Prince Qing returned to his estate reeking of alcohol.
Zheng Yuanzhen's pregnancy was becoming more apparent. Even before the two secondary consorts entered the estate, Prince Qing had stopped spending the night in her room. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but Zheng Yuanzhen had taken the initiative to persuade him against it, lest it affect his rest.
With his cousin being so virtuous, Prince Qing was happy to spend his nights with the secondary consorts or Wei shi.
Thinking of the already disposed of Wei shi, the one with the alluring figure who knew best how to serve him, Prince Qing, walking in the cold wind, suddenly felt a pang of regret.
It was a pity that she was gone; regret was useless.
After sitting alone in the front courtyard for a while, Prince Qing went to Secondary Consort Song, who had a very gentle smile. He just slept and didn't mention a single word about anything else.
The next morning, Prince Qing came to accompany Zheng Yuanzhen for breakfast.
When some things are bottled up inside, one cannot help but want to find someone to talk to. Prince Qing was still holding it in, but Zheng Yuanzhen noticed his hesitation and asked, Did something happen?
Prince Qing dared not say, nor did he want to.
This cousin of his was even more easily affected by outside matters than he was. When his imperial father scolded him, she had an even harder time eating than he did. When he was beaten and humiliated at the martial arts arena, she almost wasted away to a skeleton. She had finally stabilized her pregnancy and gained some weight; what if she heard that his second brother had been highly praised by their imperial father and couldn't eat again?
It's nothing. It's just that yesterday at the court assembly, Imperial Father praised Eldest Brother for handling his errands well, and I felt a bit sour about it, Prince Qing finally prevaricated.
His second brother's legs were crippled, yet he could still outshine him. Naturally, Prince Qing did not want his cousin to know this.
Zheng Yuanzhen felt a slight tightness in her chest, but the channel inspection was incredibly simple, so Prince Kang's success was to be expected. She didn't pay it much mind; anyway, her mother already had a good strategy to suppress Prince Kang.
She comforted Prince Qing, It's just a minor merit. Third Brother, you don't need to worry too much. The days ahead are still long.
Prince Qing smiled, finished eating, and went to his official duties.
It was cold, so Prince Qing gave up riding a horse and took a carriage instead. Arriving outside the palace, Prince Qing jumped down from the carriage and immediately caught sight of the backs of Prince Kang and Lord Gu, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, ahead of him. This Lord Gu was also considered half a father-in-law to Prince Kang.
Lord Gu was only forty-five or forty-six. When the Minister of Revenue above him retired, barring any accidents, Lord Gu would take his place.
Prince Qing felt sour again. Among their three brothers, in terms of the backgrounds of their primary and secondary consorts, his eldest brother's side was top-notch in every way. When his imperial father bestowed a marriage upon his eldest brother, his second brother had not yet achieved merits on the southern border battlefield. It was evident that his imperial father probably favored his eldest brother at that time. After all the twists and turns, his second brother's legs were crippled, and his imperial father began to show partiality to his eldest brother again...
Wait, that wasn't right. If his imperial father truly favored his eldest brother, why did he vigorously praise his second brother in public yesterday, embarrassing his eldest brother?
Prince Qing stood frozen in place.
Prince Kang didn't see him, and Lord Gu didn't look back either. With his hands tucked into his sleeves, Lord Gu squinted slightly in the cold wind, shrinking his neck and pursing his lips, showing no intention of initiating further small talk with Prince Kang.
Prince Kang didn't have much to chat about with Lord Gu either. Yesterday's events had passed with the three brothers' banquet, and he was currently calculating an account he needed to settle today.
The next day was a day of rest. Ignoring his maternal grandfather's previous instructions, Prince Qing visited the Shen residence again.
As soon as he arrived in the study, Prince Qing anxiously explained his suspicions.
Holding a small hand warmer, Shen Shiyan listened to his grandson with his usual expression. Only when his grandson asked for his opinion did Shen Shiyan say, The Emperor's mind is hard to fathom. I cannot guess what His Majesty is truly thinking either. This old minister only knows to be loyal to the Emperor. Whatever task His Majesty assigns me, I will do my utmost to complete it. Whichever prince His Majesty truly designates as the crown prince in the future, I will respectfully obey the imperial will and honor that crown prince.
