{"id":2933,"date":"2026-04-19T00:16:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T00:16:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/song-of-yongan-12\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T01:59:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T01:59:34","slug":"song-of-yongan-12","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/de\/chapter\/song-of-yongan-12\/","title":{"rendered":"Song of Yong\u2019an 12"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter Twelve

Inside the Hall of Perpetual Life, the banquet was at its height, while outside the ground had already been covered in a blanket of pure white snow.

I could no longer see the jade steps below\u2014only the thickening snow, whipped about by the fierce wind sweeping across the sky. Even sitting inside the hall, my hands and feet felt ice-cold. He had left without a cloak\u2014how could he endure kneeling outside in such a storm?

The laughter and conversation at the tables were livelier than usual. Everyone was likely trying to cover up the awkwardness. Several uncles spoke with unusual warmth, repeatedly engaging the Crown Prince as though they were close brothers. Yongtai had been summoned to sit beside the Emperor; she looked listless, but at least she still knew to flatter the Empress Dowager. No one remained at my side\u2014only palace maids came and went, replacing the hot tea.

\u201cThe snow in Luoyang is falling heavily,\u201d Wan\u2019er said as she carried a cup of wine over and sat beside me. \u201cTomorrow the Emperor will go to Fengxian Temple to offer incense. Tonight, many people will likely stay up all night clearing the snow from the Buddha niches.\u201d

I gave a soft response but said nothing further.

She reached out and smoothed my hair. \u201cThis punishment is already the lightest.\u201d

I looked up at her and asked quietly, \u201cIf it were heavier, what would it be?\u201d

Wan\u2019er paused, then answered in a low voice, \u201cBeaten to death.\u201d

My hand trembled slightly. I stared at her, unable to speak. How could an imperial grandson be treated like that?

Wan\u2019er curled her lips slightly. \u201cI\u2019m not trying to scare you. I was truly prepared for that.\u201d

I waited silently for her to continue.

After a moment, she spoke again, her voice even softer. \u201cThat day, when I told you Li Longji caused a scene at Fengyang Gate and the Emperor was pleased, I didn\u2019t understand why. But now I do.\u201d

Hearing this, I thought it over, but only grew more confused. Given Great-Grandmother\u2019s usual treatment of her sons, if the Prince of Linzi had openly defied palace rules and even spoken of \u201cthe Li family\u2019s dynasty,\u201d she should not have spared him. It was strange. Had I been thinking too simply all along?

Wan\u2019er took a sip of wine, studied my expression, and sighed. \u201cWhat does it mean when an eight-year-old can say something like that? It means his father taught him. It means his father still clings to the idea of the Li dynasty.\u201d

My hand tightened. With those few words, everything suddenly became clear.

So that day\u2019s incident had actually been an act of favor\u2014it should have been a capital offense. In the Great Zhou, who would dare speak of the Li dynasty? Especially the Crown Prince, who held power in name only\u2014such thoughts could be considered treason.

It wasn\u2019t that there would be no punishment. It was that the punishment was meant for his father, not Li Longji.

\u201cSo Great-Grandmother intends to use today to\u2026\u201d I began, but stopped when Wan\u2019er gave me a look.

She nodded slightly. \u201cIt\u2019s very possible. And with Princess Taiping absent from the capital, no one can truly speak for him.\u201d

So Li Chengqi had stepped forward. So he had claimed that his younger brother had only repeated his own words and taken all the blame upon himself.

Had he already foreseen this from the beginning?

The thought made my hands tremble. Wan\u2019er poured me a cup of wine and gestured for me to drink.

\u201cHow long do you think the snow will last?\u201d she said, raising her voice slightly. \u201cLook at you\u2014you\u2019re freezing. Have a drink.\u201d

I responded absentmindedly and drank it in one go. The burning liquid slid down my throat, making my vision blur. When I wiped my eyes, I saw Wan\u2019er shaking her head with a smile.

She tapped my forehead lightly. \u201cIf you fall for someone from the Li family, you can\u2019t be so soft-hearted.\u201d

\u201cIt\u2019s just the wine,\u201d I muttered.

She didn\u2019t press further and instead chatted with me about Fengxian Temple. The alcohol steadied my thoughts somewhat. If what Wan\u2019er said was true, then this punishment was already the lightest outcome. But\u2026 would Great-Grandmother stop here? Or would she continue testing the Crown Prince?

The Crown Prince still wore his usual expression, calmly discussing poetry with my uncles. Li Longji sat quietly, neither eating nor drinking. Yongtai went to speak to him, but he ignored her.

