93. The Astonishing Return of the Wild Goose Fails to Form Words

Since none of his sons were by his side, the emperor became increasingly eager to hear reports from his spies after each morning court session about the whereabouts and conditions of the princes.

Where once he inquired about them once every half month, then every ten days, now he summoned a fresh batch of spies every three days.

Eunuch Yuanhe served tea while his heart drummed anxiously. The emperor was aging, and with age came deeper longing and heavier suspicion toward his sons.

Prince Zhao had caught a cold and had been bedridden for over half a month without improvement. The emperor pondered what pretext he might use to send a group of imperial physicians to Prince Zhao’s residence.

Prince Qi was in good health, riding horses and shooting arrows daily, and had recently secretly met with the neighboring Prince of Huai’an. What were they conspiring? Should a warning be given?

As for the Crown Prince, he had just returned from Muzhou a month ago, rested for a day, then left for Qianzhou.

The Crown Prince got along well with the soldiers on the western frontier and was personally involved in military affairs, seldom delegating even minor matters to others.

He seemed to have no intention of returning to the imperial capital, as he confided to the soldiers around him.

Hearing this, the emperor’s already troubled chest grew heavier. He sighed and rose from the spacious, lavish, golden yet cold dragon throne. Step by step, he walked to the entrance of the Taining Palace. One step more would take him out of the palace, yet he halted.

His eyes gazed far northwest, but what met his sight were intricately carved pavilions, endless seas of clouds, and towering mountains. He could not see the western border, could not see Qianzhou, could not see his son.

“Your Majesty, if you truly miss the Crown Prince, you could simply issue an imperial edict summoning him back to the capital,” Eunuch Yuanhe said softly, his heart aching as he looked at the emperor’s aged and slightly stooped figure.

He had served the emperor for nearly thirty years, and even in the most sorrowful or distracted moments, he had never seen the sovereign so dispirited.

On Mingchi Island, Bai Bai and Chi Di walked along the riverbank.

“That young lady was on death’s door back then, yet she somehow survived. It must be the divine medicine from our master, capable of bringing the dead back to life, or perhaps Heaven took pity on her—her fate was not meant to end then,” Bai Bai mused.

Chi Di smiled, saying, “Saving a life is worth more than building a seven-story pagoda. As physicians, isn’t healing the sick and saving lives our duty?”

Chi Di nodded in agreement, then seemed to hesitate before saying, “Speaking of which, senior brother, I have a favor to ask.” The young lady’s lingering spirit disorder troubled him deeply.

“You and I are brothers in apprenticeship. If there’s something to say, just say it. No need for favors or formalities,” Bai Bai replied, slightly annoyed.

The next day, Chi Di brought Bai Bai to see Azhun. “Senior brother, please help examine her,” he said, then turned to Azhun. “This is my senior brother. I’ve tried everything for this young lady’s spirit disorder and failed. Perhaps my senior brother can try.”

Azhun, grateful and respectful, immediately set aside his meal and bowed to the two physicians. “Thank you both for your great kindness.”

Bai Bai examined the young lady’s condition and felt a strange familiarity with her eyes.

After a long silence, he looked gravely at the frail, sallow boy named Azhun and asked, “Child, when and where did you find this young woman? Tell me truthfully.”

“Senior brother, didn’t I tell you everything before I came? Why ask Azhun again? Is there something wrong? Or do you know this young lady’s family?” Chi Di’s heart was uneasy. Since Bai Bai first saw the young lady’s face, he had noticed his senior brother’s expressions flicker oddly.

Azhun recounted the events from two years ago in full detail once more to Bai Bai.

Unexpectedly, Bai Bai fell silent after hearing it and walked straight away—truly strange behavior.

Back in Chi Di’s yard, after hearing Bai Bai’s speculation, his pupils dilated sharply. He stood abruptly and exclaimed, “Senior brother, do you mean that young lady… could she be?”

“My heavens! The Crown Princess of the current dynasty has actually lived here in our little, broken village for two years. I even used her to test medicines,” Chi Di said regretfully but felt relieved knowing Xu Guiyi had lost all memory.

Bai Bai’s expression grew serious again. “Junior brother, such words must not be spoken lightly. The Crown Princess’s status is extremely high. I cannot be certain she is the one; after all, I have never seen her true face.”

Chi Di saw the change in Bai Bai’s expression and earnestly said, “But you have seen General Feihong, and didn’t you say the Crown Princess bears a striking resemblance to the late General Feihong?”

Bai Bai was speechless. The late General Feihong’s surname was Pei; the Crown Princess’s was Xu. Was it reasonable for them to look alike?

He was deeply puzzled, unable to solve the mystery. He had traveled widely, staying at inns, overhearing rumors that Fu Lancheng’s Crown Princess resembled the late General Feihong.

Coincidentally, he knew that two years ago, Fu Lancheng’s Crown Princess had died in a fall.

