In the meanwhile, Yan Si, following the other man, cast a glance about and was truly overwhelmed. This dispensary was indeed immensely vast, housing nearly every variety of precious and common medicine alike.
After guiding him to and fro for a time, Liú Yu finally spoke, "The matters here are well tended to by your servant. Your Lordship may observe at leisure; there is no need for you to perform any task."
Then for what purpose, pray tell, had he been summoned hither?
It seemed Yan Si's official post was a mere formality. RongCheng, wishing no one to cause him trouble, had given early instruction, thus none dared to issue him any command.
Moreover, he was the sworn brother of the First Prince, formally adopted by both the Emperor and the Empress. Though he appeared frail and humble, who would dare to slight him to his face? Only behind his back did they speak ill and mock.
Nearing midday, Yan Si was already overcome with fatigue, having never engaged in such extensive movement. He yearned only to return to his chambers for rest.
Just then, Xiao Yi suddenly rushed in to report that the Imperial Concubine had awakened and His Highness summoned him in haste. Hearing this, Yan Si immediately followed him to the Zi Xuan Palace.
It was peculiar indeed. The Imperial Palace lacked no Imperial Physicians, yet RongCheng summoned only Yan Si, always him.
Yan Si sat by the bedside, examining Shan Yuan's pulse for a time, then pronounced, "The Imperial Concubine is now stable. He need only focus on mending his wounds and recuperating his strength."
RongCheng could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Awaiting Yan Si to rise, His Highness promptly took his seat and grasped Shan Yuan's hand, gently stroking the back of his palm...
This spectacle... was truly unbearable to behold. Just as Yan Si intended to discreetly retreat to one side, Shan Yuan seemed to notice him, asking in a hushed voice, "Your Highness, who is that person?"
"Ah..." It was then RongCheng abruptly recalled, and he replied, "A long tale difficult to recount. I shall tell you in good time."
Thereafter, he glanced toward Yan Si, saying, "You may withdraw to your chambers and rest. There is no need for you to stand vigil here."
When that man suffered misfortune, he was immediately summoned; yet, the moment he was well, he was instantly dismissed. What, pray tell, did His Highness truly take him for?
Yan Si, thus dismissed, felt his heart sink heavily, yet he uttered no word. Surely, RongCheng's concern for him extended only thus far; to have arranged for a helper to attend to him was already a measure of exceptional favour.
The current circumstance was entirely unlike what Yan Si had envisioned. To seek an audience with RongCheng, one required a proper cause; one could not simply crave his embrace and be granted it, for His Highness was already occupied, holding another in his arms.
Immediately after, Yan Si silently returned to his abode and sealed the doors, strictly forbidding even Xiao Yi from disturbing him.
He stumbled to his bed and collapsed, burying his face in the quilt. Tears streamed down, soaking the pillow, yet the name he wished to call forth was held back.
"Why did you swear you would not let me be harmed?" Was it not His Highness himself who inflicted the deepest wound upon him?
To be an outsider is such a sorrow... such profound sorrow...
From that day forth, Yan Si kept himself confined to his room, leaving only to visit the Imperial Concubine, after which he would hastily return.
Yan Si's conduct afforded Shan Yuan no chance to speak with him. Even when RongCheng inquired, he would only give perfunctory replies. After some three days, he vanished completely.
Meanwhile, RongCheng, who was pleased that Shan Yuan was recovering well, and thinking that he had charged Xiao Yi to attend to him with utmost care, paid little mind to Yan Si, never expecting...
Xiao Yi found it increasingly difficult to prevail upon Yan Si. The man's appetite was erratic, sometimes virtually forsaking his meals, yet he adamantly forbade Xiao Yi from seeking RongCheng, only saying, "I am well. My stomach cannot hold much food, so do not force me. I shall be well after a short rest."
However, after a mere three days, he was utterly spent and could no longer move, merely burying himself in sleep.
He wished to leave no more... nor wished to behold...
The promise spoken in the cave that day was naught but falsehood! He would no longer put his faith in it!
Five days elapsed, and Yan Si's condition worsened with each passing hour. His continuous slumber filled Xiao Yi with mounting worry. He paced back and forth, contemplating whether he ought to report to His Highness...