These bureaucratic, evasive words made Prince Qing's heart turn even colder. He slumped back against his chair and, after a long while, let out a bitter laugh. Grandfather, tell me the truth. Do I have no chance at all?
Shen Shiyan replied with a sigh, The holy will is hard to fathom. I will stick to what I said: Your Highness should do your duty well, and leave the rest entirely to His Majesty's decision.
If the Emperor favored Prince Kang, his grandson could still put in some effort and fight for it. But if it were Prince Hui, Prince Hui who could still achieve merits despite his crippled legs and had moved the Emperor to cherish his talents, then even his grandson and Prince Kang combined would have no chance of winning.
Prince Kang, who hadn't thought that much at all, spent a good day accompanying his consort and children. The next morning, as usual, he first went to pay his respects to Consort Xian.
After listening to her son, Consort Xian struggled to control her expression and smiled, Prince Hui's good memory is indeed rare. It's only right for your imperial father to praise him. You are the elder brother; you absolutely must not hold a grudge over this.
If her son came to her happily but left looking distracted as if struck by lightning, the Emperor would guess what kind of gossip she had been feeding him.
Prince Kang smiled good-naturedly, Where are your thoughts wandering, Mother? I am not that kind of person.
Consort Xian said, Mother knows you are broad-minded, but I fear someone might sow discord in your ears. Especially Prince Qing. He has suffered repeated setbacks with the Emperor, and right now he would love nothing more than for you to be jealous of Prince Hui. It would be best for him if he could provoke you into speaking coldly to Prince Hui or even tampering with his wheelchair while pushing it, making the Emperor angry with you. Then he would be satisfied.
Prince Kang said angrily, He's dreaming. I would never treat Second Brother like that in my entire life!
His second brother's legs were already crippled; how cruel would he have to be to make a move against him?
Consort Xian smiled, Good, go on now. The Ministry of Revenue is at its busiest at the end of the year. Be careful and don't make any mistakes.
Prince Kang bowed and took his leave.
Consort Xian watched her son leave. The room grew quiet. She waved her hand to dismiss the palace servants who wanted to come in and serve, and sat there blankly by herself.
As Consort Xian had predicted, after finishing his shift at dusk, Prince Qing was indeed waiting for Prince Kang on the road.
Prince Kang made no effort to hide his displeasure, Why are you waiting for me?
Prince Qing smiled, The wine at Eldest Brother's place is fragrant. I want to go over and beg for a couple of bowls again.
Prince Kang lectured him as they walked, Both of your sisters-in-law are pregnant. When Second Brother drinks with us, he is always worrying about your second sister-in-law. But look at you! Instead of going back early when you have nothing to do, you're begging me for drinks. If this reaches Cousin's ears, she'll think I'm the one forcing you to stay.
Prince Qing said, Cousin isn't that petty. Eldest Brother, just treat me to a meal. I have something to say to you.
Prince Kang replied, I won't. If you want to drink, I'll send someone to deliver two jars to you. You can drink at home however you please.
Prince Qing: ...
Catching up to Prince Kang, who had quickened his pace, he lowered his voice, What I want to talk to you about is Imperial Father intending to make Second Brother the crown prince.
Prince Kang paused his steps, turned his head to look at his third brother beside him, and met his meaningful gaze. Prince Kang suddenly burst into loud laughter, drawing the attention of the officials in front of and behind them.
Prince Qing: ...
Laughing until his whole body felt warm, Prince Kang patted Prince Qing's shoulder, a trace of coldness actually appearing in his eyes. Let other matters slide, but if you ever say another word to sow discord between me and your second brother again, don't blame me for no longer treating you as my third brother.
Squeezing Prince Qing's shoulder blade heavily, Prince Kang walked off on his own.
What a joke. His imperial father was simply clear about rewards and punishments. How could he make his wheelchair-bound second brother the crown prince just for one merit of recommending talent?
Prince Kang didn't believe him, his maternal grandfather ignored him, and whether his mother believed him or not was useless. Prince Qing felt terribly suffocated, so he had to take the opportunity when Princess Fucheng came to visit Zheng Yuanzhen to speak to the princess about this matter in private.
