~A SPECIAL “WHITEWASHING” TECHNIQUE ~
Mu Yunyao nodded and followed Eldest Princess Yide into the carriage.
Inside the Third Prince’s residence, the Emperor arrived with his entourage. The moment he stepped in, he saw plum blossoms blooming everywhere. Tree after tree stood crowned with flowers despite the brutal cold. The petals were nearly frozen transparent, delicate veins clearly visible, beautiful to an almost unreal degree.
Mu Yunyao followed Eldest Princess Yide out of the carriage and into the courtyard. At a glance, she spotted Third Prince Ning Junjin kneeling beside the lotus pond.
He wore only a thin, plain white robe. A white jade crown bound his hair; black hair and white clothes made him look even more fragile amid the wintry chill. His hands were clasped together, lips moving silently as though reciting a prayer.
When Mu Yunyao and Eldest Princess Yide drew closer, she saw how pale he was. No one knew how long he had been kneeling. Even his eyelashes and brows were coated with frost.
The crowd’s footsteps approached, yet Ning Junjin did not react at all, as if lost in his own world. The servants finally noticed the Emperor and dropped to their knees in a wave, loudly crying, “Long live His Majesty.” The sound was so sudden that it startled Ning Junjin awake.
He slowly turned his head, then abruptly clutched his eyes and cried out, collapsing to the ground.
“It hurts.”
The Emperor immediately ordered the imperial physician forward. After a long examination, the physician returned with visible excitement.
“Your Majesty, Third Prince’s eyes have recovered. The pain just now was because his eyes have not seen sunlight for a long time. The sudden brightness was too much. He is fine now.”
The Emperor’s eyes lit up. “Recovered? You mean Junjin can see again?”
“Yes.”
As soon as those words fell, an official hurried forward to congratulate him.
“Your Majesty, no wonder the plum blossoms bloomed early and the pure lotus rose in the depths of winter. This is a heavenly omen, a sign that good fortune is approaching the imperial household.”
The Emperor was delighted and stepped forward himself. “Junjin, can you see Imperial Father clearly now?”
Ning Junjin’s gaze was clear, trembling with joy like a spring of clean water.
“Imperial Father. Your son is fortunate enough to see you again. Heaven has heard my heart.”
“If Heaven can restore my sight, then it will surely grant what I seek as well. May Imperial Father be healthy and strong from this day onward, never again troubled by illness.”
The Emperor’s expression tightened. “You were praying for me just now?”
“Yes.” Ning Junjin’s voice remained gentle. “Your son is already a cripple, and I made mistakes before. I cannot enter court to share Imperial Father’s burdens. I can only use this way to offer a little filial devotion.”
The Emperor swiftly removed his cloak and draped it over him. “Junjin, I have received your filial heart. In the future, do not push yourself like this again.”
Ning Junjin smiled softly, warm and mild.
“These days, your son has lost everything. I thought I would be shattered, but instead, with all the old vanity and noise stripped away, my heart has become calmer than it has ever been.”
“And I finally understood many things I never had the peace to think through before.”
“In the past, I often angered Imperial Father. I truly was ignorant. So your son is willing to lose twenty years of my life, if only Heaven will protect Imperial Father, increase your blessings and your years, and grant you long life.”
The Emperor pressed a hand to his shoulder, his face filled with complicated emotion. “You child, how can you say such things…”
Ning Junjin’s smile only grew brighter, joy written plainly in his eyes.
“Imperial Father, Heaven must have heard my wish. Otherwise, how could my eyes suddenly recover?”
Mu Yunyao watched him with calm indifference.
This man had always been a master of performance. If he truly wanted to win someone over, he could warm even ice with his hands. And the Emperor already carried guilt toward him. The more Ning Junjin acted as though he had no grievances, the deeper that guilt would grow.
Sure enough, the Emperor’s heart turned even softer. “Junjin… you child…”
He turned sharply. “Imperial Physician, his eyes have recovered. What about his legs? Is there any sign of improvement?”
Jin Wang.
The moment that title was spoken, everyone understood. The Emperor was already preparing to restore the Third Prince’s status. Many people’s thoughts immediately shifted. The winds at court were about to move again.
The imperial physician hurried forward. “Your Majesty, this humble physician must examine Jin Wang before I can say.”
“Mm.”
The physician checked his pulse, then reached down to press and test his legs.
A guard quickly spoke up. “Imperial Physician, please be careful. Our prince’s knees are injured.”
“Injured knees?” The Emperor frowned, his gaze turning even more pained. “I saw him kneeling just now. Was this from kneeling on the ground?”
It was deep winter. Kneeling for hours could let cold seep into the bones. If his knees were injured on top of that, then even if the poison in his legs was cured, he might still be left with lifelong pain.
The imperial physician carefully lifted Jin Wang’s pant leg. The moment he saw the bruised, purpled skin mixed with frostbite sores and scabs, he sucked in a breath.
“Jin Wang, your knees…”
Ning Junjin remained calm. “It is a small injury. It is nothing.”
The Emperor’s heart clenched. “Junjin, how can you be this foolish?”
“This is not foolishness, Imperial Father.” Ning Junjin said softly. “It was sincerity. I wanted Heaven to see my repentance and hear my wish, to bless Imperial Father with health and peace.”
The Emperor took a deep breath. “Imperial Physicians, you must do everything you can to treat Jin Wang. Do not let his legs be left with any lasting ailment.”
“Also, Jin Wang’s filial devotion is commendable. My heart is greatly comforted.”
“From today onward, his confinement is lifted. His title of Jin Wang is restored. He is awarded a pair of jade ruyi, ten hu of pearls…”
At the mention of the jade ruyi, Jin Wang’s heart tightened, then joy surged up uncontrollably. His Majesty bestowed the jade ruyi only when he was truly satisfied. With this pair, much of the past could finally be smoothed over.
Mu Yunyao lowered her eyes slightly. Beneath her long lashes, a faint cold glint flashed.
Jin Wang had finally decided to step back into court.
This grand play was finally about to begin.
Back at Yuhua Palace, Mu Yunyao set down her hand warmer.
Poisonous Lady hurried over, took Mu Yunyao’s hand, and felt it. Only after confirming it was warm did she bring over a cup of hot ginger tea.
“Your body was injured before, and you did not nourish it properly. Cold has gathered inside you. In winter you must be especially careful, do not catch a chill.”
“How was it at the Third Prince’s residence?”
Mu Yunyao took a sip of ginger tea and smiled.
“It should be called Jin Wang Residence now.”
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