After Transmigrating as a Sickly Beauty, I Became the Villain’s Beloved - Chapter 5

After Lu Moyun answered the question, Qin Ziyu offered his wrist to him. Seeing Lu Moyun’s solemn expression, he joked, “I recall that an Assistant Censor-in-Chief holds the fourth rank.”

“The rank of a top scholar usually isn’t very high at first; some are even sent away for a few years to gain experience. Yet Lord Lu is already of the fourth rank and serves in the Censorate, which Imperial Father values most. It seems Imperial Father is quite fond of you, Lord Lu!”

“I must ask Your Highness to remain quiet. One should not be overly agitated during a pulse reading,” Lu Moyun said calmly.

Qin Ziyu glared at him. Stop acting! It was enough that I played along with your drama!

Lu Moyun withdrew his hand. “Your Highness’s Qi is depleted and your pulse is superficial, thin, and weak signs of physical deficit and insufficient blood Qi. Your face is pale and colorless, and toxin has entered your organs. I believe the imperial physicians have already done their utmost. I, too… am powerless.”

Wait, brother, do you actually know what you’re doing?!

The moment Qin Ziyu saw the jade pendant on the man’s waist, he was almost certain that Lu Moyun was also a transmigrator. That specific jade pendant was a gift Qin Ziyu had personally given to Lu Moyun in their past life.

The two had known each other for over a decade, from middle school through college, where they were roommates. After graduation, they partnered to start a company—one handled management and operations, while the other brought in business.

Their bond couldn’t be summarized by the word “brothers”; they were more like family. Lu Moyun knew every embarrassing story from his childhood, and whenever Qin Ziyu got drunk out in the world, the first person he thought of was always Lu Moyun.

Lu Moyun was the third child in his family, with a pair of twins above him. Qin Ziyu often joked by calling him “Three-Eggs.” The “Titan of Great Qin” inside joke was something only effective when mentioned in front of him.

We transmigrated together… I wonder if there’s a connection.

Lu Moyun’s eyes were dark and his face lacked expression, yet he seemed to be in more pain than Qin Ziyu himself.

Qin Zizhang grew anxious. “Imperial Brother was clearly improving, so how can you be powerless? You were able to cure the Old Duke’s illness! Imperial Brother is still young; there must be a way. Think harder.”

A flash of pain crossed Lu Moyun’s eyes. “Though the Duke is elderly, his was a common ailment. I happened to encounter it and caught it early. Had the Imperial Academy of Medicine stepped in, they would have cured him just as easily.”

Qin Zizhang shook his head. “I asked Physician Ji, and even he wasn’t entirely confident. A-Yun, you need not be so humble.”

Lu Moyun remained silent, his gaze fixed on Qin Ziyu. Qin Zizhang took a subtle step forward. “A-Yun, wait outside for a moment. I wish to speak with Imperial Brother for a while longer.”

“Wait,” Qin Ziyu said. “Though this is my first time meeting Lord Lu and I do not know the extent of his skills, your high praise suggests he has extraordinary talents. I know my own body best.”

“Lord Lu may visit the Eastern Palace often in the future. Perhaps when my health improves, a new solution might present itself.”

Qin Zizhang nodded. “Imperial Brother has a point. A-Yun, come to the Eastern Palace after the morning court every few days. If anyone asks, say it was my order.”

Lu Moyun bowed. “Yes.”

“This official shall do his utmost to find a way to heal the Crown Prince.”

Qin Zizhang waved his hand, dismissing Lu Moyun.

“There are plenty of talented people in this world. I refuse to believe we won’t find someone to cure Imperial Brother.”

Qin Ziyu coughed and wheezed slightly. Qin Zizhang’s expression changed instantly, and he rushed to support him. “Where is Nanny Jiang? Why isn’t she here?”

The bones beneath his hands were hard and distinct. From this touch alone, Qin Zizhang could feel Qin Ziyu’s frailty.

Imperial Brother has grown even thinner.

He helped Qin Ziyu shift his position and heard him say, “Nanny has worked hard caring for me for many days; I sent her to rest.”

“Why are there only these young eunuchs? Where are Qingkang and Qing’an?” Qin Zizhang frowned. “Imperial Brother has only been ill for a few days, and you dog-servants dare to be so negligent? Do you wish for death?!”

