Xiao Wang Palace had been restored to its former grandeur, but it had been deserted for many years.  The restoration took a lot of effort, and Gao Lin was responsible for it—on the one hand, this person had poor aesthetics, and on the other hand, he was very stingy. In the northwest camp, he tried to save money anywhere he could, and even when he arrived in the royal city, this problem could not be corrected. When he heard that the carpenters actually planned to carve flowers onto the windows for the prince, he immediately refused and said not to carve flowers, but simply paint the window frames.

The craftsmen politely pointed out that they had never seen such a palace.

Lieutenant General Gao insisted, that is because you have never been to Yueya City.

What did the Xiao Wang Palace in Yueya City look like? Several tall pillars held up green and black tiles, which made a gloomy and imposing sound in the northwest wind for many years. If there were a few crows above, the common people would likely not even dare to pass through the door. With such a haunted house, wouldn’t a big family be unable to live well?

The craftsmen couldn’t persuade him, and were forced to comply. The whole project was said to be a renovation, but in fact, it only involved removing weeds, polishing the wood, replacing the tattered furniture, and repaving the loose masonry on the ground. The total number of servants in the palace was less than ten. Five of them were elderly and suffered from deafness and rheumatism, so that the first day A-Ning moved into the palace, he diagnosed their diseases before he even had a chance to take a sip of hot water.

The string of jade wind chimes hanging in front of the bedroom window was probably the most valuable thing in the entire place. Although Liu Xian’an was not picky, the style of this poor and simple house was obviously far from the “celestial bliss nest” promised by His Royal Highness Xiao Wang. When there was a thunderstorm at the end of summer, the courtyard was covered in yellow mud, making it difficult to walk. There was no place where the Sleeping Immortal could “lie down as he pleased.”

“Rebuild it. We’ll rebuild it again,” Liang Shu vowed. “We’ll build the most luxurious palace in the entirety of Wangcheng.”

Liu Xian’an didn’t want to rebuild, mainly because he felt that the palace was too big, and he walked for two days without finishing. If it were all rebuilt, that would be another big project, very tiring. In any case, for him, as long as the bed was comfortable and the house was weatherproof, it was fine.

“It isn’t necessary to rebuild everything,” Liang Shu said. “Only the courtyard where we live. Everything will be done according to your wishes.”

He was rather obsessed with raising the Sleeping Immortal. Liu Xian’an lay on a squeak-squeaking soft chair, listening to the other person say that flowers should be planted here and trees should be planted there, and gradually fell asleep. In his dreams, the palace really turned into a cotton nest full of flowers, and the wind carried the scent of lotus flowers and the fluttering shadows of butterflies. He heard someone ask in his ear: “Do you think this is pretty good?”

Liu Xian’an replied in a daze: “It’s good.”

Just like that, the matter of renovating the residence was settled. 

Liang Shu was very satisfied: “Then I will recruit craftsmen to meet you tomorrow morning.”

Liu Xian’an shook his head: “I am going to the palace to read tomorrow morning. Tell the craftsmen to come back in the afternoon.”

“You have to read every day, ah? Take a break for a couple of days.”

“Won’t take a break. Reading is not tiring.”

Liang Shu pulled him in for a kiss, complaining vaguely, reading is not tiring? There are few things in the world that are more tiring than reading.

He had pretended at first to read with him a couple of times, but on the third day, he couldn’t stand it anymore and began to have back pain, dizziness, and overwhelming fatigue. Liu Xian’an leaned into his arms, picked up a book, and read it with a flip, flip, flip. After reading for the whole morning, he reached out and shook this person awake. “Let’s go and eat.”

Liang Shu yawned. Looking at the piles of books around him in puzzlement, he asked: “Why didn’t you put them back after reading them?”

“These books were very messy. I want to sort them all again,” Liu Xian’an explained. “I will make another directory to make it easier for people to search in the future.”

“Who else but you would come here to read?”

“The dynasty is promoting the Imperial Examinations, and among the tens of thousands of young talents selected, there will always be those who like and want these books.” 

Liu Xian’an tugged his sleeve and walked slowly toward the sun. “Besides, this matter is not troublesome for me. I will do it casually.”

This was easy to say, but in the past, re-sorting all the thousands of old books would have required at least dozens of palace staff working in unison, not to mention that the content of the books was extremely obscure. Thus, when the news reached Liang Yu, he was very surprised and asked: “Is he really so capable?”

“Answering the emperor, when I went to deliver tea this morning, I saw that the books in the tower had been sorted and stacked in different piles. Second Young Master Liu was making a directory. The papers written on the ground were densely packed, with fourteen or fifteen pieces scattered around.”

