Chapter 5, Feigning Compliance

The location may vary depending on the time of visit, but the activity remains singular in theme—sleeping

According to Ping An's calculations, although the young prince seems to have spent a long time "studying" and appears to be diligent at such a young age, every time I come in to refill the tea, at least seven or eight out of ten times, he is actually "reading" with his eyes closed, merely using his eyelids to "read".

Jing Qi said solemnly: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, you may not be aware that although this ailment will not lead to death, it cannot be cured either. The imperial physician's ramblings are merely due to his inability to address it."

He has gradually become accustomed to the carefree intimacy and playful roughhousing among the youth, having slowly moved past his initial resistance and discomfort, though he occasionally experiences a sentiment akin to "there was once a time when I shared such unreserved moments with this person"

Helian Yiren has always been prudent and cautious in front of others, a person who is unwilling to take a single extra step or say an extra word. Unless a sentence has rolled around in his mind through numerous twists and turns, he would never easily utter it.

However, he is still just a boy in his early teens, and his inner world has not yet fully developed. With Jing Qi not in the palace, he does not even have anyone to whom he can speak his true feelings. It is not that he is overly restrained, nor is it that he is so careless with his words.

Certainly, His Majesty the Emperor's thoughts are quite simple. It is said that the great wizard's apprentice is only about eleven or twelve years old, still just a child, having traveled a long way from the southern border to the capital. The journey is arduous, and there are uncertainties regarding acclimatization, not to mention the language barrier. It is rather pitiable; the Great Qing has always governed with benevolence and righteousness. Since he has come from afar, we must ensure he feels at home. Of course, governing with benevolence and righteousness and waging war against the southern border are two separate matters. It is indeed rather pitiable; the Great Qing has always governed with benevolence and righteousness. Since he has come from afar, we must ensure he feels at home. Of course, governing with benevolence and righteousness and waging war against the southern border are two separate matters.

The pitiable and exhausted young prince, whenever he arrived at the Nanning Wangfu, would casually ask, "Where is your master?" The responses he received were invariably limited to a few variations: "He has already retired for the night," "He has not yet risen," "He is taking a short rest in the study," "He is recuperating in the backyard"

After a long time, Helian Yi still thought that he had developed some ailment, so he specially brought the imperial physician to take a look. While the physician was checking the pulse, His Highness the Crown Prince anxiously stood by, occasionally asking, "How is it?"

Unless he himself is unwilling, he would not find such an excuse. Helian Yi understood this in his heart, and could not help but feel a chill run through him: "Beiyuan ... ... "

After politely asking someone to escort the old doctor out, Helian Yi turned back and asked meaningfully, "Is the illness serious?"

Jing Qi laughed while dodging

It is a pity that youth does not linger for the young, but that is a matter for another time

The imperial physician paused for a moment. In fact, upon entering, without even taking the pulse, just by observing the complexion, he could tell that the Prince of Nanning had no worries, enjoying good food and sleep. However, he could not express this directly, as it would make him seem less competent. Thus, the imperial physician pretended to ponder, stroking his chin, and slowly said, "As mentioned in the 'Suwen', all diseases arise from emotions. Anger causes qi to rise, joy causes qi to flow smoothly, sadness causes qi to dissipate, fear causes qi to descend, cold causes qi to contract, heat causes qi to leak, shock causes qi to become chaotic, overexertion causes qi to deplete, and contemplation causes qi to stagnate. Therefore, the imperial physician pretended to ponder, stroking his chin, and slowly said, 'As mentioned in the 'Suwen', all diseases arise from emotions. Anger causes qi to rise, joy causes qi to flow smoothly, sadness causes qi to dissipate, fear causes qi to descend, cold causes qi to contract, heat causes qi to leak, shock causes qi to become chaotic, overexertion causes qi to deplete, and contemplation causes qi to stagnate. The seven emotions and six desires of a person are all rooted in emotions, and when emotions are disturbed, the internal organs become unbalanced..."

