My Years in the Jianghu with the Prince: A Time of Unethical Conduct

Chapter 186 Recollections 2.9 - Choice

When Fu Tingyu returned to his bedroom with a heavy heart, he found that the person who should have been resting on the couch was standing at the door.

He stood there quietly, not knowing how long he had been standing there, until he noticed someone coming and looked up.

The light and shadows inside and outside the hall were dappled, and Fu Tingyu met the boy's deep and cold eyes.

Fu Tingyu asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"I should leave now. Staying here any longer might just cause you trouble."

"To cause trouble?"

Fu Tingyu blinked. "I am the Seventh Prince. Who can cause me trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Ling's eyes darkened.

The Seventh Prince, Fu Tingyu, is indeed very famous.

Emperor Xuande had nine sons and five daughters. Apart from the one son and one daughter born to the Empress, the rest were all born to his concubines.

Among them, Fu Tingyu was the most favored.

It is unclear whether it was because of Consort Chen, but Emperor Xuande, who was capable of poisoning his own child and had no blood ties with his relatives, doted on this child.

Even the Empress's son did not receive nearly as much favor as him.

Not only was he raised in Consort Chen's palace from birth, but even the name Emperor Xuande gave him was much more thoughtful than the one he gave to the Fifth Prince.

The Fifth Prince had even clashed with him before, and Emperor Xuande had severely reprimanded the Fifth Prince for it.

Consort Chen and the Empress already had some conflicts, and Emperor Xuande's biased attitude made the two sides even more hostile.

Even though Emperor Xuande doted on his seventh son, and there were even rumors that he wanted to make the seventh son the crown prince, the court officials never took it seriously.

Not to mention that Consort Chen was of lowly birth and powerless, the fact that the Empress had the backing of the Prime Minister's mansion already far surpassed her.

As long as the Prime Minister remains in the court and firmly controls the officials, the Seventh Prince will have no chance of becoming the Crown Prince.

but……

Chu Ling looked at the young man with red lips and white teeth in front of him and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Is it really impossible?

As if thinking of something, Chu Ling's eyes deepened even further.

He subtly touched the dagger hidden at his waist, and amidst a whirlwind of thoughts, suddenly smiled at Fu Tingyu.

But the smile seemed somewhat forced.

Chu Ling coughed a few times and said weakly, "However, because of me, the Imperial Concubine seems to be troubled."

Fu Tingyu was slightly taken aback, then smiled, "Mother Consort is worried about me, not that she has a problem with you. Just relax and recover here before we talk about it."

This time, Chu Ling did not refuse Fu Tingyu's kindness again, but whispered to him, "Thank you."

He then added, "However, I am worried about my brother, so please allow me to go back and visit him first, Your Highness."

Inside the Wenying Hall—

It was dusk, and as the palace doors were pushed open, a sunset glow shone in from outside.

Chu Heng, who had been anxiously waiting in the hall for several hours, heard the noise and immediately stepped forward.

He breathed a sigh of relief as he walked, saying, "Finally back..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the expression on his face froze the moment he saw the person standing at the entrance of the hall.

The first to step into the hall were several burly men carrying boxes.

When those boxes were opened, they were found to be filled with clothes, bedding, charcoal, medicine, and other daily necessities.

The guards moved quickly, and before Chu Heng could react, they had swiftly arranged all the items and then left without saying a word.

The interior of the hall was instantly transformed.

Chu Heng stared blankly at the group of people who came and went in a hurry. After a while, he finally saw Chu Ling step in.

Then another tremor in his pupils.

He stared at Chu Ling in disbelief, his fleeting gaze lingering on Chu Ling's slightly flushed face for a few moments before he abruptly closed his eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw everything from Chu Ling's brand-new hairband to his brocade robe, from the jade belt around his waist to the boots on his feet.

He looked down and his gaze made Chu Ling feel uneasy all over.

Then Chu Heng said in a trembling voice, "...Brother, although our lives are a bit tough, we can't do things like selling our bodies and going against worldly conscience."

Chu Ling: "..."

"Brother, have you gone mad from the fever?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Heng carefully examined Chu Ling again. Seeing that he looked speechless and, apart from the injury on his hand, didn't seem to have suffered any injustice, Chu Heng felt relieved.

"What happened to your hand? And what's with all these things?"

Chu Ling then slowly recounted the whole story.

"...So, the Seventh Prince asked me to stay at his place to recuperate for a while."

"These things were all sent by the Seventh Prince."

However, after hearing this, Chu Heng's expression did not ease; instead, it became even more serious.

He frowned and pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "Seventh Prince, could you be harboring ulterior motives for doing this?"

Given their current situation, it would be one thing if no one came to kick them while they were down, but why would anyone come to show them goodwill for no reason?

Not to mention, the person making the gesture was of extraordinary status.

"And you actually agreed to stay with him, could it be that you want to..."

Chu Ling understood the meaning behind his words.

He lowered his eyes, glanced at his bandaged hand, and said calmly, "Brother, you're right. I want to observe him carefully."

“If Father doesn’t want to go that far, I think the Seventh Prince might be a good choice.”

Chu Heng frowned slightly, tapped the table thoughtfully, and said, "You've only met him a few times today, why do you speak so highly of him?"

Chu Ling pondered for a moment before solemnly replying, "Intuition."

Chu Heng: "..."

"Is that why?"

Faced with Chu Heng's questioning gaze, Chu Ling slowly began to explain.

"It's also because he's different from the other princes, who all rely on the power of their maternal clans to compete for power in the court."

"But Consort Chen is powerless and without influence. Apart from the Emperor, she and her son have no one to rely on."

"Although they seem to be pampered and enjoying great glory right now, it's only temporary."

"If they want to protect themselves, they must seek refuge again. Otherwise, they and their child will probably be the first to suffer in the future."

Chu Heng's eyes flickered slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said, "So you mean that only we are their best choice?"

Chu Ling slightly curved his lips and said in a low voice, "Yes, it's just us."