Chapter 133 Daily Life in the Palace (2)

Chapter 133 Daily Life in the Palace (2)

When Zhao Jiaze returned to the palace, it was almost curfew time.

At the sound, Lin Yingxue stirred and got up. Zhao Jiaze pressed her down with one hand, saying, "Just rest a bit more."

"I wasn't sleeping either," Lin Yingxue said. "I was just lying down. I was supposed to accompany Hong'er at Mother's place this afternoon, but I fell asleep. I’ve had enough sleep."

Lin Yingxue rose and helped him remove his outer garment. "Did you drink a lot? I've had someone prepare some sour plum soup."

"I didn't drink much," Zhao Jiaze replied briefly, but still drank a bowl of the soup.

In the candlelight, Lin Yingxue studied Zhao Jiaze. He had been drunk more than once at the Weilin residence, but at the moment, he appeared clear-eyed and showed no signs of intoxication.

As Lin Yingxue examined him closely, Zhao Jiaze felt a warmth inside and began to fondle her hand. After giving birth and receiving proper nourishment, Lin Yingxue’s hands and feet had become warm.

Lin Yingxue had once been a flower that grew in the cracks, in poor soil, and had bloomed timidly. Now, nurtured by him, she bloomed resplendently, blooming beautifully.

No lady in the harem could match her beauty and grace. That morning, during a brief visit to the Empress Dowager, many eyes were drawn to Lin Yingxue.

They envied both her beauty and her status.

Zhao Jiaze thought about making Lin Yingxue someone who would always be admired.

His voice became even gentler in the flickering candlelight, "Later, I'll tell you about my side. How did it go with Mother?"

"She likes Hong'er very much," Lin Yingxue replied. "She loves him so much she didn’t want to let him go, saying he looks very much like you when you were young. Additionally, she told me some things about the Empress Dowager..."

Lin Yingxue whispered some old stories about the Empress Dowager, and as Zhao Jiaze listened, he began to sketch an image of the Empress Dowager and her family in his mind.

The Empress Dowager, born to a farmer's family, had risen to power, lifting her family to great wealth, becoming influential royal merchants.

Every year, when the Empress Dowager said she stayed in Wutai Mountain for half a year, she was actually returning to her natal family's home.

With such a figure in the Empress Dowager's natal family, they were invincible in business.

Due to the Empress Dowager's existence, her family was somewhat arrogant in their conduct.

The Empress Dowager herself wanted to restrain them, but there was an issue: her mother was still alive. This elderly lady insisted that no matter how exalted the Empress Dowager was, she was still her daughter and the sister of the current head of the family.

Back then, before the Empress Dowager left her parental home for marriage, she was so beautiful that her family doted on her endlessly despite her being a woman. Now that she has risen to power as the Empress Dowager, her mother pressures her to support the family and often reminisces about the past.

All she could do was turn a blind eye to her family's actions, having indulged them for many years.

The Empress Dowager's mother is now very old and can remain conscious for only short periods of time. It is expected that the old lady will not survive this winter.

Because of her mother's condition, the Empress Dowager’s family has been attempting to place people in the palace, but she has blocked these attempts, clearly avoiding direct confrontation with Concubine Chen. Recently, the relationship between the Empress Dowager and her family has noticeably strained.

He quietly listened to the matters concerning the Empress Dowager as Lin Yingxue also mentioned Uncle Fu Bin, who had held the child and ultimately presented a jade pendant.

Only Lin Yingxue can truly call him Uncle. From Emperor Chengde's attitude, Zhao Jiaze could sense that the Fu family had raised him, which was their duty in the Emperor's eyes.

Fu Bin, being a servant in the Emperor's palace, had raised the Crown Prince, and it was not for the Crown Prince to remember this favor.

As he rubbed the jade pendant given by his uncle, Zhao Jiaze said, "Be cautious in the palace, but outside, it’s less of a concern."

After Lin Yingxue finished sharing her experiences, Zhao Jiaze began to recount his conversations with his mother and the Emperor's instructions.

This habit of communication was formed during their time in Weilin. Zhao Jiaze had once handled a case involving a couple whose poor communication led to misunderstandings, which allowed others to exploit the situation, ultimately leading to the husband's death and the wife's regret.

Since then, whatever happened at the yamen, Zhao Jiaze would share with his wife, and if Lin Yingxue had anything to report, she would also tell Zhao Jiaze.

