Font Size:
The Second Prince and the Third Prince had speculated that the Ninth Prince’s leg had been healed by Master Wuzhi. They thought that if the Master could help the Ninth Prince recover, perhaps he could also assist them in reading their fortunes to determine who had the potential to inherit the throne. Despite their efforts to find him, they learned that the Master had returned to the temple and then left on a journey.
The Third Prince found the Emperor’s words somewhat disdainful. With such a severe injury and the passage of time, merely being able to walk was a blessing, how could there be no trace of a limp? The Second Prince was unsure if the Ninth Prince truly had a slight limp or was acting. However, he sensed that the Emperor was putting on an act, intending to pass the throne to the Ninth Prince while proclaiming they should all share the burden of governance.
Did this imply that, besides the Ninth Prince, the other sons were not his biological children?
The Second Prince remained composed on the surface but clenched his fists in frustration.
With a major event looming, he hoped to gain the Emperor’s attention and favor through such means. He believed that by surpassing the Ninth Prince by a margin, he might stand a chance. If Third Master Chu faced trouble again, the Chu family would be ruined. The Chu family that had supported the Ninth Prince’s ascension in the past would be ruined, and even if the Ninth Prince’s leg healed, what would it matter? The trajectory had changed, he wouldn’t ascend!
This was his ultimate card, the final straw against both the Ninth Prince and Third Master Chu. After playing it, he hoped his desires would come to fruition…
On the tenth day, Prince Rui and the Ninth Prince set off for the Lingyin Temple together.
They spent three days at the temple offering incense and observing a vegetarian diet before returning to the capital. En route, Prince Rui planned to visit the General’s Mansion to see his son Li Xuan, accompanied by the Ninth Prince and Marquis Chu.
Upon arrival at the General’s mansion, they were informed that the old Marquis and Lingxuan’s wife, along with their children, were in the main courtyard enjoying the moon and showcasing their talents. Intrigued, they joined the gathering.
Due to the darkness and the distance, as well as Prince Rui’s focus solely on his son, they failed to notice anything unusual about Chen Dabao, let alone the Ninth Prince’s peculiar look.
The Ninth Prince was overwhelmed with excitement. Before coming to the Lingyin Temple, his mother had insisted he visit the Eleventh prince.
Though somewhat distant, he could see that Dabao resembled his mother more, exuding intelligence, liveliness, and joy. This kind of happiness and laughter were experiences the Ninth Prince had never encountered in his own life.
Consort Shan often secretly wept due to missing the Eleventh prince. When he returned, he must tell her that it was a great fortune for his brother to live outside the palace… The Ninth Prince suppressed his excitement but his eyes flickered, shimmering with tears.
Invited into the main courtyard, the Ninth Prince, Prince Rui, and Marquis Chu were seated. Upon their seating, the old Marquis and Chen Feng led the children to bow respectfully to the two princes.
Quickly, they all exchanged polite greetings, “Old Marquis, please sit.” and “Young Madam Chu, please sit.”
Chen Feng also bowed to the Marquis.
The two princes presented gifts to the children, and servants brought in gifts from Princess Rui for Li Xuan, along with clothing and treats, as well as gifts for Chen Feng.
Chen Feng instructed Li Xuan to present a gift to Prince Rui individually and quietly told him to call for assistance.
Li Xuan had some impression of Prince Rui. They weren’t close in the past, and now, after such a long separation, they were even more distant.
Prince Rui was rather neglectful and indifferent towards both his sons. Though he felt more affection towards his legitimate son, he didn’t show it openly.
Li Xuan obediently bowed to Prince Rui, addressing him as “Father.”
Prince Rui was pleased and was about to encourage his son when he saw Li Xuan stand up and run to Chen Feng, hugging her, and saying, “I like Auntie, I like Sister, Brother, and Grandpa.”
This embarrassed Prince Rui greatly.
The old Marquis chuckled, “Prince Rui, Xuan has already made great progress. Once he spends more time with Lingxuan’s wife, things will improve further. Then, you and your son can reconnect…” and he could bring him back to the palace.
The old Marquis hesitated to finish his sentence. While he also cared for Li Xuan, having two royal heirs at home would be too much pressure.
Meanwhile, as the father (old Marquis) and son (Marquis) conversed, Chu Lingxuan casually pulled Dabao to sit beside the Ninth Prince, with the Ninth Prince inadvertently exchanging a few words with Dabao.
Dabao responded politely.
After some casual conversation, the two princes, accompanied by three generations of the Chu family, proceeded to the outer courtyard.
Meanwhile, in the inner courtyard, Chen Feng observed the jade pendants given by the Ninth Prince to the children. Although the pendants appeared similar in size, the ones given to Chu Hanyan, Chu Lingzhi, and Lu were of inferior quality compared to the one presented to Dabao. After letting Dabao examine the pendant for a while, Chen Feng asked Mama Luo to put it away and advised against wearing it casually.
Mama Luo, aware of some matters, carefully stored the pendants.
After returning to the capital, Prince Rui and the Ninth Prince reported to the Emperor at the Golden Hall. Once Prince Rui left, the Ninth Prince informed the Emperor about his cured hidden ailment and his visit to the Eleventh Prince.
These matters had weighed heavily on the Emperor’s mind, and he was greatly relieved. He remarked, “Excellent. Son’s health has improved, he must branch out more. Also, persuade your mother, Eleventh Prince’s life outside the palace is better. You and your mother have lived cautiously in the palace for so many years, walking on thin ice, unlike Eleventh Prince, who enjoys freedom and happiness.”
The Emperor, at fifty-five, appeared thin and aged, a diligent monarch who clearly bore the weight of the nation on his shoulders.
The Ninth Prince bowed, “I will advise Mother accordingly.”
The Emperor continued, “After enduring for so many years, it’s time to take action. Starting next year, elevate the Sun family to deal with the Wang family. The Wang family and the Empress have become increasingly unruly, causing some concerns. However, the Second Prince has become more restrained over the years and diligent in his virtues. His past behavior was influenced by the Empress Wang and the Wang family. If the Wang family falls, and the Empress Wang loses power, treat them kindly in the future…”
The Ninth Prince quickly knelt, bowed to the Emperor, and pledged, “Son will heed Father’s teachings.”
Subsequently, the Ninth Prince hurried to the Falling Sunset Palace where Consort Shan resided.
Upon entering, Princess Liu, his sister, ran towards him with a smile. Approaching him, she offered her respects and said, “Ninth Brother, it’s been a while since you visited Cheng and Mother. We all miss you.”
Princess Liu had just turned six, with the pet name Li Cheng.
Of course, she was not Consort Shan Lingling’s biological daughter, nor was she the Ninth Prince’s true sister. Consort Shan, after her eldest son’s leg was broken and losing the Eleventh Prince, cried endlessly. Six months later, she suffered severe postpartum hemorrhage while giving birth, and the Emperor gives Princess Liu to make her better.
This child was a source of comfort for Consort Shan.