Chapter 118
Chapter 118 - Unfilial Son!
The Great Liang palace was divided into an inner palace and an outer palace. The inner palace housed the concubines of the imperial harem, while the outer palace was the workspace for the emperor and various officials.
Except for the emperor, any other men wishing to enter the inner palace had to undergo multiple layers of inspections. Even Yun Heran needed to record his visit if he wanted to see the Imperial Consort Yun.
Princes lived in the inner palace until they turned five, after which they moved to the outer palace.
This rule was entirely broken by Teng Yu, as the Emperor, not wanting him to acquire any skills, quietly allowed Teng Yu to stay in the Outer Palace.
Upon turning fifteen, the princes were required to move out of the imperial palace.
Teng Yu also had his own Bedroom Hall in the Outer Palace. Despite having his own palace outside, he often stayed in the palace, enjoying the special treatment.
Teng Yu and Yin Xu, escorted by the palace eunuchs, entered the Yu Ming Palace. The furnishings, maintained over the years, showed no signs of change.
The managing female official approached to inquire about Yin Xu's accommodations. Teng Yu gave her a glance and then led Yin Xu directly to his room.
“In the future, seventh master Huo will be your second master. When His Highness is not around, listen to him. If anyone dares to disobey or disrespect, don't blame me for being ruthless.”
The group behind him responded in unison, “Yes,” though they lowered their heads, making it unclear if they were truly attentive.
Teng Yu didn't concern himself with this; most people in the palace were not his loyal followers. He had spent much effort in the past navigating the palace's schemes.
However, having thoroughly investigated the different factions' people, he didn't bother to clean up and let them continue their activities.
Teng Yu carried Yin Xu into the room and dismissed the servants, saying, “Should we rest for a while?” Since both were injured, they hadn't had any time to rest, spending their free time healing or dual cultivating, which contributed to Yin Xu's displeased expression.
It certainly wasn't because the imperial physician thought he had overexerted himself.
Yin Xu kicked him away, removed his outer clothes, crawled onto the bed, wrapped the entire blanket around himself, and glared at Teng Yu: “Do you really think I can't control you?”
Teng Yu clutched his chest and coughed twice: “Xiao Yin, are you really going to treat me like this? My chest is starting to hurt again!”
Yin Xu's face darkened, his mouth twitched, and he sent a burst of inner force. The sharp wind rushed straight towards Teng Yu's chest, threatening to silence him permanently.
Teng Yu wiped off his cold sweat and dodged. He stood at the bedroom door and watched as the force shattered the large pillar carved with patterns. “Do you really want your husband's life?”
“Scram!” Yin Xu had long been irritated by the way Teng Yu addressed him, not because of their intimacy, but because it was too contrary to decorum, undermining his cleverness in both lives.
After enjoying enough of Yin Xu's flustered and exasperated expression, Teng Yu didn't dare continue teasing him. Though he loved seeing Yin Xu's changing expressions, he restrained himself.
“Then you rest. I'll get someone to move the blankets over to make a bed for you!” Teng Yu then went out to call the guards.
The young palace maid was simply dumbstruck upon hearing the order. A dignified prince like him wanted to make a bed on the ground?
Moreover, it seemed he had been chased out of bed by the Huo Family's Seventh Young Master.
“What are you still standing there for? Go quickly!” Teng Yu scolded, thinking to himself, This face is so unfamiliar; I wonder where she came from.
The palace maid, stunned, went back to her work, but remained in a trance. Even as she carried the soft blanket into the Third Prince's bedroom with her head lowered, she was still a little scared out of her wits.
“Your Highness, the blanket is here.”
“Un, spread it out beside the bed. The closer, the better!” Teng Yu sat on the Pear Blossom Wood Vine chair nearby, drinking tea and fixating on the back of the person on the bed.
How heartless. Not a single glance was directed at him.
The palace maid walked to the bedside with trembling legs. Without raising her head, she could see a person wrapped in a blanket, only the back of his head visible.
Wishing for fewer eyes, she knelt down, covered herself with a thick blanket, and carefully smoothed out every crease.
She could still hear the gentle breathing of the person on the bed and catch the faint fragrance drifting to her nose.
This individual was the famed favorite of the Third Prince. Not only was he a man, but he was also the Young Master of the Huo Family.
Why would a perfectly fine young master serve another man? Although the Third Prince was handsome and of noble birth, he himself was not inferior.
With the powerful Huo Family backing him, as long as he didn't anger the head of the Huo Family, he could certainly lead a carefree life.
Naturally, many in the palace speculated that Master Huo Qi loved the Third Prince, which explained why he was willing to abandon some of his followers.
But people still couldn't understand how affection could restore one's reputation, surpassing honor and shame.
“Your Highness, the bed is ready,” the young palace maid reported to Teng Yu with her head lowered.
Teng Yu placed his forefinger on his lips, “Shh,” and frowned deeply. “Leave.”
The young palace maid, shocked by Teng Yu's actions, hurriedly lowered her head, bowed, and softly responded, “Yes.”
The mosquito-like voice did not disturb Yin Xu at all, but Teng Yu knew the other party was definitely not asleep yet.
Teng Yu quietly approached the bunk and sat down. He stretched out his arm and poked Yin Xu's back with his finger, “Hey, I'll sleep at your feet. Be careful when you get out of bed; don't step on your husband.”
Yin Xu shrank back a little, ignoring him.
