Chapter 28: Did the Heir Move?

"Yes, Crown Prince Consort, it is the Prince who requests your presence at Honghao Courtyard," Nanny Zhao said with certainty.

"Very well, you return first; I will be there immediately."

Seeing that the Crown Prince Consort intended to go to the main courtyard, Yuan Shan and Jin Shui wanted to move the Crown Prince back to his room.

"There is no need. I will take the Crown Prince to the main courtyard. He has not seen his father for several days; perhaps he misses his father and mother as well?"

Yu Yuanzheng wanted to take him out more often to experience the world and be stimulated by his surroundings. Perhaps, under the influence of some special event, he might wake up. She had always been diligent with her patients; since she had taken charge of his treatment, she would do whatever was beneficial for his recovery.

The two young servants looked at each other, bewildered; the Crown Prince had not left Qiya Courtyard since he fell into his coma.

"You two come along as well."

When they left the courtyard, Yu Yuanzheng personally pushed the wheelchair, with the two young servants guarding the sides and the two maids following behind. The Crown Prince, surrounded like the moon among stars, lay half-reclined in the wheelchair like a young master. If his eyes had been open, the sight would surely have been dazzling.

As they walked along the corridor, the busy servants stopped to watch. Those nearby even paused to pay their respects, though they were all directed at Yu Yuanzheng.

"You, pay your respects to the Crown Prince as well," Yu Yuanzheng commanded a rough-duty maid who was watering flowers by the corridor. The maid, who had stepped aside to let them pass, was taken aback.

"Hmm?" Yu Yuanzheng put on an air of authority.

"Greetings to the Crown Prince. May the Crown Prince be well," the little maid quickly complied, knowing the situation.

Along the way, Yu Yuanzheng instructed three maids and two servants to formally pay their respects to the Crown Prince. "Remember this from now on: no matter the Crown Prince's condition, you must follow etiquette and pay your respects whenever you see him," she instructed sternly.

"Yes."

At this moment, the Crown Prince had actually been aware of his surroundings since the morning. He could hear everything that was happening, yet he could not control his own body and remained unable to wake. Previously, he could only perceive the outside world for brief moments every few days, but today he had been able to maintain awareness for a long time without succumbing to the desire to slip back into a deep sleep.

Unfortunately, Yu Yuanzheng did not know this.

When they arrived at the main courtyard, the two servants guarding the gate looked on in shock as the procession approached. "Greetings to the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince Consort," the two said in unison, being quite quick-witted. They worked together to lift the wheelchair steadily over the threshold.

The Princess, having received the news, hurried out of the main hall. Seeing them, she was so moved she nearly shed tears. "Zheng'er, why did you bring Ziqi here?"

"Mother, the Crown Prince has not seen Father for a long time. Bringing him to the main courtyard for a change of scenery is good for his health. Let him hear the sounds of the world; perhaps one day he will be able to speak with us," Yu Yuanzheng said with a smile.

"Good, good, good. We should take him out more often from now on," the Princess agreed, finding the reasoning sound.

They continued pushing the wheelchair toward the grand hall, again lifting it over the threshold. To their surprise, the hall was filled with people, even including a five-year-old child. What had happened?

"Your daughter-in-law brings the Crown Prince to pay respects to Father, the Second Elder Madam, Consort Luo, and all the uncles and aunts." Yu Yuanzheng was well-mannered, greeting all the elders she recognized. "And all the younger brothers and sisters, you should also pay your respects to the Crown Prince." Yu Yuanzheng was a person of her word, insisting that everyone greet him.

Everyone looked at Yu Yuanzheng with strange expressions.

"What could a person who is unconscious and unresponsive possibly know? Don't make a spectacle of yourself," the Second Elder Madam said bluntly.

"Second Elder Madam, that is where you are mistaken. The Crown Prince is not dead. If you do not believe me, come and feel his heartbeat; it is stronger and more vigorous than your own. Perhaps he will wake up one day, and I will recount the attitude each of you shows him today to him personally."

"Enough. Everyone, pay your respects to the Crown Prince," the Prince commanded, his expression stern. Yu Yuanzheng was pleased that the Prince was so supportive.

The first to come forward were, naturally, Shangguan Zishu and Yu Zhaoyang. "Greetings, Elder Brother." Their attitude today was surprisingly good, and they wore joyous expressions. Right, today was the tenth day Yu Zhaoyang had mentioned. No wonder!

Next were the Second Branch’s Shangguan Zifeng and Shangguan Ling, the legitimate children of the Second Aunt. There were also several children from concubines, whom Yu Yuanzheng only recognized by face without remembering their names. The Second Branch was truly flourishing. Yu Yuanzheng glanced at the Second Uncle; his eyes were a bit dark, and he had bags under them. She understood now—he was a man of indulgence.

Then came the cousins from other branches. With the Prince’s order, they dared not be sloppy.

"Hey, did I just see Elder Brother's finger move?" Shangguan Zifeng suddenly exclaimed, startling everyone.

"What?" several people asked in unison. Everyone turned their eyes toward the Crown Prince, but after half a quarter of an hour, there was no response.

"Zifeng, are your eyes playing tricks on you? The Crown Prince has been asleep for half a year; no one has ever seen him move, yet you are here making a fuss," Shangguan Hongchen said, slapping his son on the head.

"Father, I really didn't see it wrong," Shangguan Zifeng felt aggrieved. He had truly seen it, though the movement was very slight. But now that the Crown Prince was motionless again, he had no proof.

"Enough. Imperial Physician Gu has already reached his conclusion; Ziqi will not wake up. Prince, let us discuss the official business. You called everyone here to talk about the Crown Prince's situation, didn't you?" The Second Elder Madam’s attitude changed, and a clear smile appeared on her face. Last night, Imperial Concubine Shu had sent her word that the Emperor had already approved the matter regarding the Crown Prince.

Since the Crown Prince had entered the hall, the Prince had been staring at his face. This face resembled his own by fifty percent, and he was the successor that he and the Old Prince had carefully cultivated for years. Yet, this had happened. He had investigated many times afterward, but to no avail; he could not find a single trace of foul play. If his son could wake up, perhaps he could get some information, but his son had not given him a single word. He refused to believe it wasn't intentional, for his son's martial arts were not weak; even if the horse had gone mad, he would have had time to leap off, not to be thrown into such a state. But without evidence, he did not know whom to hold accountable.

The Prince stood up, walked to the Crown Prince, and crouched down. "Ziqi, Father is incompetent; I have failed to find the culprit. You have been asleep for half a year, and for the sake of the future of the Prince’s estate, Father must make a decision. But rest assured, as long as I am alive, I will ensure your safety, and that of your wife." The Prince spoke these words with great sorrow, then stood up, stroked the Crown Prince’s head, and touched his face. At this moment, the Prince was undoubtedly a loving father.

The Princess sat in the main seat, her eyes turning red involuntarily, and she wiped away tears with a handkerchief. Yu Yuanzheng pushed the Crown Prince to the Princess's side and stood behind the wheelchair, assuming the posture of a guardian.

"Very well, since everyone is here, let us speak of the matter at hand. The position of Crown Prince concerns the inheritance of our Shangguan family. Given Ziqi's condition, the position must be vacated. I have only two sons; although Zishu is inferior to his elder brother, he is at least diligent and has not been raised to be a good-for-nothing wastrel. Recently, I have taken him to the military camp twice, and according to my assessment, he is barely qualified. He still needs to study hard to strive to catch up to your elder brother's capabilities. With the Emperor's consultation, the position of Crown Prince shall be inherited by Shangguan Zishu, along with the iron box that our Shangguan family has protected and passed down for many years."