard looked at the dishes placed before him and respectfully asked, "Your Highness, do you require my service?"
"No."
Bai Li Chong Yan's hands had been mostly healed by Zhu Zhu, though they lacked strength. However, he could manage to eat with chopsticks.
His movements were a little rushed, and he spilled food twice.
Seeing that he was clearly happy, the guard couldn't help but remind him, "Your Highness, Miss Song is in the Song residence."
She wouldn't run away, you can go after you've eaten slowly.
He wouldn't dare say this.
However, Bai Li Chong Yan misunderstood his meaning and replied in a relaxed tone, "I, know."
The guard: "...Yes."
While he was eating breakfast with the guard serving him, the dark guards appeared from who knows where before he had finished.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Bai Li Chong Yan remained silent, so the guard answered for him, "Rise. Has the matter been handled?"
Bai Li Chong Yan paused in his eating, seemingly not understanding what he was referring to.
"Your Highness, forgive me." The guard cupped his hands. "The assassins from last night were sent by the Second Prince. Your subordinate thought it appropriate to return the favor and send them back."
He then looked at the person on the ground. "How was it?"
The dark guard, clad in night-blooming clothes and wearing a mask, his expression unreadable, clearly sounded pleased. "Your subordinates went to the Second Prince's mansion at midnight, intending to teach him a lesson. We didn't expect the Second Prince to be ill. People were coming and going from his courtyard all night. Your subordinates initially thought he was staging it, but at dawn, his household staff went to the palace to summon an imperial physician. He appears to be seriously ill."
They were worried he was faking it to frame their Prince, so they deliberately snuck into his courtyard to investigate. They heard the Second Prince, as if possessed, constantly calling out about ghosts and spirits, for a good half hour.
The imperial physician administered medicine before he finally slept.
"Is he really sick?" the guard asked suspiciously. "Could it be a pretense of madness?"
"The Second Prince is more like he's possessed, constantly muttering about strange gods and spirits. In your subordinate's opinion, it doesn't seem like he's faking it."
If one were to fake an illness, they should at least make it convincing. Muttering about strange gods and spirits, such accusations are hard to bear.
"Understood. You may withdraw."
"Yes."
The dark guard vanished, and the guard knelt again. "Your Highness, your subordinate acted without orders. I beg for your punishment."
Bai Li Chong Yan had long lost his appetite. If he hadn't almost finished eating, this meal would have been wasted.
"Henceforth, do not be so impulsive. This time, it will be overlooked."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
He put down his chopsticks. "Are the carriage and horses prepared? And, I need some gifts."
"Everything has been prepared."
The guard, making amends for his actions, had arranged the gifts very properly. Bai Li Chong Yan briefly reviewed the gift list and nodded with satisfaction.
"Let's go."
The carriage drove out of the desolate and lonely Prince's lane and slowly entered the bustling marketplace. Listening to the cries of the vendors and the sounds of people coming and going, Bai Li Chong Yan felt an unusual lack of annoyance, replaced by a sense of joy and envy.
This was how the human world should be.
Where he had been before was perhaps more like hell.
The pain in his body remained, his legs were still weak, yet he felt as though he had been dragged out of an abyss. Everything he saw was filled with light.
——
"Madam, Prince Yan has arrived!"
Madam Song was currently looking for suitable matches for Song Fang Hua.
She usually paid no mind to such trivial matters, turning a deaf ear to the gossip outside.
Those people, behind her back, accused her of mistreating her stepdaughter. But were they any different? Towards their own sons and daughters, they merely put on a good show; who would truly give their all?
But now, it was no longer something she could ignore. Song Zhu Zhu was the second daughter of the Song household, and she was about to get married. Yet, her elder sister remained unmarried. If word got out, it would tarnish her daughter's reputation, which was why she was hurriedly seeking a match.
Just as she had sent for her, someone reported that Prince Yan had arrived.
Madam Song was flustered for a moment, then remembered that they had met before, and that he was not as unbearable as rumored.
She calmed herself and went out to greet him personally.
The young maids were also quick-witted, and quickly ran to inform Zhu Zhu.
Thus, mother and daughter arrived at the entrance almost simultaneously.
Bai Li Chong Yan was pushed in a wheelchair. Madam Song quickly led the members of the Song family in a bow.
The guard stepped forward and lightly supported her. "Madam, there is no need for such formality. Please rise quickly."
Madam Song straightened up, and the people behind her followed suit.
Zhu Zhu had already walked forward. The person who had been pushing him quickly yielded their position and moved aside.
Madam Song wanted to stop her, but it was too late. She felt a pang of regret, wishing her daughter were more sensible. She could only say, "Your Highness, please come inside!"
Then, she turned to the others and said, "No need to gather here. Everyone go about your business."
Her daughter was too impetuous. How could a young lady be so unable to contain herself?
Everyone dispersed, leaving only the maids and governesses by Madam Song's side, and Zhu Zhu's two young maids.
One of them was the one who had followed her to the Prince's mansion before and had been so frightened that she had been ill for days.
Perhaps because she had gone that one time and fallen ill, she was much bolder now.
"Let's enter the manor first."
He had brought many gifts, and the guard carried the gift boxes inside. Madam Song wanted to say something but didn't know how. She sighed inwardly repeatedly.
He was so polite and well-behaved. If he hadn't become this way, he might not have even looked favorably upon her daughter.
But now that he had become this way, she felt that she had suffered a loss.
Indeed, no matter how she calculated, it was not a good deal.
Unaware of her inner turmoil, everyone entered the main hall. Song Fang Hua stood in the hall wearing simple cloth clothes, looking outside.
Madam Song's anger immediately flared.
She didn't favor Song Fang Hua, but there was no reason for her to dress her like this. As the legitimate daughter of a high official's mansion, dressing like this, who was she trying to show off to? Su Dan Fiction Network
Song Fang Hua had heard about Prince Yan's arrival as soon as she came. Seeing everyone enter, she quickly bowed, "This humble subject greets Your Highness."
She then bowed to Madam Song and Zhu Zhu, "Mother, Second Sister."
Zhu Zhu placed her hand on Bai Li Chong Yan's wheelchair and replied, "Elder Sister."
Bai Li Chong Yan merely nodded slightly at her.
"Mother, may I ask what important matter you wished for me to come for?"
Madam Song's gaze repeatedly shot towards Song Fang Hua. Hearing her words, she could barely suppress her anger.
Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two, Zhu Zhu seized the opportunity to say, "Mother, I will take Your Highness to tour the manor. You can speak with Elder Sister first."
Saying this, she began to push him away.
Madam Song, helpless, could only say, "Go, and do not neglect Your Highness."
"Yes."
As soon as she pushed him out of the hall, she heard Madam Song's furious voice from inside.
"Have I shortchanged you in food and clothing? Who are you dressing like this for? The legitimate daughter of a high official's mansion, dressed like a village girl from the mountains..."