Teng Yu also moved forward a bit and continued to poke him, “Are you letting me sleep on this bed?”
Hearing this, the person on the bed immediately rolled over, filling up the space outside.
“You want me to sleep inside?” Teng Yu shamelessly continued to ask.
The person on the bed, finally unwilling to be disturbed, opened his bright and clear eyes, staring straight at him without saying a word.
“Alright, I get it. I'll just sleep on the ground,” Teng Yu said, turning around and lying down with his back facing Yin Xu. He muttered, “Sigh, I wonder if the imperial physician will find my condition worsened tomorrow; that old man will surely suspect his medical skills.”
“Ah …” A pillow hit his head, causing Teng Yu to scream miserably as he turned around, holding the back of his head. One of the pillows he had prepared for others was lying innocently beside his head.
This was top-grade bone china from Suzhou. It was said to remain unbroken even after being thrown ten times, showing how hard it was.
Teng Yu rubbed the aching back of his head and didn't say another word.
A thick curtain hung over the room, blocking the light outside. The two gradually fell into a deep sleep.
Huo Zhengquan stayed in the imperial study a little longer, played two games of chess with the Emperor, and discussed the defense issue in the northwest region.
To show his favor for the Third Prince, the Emperor had given him the Outer Palace's most beautifully situated and best-positioned hall as his bedroom.
When Huo Zhengquan approached, a young eunuch immediately came forward to greet him, “This servant greets Marshal Huo!”
“Rise, go inside and inform them that I wish to see Huo Tian.”
Just as the young eunuch was about to reply out of habit, he remembered that the two inside had already rested. He quickly changed his words, “Reporting to Lord Marshal, the Third Prince and Seventh Young Master have already gone to sleep. Shall I wake them?”
Everyone knew the Third Prince had a bad temper, often hitting and punishing palace servants, and the young eunuch did not dare to take on such a task.
He hoped Huo Zhengquan would refuse, but instead heard a calm order, “Alright, go call Huo Tian out. As for the Third Prince… I will wake him myself.”
The young eunuch's face turned sullen, and he wanted to kneel down and beg for mercy.
He hesitated, weighing the unpredictable Prince inside against the iron-blooded Grand Marshal before him, gritted his teeth, and said, “Yes, please wait.”
Offending the Third Prince would result in lashes and reprimands. Offending the Lord Marshal could mean instant death.
Moreover, as a father, it’s unreasonable for a father to wait for his son, right?
He walked in uneasily, standing outside the main house hesitating for a moment before softly knocking on the door, “Seventh Young Master… Seventh Young Master…”
There was no response for a long time. The young eunuch considered retreating but couldn't find an excuse to give Marshal Huo.
You can't tell him that your son is sleeping and won't wake up, can you?
He mustered his courage and knocked again, this time calling out a bit louder, “Seventh Young Master…”
With a “creak,” the door opened from the inside. The young eunuch, both surprised and happy, was about to kowtow when he saw no one in front of him.
He stepped back in fright, wiping his eyes. Indeed, no one was there. Could it be… Everyone said the palace was filled with a dense yin aura and countless ghosts. But it shouldn’t be this startling in broad daylight, right?
“Soulcry?” A clear voice reached the young eunuch's ears. He looked around but still saw no one.
Could it be true? The young eunuch's legs grew so weak he could barely stand, nearly kneeling.
“If you have something to say, say it quickly. If not, then leave!” This time, the young eunuch recognized the voice as Yin Xu's.
Despite his curiosity about not seeing anyone, he relayed Marshal Huo Zhengquan's message.
“Oh, him? Just tell him I'm very sleepy right now and not in the mood or energy to see him. He can wait. If not, he can leave.”
The young eunuch's eyes widened in disbelief. He thought the Third Prince was the bravest, even daring to disobey the Emperor’s decree.
Who would have thought the Seventh Young Master wouldn't give in either?
Before the young eunuch could persuade him otherwise, the red door closed automatically in front of him. Terrified, he turned and ran, not caring about father or son.
He jogged out and saw that Marshal Huo had already been brought in and was sitting in the hall drinking tea.
After a moment's thought, he walked over and said, “Marshal Huo, the Seventh Young Master said he is severely injured and cannot get up. He told you to go back first.”
Huo Zhengquan frowned and asked, “Where does he live? This Marshal will go find him personally.”
“This…”
“Hmm?” Huo Zhengquan looked at him with displeasure.
“Is it not proper for you to stay with the Seventh Young Master?”
Huo Zhengquan's mouth curled up, but his gaze was sharp. “This Marshal is here to find his son. Is there anything improper about that?”
“No… No, this servant didn't mean that…”
“Then lead the way!” Huo Zhengquan stood up, flung his sleeves, and walked ahead, heading straight for the main house.
He had the most detailed layout of the palace in his mind, so he knew exactly where Yin Xu was likely to be.
The young eunuch trotted behind, wiping his sweat as he followed.
This time, everything went smoothly. As they approached the main house, the door opened again. This time, a young face appeared behind the door.
“You're here, what's the matter?”
Huo Zhengquan saw that he was only wearing a moon-white undergarment, the collar wide open, with traces of earlier actions still visible.
His hair was disheveled, and his face was flushed. This scene was the epitome of ‘Spring'.
Huo Zhengquan became furious and swept his palm over, “Unfilial son! Do you have any shame?”