PFC Chapter 168 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (72)
Chapter 168 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (72)
After Decheng finished speaking, he knelt down on the ground, his head bowed low, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably: "This servant dares to be so bold! This servant dares to be so bold!"
"Get up. I was just asking you a question casually. Why are you so frightened?" The Emperor's tone was unusually gentle, completely different from when he had just fallen ill.
Upon closer inspection, however, a strange, inexplicable glint appeared in his expression.
"If that's really the case, then is the only option for me to make Min'er the Crown Prince...?" he suddenly said coldly, as if talking to himself, or as if asking Decheng.
"Is my safety in the hands of others?"
If that's the case, that person's fate will surely be tragic.
How could the emperor allow such a dangerous person to remain in the country for long?
"Your Majesty, what are you saying!" De Cheng didn't dare to lift his knees off the ground. He bowed down and said in a humble but not obsequious tone, "The Third Prince is able to share your burdens because of your imperial aura protecting him!"
"As the master of all the vital energy in the world, whoever you care about and whoever you wish to protect will be blessed with imperial favor and receive this honor."
The emperor's expression softened slightly.
"So, is it because I deposed Min'er from his position as crown prince?" He pondered. "Min'er's leg is certainly not suitable for the position of crown prince, but I am not such a harsh father as to treat a child so cruelly. Even if he lives a leisurely life, I will still care about him."
These seemingly righteous words appear to be an attempt to clarify Gang Decheng's statement that whoever he has in mind can share his burdens.
De Cheng kowtowed: "This servant has served Your Majesty for so many years, and I can clearly see your fatherly heart... Your imperial grace is boundless, and can avert disasters and bring blessings."
"If it weren't for you, how could the Third Prince have survived that frightened horse?"
The Emperor rubbed his forehead and leaned back. De Cheng had just helped him change into his nightgown, and now he felt dry and his head was no longer throbbing. The Emperor was in a daze, and it was unclear what he was thinking.
But his gloomy expression seemed to foreshadow that his thoughts were not an open scheme.
"I'm tired."
"This servant will attend to Your Majesty as you retire for the night... Would you like to summon Consort Gui tonight?" De Cheng asked cautiously.
Since the Emperor's headaches recurred, he has been tossing and turning almost every night, and it has been a long time since any of his concubines have served him in bed.
The emperor was not in the mood either; his headache prevented him from thinking about anything else.
It seems things have finally eased up tonight.
The emperor waved his hand, indicating that he did not need it.
He finally fell asleep on the calming pillow specially provided by the Imperial Medical Academy, which exuded the fragrance of herbs...
In my dream, the sky was filled with colorful clouds, and a fairy maiden descended gracefully on a cloud. In the hazy light, it seemed as if I had arrived at a celestial mountain.
When I woke up again, opening my eyes felt like falling back to the ground, and I felt quite disoriented. The journey in my dream felt like I had already crossed countless mountains.
"Your Majesty, it's time for you to rise." De Cheng's voice rang out from outside the door: "Are you going to court today?"
The emperor sat up and found that although his head was still throbbing slightly, he could move freely and was not affected. He felt a sense of relief.
"I am holding court today," he said authoritatively.
The emperor appeared radiant once again, while the courtiers were all wondering what was going on.
Is my health good or bad? Why does it come in waves?
"My decision to depose the Crown Prince was a last resort. I deeply cherish the Third Prince, and I have been filled with anxiety these past few days..."
He sighed deeply in the imperial court, looking like a loving father.
"Your Majesty is kind and compassionate; the Third Prince will surely understand your good intentions."
"The Crown Prince is of paramount importance to the nation; the Third Prince's actions are indeed inappropriate!"
……
A chorus of agreement and support followed, which pleased the emperor. He felt that he was indeed a wise and benevolent ruler and father, and the last trace of unease in his heart dissipated, leaving him feeling exceptionally at ease.
After the court session, Lu Liruan watched as the Emperor's gifts were carried into Songjing Garden like a tidal wave.
Some were dumbfounded.
After the eunuchs outside finished reciting the rewards one by one as if singing and left, Lu Liruan turned around and looked at the composed Ji Shumin: "Have you done something now?"
"This is truly a miscarriage of justice. These past few days, I've been living under Li Ruan's watchful eye the whole time," Ji Shumin said, shrugping his hands, which were still covered in clay.
"Even if I drink one more sip of water or one less sip, I get scolded by you. How can I concentrate on anything else? Do you really think I have three heads and six arms, that I can become invisible and walk through walls to do these petty things after you fall asleep at night, while I act subservient to you during the day to cover up my guilty conscience?"
