Ch69.2 - My Marriage with His Highness

Pingping’s mother’s smile turned mysterious. “They say that unmarried young men and women would secretly hide a piece of candy inside one of the danguo they made. If the person they gifted it to happened to eat the one with candy, it meant they were fated to be together—forever blessed by the heavens.”

Jian Mei’s eyes sparkled. He found it incredibly romantic. “Wow!”

Xiao Ban rolled his eyes. “What are you getting all excited for? It’s not like you have someone you like.”

Jian Mei grinned. “It just sounds fun.” He had never celebrated a festival on this planet before, so his curiosity was piqued. “Can I try it too?”

Pingping’s mother nodded warmly. “Of course!”

It was Jian Mei’s first time making danguo. The treat had a fragrant, crunchy nut filling, but the outer layer was soft. The people of Stan Star mixed nuts with fruit juice, fermenting them into a dough-like consistency before wrapping the filling inside and steaming them. The result was a warm, aromatic delight.

Once they were done steaming, Jian Mei eagerly took a few bites and found them delicious.

Xiao Ban handed him some of his own. “Try the ones I made. How do they taste?”

Jian Mei absentmindedly grabbed a few and ate them. Before he knew it, he was already full. He nodded approvingly. “They’re good.”

Only one piece remained on the plate.

Xiao Ban hesitated. “Still got room for one more?”

Jian Mei shook his head, stuffed. “I’m done.”

Pingping scooted closer. “Then, Xiao Ban-ge, can I have it?”

Xiao Ban sighed and pushed the plate toward him. “Take it if you want.”

Pingping was overjoyed. He picked up the last piece and popped it into his mouth. His eyes widened slightly before he let out a satisfied hum. “Wow, it’s sweet! Xiao Ban-gege, I got your sweet danguo!”

Xiao Ban looked helpless. “Lucky you.”

Pingping’s mother walked out of the kitchen and smiled. “You two must have a special fate.”

Xiao Ban glanced at the shorter Pingping. “I guess so. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have run into each other on the street, and I wouldn’t have given up my treatment spot for him.”

Jian Mei, sipping his water, teased, “Maybe it’s fate working its magic.”

Xiao Ban shot him a glare.

Jian Mei burst into laughter. After finishing his meal, he didn’t linger. It was rare for him to have a day off, but instead of resting, he planned to check in on his patients. Since arriving here, he hadn’t made any real friends. After thinking it over, he realized that only the sick gentleman and his young master could truly count. So, he packed two boxes of his homemade danguo.

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The emperor nodded. “That’s right.”

Jian Mei shrugged. “It’s too expensive, so I haven’t bought one yet. By the way, are you leaving?”

“Yes, we have to return for the Chongxiao Festival. The family needs to make the trip, and the children are waiting in the imperial capital,” the emperor replied. “So we have to hurry back.”

Jian Mei wasn’t concerned about their wealth in the imperial capital. Instead, he said, “When you go back, be sure to practice the Five Animal Exercises I taught you whenever you have time. And don’t dwell too much on worries. I’ll be heading to the imperial capital next year, and if your health still isn’t great by then, I’ll come visit you.”

In this world, aside from the imperial physicians in the palace, no one cared for their patients as meticulously as Jian Mei did. But more than that, the palace doctors and divine healers treated people for wealth and power because of who he was. Yet, Jian Mei was different. Even knowing he might never be paid, he still treated him with unwavering dedication.

Through this young man, the emperor saw doctors in a new light for the first time. Jian Mei wasn’t a divine healer, but under the gods’ watchful gaze, he embodied what a true doctor should be.

……

The emperor lowered his gaze and reached into his robes, producing a small golden token. The character “通” was engraved upon it, glinting faintly in the light.

He spoke softly, “I’ve kept the fact that you treated me a secret. Now, I’m entrusting this token to you, and I need you to keep it safe. Promise me—aside from yourself, don’t let anyone else see it, alright?”

The token felt cool and slightly heavy in Jian Mei’s palm. At that moment, he only noticed its weight, unaware of just how valuable it truly was.

Jian Mei asked, “What is this?”

The emperor replied, “If you ever encounter trouble in the Imperial Capital, take this token to the local authorities, and you’ll be able to find me. But don’t use it recklessly.”

Jian Mei had a feeling the man before him was no ordinary person. He wanted to ask more, but after thinking it through, he reasoned—if the other party wanted him to know, he would have told him from the start.

Since he wasn’t saying anything now, there had to be a reason. So instead, he simply smiled, bowed, and said, “Alright, I understand.”

Imperial Consort Xi admired his composure. This child didn’t seem like a commoner at all. Every movement, every gesture carried a natural refinement, more befitting a noble young master than a commoner.

