After personally witnessing the death of his mother, Qin YiJun was extremely shaken. He didn’t touch the meal that the servant handed him and when the servant tried to coax him, he became even more scared and in the end, he locked himself in his room.

Of course, the guard could break the door down, but they were afraid that they might cause even more psychological fear to the Crown Prince. In the end, they could only wait for the Emperor to come and coax Qin YiJun.

The Emperor arrived quickly and he managed to coax his son out of the room. As soon as the door was opened, Qin YiJun quickly latched himself onto the Emperor’s robe. Qin WuZhen noticed that his son is shaking and he felt helpless as he picked his son up. “YiJun, have you eaten?” he asked his son. Qin YiJun’s face was pale and when the boy shook his head, Qin WuZhen let out a heavy sigh. “Where is his food?” Qin WuZhen asked one of the servants who quickly brought the still steaming bowl of porridge.

Just as the servant got near, Qin YiJun’s eyes widened and his hand shot up and pushed the bowl away. “No! Last night, mother Empress died while eating! YiJun doesn’t want Imperial Father to die too!” Qin YiJun said as he started to cry.

In the end, they could only try to calm Qin YiJun down until the boy cried himself to sleep. The Emperor gently placed his son down on the bed, tucking him in. “When he wakes up, get him to eat something. If he is still reluctant to eat, inform Zhen,” Qin WuZhen said as he eyed his son for a while. If he could, he really wants to stay and keep his son company. But alas, as an Emperor, he has his duty. Like the Emperor, he needs to put his citizens first, then the country second. So, with heavy heart, Qin WuZhen left YueXing palace and went to the Imperial Court Hall to begin their meeting. After Xing family is gone, there are few things that need to be resolved such as the vacant position that the head of the Xing family used to occupy.

When Qin YiJun woke up next, it was already past noon and he realized that he is lying down on the bed. Seeing that no one else is around his room, he quickly locked the door to his room for the second time that day. Then, on the table in his room, he saw it, the object of his nightmare. He didn’t dare to get close, fearing that demons may pop up anytime soon and forced him to eat. ‘If I eat, I’ll die!’ was all Qin YiJun could think of as he continued to be huddled inside his room.

This naturally, is reported to the Emperor. The Emperor is becoming more and more worried. “Summon YinJing Hou over and tell him to bring Li FangMing along,” Qin WuZhen told the servant who quickly relayed his order.

Not long after, a messenger arrived at the Li family household and told Li SunXun about the summons. Coincidentally, Li FangMing was nearby and out of curiosity, decided to eavesdrop. Ever since two years ago, his treatment within the family had improved drastically. He won’t he scolded no matter what he did. So whenever a messenger came from the palace, Li FangMing will always ask his father what it was about.

This time, he heard it clearly that the Emperor had summoned his father. This piece of news made him excited that he quickly ran up to his father. “Father, father! Are you going to the palace? I want to visit His Highness, can I?”

“Of course. I think His Highness needs you now more than ever,” Li SunXun knew of the matter that happened within the palace recently so he could guess why the Emperor had summoned him this time and even specifically told him to bring Li FangMing over. Though at first, he was told to bring Li FangMing whenever he attends morning court, once Li FangMing started his school, he was unable to do so and only bringing him whenever the young boy doesn’t have school.

Today, Li FangMing has a lesson in an hour, but since the Emperor had specifically said he has to bring Li FangMing, he can only tell his servant to inform Li FangMing’s teacher. The journey to the imperial palace was quiet, which was usual for Li FangMing and Li SunXun. The moment they got off the carriage, Li FangMing simply told his father to return home himself since he is usually sent home by the Crown Prince’s men.

Li FangMing’s small legs brought him to the gate separating the inner and outer court of the imperial palace. As soon as the gatekeeper saw him, they didn’t need to ask and simply just opened the gate for the boy. Usually, Li FangMing will need to wait for a servant to inform the Crown Prince before he would be led to YueXing palace. But this time, he saw Steward Wong is already waiting for him.

“Young Master Li, please follow this old eunuch,” Steward Wong said with a gentle smile on his face.

“Okay, uncle Wong!” Li FangMing did not perceive anything wrong. He did not even realize the heavy atmosphere surrounding the palace due to his innocence. It was only when they arrived at YueXing palace did Li FangMing notice that something was wrong. “Uncle Wong, where is His Highness? Usually, His Highness would be waiting outside then we will go play,” Li FangMing said. When Steward Wong heard this, he knew that the news of the Empress’s death was concealed from Li FangMing.

“His Highness is feeling a little sad. Her Majesty, the Empress had recently passed so, His Majesty hoped that you can cheer him up!” Steward Wong replied.

“Passed?” Li FangMing didn’t understand what Steward Wong had meant but just as he was about to ask more, Steward Wong had already gone ahead. So all Li FangMing can do now is just follow. They entered YueXing palace and went straight towards the direction of Qin YiJun’s room.