Helian Yi was taken aback

In this lifetime, the person I was once fixated on suddenly disappeared, leaving a void in my heart; however, I also feel much more at ease.

He suddenly stood up, walking a few steps in the room with his hands behind his back: "The sleeping dragon does not awaken, the tiger falls to the plains, the jackals roam freely. If I... hey!"

Jing Qi does not even draft, casually stating wwwhetushucom.com: "Those afflicted with hypersomnia initially appear no different from ordinary people, merely a bit lazy and fond of sleep. However, they soon become drowsy throughout the day, able to sleep for an entire day and night at the slightest closure of their eyes, unmovable as if struck by lightning. After several more years, they may fall into a deep slumber, ceasing to eat or drink, lasting as little as thirty to fifty years, or even longer..."

It truly exemplifies the extreme of idly waiting for death while indulging in food.

In her previous life, Jing Qi was preoccupied with Helian Yi. From the moment she became aware, she had grown accustomed to considering everything with him in mind, worrying for the Crown Prince's troubles and rejoicing in his joys. She devoted her heart and efforts tirelessly, practically channeling all the feelings of not having the opportunity to be filial to her own father solely into Prince Helian Yi.

Thus, early in the morning, Jing Qi was wrapped in layers of miniature ceremonial robes, his eyes half-open and half-closed as he drifted into the palace, where he encountered the person with whom he was destined to be entangled for a lifetime

If he did not say anything, all the youth's grief and indignation were transformed into that cold, gritted-teeth sneer, with a profile that was tightly drawn.

He rambled on endlessly, citing references without pause. Although Helian Yi did not understand what he was saying, he realized that the extent of Jing Qi's "illness" was indeed quite exaggerated, and thus shot him a displeased glance.

Helian Yi turned his head away. Many years later, he still remembered the young man in a somewhat dim moon-white robe, sitting there with his legs dangling, holding a bowl of tea in both hands, with a smile that made his brows curve and his eyes sparkle. There were no unnecessary formalities, no pretentious airs of age, just a casual way of addressing each other, speaking in a tone that felt like a leisurely chat—at least it could give you a place to return to

Upon entering the royal residence, it feels as though time has been elongated.

Ping An feels that the master of their household is simply living a life akin to that of a pig, experiencing spring drowsiness, autumn fatigue, summer naps, and an inability to wake up during the winter months, all while appearing to be a person of distinction.

The lazier one becomes, the more one sleeps; the more one sleeps, the lazier one becomes

Helian Yi finally came to his senses, a look of deep pain and regret flashing across his face. After a long while, he let out a cold laugh: "My elder brother... truly remarkable. He has no other skills, but when it comes to framing others and bringing disaster to the country and its people, he can confidently claim the second place, as no one would dare to say he is the first."

The impermanence of the ghost is too unpredictable. This person before me, no matter how they may dominate the world or how ruthless and cold-hearted they may become in the future, is merely seen by Jing Qi as a stubborn child who grits their teeth, unwilling to yield or bow down.

Helian Yi, after all, is a few years older than him. It didn't take long before he caught him and held him in his arms, rubbing him for a while until Jing Qi's small face turned red before letting go. He said resentfully: "You haven't learned anything else from Father Emperor, but you have learned one thing: a divine dragon shows its head but not its tail"

In any case, Jing Qi is quite open-minded; he is still young. Although the Daqing is fundamentally rotten, it still has a shiny and prosperous exterior. For the time being, it won't collapse or disband. By the time internal and external troubles begin to surface, the Crown Prince's faction will have grown strong enough. When that day comes, even if the sky falls, they will be there to bear the burden.

It is uncertain whether it is due to the habitual nature of being a wandering soul or because children are in a growth phase and tend to be more drowsy, but for several consecutive months, Jing Qi has always felt extremely lethargic.

He paused his speech and glanced at Helian Yi. In the Da Qing aristocracy, age is not a consideration; the title is passed down from father to son. When a father passes away, the title is inherited by the legitimate eldest son, regardless of whether the child is ten years old or five years old. Once the title is inherited, the child is considered an adult.

