Chapter 52: Are You Sure You Want to Know?
After finishing a large bowl of medicine, Zhu Yunxu felt as if his mouth would remain bitter all night long.
He had no appetite even for dinner.
But no matter how bitter, rest was still necessary. Unconsciously, night fell. Zhu Yunxu lay on his bed, bored and uneasy with the emptiness beside him. He longed for his elder sister and younger sister to return and keep him company.
“Hmm…”
Lying there, Zhu Yunxu sensed something was amiss.
He sat up and looked at the porcelain pillow. This hard pillow had felt strange when he first arrived, but over time he had grown accustomed to it.
However, now, as soon as he lay down on it, an unfamiliar sensation arose. This was definitely not the same pillow he had been using before. Yet when he picked it up and examined it, it appeared exactly the same.
“Strange!”
Zhu Yunxu studied it for a while but could not discern any difference. He called out, “Liu Liu!”
“I’m here, Your Highness!”
Liu Liu, who had been waiting outside, hurried in.
Zhu Yunxu handed him the pillow and asked, “Is this different? Have you moved my pillow at all?”
In truth, it was not a serious matter, but Zhu Yunxu was very sensitive to the pillow’s feel. A different pillow meant he needed time to readjust, which could easily disturb his sleep.
Having finally adapted to the pillow after his rebirth, now it felt strange again. He could not explain why, but it simply did not feel right—as if it had been switched.
“It’s the same!”
Liu Liu examined it carefully and shook his head. “Your Highness, I see no difference.”
“Really?”
Zhu Yunxu turned the pillow over several times, unable to spot any change. Then he asked, “Where did this pillow come from originally?”
“From Prince Yu Huai!”
Liu Liu had served long in the Eastern Palace and knew some things. “Your Highness and Prince Yu Huai were very close. This porcelain pillow was his last instruction to you—to keep it safe.”
“I see.”
Zhu Yunxu searched his memory and confirmed the truth of this.
At the end of Prince Yu Huai’s life, Zhu Xiongying had entrusted this porcelain pillow to him with a solemn admonition to guard it carefully. But he was gravely ill and lost consciousness before finishing his words.
Then Prince Yu Huai passed away.
Zhu Yunxu had always heeded his elder brother’s advice and kept the porcelain pillow nearby.
Just two months ago, missing his brother, he took it out again and used it until his transmigration.
The porcelain pillow was the same, yet it felt different now. As for why, Zhu Yunxu could not say. After frowning for a while, he shook his head. “Forget it, you may go now.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Liu Liu was puzzled but did not dare to ask further.
---
Zhu Yunxu held the pillow and pondered for a long time but could not figure out the reason. He resigned himself to continuing to adapt.
Meanwhile, outside the Eastern Palace in the plum grove, Dong Qing wrapped a pillow in layer upon layer of cloth. She buried it beneath one of the plum trees, pressed the earth firmly, and then slipped away silently, leaving no one aware of her deed.
---
Morning.
Zhu Yunxu awoke still a bit drowsy. He had truly slept poorly the night before. After eating breakfast delivered by Xu Xingzu’s servants, he prepared to do two sets of calisthenics.
To his delight, his physical fatigue had lessened considerably. He felt better than before—not breaking into a sweat from just a little movement.
“The Imperial Hospital really has some skill!”
Zhu Yunxu thought happily. Although he would still tire if he kept exercising, it was much improved.
“Your Highness, you shouldn’t move so much now.”
As Xu Shu arrived, seeing Zhu Yunxu moving about, he hurriedly cautioned, “Your Highness, it’s best not to strain yourself.”
Zhu Yunxu wiped his sweat and replied, “More exercise means faster recovery.”
“That’s true.”
Xu Shu considered and said, “If Your Highness wishes to exercise, I can teach you some health exercises like Baduanjin and Five-Animal Frolics.”
Zhu Yunxu’s eyes lit up. “That sounds great. Why not start now?”
“First, take your medicine.”
Xu Shu was especially concerned about the poison.
Whether Zhu Yunxu recovered was tied to their own safety. He must take the medicine first.
“Alright.”
Though he hated the bitter medicine, Zhu Yunxu drank it down in one gulp, pinching his nose.
Time was tight, so there was no chance to learn the health exercises yet. He headed to the main hall for class, which had become a daily routine.
At the main hall, Zhu Gui and other imperial uncles warmly pulled him aside.
They were completely unaware of what had happened yesterday; the news was tightly sealed. Today’s discussion still centered on Zhu Yunxu’s killing incident and the poem that had stunned them all.
The imperial uncles were already friendly with Zhu Yunxu.
Unconsciously, their bond grew closer.
Only Zhu Yunwen looked on with envy, jealousy, and grievance.
He also wanted the support of the uncles, but Zhu Yunxu had long since destroyed his good impression with them.
“Zhu Yunwen, why do you have dark circles under your eyes again?”
Just as Zhu Yunwen brooded in jealousy and resentment, Zhu Zhi suddenly spoke.
They all turned to look at Zhu Yunwen.
His face darkened. He immediately turned away, holding up his book to hide his expression.
He had been so anxious the night before that he barely slept. He wanted to study hard and surpass Zhu Yunxu, but he couldn’t focus on a single word.
He only wanted to compete fiercely, but failed to summon the energy.
“Zhu Yunwen, why aren’t you saying anything?”
Zhu Qin asked. Though younger than Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Qin was an imperial uncle and senior to him. He asked with an arrogant tone.
Zhu Yunwen: “...”
“All right!”
Zhu Yunxu said, “Eighteenth Uncle, you scared him.”
The other uncles couldn’t help but laugh.
Zhu Yunwen clenched his fists tightly and pretended not to hear them.
“Don’t laugh!”
But it was Zhu Yunting who angrily glared at them.
Yet, it was useless.
“What’s all the noise?”
Huang Zicheng arrived and shouted, causing them to stop.
Seeing Zhu Yunwen wronged, Huang Zicheng glared fiercely at the others, wishing to stand up for Zhu Yunwen and suppress Zhu Yunxu. But recalling Zhu Yunxu’s recent performance, he held back.
He feared giving Zhu Yunxu another stage to shine.
They were unsure how many trump cards Zhu Yunxu still held. Good grades, talent, and boldness—he completely overshadowed Zhu Yunwen. If Zhu Yunxu had more chances to prove himself, Huang Zicheng worried Zhu Yunwen would lose everything.
“Zhu Yunxu, why didn’t you come yesterday?”
Huang Zicheng couldn’t help but bring up the truancy from yesterday.
Daring to skip class in the main hall was a serious matter, one that must be reported to the Emperor. But he was unaware the news had been completely sealed off.
“Sir, are you sure you want to know the reason?”
Zhu Yunxu grew interested, smiling at Huang Zicheng. Some things were better kept secret forever.
The more one knew, the quicker one might die.