In the first year of Chengguo, invaders breached the border. The Emperor dispatched a general to the frontier, and the Crown Prince, agreeing with the decision, volunteered to defend the border as well. The Emperor was pleased and allowed his son to gain some experience.
In the second year of Chengguo, urgent dispatches arrived from the border: the Crown Prince had been captured. The enemy general provocatively demanded three cities in exchange for the Crown Prince's release. The Crown Prince, refusing to yield, urged the soldiers to attack, demonstrating his true spirit. Enraged, the enemy general beheaded the Crown Prince on the spot.
The news reached the capital, causing the Emperor immense distress. He spat blood in the imperial court and, upon returning to his chambers, was pronounced gravely ill by the imperial physician.
A messenger entered the Emperor's chambers and handed His Majesty a secretly written letter from the general.
The Emperor, propped up by his illness, read the confidential message.
"Your Majesty, after reading this, you must have your most trusted confidant investigate. The Crown Prince entered the military camp incognito, unknown even to the army's strategist. Yet, the enemy general knew the Crown Prince's appearance precisely and captured him. This incident suggests a traitor within the court betrayed the Crown Prince."
After finishing the letter, the Emperor's hands trembled with shock.
Xiao Wangye was secretly summoned to the palace for a lengthy private meeting with the Emperor. He stayed in the palace that night.
Ye Qingcheng found herself with a bit more breathing room. In the past few days, she had been diligently managing accounts and reviewing ledgers, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted. In the evenings, she still had to treat Xiao Wangye's leg.
The next day, Xiao Wangye returned. However, upon his return, he immediately confined himself to his study.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingcheng also received news that Xiao Wangye had refused meals, locking himself away.
Ye Qingcheng approached the study door and saw Lin Xiao standing guard.
Lin Xiao, spotting the Wangfei and the maidservant carrying food behind her, blocked her path. "Wangfei, perhaps you shouldn't go in."
Ye Qingcheng, confused, wondered if something had happened during his trip to the palace. "Did something happen?"
Lin Xiao nodded. "The Crown Prince was captured. A courtier leaked intelligence to the enemy. The Emperor's hair turned white overnight. He summoned the Prince to the palace today to witness the decree: if he leaves, then the Crown Prince's orphan, the Emperor's young grandson, will ascend the throne. However, the Crown Prince's orphan is still a child, not yet ten years old. The Emperor has decreed that the Prince shall govern the realm until the young child comes of age."
"The Emperor also secretly met with the Prince, urging him to meticulously investigate who intended to harm the Crown Prince, the future ruler."
Ye Qingcheng fell silent, gazing at the closed door with a mix of emotions.
"The Crown Prince was a good man. When the Prince's leg was crippled and his life hung in the balance, everyone avoided him. Only the Crown Prince ordered the imperial physicians to provide the best treatment. It can be said that the Crown Prince saved the Prince's life. Now, the Crown Prince has sacrificed his life for the country on the battlefield. The Prince must be feeling terrible! Wangfei, please let the Prince be alone for now. Let him process his grief!"
Ye Qingcheng pushed Lin Xiao aside. "By the time he figures it out, the wilting flowers will have long since withered." With that, she shoved open the study door and walked in.
Seeing Xiao Wangye slumped by the desk, Ye Qingcheng had never witnessed such desolation in him.
At the sound of the door opening, Xiao Wangye looked up at Ye Qingcheng, silhouetted against the light, with a hint of hesitation. "At a time like this, you are the first person who came to see me."
Ye Qingcheng tilted her head. "What, not your Yun'er? Are you disappointed?"
Xiao Wangye merely glanced at her, not responding.
Ye Qingcheng instructed the maidservant to set out the food and then ordered some wine.
Ye Qingcheng kicked off her shoes, sat on the couch, and began to drink heartily. "It's just a matter of being upset, isn't it? What troubles can't be solved with a drink? Come, Lin Xiao, sit down and drink with us. Let's get drunk together with your Prince."
Ye Qingcheng poured herself a cup first. "I won't be polite. Cheers to that." She downed it in one gulp.
Lin Xiao was taken aback by the Wangfei's actions, truly displaying a masculine spirit.
A chuckle came from behind. "Indeed. There's nothing a drink can't solve. I... was just in the mood for some wine."
Seeing the Prince's mood lift slightly, Lin Xiao smiled with relief.
He then helped the Prince to the couch. Ye Qingcheng handed him a wine cup. Xiao Wangye took it, poured a cup, and drank it in one go. "Tsk... that's the spirit."
Ye Qingcheng laughed heartily. "Right!" She grabbed a handful of melon seeds and cracked them open. "Whenever I encountered troublesome matters, I would have a drink, and it would make me feel better."
Xiao Wangye looked at the wine in the bowl and gestured for Lin Xiao to push him towards the door.
Xiao Wangye poured himself some wine and commemorated the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, please rest assured, I will find the traitor and ensure you can rest in peace. Your orphaned heir, I vow to raise him well, to become a renowned and wise ruler in the future. Please be at ease." With that, he bowed towards the heavens in tribute.
The others watched in silent contemplation.
The next day, Bi Xi's injuries had completely healed. Ye Qingcheng was overjoyed.
Now that Bi Xi was well, she could finally release Yu Jian.
The moment the woodshed door opened, Yu Jian, sitting in the corner, looked on in disbelief.
After so long, from initial urgency and pleas to eventual numbness, since the moment she was locked away, the Prince had never visited her, let alone released her.
Later, she accepted her current situation and her fate of confinement.
She never expected the woodshed door to be opened one day.
The Wangfei appeared before her, silhouetted against the light.
Ye Qingcheng was desperately trying to suppress her restless heart, but upon seeing Yu Jian, she knew her hopes had been dashed.
Yu Jian was indeed as Xiao Wangye had described – gaunt, reduced to skin and bones. It would take considerable care to restore her to her former state.
Upon seeing the Wangfei, Yu Jian quickly rose to bow. However, due to months of malnutrition and anemia, she felt dizzy as soon as she stood up after kneeling for so long.
Seeing Yu Jian about to faint, Ye Qingcheng quickly supported her and took her pulse.
Good heavens, this was a clear case of insufficient qi and blood and malnutrition.
Yu Jian realized her lapse in composure and quickly begged for forgiveness. "Wangfei, please forgive me."
She was terrified. Terrified that if she angered the Wangfei, she would remain imprisoned. She feared the nights spent with mice, the bites of cockroaches and mosquitoes, and especially the snakes that might emerge at midnight.
Ye Qingcheng looked at her, filled with emotion. The once confident and arrogant Yu Jian was now begging.
Ye Qingcheng helped her up. "I'm here to let you out." Therefore, there was no need for such a profound bow.
Ye Qingcheng had been quite excited upon her arrival, thinking she would no longer have to look at ledgers. But upon seeing Yu Jian's state, Ye Qingcheng realized her wish had been thwarted again; she would have to continue with the ledgers for several more months.
The mere thought sent Ye Qingcheng into a state of despair.
In early February, urgent dispatches arrived from the border: the general had protected the land, repelling the enemy three hundred meters.
The army then returned to the capital.
Upon hearing this good news, the Emperor's complexion gradually improved over the following months.