“If Second Young Master Liu was making a directory, where was the other one?”

The eunuch replied: “His Royal Highness was sleeping, sleeping soundly.”

Liang Shu shook his head, cursing as he laughed, and asked again: “Did they not stay in the palace for lunch at noon?”

“No, the two of them went back hand in hand after reading books. It is said that Second Young Master Liu will discuss the renovation of the palace with craftsmen at noon, and in the evening he will go to Old Master Lu’s house to examine him.”

Liang Yu frowned: “How can that person rush about busily like this? Can he handle it?”

The eunuch was not sure, but he felt that when he saw Second Young Master Liu these past two days, he was unhurried, with a pleasant countenance, and didn’t seem too busy.

In the palace, Liu Xian’an was standing watch over the pot, fanning it slowly with a small fan. He had just told the craftsmen he was thirsty and came to make himself a bowl of sugar water. Liang Shu searched around for a long time before finding this person in the kitchen, and was amused by how attentive he was. He knelt down to help look after the fire and asked: “Whatever you want to eat, just let Aunt Li do it. Why did you come here yourself?”

“I read a recipe in an ancient book yesterday and I want to try cooking it.” Liu Xian’an used a silver spoon to scoop out a piece of peach meat that had been boiled to softness, saying: “It is almost ready. Your Highness, try it first.”

The pulp was accompanied by the scent of tea. Liang Shu accepted it happily, and was speechless for a long moment. In fact, he was quite capable of eating sweets. After all, when he was stuck in the desert while marching and fighting, he would rely on sugar cakes to replenish his energy. But the sugar cakes truly paled in comparison to the spoonful of sugar-soaked peaches in front of him.

Liu Xian’an asked eagerly: “How is it, ah?”

Perhaps he was sleepy after cooking for a long time, because there was a soft, watery tone to his voice that made His Royal Highness Xiao Wang feel comfortable all over, and his opinion completely vanished. Delicious, I have never eaten such delicious peaches in my life, one spoonful is enough.

Liu Xian’an looked suspicious, because the words “one spoonful is enough” did not sound like a serious evaluation. 

Liang Shu smiled and said: “It is a bit sweet, but should be good to soak in water. There is still some ice stored in the winter cellar. I will tell someone to take some out later, just enough to go with your pot of peach jam.”

“It turns out that this ancient recipe was written in vain. This person was not gourmet.” Liu Xian’an lost interest and tossed the spoon in. “I spent a long time reading him describe them as soft white breasts.”

Liang Shu glanced into the pot and saw that all the peaches were boiled to a lovely pinkish white color, and concurred: “They are quite similar.”

Liu Xian’an raised his foot and kicked him.

Taking advantage of the situation, Liang Shu pulled him into his arms: “What, can I not tell the truth?”

There was no etiquette in his mouth as he talked and asked for kisses at the same time, comparable to a playboy. “I’m going to Old Master Lu’s house later.”

“Don’t worry, I think that old man looks like he will live a long time.” Liang Shu didn’t take this matter to heart. “I heard that yesterday, he scolded his son bloody while lying in bed. He was so angry that it took him half an hour.”

Moreover, when he thought about going to Lu Manor and actually having to stay outside the door, His Royal Highness Xiao Wang complained more, looking for trouble. Sometimes he had a headache, and sometimes his stomach was upset. In any case, his illness was definitely more serious than that of a white-bearded old man, and he needed a doctor to begin his diagnosis and treatment immediately.

Liu Xian’an sighed deeply. So troublesome, ah! But troublesome was troublesome, and he still cooperated to massage the other’s belly for a while. Liang Shu finally calmed down after the massage, and said magnanimously, I will personally take you to Lu Manor later.

A-Ning had already packed the medicine box. He had followed his family’s young master to see several Imperial physicians a few days ago and asked about Old Master Lu’s condition. Judging from the symptoms, it was true that he did not have any serious illness, but was just old. He commonly had a bad temper, so his stagnant qi transformed into fire, his blood pressure rose, and he suffered from problems of old age.

A-Ning had a lot of experience in dealing with this kind of patient. He was an old child, just coax him according to his temper. He originally wanted to leave at noon, but Liu Xian’an waved his hand and said: “There is no rush. The prince said he would take us to have a snack first.”

A-Ning was bewildered: “Ah?”

The dim sum shop was newly opened. It was said that the master chef had been popular in Jin for twenty years. The lard pastries were baked until they were crispy and crumbly, and the filling was sweet and soft, attracting a long queue of people from the royal city. How could His Royal Highness Xiao Wang not join in this prosperous and beautiful bustling? Liu Xian’an walked side by side with him along the long street, and saw that the food shops on both sides were decorated with colorful silks and colorful, festive flowers. There were many types of cold fruits, so he sent A-Ning to buy a pack of pickled melon plums and ginger strips and put them in his mouth to chew slowly.