“This little token is a gift from my lord,” Imperial Consort Xi said. “And I have a gift for you too.” She stepped forward, carrying a wooden box. “Open it after we’ve left—it’s a surprise from me.”

Jian Mei was eager to peek inside, but since she said so, he held back. “Alright, thank you, Furen.”

The emperor lowered his gaze and ruffled Jian Mei’s hair. His deep voice, for just a moment, felt strangely familiar. “No need to thank us—we should be the ones thanking you. Little one, I look forward to meeting you again in the Imperial Capital.”

Jian Mei was momentarily stunned.

He watched the emperor’s family prepare to leave, then suddenly took a few quick steps forward. “Mister!”

He handed over the danguo. “Take this with you for the road,” he said with a smile. “I made them myself.”

The emperor hesitated briefly before accepting it. “Thank you.”

Jian Mei stood still, watching them disappear into the distance. Only then did he hug the wooden box to his chest and turn back toward the residence.

Tomorrow was the Chongxiao Festival. The entire city was filled with a festive atmosphere. During the day, he had spent time with friends, deliberately keeping certain thoughts at bay. But after watching Sir’s family leave, the emotions he had been holding back slowly surfaced.

It was the New Year…

He missed home. He missed his parents. He missed his grandfather. He missed his brother. And… he missed him.

When will I be able to go home?

A wave of sorrow crashed over him.

“Mei.” Someone called him from behind.

Jian Mei turned to see Aunt Wu. She spoke softly, “Just got back?”

Jian Mei nodded.

“The young master has already gone to bed, but he asked me to tell you that tomorrow is the Chongxiao Festival. You’ll need to wake up early for the prayer ceremony, and you must attend as well,” Aunt Wu said.

Jian Mei nodded. “I understand.”

Only then did Aunt Wu leave.

Back in his room, Jian Mei opened the wooden box. He had assumed it would be filled with danguo again, but the moment his gaze landed on the contents, his eyes slowly widened in shock.

……

The Imperial Capital.

The celestial horse raced tirelessly, galloping through day and night to reach the Imperial Capital just before dawn on the Chongxiao Festival.

At the city gates, the crown prince stood at the forefront of the crowd. His posture was straight and unwavering, his dark robe embroidered with silver thread. Under the pale morning light, the fabric shimmered with a cold, metallic sheen. Among the many gathered behind him, he was the first to draw attention—an undeniable presence, impossible to ignore.

The emperor stepped down from the carriage. Upon seeing Lu Xingwang, he sighed. “It’s only been a few months, yet you look thinner… and a little taller.”

Lu Xingwang bowed and replied calmly, “Father Emperor, you worry too much. My weight has remained the same.”

“But if you’ve grown taller, you should weigh more. If you’re still the same, that only means you’ve lost weight.” The emperor sighed again. “Why don’t you ever take better care of yourself? Did you stay out here all night again? The sun is already up—don’t tell me you haven’t eaten yet?”

Lu Xingwang lifted his gaze slightly. “Father Emperor, your complexion looks much better. It seems your time away has done you good.”

At the mention of Jian Mei, the emperor’s expression softened. “It’s mainly thanks to a doctor I met. He’s quite unique. I think you’d find him interesting too—he’s a good kid.”

Few people ever earned the emperor’s praise, making it clear just how exceptional this person must be.

Yet the crown prince showed little interest, offering only a perfunctory response.

The emperor had expected this and wasn’t offended. Instead, he studied Lu Xingwang, standing there in quiet stillness, as if the lingering chill of the night had settled upon him.

His gaze then shifted to his second son and the imperial concubine standing behind him. “No need to keep standing here. None of you have eaten yet, have you?”

Imperial Concubine Xi spoke softly, “They’ve been waiting for you since the middle of the night.”

On Stan Star, this was tradition—when the head of the family returned from a long journey, the children and wives were expected to wake in the dead of night to prepare and welcome them home.

The emperor said, “I have a small box of danguo here. Have some to fill your stomachs a little.”

The second prince leaned in curiously. “Father Emperor, where did you get this?”

On Stan Star, danguo wasn’t something one could simply buy—it was a token of friendship.

With a hint of pride, the emperor replied, “That young doctor gave it to me.”

Imperial Concubine Xi smiled as she opened the wooden box and began distributing the danguo. The second prince and the noble consort each took one, as did the emperor and Imperial Concubine Xi.

Only one remained. Lu Xingwang, who hadn’t been interested at first, glanced around. Seeing that everyone else had taken one, he reached out for the last piece. He wasn’t particularly hungry, but to show respect to the emperor, he took a bite.

It was sweet.