RongCheng need not have come in person; he could simply have sent a messenger to summon him.
Seeing Yan Si about to leave the dining table, RongCheng immediately seized his hand and shook his head.
"Nay, you must finish your meal first. Only then may you depart."
Yan Si obeyed and sat down again. Just as he picked up his chopsticks, a thought suddenly struck him.
"Right, Eldest Brother, might you perhaps refrain from sending the palace maids next time?"
The "palace maids" he mentioned were not merely the one from earlier, but all of them. Yan Si truly wished not to repeat that recent embarrassment. Understanding his intent, RongCheng nodded.
"Very well. Set your heart at ease and eat."
At that moment, perhaps RongCheng's heart was already seared by an inner fire. Though anxious, he did not urge Yan Si to hurry—he merely watched him in silent focus.
Gazing at the bowl of rice before him, Yan Si at first felt a faint craving. Yet he could not fathom why RongCheng had piled such a vast mound of dishes into his bowl. Each portion was small, yet the sheer abundance left him so full he could scarcely move.
In the end, he managed to eat nearly all that RongCheng had served before he wished to put his chopsticks down. Observing his hesitation, RongCheng asked,
"What troubles you? Are the dishes not to your liking? Do they not taste good?"
That was not the case—the food here was far superior to the fare of the forest. Its taste was beyond description, yet there was simply too much of it. Yan Si shook his head, set down his chopsticks, and said softly,
"I... I am quite full. I shall eat no more."
Thus the entire table of food remained untouched. RongCheng immediately frowned.
"You have eaten but a scant amount, yet you are full already? Unacceptable. Finish your rice at once."
Feeling his stomach could take no more, Yan Si shook his head in distress.
"But... but I truly cannot eat another bite."
Upon hearing this, RongCheng's tone grew sterner.
"No 'buts.' You are only required to finish the rice."
Yan Si was nearly in tears. Moments ago, he had missed this man dearly, yet now he only wished he would leave quickly. Stealing a glance at RongCheng, he met a daunting glare that startled him into looking away.
At times, this man truly frightened him. Knowing refusal was useless, Yan Si had no choice but to pick up his chopsticks again.
His stomach felt stretched to its limit, as though one more bite might make it burst. The lavish spread of dishes before him made him queasy. Forcing himself to swallow a few more mouthfuls, he finally looked at RongCheng and murmured,
"El... Eldest Brother..."
But before he could finish, RongCheng shook his head firmly in disapproval. Yan Si sighed, resigned, and forced down the rest just to end the ordeal. Those exquisite, fragrant dishes were nothing like he had imagined—they had turned into torment.
When the oppressive meal at last ended, Yan Si set down his chopsticks, clutched his stomach, and slumped forward on the table, lamenting silently,
"'Twas horrific..."
He was beginning to fear RongCheng. Seeing him thus, RongCheng even chuckled and said,
"You have done well. To have finished it all is—"
But before he could finish, Yan Si abruptly rose and dashed outside, vomiting everything he had eaten.
RongCheng was struck speechless. His hour of patient waiting had all been in vain.
He sighed, walked over, and gently rubbed Yan Si's back.
"What ails you?" he asked with concern.
Yan Si shook his head weakly.
"My stomach truly cannot hold so much."
"Fear not," RongCheng said. "There is naught left in your stomach now. Come, let us resume our meal."
"Hah!? Eat more!?" Yan Si nearly fainted.
"Please... please have mercy on me!"
All the food in the imperial palace were rare delicacies, yet he—
Caught between embarrassment and dread, Yan Si suddenly remembered something.
"Quickly, go and see how the Empress is. Perhaps... perhaps he has awakened. Are you not worried?"
At that, RongCheng's patience finally gave way. He nodded.
"Very well."
Indeed, what if the person had awakened while he was here? RongCheng felt he must return at once.
However, when he arrived, Shan Yuan still lay motionless. The sight struck him with deep disappointment. Hastily approaching the bed, he grasped the other's hand and called,
"Yuan-er... Yuan-er..."
Yan Si stood beside him, shaking his head.
"Allow me to examine him," he said.
RongCheng nodded and stepped aside, letting him conduct a thorough examination. After a while, Yan Si finally said,
"Eldest Brother, you need not fret. The Empress is out of danger now and shall soon awaken."
"That is good news indeed..." Only then did RongCheng breathe a sigh of relief.
"We are truly most grateful to you."
Without Yan Si, the two of them might have been parted by death. Deep within his heart, RongCheng felt a profound debt of gratitude.
Hearing his words, Yan Si's expression faltered. He sighed softly, murmuring,
"Eldest Brother need not speak thus to me."
Having said so, he rose.
"I... I shall take my leave now."
It seemed RongCheng had not heard his remark. As Yan Si stood, he immediately sat upon the bed again, still gazing at Shan Yuan.
"Allow me to send men to escort you back," he said.
Yan Si shook his head.
"There is no need. I can return by myself."
"How can that be? Night has already fallen..." Fearing Yan Si might lose his way or meet misfortune, RongCheng glanced once more at Shan Yuan before rising to summon men to see him safely home.
The lamplight wavered gently with each step, casting the long shadows of two figures across the corridor.
One walked in silence, the other departed in quiet unease.
The night breeze brushed against the silk curtains, sounding faintly like a soft, sorrowful sigh.