Chapter 147

Chapter 147

Prince Qing returned to his own palace, smelling strongly of alcohol.

Zheng Yuanzhen was visibly more pregnant. Long before the two secondary wives entered the palace, Prince Qing had stopped spending the night in Zheng Yuanzhen's room. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but Zheng Yuanzhen had urged him not to, so it wouldn't disturb his rest.

With such a thoughtful cousin, Prince Qing was content to spend the night with the secondary wives or Lady Wei.

Thinking of Lady Wei, who had already been disposed of, the one with the most enchanting figure and the best at serving him, Prince Qing suddenly felt a twinge of regret as he walked in the chilly wind.

But it was too late for regrets; she was already gone.

After sitting alone in the front courtyard for a while, Prince Qing went to Concubine Song, whose laughter was gentle, only to sleep, not mentioning anything else.

The next morning, Prince Qing joined Zheng Yuanzhen for breakfast.

Some things, when kept inside, make you want to talk about them. Prince Qing could still hold back, but Zheng Yuanzhen sensed his hesitation and asked, "Is something wrong?"

Prince Qing dared not say, nor did he want to.

His cousin was more easily swayed by external factors than he was. If their father scolded him, his cousin would lose her appetite more than he did. If he was humiliated on the parade ground, his cousin would nearly waste away. Now that she had finally stabilized her pregnancy and regained some weight, what if she heard that their second brother had been praised by their father and couldn't eat again?

"Nothing, it's just that yesterday father praised elder brother for handling his duties well in the court meeting, and I feel a bit off," Prince Qing finally said dismissively.

Even with his second brother's legs crippled, he still overshadowed him, so Prince Qing naturally didn't want his cousin to know.

Zheng Yuanzhen felt a slight heaviness in her chest, but inspecting the canal was a simple task, and it was expected that Prince Kang would succeed, so she didn't pay much attention. After all, her mother already had a good strategy to suppress Prince Kang.

She reassured Prince Qing, "It's just a small achievement, third brother, don't worry too much. There are still many days ahead."

Prince Qing smiled, finished his meal, and went to his duties.

It was cold, and Prince Qing also gave up riding horses and switched to a carriage. Arriving outside the palace, Prince Qing jumped off the carriage and immediately saw the backs of Prince Kang and the Left Vice Minister of Revenue, Lord Gu, ahead. This Lord Gu was also somewhat of a father-in-law to Prince Kang.

Lord Gu was in his mid-forties. When the current Minister of Revenue retires, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Lord Gu would take his place.

Prince Qing felt a pang of jealousy again. Among the three brothers, in terms of the origins of their principal and secondary wives, elder brother had the best in every aspect. When their father arranged the marriage for elder brother, second brother had not yet distinguished himself on the southern battlefield, which showed that their father probably favored elder brother from the start. After twists and turns, second brother's legs were crippled, and their father began to favor elder brother again...

Wait, that's not right. If father really favored elder brother, why did he publicly praise second brother yesterday, making elder brother look bad?

Prince Qing stood still in confusion.

Prince Kang didn't notice him, and Lord Gu didn't look back either, his hands tucked into his sleeves, squinting slightly in the cold wind, his neck shrunk, and his lips pursed, showing no intention to chat more with Prince Kang.

Prince Kang also had nothing to chat about with Lord Gu. Yesterday's events had passed with the evening banquet of the three brothers, and he was now calculating a ledger for the day.

The next day was a day off, and Prince Qing, disregarding his grandfather's previous advice, went to the Shen residence again.

As soon as he entered the study, Prince Qing anxiously shared his speculations.

Shen Shiyan held a small hand warmer, listening calmly as his grandson finished speaking. When his grandson asked for his opinion, Shen Shiyan said, "The emperor's intentions are hard to guess. I also can't guess what the emperor is really thinking. I only know to be loyal to the emperor. Whatever duties the emperor assigns me, I will perform them to the best of my ability. If the emperor decides on a crown prince in the future, I will respectfully follow the imperial decree and honor that crown prince."

