Chapter 006: Giving the Umbrella

Wu Tan knelt there, covered in the dirty water that had splashed up as he hurried over.

“Oh dear! Your Highness, Prince Sheng! My lord, what has happened to you?” The man's voice was affected, yet filled with concern and warmth as he hurried forward, supporting Xiao Yue and gently soothing him, rubbing his back to help him breathe easier.

Wu Tan recognized Tao Renzhi, the chief eunuch who served at the emperor’s side. But hearing him address someone as “Prince Sheng” surprised her so much that she didn’t react at first.

So this was—the legendary prince, the emperor’s only full brother?

He had left for the northern borders at a young age, and for many years had never returned to Yin Capital. Wu Tan had only ever heard his name from her father and brothers, as he was, like her father, a renowned military man. Most girls of her age from official families probably had no idea who “Prince Sheng” really was...

But why would he suddenly return to the capital?

Because his prestige in the army rivaled even that of her own father, Wu Tan couldn’t help but be especially alert.

Tao Renzhi continued to rub Xiao Yue’s back, finally helping him catch his breath. The junior eunuch beside Tao, quick-witted, had already taken the umbrella from Xiao Yue’s hand.

Xiao Yue was tall, so the little eunuch had to stand on tiptoe, doing his best to hold the umbrella above his head.

At last the shadow that had been cast over Xiao Yue’s face faded. After his bout of coughing, Wu Tan noticed that his complexion was nearly bloodless.

She didn’t know what was wrong with him, but it was clear his health was failing.

By now Xiao Yue had recovered and stood up straight once more. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Wu Tan, seeing the little girl still staring at him intently—only now, her gaze was laced with wariness and caution.

The corners of his lips moved almost imperceptibly, and he addressed Tao Renzhi directly: “I am fine, Eunuch Tao, you needn’t worry.”

At these words, Tao Renzhi’s eyes reddened, but then he smiled. “How many years has it been since anyone called this old servant that?” He sighed, touching his temples. “So many years since I last saw the young prince, and now you’ve grown into such a striking figure. Yet I myself have passed sixty. It’s rare and fortunate that you still recognize me.”

He had once served the late emperor and remained at the current emperor’s side after his passing. Thus, he was truly advanced in age now. Though his face was pale and beardless, his temples had turned gray. Still, as the most senior eunuch in the palace, he lived a life of comfort and ease, and his complexion was usually good. When he smiled, however, the wrinkles on his face became all the more apparent, making him look rather odd.

Facing him, Xiao Yue did not adopt a haughty air, but his expression remained cool and detached.

“Although your hair is a little grayer, you’re still very much the same, Eunuch.” Perhaps fearing the emperor might suspect he had come to reminisce, Xiao Yue didn’t dwell on the subject, but instead changed the topic, “I have just arrived in the capital. I heard my brother returned to his chambers after court this morning, so I came to pay my respects. Is it convenient to see him now?”

Tao Renzhi responded without minding, “This old servant came to report to Your Highness. His Majesty is still in discussion with several ministers and will not be available for a while. You have just returned to the capital after a long journey, and His Majesty is concerned that you might catch cold in this chilly rain. He asks that you rest for today. Tomorrow, he invites you to join him for lunch as a welcome.”

He added, “Oh! Physician Zhang from the Imperial Medical Institute will also call on you shortly. The residence assigned for you is being prepared, but given the short notice, renovations are still underway—it may be at least a week or two. In the meantime, the Chenxiang Pavilion has been vacated for your use. Would you mind staying there for now?”

“Very well. My brother is most considerate.” Xiao Yue inclined his head slightly. “Since he is occupied today, please convey my regards to him on my behalf.”

“Of course!” Tao Renzhi replied warmly, eager to serve. “Shall I escort Your Highness out of the palace?”

