Chapter 55: Return to Farming

Chapter 55: Return to Farming

"The imperial physician reports that Your Highness has been improving these past few days. The Emperor said that if Your Highness feels up to it, you may attend the Second Prince's wedding ceremony."

Rong Bi glanced at the person in front of her and suddenly realized it was Li Dongfu. He was humble and submissive, as if Rong Bi were not a prince confined to his quarters but truly ill, and he was now pleading for her to attend the wedding.

Wedding... she suddenly remembered that the Second Princess was from Bei Xi. Her elder sister, the princess, was currently on the battlefield against Bei Xi, and yet the Emperor wanted the prince to attend the marriage ceremony between the Bei Xi princess and the Second Prince?

Recalling the princess's analysis of the Emperor's intentions, she felt a wave of disgust. She replied coldly, "I've been so worried about my elder sister lately that I can't sleep at night or eat properly. I still feel exhausted; I'm afraid I won't be able to attend."

Li Dongfu had come to convey the Emperor's decree, but the prince had initially ignored him, engrossed in his own chess game. Then, he had suddenly stared out the window in a daze, almost treating Li Dongfu as invisible. With courage and determination, Li Dongfu repeated himself.

The prince finally turned to look at him, his eyes icy cold, his words equally detached.

Li Dongfu inwardly groaned. "Your Highness might be feeling unwell due to staying indoors too long. Perhaps a stroll outside would lift your spirits."

Rong Bi looked down at the chessboard and picked up a piece. Noticing a report on the side, she saw that it was a military dispatch by its cover. She flipped through it, discovering it was from three days ago. Apparently, the capital was lagging in receiving news, but for such dispatches to appear within the Baohuan Palace suggested that the Emperor had indeed become more lenient with the prince recently. Was this to make the princess more devoted to the Emperor? Or perhaps to exert some pressure and threat on the prince? It was the Emperor's way of asserting authority, like an aging lion warning its strong cub, demonstrating that his control still held.

She pondered for a moment before asking, "On which day is my younger brother's wedding?"

Li Dongfu, sensing a slight shift in the prince's tone, promptly said, "On the fifteenth of May, after the Dragon Boat Festival, Your Highness could rest for a few more days. By then, your health should have improved significantly."

Rong Bi replied, "I'll consider it. But since Second Brother's wedding is coming up and I've been confined here due to my chronic illness, I don't have anything to give him as a gift."

Li Dongfu quickly smiled and said, "This servant will immediately inform His Majesty and see if there's something suitable from the imperial treasury for Your Highness to present."

Rong Bi said, "I wouldn't dare trouble Father. For Second Brother's wedding, it's best if I personally give the gift. Please summon Shen Anlin; I'll entrust this matter to him."

Li Dongfu eagerly agreed with a smile before taking his leave.

Rong Bi pretended to search for a book on the shelf, accidentally flipping through the notebook and discovering the entry: "Rong family's third son, Rong Mo, is intelligent and studious. He's going to the capital for the exams. Arrange for Shen Anlin to look after him." Her eyes lit up upon reading this: "Third Brother is here!"

Her heart, which had been weighed down, now felt a touch lighter at the news of her brother. Besides, with the crown prince attending to matters, the princess's burden should be lessened. Everything would surely turn out alright, and there was also Big Brother...

Looking around the study table, Rong Bi saw it piled high with military books, official documents, battle reports, maps, geographical records, provincial reports, and documents from the Board of Rites about Bei Xi. There were also thick notebooks filled with details of crucial military passes and the number of troops stationed there.

The crown prince had been ill these past days, but he still didn't stop reading these materials. He must have been incredibly focused on these matters. Rong Bi's heart settled slightly. She returned to the couch, took a cold chess piece in her hand, and still felt uneasy. She needed to do something to alleviate her anxiety and calm her mind.

She stood up, rolled up her sleeves, and decided to take a stroll in the vegetable garden to see if there were any fresh vegetables she could use to cook a dish and soothe her mood. The eunuchs outside, seeing the bedridden prince suddenly rise and venture out, hurriedly followed and asked, "Is Your Highness seeking some respite?"

