Yan Guan was very tired and fell asleep as soon as he returned to his room.
The next day, remembering Daxi's instructions, he got up early and ran to the kitchen.
He ground some hawthorn and barley into powder, boiled a large pot of it, and used it as a tea substitute. He also made millet porridge, and when he saw the bubbles rising in the pot, he quickly cut a pumpkin into small pieces and tossed them in. The mutton soup was ready. Yan Guan recalled how they did it in Yangzhou’s eateries. He broke up some steamed buns and soaked them in the soup until soft—a method likely passed down from the capital.
An old woman in the kitchen saw Yan Guan busying himself and couldn't help but come over. "New servant? This breakfast... so little meat and no milk. How is the Lord supposed to eat?"
Yan Guan tried to decipher her dialect but could only understand bits and pieces. He vaguely mumbled, "I'll give it a try."
He carried the food back to the palace. A guard knocked on the door for him and announced.
"Come in."
Yan Guan walked around the screen and placed the tray on the table.
Chao Ge was faced away from him, undressed and washing. Having trained in martial arts since he was a child, Chao Ge’s broad shoulders and smooth muscles were striking. Several scars meandered across his back, not too dark, but they didn’t detract from his overall appeal. They seem to be from long ago, Yan Guan thought.
Chao Ge pulled on his outer robe and turned around, causing Yan Guan to quickly avert his gaze. With nowhere else to look, his eyes settled on the humble breakfast, which suddenly seemed rather plain.
"Lamb soup? I've had it a few times in the Forbidden Palace."
Seeing that Chao Ge wasn’t displeased, Yan Guan breathed a sigh of relief and explained, "You’ve just returned from Yangzhou, where the food is heavy and oily. That’s why your digestion is off. If we gradually adjust your meals, you'll get used to it."
"This hawthorn and barley tea can be drunk like regular tea. I made a big pot," he added with a hint of pride.
Chao Ge curved his lips slightly and he graciously ate everything.
Just past noon, Yan Guan brought another food box to the main hall.
Daxi took the box from him and asked, "What did you make?"
"Chicken soup with Chinese yam, stir-fried lettuce, and some noodles."
"Is that enough?"
"His appetite was about the same this morning. Eating too much isn’t good either," Yan Guan glanced at the box again.
Daxi nodded, but as they approached the study, he suddenly paused, turned around, and handed the food box back to Yan Guan. "You take it in."
Yan Guan didn’t know why but obediently complied.
Daxi stood on tiptoe, peeking in, and thought to himself, ‘Lucky I reacted quickly. If I’d gone in and Chao Ge didn’t eat well, the Second Prince would come complaining to me again. But Xiao Guan is different. He’s likable at first glance—he'll definitely get Chao Ge to eat.’
Chao Ge, hearing the noise, glanced up and relaxed a little when he saw it was Yan Guan.
"Lord, please eat now."
"Mm, put it on the tea table."
Yan Guan did as instructed, thinking to himself, ‘He doesn’t seem that hard to persuade? Maybe there’s less work today?’
Chao Ge ate quickly, and Yan Guan, standing by, hesitated several times before finally speaking up. "Lord, eating too fast isn’t good for your digestion."
Chao Ge didn’t say anything but did slow down a bit. Realizing he had overstepped, Yan Guan kept quiet from then on.
"Let Daxi take the food box back. You stay here."
"Okay," Yan Guan greeted Daxi, unsure of what else to do, and then returned to stand behind Chao Ge.
"Go sit over there and pour me tea every half an hour."
Yan Guan sat on the cushion, staring at the water clock to count time. Though he came from an ordinary family and had never served high-ranking officials, he knew a bit about etiquette and propriety.
‘I’ve never heard of a servant being allowed to sit in front of their Lord, not having to handle brush and ink, and only needing to pour tea every half an hour. It almost seems like he’s just finding an excuse to keep me around?’
Yan Guan shook his head, thinking, ‘Where is my mind going?’ After pondering for a while without understanding, he attributed it to the differences in customs between Wugan and Liang Dynasties.
Yan Guan ended up accompanying Chao Ge in the study all day. In the evening, he went out to make dinner, and Chao Ge ate promptly. Yan Guan became even more convinced that the previous meals had just been unappetizing, which was why the Lord wasn’t eating well.
As the candles in the study were changed again, Yan Guan poked the coals in the tea stove and inched closer to the warmth.
The study was large, and despite the circle of charcoal basins, it still didn't feel warm. Yan Guan exhaled a puff of mist, rubbing his hands together and tightening the collar of his coat.
Chao Ge, crossing over some books, looked up and noticed that even though Yan Guan wore a thick official robe, it still seemed cold.
"Geqi," Chao Ge called out.
A guard, someone Yan Guan had seen many times before, entered from outside.
"Your Lordship's orders?"
"Bring two more charcoal basins and place them in front of me."
Geqi left to fetch the basins, and Yan Guan took the kettle to pour tea for Chao Ge.
The charcoal basins were placed in front of Chao Ge, and Yan Guan naturally sat to the side, enjoying the warmth. He subtly scooted his cushion a little closer.
Chao Ge noticed his small movement and smiled faintly.
At midnight, Yan Guan yawned and stared blankly at the water clock, clearly drowsy.
Chao Ge glanced over at him, the dim candlelight softening around Yan Guan. The flickering charcoal fire illuminated his face with a warm glow. For some reason, Chao Ge suddenly felt a subtle warmth in his chest.
"You can go back," Chao Ge said softly, his tone carrying an unintentional tenderness.
Yan Guan snapped out of his thoughts and immediately straightened up, shaking his head in refusal. "The Lord hasn't rested yet."
"I'll be staying here tonight. You can go back."
