Chapter 17: The Eighth Prince
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The moment Huo Yuchen stepped out of the Emperor’s great hall, he clutched his chest and began coughing violently, his whole body wracked with pain.
“I... I am afraid my health will not allow me to visit the injured. I... I shall leave that to my younger imperial brothers. I am counting on you to make the journey in my place...”
He spoke haltingly, each word seeming to come with immense difficulty.
The princes exchanged glances, unmistakable amusement flickering in their eyes.
Prince Duan spoke with concern. “Imperial Brother, your health is poor. Go and rest at once! This is but a minor matter, hardly worth troubling yourself over. The four of us will naturally be glad to shoulder the burden for you!”
“Yes, yes... Such a small matter need not trouble Imperial Brother,” the others echoed in unison.
Their words sounded sincere and earnest, presenting a picture of brotherly affection and fraternal respect so perfect that anyone might praise them for it.
Huo Yuchen ignored the delight written plainly across their faces. Clutching his chest, he began making his slow way toward his own palace. Before leaving, he did not forget to instruct his personal guard, Jingfeng, “Go quickly and find Divine Physician Baili Qingyun! I feel tightness in my chest and shortness of breath. It is as though my very organs are about to be coughed out...”
The four princes could scarcely conceal their delight.
With the Crown Prince in poor health and unable to attend to affairs, their own opportunities had multiplied.
The position of Crown Prince was the dream of every imperial son.
This was especially true of Prince Duan and Prince Chang, the sons of Noble Consort Li. The two brothers exchanged a glance, undisguised joy passing between their eyes.
Yet neither said a word. They understood each other perfectly.
Only after Huo Yuchen had gone far away did the four princes withdraw their gazes and walk together toward the temporary Imperial Medical Bureau.
The sickrooms were packed with the relatives of court officials. From within came the uneven sounds of sobbing, rising and falling without rhythm.
Prince Duan frowned faintly, then strode inside with his head held high. The other princes followed close behind.
Apart from the Crown Prince, born to Empress Wei, Emperor Qinwu had seven sons who had reached adulthood.
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The fourth prince, Huo Yu, born to Noble Consort Li, had been granted the title Prince Duan. The sixth prince, Huo Yong, had been granted the title Prince Chang. Because their mother enjoyed the Emperor’s deep favor, these two princes were also more heavily relied upon and cherished by Emperor Qinwu.
On the surface, no one but the Crown Prince dared contend with them.
Their rising prominence was plain for all to see.
There was also the second prince, Huo Hong, who had been granted the title Prince Qi. His mother, Consort Wang, was highly regarded by the Emperor, and thus Emperor Qinwu viewed him with particular favor as well.
The mother of the eighth prince, Huo Ling, was young and beautiful. Moreover, when she was born, she had clasped a jade hook in her hand, and was therefore known as Consort Quan.
Emperor Qinwu was deeply superstitious. He believed Consort Quan’s birth to have been extraordinary, an omen of immense good fortune. Coupled with her captivating beauty and considerate nature, this made her one of his most beloved consorts.
The eighth prince had been granted the title Prince Gong. He was handsome, mild-tempered, and skilled at ingratiating himself with Emperor Qinwu. Being young besides, he too enjoyed the Emperor’s deep affection.
The third prince, Huo Wei, had been granted the title Prince Yan; the fifth prince, Huo Xu, had been granted the title Prince Guangling; and the seventh prince, Huo Yin, had been granted the title Prince Cheng. The mothers of these three princes were not favored, nor did their maternal families possess any notable influence. Before Emperor Qinwu, they were therefore utterly unremarkable.
Of the eight princes, five had come to the imperial hunting grounds this time: the Crown Prince, Prince Duan, Prince Chang, Prince Qi, and Prince Gong. The three less-favored princes had been assigned official duties and had not accompanied them.
It was clear that Emperor Qinwu’s attitude toward his sons was sharply divided between favor and neglect.
The sickroom was crowded, with physicians and medical apprentices constantly hurrying to and fro.
The moment the princes entered, the great hall fell silent.
Not a sound remained; even a pin dropping could be heard.
Everyone hurried to their knees and saluted, crying out in unison, “Greetings to Their Highnesses Prince Duan, Prince Chang, Prince Qi, and Prince Gong!”
Prince Duan took the lead, standing at the front as he received their obeisance. He swept his gaze over them expressionlessly before raising one hand slightly.
“You may all rise.”
At that moment, a Senior Assistant from the Ministry of War stepped forward and reported respectfully, “Ten guards were gravely wounded, while seven lost their lives. The legitimate second daughter of the Minister of Revenue also suffered serious injuries, chiefly to her arm and back. Her wounds are severe, and she is still receiving treatment.”
“Furthermore, the youngest son of the Senior Assistant from the Ministry of War sustained severe injuries to his leg and shoulder. He has remained unconscious ever since.”
“In total, thirty-eight wolves were killed during the incident. Ten of them were either slain or seriously wounded by that woman known as the Divine Archer, Lin Pianran. Had it not been for her, the consequences would have been disastrous.”
Prince Duan merely nodded, showing no particular reaction to the report.
“Have the imperial physicians do everything in their power to treat the wounded. I have also brought some medicines for injuries. Give them first to those with minor wounds. As for the seriously injured, have the physicians devote their full attention to them.”
He then turned to a handsome man standing behind him and said softly, “Go and examine them as well. See whether there is any better method of treatment.”
The man inclined his head slightly and went to attend to the wounded.
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The Senior Assistant from the Ministry of War was overjoyed. “It is truly everyone’s good fortune that Divine Physician Li of Prince Duan’s residence is willing to treat them!”
Prince Duan spoke again, his tone mild. “Who could have imagined that so many wild wolves would appear at the imperial hunting grounds this time? It is truly beyond expectation.”
“Under ordinary circumstances, wolf packs rarely emerge in broad daylight. Yet this time they appeared in groups. The matter is exceedingly suspicious. Order the Imperial Guards to investigate and uncover the truth without delay!”
As he spoke, his expression was filled with righteous indignation.
Upon hearing this, Prince Chang’s lips curled into an amused smile.
Imperial Brother certainly knows how to put on an act, he thought. He has everyone dancing in the palm of his hand.
Prince Qi also found the wolves’ appearance suspicious. But what had been their purpose? Surely they had not come merely to bite a few people to death. He felt instinctively that the matter was far from simple.
Had the person behind this plot intended to harm someone among the hunters?
The Grand Princess?
Princess Huai’an?
Or someone else?
Who, exactly?
Prince Qi’s brows drew tightly together. He leaned toward a hidden guard behind him and ordered in a low voice, “Send someone to investigate quietly.”
He had a strong feeling that something was amiss.
Even if he did nothing after learning the truth, it was better to know what was happening. That way, he would not be caught off guard by someone else’s schemes.
It would also make it easier for him to respond. Perhaps he might even take advantage of the opportunity to manipulate matters and do something beneficial to himself.
As for the eighth prince, Huo Ling, he wore an innocent, carefree smile as he followed behind his imperial brothers. He neither sought attention nor said much, resembling a transparent figure with scarcely any presence at all.
Yet anyone who underestimated him for that reason would be making a grave mistake.
The more a person appeared refined and pure, the more deeply hidden their true nature might be—and the less they should be underestimated.
Imperial princes and princesses had grown up within the depths of the palace, accustomed from childhood to intrigue, treachery, and conspiracy. How many of them could truly be simple-minded?
The imperial family was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. None of them were ordinary people.
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