She said, "There's no need to follow me. I'll go see the vegetable garden." With the wicker basket in hand, she strolled down the path leading to the garden.

The sun was at its height, casting a brilliant light upon the beds of cabbage, cauliflower, bean sprouts, pumpkins, leeks, spinach, eggplants, chili peppers, and loofahs that flourished with vitality. The emerald hues shimmered under the sunlight, and the lush growth was pleasing to the eye. The pea flowers bloomed in a riot of colors, and some young pods had already formed. The cucumbers hung heavily on their vines, adorned with tender spines and yellow blossoms, glistening with dewdrops. The chirping of birds carried on the gentle breeze, and she instantly felt at ease. The anxiety and gloom in her heart seemed to be swept away by the vibrant life around her.

If they didn't harvest soon, the vegetables would wither and be wasted. She imagined that the Crown Prince, being ill and anxious, hadn't tended to the garden. After all, it was a vegetable patch he had personally planted. Without his command, the eunuchs dared not harvest randomly; they could only maintain, weed, and fertilize as usual.

Rong Bi plucked a few cucumbers, startled a grasshopper, and inhaled the fresh scent of the leaves. The rural scenery soothed her soul. Looking at the overly robust cabbages, she instructed the eunuchs to pick them, clean them, and hang them upside down to drain. She planned to pickle them once they were dry. Approaching a tree, she noticed the climbing beans covering the trellis, full of vigor and already bearing many beans. These humble plants thrived effortlessly, commonly found growing wild along country fences. They required little water to spread abundantly, making them a favorite among poor farmers. Not wanting to waste them, she ordered the eunuchs to gather the beans when they had time, dry them, and use them for stir-frying with cured meat during winter when fresh produce was scarce – a delightful side dish.

The eggplants were ready for drying too, while the cucumbers could be harvested for slicing and pickling. The leeks, now too mature, had produced many flowers. She instructed that the blossoms be cut for making leek flower sauce. Touching the heavy gourds, Rong Bi decided to let them be. Once they ripened in autumn, they could serve as containers.

As she gave orders, several palace maids hurried to assist, and the garden buzzed with activity. Some picked, others washed, and still more hung the produce to dry or sliced them for pickling. Amidst the bustle, Rong Bi's initial unease and tension lessened. She noticed that the lotus pond by the lake had been planted, and a pavilion was being constructed in the middle of the water, connected by a winding bridge.

Studying the scene, Cai Fan explained, "That's a pavilion for appreciating lotuses. Eunuch Tang said it would make it convenient for His Highness to enjoy the flowers and find respite from the heat."

Rong Bi understood the hidden purpose: to provide an escape from surveillance. With the lotuses planted and secret passages likely dug, once the water was released and the lotuses grew, the pavilion in the water would allow the Crown Prince to enter without suspicion. Surrounded by water on all sides with only a curved bridge, those monitoring the prince would have no way of knowing what he did inside.

Eunuch Tang was indeed a cunning genius!

Her spirits lifted slightly, and she wondered if there might be a chance to secretly visit her brother. As she turned to collect some vegetables, she headed to the kitchen to prepare a meal herself.

When Shen Anlin entered, Rong Bi was seated at a low table, enjoying a steaming bowl of leek dumplings. Before her were several plates of seasonal vegetables, simple yet hearty home-cooked dishes: cucumber salad, egg and loofah soup, spinach with pork liver, and braised eggplant with meat. After accompanying the princess on her military campaign for days, fresh produce had become a rare treat, and she longed for a peaceful meal of stir-fries, crisp and fresh.

Upon seeing Shen Anlin, she gestured for him to approach. "No need to bow, sit down. The Emperor has summoned me to attend my younger brother's wedding. Please prepare some gifts on my behalf."

Shen Anlin, having overheard from the guards that the Crown Prince had finally ventured out, picking vegetables in the garden and even cooking himself, was relieved to see a hint of color return to his pale face. His heart, which had been tense for days, eased slightly. "Very well, I'll make the necessary arrangements."

Rong Bi instructed someone to serve him some dumplings as well. "Try them. How is Rong San, whom I asked you to look after, doing?"