Ji Shumin's string of sarcastic and witty remarks indicated that the Third Prince was not in a very good mood.
Lu Liruan deeply believed that all medicines have some degree of toxicity. She dared not make any pronouncements on other things, but drinking more water would definitely be good for one's health.
Ji Shumin usually eats and drinks very little. Lu Liruan sometimes wonders: if she puts him in the sun, will he photosynthesize?
Because Ji Shumin is now just an ordinary prince and doesn't need to go out every day, he does indeed spend every day with Lu Liruan.
The advantage of a small yard becomes apparent here, as there are only a few rooms in total.
Lu Liruan only needed to walk a few steps to find him, and by watching him eat and drink every day, she practically drove the Third Prince to develop a sinister resentment.
"I wonder if you're as heavy as me." Lu Liruan rested her chin on her hand, glancing at Ji Shumin who was doodling on paper, and said to herself.
Ji Shumin put the pen back on the pen holder, and in the same chin-resting posture, looked back at Lu Liruan and let out a long sigh.
"Li Ruan is talking nonsense again. How could I be less heavy than you? Even if I am disabled now, if Li Ruan stretches me out tonight, she should find that I am more than a foot longer than her."
“Bring a weight another day, and let’s see how much you really weigh,” Lu Liruan insisted.
"Isn't it a bit undignified to put me on the scale?" Ji Shumin chatted casually with her.
“I, Cheng Liruan, don’t need to go through all that trouble.” With a stroke of his pen, a peony flower leaped onto the paper, and a drop of the rich vermilion ink accidentally dripped onto his finger.
He loosely clenched his fist to conceal the color, and casually brushed Lu Liruan's hair aside.
Taking the opportunity, he took some cinnabar and applied it to Lu Liruan's forehead, making her look like a New Year's painting doll.
Lu Liruan was puzzled. She didn't know why he suddenly seemed to be in a better mood. Was he really that unpredictable?
"How did you weigh me?" Lu Liruan asked curiously.
Ji Shumin took a small step back from the table, stretched his arms forward, and hooked his slender fingers together.
He tilted his head to one side, a playful smile on his face, and said softly to Lu Liruan, his voice trailing off, "Come here now, let me measure you, and I'll know how much you weigh."
Lu Liruan was stunned for a moment, then tilted her head like him: "I don't believe it. With your thin arms and legs, it would be even harder to take care of you if you broke them."
Ji Shumin: ...
His expression turned cold, and he scoffed, "Not even as heavy as a handy weapon."
Lu Liruan: ...
After Lu Liruan sent a message to the Marquis of He'an's residence, she asked Madam Gao to go to the palace.
Madam Gao then began preparations.
After arriving early that day, he first went to see the Dowager Consort, and then, at the Dowager Consort's instruction, he went to see Lu Liruan.
After learning about this, Ji Shumin deliberately avoided the situation.
After seeing Lu Liruan, Madam Gao first looked her up and down carefully before following her into the house.
“Mother.” Lu Liruan saw concern on her usually shrewd and smiling face.
"But you're not doing well?" she asked softly.
Madam Gao was unaware of the reason, but she felt that Songjingyuan was in a remote and cramped location, so she was worried about Lu Liruan's life.
“No, how could I be having a bad time?” Lu Liruan said, holding her hand.
“It’s quiet and peaceful here, I don’t even need to go to pay my respects, I’m usually very relaxed.” Lu Liruan was not lying.
Mrs. Gao looked around, her eyes landing on something.
That was a half-carved seal that sat on the small coffee table.
There were carving knives and fine dust next to them, which Ji Shumin hadn't taken away.
Madam Gao, with her sharp eyes, noticed the faintly raised characters on the seal: "Ruan Ruan, my wife."
These few words alone convey a sense of intimate entanglement.
Before Ji Shumin began carving, Lu Liruan saw him write these words on the surface.
Ji Shumin's face flushed slightly. Ever since that day, Ji Shumin had always liked to call himself Li Ruan, not Ruan Ruan.
Later, Lu Liruan told me that at home her parents called her Ruanruan, and the Empress Dowager would also call her Ruanruan, which made her seem to be thinking about something every day.
"Why are you carving this?" Lu Liruan tried to take it, but Ji Shumin lightly dodged her.
“From now on, when I write letters to Li Ruan, I will stamp this seal on the letterhead. Then Li Ruan will know that this letter was written by my own hand and not by someone else impersonating me and hiding it from you…” He only allowed Lu Li Ruan to touch the fine jade seal.
“Once it’s engraved, I’ll carry it with me every day…” Ji Shumin said in a low voice when he saw the question in Lu Liruan’s eyes.
