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“It has been many years, and my son has also suffered.” The emperor took a few deep breaths, forcing back the mist in his eyes. “Now that I know the Crown Prince’s intentions, I must reward him properly to comfort his heart.”
“Your Majesty,” Xun Yuanbai hurriedly stopped him. “If you reward him now, wouldn’t that confirm my breach of trust?”
“Then…” The emperor hesitated.
“Your Majesty can pretend not to know. There will be opportunities to reward him later. Moreover, as a son, the Crown Prince is fulfilling his filial duty, and such filial piety is not meant to be repaid. Your Majesty only needs to appreciate the sentiment.”
Listening to Xun Yuanbai’s words, the emperor nodded repeatedly, “Very true.”
“Since that’s the case, let’s entrust many of these affairs to the Crown Prince.”
This way, it would fulfill the Crown Prince’s filial piety, and he could also focus on his cultivation in Qingxu Hall without distractions.
“Your Majesty is wise,” Xun Yuanbai bowed respectfully.
After Xun Yuanbai left Qingxu Hall, the emperor soon sent a decree summoning the Crown Prince to the palace and also called for senior officials of the court with similar standing to Tang Zhichuan to go to Zhongyuan Palace.
When the Crown Prince received the decree, he did not dare to delay, immediately putting aside all his affairs and hurriedly entering the palace.
On the way, he felt somewhat uneasy.
Ever since the emperor became obsessed with cultivating immortality and he strongly opposed it, the emperor had disliked him as the Crown Prince, and at the worst times, he was nitpicked at will.
Over the years, unless there was something special, the emperor rarely summoned him to the palace.
Now that he was being summoned, it was obviously for something extremely important.
And this important matter occurred after Xun Yuanbai’s return to the capital.
Could it be…
The Crown Prince didn’t dare to think too deeply, his face darkened as if it could drip water, and he unconsciously clenched the fist in his sleeve tightly.
Entering the palace gates, he headed towards Zhongyuan Palace and encountered Song Jingyun along the way.
“Crown Prince,” Song Jingyun bowed.
“Lord Song,” the Crown Prince’s expression softened slightly.
During the time spent together at Splendorous Garden, the Crown Prince recognized Song Jingyun’s true talent and was very affirmative of him.
While others saw Song Jingyun’s achievement as the top scholar as a result of extremely good luck and a knack for opportunism, the Crown Prince believed that Song Jingyun was deserving and sufficiently sharp.
And now, since Song Jingyun had arrived at the Hanlin Academy and often accompanied the emperor, he had not only refrained from any absurd behavior but had also guided the emperor to implement many beneficial policies for the court, such as reducing taxes and saving on palace expenses, which increased the Crown Prince’s admiration for him.
At this moment, the Crown Prince’s attitude towards Song Jingyun was also very gentle, “Are you also heading to Zhongyuan Palace, Lord Song?”
“Indeed,” Song Jingyun nodded. “Knowing that the Crown Prince is also going there, I waited here specially for you.”
“Moreover, I have something to give to the Crown Prince.”
“What is it?” the Crown Prince asked curiously.
Song Jingyun handed a fist-sized brocade box to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince opened it to look.
Inside the brocade box was a piece of top-quality mutton fat jade, carved into the shape of a lotus, with exquisite craftsmanship. The veins of the lotus petals were clearly visible, making it lifelike.
“It’s a truly wonderful piece,” the Crown Prince closed the brocade box again. “However, one should not receive rewards without merit. Lord Song, you are giving me such a fine item now, and I’m not sure if I should accept it.”
“This item is to be given to the Crown Prince, but it is not a gift for you.”