In the study, Emperor Chengde's first action was to admonish Zhao Jiaze, starting with a harsh criticism.

"You have been outside the palace for many years and were raised in a small family, lacking any shred of princely demeanor. You must first learn the rules."

"Although I have made you Crown Prince because of your lineage, the late Emperor once appointed a Crown Prince, only to later abolish the position."

"If you fail to meet my expectations, even if the entire court opposes me, I will suppress the opposition and depose you. Do you understand?"

Emperor Chengde's reprimand was like a fierce storm, and although Zhao Jiaze’s retelling was already softened, Lin Yingxue could still sense the seriousness behind the Emperor's feigned anger.

Though destined by fate, Zhao Jiaze was not the ideal Crown Prince in the Emperor's eyes.

Having been an Emperor for too long, Emperor Chengde naturally believed that the succession of the kingdom should be determined by his own preferences. His beloved was Concubine Chen, and in his heart, he considered himself and He Lanting to be a couple, whereas Jian Yunyao was merely the Empress. No matter how excellent he is, how could the Emperor willingly accept the Empress's legitimate son?

Whom did Emperor Chengde wish to make Crown Prince? Lin Yingxue couldn't help but think of Yan Ji, the young boy who was very polite. That child was likely the Emperor’s true favorite, and his loss caused two major upheavals in the capital.

Lin Yingxue couldn't help but hold Zhao Jiaze's hand a little tighter, her eyes filled with worry.

Zhao Jiaze gently stroked her delicate hand with his fingers. "It's okay, I had expected his reaction."

Zhao Jiaze found it rather amusing that his former colleagues in Weilin believed he was the one favored by the emperor.

His position as Crown Prince had been secured by his mother, Jian Yunyao, through her demands.

Had his mother not seized the opportunity and united civil and military officials to petition for his installation as Crown Prince, the imperial decree would never have been issued.

Zhao Jiaze was mentally prepared and had guessed Emperor Chengde's intentions, so he did not take those words to heart. He knew very well that he must not act according to Emperor Chengde's wishes; that would truly be self-defeating.

"Deposing the Crown Prince is not as simple as he thinks, and he went on to say..."

After delivering the blow, he naturally offered a reward. When Zhao Jiaze knelt in fear, Emperor Chengde helped him to his feet.

"Of course, I am quite satisfied with having a son born of the empress, especially since you excel in your studies, which pleases me greatly. Given your academic excellence, you now need to focus on mastering propriety."

Emperor Chengde's intention was to keep Zhao Jiaze out of the court under the guise of teaching him proper etiquette.

He also emphasized that as Crown Prince, he must remain impartial and avoid becoming too close to civil and military officials. Becoming too close to them in the court would also be a fault.

"It must be Consort Chen whispering in his ear," Zhao Jiaze said. Before returning to the capital, he had suspected that Consort Chen was the one most eager to dethrone him.

Consort Chen clearly understood the need to lay the groundwork early. Now she started setting it, beginning by preventing him from attending court.

"But that’s fine, the evaluation period is approaching soon."

He had served as an official for over two years, coinciding with the once-every-three-years evaluation. Given his accomplishments in Weilin, it would be the ideal time to enter the court.

At that time, local officials would also be coming to the capital, which would be the best opportunity for him, the Crown Prince, to make a grand entrance!

The confrontation with Emperor Chengde left Lin Yingxue feeling anxious, but the dinner with officials from the Ministry of Revenue was much more relaxed.

Especially since there was someone in the Ministry of Revenue who was particularly attentive to the Crown Prince—namely, Lin Yi.

"Don't concern yourself with him," Lin Yingxue furrowed her brow upon hearing her husband mention Lin Yi.

Lin Yi's personal morals were questionable; maintaining a superficial relationship was sufficient. When Lin Yingxue had been married on behalf of her family, the family atmosphere had been quite strange, as if they didn't have a daughter.

There had been no contact after the marriage, so there was no reason to acknowledge this relative just because her status was now higher. It was better to keep things as they were.

Lin Yi was no fool. At the banquet, Zhao Jiaze had shown a respectful attitude towards Pei Jin but a completely opposite one towards him. Presumably, after some thought, Lin Yi would figure it out.

At this moment, Lin Yi was indeed sighing deeply, aware of the Crown Prince's coldness towards him.

Lin Yi tossed and turned in bed, reflecting that perhaps from the moment he lusted after Mrs. Wen, the wheels of fate had turned, and everything had changed.