“No need,” Xiao Yue replied, his gaze once again flickering toward Wu Tan, still kneeling. His tone was calm. “I’ve sent my guards to reassure my sister-in-law in her palace—they haven’t returned yet. I’ll wait here for them. You are needed at His Majesty’s side, Eunuch Tao. Do not let me keep you—I’ll see myself out.”

Xiao Yue extended his hand.

At a signal from Tao Renzhi, the junior eunuch hurried to return the umbrella to Xiao Yue.

“Very well!” Tao Renzhi responded with a smile and, not lingering, bowed his farewell. “Take care of yourself, Your Highness. This old servant will take his leave.”

“Go safely, Eunuch Tao.”

“Eh?” As he turned, Tao Renzhi finally noticed the two young women kneeling nearby. He had been so focused on Xiao Yue’s illness that he hadn’t noticed them before. Now, surprised, he asked, “And you two—whose daughters are you? Why are you kneeling here?”

Cheng Cheng kept her head low, not daring to speak out of turn.

Wu Tan forced a somewhat awkward smile as she met his gaze. “Please, Eunuch, there’s no need to trouble yourself. I was careless, and accidentally bumped into the crown prince earlier. I am here reflecting on my mistake, as ordered by His Highness.”

Tao Renzhi served the emperor; Wu Tan had already offended the crown prince—she dared not risk drawing the emperor’s attention to her now. If her brother Xiao Yun were implicated as well, the rift would only deepen.

In the palace, hierarchy was paramount. Offending the crown prince and being made to kneel was hardly out of the ordinary.

Tao Renzhi, as expected, thought nothing more of it. He grunted and, about to leave, glanced back at the two girls. Perhaps moved by the pitiful look on the young lady’s face, he turned and instructed the guards at the gate, “Keep an eye on the time. Make sure a sedan chair is ready early, so these girls aren’t locked inside after curfew.”

“Yes, Chief Eunuch!” the guard replied promptly.

With that, Tao Renzhi and his attendant hurried away the way they had come.

Wu Tan watched him go out of the corner of her eye, lost in thought for a moment—then suddenly realized another pair of boots had appeared by Xiao Yue’s feet.

She hadn’t heard any footsteps at all. Tao Renzhi had just left—was this man a ghost?

Still a child at heart, Wu Tan couldn’t help but look up, and saw that a gray-robed guard had appeared at Xiao Yue’s side without her noticing.

He had a square face, seemed about thirty, strong and alert, but his stern expression made him seem unapproachable.

“Master,” he murmured, bowing his head respectfully, standing beside Xiao Yue with rigid formality.

“Mm. Let’s go!” Xiao Yue answered, and, without another word, turned to walk toward the palace gates.

Apparently, he had no intention of causing her any more trouble. Wu Tan breathed a silent sigh of relief, but as she looked up at the dreary, endless rain, her spirits fell again and she drooped her head with a sigh—

He could leave as he pleased, but she would have to kneel here for nearly two hours yet.

Xiao Yue had only taken a few steps when he suddenly stopped, closed his umbrella without a word, and tossed it back.

“Your Highness!” The guard, well aware of Xiao Yue’s injuries and the danger of catching a chill, was surprised by his strange action but said nothing. He immediately moved his own umbrella to cover Xiao Yue’s head.

The umbrella landed on the ground in front of Wu Tan, splashing her once more with dirty water.

She had just been silently cursing Xiao Yun and Huo Yunhua, those two wretches, when the sudden splash startled her so much she almost screamed. Regaining her composure, she saw the umbrella lying before her and was left momentarily dumbfounded.

After a while, she finally looked up.

By then, Xiao Yue and his servant had already walked some distance away. In the gloom beneath the gatehouse, their tall, straight figures seemed even more striking against the rain…

Wu Tan suddenly thought—

Perhaps today wasn’t so terribly unlucky after all?

But when she looked down at the mud stains all over her clothes, her anger flared once more—

Really! Couldn’t a good deed be done with a little more kindness? What sort of family were these Xiaos, anyway?