Chapter 35 – Memorials

Chapter 35 - Memorials

Unaware of the crisis faced by the palace maid in the imperial palace, Crown Prince Yuan Jun, stationed far away in Jingbei, was conversing with Princess Yi Yang in his study. "The investigation into the medicinal cuisine shop led us to the residence of Gao Tongyu, the eunuch in charge of guarding Jingbei Prefecture."

Princess Yi Yang's face clouded over in surprise. "He's merely a servant of the royal family, yet he dares to oppose me? He didn't even come to pay respects when I arrived in Jingbei, and now he has the audacity to meddle with my business?"

Yuan Jun shook his head. "We'll set aside Gao Tongyu's attitude for now. After all, he is deeply trusted by our father, which is why he was assigned to Jingbei. He has a delicate position, being mutually constrained with the Jingbei King. It might have been more prudent for him not to visit you, as an empress. Frankly, I find it suspicious that the investigation led to Gao Tongyu. Until we understand the situation better, it's wiser to hold our ground."

Princess Yi Yang smiled at his analysis. "You're right. It's only natural for the Jingbei King to harbor suspicions towards me. It's best not to investigate further for now. The medicinal cuisine shop is safe, so when Rong Bi returns, she won't be too distraught. As for you, those shops and manors are for your convenience. Gather your people and make plans. Do you have any ideas?"

Yuan Jun replied, "I've already organized the manpower, and I've also secretly recruited some boys from the refugee population. They're being trained on the manor to see if they can be useful. Money is another significant issue. I'm planning to establish a security agency in Ju Lu privately. This way, I can legally maintain a military force and gather weapons."

Princess Yi Yang glanced at the parchment map on the wall, her gaze settling on Ju Lu. It was the closest of the thirteen Jingbei prefectures to the northern barbarians, a border region with many mountains. She pondered for a moment. "It's an excellent location. There's a bustling marketplace with numerous trading caravans. A security agency could be profitable. The rugged terrain would also provide cover. However, all thirteen Jingbei prefectures fall under the Jingbei King's jurisdiction. Establishing a security agency requires connections with both the official and unofficial sectors, and it won't be easy for you, a new face, to enter the industry without drawing attention from the Jingbei King."

Yuan Jun said, "I've considered that. That's precisely why I chose a security agency. In Ju Lu, there are already five registered security agencies, plus carriage companies, chambers of commerce, and martial arts schools that also provide protection for trading caravans. So, the security business is quite common there. I've done my research and found a small agency called Yongxing Security. They suffered a major loss after losing a shipment and had to pay dearly. The owner, surnamed Li, fell ill due to the stress and passed away. The head instructor, originally working out of respect for the owner, returned to his hometown after the owner's death, claiming retirement. Amidst their struggles, the owner's son refused to close the agency and has been searching for a new head instructor, but apparently, they haven't been able to attract business or pay salaries, causing many instructors to leave. I've instructed someone to secretly approach this young Master Li, proposing to invest and join the agency first. Then, we can gradually infiltrate our people without raising suspicion. This will require patience and time, so we mustn't rush."

Princess Yi Yang felt a sense of relief at his long-term planning and meticulous arrangements. "Your plans are well thought out. Proceed with them. Your ability to act patiently is commendable."

Yuan Jun replied, "Since destiny allowed me to escape the confines of the cold palace, it seems fate is on my side. My only worry remains my sister."

Princess Yi Yang smiled gently. "There's no need to worry about me. Now…" She gazed off into the distance slightly. "At this point, I need to have a child as soon as possible."

Yuan Jun was taken aback, his face clouding with a hint of melancholy. As Princess Yi Yang had raised him since childhood, she could easily discern his unease. Smiling, she reassured him, "There's no need for that. I actually feel a bit of sympathy for Prince Jingbei. A man of his stature deserves a gentle and virtuous queen who always puts him first. The previous princess must have been such a person. But unfortunately, he's faced with an arranged marriage like ours, where my intentions are clear. Despite his caution and displeasure, he still treats me with respect... One must admit, he's a gentleman and a hero in his own right."

"Beauty is often drawn to heroes. Though our perspectives differ, I now believe that bearing his child would be a gain for me."

Turning to Yuan Jun, she spoke of the matter without any trace of bashfulness. "Life is fleeting, especially for women, whose beauty is transient. Having a child would benefit not only myself but also you and even Prince Jingbei. There's no need to dwell on it. I'm eagerly anticipating the birth of a child carrying my bloodline, and even more so if the father is a man of Prince Jingbei's heroic caliber. This marriage started with political calculations. His affection for me is secondary. The primary goal of this alliance was to infuse the Yuan lineage into Prince Jingbei's line. If we have a son, another Yuan princess might marry into the family in the future. If it's a daughter, the Yuan dynasty could promise her the throne, ensuring that the Jingbei issue is resolved peacefully and fostering a closer integration with the Yuan imperial dynasty."

"I've been married once before, and my relationship with my former husband was harmonious, filled with poetry and wine. Alas, our bond was too fragile, and we didn't have children. Years have passed, and we've gone our separate ways. Through trials and tribulations, I've come to realize that having a child, whether a son or daughter, would be cherished. I'll ensure they're well-educated."