Lu Liruan wasn't thinking about that.
"You're by my side every day, when do I ever need to write letters?"
Ji Shumin was taken aback, then nodded: "Li Ruan and I are together every day, we will never be apart..."
"I'll keep it after I finish carving it, it'll look nice."
Lu Liruan felt a little embarrassed. The name "Ruanruan" was just a way of addressing her family. Ji Shumin didn't use it, but it was engraved with affection.
"Your Highness?" Madam Gao asked softly.
Lu Liruan turned the chapter upside down and twitched the corners of her mouth.
Madam Gao now believed some of Lu Liruan's words; Qingyou did indeed appear serene.
"Did the Imperial Concubine say anything?" Lu Liruan asked curiously.
But Madam Gao's expression was a little strange: "She didn't say anything, just gave your father a few instructions."
Lu Liruan did not press for details. After chatting for a while, Madam Gao was supposed to leave the palace before noon. This time, Lu Liruan did not feel reluctant to part with her.
She will be leaving the palace soon, and then we will see her again.
The Emperor had been attending court as usual these past few days, and just when the court officials thought that the Emperor was in good health, his headache flared up again.
This time it was even more serious than the last time. The Imperial Hospital was almost helpless, and several unlucky people who were caught that day were all taken away and beaten.
The emperor banged his head against the wall, his head throbbing with pain. The feeling of regaining control of everything just a few days ago crumbled instantly. This wasn't the first time; every time he felt better, it would happen again. The emperor was filled with both anger and fear.
"Is there really no other way! What use are you to me!" the Emperor roared.
"Emperor calm down!"
At this moment, the Emperor would probably do anything to cure this persistent headache.
De Cheng stood by without saying a word, watching the imperial physicians file in and then slink away one by one.
He did not attend court for another five days.
Consort Rong was filled with unease. Not only would the Emperor refuse to see her, but he also wouldn't let her drink the tonic soup he sent. In all these years, the Emperor had never been so cold to her.
Moreover, she can no longer find out anything about the Emperor's situation...
"Did your father find out?" Consort Rong's expression was unpleasant.
"Mother, we are being too cautious! In this palace, who can surpass you? You must help your son!" The Seventh Prince dismissed his mother's worries.
The Second Prince's arrogance has recently diminished after being dealt a blow. Not only has he failed to find the true mastermind behind the robbery, but rumors are now circulating that he is intolerant of others, framed Ji Shumin, and forced Ji Shumin to request to be deposed.
Although everyone thought the same thing, they still had to appear righteous on the surface. Now that Ji Shumin had been deposed, the reason could be attributed to others, giving them a direction for criticism and making them appear even more upright and noble.
The Seventh Prince felt that no one could compete with him now, and he only wanted to know how much longer the Emperor had to live.
But before the Seventh Prince could even enjoy his triumph for two days, a piece of news that no one expected sent him into a rage within the palace.
The eldest prince has returned to the palace!
For many years, both the imperial court and the imperial harem have tacitly accepted that the Second Prince is the Emperor's eldest son.
The eldest prince has been unmentioned for many years, and no one dares to mention him. He is like a taboo subject, and no one should offend the emperor.
When the eldest prince and the empress left the palace together, it was as if the two of them never existed in the palace, and the emperor never mentioned them again.
Unexpectedly, the eldest prince actually returned to the palace one day.
Although it was not said that he would reside permanently in the palace and become the emperor's eldest son again.
But everyone knew perfectly well that something was slowly starting to go wrong.
The eldest prince, Ji Shuqin, was handsome and refined, with an extraordinary bearing that was evident in his appearance alone. He was no longer the sickly man who had been predicted to die young.
The moment the Emperor saw him, a hint of anticipation flickered in his deep eyes.
Those who manage to escape their destined death must have a different fate...
Tormented by endless pain, the emperor's heart had already changed.
Before anyone could react, the Emperor had already shown his affection for the eldest prince, as if to make up for the father-son relationship. After returning to the palace, the eldest prince actually stayed next to the Emperor's bedroom.
Even while the Emperor was ill, he still met with the eldest prince. Meanwhile, news spread throughout the palace that the Emperor was praising the eldest prince for his filial piety. In an instant, the eldest prince became the most talked-about person in both the court and the harem.
After seeing the eldest prince for a few days, the emperor's health improved, and he appeared energetic and radiant during court sessions, regaining his capable and regal demeanor.
It is said that the eldest prince returned this time because the emperor saw the scriptures that the eldest prince had secretly sent to him to pray for his well-being, which the eldest prince had sent year after year without interruption, and the eldest prince had also instructed the third prince not to let the emperor know.
The emperor was deeply moved.