Yan Si suddenly awoke that evening and instantly felt a violent, aching pain in his face. Meanwhile, RongCheng was sitting right beside him, his hand holding a thin silk scarf wrapped around a hot egg, gently rolling it over the boy's cheeks.
Not understanding why the Prince would do this, Yan Si suddenly grasped RongCheng's hand, gently shaking his head: "...El... Elder Broth... stop..."
He truly could not pronounce the words clearly. RongCheng gently stroked his hair and softly said, "It is naught; bear with it for a while. Once the swelling subsides, you will be able to speak again."
Seeing the man worry over him so, a strange, profound emotion swelled up in Yan Si's heart.
He is truly kind... truly kind...
Every time trouble arose, he appeared in time to save him; he had never once abandoned him... Thinking this, Yan Si suddenly sat up and embraced RongCheng, murmuring indistinctly: "Wish... embrace..."
"Very well... very well..." RongCheng indulged Yan Si's wish, wrapping his arms around him and comforting him: "It is naught. Elder Brother is here. No one will dare to bully you again."
Yan Si gently nodded, burying his face deep into RongCheng's chest, tears streaming down... but they were not tears of pain, but of happiness... profound happiness! After holding him for a moment, he made an effort to articulate clearly: "Elder... Elder Brother... will you always hold me when I wish it?"
RongCheng gently nodded: "Indeed, whenever you wish."
A thrill of joy surged through Yan Si's heart... He was so happy! Incredibly happy! To him, Elder Brother was the best person in the world; he loved him to the point of madness!
At the same time, in the Palace of Pure Leisure, Rong Liǔ was pacing angrily, feeling that this grudge was truly impossible to swallow.
She had always disliked Yan Si, but now her hatred had intensified. Yet, under the protection of RongCheng, she truly could do nothing.
Shortly after, Liú Yu was summoned. The moment he bowed in courtesy, he received a sharp slap from Rong Liǔ, which momentarily left him dazed.
She shouted in fury: "Wretch! You caused this Princess to be struck by Elder Brother in front of so many palace servants! What if he remains angry with me now!?"
Hearing the furious outburst, Liú Yu sighed, rubbing his face. He had witnessed the incident today with his own eyes and merely said: "Princess... you struck him as if to take his life; how could His Highness not lose his temper? Perhaps you should first proactively seek reconciliation with His Highness."
Hearing his advice, Rong Liǔ grew even more stubborn, retorting: "He struck me! Why should I take the initiative to seek reconciliation?"
"Princess, if the green mountains remain, one need not fear running out of firewood! Today, you accept the momentary loss and reconcile with His Highness first. Later, once that low-born wretch falls out of favor, there will be countless opportunities to dispose of him," Liú Yu suddenly finished with a sinister smile: "The matter concerning that person can temporarily be entrusted to this lowly official to manage and deal with; the Princess need not trouble herself further to avoid further conflict with His Highness."
Liú Yu's words truly held a kernel of wisdom. Rong Liǔ realized she had acted too hastily today. That low-born wretch, he must be expelled from the Imperial Palace at all costs, but indeed, not just yet... Thinking this, she scoffed: "Very well, that wretch's matter is handed over to you!"
"Yes... yes..." Liú Yu received the command with a malicious smile, and after comforting Rong Liǔ with a few more words, he requested permission to withdraw.
The next day, Rong Liǔ followed Liú Yu's advice and sought audience at the Zi Xuan Palace to see RongCheng. The Prince, as expected, initially refused to see her, forcing her to wait for over half an hour before being admitted.
Seeing Rong Liǔ enter, RongCheng coldly turned his face away. Seeing this, the Princess rushed over to embrace him, pleading coquettishly: "Elder Brother, be not wroth any longer! Your younger sister apologizes... I know I was wrong, and I shall never do such a thing again!"
Seeing that he did not seem easily swayed, she immediately shifted her gaze toward Shan Yuan beside them, whispering: "Elder Brother's Consort, please help me!"
Shan Yuan nearly sprang backward upon hearing the address. He cleared his throat several times and turned his face slightly away, pretending to be oblivious to the matter.
That stubborn young girl, being punished yet still audaciously daring to tease his consort! RongCheng glared at her. Rong Liǔ, chastened, quickly corrected herself: "I apologize, I apologize, Elder Brother and Consort, please do not be angry with me!"
In truth, only Shan Yuan disliked the address "Elder Brother's Consort", but RongCheng exceedingly enjoyed it. Rong Liǔ knew this and purposely used it to win his favor, which indeed yielded good results.
RongCheng sternly looked at her and asked: "If you know you were wrong, then what? We are not the ones you need to apologize to."
At this point, Shan Yuan finally spoke up in mediation: "You truly should not have struck him thus."
Understanding their meaning, Rong Liǔ said dejectedly: "I... I will go apologize to him, Elder Brother, Consort... will you two accompany me? I promise I will never make things difficult for him again!"
Since Liú Yu was already handling the matter, she did not wish to involve herself further, merely waiting for the day that wretch fell from favor to see how he fared.
Meanwhile, RongCheng saw that she seemed genuinely remorseful. Thinking that scolding her further would achieve nothing, and that one should try to mitigate trouble rather than escalate it, he sighed: "There is no need. A-Yuan must go to see the Grand Tutor shortly. I shall go with you... From now on, you must treat him appropriately."
Rong Liǔ joyfully nodded and affirmed her obedience, yet no one knew the hatred boiling in her heart for Yan Si.
That day, Rong Liǔ truly followed RongCheng to apologize to Yan Si. Upon seeing her appear, the boy was so terrified that he nearly lost his nerve. He merely nodded through whatever was said, making the Prince believe that the matter had been resolved peacefully.
And truly, it was better this way. So long as no further conflicts arose between him and Rong Liǔ, all would be well. The tree had settled, the wind had calmed; the days ahead would truly be peaceful.