Chapter 154: How come I'm back again?

In Zichen Hall.

Xiao Jieyun stared blankly at a memorial on the imperial desk.

Xiao Yuanhang sat at the lower seat, glanced at the emperor's face, and said, "Your Majesty, what is not decided?"

Xiao Jieyun passed the memorial to him.

Xiao Yuanhang looked it over, his face showing surprise: "Qing Wang requests to enter the capital?"

The emperor nodded: "Qing Wang, because of severe drought in his fief, needs to present his petition in person; moreover, the heir apparent is gravely ill, local physicians cannot cure it, so he requests to come to the capital to seek medical treatment."

"The first point I can still reject; but if I reject the second, I fear I will gain a reputation for being stingy and ungrateful."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded slightly: "Your Majesty is sagacious. Qing Wang's move counts on your benevolence; he comes prepared, bound to succeed."

"Since he is determined to return to the capital, why should Your Majesty stop him?"

"Qing Wang has been safe and sound in his fief; his sudden memorial requesting to enter the capital must be related to Your Majesty's Heavenly Sacrifice for rain."

"It would be wise to prepare thoroughly, lure him into the urn, and watch developments."

Xiao Jieyun hesitated a moment, picked up the vermilion brush, and wrote a large "approved" character.

"Yuanhang, effective immediately, you shall have full command of the suburban main camp and all surrounding troops, to guard the capital region."

"Your servant, I obey the decree!"

A few days later, in Fengyi Palace.

Tuan Tuan led Xiao Lin and Xiao Jin in chasing the big wolf around the courtyard.

The big wolf was swift; the three children surrounded and pursued it, but could not catch it, each panting from exhaustion.

Murong Jing ordered the palace maid: "Go call them in to rest and have some water."

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Tuan Tuan stopped, led the way into the main hall, and Xiao Lin and Xiao Jin hurriedly followed.

The big wolf trotted to the entrance, peeking inside.

Xiao Lin asked: "Tuan Tuan, why won't the big wolf come in?"

Tuan Tuan gulped down the cup of water: "Because Snowball fears it; I told it not to come in—Snowball is too small."

After finishing the water, Tuan Tuan turned and shouted: "Big wolf, go play by yourself."

The big wolf drooped its head and walked away reluctantly.

The three children then resumed chasing Snowball around the main hall, climbing up and down, knocking over furniture, creating a great commotion.

Finally night fell, Tuan Tuan fell asleep, and Murong Jing sat by the bed, unable to stop murmuring to herself.

"So this is what raising a child is like. Unless you're asleep, there is no moment of peace in Fengyi Palace."

She smiled, tucked the embroidered blanket around Tuan Tuan, and instructed the night‑watch maid: "Take good care of the princess." Then she rose to rest.

Tuan Tuan, who usually falls asleep the moment her head hits the pillow and sleeps till dawn, had a dream for the first time.

Together with Snowball, she crouched again beside the Bibo Pond.

Huh? How come I'm back again?

Little Snowball, just as before, kept crying out "meow-meow" at the carp in the water.

Those few plump carp leisurely swam about in the water.

"Haven't I already eaten these fish? Why are they back again?"

"Little glutton cat, wait a moment—I'll catch them for you again."

Tuan Tuan, following her memory, found a flexible small branch, skillfully bent it into a fishhook shape, then crouched back beside Snowball.

She looked back: "Huh, where are the two maids who were following us?"

"Never mind," she flung the branch into the water: "Little fish, little fish, come up quickly!"

After a while, the water surface remained calm, the fish leisurely, with no change.

How could this be?

Tuan Tuan frowned, puzzled, stood up and walked toward the deeper part of the pond's edge.

"Ah—" she slipped, cried out, and fell into the pond.

The pond water was icy and black, instantly engulfing her.

The next morning, Murong Jing was seated at her dressing table, doing her hair.

"Empress! Empress! The princess has a high fever! The servant can't wake her!"

Murong Jing leapt up and rushed to Tuan Tuan's bedside: "Tuan Tuan! Tuan Tuan?"