Yuan Jun sat in an armchair, gripping the armrests tightly and clenching his teeth. A wave of dizziness swept over him, and when he reopened his eyes, his gaze had softened into a distant, unfocused haze.

Princess Yi Yang turned her head and continued, "So my current mission is to conceive a child as soon as possible. That way, I can gain more breathing room and support from Prince Jingbei." Her gaze met the delicate beauty sitting in the armchair, and she suddenly laughed. "Why have you come back?"

Rong Bi appeared slightly taken aback by what she had just heard, but she still rose to her feet and bowed respectfully to Princess Yi Yang, "Your Highness."

Princess Yi Yang waved her hand, dismissing the formalities. "There's no need to be so polite. Since you're back, it means Hengzhi has returned as well. At this hour, you should have been asleep. How did your sleep get switched?"

Rong Bi appeared slightly abashed. "No... His Majesty suddenly instructed his servants to deliver numerous memorandums, stating that he wished for the Crown Prince to review them and alleviate his father's burdens. I'm not proficient in these matters, so I spent the whole night holding the memorandums, not daring to annotate a single word... They're all matters of great military and national significance..."

Princess Yi Yang's gaze sharpened. "Father Emperor actually sent a memorial for Hengzhi to approve? Does he do this every day, or is it just today? Is there something special about it?"

Rong Bi replied honestly, "Only today. He suddenly ordered someone to bring it over, and there doesn't seem to be anything unusual... These days, I've been trying my hand at making medicinal dishes in the Han Palace. Commander Yan brought a very precious recipe from the Imperial Hospital, and I heard that because His Majesty instructed all departments not to shortchange Prince Jin's portion or demands, the Imperial Hospital didn't hold back. With such a valuable recipe, I thought that since I'm making medicinal dishes, I should also present one to His Majesty, so I've had someone deliver one to him every day."

Princess Yi Yang chuckled. "He definitely won't use them. He's very suspicious these days, and it's medicinal food. Who knows if there are any hidden medicinal properties, especially since he's already taking elixirs. I've heard that even on cold days, he uses ice water. It seems the elixirs make his blood run hot and irritate him..." Princess Yi Yang didn't continue discussing the horrifying palace secrets but praised Rong Bi instead. "You're doing very well."

"Since the Crown Prince is personally making medicinal dishes, it's only right to show filial piety to his father. No one will find fault with that. As for approving memorials, perhaps he wants to test... whether the Crown Prince has lost his spirit while being imprisoned."

"My Father Emperor, if the Crown Prince truly loses his vigor, pride, and talent after long-term confinement, he'll be disappointed and think the heir is incompetent. But if the Crown Prince refuses to yield or soften, he'll see the heir as too sharp and a threat to him. It's difficult to strike a balance, but for now, he hasn't reached the point of killing his son, so it's up to Hengzhi to decide what to do."

Yuan Jun opened his eyes to see a table full of memorials. He was startled and momentarily thought he was dreaming, reliving the time when he used to help his father govern and approve memorials. Why would he suddenly have such a dream? Was he still so attached to the power that his father could easily take away, unable to let go?

Lost in thought, he didn't notice the voice beside him. "Your Highness, it's almost the second watch."

Yuan Jun turned his head and saw Li Dongfu, surprised. Seeing that Yuan Jun was still in a daze and hadn't written anything, Li Dongfu grew anxious. Since delivering the memorials, the Crown Prince had read through them one by one, but after an hour, not a single stroke had been made. What should they do? When the Emperor found out, wouldn't he be furious?

Li Dongfu hurriedly advised warmly, "Your Highness, you should approve the memorials soon. It's late, and you shouldn't neglect your rest. Since His Majesty gave the order, just follow it."

Yuan Jun slowly repeated, "Father Emperor gave an order..."

Li Dongfu, assuming Yuan Jun was still hesitant, hurried to reassure him, "Isn't that so? The year has just started, and the backlog of official documents is already piling up on the Dragon-Table. The Emperor labors through the day discussing politics with his ministers. At night, when he sees these numerous memorials, he realizes they should be passed to Your Highness for approval. This is taking part in easing the burden for our sovereign."

Only then did Yuan Jun understand that it wasn't a dream; he had returned to his own body.

Recalling the distressed little palace maid staring blankly at the stack of documents, a hint of a smile tugged at Yuan Jun's lips. Reaching out for a pen, Li Dongfu was overjoyed and promptly pushed a freshly inked inkstone towards him.

Yuan Jun dipped the quill into the crimson ink, picked up a memorial, and noticed that the cabinet had already written their draft proposal. After reviewing the suggested course of action and finding it satisfactory, he made a red circle with the brush and handed it to a young eunuch waiting nearby. The eunuch carried it to another table, marking the completion of one document.

Already reaching for the next, Yuan Jun glanced at it. It was from the Ministry of War, requesting increased border defenses, but the appended detailed list was unclear. On the cabinet's draft proposal, he wrote, "Return to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue for a reassessment of the detailed list."

Observing Prince Li Dongfu swiftly tackle the mountainous pile of memorials, he managed to halve the workload within just an hour. Though relieved that his assignment was accomplished well, Li Dongfu couldn't help but secretly empathize with the Crown Prince. He wondered how the Emperor would react the next day – would it be relief or... even greater apprehension?

Indeed, the heart of the emperor is unfathomable!