Phoenix Cries Return to Court

At midnight, the night was as dark as ink, and the moon was high in the sky.

Inside the imperial tent, a thick cashmere carpet was laid out. At each of the four corners stood a gilded candlestick with intertwined branches, its bright candlelight casting a warm glow throughout the tent. On either side of the tent walls hung embroidered silk handkerchiefs depicting the "Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains," their stitches exquisite and meticulous, truly masterpieces.

Fu Yanzhi, dressed in a dark purple casual robe with gold dragon patterns, leaned against a soft couch with his collar slightly open, his thin lips pressed tightly together and his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Imperial Physician Zhang stood respectfully in the tent, holding a medical record in his hands, and reported on the injury of the Third Prince, Fu Jie, "Your Majesty, we have carefully examined the Third Prince's arrow wound again today..."

Fu Yanzhi frowned and interrupted, "I heard that the Empress sent several more imperial physicians today. Do they have any new diagnoses?"

Zhang Xingyun's heart tightened, and his tone became even more respectful, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician sent by the Empress and I both examined the Third Prince's pulse today, and our conclusions were consistent, with no disagreement. However..."

"Just what?" Fu Yanzhi frowned slightly.

Zhang Xingyun's heart skipped a beat. He composed himself and continued in a low voice, "This evening, His Highness the Third Prince was in high spirits and drank a few too many cups of wine. He also ate some venison and mutton, which are considered 'heaty' foods. It was also windy outside the tent last night, so he may have caught a chill. He has developed a fever now, and I am worried that his wound may be infected."

He paused, then glanced discreetly at the expression of the person seated above him, and said cautiously, "Your Majesty the Empress is very concerned about the Third Prince and has sent people three times to urge him to return to the palace to recuperate as soon as possible. The Mulan Hunting Grounds are remote, and although the Imperial Medical Academy is accompanying him, the medicines are not as complete as those in the palace. Moreover, His Highness is of noble birth, and the conditions at the hunting grounds are simple, and the care is not as thorough as in the palace."

Fu Yanzhi lowered his eyes, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, his gaze growing increasingly deep. "In that case, let's do as the Empress wishes."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Zhang Xingyun felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and quickly bowed and slowly withdrew.

Silence returned to the hall, but the atmosphere was chillingly cold.

"Eunuch Wang," Fu Yanzhi said slowly, glancing at the man standing with his head bowed to the side. He took a deep breath, his voice tinged with weariness, and asked, "Do you think the Third Prince's act of shielding his father from the arrow was merely a coincidence? Or could it be... something the Empress secretly orchestrated?"

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Wang trembled and cautiously replied, "I am terrified and dare not speak recklessly, much less dare to speak ill of Her Majesty the Empress."

Fu Yanzhi waved his hand, "You are innocent."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. This servant is foolish and dares not speak presumptuously about other matters, but I know that His Highness the Crown Prince has truly undergone a complete transformation during this summer retreat and hunting trip." Eunuch Wang composed himself and said respectfully, "Especially at tonight's hunting banquet, His Highness quoted classical texts, spoke earnestly, and had unique insights. While I was serving him, I vaguely heard several senior officials discussing in private that His Highness the Crown Prince is now composed and measured, quite like His Majesty was in his youth. It seems that what the Crown Prince said today has won the hearts of the people."

He paused, stepped forward, bowed deeply, and spoke with increasing respect, "Your Majesty, please do not worry about the Empress. After all, His Highness the Crown Prince is the rightful heir."

Upon hearing this, Fu Yanzhi's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained low. "We both know what the Empress has been thinking all these years. Chen'er has been too playful and his studies have not progressed. Although this has temporarily lowered the Empress's guard, she has always been scheming to have the Third Prince replace the Crown Prince. If she finds out about this summer hunting banquet, she will probably start to cause trouble again."

Listening to this, Eunuch Wang said thoughtfully, "Your Majesty, I understand your concerns. However, I have observed that the Empress and the Crown Prince get along quite well, and the Crown Prince and the Third Prince study together and get along quite well. I have never seen any discord between them. Please put your mind at ease."

"Harmony?" Fu Yanzhi sneered, his tone full of sarcasm. "Then where did that statement at today's hunting banquet, 'The Third Prince and the Crown Prince have always been at odds,' come from?"

Thinking of this, Fu Yanzhi's eyes grew even colder. "The ones who said these words today were the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. It seems that these two were instructed by the Empress to deliberately make things difficult for Chen'er in front of all the officials and to test my thoughts."

"But I am curious, when did they become involved with the Empress? Besides these two, how many other officials are secretly aligned with the Empress, plotting for Fu Jie?"

Fu Yanzhi took a deep breath. "It seems there are still many things in the court that I don't know. The Empress has hidden them quite well."

Eunuch Wang stood aside, not daring to utter a sound, and for a moment, the hall was completely silent.

Suddenly, Fu Yanzhi seemed to think of something, his expression softened, and his tone became much gentler, "Fortunately, Chen'er's knowledge has improved during this time, so he did not fall into their trap. Otherwise, he would have been embarrassed in public today and lost all face."

As he spoke, he looked at Eunuch Wang and said, "I have always felt that his transformation over this period of time is no accident. He must have received guidance from a master. Go and investigate who is secretly helping him. I will reward this person handsomely."

"This servant obeys the decree." Seeing that Fu Yanzhi had calmed down, Eunuch Wang finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Issue my decree," Fu Yanzhi said slowly, "order people to pack their belongings immediately and end this summer hunting trip ahead of schedule. At Chenshi (7-9 AM), depart for the palace."

……

Just as the hour of Chen (7-9 AM) arrived, a few wisps of thin clouds drifted lazily across the sky, the sun shone warmly, and the Mulan Hunting Ground was bustling with activity.

Fu Yanzhi personally summoned Fu Chen and Fu Jie to the same carriage.

The carriage was spacious and elegant, with thick fox fur cushions and a faint, calming incense burning in the burner. Fu Yanzhi sat upright in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over his two sons in front of him without making a sound.

Fu Chen was still dressed in a royal blue casual robe, his black hair tied up with a jade hairpin, looking as handsome and lively as a young man. After a night of careful treatment by the imperial physician, Fu Jie's fever had subsided. He was wearing a plain brocade robe that was loosely wrapped around his body, and he looked sickly, coughing softly from time to time.

"Third brother, rest well and take care of yourself." As soon as Fu Chen got into the carriage, he carefully placed the soft cushions inside the carriage under Fu Jie.

Fu Jie nodded slightly, his voice weak but respectful, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Seeing the two of them so affectionate and respectful, Fu Yanzhi slowly revealed a gratified smile.

"The hunt the other day was fraught with danger, and Jie'er risked his life to shield me from an arrow. I will remember this filial piety," Fu Yanzhi suddenly spoke, his eyes filled with inquiry. He continued, "But I'm curious, in such a critical moment, how could you be so certain that the arrow would be aimed at me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage fell silent. Fu Jie's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I didn't think much about it. I only thought that Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven and that there must be no mishaps. So I rushed over instinctively."

Fu Yanzhi remained silent, his gaze falling on Fu Chen. He then spoke casually, "Chen'er, you were there at the time. Do you think that arrow came suddenly?"