Chapter 8 Freedom of Access
Ye Xunyang slept unusually soundly that night, without even having a dream. The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, he woke up on his own.
I got up and looked around. Hmm, great. Everyone was sleeping separately, like the Chu River and Han border, peaceful and undisturbed.
But when he thought about how Lou Jin had gotten up earlier than him that day, his competitive spirit kicked in, and he couldn't let a patient always wait for him to have breakfast.
He got up to wash up, changed into a set of comfortable clothes, and planned to stretch his muscles in the courtyard first, and then wait for Lou Jin to get up before bringing up the matter of leaving the mansion freely.
When he finished practicing a set of boxing techniques and returned to his room slightly sweaty, the maid came to report that the prince had already gotten up and was in his study.
Ye Xunyang was a little surprised. This person got up too early. Going to the study so early, he must be very diligent.
He quickly wiped his face and headed towards the study in the main courtyard.
Outside the study, Lou Jin's personal attendant, Wang Quan, dutifully stood guard.
Upon seeing Ye Xunyang, Wang Quan bowed and greeted her, saying, "Your Highness, the Prince is having his meal."
"Yes, I have something to discuss with Your Highness," Ye Xunyang said, and started to walk inside.
Wang Quan did not stop her, but stepped aside and whispered, "His Highness instructed that if the Princess Consort comes, she may go in directly."
The study was simply furnished yet elegant. Lou Jin was sitting at the table by the window, looking at a letter.
His face was still pale, but his eyes were clear. When he saw Ye Xunyang come in, he didn't seem surprised. He just covered the letter with the book next to him.
"Have you had breakfast yet?" Lou Jin put down his silver chopsticks and asked naturally.
"not yet."
Ye Xunyang walked up to him and decided to get straight to the point.
"Your Highness, I came to ask if I... am allowed to leave the manor on ordinary days? For example, to stroll around the streets, or to visit my mother at the General's Mansion?"
Lou Jin was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then a look of understanding and amusement flashed in his eyes: "When did I say that you couldn't leave the manor?"
Ye Xunyang was taken aback by his question, touched his nose, and smiled somewhat awkwardly: "Well... I was thinking that, after all, as a princess, I should be mindful of my image. If I go out casually and people gossip, it would be bad if it caused trouble for the prince."
He was too embarrassed to say that he thought he also had to abide by the rules for women in their boudoirs.
Lou Jin looked at his somewhat embarrassed appearance, his smile deepened, but his tone remained calm: "Our marriage is a royal decree, it is perfectly legitimate."
“You are a man, and from a military family. How can you imitate women and stay at home all the time? This palace is not a cage. You can go out whenever you want, and go wherever you want. Just be careful and bring your guards with you. If you want to return to the general’s palace, just send someone to inform us in advance and have your carriage ready.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Xunyang was overjoyed, and a smile immediately spread across his face, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun: "Really? Then thank you very much, Your Highness!"
Lou Jin added, seeing his happy expression.
"Now that you have taken over the affairs and accounts of the manor, I entrust you with the task of managing them well. Within the manor, except for this study where I need to communicate when handling important matters, you may move freely in all other places."
"Of course, if you want to enter the study, you can ask Wang Quan to let me know at any time. It's not a forbidden area."
Ye Xunyang was in a great mood at the moment, and found the sick prince in front of him to be pleasing to the eye no matter what. He quickly replied, "Your Highness, rest assured, leave the affairs of the manor to me, I will definitely not let you down! Then... I won't bother you any longer?"
Lou Jin nodded as he watched him instantly become radiant: "Go ahead, remember to have breakfast."
Ye Xunyang left the study excitedly, his steps much lighter.
Inside the study, Lou Jin watched Ye Xunyang's departing figure, the smile in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a thoughtful expression. After finishing his business, he summoned Wang Quan.
"Prepare the carriage; let's go to the Imperial Preceptor's residence."
He had to figure out why being near Ye Xunyang could so strangely alleviate the excruciating pain in his body.
