Chapter 248 – Escape

Another three days passed, and Luo Wei didn’t cause any trouble again. He resumed his respectful demeanor towards Emperor Xingwu, but the words “Imperial Father” never came out of his mouth.

Emperor Xingwu did not correct Luo Wei’s slip of the tongue. He felt apologetic towards Luo Wei and wanted to treat him better, but the thought of having to personally send him to Northern Yan made him despondent. Whenever he saw Luo Wei speaking to him with such reverence, Emperor Xingwu couldn’t bear to stay in this room any longer.

Zhao Fu noticed Emperor Xingwu’s lack of appetite and his sighs of sorrow. Relying on his familiarity with Luo Wei, Zhao Fu couldn’t help but speak up for Emperor Xingwu, saying, “Your Highness, His Majesty is also saddened. Please, you should be more considerate towards him.”

Luo Wei couldn’t muster any filial affection towards Emperor Xingwu. In response to Zhao Fu’s persuasion, he merely smiled.

Seeing Luo Wei’s reaction, Zhao Fu had to remain silent. Upon reflection, he realized he was meddling too much. Could a servant like him intervene in the affairs of the royal father and son? Would Luo Wei listen to his advice?

On the fourth night, Imperial Physician Wei came to deliver soup medicine to Luo Wei. After watching Luo Wei drink the decoction, he also wished to say a few words of comfort to Luo Wei.

“No need to say anything,” Luo Wei lay on the bed and interrupted Physician Wei before he could speak, “Given my current state, do you think any words you say would make me feel better?”

Imperial Physician Wei said, “Your Highness, I am just a physician.”

“So there’s no need to say more,” Luo Wei smiled at Imperial Physician Wei, “I understand your intentions. You can return to the Imperial Hospital.”

“Then rest well, your Highness,” Imperial Physician Wei didn’t know what else to say, so after bowing, he left.

Luo Wei lay on the bed, feeling the effects of the medicine kicking in, and soon drifted off to sleep. However, his sleep was restless. Images of corpses under the walls of Wushuang City would appear in his mind one moment, followed by the southwestern marshes of Tian Shui Yuan, and then the face of Sima Qingsha, coldly staring at him. Luo Wei tried to move but found himself unable to.

“Young Master, Young Master?”

A familiar voice came to his ears, softly calling his name. Luo Wei opened his eyes and saw the face of Wei Lan in front of him.

“Young Master,” Wei Lan wiped the cold sweat from Luo Wei’s forehead, looking at him with concern, “What’s wrong with you? Did you have a nightmare?”

“Wei Lan?” Luo Wei saw Wei Lan and touched his face. Wei Lan’s skin was warm, confirming that Wei Lan was really sitting in front of him, it was seemingly not a dream.

“I am Wei Lan,” Wei Lan replied to Luo Wei.

Luo Wei blinked and suddenly turned his head to look around the room. This was indeed the palace chamber of Changming Hall, but how could Wei Lan be here? “You,” Luo Wei looked around and saw no one else in the room. He hurriedly sat up, grabbed Wei Lan’s hand, and asked urgently, “How did you get into the palace? Did His Majesty let you in? Or did my father bring you?”

Wei Lan shook his head.

Seeing Wei Lan shaking his head, Luo Wei panicked. “Then how did you get in? Did you sneak in?”

“Young Master,” Wei Lan gathered all the clothes scattered at the foot of the bed and handed them to Luo Wei, saying, “I came to take Young Master away. Young Master, come with me.”

“To take me away?” Luo Wei said, “Where are we going?”

“To Xuanzhou.”

As Luo Wei thought about the words “Xuanzhou,” before he could figure it out, his body had already begun to cooperate with Wei Lan to get dressed. When Wei Lan had finished dressing him and wrapped him in a thick brocade cloak, Luo Wei remembered to ask Wei Lan, “How do we get out? This is the inner palace, there are guards everywhere.”

Wei Lan said, “I can come in, and I can take Young Master out.”

