Chapter 130: The Crown Prince Returns to the Capital (3)

Chapter 130: The Crown Prince Returns to the Capital (3)

Ever since Zhao Jiaze was instated as Crown Prince, tea houses throughout the capital have been buzzing about him.

Even small vendors, who could not read, have been eagerly discussing Zhao Jiaze’s affairs.

The current emperor’s legitimate son from the central palace was the top scholar of the imperial examination two years ago. After being appointed to an official post outside the capital, Zhao Jiaze, who during his tenure as the assistant magistrate of Weilin Prefecture, solved a mass murder case involving illegal iron casting and recovered a large iron mine for the dynasty.

During his time as assistant magistrate, local law and order were well-maintained, and Zhao Jiaze solved three legendary major cases.

The first case involved reversing a wrongful conviction. A scholar named Wang Sheng had been killed, and his wife Xu Shi was convicted of the murder. She was scheduled for execution in autumn, but just then, He Lanting was bestowed the title of Chenfei, leading to a general amnesty. Xu Shi survived and waited for the opportunity for Zhao Jiaze to overturn her case.

This case was not about a wife killing her husband but a horrifying case of a mother murdering her son. Wang Sheng’s mother had experienced a difficult birth with her first son and came to despise him. When he became successful and planned to move out with his wife, the mother was enraged and murdered her son in a fit of anger.

The case became famous because, during the trial, Wang Sheng’s mother fiercely explained her motives for the murder, revealing to the world that there are mothers who hate their children.

"Why did he excel in his studies? It was because he drained my body, drawing blood and water from me to achieve his success."

"And why did Xu Shi use her dowry to help him? To help him study and become independent? How dare she do that?"

"He was supposed to stay and serve our family his whole life! He deserved to die!"

The second case involved a family massacre where only a daughter of a wealthy merchant family survived by hiding in a wardrobe. The entire family was killed, and the money disappeared.

The case remained unsolved until Zhao Jiaze cracked it, revealing that the perpetrator was the wealthy merchant’s cousin. After stealing the money, the cousin became a successful businessman, and was about to take the merchant’s daughter as a concubine when Zhao Jiaze apprehended him.

The third case involved a horrifying act of cannibalism. The murderer believed that eating human flesh could strengthen his body and had killed at least dozens of people over the years. People had gone missing, but it was not known that they were killed by this person until Zhao Jiaze apprehended him.

When they excavated the old scholar’s home, skeletons were discovered, sending shivers down everyone’s spines, and the sausages and cured meats in the scholar’s home were all preserved as evidence because the assistant magistrate declared that this meat was human flesh!

When Fu Wanan was having tea at a tea house, the storytelling performer was recounting the last case.

Many people were so disgusted by the case that they lost their appetite, and Pei Qinghe was one of them. Seeing Fu Wanan eating with great enjoyment, Pei Qinghe couldn’t help but facepalm.

"This isn’t preserved meat," Fu Wanan whispered, "even if it was, it wouldn’t matter..."

"Alright," Pei Qinghe interrupted, quickly covering Fu Wanan’s mouth, "I don’t want to know."

When Pei Qinghe first heard about the case, cured meat was being served for dinner, but she didn’t eat anything that evening.

Noticing that Pei Qinghe had lost her appetite, Fu Wanan hurriedly finished her pastries. After gulping down some water, she said, "We'll be able to see Brother tomorrow."

Pei Qinghe rested her chin on her hand and said, "Tomorrow, His Highness the Crown Prince might not have time."

"But the Crown Princess definitely has time. I miss Sister-in-law so much," Fu Wanan said, drawing out her words, her eyes shining with longing for Lin Yingxue.

Pei Qinghe shook her head and said, "Probably not tomorrow as well."

After all, their status was no longer the same. One was the Crown Prince, and the other was the Crown Princess. Pei Qinghe looked at Fu Wanan, wondering if they would still acknowledge this family relation.

Fu Wanan, with her innocent mind, never dwelled on such thoughts. After finishing her food quickly, she pulled Pei Qinghe to leave.

The third case, though the most sensational, was the least discussed at the teahouse. The storyteller wanted to skim over it, but since some people were hearing it for the first time, they asked him to elaborate.

Fu Wanan thought about finding another place to rest, and as they were about to leave, they nearly bumped into Lin Baozhen.

Lin Baozhen looked at Fu Wanan. Her former sister-in-law had married him, but it was certainly better than in her dream, where Fu Wanan was tainted.

As for Pei Qinghe, her fate was also different from what she had imagined. She now had Wen as her stepmother, who was just a concubine but...

Lin Baozhen always looked at people whose fates had reversed with a superior look, especially since she knew Pei Jin would have a great future, and his daughter would marry well. So, she looked at Pei Qinghe with a bit of envy.

Her gaze made them feel uneasy, and they commented, "She's acting weird."

Pei Qinghe nodded, feeling uneasy under Lin Baozhen's scrutiny.

"Many people say I’m not smart, but I think she’s the one who’s not smart!" Fu Wanan said softly. If she were smart, why would she have married Wei Wuhou?

Fu Wanan, now married and cherished by Qin Yuanting, could tell the difference between love and indifference. She couldn’t understand why Lin Baozhen often looked at her with a pitying gaze. She wasn’t pitiful; Lin Baozhen was the one who was pitiful. Her brother was so wonderful, and he is now the Crown Prince, while Lin Baozhen had married poorly...