\u201cHe\u2019s still a child,\u201d I said softly. \u201cHe can\u2019t hide his feelings.\u201d

Wan\u2019er shook her head. \u201cThat\u2019s better. If he pretended nothing was wrong, anyone with eyes would know something truly was.\u201d

I stared at my teacup, a dull ache forming in my head. After glancing at the heavy snow outside, I said, \u201cI\u2019ll go back first.\u201d

Wan\u2019er nodded. \u201cGo ahead.\u201d

I looked at Li Longji once more, then rose and approached the Emperor, explaining that I had been out in the wind earlier and had drunk wine, so I felt unwell. The Empress Dowager asked a few questions, then allowed me to leave.

At the entrance, a palace maid draped my cloak over my shoulders, tied the sash, and escorted me out.

The vast Taichu Palace was already blurred, swallowed by endless white snow. I had read countless poems about snow, yet not a single line came to mind.

Between heaven and earth, there was only that solitary figure kneeling before the hall.

He knelt there, straight-backed, his clear eyes gazing through the curtain of snow\u2014quietly watching me.

The palace attendants had taken shelter inside due to the storm. Step by step, I descended the stairs. Within moments, my shoes were soaked through.

There were only a dozen steps between me and him.

I instinctively stepped forward\u2014but he shook his head slightly.

My heart jolted, and I stopped.

If I had gone over, no one would have noticed. We had been together at the Imperial Academy earlier\u2014visiting him now would have been understandable.

My thoughts wavered, and I took two more steps forward.

He brushed the snow from his face, looked at me gently, and shook his head again.

In his dark eyes, there was resolve\u2014and warning.

We stood there, silently watching each other. Gradually, the hope in my chest faded, leaving only a faint ache and the lingering burn of wine in my throat.

I drew a deep breath, tightened my cloak, and turned away.

After a few dozen steps, I nearly slipped, but I didn\u2019t dare look back.

\u2014

When I returned to the palace, Yiping had already been waiting for a long time. She hurriedly removed my cloak, shaking off the snow, and kept asking whether I had enjoyed the day, whether anything interesting had happened.

I said nothing.

I let her help me change, then lay down on the bed, staring blankly ahead.

Outside, she quietly gave instructions\u2014adjusting the brazier, preparing breakfast for the next day. Though her voice was soft, I heard everything clearly.

That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Several times I thought of sending Yiping to inquire about him, but I stopped myself each time.

\u2014

Because of the snowfall, dawn came under a heavy darkness.

Yiping entered and lit a lamp. She was about to speak when she suddenly exclaimed, \u201cPrincess, you\u2019ve broken out in a rash again!\u201d

Startled, I touched my face and remembered the wine from last night. I gave a bitter smile. \u201cNot a rash\u2014just a reaction to alcohol.\u201d

\u201cShall I call the imperial physician?\u201d she asked.

I thought for a moment. \u201cYes\u2014quickly.\u201d

Today we were to go to Fengxian Temple. If it worsened on the way, it would be troublesome.

She hurried out, and when she returned, Shen Qiu followed behind her.

There was still frost at the edge of his hair, but he smiled warmly as he bowed. \u201cThe Princess truly has many ailments.\u201d

I sighed helplessly. \u201cIt\u2019s just from drinking. There\u2019s no need for the Imperial Physician to come personally.\u201d

He shook his head, his eyes bright. \u201cYou\u2019re mistaken. Alcohol reactions can be dangerous\u2014severe cases can be fatal. How could I not come?\u201d

Yiping brought tea, but he ignored it. Instead, he said, \u201cThis requires a quiet examination. No one else should be present.\u201d

Sensing his odd manner, I signaled Yiping to leave.

After the curtain fell, he cleared his throat. \u201cIf I\u2019m treating someone else, I naturally have to be thorough.\u201d

I frowned, confused, but didn\u2019t press him.

After a moment, he said casually, \u201cIt seems the Princess isn\u2019t very concerned about that person. Then I won\u2019t trouble myself further.\u201d

I froze.

As I extended my hand for him to take my pulse, realization struck.

\u201cWho are you talking about?\u201d I asked.

He lowered his gaze, ignoring me.

My certainty grew\u2014it had to be Li Chengqi. Just as I was about to pull my hand away, he released it.

\u201cNothing serious,\u201d he said lightly. \u201cJust an old condition. You should avoid alcohol in the future.\u201d

I stared at him.

He cleared his throat. \u201cHave you remembered who I meant?\u201d

That confirmed it.

\u201cIs the Prince of Yongping still kneeling?\u201d I asked urgently.

\u201cOf course not,\u201d he replied. \u201cAfter kneeling all night, the Emperor relented and had him carried to the Imperial Medical Bureau. I\u2019ve just examined him.\u201d

The word \u201ccarried\u201d made my heart tighten.

\u201cIs it serious?\u201d I asked.

He smiled. \u201cHe\u2019s young. Just exhaustion from the cold. A few days of rest will suffice. I was about to write a prescription when your maid dragged me here.\u201d

\u201cThen you should go back quickly,\u201d I urged.

He sighed. \u201cI can\u2019t. The prince ordered me to treat you first. If I don\u2019t, how could I return?\u201d
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