This official evasion made Prince Qing's heart sink even more. He slumped back in his chair and after a long while, let out a bitter laugh, "Grandfather, tell me the truth, do I have no chance at all?"

Shen Shiyan sighed in response, "The emperor's intentions are indeed hard to guess. I still maintain, prince, do your duties well, and leave the rest to the emperor's decision."

If the emperor favored Prince Kang, his grandson might still have a chance to compete. But if it were Prince Hui, who even with crippled legs could still achieve merits and win the emperor's favor, then his grandson and Prince Kang together would stand no chance.

Prince Kang, who hadn't thought much about it, spent a good day with his wife and children, and the next morning, as usual, went first to pay respects to the virtuous consort.

After listening to her son’s words, Consort Xian struggled to control her expression and smiled, “Prince Hui’s remarkable memory is indeed rare. It's only natural for your father to praise him. As the elder brother, you must not let it bother you.”

If her son came to her happily but left in a daze, as if struck by lightning, the Emperor would guess what she and her son had been gossiping about.

Prince Kang smiled sincerely, “Mother, what are you thinking? I am not that kind of person.”

Consort Xian said, “I know you are broad-minded, but I’m afraid someone might stir up trouble in your ear, especially Prince Qing. He has been repeatedly rebuffed by the Emperor and is now eager to make you jealous of Prince Hui, hoping to provoke you into speaking coldly to Prince Hui or even doing something when pushing his wheelchair, making the Emperor angry with you. Only then would he be content.”

Prince Kang angrily said, “He’s dreaming! I would never treat my second brother like that in this lifetime!”

His second brother’s legs are already useless. How cruel would he have to be to harm him?

Consort Xian smiled, “Good, go ahead. The Ministry of Revenue is busiest at the end of the year. Be careful not to make any errors.”

Prince Kang bowed and took his leave.

Consort Xian watched her son leave, and the room fell silent. She waved her hand to dismiss the palace maids who wanted to come in and serve, sitting alone in a daze.

As Consort Xian had expected, after finishing his duties at dusk, Prince Qing indeed waited for Prince Kang on the road.

Prince Kang did not conceal his displeasure, “Why are you waiting for me?”

Prince Qing smiled, “The wine at your place is excellent. I want to go to your place and ask for two more bowls.”

Prince Kang scolded him as he walked, “Both of your sisters-in-law are with child. When your second brother drank with us, he was always concerned about your second sister-in-law. You, on the other hand, don’t go home early when you have nothing to do and still want to ask me for wine. If this reaches your cousin’s ears, she will think I deliberately kept you.”

Prince Qing said, “My cousin is not so petty. Please treat me to a meal, elder brother. I have something to tell you.”

Prince Kang said, “No, if you want wine, I’ll send you two jars. Drink as much as you want at home.”

Prince Qing said, “…”

Catching up to Prince Kang, who had quickened his pace, he whispered, “What I want to tell you is about the Emperor’s intention to make the second brother the Crown Prince.”

Prince Kang paused, turned to look at his third brother, and met his meaningful gaze. Suddenly, Prince Kang burst into laughter, attracting the attention of the officials around them.

Prince Qing said, “…”

Laughing until his whole body was warm, Prince Kang patted Prince Qing’s shoulder, a hint of coldness in his eyes, “Other matters aside, if you ever say something to provoke me against your second brother again, don’t blame me for no longer treating you as my third brother.”

He gave Prince Qing’s shoulder a heavy squeeze and walked away on his own.

Nonsense, the Emperor is merely fair in rewards and punishments. How could he possibly make the second brother, who is in a wheelchair, the Crown Prince just for one act of recommending talent?

Prince Kang didn’t believe him, his grandfather ignored him, and whether his mother believed him or not was irrelevant. Prince Qing felt suffocated and had to seize the opportunity to speak privately with Grand Princess Fucheng when she came to visit Zheng Yuanzhen.

