PFC Chapter 59: A Ruthless Person, Someone You Should Look At with New Eyes
Chapter 59: A Ruthless Person, Someone You Should Look At with New Eyes
Prince Chung-jung said that he felt sticky and uncomfortable and wanted to take a bath.
Consort Mei tried to dissuade her twice but failed, so she ordered someone to prepare water.
Prince Chung-cheng was covered in sweat. He prepared to go to the washroom and secretly take a cold shower, determined not to believe he wouldn't catch typhoid fever.
Although Prince Chung-cheng was confined for seven years, he never suffered any hardship in his life.
Taking herbal medicine was the most painful experience he had ever had in his life.
The thought of being immersed in icy water in a moment made him shiver.
As I was going down the steps, I was distracted and lost my footing. I fell down the steps with a thud, rolling around on the ground like a gourd.
He felt a burning sensation on his face, fearing he was bleeding, and his entire body ached.
He was terrified and started shouting loudly.
The commotion alerted Consort Mei and the maids and servants in the courtyard.
They hurriedly lit lanterns and came out, and immediately saw the prince lying on the ground with his face covered in blood.
They were terrified and hurriedly carried the prince into the house.
He sent someone to inform the princess while simultaneously dispatching someone to fetch the imperial physician.
Consort Mei served the prince with deep sorrow in her heart.
The princess was already unhappy that the prince often stayed in her room, and now that the prince had been injured in her room, she was afraid that she would have to endure the punishment.
To his surprise, when the princess arrived, her expression was complicated, and she did not reprimand him.
Consort Mei was puzzled, but soon a thoughtful expression appeared on her face.
In the past, after the prince finished, he would have his maids wipe him clean and that would be the end of it. He never took a bath.
Today, however, I insisted on taking a shower, and as soon as I went outside, I slipped and fell.
There must be a reason for this.
Half an hour later, the imperial physician arrived and applied medicine to Prince Zhongzheng.
It was also said that the prince had fallen very seriously and lost a lot of blood. Fortunately, he received timely treatment, otherwise his life would have been in danger.
Now that he needed to rest in bed for several months, he gave some instructions on his diet and daily care before taking his leave.
Nothing was said that night. It wasn't until the morning of the next day, when Xia Chengzong went to pay his respects, that he learned that Prince Zhongzheng had fallen and was seriously injured.
It turned out that the princess hadn't allowed the children to be disturbed yesterday, and since they were far away, they naturally had no way of knowing.
After careful observation, Xia Chengzong discovered that Prince Zhongzheng was not faking his injury; he had indeed fallen very hard.
This made Xia Chengzong look at him with new respect.
I misjudged him; I never expected my cheap father to be such a ruthless person.
How could someone be so ruthless to themselves!
How could someone who eventually becomes emperor be completely useless?
Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, Xia Chengzong gave Prince Zhongzheng a thumbs-up and said, "Father, you are decisive!"
Upon hearing Xia Chengzong's praise, Prince Zhongzheng couldn't help but blush.
Fortunately, his face was pale, and if he blushed, no one would notice anything amiss.
He knew in his heart that he was injured by accident, and he could not bring himself to do such a thing.
Meanwhile, Prince Zhongzheng was injured, and Xia Chengzong and several other juniors sent people to the palace to ask for leave, while they stayed at home to take care of him.
The news of Prince Zhongzheng's injury quickly alarmed Emperor Yonglong and the Crown Prince.
Emperor Yonglong sent an imperial physician, while the Crown Prince personally brought the imperial physician to the palace.
The final conclusion was that Prince Chung-cheng was indeed seriously injured.
The crown prince's face was extremely grim.
The third one's got some nerve now!
I promised you yesterday, but when I got home I fell, and I fell so hard!
He has changed his mind and no longer respects his elder brother.
Furthermore, he might have developed inappropriate thoughts!
The crown prince's face immediately darkened.
He said with a forced smile, "Third brother, you're so careless! You managed to fall like this at home. You need to be more careful when you walk in the future!"
After saying that, he got up and left.
Prince Chung-jung said loudly, "Your Highness, please wait! Quickly, help your father to his feet so we can respectfully see you off..."
Before he could finish speaking, the crown prince had already left.
Prince Chung-jang's expression also turned grim.
This time, I've completely offended the Crown Prince, and my days ahead are probably going to be tough!
……
After the Crown Prince returned to the Eastern Palace, he was furious. He smashed and wrecked things in his study, and the eunuchs and maids dared not approach him for fear of incurring his wrath.
Only after the storm subsided inside did they dare to cautiously go inside and tidy up.
The crown prince, panting heavily, summoned Jia Jing and other advisors to discuss matters.
After everyone had arrived, the Crown Prince said, "My dear third brother, he only agreed yesterday to help me fight on the front lines, but he fell and seriously injured himself on his way back last night. He will need at least two or three months to recover!"
"Heh heh, what a fine third brother of mine! Not only has he betrayed me, but he's probably also harboring thoughts he shouldn't have!"
"In that case, let's start with him! His royal residence owes the national treasury 80,000 taels of silver."
"Don't say I'm heartless towards my brother. I'm giving him at least 50,000 taels of silver to pay back within half a month. If he doesn't, I'll block his door and demand it every day!"
Upon hearing this, Jia Jing was startled and quickly said, "Your Highness, this is absolutely forbidden!"
The prince asked, "Why?"
Jia Jing said, "Your Highness, Prince Zhongzheng is, after all, your own brother, and he once took the blame for Your Highness."
"Prince Zhongzheng has not openly betrayed Your Highness. If Your Highness were to use him as a scapegoat first, I fear it would chill the hearts of the people."
"I believe Your Highness could categorize debtors into several classes."
"Some things are untouchable, some can be pursued to a certain extent, and some can be pursued with all our might."
"If we can ultimately achieve about 20% of the target, we can report back to the Emperor."
"This way, we can avoid offending too many people while still getting the job done, which is the best of both worlds."
The Crown Prince scoffed, "Although the Third Prince hasn't openly betrayed me, who with discerning eyes can't see it?"
"If I let him go so easily, who will fear me? Where will my authority be?"
"Since I accepted this task, it's to make Father Emperor look at me differently!"
"If we can only recover 20%, anyone could do it. How would that demonstrate my ability?"
"Mr. Jia, please stop talking. I have my own plans for this matter!"
"Which of you is willing to lead a group to Prince Zhongzheng's residence to collect the debt?"
Upon hearing this, Jia She was about to speak, but Jia Jing gave him a light kick, so he didn't speak immediately.
This task was taken by someone else first.
After everyone had left, Jia She asked, "Why did Brother Jing stop me?"
Jia Jing sighed, "The Crown Prince is narrow-minded, mean-spirited, and ungrateful; he is not a wise ruler!"
"Let others handle matters that might offend royalty or powerful families."
"We are brothers, we need to step back and withdraw. That way, when things come to a reckoning later, perhaps my Jia family can escape this calamity."
Upon hearing this, Jia She nodded and said, "Brother Jing is right. I will listen to you."
Little did he know that during the meeting, Jia Jing's subtle actions had been observed by the Crown Prince.
At this time, the Crown Prince also harbored resentment towards the brothers Jia Jing and Jia She, and was plotting how to deal with the Jia family after he ascended the throne.