Chapter 36 The Crown Prince

Chapter 36 The Crown Prince

Entering through the Meridian Gate and passing the Fengtian Gate, along the central, lengthy avenue, flanked by the Civil and Military Pavilions on the east and west, stands the towering Fengtian Hall, where the emperor receives his ministers. Further back, passing through the Huagai Hall that connects the front and rear sections, is the Jinshen Hall, where the emperor handles daily state affairs.

These two interconnected halls are located at the very center of the imperial palace, built on a nine-foot-high platform, with double-eaved roofs, vermilion lacquer, and golden tiles, all of which underscore the emperor's supreme authority.

To the east of the Fengtian Hall and Jinshen Hall, several hundred meters away, stands a slightly less grand hall, also adorned with vermilion lacquer and gold, with towering eaves. This is the residence of the Crown Prince, the second most prestigious person in the Great Yu Empire—the Chunhe Hall.

Despite its lofty status and symbolism, the current Chunhe Hall is excessively desolate and cold.

Outside the hall, every seven steps, a solemn imperial guard stands watch, on duty in three shifts, day and night. They prevent external disturbances and ensure that the Crown Prince, under house arrest by his father, cannot extend his influence beyond the strict confines of the palace.

In the side hall of Chunhe Hall, all furnishings have been removed from the room, leaving only an altar and a prayer mat.

A young man in plain clothes, pale and indifferent, kneels on the prayer mat, his eyes slightly closed, counting a long string of eighty-one jade bodhi beads, over and over again.

The face that should always be gentle and smiling is now silent to the point of being deadly.

On the altar, incense smoke curls up, and fresh flowers and fruits are placed. The tablet of the late empress stands solemnly and silently.

A ray of brilliant sunlight streams through a narrow crack in the hall door, like a sharp sword, cutting a line of light and shadow on his thin back.

At some point, the candle flame on the altar flickers, the light dancing on the young man's slightly closed eyelids. He remains motionless until the flame stabilizes, then opens his eyes. Two yellow slips of paper used in the imperial presence lie quietly at the foot of the altar.

The young man, expression unchanged, picks up the papers, covers his chest, and coughs violently more than a dozen times. After reading the contents of the yellow slips, he burns them by the candle flame. The light in the room brightens slightly, and after a moment, no trace remains.

A hoarse, cold voice comes from the side hall of Chunhe Hall, "Sixteen, come in."

The crack in the side hall door is gently pushed open a bit, and a swift, ghostly shadow silently steps into the hall, kneeling on one knee behind the young man.

"What's happening outside?"

The young shadow answers in a calm, unemotional tone, "Consort Kang has been promoted to Noble Consort, moved to the Kunning Palace, and granted authority over the six palaces. Consort Kang's recently found brother has been ennobled as Marquis, given the name Kang Zhong. The third prince has been enfeoffed as the Prince of Jin."

"Was the decree issued today?"

The shadow replies methodically, "Two quarters ago, the decree was issued from the Jinshen Hall."

The young man looks up at the tablet behind the curling incense smoke, silent for a long time, until his physical ailments can no longer be suppressed, and he coughs violently again.

"Your Highness..." The shadow's nearly always calm tone shows a slight fluctuation, moving closer.

The dim candlelight illuminates the red mole between his eyebrows. This most trusted attendant of the Crown Prince of Chunhe Hall is actually a handsome young man in his twenties.

The Yuanhua Emperor does not like to be served by young men. In the current imperial city, it is rare to find young men among the higher-ranking attendants. The Crown Prince's Sixteen is a little-known exception.

Crown Prince Jia Hongyuan clenches his fist, then forcibly suppresses his discomfort, saying lightly, "It's nothing. This body has been weak since birth, not just these past few months."

He orders, "Sixteen, go out of the palace for me, to Liaozhou."

Sixteen bows in acknowledgment but does not move.

Seeing this, Jia Hongyuan raises an eyebrow, "Your temper is getting worse. Do I need to explain to you?"

"Your servant dares not," Sixteen bites his lip, gets up to leave, but Jia Hongyuan stops him.

"I haven't finished explaining. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"..."

Jia Hongyuan chuckled lightly, his elegant brows relaxing in the candlelight, radiating an indescribable charm that flickered into Sixteen's cold, emotionless eyes.

He covered his mouth and coughed softly a few times before speaking, "Wu Shen has made achievements at Jingshan Guard. As his cousin, I’ve not only failed to protect him but also hindered his promotion. Go check on him for me, so I can rest easy."

