After I Faked My Death, the Dog Emperor Completely Lost His Mind - Chapter 14

The next morning, after finished his breakfast, Shen Yuheng began changing his own bandages. The medicine from the previous day had dried into a thin, translucent film. He lifted his robe to wash away the residue before reappearing the ointment. Although the maids could have assisted, Shen Yuheng felt awkward about the gender difference.

If Xiao Jin were here, I could let him practice his technique again. Though I’d have to use a smaller jar next time so he doesn’t waste the good stuff…

The System’s worried voice broke through his thoughts: [Host, are you sure Xiao Jin will be okay if you leave him there?]

“He’ll be fine, Su Cheng is there…” Even as he said it, Shen Yuheng felt a twinge of panic. “I heard from Imperial Physician Xu that Su Cheng went to the Imperial Academy of Medicine to beg for more ointment after he returned. Xiao Jin shouldn’t be in any real danger.”

A knock sounded at the door. “Master,” Zhou Yuan called.

Shen Yuheng quickly finished applying the medicine and threw on his clothes before letting him in. Zhou Yuan entered and whispered a few words in his ear, causing Shen Yuheng’s brow to furrow instantly.

“Consort Yao has gone mad? Why?”

Zhou Yuan lowered his voice. “Word is… the Ninth Prince’s state in the Cold Palace was so terrifying that Consort Yao was frightened out of her wits. She has been unstable ever since she returned.”

Shen Yuheng’s heart sank. If Consort Yao a woman of her standing had been scared to the point of madness, he didn’t want to imagine the scene in that hall.

Zhou Yuan continued, “His Majesty went to see her this morning, but even with his presence and a team of imperial physicians, she hasn’t improved… It’s unlikely she will ever recover.”

Consort Yao had brought this on herself, but Xiao Jin… Shen Yuheng leaned against the wall to stand up. “Where is Xiao Jin now? Still in the Cold Palace?”

“Yes.” Zhou Yuan rushed over to support him. “His Majesty has already sent physicians to check on him. He should be alright. Master, you are still injured; you should stay here and recover.”

Shen Yuheng’s leg was indeed in pain; his frantic rush to the Cold Palace the previous day had only worsened the sprain. Imperial Physician Xu had strictly forbidden him from walking. But despite the pain, he couldn’t sit still.

Seeing his determination, Zhou Yuan yielded and went to prepare a sedan chair. Yundou and Jiaobai watched him leave with sighs of concern, wondering why their master was risking his own health for the Ninth Prince.

As the sedan chair was about to depart, an unsettlingly familiar voice called out from behind. “Consort Shen, a moment.”

Shen Yuheng turned to see Fang Qing, the Emperor’s head eunuch. Fang Qing stepped forward with a practiced smile. “Congratulations, Consort Shen. His Majesty requests your presence at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”

Shen Yuheng froze. “…Why?” It was broad daylight; surely it was too early for that kind of summoning? Besides, his tablet had been removed.

“No reason was given, only that His Majesty wishes to see you.”

After a few seconds of silence, Shen Yuheng replied, “Eunuch Fang, I have an urgent matter. Could you tell His Majesty that I will come later? The Ninth Prince is injured, and I must check on him.”

The servants, including Zhou Yuan, were shocked. No matter how neglectful the Emperor might be, he was still the supreme ruler. Was the Consort really going to offend the Emperor for Xiao Jin?

Eunuch Fang’s eyes narrowed into slits, his voice cooling significantly. “His Majesty has already sent people to see to the Ninth Prince. The physicians say it is nothing serious, and he only needs rest. Furthermore, if His Majesty were to take offense because of the Ninth Prince’s affairs… I hope the Consort will reconsider.”

Realizing there was no way out, Shen Yuheng closed his eyes and sighed. “Fine. To the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”

Cold Palace

The dilapidated eaves of the Cold Palace whistled in the wind. Su Cheng had tried several times to sneak in to help Xiao Jin, but he was blocked at every turn. Still, he refused to give up, calling Xiao Jin’s name from the wall, hoping to pass in food or medicine.