Is this just a coincidence, a deeper meaning behind the imperial oracle's prediction, or... something else entirely?
The Imperial Preceptor's Residence is located in a secluded spot in the capital, in a tranquil environment.
Lou Jin's arrival did not cause much of a commotion; he was led directly to the inner chamber where the Imperial Preceptor was meditating.
The Imperial Preceptor, Xuan Yunzi, had white hair and beard, a gaunt face, and wore a plain Taoist robe. He was meditating with his eyes closed.
Sensing Lou Jin's entry, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and restrained.
"Your Highness seems to be in slightly better spirits today than in the past few days," Xuan Yunzi said calmly, his voice revealing no emotion.
Lou Jin drove his wheelchair forward, dismissing those around him, leaving only the two of them in the room.
He cut straight to the point without any pleasantries: "Imperial Preceptor, I have come today to ask you some questions about this marriage."
Xuan Yunzi nodded slightly: "Please speak, Your Highness."
"After Ye Xunyang entered the manor, I discovered that as long as he was nearby, the excruciating pain that had plagued my body for many years would be significantly reduced, and I could even sleep soundly."
Lou Jin stared at Xuan Yunzi without moving, watching his reaction.
"When the Imperial Preceptor divined my fate, he only said that the eldest son of the Ye family had an extremely Yang birth chart, which could dilute the Yin energy in my destiny. But what exactly is the reason for this? Why does his presence have such a miraculous effect on me? Is there a deeper cause and effect behind this?"
This was the key to his incomprehension.
If it's just a matter of compatible birth charts but conflicting energies, the effect would be far too immediate and concrete, almost like some kind of substantial influence.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yunzi's eyes flashed with a faint hint of surprise, before he fell into deep thought.
He calculated carefully with his fingers, his brows furrowing slightly, before slowly saying, "The situation described by Your Highness is indeed beyond the usual effect of 'celebrating a happy occasion'. According to astrology, those with extremely Yang birth charts possess Yang energy far exceeding that of ordinary people."
"The poison that the prince was afflicted with was cold and treacherous, corroding his bones and marrow, essentially devouring his life force. Young Master Ye's yang energy is perhaps like the blazing sun shining on ice, naturally restraining, or even melting away, the pain caused by that cold poison."
He paused, his tone becoming more serious: "But if the effect is so significant, it's as if... as if Young Master Ye has his own domain that can directly affect the Prince's illness."
"This may not be a simple clash of horoscopes, but may involve some more mysterious physical constitution, or perhaps Young Master Ye has practiced some unique martial arts or military strategy."
"Physical constitution? Martial arts skills?" Lou Jin pressed.
"A very small number of people in the world possess special bloodlines or spiritual bodies, and their aura has miraculous effects on certain specific situations. Or perhaps, there is some profound causal connection between Your Highness and Young Master Ye, making his aura like a good medicine for you."
"This matter concerns the secrets of heaven, which I, this humble Taoist, cannot fully comprehend. However, it is certain that Young Master Ye is beneficial to Your Highness's condition. Your Highness may wish to let things take their course and cultivate closer ties with him; this will surely be of benefit to your recovery."
Lou Jin remained silent for a moment, digesting the Grand Preceptor's words.
Special constitution? Cause and effect? These explanations may seem far-fetched, but they do indeed explain his actual physical sensations.
"Thank you for your guidance, Imperial Advisor." Lou Jin had a plan in mind.
After leaving the Imperial Preceptor's residence, Lou Jin sat in the carriage on his way back to the Prince's residence and closed his eyes to rest.
If Ye Xunyang is truly the key to alleviating his pain, then keeping him by his side is not just a temporary measure, but a matter of his own lifespan, and may even be his only hope for recovery.
If that's the case, he only wanted to test and use Ye Xunyang and the Ye family before, but now he must truly keep him by his side and make him stay willingly.
Meanwhile, Ye Xunyang was still focused on a future divorce and remaining brothers...
Lou Jin opened his eyes, his gaze as deep and dark as night.
It seems we need to find a way to make it not so easy for them to sever their marital ties.
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