RongCheng need not have come in person; he could simply have sent a messenger to summon him.
Seeing Yan Si about to leave the dining table, RongCheng immediately seized his hand and shook his head.
"Nay, you must finish your meal first. Only then may you depart."
Yan Si obeyed and sat down again. Just as he picked up his chopsticks, a thought suddenly struck him.
"Right, Eldest Brother, might you perhaps refrain from sending the palace maids next time?"
The "palace maids" he mentioned were not merely the one from earlier, but all of them. Yan Si truly wished not to repeat that recent embarrassment. Understanding his intent, RongCheng nodded.
"Very well. Set your heart at ease and eat."
At that moment, perhaps RongCheng's heart was already seared by an inner fire. Though anxious, he did not urge Yan Si to hurry—he merely watched him in silent focus.
Gazing at the bowl of rice before him, Yan Si at first felt a faint craving. Yet he could not fathom why RongCheng had piled such a vast mound of dishes into his bowl. Each portion was small, yet the sheer abundance left him so full he could scarcely move.
In the end, he managed to eat nearly all that RongCheng had served before he wished to put his chopsticks down. Observing his hesitation, RongCheng asked,
"What troubles you? Are the dishes not to your liking? Do they not taste good?"
That was not the case—the food here was far superior to the fare of the forest. Its taste was beyond description, yet there was simply too much of it. Yan Si shook his head, set down his chopsticks, and said softly,
"I... I am quite full. I shall eat no more."
Thus the entire table of food remained untouched. RongCheng immediately frowned.
"You have eaten but a scant amount, yet you are full already? Unacceptable. Finish your rice at once."
Feeling his stomach could take no more, Yan Si shook his head in distress.
"But... but I truly cannot eat another bite."
Upon hearing this, RongCheng's tone grew sterner.
"No 'buts.' You are only required to finish the rice."
Yan Si was nearly in tears. Moments ago, he had missed this man dearly, yet now he only wished he would leave quickly. Stealing a glance at RongCheng, he met a daunting glare that startled him into looking away.
At times, this man truly frightened him. Knowing refusal was useless, Yan Si had no choice but to pick up his chopsticks again.
His stomach felt stretched to its limit, as though one more bite might make it burst. The lavish spread of dishes before him made him queasy. Forcing himself to swallow a few more mouthfuls, he finally looked at RongCheng and murmured,
"El... Eldest Brother..."
But before he could finish, RongCheng shook his head firmly in disapproval. Yan Si sighed, resigned, and forced down the rest just to end the ordeal. Those exquisite, fragrant dishes were nothing like he had imagined—they had turned into torment.
When the oppressive meal at last ended, Yan Si set down his chopsticks, clutched his stomach, and slumped forward on the table, lamenting silently,
"'Twas horrific..."
He was beginning to fear RongCheng. Seeing him thus, RongCheng even chuckled and said,
"You have done well. To have finished it all is—"
But before he could finish, Yan Si abruptly rose and dashed outside, vomiting everything he had eaten.
RongCheng was struck speechless. His hour of patient waiting had all been in vain.
He sighed, walked over, and gently rubbed Yan Si's back.
"What ails you?" he asked with concern.
Yan Si shook his head weakly.
"My stomach truly cannot hold so much."
"Fear not," RongCheng said. "There is naught left in your stomach now. Come, let us resume our meal."
"Hah!? Eat more!?" Yan Si nearly fainted.
"Please... please have mercy on me!"
All the food in the imperial palace were rare delicacies, yet he—
Caught between embarrassment and dread, Yan Si suddenly remembered something.
"Quickly, go and see how the Empress is. Perhaps... perhaps he has awakened. Are you not worried?"
At that, RongCheng's patience finally gave way. He nodded.
"Very well."
Indeed, what if the person had awakened while he was here? RongCheng felt he must return at once.