His dedication moved even a seasoned death-soldier like Cheng Xiao. From the shadows, Cheng Xiao watched Su Cheng shiver in the cold, looking like a fragile flower in a snowstorm.

Cheng Xiao eventually returned to the inner hall and knelt behind Xiao Jin. “Your Highness, Attendant Su is still waiting for you.”

Xiao Jin didn’t answer. Cheng Xiao, knowing he had overstepped, retreated.

Outside, Su Cheng eventually left. The early winter wind was like a knife, and his clothing was far too thin. The Internal Affairs Department provided him with poor-quality charcoal and clothes; the winter would only get harder.

Back in his own cold hall, Su Cheng sat by a half-finished silk hand-warmer he was weaving for Consort Shen as a thank-you for the rescue during the banquet. While he sat there, lost in thought about the Ninth Prince who had saved him, a knock came at his door.

A tall, fierce-looking eunuch he didn’t recognize stood outside. Su Cheng was wary, but the man held out an exquisite hand-warmer. “This is from the Ninth Prince.”

Su Cheng was stunned. “But the Ninth Prince is in the Cold Palace…”

“The Ninth Prince is fine and has already left. He noticed winter was coming and sent me to deliver this.”

Su Cheng smiled, a faint blush rising to his cheeks. “Thank you, Ninth Prince.”

Cheng Xiao the “fierce eunuch” was momentarily taken aback. Hearing other servants approaching, he quickly left. He knew he would be punished for using Xiao Jin’s name to deliver a gift, but he knew Xiao Jin’s mind was currently elsewhere.

Cheng Xiao had followed Xiao Jin for years, seen him kill countless people, but he had never seen him hate anyone as deeply as he hated Shen Yuheng. Last night, Xiao Jin had sat in that Cold Palace and waited for an entire night. Upon learning this morning that Shen Yuheng had gone to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he had even killed the two physicians attending him in a fit of rage.

Hall of Mental Cultivation

The scent of medicinal incense seemed to permeate every inch of the hall. Eunuch Fang led Shen Yuheng to the inner chamber before silently retreating.

Shen Yuheng waited in the silence before cautiously looking up. Xiao Huai was on the golden dragon bed, his thin face blurred by the incense smoke. He looked weaker than before, the aura of the living fading from his features.

After a long silence, Xiao Huai beckoned him closer. Shen Yuheng sat at the head of the bed, allowing Xiao Huai to rest his head on his lap. Despite his own tension, Shen Yuheng could feel the Emperor’s increasing frailty.

Suddenly, Xiao Huai sat up and began coughing violently, splattering blood across Shen Yuheng’s robe.

“Your Majesty! I’ll call the physicians—”

“No need,” Xiao Huai said with surprising strength, holding him down. He wiped the blood from his mouth, his voice raspy. “At my age, medicine only makes things worse. I just find peace in seeing you young and beautiful people.”

Xiao Huai studied Shen Yuheng’s face like a precious jewel, his bloody hand leaving a faint streak on Shen Yuheng’s cheek. He suddenly asked, “Consort Shen, who do you think is more suited for the throne? Xiao Qi or the Ninth?”

Shen Yuheng’s nerves tightened. The death trap question!

He thought for a long time before answering carefully, “The Ninth Prince is still too young for such a burden. The Second Prince is more appropriate, though I have heard his personality is quite abrasive and he has many enemies…”

Xiao Huai smiled, seemingly satisfied. “You certainly know your way around the court.”

Shen Yuheng began to gently pat Xiao Huai’s chest, mimicking the way the Emperor had once comforted him. The Emperor eventually drifted into a quiet sleep.

Shen Yuheng breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced toward the window, and his heart nearly stopped.

Through the window paper, a dark silhouette was visible. A long slit had been sliced through the paper, revealing a pair of eyes filled with murderous intent.

Shen Yuheng closed his eyes in despair. Why is it Xiao Jin?!!