Spring flowers are short-lived; with a gust of wind or a shower of rain, the blossoms that were flourishing just days ago vanished, scattered on the ground and in the water, quickly swept away or washed off. The clamor in the treetops was replaced by thick green leaves.
Deng Yi stood under the corridor, drinking tea while looking at the trees providing shade in the courtyard.
“Second Master, your official hat,” a servant boy came running from behind, carrying the hat.
Deng Yi responded with a couple of grunts.
The servant boy noticed the official robe still placed inside the room and asked, “How strange, why isn’t Second Master going to court today?”
An attendant hurried in from outside and said in a low voice, “Sir, the frontier has sent the latest news—Xie Yanlai will be coming to the capital.”
Deng Yi finished his tea: “I knew it would be so.”
Just as the servant boy was about to reach out, the newly arrived servant had already taken the teacup: “It’s good that the Grand Tutor has made other preparations.” He paused, then continued, “Regarding Liang Qiang’s arrival in the capital, should we inform the Empress? After all, the Liang family and the Empress previously—”
Deng Yi also knew about the past affairs between the Liang family and the Empress.
“There was nothing between the Empress and the Liang family; it was merely discord between young people. As for the later punishment and exile of the Liang family, it was Xie Yanfang cleaning house for the Crown Prince, using the pretext of childish disputes, which burdened the Empress with the Liang family’s enmity,” he said.
The attendant nodded: “Although this is the truth, people tend to remember these childish matters more. With rumors spreading over time, even non-existent grudges become real.”
Becoming a real grudge would not benefit the Empress; it would only benefit certain others.
Deng Yi said coolly: “What I want to know are the details about the frontier army. State affairs have no place for personal feelings, just as the Empress’s previous arrangements for the frontier army were state affairs unrelated to personal feelings, which I did not question.”
The attendant understood his meaning. Previously, Xie Yanfang’s brother Xie Yanlai had gone to the frontier army with the Empress and began commanding troops. It was said that he now also led the Fallen City Guard that once belonged to Chu Wei.
Neither the Empress nor the frontier army had consulted the Grand Tutor about this matter, and the Grand Tutor had neither questioned nor opposed it—this was the Grand Tutor’s trust in the Empress.
“The Grand Tutor’s trust in the Empress is certainly sincere,” the attendant said softly. “But I fear the Xie family might sow discord.” He lowered his voice further, “Xie Yanfang’s return at this time is quite fortuitous.”
Deng Yi smiled slightly, taking the official hat from the servant boy: “I was afraid he wouldn’t arrive at such an opportune time. This is exactly the timing I’ve been waiting for.”
The servant boy was completely confused by this. Coming to his senses, he went to get the official robe from the room, but the attendant had already gone ahead, bringing the robe and personally helping Deng Yi put it on, continuing their previous conversation: “It’s good that you’re prepared, sir.”
Just as they were speaking, another servant entered from outside.
“Sir,” he bowed and said, “the Prince Regent has sent birthday gifts for the old madam. Should we accept them?”
The Prince Regent, also known as the Prince of Zhongshan, for the past year, the court had been watching him closely, surrounding the troops outside Zhongshan Commandery like an iron barrel. But the Prince of Zhongshan himself wasn’t much affected; the commandery was also like an iron barrel, completely impenetrable to court intelligence.
After all, everyone at court knew well the circumstances of the Prince of Zhongshan’s confession. They hadn’t truly subdued him, only forced him to take a step back.
To avoid provoking the Prince of Zhongshan into mobilizing troops again, the court also took a step back.
So the Prince of Zhongshan was not confined to Zhongshan Commandery; he could still send gifts to Deng Yi without hindrance, in a grand manner.
But this wasn’t a gesture of goodwill toward the Grand Tutor—it was meant to irritate him.
Deng Yi was still bearing the accusation of colluding with the Prince of Zhongshan, but in reality, the Prince wished him dead.
Hearing this, Deng Yi remained expressionless and calculated with his fingers: “Although it’s a month early, since they’ve been sent, accept them.”
He turned and called to the servant boy.
“Go and meet them.”
The idle servant boy responded affirmatively. Discussing court conspiracies and schemes, being quick-eyed and nimble-handed in service—he couldn’t compare to these newcomers, but receiving gifts was something he was very familiar with.
He quickly ran to meet the gift bearers.
The person delivering the gifts was also familiar; the servant boy recognized him as Mr. Ning.
“Mr. Ning, it’s been a long time since you visited,” the servant boy greeted warmly.
Ning Kun looked at this servant boy. The boy hadn’t changed, but the small residence had been replaced by a grand mansion, and Deng Yi was no longer easily accessible.
He couldn’t be bothered to meet him, saying coldly: “That’s thanks to the Grand Tutor breaking his word.”
It sounded like he was insulting the Second Master, but the servant boy didn’t understand and didn’t care. After all, the Second Master had never been praised by anyone.
He didn’t care whether the gifts were meant as goodwill or to annoy; gifts were things that came and went. When they came, you accepted them, and eventually they would be given away again.
“Thank you, thank you,” the servant boy merely said, then added, “Please come again.”
Ning Kun sneered: “Rest assured, as long as Grand Tutor remains in his position, my Prince will regard him as an honored guest.” With that, he flicked his sleeves and got into his carriage.
Deng Yi exited and mounted his horse, seeing one carriage enter the Grand Tutor’s mansion and another slowly departing.
“That’s for Crown Prince Xiao Xun,” the attendant said softly.
Deng Yi smiled slightly: “The Prince is still very concerned about the Crown Prince.”