Sixteen nodded silently, remembering and believing everything Jia Hongyuan said, as a personal guard should.

"There's nothing good left in the Eastern Palace now. Large items would draw too much attention. Go to the pharmacy and take some precious medicinal herbs with you. As long as I remain Crown Prince in name, they dare not cut off my medicine."

"Many say... I won’t live longer than my father..."

Sixteen listened quietly to Jia Hongyuan. Since the late empress passed away, from childhood to adulthood, only in front of Sixteen did Jia Hongyuan dare to speak a few words of his true feelings.

But only a few words.

"When you take the herbs, take an extra portion. On your way back from Jingshan Guard, pass by Xiangping Prefecture and visit Du Village in Zhang County to see Du Yunse. Do you remember him?"

"Mr. Wen's top disciple, who once studied with Your Highness."

Jia Hongyuan nodded, "Du Yunse, this man..."

He looked at Sixteen's stern face and suddenly chuckled, "I didn't expect him to value his childhood fiancé so much. Back then, he refused many marriage proposals, and I thought he simply had no interest in such matters."

"His fiancé is also in poor health. Delivering the medicine will be a great help in their time of need. There's no need to say much else; just deliver it and return."

Sixteen nodded and left. Before rising, he added matter-of-factly, "Miss Caiwei asked me to remind Your Highness to eat and take your medicine."

Jia Hongyuan hummed in acknowledgment, "Do you know they’re afraid of me? That’s why they always send you."

Sixteen remained silent. Jia Hongyuan waved his hand, dismissing Sixteen.

Before being placed under house arrest, it was said outside that although the Crown Prince was frail, he was a man of noble character, treating people and matters with utmost kindness, more like the late empress than the current Emperor.

Only those who had served in the Chunhe Palace for many years knew that their master’s temperament was far from the gentle and amiable figure the rumors painted...

The Three Edicts of the Yuanhua Emperor spread throughout the capital in less than half a day.

In the secret chamber of the rear garden of Prince Pingxian's mansion, the highest-ranking prince's residence, the second prince, Jia Hongyi, slammed his exquisite jade cup down, causing the sandalwood table to emit a dull thud.

Such fine items were rare even in the palace, but those familiar with Prince Pingxian’s mansion were unfazed.

The late emperor had many children, seven in total. In his later years, his energy waned, and the Yu Dynasty was plagued by internal and external troubles, leading to a loss of power. Many princes nurtured ambitions for the throne.

In the brutal struggle for succession, the Yuanhua Emperor, neither the eldest nor the favorite son, rose from the military, killing two brothers, forcing one to death, and imprisoning two others, ultimately ascending the throne over the blood and cries of his siblings.

In this, the Yuanhua Emperor's elder brother, Jia Heyan, who was disliked by the late emperor due to his maternal lineage, played a crucial role.

After ascending the throne, the Yuanhua Emperor granted his elder brother the title of hereditary first-rank prince, with the title ‘Pingxian.’

"Ping" signifies impartiality and fairness; "Xian" denotes virtue and integrity.

The Yuanhua Emperor's innovative use of these two characters together as a prince's title shows the weight Prince Pingxian held in his heart.

Over the years, Prince Pingxian often made minor mistakes and was frequently impeached by the censor-in-chief, but he never lost the Emperor's favor. Even the unrivaled Imperial Consort Kang, who dominates the palace, was presented by him over a decade ago.

Presenting a commoner who resembled the late empress to the palace, many were terrified by Prince Pingxian's move, fearing the unpredictable Yuanhua Emperor's wrath.

But Prince Pingxian remained unscathed, and Imperial Consort Kang has enjoyed the Emperor's favor all these years, leaving one to marvel at the Emperor’s inscrutable heart.

Thinking of his father's successive promotions of Imperial Consort Kang and the third prince, even elevating Imperial Consort Kang's newly found commoner brother to a marquis, while he himself gained nothing, Jia Hongyi felt even more frustrated.

Fuming with anger, Jia Hongyi couldn’t sit still. After waiting for fifteen minutes, Prince Pingxian finally arrived.

The noble prince, in his fifties, entered the secret chamber, dismissed the servants with a wave, and smiled leisurely, "Hongyi, you came in such a rush, too hasty."

Jia Hongyi frowned deeply, "I came through the secret passage; no one knows. What’s the deal with today’s imperial decree? Not to mention that sickly Jia Hongyuan, why is Jia Honghan even above me?"

Prince Pingxian sipped his tea, still calm, "Why do you say that, Your Highness?"