A-Ning also ate one. It was salty, sour, and sweet, and his tongue went numb from the stimulation. He said with a bitter expression: “They are far worse than the honey-green plums from our Baihe City. Why do you suddenly like to eat this thing?”

“I also don’t like to eat it,” Liu Xian’an said. “It moistens the throat.”

When Liang Shu heard the words “moistens the throat,” his thoughts flew to some unspeakable place and the corners of his mouth rose slightly. With a lazy and frivolous expression, he simply grasped the beauty’s chin in the street to admire him. A-Ning caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye, and his body trembled at once. He moved forward silently to block his young master’s side.

You’re in public, you must be proper and decent!

He was very faithful and dedicated.

The three of them wandered around the streets for a long while, until Liu Xian’an began to feel lazy. Then Liang Shu called the carriage and they drove all the way to Lu Manor.

And there was no one in Lu Manor who didn’t know about the years of enmity between their master and His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, so when they heard that Liang Shu was currently escorting the miracle doctor in person, they were deeply worried and sick at heart. This…..what if the master got angry again and became even more ill? But it was difficult to violate an Imperial command, so they had to put on warm smiles and go out to greet them, hoping that the prince would show benevolence and be magnanimous.

Liang Shu looked at the people in the courtyard who were smiling but not smiling, and his teeth hurt. Heaven knows I really didn’t want to come to this wretched place, you don’t need to be so vigilant. The three of them were accompanied by several Imperial guards, which showed that the emperor did not completely trust his unfortunate brother. He sent more people to keep an eye on him, lest he speak nonsense again and anger the old man to the point of death.

“I will just drink tea in the front hall.” Liang Shu patted Liu Xian’an on the shoulder, his lips curved. “Don’t do too much, there is no need to look at him too well.”

Liu Xian’an smiled and pushed him. He and A-Ning followed the Lu family’s young master to the back courtyard. When they entered the door, they smelled the bitter scent of medicine. A-Ning sniffed and asked: “Has Old Master Lu had a bad appetite recently?”

“Yes…..yes, ah.” Young Master Lu was extremely surprised. This could be smelled? He had known there were miracle doctors in Baihe Mountain Village, but there were no serious illnesses in the family before, so he didn’t think much about how good a miracle doctor could be. Now that he had gained experience, his attitude became respectful.

Old Master Lu had been lying in bed for nearly a year, isolated from the world, and his mind was a little confused. At this time, he only knew that a miracle doctor from Baihe Mountain Village was coming to treat him, but he didn’t know which one it was, let alone the relationship between the miracle doctor and His Royal Highness Xiao Wang — His family members were all distinctly aware of his temper, and if they could hide it, they would. It was better to do less than to do more.

Presently, he had changed his clothes and was reclining on the bedside to wait. When he heard a sound, he looked up to see two young people coming in. One was handsome and refined, and the other was capable and neat, not like doctors, but like immortals in a painting. He was inwardly amazed. Liu Xian’an saluted and said: “Old Master Lu.”

“Doctor Liu, there is no need to be polite.” Old Master Lu propped himself up. “It is me who should thank the miracle doctor.”

A-Ning thought to himself, he doesn’t seem too difficult to talk to, ah. He opened the medicine box nimbly, and Liu Xian’an used silver needles to probe several of Old Master Lu’s acupuncture points as he said: “There is nothing serious at the moment. Just taking a decoction to soothe the liver and relieve depression is enough, but if the Old Master does not change his irritable temper, he will not just be pale, weak, and lacking in energy in the future.”

Young Master Lu quickly asked: “What will happen?”

Liu Xian’an replied: “He will die early.”

Young Master Lu was so alarmed by his frankness that his ears rang, and he spoke words that he had suppressed for a long time: “…..Grandpa, did you hear that? You must be calm in the future. Let the young people take care of those important national affairs.”

“Young people. Where are the reliable young people in the court? Fang Ming, Zhao Chong, or Wang Yuanshan, who can’t even speak a sentence?”

“I…..I think these men are all good, ah.” Young Master Lu smiled awkwardly and said: “Grandpa, the miracle doctor just said to calm down. You had best lie down quickly.” Why was it that whenever this topic was mentioned, he blew his beard and glared?

Old Master Lu was still sighing again and again, looking like a loyal old minister who was worried about his country and family.

Liu Xian’an put down the needle in his hand: “Isn’t there still His Royal Highness Xiao Wang?”