“More than concerned, sir, you haven’t been to the post station,” the attendant became animated as he spoke, his eyes dancing with excitement. “The Prince of Zhongshan has practically turned the post station into a small Zhongshan Prince’s mansion—the decorations are magnificent, the furnishings priceless. The Crown Prince can enjoy local specialties from Zhongshan Commandery at any time; they even send spring water.”
Deng Yi looked toward the post station’s location and said flatly: “The love of parents for their children is truly pitiable.”
…
…
The post station was now referred to by the people of the capital as the Crown Prince’s Residence.
Armed guards stood vigilantly outside the Crown Prince’s Residence, but when a carriage arrived, seeing the markings on the carriage and the waist token presented by the driver, the soldiers cleared the way. The tightly closed main gate immediately opened wide, and the carriage slowly entered.
The layout of the post station hadn’t changed, but the buildings and courtyards had been transformed.
Two pomegranate trees had been planted in the courtyard, lush and verdant, with flower buds faintly visible. One could imagine how brilliantly red they would bloom shortly.
“Not bad, not bad,” Ning Kun examined them carefully. “The Prince was worried the trees wouldn’t survive, but it seems digging up a whole courtyard’s worth of soil was effective. This year, the Crown Prince will be able to see pomegranate blossoms from home.”
“And also eat the big pomegranates from home,” the attendant beside him added pleasantly.
With a splash, water was thrown their way, creating splashes on the ground. Ning Kun and the attendant instinctively dodged. Looking up, they saw Tie Ying standing on the steps, gazing at them coldly.
“You’ve arrived. Do you need to wash up? Would you like some tea?” Tie Ying asked. Without waiting for their response, he pointed behind him, “Please, make yourselves at home.”
The attendant didn’t dare say more and retreated with his head lowered.
Ning Kun showed no dissatisfaction with Tie Ying’s attitude, nodding: “We understand. Tie Ying, go about your business.” He then asked, “Is the Crown Prince busy?”
Tie Ying sneered: “The Crown Prince is not busy. What could there be to busy oneself with here?” Having said this, he paid them no further attention, picked up the copper basin, and walked away.
The attendant then stepped forward and said softly: “Tie Ying’s temper is getting worse and worse. Can he take good care of the Crown Prince? Perhaps we should send more people.”
After Crown Prince Xiao Xun was brought to the capital and confined, he refused the attendants provided by the court and didn’t allow the Prince of Zhongshan to send attendants either. Even Ning Kun, who had originally been with the Crown Prince, was sent back. Only Tie Ying remained by his side.
Ning Kun glanced at him and said: “In such a place of confinement, having too many people would only create noise. The Crown Prince has always loved tranquility. As for Tie Ying’s temper, hasn’t it always been like this? When you go back, you know what to say, right?”
The attendant, seeing his warning gaze, understood his meaning. If he went back and reported that Tie Ying had lost his temper with them, wouldn’t it suggest that the Crown Prince harbored resentment?
If the Prince learned that the Crown Prince was resentful, he would certainly be sad, worried, and full of self-reproach.
“The Crown Prince would least want the Prince to worry,” Ning Kun said coldly.
The attendant quickly agreed: “The Prince needn’t worry at all. Tie Ying greeted us skillfully, one man worth ten, and the Crown Prince is well taken care of by him.”
Ning Kun nodded with a smile: “I’ll go see the Crown Prince now. When he left, the Crown Prince said he wanted to learn painting. I’ll see if he’s made progress.”
Ning Kun went alone to the study—the study was also converted from an ordinary room in the post station. The bookshelves were filled, and famous paintings hung on the walls. These furnishings, including the desk and chairs, had all been transported from Zhongshan Commandery.
The windows had been changed to round moon openings, with a beautiful vase placed in front, containing a bundle of willow branches swaying gracefully in the wind.
Next to the swaying willow branches stood a young man, wearing a water-blue wide-sleeved long robe, standing with his back turned.
Looking at this figure, Ning Kun’s eyes grew slightly moist. He bowed deeply: “Ning Kun pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Xiao Xun seemed startled and turned around, breaking into a smile that revealed deep dimples: “Mr. Ning has arrived.”
…
…
“The weather is getting hotter, so the Prince has sent summer clothes for the Crown Prince, along with Your Highness’s favorite foods from home.”
Ning Kun took out several lists, reading them while rambling on.
“Also, since the Crown Prince enjoys swimming, the Prince is thinking of excavating a lake at the post station, demolishing the row of rooms in the back. The space would be barely sufficient.”
Xiao Xun reached out to take the lists, merely glanced at them, then tossed them onto the table.
“Mr. Ning,” he said, “is everything still going well after your return?”
Ning Kun nodded: “Zhongshan Commandery is even better than before. Now that pretenses have been dropped, the Prince has no more inhibitions. This spring, he reformed the military farms, and by winter, he can recruit new soldiers. Also, money will be minted starting next spring—”
Fields, soldiers, money, independence—this meant that Zhongshan Commandery would no longer be controlled by the court.
Xiao Xun wore a faint smile and asked: “And you, Mr. Ning? Are things going well for you?”
Ning Kun understood his meaning and nodded with gratitude: “After the Crown Prince sent me back, the Prince showed me mercy and placed even greater trust in me. I’m now responsible for new policies within the commandery.”
Xiao Xun nodded: “I told you, Mr. Ning is a man of great talent who can best realize his potential by following my father.”
Ning Kun bowed: “Thank you, Crown Prince. I was originally sent by the Prince to serve you.”
He should have stayed here, like Tie Ying, to accompany and serve the Crown Prince.
“No need for thanks,” Xiao Xun said, looking at Ning Kun. “So, have you found out about the matter I asked you to investigate?”
Ning Kun, who was still bowing, hesitated slightly.
That matter—the Crown Prince had not forgotten it.