After Prince Lu finished his professional and spirited speech, Qin Yuanxi finally breathed a sigh of relief and lay back. After taking the medicine, his body still felt weak and soft, and being sick always made him particularly fragile. He looked up at the splendid canopy above him and let out a sigh. Damn, that medicine was way too bitter. Qin Yuanxi found himself yearning for the bowl of egg soup his mother used to make. Unfortunately, even the thought of egg soup seemed distant now. As a patient, he not only had to endure his illness but also the torment from Prince Lu. This was truly a difficult time.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Prince Lu wants me to bring your assignment over. I’ve searched every corner just now, but I couldn’t find it anywhere.”
Ding Yi’s face was filled with bitterness. Indeed, last night His Majesty had been copying books all night. However, when he went to search just now, he couldn’t even find a single piece of paper with ink on it. It was quite strange.
“Not found?” Qin Yuanxi furrowed his brows. “Look again, maybe it ended up somewhere unexpected. Oh, and check in the Ancestral Hall, it’s possible you left it there.”
Ding Yi replied, “I’ve searched, three times, but still nothing.”
“Nothing?” Qin Yuanxi fell silent for a moment, wondering if he had misremembered earlier. Being sick and running a fever had clouded his mind a bit.
He was beginning to doubt whether Zhao Tuo had actually come last night, whether all the book copying was just wishful thinking on his part, or maybe he had dreamt it up; perhaps it never happened at all.
“Really not there?”
“Really not,” Ding Yi nodded vigorously.
“Not a single sheet?”
“Not a single sheet.”
“That doesn’t make sense.” Qin Yuanxi sat up, recollecting. “I remember copying it at least seven or eight times last night. You were with me all along, right? I indeed did copy them. How could there be none left?”
“And,” Qin Yuanxi stared at Ding Yi, trying to muster some imperial authority as he lowered his voice, “I remember the Regent coming to visit last night. At that time, you brought me tea. Did that happen?”
“Yes, yes,” Ding Yi quickly nodded.
“Then what happened?”
“Then?” Ding Yi looked uncertain. “Then, Your Majesty dismissed me, and I stayed outside. It was only around the hour of Yin that I saw the Regent carrying Your Majesty back to the sleeping chambers.”
“During this time, did you see me working on my assignment?” Qin Yuanxi’s focus was not on what the Regent did or whether they returned to the sleeping chambers. He really wanted to find his lost assignment. If he couldn’t find it, that damn Lu Bohuan would definitely make him rewrite it!
“Um, I guess I didn’t really pay attention,” Ding Yi’s forehead was dotted with sweat. How could something important just disappear like that?
“Forget it.” Qin Yuanxi kicked his leg out and laid back down. “Stop looking for it.”
He was really confused, this is the palace, and how in the world could the Emperor’s papers just disappear into thin air? What’s the story behind its vanishing? It’s definitely that sneaky rascal, Lu Bohuan, who’s behind this mess. He’s truly a vile and shameless character!
That guy must have figured out it wasn’t his own handwriting, and he might even suspect it’s Zhao Tuo’s handwriting. Hold on, whether their handwriting matches or not is a secondary issue. Right now, the real problem is: What does Qin Yuanxi’s own handwriting look like?
Oh no, oh no!
“Ding Yi, quickly find some of the homework I wrote before. Anything will do, as long as it’s something I personally wrote. Just grab whatever, and hurry!”
Qin Yuanxi’s heart raced as he broke into a cold sweat. If his handwriting turns out different and given Lu Bohuan’s shrewdness, he’d definitely doubt his identity. He’d be fully finished, as Qin Yuanxi wouldn’t be able to explain. Moreover, the crucial point isn’t whether he can explain, but since he’s here, he’s Qin Yuanxi in the context – there shouldn’t be much to question about this identity. However, there’s a catch; if Lu Bohuan’s suspicions flare up, trouble is inevitable.
That’d lead to massive problems. Prince Lu can easily drum up some pretense like protecting the kingdom, and then they could openly and grandly eliminate him. Thus, achieving his grand plan and leaving Qin Yuanxi with no standing, not even as cannon fodder.