Shen Anlin replied, "As per your Highness's instructions, I've arranged for Qi Yuanshu, a senior official from the Ministry of Revenue, to employ Rong Er, the scholar, as a tutor for his children. He's been provided with accommodation and a monthly stipend of ten taels of silver. Rong San has already moved in, in the Jinhua Lane. His daily routine is simple, and the garden is tranquil, making it ideal for studying. Since Rong Er moved in, he hasn't left the house much, dedicating himself to teaching and studying day and night. Even Official Qi was astonished, remarking that it's rare to find such diligence."

Rong Bi felt a mix of pride, concern, and satisfaction. Addressing Shen Anlin, she said, "Thank you for your efforts."

Shen Anlin blushed and replied, "I didn't arrange it properly; it was Father who took care of everything. You don't need to thank me, Your Highness."

Although Rong Bi was curious as to why Lord Shen needed to be involved, the Crown Prince hadn't elaborated, so she could only speculate while nodding and asking about external matters.

Shen Anlin respectfully answered each question and then cautiously reassured Rong Bi, "I've heard that Zheng Tanhua is also attending. Your Highness, there's no need to worry too much about the princess. She is blessed by fate and will surely overcome any adversity. Father mentioned that Prince Jingbei, Guo Shuji, is skilled in military strategy. Without absolute certainty, he wouldn't launch an attack casually. Your Highness should focus on resting and recovering from your illness. The imperial physician said your condition stems partly from unresolved distress. Emotional ailments are difficult to heal, which is why your health fluctuates. Please take great care of yourself."

Rong Bi paused before responding, "I understand."

Shen Anlin felt a pang of sadness in his heart as he softly said, "Now that Your Highness has come to terms with things and is finding solace in gardening and cooking, we, your subjects, can finally rest assured."

Rong Bi gave Shen Anlin a glance, seeing the sincerity on his face, and nodded slightly.

Sure enough, after that day, the Crown Prince returned to his old habits of tending to the garden, preparing medicinal dishes, and cooking a few small dishes himself.

As the Crown Prince's health improved and he resumed his farming routine, the news naturally reached Yuan Zixu.

Yuan Zixu felt a sense of relief. "He has finally understood and knows that he still needs to listen to me. Children can sometimes be stubborn, but they eventually learn, don't they? Reading military books and war reports every day was just a waste of time for him. Being an emperor, isolated and alone, is not an easy task."

He seemed genuinely affectionate as he asked, "What about Third Prince? Have there been any updates? What did Duke Ding say?"

A voice whispered the reply, "Both Third Prince and Duke Ding are stationed in Fufeng City. They've sent a report back, which includes a letter from Prince Jingbei, Guo Shuji, explaining the reasons for the conflict with Bei Xi. Apparently, Bei Xi attempted to poison Guo Shuji and repeatedly disturbed the borders, plundering farmlands. This is what led Guo Shuji to launch an offensive."

Yuan Zixu's eyes flashed with a glint of cunning as he chuckled coldly. "And the second part?"

"The Duke of Song sent an urgent message stating that the princess has been kept in Keldar City by Prince Jingbei, seemingly to use her as bait. It's very dangerous, and he requests troops to be sent for a rescue mission."

Yuan Zixu raised his eyebrows slightly. "Approved. Send my imperial edict ordering the Duke of Song to rescue the princess in Keldar City." Of course, the rescue would happen, and the Duke of Song had proven to be astute, even requesting permission for military action through a thousand-mile-long report. If Princess Yi Yang were to perish due to Prince Jingbei's actions, the Duke of Song and Third Prince could hold him accountable.

Further negotiations with Bei Xi were almost met with Yuan Zixu's applause. He felt that this was indeed a masterful strategy. If they could quell the northern threat of Jingbei once and for all and reclaim the provinces occupied by Bei Xi in one fell swoop, it would be a brilliant two-for-one solution.

However, a trusted aide secretly reported, "Prince Gonggong Song has privately written a confidential memorial."

Yuan Zixu took it and carefully unfolded the document, his brow furrowing as he read. After pondering for a moment, he burned the letter, clearly conflicted and uncertain.