Seeing Jia Hongyi too choked to speak, Prince Pingxian finally put down his teacup and said, "It’s just that he was granted the title of Prince Jin first. Your Highness should aim higher."

Jia Hongyi sneered, "Further? Until Consort Kang has a son who’ll inherit the throne?"

"The late empress, who died over a decade ago, secured the crown prince position for a sickly guy like Jia Hongyuan. Even a big scandal like the Jiangnan corruption case only got him house arrest, with no move to depose him."

"A living son of Consort Kang would trample us all, wouldn’t he?"

"Father hasn’t named a new empress in over a decade, but now he’s moved Consort Kang into Kun Ning Palace, the empress’s residence, and made her brother a Marquis, following the empress’s protocol. She’s also presiding over the six palaces and joining the emperor in sacrifices."

"Once she has a child, she’ll likely be crowned empress right away!"

The third prince being granted the title first definitely angered Jia Hongyi, but what really worried him was Consort Kang’s growing favor.

Prince Pingxian shook his head, "Your Highness, have you forgotten who brought Consort Kang into the palace?"

Jia Hongyi was not reassured, "You’ve got a few of her family members under control, but compared to the throne, what are they worth?"

"My father once..."

Jia Hongyi fell silent, then continued after a moment, "Plus, father didn’t let Consort Kang’s brother keep his original surname but gave him the surname Kang. This new Marquis might not listen to us."

Prince Pingxian laughed a few times, shook his head, and said, "Your Highness, you’re too scattered right now. Think about your real strengths, why I support you, and then we’ll talk."

His real strengths... He was the son most like his father, a skilled warrior, a capable commander, and backed by military generals and nobles. If it weren’t for the late empress backing the crown prince, always favored by his father, he’d have had that position long ago.

Seeing Jia Hongyi calm down a bit, Prince Pingxian nodded, satisfied, and said casually, "I’ll handle the new Marquis of Taiping. As for Consort Kang, she can’t have children, so don’t worry."

Jia Hongyi’s eyes widened, and Prince Pingxian smiled, "Your Highness, I’d never leave any loose ends."

In the early summer heat, Jia Hongyi sat in the secret chamber by the lake in Prince Pingxian’s garden and suddenly felt a chill.

...

The Zhu family’s carriage was nearly twice as big as the carriage bureau’s, with faster, stronger horses. Although they had to stop several times on the way back for Qiu Huanian’s health, it only took them four or five days to return to Zhang County.

Counting the time spent on the road, it had been almost a month. This year, with ample rain and suitable temperatures, the green crops by the roadside were thriving, with corn already as tall as a person’s calf, and wheat and rice beginning to sprout.

Well-rested, Qiu Huanian looked out at the fields through the carriage window with great spirit, estimating the growth of his own cotton.

A month had passed, and the cotton’s slow seedling period had long ended. It was now mid to late May in the lunar calendar, and the cotton was about to enter the flowering period. Buds would appear on the cotton plants, and as the weather got hotter, the cotton’s natural enemy, the bollworm, would also arrive. If not handled properly, the cotton yield could be reduced by half or even more. In ancient times without chemical pesticides, pest control was always a major issue in cotton cultivation.

Fortunately, when Qiu Huanian was in modern times, he had visited many experienced old cotton farmers in his hometown for video shooting and learned reliable pest control methods that could be used in ancient times.

Biological enzymes, as the name suggests, were invented in modern times, but their ingredients and methods were completely natural and could be replicated in ancient times.

Before going to the prefecture city, Qiu Huanian had mixed all the ingredients for the biological enzyme and put them in jars, instructing Jiu Jiu to stir them once a day. By now, they should be ready.

Thinking of Jiu Jiu, Qiu Huanian also thought of the velvet flowers he had bought especially for her and the slingshot for Chun Sheng. Jiu Jiu loved beauty, and Chun Sheng loved activity. Receiving these rare gifts in Zhang County, the two children would undoubtedly be overjoyed.

"What are you thinking about?" Du Yunse’s clear and pleasant voice came from behind.

Qiu Huanian turned around to see Du Yunse sitting by the window on the other side of the carriage, having put down his book at some point. He naturally extended his arm, pulling Qiu Huanian closer to him. Leaning against Du Yunse's sturdy shoulder, Qiu Huanian slowly curved his lips into a smile.

This trip of less than a month to Xiangping Prefecture had finally allowed them to understand each other's feelings, and their relationship had taken a substantial step forward, like a honeymoon for just the two of them.