“How did you get in?”

Wei Lan pursed his lips and remained silent, just focusing on tying the belt of Luo Wei’s cloak.

“Who helped you?” Luo Wei grabbed Wei Lan’s hand and asked, “How could you find me by yourself?” This was the innermost part of the palace, with thousands of chambers. While Wei Lan’s lightness technique might allow him to enter the palace unnoticed, the people outside couldn’t possibly know where he was imprisoned. How could Wei Lan find him? There was a faint hope in Luo Wei’s heart. He hoped Wei Lan would tell him that it was Luo Zhiqiu who sent him to take him away, indicating that this father still couldn’t let him go.

But Wei Lan just pulled Luo Wei to leave, saying, “Let’s talk outside.”

“Did my father send you?” Luo Wei asked directly.

Wei Lan said, “The Senior Chancellor does not know about this.”

Luo Wei suppressed his disappointment, thought for a moment, and asked Wei Lan, “Was it Ten and the others?”

This time, Wei Lan nodded.

“I see,” Luo Wei took a step back. As Dragon Guards stationed in the palace, they would be well aware of what was happening inside. It wouldn’t be difficult for them to help Wei Lan find him.

“Young Master, let’s go,” Wei Lan stepped forward, grabbed Luo Wei’s hand, and prepared to leave.

“I’m leaving, but what about my family?” Luo Wei asked Wei Lan, “Will His Majesty spare them?”

“Young Master is no longer part of the Luo family,” Wei Lan said, “Why would His Majesty blame Lord Luo and his family?”

Luo Wei hesitated. It made sense, but if he escaped, and Emperor Xingwu became enraged, who could reason with the Emperor?

“Young Master, don’t you want to leave with me?” Wei Lan urgently asked Luo Wei as he looked at the sky outside the window, “Don’t you really want to go to Xuanzhou?”

Luo Wei still stood motionless.

“If we don’t leave now, it will be too late,” Wei Lan pulled Luo Wei close to him, making Luo Wei lift his head to look at him, and said, “Young Master, let’s go. Your status as a Prince will cost you your life!”

“I’m not a Prince!” Luo Wei almost shouted at Wei Lan.

“Then let’s go,” Wei Lan said, “What are you still thinking about? Isn’t it your long-cherished wish to go to Xuanzhou? Let’s go together. It’s so far from the capital, no one will find us there.”

Luo Wei looked at Wei Lan’s face, opened his mouth, but couldn’t find the words to reply.

“Let’s go!” Wei Lan said, “I am begging you, alright? You’ll die if you go to Northern Yan!”

“Alright,” Luo Wei finally decided not to think anymore and just follow the person in front of him. He didn’t care about going to Xuanzhou or to the ends of the earth. He didn’t care either about the country or the people of Great Zhou, as long as he could be with this person.

Wei Lan pulled Luo Wei and they left.

“There are guards outside,” Luo Wei said.

“Just follow me,” Wei Lan kissed Luo Wei on the face as a comfort, “It’ll be fine.”

Luo Wei followed Wei Lan out of the room and saw the palace guards and eunuchs standing outside. He was frightened and quickly retreated back into the room.

“It’s okay,” Wei Lan held Luo Wei in his arms, “They can’t move.”

Luo Wei also noticed that despite leaving the room, these people showed no reaction. “Are they dead?” he asked Wei Lan.

“Let’s go,” a figure flashed in front of Luo Wei and Wei Lan, whispering.

Luo Wei was startled again, but when he saw the person’s face clearly, he relaxed. “Ten,” he called out to him.

“Don’t worry, Young Master, they’re not dead, they were just tapped on their sleep accupoints. They’ll wake up soon. Hurry up, let’s go,” Ten said, “Eleven and Twelve are waiting outside for you. They’ll escort you out.”

“What about here?” Luo Wei asked.

“I’m here,” Long Ten said, “Young Master, don’t worry, just leave here and everything will be fine.”