Young Master Lu sucked in a cold breath of air!

Liu Xian’an was unfamiliar with him, and continued: “I don’t know those three men, Fang, Zhao, and Wang, but I know His Royal Highness Xiao Wang. He guards the border and defends the country. He appeased the refugees, exterminated the evil cult, and will leave for the Baihe River in a while. He is so young and capable, why can’t Old Master Lu just remember that there is such a person in the court?”

Old Master Lu almost couldn’t catch his breath after being asked this, and said after a long moment: “Although His Royal Highness Xiao Wang has outstanding military exploits, he has a violent temper, is arrogant and vain, and never listens to unfavorable advice. He also behaves in a rude and disrespectful manner in the court. It is truly difficult to call him a capable minister.”

Liu Xian’an raised his eyes and said in a clear, cold voice: “Why don’t you tell me, Old Master Lu, who in this dynasty can be called a capable minister?”

Young Master Lu was so frightened that he couldn’t speak. He just hoped that his grandpa would faint and forget about it. It must be known that His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was at their house right at that moment! A-Ning thought about the appearance and tone of his young master’s words just now, and inexplicably felt that he looked like the prince.

Old Master Lu may have also recalled a familiar feeling at that exact moment. He was slightly surprised at first, and then said with a frown: “A capable minister lives up to the expectations of His Majesty, does not flatter the powerful, does not create cliques, is upright, loyal and benevolent, and upholds integrity to the death!”

“Is that all?”  Liu Xian’an said, “That sounds like Old Master Lu fits the bill very well.”

If these words were spoken by someone else, they may sound a bit mocking, but Liu Xian’an had the advantage of his immortal appearance, and his tone of voice was neither slow nor fast, which actually made the listener feel calm. Old Master Lu said: “The Lu’s have assisted the emperors of two dynasties and devoted themselves to Dayan. We indeed have a clear conscience.”

Young Master Lu held his forehead and went to step forward and find an excuse to send the miracle doctor out, but Liu Xian’an had already asked again: “Then what practical things has Lu-daren done for the people during his many years in office?”

Old Master Lu stared blankly.

Liu Xian’an added further: “The territory of Dayan stretches for thousands of li, and although its natural resources are abundant, it is not always prosperous and peaceful. From what I know, in the past fifty years alone, there have been successive provocations by pirates from the Eastern Sea and the wolf tribe in the northwest. Even the various countries in Nanyang are not calming down, and there is more internal trouble, such as locust plagues, floods, disease, refugees, rebels, and evil cults. Other than in the vicinity of the dream capital, the rest of the territory is full of worries. Since Old Master Lu is so dedicated, has he ever been to the Eastern Sea and the northwest, or controlled plagues and exterminated locusts?”

Young Master Lu had trouble breathing, and said shakily: “Liu….Miracle Doctor Liu…..let’s go out.”

Old Master Lu was rendered speechless by these questions, and his face turned slightly red.

The Imperial guards and the Lu family servants outside the courtyard listened to this sonorous and powerful interrogation…..not interrogation, questioning, questioning, with their hearts in their throats. Suddenly, His Royal Highness Xiao Wang whom they were on guard against had become the most laid-back person in the entire house.

He finished a pot of someone else’s good tea, tossed a piece of candy into his mouth, and walked around the courtyard with his hands behind his back. As he went, he also played with a colorful parrot hanging under the eaves, grasping a handful of millet and cajoling: “Say ‘may you be happy and prosperous.’”

The colorful parrot flapped its wings twice, moved itself to the middle of the frame, and stood upright to say very articulately: “Resentment does not lie in size, but a crowd should be feared. Water can carry a boat or overturn it, so caution is necessary. Using rotten reins, can you ignore…..gah!” The last sound was the result of someone pinching its mouth. A layer of sweat formed on His Royal Highness Xiao Wang’s back, and he had a further understanding of how annoying this white-bearded old man was. Spending all day long idle at home, he even taught the bird bad things. He flicked his fingers slightly and caused the colorful bird to become dizzy. It could no longer speak words of admonishment, and walked slowly to the corner to squat down.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Liang Shu turned around and returned to the hall. He summoned a little maid and asked: “How is it going? Is he ill?”

“Answering Your Royal Highness, no, he is not.” The little maid was young and courageous. When faced with His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, who was avoided by everyone in the house, she could still answer eloquently. “Miracle Doctor Liu is still treating my master. Please wait a little longer.”

---

T/N: Finally posting the extras! I don’t have a backlog to rely on anymore, so I’m posting them as I translate them. There are seven in total, and I should be able to post at least two per week.

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Seven << Table of Contents >> Extra Two