Returning to daily life, their days would continue to be more fulfilling and happy.

"It's been almost a month. I wonder if anything big has happened in the village."

"With your instructions before leaving and the clan leader keeping an eye on things, and with Du Yunjing's family not around, there shouldn't be any problems."

Qiu Huanian hummed in agreement. Though he said so, he couldn't feel completely at ease without seeing it for himself.

As the carriage entered the territory of Du Village, Qiu Huanian began to see many familiar faces working in the fields. The villagers, noticing a luxurious and unfamiliar carriage on the village path, put down their tools and watched as it headed toward the village.

"Mom, look at that carriage! The curtains are made of silk, and they shimmer in the sunlight!"

"And those horses! How come they're so tall and strong?"

"What kind of family in Zhang County can afford such a carriage? And it's coming to Du Village?"

"I heard from the clan leader's household that both Yunse and Yunjing passed the academy exam in Xiangping Prefecture. Could it be them?"

"Even if they passed the academy exam, they wouldn't suddenly become so rich, would they? It's not like they became provincial exam graduates. I heard that passing the provincial exam grants fifteen mu of good land and exempts fifty mu from taxes!"

"How many provincial exam graduates has our county ever produced? Du Village hasn't had one since our ancestors' time. It's not that easy!"

...

The carriage took Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse all the way to their doorstep. Hearing the commotion, the neighbors all came out to watch. It was the busy farming season, so there weren't many people in the village during the day. Qiu Huanian immediately spotted Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng, their faces lit up with excitement.

Kids grow up so fast. After just a month, Qiu Huanian felt that both children had grown taller and bigger.

Jiu Jiu's face was fair and tender, with a slightly pointed chin, and her large, round flower-like eyes gave her the makings of a beauty. Chun Sheng had clearly grown stronger, bouncing around like a little calf. Before leaving, Qiu Huanian had left enough money for food, and Hu Qiuyan hadn't mistreated the children.

"Brother! Brother Hua! You're back!"

"Brother Hua, come home quickly! Sister and I have so much to tell you!"

...

Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng circled around Qiu Huanian, initially a bit restrained but quickly letting loose when their stern elder brother didn't scold them.

Qiu Huanian smiled and greeted the neighbors while being affectionate with the two children, directing the unloading of the various luggage into the house.

This time, they had brought back a lot of things—besides their original luggage and Qiu Huanian's own purchases, there were also many gifts from friends in Xiangping Prefecture, which filled up half of the main room.

Having gotten used to living in Xiangping Prefecture, Qiu Huanian felt even more that his home's courtyard and house were too cramped and narrow. Fortunately, he had already prepared the money to build a new house, and soon they would be able to move into a spacious new courtyard.

The sooner they moved in, the sooner they could start enjoying it. Even if they planned to move to Xiangping Prefecture next year, they would still need to live in their hometown for most of the year, including the entire winter. Qiu Huanian didn't abandon the idea of building a new house just because they planned to move next year.

Moreover, in those days, ancestral land was of great importance. Even if Du Yunse were to pass the imperial exam and stay in the capital as an official, their family would always be registered in Du Village, Zhang County, Xiangping Prefecture, Liaozhou. Some matters had to be handled in their ancestral land, and having a well-built ancestral home would allow them to stay there directly when they returned, solving the problem once and for all.

Shortly after Qiu Huanian and the others returned, the clan leader and his eldest son, Bao Ren, arrived with their family. The clan leader walked briskly with his cane, while Bao Ren and Meng Fuyue carefully supported him from the sides.

Two or three days ago, the results of the Xiangping Prefecture academy exams had reached Zhang County. Because an unprecedented "Little Triple First" had emerged, County Magistrate Wang Chuci had sent a messenger on horseback to Du Village to deliver the good news.

Seeing Du Yunse, the clan leader let out a long breath and laughed heartily, leaning on his cane, "Excellent! Our Du Village has actually produced a 'Little Triple First'! Amazing!"

Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian invited the clan leader into the house to sit. The clan leader hadn't known they were returning today and had come immediately upon hearing the news. After sitting down, he remembered other matters, "Quick, the eldest son's wife, go home, kill a chicken, buy a fish, and pick up two pounds of meat from the town. Yunse and the others have just returned. We'll have dinner at our house tonight!"

Meng Fuyue smiled and left. Their family was well-off and wouldn’t mind the occasional good meal.

Not to mention, she had a good relationship with Brother Hua, and now everyone knew that Du Yunse had a bright future ahead. Her son, Yun Cheng, might even benefit from his clan brother’s success in the imperial examinations.

