After the two older brothers had walked some distance away, Fifth Brother mysteriously pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to him, saying:

"This is an ancient remedy I found after searching through countless medical books. It's specifically for treating chills and fright. I even improved it a bit. Try it and see how it works."

"Uh, thank you, Fifth Brother." James Johnson twitched the corner of his mouth. Goodness, now there's a self-taught doctor among us. My brothers really are all talented in their own ways.

You can't just say anything you want, and you definitely can't just take any medicine, Fifth Brother!

……

All the way until nightfall, James Johnson was still digesting the news he'd heard from his brothers.

Unconsciously, it was time for bed.

When he was very young, he naturally slept with his mother in the warm alcove of the east side room. After he turned eight, he moved to the warm alcove of the west side room.

He never had to lift a finger for his nightly washing and changing—there were always palace maids to do it for him. People get used to luxury quickly, so he adapted in no time.

The only thing he still wasn't quite used to was that, about two feet from his bedside, there was always a palace maid keeping watch.

Just thinking about someone watching him sleep made him uncomfortable, so he told the maid to leave.

But the maid named Ethan Brooks knelt down and begged in tears, saying it was palace rules—she had to stay by his side at all times, to watch over his sleep and help him if he woke up thirsty at night. If she left her post without permission, she would be sent away for punishment.

James Johnson was only putting on airs; he couldn't really ignore someone else's life or death.

Besides, Ethan Brooks was older, experienced, steady, and sharp—hard not to like. So James Johnson let her be.

As the nights went by, the two gradually became familiar and would even share some secrets.

"Ethan Brooks, what exactly is that Inner Anle Hall?" James Johnson asked, lying on the bed and looking up at the gold-embroidered phoenix on the canopy.

"Chief Steward Wang forbids us from talking about it," Ethan Brooks, kneeling by the bed, shook her head and whispered.

"Are you going to listen to him or to me?" James Johnson put on a tough front again.

"Of course I listen to Your Highness." Ethan Brooks hesitated, then obediently said, "I heard that place is in the Sheep Quarters Lane. Whenever a concubine or palace maid gets sick, old, or commits a crime, they're sent there first, and after some years, they're transferred to the Laundry Bureau. As for what it's like inside, I really don't know."

"Because no one is allowed in there, and I've never seen anyone come out," she added, afraid the young prince wouldn't believe her.

She needn't have explained, but once she did, James Johnson couldn't help but burst into tears.

Ethan Brooks hurried to wipe his tears, gently patting his back and offering comforting words.

James Johnson felt a bit helpless and said to the little boy inside himself, Don't worry, I'll do something.

He really couldn't just wait around—he had to find a way to save them himself.

Otherwise, with winter coming and the cold palace full of the sick and old, by the time the Empress returned at the end of the year, who knew if his mother would even be alive...

Chapter Three: The Legacy of Wei Wu

The bedchamber was quiet for a while.

Ethan Brooks thought he had fallen asleep and was just about to quietly stretch her aching back when she suddenly heard His Highness ask:

"That Consort Ding, what kind of person is she?"

"Um..." Ethan Brooks froze for a long moment before whispering, "This servant cannot discuss the consorts."

"Oh, come on." James Johnson snorted. "If you all never gossip in private, the sun would have to rise in the west."

"Well..." Ethan Brooks couldn't help but look up, staring at James Johnson in astonishment. How is he so worldly? He doesn't seem like the silly little prince he used to be.

"What are you looking at?" James Johnson turned his head, his big eyes bright as morning stars, not a trace of sleepiness in them.

But with those thick eyebrows and chubby cheeks, he looked rather comical.

"This servant wouldn't dare, this servant was rude." Ethan Brooks quickly bowed her head in apology and whispered, "It's just that ever since Your Highness fell into the water, you've changed so much."

"You're the one who's changed," James Johnson had already prepared his answer and replied calmly, "I just grew up overnight, that's all."

"That really is a blessing from the Bodhisattva," Ethan Brooks said, weeping with joy. "If Her Ladyship knew, she'd be overjoyed."

"..." James Johnson said nothing, burying his face in the pillow and pretending to sob.

"Is Your Highness missing Her Ladyship?" Ethan Brooks hurried over and gently stroked his back.

"Mm." James Johnson lifted his head, his big eyes brimming with tears. "I miss my mother."

"It's all this servant's fault, I misspoke." Ethan Brooks apologized repeatedly, pulling out a fragrant handkerchief to wipe his tears.

"If only she could come back, that would truly make people happy," James Johnson said, gently leading her on.

"This servant wishes Her Ladyship could return too. Who in the palace doesn't want her back?" Ethan Brooks started crying along with him.

"Lately, we've really been bullied by the people from Changyang Palace. They don't give us our monthly allowance, and our food is cut. The other palaces have already switched to silk, but we're still wearing summer gauze skirts."

"Changyang Palace is where Consort Ding lives, right?" James Johnson asked, a bit unsure.

"Yes."

"How did she end up in charge?" James Johnson asked curiously.

"After the Empress left to visit her family, it was supposed to be the Noble Consort who managed the six palaces. But as soon as the Empress left, Noble Consort Sun fell ill," Ethan Brooks said angrily.

"His Majesty originally wanted our Lady to take over, but after that incident, Consort Ding took advantage..."

"Because of that?" James Johnson made a dismissive gesture in the air.