The Banished Immortal of the Cold Palace: His Majesty’s Young Master Yun Has Fallen Asleep Again - Chapter 11

When Wang Shunde returned to the Yangxin Palace, Yan Linyuan was busy reviewing official documents. Hearing footsteps, he did not look up. “Was the decree delivered?”

“It was delivered.” Wang Shunde bowed. “When Young Master Yun received the decree, he was sleeping. Per your instructions, I did not have anyone wake him. The young eunuch beside him was very grateful and accepted the items.”

Yan Linyuan’s brush paused. “Did he say anything?”

“He said nothing,” Wang Shunde reported truthfully. “The young eunuch did mention that, according to custom, he should have come to express his gratitude. I simply said that the Emperor had decreed that if he were sleeping, he should not be disturbed.”

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional crackle of charcoal in the fire.

Yan Linyuan set down his brush and raised his eyes to look at Wang Shunde. “In your opinion, what kind of person is Yun Biechen?”

Wang Shunde’s heart tightened as he weighed his words. “I dare not make a rash judgment. However, Young Master Yun is solitary by nature and does not enjoy interacting with others. During his time in the Cold Palace, he had no unusual actions. After the Noble Consort passed away, he did sit before her bier for half the night.”

“What did he do?”

“The eunuchs passing by were too far away to see exactly what he did.” Wang Shunde paused. “Not long after, Young Master Yun returned to the East Courtyard of the Cold Palace.”

Yan Linyuan tapped his fingers on the desk, his gaze deep and inscrutable. After a long while, he said, “He is not an imperial consort. Staying in the palace like this is, after all, neither proper nor justifiable.”

Wang Shunde lowered his eyes. “Your Majesty is correct. According to ancestral tradition, those left over from the late Emperor’s reign, if they have no offspring, should be moved to a detached palace or a temple for spiritual cultivation.”

The words were spoken tactfully, but the meaning was clear. Yun Biechen was not an imperial concubine, and the best way to handle the situation was to send him out of the palace, just like the other childless consorts of the late Emperor.

However, Yan Linyuan laughed. “Ancestral tradition? I believe that rules are made by people.”

Wang Shunde did not dare to respond.

“Since he kept the Noble Consort company in the Cold Palace for two years, he has fulfilled his duty.” Yan Linyuan’s tone was indifferent yet carried an undeniable weight. “The Noble Consort visited my dream before she passed and said she was worried about this old acquaintance. I have thought it over; rather than letting him drift outside the palace, it is better to keep him here and grant him a title, which may also ease the Noble Consort’s spirit.”

Wang Shunde looked up abruptly, a flash of astonishment in his eyes.

He knew that with the Emperor’s temperament, once Yun Biechen had been seen by him, it would be difficult for him to escape.

However, from what he had observed, Yun Biechen had never even appeared before Yan Linyuan.

Why would the Emperor issue such a decree? Even the late Emperor had only sent Yun Biechen to the Cold Palace in the same manner as a consort, without ever granting him an official rank.

In name, Yun Biechen was not even considered an imperial consort of the harem.

Now, the Emperor had suddenly decided to grant him a rank, which meant he was being incorporated into the harem.

Once he entered the harem and became a consort, Yun Biechen would never be able to leave the imperial palace for the rest of his life.

“Your Majesty, you mean?”

“Transmit the decree.” Yan Linyuan picked up his brush again and wrote a few lines on a piece of blank rice paper. “Yun Biechen is intelligent and perceptive, with a refined appearance. He served the Noble Consort with devotion, and his filial piety is commendable. He is hereby titled as a Young Master, granted residence in the West Side Hall of the Linhua Palace, and awarded the salary of a Nobleman.”

Young Master.

Although it was a rank for a male consort, it was equivalent to that of a Nobleman, with an official investiture, a palace chamber, and a salary.

While this was not the first instance in the Great Yan Dynasty, as the late Emperor had also taken two male consorts, they were exceptions due to military achievements or special circumstances. A direct promotion like this was unprecedented.

Wang Shunde opened his mouth as if to say something, but seeing Yan Linyuan look up at him with dark, heavy eyes, he paused. “Is there something, Eunuch Wang? Do you find it inappropriate?”

“I dare not.” Wang Shunde hurriedly knelt. “It is just that Young Master Yun is proud and solitary by nature; I fear he may not be willing.”

“Not willing?” Yan Linyuan chuckled lightly. “The decree has been issued; it is not up to him to be unwilling. When you deliver the decree, tell him that this is the Noble Consort’s last wish and also my favor. If he truly dislikes the title of Young Master, we can change the name, but he must remain in the palace.”

Given that it had reached this point, Wang Shunde dared not say anything further and could only kowtow to accept the order.

“Also,” Yan Linyuan added, “transplant that white plum tree from the Cold Palace to the courtyard of the Linhua Palace. I see that he likes it; it should help him pass the time.”

Cold Palace.

Wang Sheng had finished packing. He had two small bundles, one containing clothing and daily necessities, and the other containing the pottery jar and a few books. He stood in the room, looking around the small cottage where he had lived for several months, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Yun Biechen was still lying on the bed, eyes closed, breathing evenly.

“Young Master,” Wang Sheng whispered, “it is time to go.”

Yun Biechen opened his eyes and sat up slowly. He threw on his outer robe, walked to the door, and stopped.

“Let us go to the West Courtyard and see,” he said.

Wang Sheng was stunned. “Young Master?”

“We have known each other for some time,” Yun Biechen said indifferently. “I should say goodbye.”

The two of them walked into the West Courtyard one after the other. The hall door was open, and it was empty inside; the coffin had already been moved, leaving only the plain white curtains fluttering gently in the wind. Some paper money was still scattered on the ground, swirled into a corner by the breeze.

Yun Biechen stood at the entrance for a while without going in. Looking at the palace lantern that had not yet been taken down, he suddenly asked, “Guigui, do you think people have souls after they die?”

Wang Sheng shook his head. “I do not know.”

“I suspect they do not.” Yun Biechen turned away, thinking to himself. If there were souls, she should go find her father and brothers, and those one hundred and thirty-seven people. She should not stay in this Cold Palace waiting for a son who will never come.

Although the viewpoint was cold, it was the truth.

Wang Sheng followed behind Yun Biechen and asked in a low voice, “Young Master, do you think the Emperor suddenly pardoned us because of the Noble Consort?”

“Who knows.” Yun Biechen cut him off, bending down to pick up a half-braid of withered grass from the snow. It was the kind the Noble Consort often wove before she passed away; she had made so many that they were everywhere.

He stared at it for a moment and tossed it back into the hall.

The withered grass landed on the empty floor tiles with a faint sound.

“Let us go.” Yun Biechen did not look back again.

Wang Sheng immediately chased after him, staying close behind. “Young Master, how long will we stay in the Linhua Palace? When will you leave the imperial palace?”

Yun Biechen did not slow his pace. “Why would you ask when I will leave? Do you think I am going to leave?”

Wang Sheng said, “I cannot tell. You do nothing but sleep all day; how can I guess what is on your mind?” His tone was quite resentful.

Usually, there were only three people in the Cold Palace: the Young Master, himself, and the Noble Consort.

But the Noble Consort’s condition fluctuated, so he only went to the West Courtyard when delivering meals. That left only himself and the Young Master.

The Cold Palace was already desolate, but the Young Master slept every day, leaving him with no one to talk to, which led him to sleep all day as well.

The result was that he could not sleep at night.

Yun Biechen seemed not to detect the resentment in his tone. “We cannot leave; we have to stay in that palace for a while.”

As they spoke, the two of them walked out of the West Courtyard.