The clan leader asked Du Yunse many questions about the examinations in the prefectural city. Knowing that their family had some disagreements with Du Yunjing’s family, the clan leader, though puzzled as to why Du Yunjing’s family hadn’t returned yet, didn’t ask directly.

Du Yunse answered in detail what he could, and after the clan leader finished his questions, Qiu Huanian found the opportunity to speak, "Clan leader, we have something else we’d like to ask you."

"Go ahead, Brother Hua."

"I’ve saved up some money recently and want to build a house while the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. What are the rules for building a house in our village?"

"Building a house?" the clan leader echoed.

Du Yunse’s courtyard was indeed quite dilapidated and could use some repairs, but Qiu Huanian wasn’t talking about "repairing" but "building." Even building a new thatched house would cost at least five taels.

"Although Du Yunse has already passed the county-level examination, the expenses for future studies and imperial examinations will only increase. Don’t take too big a step at once," the clan leader advised.

Qiu Huanian smiled, "I’ve planned the finances well, don’t worry. Money spent can be earned back; it’s not a problem."

The clan leader thought of Qiu Huanian’s sorghum candy, cotton farming, and the rumored complex background of his birth mother, and his initial disapproval gradually faded.

Du Yunse was a prodigy like a Literary Star descended from heaven, and Brother Hua was no ordinary person either. The pairing of these two could be seen as fate.

With Brother Hua’s capabilities, building a house in Du Village was no big deal; he would earn it back in no time.

"Building a house mainly involves buying materials, hiring craftsmen, and getting helpers. A thatched house can be built quickly; with materials ready, it can be up in five or six days. It just depends on when you plan to start."

"What if I want to build a brick house?"

Under the surprised gazes of the clan leader and Bao Ren, Qiu Huanian continued, "I plan to buy half of Aunt Zhuang’s yard next door, level it, and build a house there. The remaining land in the current yard can be used as a stable and vegetable garden. How should we go about building it?"

Bao Ren’s mouth twitched, and after a long pause, he advised, "Brother Hua, wealth should not be shown off."

Qiu Huanian smiled, "Before, I didn’t dare to show it off, but now that Du Yunse has achieved the 'Little Triple Crown,' isn’t it the right time to build?"

Magistrate Wang had always shown favor to Du Yunse, and the neighboring town’s Song Juren had also expressed his approval. Du Yunse had indeed achieved a significant "Little Triple Crown," so even if anyone had any ulterior motives before, they certainly wouldn’t dare now.

Wei Dexing, the owner of Wei’s Seasoning Shop who loved to flatter the powerful and trample the weak, would surely regret his previous attitude if he knew of Du Yunse’s talents. A good opportunity for friendship had turned into hostility, and Wei Dexing must be bitterly regretting it now.

Their family’s future would undoubtedly improve. To live frugally just because "wealth should not be shown off" would be like giving up eating for fear of choking.

After some thought, the clan leader said, "Brother Hua is right. If you have the money, you should build a proper house. That way, Bao Yan and the others in heaven can be at peace."

In their own village, why be cautious? If anyone dares to cause trouble, he, as the clan leader, is not too old to act!

Seeing his father’s approval, Bao Ren, who was more familiar with house-building, replied, "Not many families in Zhang County’s countryside build brick houses. Bricks and tilers have to be hired from the county town. Additionally, good timber for beams and tiles need to be purchased, and these are significant expenses."

"Moreover, brick houses are not as easy to build as thatched houses. It’s impossible to finish in a few days. Ordinary helpers can’t lay bricks; only tilers can do that. To build a house, even with enough manpower, it would take almost a month."

"Brother Hua, if you want to build, you should start now. Otherwise, in two or three months when the farming season is at its busiest, you won’t be able to find helpers."

Qiu Huanian nodded thoughtfully. The construction period was about what he had expected. In ancient times, there were no concerns about formaldehyde; a brick house could be lived in immediately after completion. A month’s construction time was entirely acceptable.

"I’ll ask Uncle Bao Ren to calculate the costs carefully, and once decided, we’ll start building. Thank you for your trouble."

"Not at all, not at all," Bao Ren readily agreed. His father had already explained the stakes to him, and for the sake of his son Yun Cheng, he would have to put in his best effort!

Author’s Note:

Note 1: Some sentences are adapted from "Huainanzi."

Note 2: The biological enzyme method for controlling cotton bollworms comes from an interview video with an old cotton farmer found online.