However, when he arrived, Shan Yuan still lay motionless. The sight struck him with deep disappointment. Hastily approaching the bed, he grasped the other's hand and called,
"Yuan-er... Yuan-er..."
Yan Si stood beside him, shaking his head.
"Allow me to examine him," he said.
RongCheng nodded and stepped aside, letting him conduct a thorough examination. After a while, Yan Si finally said,
"Eldest Brother, you need not fret. The Empress is out of danger now and shall soon awaken."
"That is good news indeed..." Only then did RongCheng breathe a sigh of relief.
"We are truly most grateful to you."
Without Yan Si, the two of them might have been parted by death. Deep within his heart, RongCheng felt a profound debt of gratitude.
Hearing his words, Yan Si's expression faltered. He sighed softly, murmuring,
"Eldest Brother need not speak thus to me."
Having said so, he rose.
"I... I shall take my leave now."
It seemed RongCheng had not heard his remark. As Yan Si stood, he immediately sat upon the bed again, still gazing at Shan Yuan.
"Allow me to send men to escort you back," he said.
Yan Si shook his head.
"There is no need. I can return by myself."
"How can that be? Night has already fallen..." Fearing Yan Si might lose his way or meet misfortune, RongCheng glanced once more at Shan Yuan before rising to summon men to see him safely home.
The lamplight wavered gently with each step, casting the long shadows of two figures across the corridor.
One walked in silence, the other departed in quiet unease.
The night breeze brushed against the silk curtains, sounding faintly like a soft, sorrowful sigh.
[7 - 3]
"Detestable... Eldest Brother is truly detestable!"
Upon returning to his abode, Yan Si went inside and collapsed onto the bed, burying his face in a pillow as he quietly cursed. As long as Shan Yuan was present, RongCheng would not spare him even a glance, and any concern shown was fleeting and perfunctory.
"Such sorrow..."
It was a grief Yan Si had never known before, one that relentlessly wrung his heart.
"What ought I to do?"
He longed for the man's warmth, yearning to rest within his embrace—yet...
Thinking of that Imperial Concubine, Yan Si suddenly felt a pang of envy. Although the man lay injured and pale, his countenance still held striking beauty—so unlike himself.
It was only natural that RongCheng should love such a person. How could he possibly love a thin, scarred, and unsightly creature like Yan Si? Moreover, he possessed no virtue worthy of moving the man's heart, bringing him only worry and vexation.
"I..." Perhaps it was time to surrender—to yield completely... yet...
His heart ached so deeply—it truly pained him.
Only now did Yan Si realize there existed a pain in this world more dreadful than physical torment: one that was ceaseless, unrelenting, and utterly unbearable.
At present, he knew not what to do. Even the slightest hint of the man's kindness could set his heart fluttering with boundless joy.
"Eldest Brother, cease being kind to me... cease being kind to me, I beg you. Do not offer me hope only to extinguish it thus—I implore you... I implore you..."
He wondered if, had he not followed the man that day, he would now be spared such agonizing sorrow.
"Nay..." At that time, he had not been sober enough to consider anything—perhaps there would have been only endless slumber.
The following morning, while Yan Si was still deep in sleep, a young eunuch arrived to gently rouse him.
As soon as Yan Si stirred, the eunuch said, "Master, pray rise quickly and partake of your breakfast, then follow this servant to assume your official post."
"Assume a post?" Yan Si blinked in confusion. He struggled to sit up, regarding the eunuch for a long moment before asking, "Who are you?"
The youth appeared to be about fourteen or fifteen. His face was still tender, yet his bearing revealed one long accustomed to palace discipline and decorum.
Bowing, the eunuch replied, "This servant is Xiao Yi, dispatched by His Highness. Henceforth, I shall attend to Master's needs."
"Xiao Yi?" So RongCheng was still uneasy leaving him alone. It was perhaps for the best to have a young eunuch to assist and remind him of matters.