However, Jing Qi has grown up in the palace since childhood. If he truly wishes to continue serving as the crown prince's tutor, it would be a natural progression and not a significant matter—just like in the previous life

He suddenly understood why the Emperor had not held court for twenty years; the most suitable life is nothing more than the two characters "pure joy"—waking up every day when the sun is high, hastily eating a few bites, practicing calligraphy, composing a few whimsical poems when the mood strikes, arranging chess strategies, and perusing leisurely books, reading everything from geographical records to folk tales and urban legends. When his eyes grew tired, he would recline on the couch and take a short nap.

A son does not speak ill of his father; moreover, no matter how unreasonable his father may be, he is still the emperor who can easily take a person's life with just a word. Jing Qi was momentarily taken aback by his sudden and unrestrained remarks.

Jing Qi no longer considered himself a youth, lacking the youthful spirit, and did not wish to exert himself with this group of people—more importantly, he did not want to be too entangled with this future sovereign. However, while avoiding entanglement, he also could not afford to offend him. After some contemplation, he said: "Your Highness, do you know who visited on the night of my father's seventh day after his passing?"

In the previous dynasty, there was a book titled "Inquiry into Stones," which is said to be the lifelong work of a divine physician with the surname Du. The ninth chapter specifically records various difficult and miscellaneous diseases, including a condition known as hypersomnia. This illness is exceedingly rare, with only a few cases encountered in a century. It is quite normal for the young physician Hu not to have seen it in person.

The youth does not know the taste of sorrow, the youth's heart is not burdened with so much suspicion, and the youth is still unaware of the feeling of holding great power over life and death.

Jing Qi fell silent for a moment before saying: "Your Highness, most of the crown prince's companions in our dynasty are scions of noble families, and there has yet to be a precedent for inheriting the position. With my father having passed away early, now... even if I study, according to the rules, I should also request a private tutor within the royal residence..."

In informing the Emperor of my illness, apart from the occasional routine greetings, I essentially do not step out of the main door or the second door, adhering to a level of propriety even more stringent than that of other young ladies

Helian Yi immediately realized he had misspoken. He thought to himself that fortunately, Beiyuan was not an outsider, so he sighed and changed the subject: "I see you seem to be quite happy in the Wang residence."

The first time Jing Qi truly went out to meet people was six months later, when the Emperor specifically issued an edict to summon him to the palace—because the hostages from the southern border had arrived.

Helian Yi felt that in that moment, the handsome youth's face seemed to flash with an indescribable expression, one that was both mocking and teasing, yet it was fleeting, so quick that it made him feel as if he had misperceived it. Blinking, he was left with the sight of the little trickster's lazily disheveled face, which looked increasingly infuriating. Thus, he casually rolled up the book that was set aside and reached out to tap the youth's head: "Narcolepsy? I think it's just laziness, isn't it?"

In the end, when Helian Yi had the leisure to leave the palace to see him, he felt that something was amiss

Jing Beiyuan has watched him grow up; this child can be mischievous, lazy, and playful, which suits him well. He believes this is a rare good child and can also provide some companionship

"It is General Feng Yuanji." Jing Qi said softly, tapping his fingers lightly on the edge of the table, his eyes downcast

Jing Qi said: "You have no power or influence, and can only let things take their course. So that day I suddenly felt that if I do not enter the palace and stay in the Wang residence, at least I can provide you with a place to return to. In the future, there will be more places outside the palace where you can feel at ease to enter and speak, there will come a day..."

Helian Yi listened with a smile that seemed to be both genuine and mocking, watching the child shake his head and sway like a swindler from the streets, without interrupting him

Helian Yi raised an eyebrow and looked at him: "What illness is it?"

"How much more is there?" Helian Yi set down the bowl of tea and sat to one side, listening to him ramble aimlessly.

Jing Qi's eyes twinkled as he smiled and said, "I have heard that the longest one can sleep for sixty-three years without waking up"