Yan Guan had no choice but to rise and take his leave. When closing the door, he turned his back, but through the crack, he caught sight of Chao Ge's slightly tired expression. The study was so large that even the candlelight seemed insufficient to fill the space, making the figure seated within it appear lonely. Realizing the fluttering feeling in his chest, Yan Guan quickly lowered his gaze and turned away.
The door closed softly, and the study fell into solitude. Chao Ge lifted his head and stared for a few seconds before lowering it again.
Time passed quickly. On the day of the Little New Year, there was a lively bustle in the palace. Chao Ge, who rarely took a day off, still had to visit the temple to pray for blessings.
"From today until the New Year, the Lord must eat vegetarian food and kneel in the temple to pray for the people," Daxi explained to Yan Guan.
No wonder, Yan Guan thought, recalling how busy Chao Ge had been in the past few days.
"I understand now. The meals will be adjusted accordingly."
Daxi glanced at Chao Ge, who was talking to Jue Mu by the mountain. "The Lord’s appetite seems much better these days."
"Mm, but the Lord refuses to take medicine. Otherwise, he could recover faster."
"Refuses medicine? Why?"
Yan Guan shook his head, unwilling to ask.
Daxi thought to himself that the Lord had never minded taking medicine before. "That’s Jue Mu, the mother of all living beings," Daxi casually chatted with Yan Guan.
Yan Guan, intrigued, widened his eyes and sighed, "So powerful. Does that mean the Lord will be worshiping her in the coming days?"
Daxi laughed. "No, Jue Mu is praying to the Gods for instructions from Eternal Heaven . Some of the Clansmen will be coming later. It’s going to be a big ceremony, so stay put and don’t wander off."
"Mm, I won’t walk around."
In the days that followed, Daxi and Yan Guan built a good rapport. Daxi was quite lively in private, and since Yan Guan was around the same age as his younger brother, he took a little extra care of him.
The ceremony was indeed grand, but it was far off. Yan Guan leaned against the carriage and stood on tiptoe for quite a while, reluctant to leave.
Today, Chao Ge wore a black robe, with mink fur on the cuffs and collar. His chest was embroidered with fish, dragon, and water cloud patterns, and he wore a red embossed belt adorned with lotus flower motifs. The wind on the mountain was strong, which made the robe flutter, but his back never bent even slightly. His solemn and dignified appearance made Chao Ge stand out even more among the ministers.
He knelt at the altar, listening to Jue Mu’s prayer.
After the ceremony, Chao Ge followed Jue Mu alone into the forbidden palace.
"What does the Lord wish to ask this year?" Jue Mu had the ability to communicate with spirits, and asking for divine answers was a tradition.
"First, ask about the health and safety of the people. Second, ask if the governance is smooth. Third, ask if I have any personal faults."
Jue Mu showed a faint smile and closed her eyes.
"The people are suffering, the yin of the Clan will bring disaster to the government..." a hoarse voice echoed heavily in the room.
Jue Mu suddenly displayed an expression of pain. "My Lord..."
Chao Ge held his breath, not daring to disturb her, waiting for the second half of the sentence which did not come.
Jue Mu opened her eyes and gradually regained clarity.
It wasn’t a good omen. Chao Ge’s face darkened. And there was no answer to the third question. He didn’t know whether it was a good sign or a bad one.
"My Lord, the calamity originates from the southeast, and it will also fade there."
Southeast? What’s in the southeast? The southeast of Liangzhou borders the Liang Dynasty. Is it a war?
Jue Mu showed a trace of reluctance. "The third question is about oneself. The gods have not spoken, perhaps this is the key to resolving it."
Jue Mu was very old and had seen many members of the royal family. Some emperors had even used spiritual means for personal gain. There were few rulers like Chao Ge, but unfortunately, his fate seemed grim, which made Jue Mu worried.
Chao Ge listened to Jue Mu’s words without loosening his brow. After thanking her, he left. The prophecy lingered in his mind, and it didn’t ease even after returning to his chambers.
Daxi, observing carefully, walked closely behind Yan Guan. “The Lord’s expression isn’t right.”
“Is it because of the Prophecy?”
“Perhaps,” Daxi replied with concern. “After all this time of peace, will trouble rise again?”
“Don’t worry. The Lord is diligent and capable. Nothing bad will happen,” Yan Guan reassured him.
After returning to the palace, Chao Ge didn’t speak a word about what happened. He immediately entered the sacred temple and summoned Cai Dan.
“Elder, please sit.” Chao Ge waved his hand, signaling those nearby to prepare tea.
“I plan to go to the Sangta Grasslands.”
Cai Dan was secretly alarmed, but he knew this had something to do with the prophecy. “When will you depart?”
“After the new year. Arrange for transportation now. Jue Mu said the calamity originates from the southeast.”
“What? The southeast borders the Liang Dynasty, could it be… Could it be…?” Cai Dan grew restless, but then reconsidered, thinking it shouldn’t be that way. “Liang and Xia signed a peace treaty two years ago. It’s time for recovery. It doesn’t make sense for war to break out again.”
Chao Ge’s eyes were shadowed, “Maybe it’s not war. This winter seems to be unusually cold.”
The Sangta Grasslands, located at the southern edge of Liangzhou, were lush with water and grass. It was the largest pasture in Wugan, and hundreds of thousands of people relied on it for their livelihood.
“You know how my uncle died,” Chao Ge’s words seemed a bit blasphemous, but Cai Dan couldn’t help but shudder.
The previous king of Wugan had died of an epidemic after a secret inspection trip to the south, which cost him his life.
“Don’t worry, my lord. The arrangements for the new year have already been made. We will make sure to guard the court well.”
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