"Should aught ill befall my Master, ten lives would not suffice to bear the blame, yet at present, he has already..." Thinking thus, Xiao Yi clenched his jaw, "Nay... is my Master not an Imperial Physician himself? Could he truly fail to cure his own ailment... Perhaps I should... I should trust him."
Moreover, RongCheng had not inquired after him in a long while, so Xiao Yi resolved to gently persuade his Master later.
By the seventh day, when Shan Yuan was near fully recovered, RongCheng finally found the leisure to recall Yan Si.
That evening, RongCheng made an unexpected visit to see how he fared, but what he beheld...
What sight was this before his eyes?
Yan Si, with a pale and wan countenance, leaned against Xiao Yi's shoulder, while the latter held a spoon of congee to his lips, pleading tearfully, "Master... Master... pray wake and eat a little congee... it has been two days since you last..."
Before Xiao Yi could finish his plea, he saw RongCheng arrive. His Highness's face was dark with unconcealed fury. "What treasonous act is this you perform?" he demanded.
The spoon of congee immediately slipped from Xiao Yi's hand. His face turned ashen, devoid of blood. He hastily laid Yan Si down upon the bed and prostrated himself upon the ground. "Your... Your Highness, grant this servant pardon. This lowly servant was inept and could not prevail upon my Master..."
At that moment, RongCheng had not the patience to listen further to Xiao Yi. He instantly strode forth and kicked the despicable servant aside, then proceeded to examine Yan Si's condition.
Seeing him now in a state worse than he was at the cave, RongCheng gritted out, "Did I not command you to attend to him with utmost diligence? How dare you allow him to come to such a state?"
Xiao Yi was still kneeling on the ground, his whole body trembling uncontrollably as he stammered, "I... I am... a worthless servant... The Master... refuses to eat or drink... This servant could not... could not persuade him... Th-that is why I..."
"Refused to partake of food or drink?" With every word, RongCheng's rage mounted higher. He ground his teeth, asking, "He refused to eat, and you simply forsook him? You did not even deign to report this to me! Do you hold my words for naught?"
Knowing he was entirely in the wrong, Xiao Yi repeatedly knocked his head upon the ground. "Your Highness, grant this servant pardon. This is the lowly servant's fault... this servant knows his error... Your Highness, grant pardon."
RongCheng's fury soared to the heavens. He was about to summon his guards to drag the despicable servant out for a sound beating when he suddenly heard an exceedingly weak voice, "Do not fault him... it is not his error, but mine. Pray do not rebuke him."
Yan Si was awake, yet he could not open his eyes. He only heard the sounds near and far, and vaguely sensed RongCheng's intent, thus forcing himself to intercede.
Seeing him awaken, RongCheng felt both relief and worry. With a sigh, he asked softly, "Younger Brother, why have you become like this again?"
Yan Si gently shook his head without answering, only murmuring, "Will you hold me... please?"
"Yes..." RongCheng nodded, helping Yan Si sit up before drawing him close, letting him rest against his chest as his arms wrapped around him.
Feeling the familiar warmth, Yan Si felt as if his whole being would melt away. After a long, profound silence, he spoke again, "Pray take me back to the cave."
Cast him aside, so he would trouble no one, and he would be well enough. It was only a pity that...
Would that he had never known this sentiment called 'love,' how much better would it be? Then, his life would only be cold and famished, why should he have to bear this added anguish?
RongCheng tightened his embrace around Yan Si, asking softly, "Why do you yearn to return? Why seek to depart? Is there something amiss here? Has someone treated you ill?"
Who had treated him ill? Who, indeed? The corner of Yan Si's lips curved briefly, then drooped. He whispered, "Is it not Your Highness yourself?"
His Highness seemed to have forgotten his vow.
"I...?" RongCheng suddenly felt a severe ache in his head. Even now, he truly did not know what wrong he had committed, or how he had been unjust to him...
"Let it be, simply disregard me." Yan Si suddenly shook his head. There was no need to dwell upon who was right and who was wrong. It was not RongCheng's fault, but his own, for being so devoted when he knew full well His Highness loved another. Had he truly believed that coming here would grant him a place beside His Highness, as he had in the cave? In the end, it was but a self-sought bitterness.
Beholding the man nearly swooning in his arms, RongCheng suddenly felt a pang of profound sorrow. It was then he began to gradually recall...