How ridiculous that Prince Gong and the Crown Prince fought to the death, yet didn’t consider that they were both born of Empress Lu. When Empress Lu had worked so hard to maintain the facade of their brotherly harmony, wasn’t it precisely because she had considered this point?
When things became truly intolerable, deposing the Empress and abolishing the Eastern Palace—there were precedents for this. Yet these two were like fighting cocks, each valuing power more than anyone else, but the things they did were all things no normal person would do.
Seeing his father speak so gravely, Ye Jingkuan was also worried: “Unfortunately, the Princess’s words could still carry some weight before, but now even the Princess’s words aren’t heeded much by Empress.”
After Princess Rongcheng left the palace this time, she was extremely angry, saying that Empress Lu actually still had thoughts of making Lu Chonghua the Grand Prince’s side consort. This truly made Ye Jingkuan want to stomp his feet—why had the Crown Prince and Prince Gong come to this point? Naturally there were reasons involving Empress Lu and Emperor Jianzhang, but in Emperor Jianzhang’s view, the trigger was probably still Crown Princess Lu. Yet Empress Lu still wanted to put a Lu family daughter beside the Grand Prince—what was she thinking?
Prince Zhennan couldn’t help but frown upon hearing this: “After Mid-Autumn, I must go to Yangquan by imperial decree—it was agreed then to benefit the people. Though the Ministry of Finance calculates this matter, His Majesty has sent me to supervise, and on the way to recover the two gold mines in Taiyuan and make the handover with the Shanxi Provincial Governor. Yingshu must also go to Hubei for disaster relief. At this critical juncture, though things appear calm on the surface, underneath the currents are surging. How to pass these few years peacefully and spare His Majesty some anger—who knows how much effort that will take. Have the Princess work harder—even if she must enter the palace several more times, she must tirelessly explain to Empress the stakes involved, so she doesn’t do something irretrievably foolish.”
If she wasn’t tired of sitting in the Empress’s position, she’d better settle down quickly.
Seeing his father vexed, Ye Jingkuan quickly nodded in agreement: “Rest assured. Though Empress has been somewhat confused from excessive shock, Crown Princess and His Highness the Grand Prince are perfectly clear-headed. If he weren’t clear-headed, he wouldn’t have used Empress’s hand to force the Yang clan to her death.”
In Emperor Jianzhang’s eyes, the Yang clan was insignificant, and the Empress had only sent her to accompany Prince Gong. Her health was poor—if she died, she died. There was nothing to regret. But in Prince Gong’s eyes, it was Empress Lu who had forced the Yang clan to death. After this back and forth, the relationship between Prince Gong and Empress Lu was beyond hope. Prince Gong’s temperament was such that he would rather be shattered jade than intact tile. Having reached this point, even if Empress Lu knelt before him weeping, he would never look back.
And not looking back, not utilizing Empress Lu again for the sake of this bit of pride—this was already an enormous benefit.
Prince Zhennan knew this as well and felt somewhat relieved: “It’s also fortunate that the Grand Prince is clear-headed, and that he has Elder Song and you by his side, as well as the assistance of Fu Youde and other former Eastern Palace veterans. Only then can Yingshu and I feel at ease.”
The Prince Zhennan household faction had always been close to the Eastern Palace. Cui Yingshu went without saying. When Emperor Jianzhang transferred them away, he was also warning them—how could they not understand? On the surface they naturally had to happily go fulfill their duties, but in their hearts they still worried about Zhou Weizhao: “It’s also fortunate that Zhang Tianshi will soon enter the capital.”
Though Emperor Jianzhang loved his sons, compared to his sons, cultivating immortality and attaining the Way were obviously more important. And though the Orthodox Unity Sect wasn’t like the Complete Reality Sect in cultivating longevity, Zhang Tianshi was after all a Celestial Master and had considerable divine powers—at least every time His Majesty burned prayers, the responses he received always satisfied him. Moreover, the elixirs Zhang Tianshi refined truly made Emperor Jianzhang appear much younger.
Once Zhang Tianshi entered the capital, His Highness the Grand Prince, as Zhang Tianshi’s direct disciple, would be able to catch his breath for quite a while.
Ye Jingkuan agreed: “Actually it’s not that difficult. As long as the Xibei matter can be handled properly when the opportunity arises, future matters can always be delayed a bit, taken slowly.”
Prince Zhennan was noncommittal. Seeing that his younger son still hadn’t come to pay respects, he couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows: “Why hasn’t that boy come yet?”
Ye Jingkuan also found it strange. He summoned Changxing to ask and learned that Ye Jingchuan had gone out again. When he asked where Ye Jingchuan had gone, he could only shake his head and sigh.
Seeing him looking so dejected, Prince Zhennan knew his younger son was being stubborn again. He sighed and asked: “What now? Where has he gone? He can’t sit still at home!”
“Where else could he go? After instructing the girl’s younger brother, he went to admonish her fiancé.” The corners of Ye Jingkuan’s mouth curved slightly. He wanted to laugh but didn’t: “Little Second is truly devoted. If only we had known earlier…”
But a thousand gold couldn’t buy “if we had known earlier.” Princess Consort Zhennan was just looking at the betrothal gifts to be sent to the Song household for Xiang Mingzi when her eldest son said that his younger son had gone to see Song Yan again. Her elegant eyebrows had long since drawn together.
County Princess Yunxiu and County Princess Yunyi never could manage their two elder brothers’ affairs. Hearing this, they couldn’t help but exchange glances, feeling sorry for their brother in their hearts.
Princess Consort Zhennan needless to say—she rallied her spirits to arrange the Mid-Autumn banquet menu, then summoned the people serving in her son’s quarters to inquire. Learning that everything was completely packed and ready, she still wasn’t reassured and personally inspected it herself. That evening when Prince Zhennan entered the rear courtyard, she couldn’t help but complain: “If I’d known he’d be this stubborn, I would have swallowed my pride and begged Old Madam Song to arrange this marriage!”
This was truly desperate. After all, mothers always felt sorry for their sons. Prince Zhennan laughed and scolded her: “What are you saying! Perhaps at that time His Highness the Grand Prince had already been fond of Sixth Miss Song. You should be glad we didn’t compete with His Highness the Grand Prince for her.”
Princess Consort Zhennan was in no mood to joke. She glanced sideways at Prince Zhennan: “You’re taking it well. Your son is heartbroken like this, yet you can still sit still.”
Men were always more careless than women. Prince Zhennan and Ye Jingkuan indeed both felt it was a pity, but this regret was merely about not forming a marriage alliance with the Song family. As for these romantic matters between young people, how could they be explained clearly? Besides, time was still long. Without Sixth Miss Song, naturally there would still be Sixth Miss Wang or Sixth Miss Chen. How could he really remain a bachelor for life?
He couldn’t help but turn to persuade Princess Consort Zhennan: “No matter what, Sixth Miss Song is already the Grand Princess Consort. Let’s mention past matters less. Even with Little Second, when he returns I must speak with him properly. Does he really take himself for someone important? No matter how good his relationship with His Highness, it shouldn’t be his place to speak up and stand out for Sixth Miss Song. Sixth Miss Song has plenty of brothers—what does she need him for? He’s actually just causing trouble for Sixth Miss Song.”
Princess Consort Zhennan nodded, then heard Prince Zhennan continue: “And you too—don’t develop a grudge with the Earl Changning household over this matter. Our two families have always been close. We should continue our relations as before.”