Piece by piece, connecting the dots, how could it be mere coincidence?

After leaving Mingchi Island in the Eastern Sea, Bai Bai headed straight to the western frontier, waiting for Fu Lancheng at the Fusu City post station for ten days.

Chi Di had not expected this at all. When Bai Bai left the Eastern Sea, he told Chi Di not to travel far and to wait for someone here. When asked who, Bai Bai said he would know in time.

Chi Di waited in the Eastern Sea for a month and a half until the Crown Prince arrived—the highlight of Chi Di’s life.

Mingchi Island was a remote corner of the Eastern Sea. Though a barefoot doctor, he knew the weight of the nation’s heir and understood Fu Lancheng’s motives for coming here. He dared not be careless as he led the Crown Prince to Azhun’s residence.

At the village entrance, Chi Di said, “Your Highness, this is where the young lady has been staying. She probably hasn’t moved yet.”

Fu Lancheng instructed his guards to remain outside the village while he and Chi Di entered to search.

Before Bai Bai left, there were many things left unclear. Chi Di could not understand why someone so important would cause the Crown Prince to personally visit this small, broken island and treat this matter with such gravity.

They walked along narrow winding paths until Chi Di stopped in front of a dilapidated courtyard. “Your Highness, this is it,” he said softly, watching the Crown Prince’s expression and listening carefully to sounds from within.

Fu Lancheng paused, his face grave, staring at the locked, weathered wooden door. After a long time, he showed no sign of moving forward. Chi Di hesitated whether to rouse the absent-minded Crown Prince.

Suddenly, a youthful voice came from behind: “Are you looking for us, sir?”

Chi Di and Fu Lancheng turned simultaneously and saw a slender boy leading a similarly frail young woman.

The boy’s eyes were clear and bright but shy. The young woman’s gaze was dazed and confused, trembling as she looked at the strangers, clearly at a loss.

Chi Di regained his composure and glanced at Fu Lancheng, intending to introduce them, but seeing his expression, he thought explanation unnecessary and fell silent.

Fu Lancheng looked at Azhun once, then fixed his gaze on the young woman. She seemed uncomfortable and hid behind Azhun. Though the boy was shorter than her, they had relied on each other for two years, and she had grown used to hiding behind him.

That entire afternoon, Chi Di accompanied Fu Lancheng at the dilapidated courtyard until dusk.

“Azhun has been an orphan since childhood, growing up alone. He’s a poor child. Though small and thin, he is actually thirteen years old,” Chi Di explained. Due to chronic hunger and cold, his development was slower than other children.

Fu Lancheng stared at the frail figure inside, the same age as Fu Xun but noticeably smaller.

“Your Highness must not underestimate his strength. Two years ago, while fishing in the river, he found this unconscious young lady, carried her two li to my place, and begged me to save her.”

“At that time, her life was hanging by a thread; one foot had already stepped into the underworld. I wanted to give up, but seeing such a young boy travel so far carrying her, I couldn’t bear to let his efforts go to waste. So I treated her as if a dying horse might yet live. Unexpectedly, she survived. It must be fate and divine blessing!”

Fu Lancheng brushed dew from his brow and smiled. Truly, the gods had protected them. “Thank you, sir, for saving my wife. Fu Zhan will never forget this kindness.”

Chi Di was struck dumb, frozen as if struck by lightning, eyes wide in disbelief. What extraordinary fortune was this? He had unknowingly saved the Crown Prince’s wife, the current Crown Princess.

He took a deep breath, pinched himself to confirm it was not a dream.

He bowed respectfully. “Your Highness is too kind. Saving lives is the duty of a physician. But if not for Azhun’s persistence, I would have given up on the young lady—no, the Crown Princess—then. A single moment’s difference.”

Fu Lancheng rose, steadied him, then stepped back and performed the most solemn bow to Chi Di, meticulous and respectful.

For the first time in his life, he felt truly fortunate.

During the years Pei Zhaojin was “dead,” he wasted his studies, drifting aimlessly, unaware of his purpose.

During the two years Xu Guiyi was “dead,” he kept himself busy with government and military affairs, attending even the smallest details personally. Though busy, did he truly understand what he was doing?

Fu Lancheng sat in the courtyard, looking up at the sky and down at the earth. White clouds drifted overhead; the salty sea air stung his nose. The fear of losing someone and the overwhelming joy of finding them intertwined and clamored within him.

“Your Highness!” a voice suddenly called.

He turned to those beside him, momentarily dazed.

“Your Highness!” Chi Di called again cautiously, sensing the Crown Prince’s unusual state.

Hearing the call, Fu Lancheng finally came to, his eyelids trembling. When he looked up again, his gaze was clear.

Deep into the night, Fu Lancheng returned outside the village, ordering accommodations there. Chi Di returned to his home.