She felt her: Tuan Tuan's forehead was burning, her clenched little hand icy cold—"Quick! Call the imperial physician! Summon the chief imperial physician to my palace!"

Guo Taiyi hurried over, placed his hand on Tuan Tuan's delicate wrist, his brows knitting tighter and tighter, finally withdrawing in defeat: "Your Highness, I am unable. The princess's pulse is floating and slippery, chaotic; it bears no resemblance to any pulse I have ever diagnosed in my life—I simply cannot determine the cause."

Murong Jing staggered: "Go! Report to the emperor! Hurry!"

Xiao Jieyun was attending the morning court.

The Ministry of Works memorialized: "Your Majesty, the Heavenly Sacrifice Terrace has been completely completed."

The Imperial Observatory's chief official stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I have observed the night sky; three days from now is the auspicious time for praying for rain."

Xiao Jieyun gave a slight nod: "Issue the decree: effective today, I will fast and bathe; three days hence, I will personally ascend the Heavenly Sacrifice Terrace to pray for rain for the people."

All officials bowed: "Your Majesty is wise and brilliant!"

A palace eunuch loudly reported: "Your Majesty, the Empress has sent word that Princess Jiayou has a high fever, fainted, and remains unconscious!"

Xiao Jieyun sprang up, his sleeve overturning the tea cup before him: "What?!"

He turned and withdrew into the inner chambers.

He hurried into Fengyi Palace; Murong Jing was already in tears, unable to speak.

Again, Guo Taiyi reported Tuan Tuan's condition in full.

Xiao Jieyun's face turned ashen: "Send someone quickly to Ning Prince's Mansion to inform the Prince and the Princess Consort."

The eunuch took the order and left.

The Emperor looked at the little Tuan Tuan on the bed, her face flushed and utterly silent, and felt as if a massive stone pressed on his heart.

Tuan Tuan, if you were not here, my supplication for rain would have an uncertain outcome.

The news quickly reached Noble Consort De and Consort Rong in the palace; the two young princes immediately reddened around the eyes, tugged at their mother's sleeves, and tried to rush toward the Empress's Palace.

Noble Consort De and Consort Rong were also anxious; although they had not spent much time with Tuan Tuan, they truly loved the lively and adorable Little Princess, and immediately went over with their sons.

The hall was suddenly filled with people.

Xiao Lin gently felt Tuan Tuan's scorching forehead, his voice trembling with tears: "Tuan Tuan, wake up quickly; I'll give you all my favorite toys to play with."

Xiao Jin's tears fell in drops: "Tuan Tuan, I'll give you all my osmanthus candy; get up and eat the candy, okay?"

Childish words added even more sorrow.

Soon, Xiao Yuanhang and his wife, along with Xiao Ningchen, entered, followed by Divine Doctor Mo Zhanggeng, who had been residing in the Prince's Mansion.

Cheng Ru'an hadn't even had time to pay his respects to the Empress, and he rushed to the bedside, grasping his daughter's icy little hand, tears streaming like rain.

Xiao Ningchen clenched his fists, looking at his sister's condition, the nameless fire in his heart burning so fiercely that he wanted to rush out and fight someone.

Xiao Yuanhang's expression was heavy: "Divine Doctor, please take a look at Tuan Tuan."

Mo Zhanggeng, seeing his beloved disciple, felt even more pain and immediately began pulse diagnosis.

He carefully took the pulse, then glanced at Tuan Tuan's eyelids and shook his head.

"Tuan Tuan's condition does not appear to be an illness. It seems her spirit is disturbed. I can only prescribe a calming, tonifying formula; have her take a few doses and see."

The medicine was quickly boiled, and Cheng Ru'an, holding his daughter, carefully fed it to her.

After a night passed, Tuan Tuan still kept her eyes tightly shut, breathing weakly, her high fever unchanged, and she remained motionless.

Cheng Ru'an held his daughter's small hand tightly, daring not to let go for even a moment.