Chapter 7: Neglected by the Sovereign

　　Prince Yi’s Manor was quite large—as big as the parks Shen Jianchen used to stroll through.

　　There weren’t many buildings. Instead, the manor featured scenic landscapes pleasing to the eye. Half of the land remained undeveloped, overgrown with wildflowers, wild grass, and wild trees. Shen Jianchen stopped when he reached this place.

　　Qiao Mengrong had been following Prince Yi all along. Clearly, her newly reborn brother wasn’t as affectionate toward her as before. In the past, he would have held her hand, taken care of her in every way, and looked at her with adoring eyes. Even though he had been sickly back then and rarely left his quarters, those few occasions had already made her feel his deep warmth.

　　Her brother, who had miraculously awakened, remembered nothing. It seemed he had even forgotten the feelings between them. Qiao Mengrong blamed Mengpo’s Soup, but then reconsidered—if not for the soup, how could her brother be healthy now? Their love had been deep, but he had been sickly. Even if she married him, she would eventually become a widow.

　　Thinking of this, Qiao Mengrong felt she couldn’t ask for too much. Though her brother’s figure was still as thin as before, he now looked full of vigor, radiating a masculine energy. Even his back seemed full of strength—it was the image of her brother she had dreamed of.

　　Qiao Mengrong couldn’t help drawing closer to him. Just as she took two steps forward, the figure turned around. She immediately stopped, standing in place shyly.

　　“Princess Jiahe, why is half the manor’s land left uncultivated?”

　　“Brother always felt that half the construction was enough for living. The other half was kept in its natural state—mainly because he loved the scenery.”

　　After Qiao Mengrong finished explaining, she made a request, “Brother never called me Princess Jiahe before. He always called me Mengrong. Could you call me that again, like before?”

　　The princess before him looked shy and delicate. Shen Jianchen couldn’t bear to hurt her feelings. After all, she and Zhao Pu had feelings for each other, and there was a betrothal. “Alright, I’ll call you Mengrong. But I don’t remember many things. That betrothal…”

　　Her brother was calling her by her name again, just like before. Qiao Mengrong was delighted. “As for the betrothal, Brother doesn’t need to rush. The Imperial Decree of Betrothal states we’ll marry next year during the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

　　Shen Jianchen looked at the girl before him again. She was shy and gentle—exactly the type many men would like. “If I hadn’t woken up, wouldn’t the betrothal have been void?”

　　“How could it be void? The Sovereign’s word is law. Even if Brother hadn’t woken up, I had already made up my mind—to remain loyal to Brother and guard Prince Yi’s Manor for life.”

　　Shen Jianchen was moved on behalf of Prince Yi, but still asked, “You look only fifteen or sixteen, at the perfect age for enjoying life. Why marry so early?”

　　“I’m already sixteen, at the age when a girl should marry. If I delay any longer, I’m afraid no one will want me.”

　　Shen Jianchen then remembered this was ancient times, when both men and women married young. He became curious about Prince Yi’s age. “Mengrong, tell me—how old am I exactly?”

　　“Brother just turned eighteen.”

　　After transmigrating, he was actually twelve years younger than before. Shen Jianchen couldn’t help but blurt out, “Yes!”

　　Seeing the confused expressions of Princess Jiahe and the maidservants, he quickly explained, “I’m just too happy. I’m still so young—I got my wish—starting over.”

　　Qiao Mengrong didn’t quite understand. Just as she was about to ask why Brother said he’d started life over, a servant came to report, “Your Highness, Princess, an Inner Attendant from the palace has come to see you.”

　　Qiao Mengrong said, “Brother, the Inner Attendant is here. We must go see him.”

　　“Inner Attendant? What’s that?” Shen Jianchen didn’t quite understand ancient titles.

　　“An Inner Attendant serves the Sovereign in the palace. He must have been sent by the Sovereign. We must go receive him.”

　　Hearing this explanation, Shen Jianchen understood the visitor held a prestigious position. He hurried back with Qiao Mengrong.

　　Arriving at the Main Hall, they found three people waiting. The one in the middle was much older, with two young attendants standing on either side, all dressed the same. Their appearance reminded Shen Jianchen of eunuchs in TV dramas. So Inner Attendants are eunuchs, he thought.

　　The eunuch came forward. “Truly miraculous! Your Highness is indeed different from before. When the Sovereign first heard of your unfortunate passing, he was grieving. Then came the joyful news that you had come back to life, completely cured of all illness. He sent me to take a look. From the way you walk, you can tell you’ve fully recovered.”

　　Though Shen Jianchen was unfamiliar with Prince Yi’s life, he was a man who had seen the world and responded with ease. “I thank Father Emperor for his concern. I appreciate the Inner Attendant making the trip in person. However, though I was fortunate to survive and my illness has been cured, I’ve lost all my previous memories. If not for Princess Jiahe and Nurse Zou helping me understand, I wouldn’t even know who I am.”

　　“Really?” The eunuch found this curious and glanced at Princess Jiahe beside him.

　　Qiao Mengrong quickly said, “What Brother says is true. When he opened his eyes, he didn’t remember who I was. Please report this to the Sovereign. If Brother does anything wrong in the future, please be understanding.”

　　The eunuch laughed. “Not remembering is not remembering. What matters is that he’s still alive and completely cured. This is truly cause for celebration. Princess Jiahe will be very fortunate indeed.”

　　Blushing, Qiao Mengrong took a purse from her maidservant and approached the eunuch. “Thank you for making the trip. This is a small token of appreciation, nothing more.”

　　The eunuch accepted it naturally. “Princess Jiahe truly understands propriety. I’ll make sure to report Prince Yi’s condition to the Sovereign when I return. Goodbye.”

