Jingrong’s words made Ji Yunshu’s nose sting with emotion.
Such a man was worth entrusting her entire life to, worth following through life and death.
But—
She said, “But what if…” Her words stopped.
Jingrong grasped her hand, lowered his eyes to look at it, and wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes. He said seriously, “Actually, Muruo was right. He wants to take a gamble, and I want to take a gamble too. I want to see whether Jing Xian will choose to be an enlightened ruler or a tyrannical one.”
“What do you mean?”
“If after entering court he works diligently and can put the people first and value his ministers, what harm is there in letting him sit on the throne of Da Lin? But if he’s cruel and selfish, framing loyal subjects, then I’ll clean house.”
Clean house!
These four words were like countless sharp arrows.
The implication was clear—if Jing Xian was an enlightened ruler, keep him; if a tyrant, eliminate him.
It seemed Jingrong wasn’t without vigilance after all.
Ji Yunshu also felt somewhat more at ease.
She nodded.
But there was something in her heart she didn’t understand, so she asked, “There’s something I don’t quite understand.”
“What is it?”
“All these years, the Emperor has kept the Virtuous Prince in the palace to recuperate from illness. But recuperation aside, why not let him leave the palace to establish his own manor?”
Jingrong’s expression was grave as he said, “Actually, I’m not very clear on this either. I only know that back when Jing Xian’s mother consort died, he fell ill, and Father Emperor immediately issued an edict to keep him in the palace to recuperate.”
“Died of illness?” Doubtful.
“The specifics aren’t very clear. That’s what the imperial physician who treated her at the time said. Why are you suddenly asking about this?”
“Just curious.”
Oh!
Jingrong said, “All right, hurry and go attend to your business. Don’t worry about other matters.”
She nodded and left.
Behind her, Jingrong once again grabbed a handful of fish food from the bamboo tube and continued to leisurely feed the fish. For a time, many koi that had scattered earlier swarmed back again.
Fighting for food!
The next day, after receiving the edict and packing his belongings, Jing Xian finally left the palace.
He didn’t have many possessions—just a few sets of clothes. What he brought most were his beloved books, which filled an entire large trunk.
Of course, there were also his three beloved pigeons, kept in a cage and carried in his hand.
The moment he stepped out of the imperial palace, his emotions were mixed.
Joy, shock, doubt, apprehension…
All were present!
A large carriage waited outside the palace gates. Standing at the front was Shen Changqin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
He wore a black long robe, his hair tied in a high topknot, appearing very gentle and approachable.
Only in those eyes seemed to carry a faint sadness.
When he emerged, Shen Changqin stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings to the Virtuous Prince. The Emperor has commanded this official to escort Your Highness to the Virtuous Prince’s Manor.”
Emperor Qizhen was a man of action. When he agreed to let Jing Xian enter court, he had already ordered the Ministry of Rites to arrange a residence for him.
He said politely, “Many thanks to this lord.”
This lord?
Indeed, having lived deep in the palace for so long, how could he recognize the person before him!
Shen Changqin introduced himself. “This official is Shen Changqin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.”
“Oh, so it’s Vice Minister Shen. I’ve been in the deep palace since childhood and don’t know all the lords yet. Please bear with me.”
“This official wouldn’t dare. It’s getting late. Please board the carriage, Your Highness.” Having said this, Shen Changqin took the cage containing the pigeons from his hands. “Leave it to this official.”
He ordered people to load it onto the carriage.
He smiled humbly and turned to look at Fu Lu, who was seeing him off from the palace.
All these years, thanks to Fu Lu’s care by his side, he had been neither hot in summer nor cold in winter. Leaving the palace this time and unable to take him along, he inevitably felt some reluctance.
He said to Fu Lu, “I’ve already spoken with the Office of Palace Affairs. After I leave, they’ve promised me they’ll assign you to a good place. You needn’t worry.”
“Many thanks, Your Highness.” Fu Lu bowed, his eyes filled with tears. “Your Highness, from now on without this servant by your side, you must take good care of yourself. Your health isn’t good, and the weather is getting colder and colder. Be sure to remember to wear more layers of clothing.”
“I know. All right, don’t see me off anymore. Go back inside.”
“Please let this servant see Your Highness off.” He was very insistent.
Jing Xian’s eyes grew moist. He nodded.
Fu Lu then helped him onto the carriage and watched him leave the whole way, secretly wiping away tears.
Only after the carriage disappeared from his sight did he turn and enter the palace.
The carriage traveled at an unhurried pace.
The road was smooth and not bumpy.
Inside the carriage, Shen Changqin observed the pigeons and asked curiously, “Why would Your Highness bring pigeons out of the palace?”
He waved his hand dismissively. “I’ve been in the palace for years. Fortunately, I had these pigeons for company, which relieved my boredom. I really couldn’t bear to leave them in the palace.”
“I see.”
Shen Changqin thought this prince was quite sentimental!
The carriage interior fell silent once more.
After some unknown time had passed, Jing Xian’s hands inside his sleeves gripped tighter, as if he was somewhat nervous.
Shen Changqin noticed and asked, “Is Your Highness all right?”
He shook his head. “I’m fine. It’s just that it’s been so long… since I’ve been out. I don’t know what the outside world has become.”
His tone carried longing.
Shen Changqin said, “Your Highness has just recovered from serious illness, and the Emperor has graciously permitted you to leave the palace and establish a manor. From now on, you’ll be able to see the prosperity of the capital everywhere.”
“Yes, yes!”
The corners of his mouth slowly curved into a smile.
Soon, the carriage passed through a bustling street, and clamorous sounds came wave after wave.
“Candied hawthorns for sale…”
“Freshly steamed meat buns…”
“Take a look, have a look, finest agate and jade…”
…
Even through the carriage curtain, the fragrance of food wafted in.
Lingering at the tip of his nose.
Jing Yi felt quite nervous in his heart. He held his breath, reached out to lift the curtain, and saw the prosperity of the capital’s main streets.
People of all kinds on the road wore either elaborate or simple clothing, weaving back and forth through the streets. Vendors and merchants lined both sides, and all manner of dazzling objects came into view one by one.
To Jing Xian’s eyes, some things he recognized, others he did not.
He found it all very fresh and new.
This was the world outside the palace he had longed for.
Every time before, he could only raise his head and look at the sky outside through that high city wall before him.
Now, being there in person, the joy on his face was hard to conceal!
Shen Changqin observed him carefully and couldn’t help feeling somewhat sympathetic.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the Virtuous Prince’s Manor.
This place was very close to Prince Rong’s Manor—just two streets over. If one walked, it would take about two incense sticks’ worth of time.
The two descended from the carriage.
Shen Changqin said, “Virtuous Prince, from now on this will be your manor. However, our Ministry of Rites only began making arrangements yesterday. Some things are still not complete, so it’s rather simple. But this official will order people to hurry and arrange everything properly.”
He bent at the waist and expressed his thanks. “Thank you for your trouble, Lord Shen.”
“This is what this official should do.”
He took several breaths of fresh air, his steps pausing at the entrance as he looked up at the gleaming plaque above the main gate.
The plaque bore three large characters done in gilded craftsmanship: “Virtuous Prince’s Manor.”
Virtuous Prince’s Manor!