Reality aligned with Qin Yuanxi’s worst fears. The puppet emperor’s handwriting was entirely different from his own, a clear contrast. Anyone with a functional brain could discern that, not to mention Lu Bohuan’s sharp intellect.
So, what’s the plan now?
Staring at the calligraphy in front of him for quite a while, Qin Yuanxi made a decision – deny it to the end!
After all, his previous assignment is nowhere to be found. Even if they are, they contain Zhao Tuo’s contributions. If Lu Bohuan dares to suspect, he’d simply shift all the blame onto Zhao Tuo. He’d claim General Zhao wrote them, having no connection with him. Even if Lu Bohuan doesn’t buy it, he can’t do anything about Zhao Tuo.
“Ink and brush.”
Wrapped in his robe, Qin Yuanxi came down from the bed with firm eyes. It’s just copying a character, what’s so hard about that? He’s been practicing calligraphy since he was a child, so copying a new style isn’t a challenge. Besides, he hasn’t even finished copying those twenty times yet. He could practice calligraphy while copying the book, killing two birds with one stone.
When Lu Bohuan saw Qin Yuanxi’s assignment again, a glimmer of interest flashed in his eyes. The latter’s handwriting in the second sample seemed more similar to His Majesty’s past script, though not identical. The resemblance was there, but not complete; placing the two samples side by side, differences could be observed.
It’s intriguing.
Doesn’t this suggest conscious awareness? He’s aware he’s exposed a vulnerability in his handwriting, so he’s rushing to rectify it. He even actively copied the ‘Zi Jing’ twenty times, showing no resentment or fuss. If this isn’t a sign of guilt, what is?
When Yan Shaoning was summoned to the Moonlight Hall, he assumed something was up with Lu Bohuan again. The prince’s health was deteriorating, and Yan Shaoning was passionately researching new concoctions, often staying up late at night and throwing his schedule off balance. When he was called, he didn’t even bother tidying up, rushing over in a hurry. Upon arriving, he saw Prince Lu calmly playing chess by himself.
Upon closer inspection, the black and white pieces revealed entirely different playstyles.
Getting a closer look, the black and white pieces on the chessboard exhibited entirely different strategies.
Interweaving in a checkered pattern, Lu Bohuan picked up a white piece and proceeded to capture a significant portion of the black pieces. The white pieces advanced with each move, while the black pieces assumed a defensive stance. Yan Shaoning gave Lu Bohuan a somewhat uncertain glance. The prince typically preferred playing with the black pieces, showcasing a sharp and aggressive style. Yet, this time, the black pieces were retreating step by step, a puzzling shift in approach.
“You’ve arrived.” Lu Bohuan tossed the pieces back into their container and motioned for Yan Shaoning to approach. He handed him a stack of papers. “Take a look and see if there’s anything different.”
Yan Shaoning, a disciple of Master Xiu Han, was not only skilled in medicine but also well-versed in calligraphy. With a single glance, he confirmed, “While it’s well imitated, it’s not the handwriting of the same person.”
“That’s correct.” Lu Bohuan continued, “These two sets of handwriting are from His Majesty, written at different times. This one I received just today. What has happaned during the half-month His Majesty has been absent from the palace? And who is the current occupant in the palace?”
“Does the Prince mean…” Yan Shaoning hesitated to speculate further, lowering his voice, “a switch of identities?”
“This matter mustn’t be publicized. We must act discreetly. Investigate starting from the lantern market half a month ago.” Lu Bohuan instructed with his hands behind his back, “Don’t overlook the tiniest trail.”
“What if we find the person? How does the Prince intend to handle it?” Yan Shaoning looked at Prince Lu, his question cloaked in subtlety. If the true Emperor has left the palace and the one remaining is an impostor, it would be greatly advantageous for Prince Lu. With a little maneuvering, the power in this kingdom could change hands at any moment.
Lu Bohuan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, “Even you feel that I have intentions, I’m afraid the entire kingdom might be feeling the same way.”
“Very well, let’s find the person first. After we locate them, we can make a decision.”
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