　　After bowing, the eunuch left with his attendants.

　　Shen Jianchen watched the eunuch’s departing figure and asked, “Why did you give him money just now?”

　　Qiao Mengrong sighed. “The Inner Attendant is close to the Sovereign. His words carry great weight. Giving him some silver ensures he’ll put in a good word for Brother. Even if he doesn’t praise Brother, at least he won’t say anything bad.”

　　Shen Jianchen was quite displeased. “Aren’t I the Sovereign’s son? Why do I need an Inner Attendant to put in a good word for me?”

　　Qiao Mengrong explained, “It seems Brother really doesn’t remember anything. Let me tell you—though you’re the Sovereign’s son, you’ve never been valued by him. When you were sick, he never once visited or summoned you. He only sent Inner Attendants to deliver messages. So everything about you is reported to him by them. They can say whatever they want. Giving them silver at least ensures they won’t speak ill of you.”

　　Only then did Shen Jianchen realize that Zhao Pu was an unfavored prince. He didn’t mind. Being unfavored had its advantages—fewer troubles, more freedom.

　　“From now on, when Inner Attendants come, don’t give them silver. Let them say whatever they want to the Sovereign.”

　　“Absolutely not!” Qiao Mengrong immediately refused. “We must still give them silver. I don’t ask for Brother to be valued by the Sovereign—I only ask for Brother’s safety.”

　　Shen Jianchen was touched by Qiao Mengrong’s devoted gaze. “Fine, whatever you want. I’m hungry. Is there anything to eat?”

　　Nurse Zou happened to arrive at the Main Hall. Hearing Prince Yi say he was hungry, she quickly said, “The meal has been prepared for Your Highness. We’re just waiting for you to enjoy it.”

　　Arriving at the Dining Hall, Shen Jianchen looked at the table full of dishes. He recognized some, but others were completely unfamiliar. He marveled that even an unfavored prince could have such fine food.

　　Nurse Zou and Qiao Mengrong dined at the same table with Prince Yi. It had been a long time since they had been this happy.

　　Before, Prince Yi only ate in his sickbed. The kitchen prepared his meals separately, steaming and boiling them until they were soft and mushy, so they wouldn’t harm his body.

　　But now, he was sitting before them, alive and well, enjoying his food with relish, no different from a normal person.

　　“Please eat more if you like it, Your Highness. You’ve been sick for too long and are too thin. You need to gain some weight to look better.” Nurse Zou picked up some food and placed it in Prince Yi’s bowl.

　　Qiao Mengrong was busy admiring the way her brother ate, as if she had never seen it before. Indeed, she had never seen it.

　　When she was six, her birth parents had abandoned her on the roadside. Prince Yi’s carriage happened to pass by. Hearing her cries, he stopped the carriage. Finding her so pitiful, he brought her back to Prince Yi’s Manor and treated her like his own sister.

　　From the first time she met Prince Yi, he had been sick. He never ate with her. Even after they fell in love with each other, they had never eaten at the same table like this. She had dreamed of this scene many times, never expecting it to come true today.

　　Shen Jianchen was being stared at by two women and felt quite uncomfortable. “Aren’t you two going to eat?” He picked up food for each of them and placed it in their bowls.

　　Nurse Zou said, “To see Your Highness return to normal in my lifetime—even if I were to die this instant, I would be happy.”

　　Qiao Mengrong scolded her with a smile, “Nurse Zou, don’t say such inauspicious things. You’ll live a hundred years and enjoy Brother’s blessings in the future.”

　　After speaking, they happily began to eat.

　　Shen Jianchen could see that these two women were truly devoted to Zhao Pu. He felt obligated to tell them the truth. He ordered the maidservants nearby, “All of you, leave. You don’t need to serve here.”

　　The maidservants filed out one by one.

　　Qiao Mengrong was puzzled. “Brother, why are you sending the maidservants away? They need to stay here and serve you.”

　　Shen Jianchen said, “I have something to tell you. It’s inconvenient with outsiders present.”

　　Nurse Zou watched the last maidservant leave and close the door. “Everyone’s gone. Your Highness can speak freely.”

　　Shen Jianchen put down his chopsticks and looked solemn. “Actually, I’m not Zhao Pu. My name is Shen Jianchen. I came from another era. I died in an earthquake and came here. I saw with my own eyes Zhao Pu being taken away by a golden light and celestial music. Then I entered his body…”

　　Qiao Mengrong laughed. “Brother, I didn’t expect you to be so good at making up stories.”

　　“I’m not making up stories. Everything I said is the truth.”

　　From Prince Yi’s determined gaze, Qiao Mengrong sensed he might be telling the truth. She looked at Nurse Zou.

　　Nurse Zou remained calm. “No matter who you are, since you awakened in this manor in Prince Yi’s body, you can only be Prince Yi. You cannot be anyone else. Please, Your Highness, never mention this to anyone again.”

　　Qiao Mengrong simply didn’t want to admit that Prince Yi was someone else. Otherwise, where would she anchor her affections? If Brother had never woken up today, that would be one thing. But he had woken up, restored to the state she had dreamed of many times. How could she let all this beauty be shattered by his words, “I’m not Zhao Pu”?

　　“No, you are my Brother! You just lost your memory and can’t remember many things.”

　　Shen Jianchen felt helpless. Thinking carefully, there was no Shen Jianchen in this era. He had become Zhao Pu. Others would only see him as Zhao Pu.

　　“Fine. What’s the use of saying so much? No one believes it anyway. I am Zhao Pu. From now on, I’ll just be the unfavored Prince Yi.”

　　Nurse Zou and Qiao Mengrong looked at each other and smiled. They picked up their chopsticks and happily continued eating.