"She almost became your sister-in-law. Now that she suddenly knows her fiancé is the Crown Prince, she's probably feeling unbalanced. Just ignore her," Pei Qinghe said.

Fu Wanan shrank back, the thought of Lin Baozhen almost becoming her sister-in-law sending chills down her spine. She still preferred her present sister-in-law.

They didn’t talk much more about Lin Baozhen and went shopping again. Fu Wanan was preparing a gift for her brother’s child and planned to pick it up herself this time.

Lin Baozhen entered the teahouse, irritated to discover that they were discussing news of Zhao Jiaze's case-solving abilities.

Lin Baozhen had known about Zhao Jiaze for a long time, as he was her dream husband. Although he hadn’t married her, her younger sister had married him. She believed she had the right to know how he was doing, and how things were between him and Lin Yingxue.

When she learned that Zhao Jiaze had been promoted from county magistrate to assistant officer, she furrowed her brow in frustration.

Fortunately, promotions beyond the position of assistant officer wouldn’t come so quickly, but hearing of Zhao Jiaze’s brilliance in solving cases stirred her resentment.

In her dreams, he had also been excellent at solving cases, so why had he remained a poor county magistrate all along?

Now, with his success in solving cases and having Pei Jin as a good mentor, the rumors in the capital had shifted. People were saying that Zhao Jiaze was destined for great things and would eventually return to the capital.

A bitter feeling rose in Lin Baozhen’s heart. Especially because she had prophetic dreams, she knew that Zhao Jiaze wasn’t one to indulge in women’s charms.

In her dreams, they never consummated their union, and Zhao Jiaze didn’t pursue other women, which had made her suspect that he was impotent.

But now, since Zhao Jiaze and Lin Yingxue had children, it was evident that he was capable, and they were a harmonious couple, which left Lin Baozhen feeling deeply unsettled.

The better Zhao Jiaze’s official career became, and the more loving he was with his wife, the more uneasy Lin Baozhen felt.

She hadn’t expected that Zhao Jiaze’s great destiny wouldn’t be realized through promotions, but rather through his lineage.

Everyone in the capital was saying that the Empress’s legitimate son was a celestial literary star.

No one said it outright, but everyone believed that he was the successor of the Great Qi Dynasty.

Her heart felt like boiling water, stifling and unbearable, until she retched and vomited. Only then did she learn that she was pregnant.

“Don’t tell anyone in the household!” Lin Baozhen warned her attendant, Chang Yan. The household valued children greatly, and if they knew she was pregnant, they would likely prevent her from going out tomorrow. But she still wanted to see the scene of Zhao Jiaze’s return to the capital.

Chang Yan agreed, and because Lin Baozhen had hidden her pregnancy, she was able to witness the grand return of the Crown Prince the next day.

All the civil and military officials were kneeling in a sprawl at the city gate, and the Empress was waiting at the palace gate to welcome her long-awaited Crown Prince. It was evident to all that the Emperor and Empress held their son in high regard, while the Third Prince and the other princes were left neglected.

Lin Baozhen’s heart churned. Was there still a chance for the Third Prince? Was Zhao Jiaze really going to firmly hold onto the position of Crown Prince?

Unseen by Lin Baozhen, Zhao Jiaze had already kneeled before Emperor Chengde.

In the past, Zhao Jiaze had referred to himself as a commoner or a humble official, but today, he called himself their son.

Removing the word 'minister' will make the son seem less formal and more intimate with the Emperor.

"Son pays respects to the Emperor. May the Emperor live ten thousand years in health and prosperity."

Zhao Jiaze felt no filial piety towards Emperor Chengde. However, when he saw Empress Jian Yunyao, he was somewhat moved. But in front of the Emperor, despite lacking filial piety, he had to pretend it.

Without his experience in government, Zhao Jiaze’s acting might still have been as inexperienced as a novice. But now, having served as an official, Zhao Jiaze was adept at playing roles before superiors and balancing kindness and authority with subordinates, having perfected the art.

His bright eyes moistened slightly as he looked at the Emperor. His trembling lips conveyed a display of filial respect that greatly pleased Emperor Chengde and even touched him.

Emperor Chengde had initially planned to reprimand Zhao Jiaze following Concubine Chen’s suggestion. But now, seeing Zhao Jiaze’s demeanor, his heart softened, as Zhao Jiaze resembled Yan Ji.

The last time, Zhao Jiaze had dressed in a way that made himself appear less like Yan Ji. This time, however, he dressed to resemble Yan Ji more closely.

Emperor Chengde felt as though he was seeing his beloved youngest son grown up and could not bring himself to be harsh towards Zhao Jiaze.

"Rise," said Emperor Chengde. "Go and see your Grand Empress Dowager first."

In the Empress Dowager’s palace, Concubine Chen He Lanting was also waiting.

When Concubine Chen saw Zhao Jiaze, her heart sank. Seeing Zhao Jiaze’s attire, she realized that this Crown Prince, supported by the Empress, had ambitious aspirations and was a formidable opponent.

"Your humble son greets Concubine Chen," Zhao Jiaze paid his respects respectfully, not omitting a single courtesy.

He Lanting was exquisitely beautiful, a faint smile on her lips. "Crown Prince, please rise quickly. I, a mere concubine, cannot bear to receive such a grand gesture from you."

Their eyes met and then quickly turned away.