Grand Princess Fucheng had already heard about it. She hoped her son-in-law would take that position, so she naturally paid attention to court affairs. She came today to ensure her daughter wasn’t worried again. Fortunately, Prince Qing was sensible enough to keep the news of Prince Hui’s achievements hidden.

“So what if it is? Do you have a way to make the Emperor change his mind?”

Standing in the bleak winter garden of Prince Qing’s residence, Grand Princess Fucheng’s tone and expression were cold.

Prince Qing felt his aunt’s disdain and shamefully lowered his head, hiding the dissatisfaction in his eyes.

Seeing Prince Qing’s lack of ambition, Grand Princess Fucheng knew he had ambition but no strategy. Even if he was unwilling, he didn’t have the courage to act.

So rather than telling Prince Qing her plan, making him anxious or accidentally leaking it, it was better to continue keeping it hidden.

Whether Prince Kang or Prince Hui achieves merit, as long as the canal has problems, neither of them will benefit.

Grand Princess Fucheng had her own network to keep abreast of court matters, while Yao Huang's sole connection was Prince Hui, who was always by her side. Her father and brother were both posted outside the imperial city, not high-ranking enough to attend court meetings. They usually mingled with peers of similar status.

Prince Hui refrained from discussing court affairs with her, and Yao Huang didn't make any special effort to probe into them either.

As the year drew to a close and officials prepared for their holiday break, the lake in the rear garden of Prince Hui's estate was blanketed once more with a thick layer of snow.

Yao Huang wished to revel in the snow.

Zhao Sui, noticing the yearning in his consort's eyes for the snowy landscape, told Qing Ai and Fei Quan to fetch the red sandalwood wheelchair he had used when she first joined the household. The wheelchair's seat was still adorned with a thick fox fur cushion.

With A Ji's assistance, Yao Huang settled into the red sandalwood wheelchair and glanced over at Prince Hui, who was seated in a smaller wheelchair. She couldn't help but laugh, making Zhao Sui fret that she might upset the baby.

"What's so funny?" he asked, exasperated.

The maids had stepped back to a respectful distance. Yao Huang rested on the armrest of the wheelchair beside Prince Hui and, with her other hand, she gestured to highlight the difference in their heights. "Doesn't it seem like I'm on a grand steed while you're just on a little donkey?"

Zhao Sui was speechless: "..."

Yao Huang tapped the ample space next to her and offered, "Join me, Your Highness? We can talk as we go. Otherwise, I'll have to bend over to chat with you."

Zhao Sui hesitated: "...But how would we move it?"

Yao Huang suggested, "Have Qing Ai and Fei Quan push together. I'm only here to take in the view, and I won't be sharing any secrets they shouldn't overhear."

Prince Hui deftly averted his consort's teasing, smiling look.

After some discussion, Yao Huang stepped down from the wheelchair first. Once Qing Ai and Fei Quan had assisted Prince Hui onto it, she took her place beside him.

As the wheelchair moved, Yao Huang turned her head and asked, "Is it easy to push?"

Fei Quan smiled and replied, "It's easy, Your Highness. The consort is as light as a swallow, and it's not much different from when we push Your Highness alone."

The consort laughed again.

Zhao Sui held her hand.

The consort stopped laughing and leaned over, draping the blanket from her legs over Prince Hui's legs as well.

Prince Hui looked at the consort resting her head on his arm and instructed, "You two, focus on your steps and be careful not to slip."

Fei Quan and Qing Ai exchanged a glance and replied in unison, "Yes."

There was no need for His Highness to remind them. Whenever His Highness and the consort were together, they would not look around carelessly.

The red sandalwood wheelchair, pushed by both, smoothly stopped by the lake. At this point, Qing Ai and Fei Quan retreated to a distance.

Yao Huang looked towards the spot where Prince Hui had built a snowman of her last winter.

Zhao Sui also remembered and said, "I'll build another one."

Yao Huang shook her head, her hand hidden under the blanket holding Prince Hui's hand, which never seemed to be as warm as hers. "I can't bear to see Your Highness freeze here."

Next year, she thought, next winter she would be able to accompany Prince Hui in building snowmen again!