Princess Fucheng had heard about it long ago. Hoping for her son-in-law to ascend to that position, she naturally kept a close eye on court affairs. She came over today out of fear that her daughter would be frightened and anxious again. Fortunately, Prince Qing was sensible enough to conceal the news of Prince Hui claiming the credit.
So what if it is? Do you have a way to make the Emperor change his mind?
Standing in the bleak winter scenery of Prince Qing's backyard garden, Princess Fucheng's tone and expression were both very cold.
Prince Qing sensed his aunt's disdain. He lowered his head in shame, taking the opportunity to hide the dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Seeing his worthless appearance, Princess Fucheng knew that Prince Qing had empty ambitions but no strategic mind. Even if he was unwilling to accept it, he didn't have the guts to take action.
In that case, rather than telling Prince Qing her plan, which would only make him anxious or risk him accidentally leaking it, it was better to keep him in the dark.
For the same canal, whether it was Prince Kang who took the credit or Prince Hui, as long as something went wrong with the canal, neither of them would benefit.
Princess Fucheng had her own connections to understand court affairs. Yao Huang's only connection was Prince Hui beside her. As for her father and brother, both served outside the imperial city and were not qualified to attend court assemblies. They usually only interacted with officials of similar ranks.
If Prince Hui didn't tell her, Yao Huang wouldn't deliberately pry into court affairs.
As the end of the year approached and it was time for officials to take their holidays, a thick layer of snow had accumulated again on the lake in the backyard garden of Prince Hui's estate.
Yao Huang wanted to go admire the snow.
Zhao Sui looked at the Princess Consort's eyes, which were full of longing for the snowy scenery. He had Qingai and Feiquan push out the large red sandalwood wheelchair he used to sit in when she first married into the estate. A thick fox-fur cushion was even laid on the seat.
Supported by Aji, Yao Huang sat in the large red sandalwood wheelchair. She glanced at Prince Hui in his small wheelchair and couldn't help but laugh, laughing so hard that Zhao Sui worried she might disturb her pregnancy.
What are you laughing at? he asked helplessly.
The maids had all retreated into the distance. Yao Huang leaned on the armrest closest to Prince Hui and used her other hand to gesture the height difference between their heads, saying, Doesn't it look like I'm riding a tall, majestic steed, while Your Highness is only riding a little donkey?
Zhao Sui: ...
Yao Huang patted the wide empty space left beside her and invited, Your Highness, come sit with me. This way we can talk on the way; otherwise, I'll have to lean all the way over to find you when we want to chat.
Zhao Sui: ...How will they push it?
Yao Huang: Let Qingai and Feiquan push together. Anyway, I'm just going to enjoy the scenery. It's not like I'll be whispering anything inappropriate for them to hear to Your Highness.
Prince Hui quickly avoided the Princess Consort's smiling, suggestive eyes.
Having agreed, Yao Huang first got out of the wheelchair. After Qingai and Feiquan helped Prince Hui get in, she sat down beside him.
The wheelchair began to move. Yao Huang turned her head and asked, Is it easy to push?
Feiquan smiled and said, It's easy. The Princess Consort is as light as a swallow; there isn't much difference from when we push His Highness alone.
The Princess Consort laughed again.
Zhao Sui held her hand.
The Princess Consort stopped laughing, naturally leaned against him, and draped the blanket covering her legs over Prince Hui's legs as well.
Prince Hui looked at the Princess Consort resting on his arm and instructed, You two focus on your steps, be careful not to slip.
Feiquan and Qingai secretly exchanged a glance and replied in unison, Yes.
There was no need for His Highness to remind them; as long as the Prince and Princess Consort were together, they would never look where they shouldn't.
The large red sandalwood wheelchair, pushed by the two of them, smoothly came to a stop by the lake. At this time, Qingai and Feiquan once again retreated into the distance.
Yao Huang looked toward the spot where Prince Hui had built the Princess Consort snowman last winter.
Zhao Sui also remembered the matter and said, I'll build another one.
Yao Huang shook her head. Her hand, hidden beneath the blanket, held Prince Hui's large hand, which seemed like it would never be as warm as hers. I can't bear to let Your Highness freeze out here.
Next year, then. Next winter, she would be able to keep Prince Hui company while building snowmen again!