Seeing Yan Si hesitate to rise, Xiao Yi promptly urged, "The hour grows late, Master. Pray hasten. This servant shall assist you in washing and changing; afterward you may take your meal."
"Nay... there is no need. I can manage myself."
Though Yan Si spoke thus, Xiao Yi resolutely shook his head.
"Master, please permit this servant to assist you. Otherwise, should His Highness learn of it, he will surely chastise me."
From his manner, it was clear that Xiao Yi greatly feared RongCheng, not daring the slightest disobedience. Yan Si could only sigh and nod.
"Very well."
Noticing the darkness still outside, Yan Si asked, "What watch is it now?"
"Reporting to Master," Xiao Yi replied quickly, "it is nearing the Fifth Watch."
"So early still?" Yan Si muttered. He knew not why he must rise at such an hour. Weariness weighed on him, and he wished dearly to remain abed...
Meanwhile, Xiao Yi deftly brought warm water for him to wash and then helped him change attire.
"This garment..." Yan Si found it somewhat familiar; it resembled what those kneeling men had worn the other day.
While assisting him, Xiao Yi explained, "It is an official's uniform."
"Official's uniform?" Ah, yes—the Emperor had spoken of appointing him Imperial Physician. He had nearly forgotten.
The robe felt heavy upon his shoulders. Yan Si frowned, finding it uncomfortable, but when he thought of RongCheng's own attire—several times more elaborate and cumbersome—he relented.
"If he can bear it, why should I not?" he mused, though inwardly he still preferred his simple cloth robes.
After dressing, Yan Si followed the young eunuch to the table for breakfast.
"This..."
Though the spread was smaller than the day before, every dish was vividly colored—sweet pastries and light fare.
They looked tempting. He sat and tasted one, exclaiming, "Oh my... sweet—truly sweet!"
Finding it palatable, Yan Si eagerly ate several pieces in succession—until he choked. Dropping his chopsticks, he clutched his neck, coughing and groaning softly.
Startled, Xiao Yi hurriedly poured water and rubbed his back.
"Here, Master—quickly! Drink some water!"
Yan Si had not expected such a mortifying scene. After several coughs, he abruptly stood.
"I am full. I shall eat no more."
After the meal from the previous night, he could have gone two or three days without food. Why must he eat so much again?
Having said so, Yan Si turned to leave. Xiao Yi rushed after him.
"Pray wait, Master—you have barely eaten anything! Master... Master, wait for this servant!"
In truth, only RongCheng could compel him to eat.
After years of poor sustenance, being forced to eat like this was unbearable. He could enjoy food only at first glance or taste; forcing it down made him nauseous.
Thereafter, Xiao Yi guided Yan Si to formally assume his duties as Imperial Physician. He was assigned to oversee the Imperial Dispensary—the most leisurely of all posts.
Upon arrival, another Imperial Physician awaited. Seeing Yan Si, the man stepped forward and offered a cheerful bow.
"Your Excellency has arrived. This subordinate, Qiong Liú Yu, looks forward to your kind guidance henceforth!"
"Guidance?" Yan Si blinked in confusion. "Who are you?"
Standing behind him, Xiao Yi quickly replied,
"Master, this is Lord Qiong—he oversees this place alongside you."
"So that is the case."
Qiong Liú Yu was tall and handsome... truly, everyone in this place surpassed him.
Thinking thus, Yan Si sighed and followed the man's example, repeating,
"Lord Qiong, I hope for your kind guidance henceforth."
These were the very words Xiao Yi had taught him: when uncertain of etiquette, observe the other and repeat. The gesture, however, left Qiong Liú Yu somewhat awkward. He forced a laugh.
"By no means, by no means—it is I who must rely on Your Excellency."
That a mere fellow like Yan Si should be so favored by the First Prince drew both envy and disdain.
Immediately after, Liú Yu began showing Yan Si the various compartments that held the medicinal herbs.
Seeing that Yan Si was being well guided, Xiao Yi quietly withdrew.