Qin Ziyu replied, “The one who led you in just now was Qingkang.”

Qin Zizhang froze, his rage turning to bewilderment. His mind went blank for a second.

The young eunuchs all knelt to beg for mercy. “This servant knows his crime! We beg the Sixth Prince for mercy!”

“Qingkang…”

Qingkang shuffled forward on his knees. “This servant is here.”

Qin Zizhang gripped the quilt on the bed, veins bulging on his hands. He gritted his teeth and said, “I am not talking about you! Get out! All of you, get out!”

Qingkang scrambled out in a fright, nearly tripping over himself.

Once the palace doors were shut, Qin Zizhang was still fuming. “Who did this?”

Realizing his voice was too loud, he quickly checked his tone. “Imperial Brother, I didn’t mean that toward you. Don’t be angry; your health is what matters. I am just angry at them…”

“I know,” Qin Ziyu smiled and patted his hand. “You should go back and review your lessons. Don’t worry Imperial Noble Concubine.”

At those words, Qin Zizhang’s eyes reddened. “Imperial Brother is sending me away again.”

He knew that in recent years, Imperial Father had neglected his brother, and the supplies for the Eastern Palace had plummeted. However diligent the servants once were, they were now just as lax. If not for his frequent visits, the Eastern Palace would be no different from a Cold Palace.

No matter what, his brother was the Crown Prince and an Imperial Prince. How could those servants be allowed to mistreat him?

“I am not sending you away,” Qin Ziyu said. “You have seen it over the years. Though I am the Crown Prince, I cannot study hard or assist Imperial Father. Imperial Father holds great expectations for you. Come to the Eastern Palace less often, so as not to displease your mother.”

“Imperial Brother is saying that again. Actually, Mother is also very worried about you, but she is busy with palace affairs and cannot come. I simply have to make more trips on her behalf.”

Qin Zizhang’s face turned serious. “What happened while Imperial Brother was ill? When I came last time, Qing’an and Qingkang were still their old selves. Did they not care for you properly?”

Qin Ziyu shook his head. “You needn’t worry about such things. Have you had breakfast?”

If the palace personnel changed, how could the Imperial Noble Concubine not know? She is simply standing by and watching.

“Not yet,” Qin Zizhang asked. “Has Brother not eaten either?”

“I’ll eat with you!”

Qin Ziyu tilted his chin toward the door. “Did you forget there is someone else outside?”

“Ah!” Qin Zizhang was embarrassed and rubbed his nose. “I forgot.”

“Then I’ll escort him out of the palace first and come back to see you later.”

“Go on.”

Qin Zizhang left in a hurry, running fast. Qin Ziyu could feel his sincerity; he truly cared for his older brother.

The original host rarely showed his inner deviousness, appearing refined and elegant most of the time especially before his younger siblings. He maintained the air of a proper elder brother, which led Qin Zizhang to trust him implicitly.

In the novel, after the original host died, Qin Zizhang was the only one who truly wept for him. Because Xiao Ci framed someone else, no one knew the truth. When Qin Zizhang eventually learned the facts in the mid-to-late stages of the story, he retaliated against Xiao Ci with such madness he nearly went to kill him with a blade personally.

Yet in reality, the original host disliked this younger brother because he was too healthy.

Not only was he healthy, but he also had Imperial Father’s attention and was entrusted with important tasks. Meanwhile, the title of “Crown Prince” sounded nice, but in truth, everyone was just waiting for him to die to make room for Qin Zizhang.

Why did Qin Zizhang have everything? The love of their parents, the praise of friends, a healthy body—while he had nothing?

The original host had wanted to kill Qin Zizhang more than once, but he always softened when he saw his brother’s innocent eyes. In the end, he never made a move.

Qin Ziyu shook his head. Thinking about this was useless; the most important thing now was survival.

Qing’an returned to report, saying he had found Nanny Jiang’s body at the Mass Grave. He found a place nearby to bury her and burned all the belongings he had brought out.

“You say you hurried back early this morning?” Qin Ziyu asked.

Qing’an prostrated himself. “Yes. This servant entered through the South Yeye Gate at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM). After entering the palace, I returned to the Eastern Palace without stopping. I did not encounter anyone on the way.”

The emphasis on the last sentence was heavy. Qin Ziyu nodded. “I understand. You may go; you are off duty today.”

“Yes,” Qing’an kowtowed and took his leave.

Entered at the hour of Mao and reached the Eastern Palace in about half an hour. By the time Qin Zizhang and Lu Moyun left, it was already the hour of Chen (7-9 AM).

This meant Qing’an had been intercepted the moment he entered the palace. The words regarding Nanny Jiang could not be trusted.

For several days, no one disturbed him. Qin Ziyu worked hard to nurture his body, walking in the courtyard daily to regain his strength. While recovering, he mapped out the inner workings of the Eastern Palace.

Qingkang and Qing’an had both been promoted within the last half-month. Qingkang was timid but diligent, while Qing’an was bolder and more lively, occasionally telling Qin Ziyu jokes.

Aside from the six maids and eight eunuchs serving him, there was one Side-Consort and two Concubines. The Side-Consort was the Imperial Noble Concubine’s niece; it was said she had suggested the match to the Emperor to ensure the Crown Prince could leave an heir.

The fact that Xiao Ci had removed the original host’s long-term servants was actually a blessing; otherwise, he certainly would have been exposed.

Lu Moyun hadn’t visited for several days. Qin Ziyu had many questions and doubts, but he couldn’t proactively seek him out; he could only wait.

“Qing’an, do you know what Lord Xiao has been busy with lately?”

The hand Qing’an was using to tend the plants trembled. “This servant does not know.”

“Then do you know where he resides?” Qin Ziyu continued.

Qing’an stopped and walked over. “The Director occasionally conducts business at the Kaiyang Hall, which is not far from the Eastern Palace. Since he has an official residence outside the palace, he does not often stay within the walls.”

“Since it isn’t far, help me over to see him.” Qin Ziyu stood up. If Xiao Ci wouldn’t come to him, he had to do something—otherwise, how could he claim to be “in love”?

Qing’an steeled himself. “Yes.”

Over the past few days, Qing’an had learned Qin Ziyu’s temperament. The Crown Prince seemed easy to talk to and always had a smile. If they made a mistake or were clumsy—breaking a plate or a flowerpot—the Prince didn’t care at all and wouldn’t even bother to punish them. But if someone was disobedient, dared to defy him, or spied on him in secret, the Prince remembered it all. Such people likely wouldn’t even get the chance to clean latrines in the Labor Bureau in the future.

In the dramas Qin Ziyu used to watch, the Eastern Palace always seemed cramped and restrictive gold-plated but lacking freedom. After transmigrating, he found it was massive. His living quarters alone consisted of three main halls, and the palace grounds included mountains and water features.

Through two moon-gates lay the quarters for the female residents: the palaces of the Crown Princess, the Side-Consort, and the Concubines.

With his current body, walking a full circle around the Eastern Palace would take from dawn until dusk.

Fortunately, the Kaiyang Hall wasn’t too far from his residence. Qin Ziyu rested twice and reached it in just under half an hour.

“If Your Highness is tired, why not have someone bring a palanquin?” Qing’an suggested.

Qin Ziyu shook his head. “No need. Walking more gives me strength.”

It wasn’t that he was unwilling, but the Emperor hadn’t visited his son in a long time. The servants were lax; by the time a palanquin was summoned, he would have already finished the walk.

The two hurried along and finally reached Kaiyang Hall before sunset.

Luckily, Xiao Ci happened to be there.

A young eunuch went in to announce him and came out telling Qin Ziyu to wait a moment.

His tone was not respectful. Qing’an was so angry he wanted to curse, but Qin Ziyu raised a hand to stop him.

“What is your name?” Qin Ziyu asked.

The eunuch replied, “This servant is Xiao Wen-zi.”

“Good, Xiao Wen-zi.”

“You should know that my health is poor and I cannot withstand the wind,” Qin Ziyu said with a smile. “If I collapse here, can you take responsibility for the consequences?”

Xiao Wen-zi’s face stiffened. “Crown Prince, please wait. This servant will announce you once more.”

Within moments, Xiao Wen-zi came running back and led Qin Ziyu into the hall.