Besides, Crown Prince Feng Qiyuan had always been disdained by His Majesty, with unspeakable secrets about his origins. Once he had served his purpose in helping the Empress bring down the Second Prince and his mother, this liability wouldn’t be allowed to live too long!
These intricacies didn’t need to be explained to the fake Crown Prince. Empress Tang had just ordered that this lowborn girl be watched closely, ensuring no more mishaps occurred before the horse race.
Seeing Song Ao ignoring him, the “Crown Prince” wasn’t offended and obediently followed the old woman to the nearby stables.
Here were the fine horses for the competition, including those belonging to the Crown Prince and other princes.
While Song Ao was speaking with a stable eunuch, “Feng Qiyuan” pretended to yawn, turning to feel the fire starter in his bosom—something “borrowed” from the Imperial Kitchen.
Earlier, while making noodle soup, the supervising eunuchs had only verified the ingredients and utensils she had touched, paying no attention to what she might have taken from the kitchen. This had been her true purpose in making soup for His Majesty.
Besides the fire starter, she had a copper-spouted water flask hanging at her waist, a common accessory for horse riding. However, during the palace banquet, she had already replaced the water inside with fine wine.
Looking around, she spotted high stacks of hay on a remote side of the stables.
While Song Ao was busy giving instructions to several people, she bent down to adjust her boots and trousers, flicking her wrist to throw the lit fire starter into the haystack. Then, using the alcohol as an accelerant, she sprinkled the wine around the stables.
It was just before the horse race, and everyone was busy saddling the horses and preparing bridles, getting ready to head to the racing grounds.
When a guard needed to relieve himself and went around to the back of the stables, he discovered that the fire had already grown quite high. Strangely, the fire was spreading along a path toward the rear of the stables.
The guard immediately shouted, “Fire!” Unfortunately, the wind was strong today, and several flames flew onto the stable roof. Before long, everyone could smell the burning following the wind’s direction.
The horses in the stables were startled, scattering in all directions. In an instant, the scene erupted into chaos with people shouting and horses neighing.
Fortunately, the fire was discovered promptly. After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the blaze was extinguished.
His Majesty had already joined his ministers and consorts at the racecourse beside the palace, seated in the viewing stand to watch the horse race.
Seeing smoke and fire in the distance near the stables, they only learned of the fire when palace attendants hurriedly reported it.
Nearby ministers offered some auspicious words about His Majesty’s abundant fortune, saying that fire symbolized prosperity and blessings.
After the palace attendant reported that the fire had been extinguished, he continued: “Your Majesty, according to the stable supervisor, the Crown Prince’s horse seemed overly frightened. During the fire, it suddenly lost control, broke free from its reins and ran wild… eventually collapsing with foam at its mouth…”
At these words, everyone’s expressions changed.
Horses provided for princes to ride underwent rigorous training, no different from war horses. How could they lose control and collapse from such a minor fire?
Such a reaction didn’t appear to be from fright but rather from being drugged…
Thinking of this, everyone fell silent. His Majesty waved over the Imperial Household’s Chief Manager Li Quan, and with a glance, Li understood, immediately leading people to investigate.
Shortly after, Manager Li returned and whispered a few words to His Majesty, whose face grew increasingly grim as he coldly surveyed the assembly below.
When his gaze fell upon Crown Prince Feng Qiyuan—the youth with clear eyes and a slightly soot-blackened face who seemed unaware of what had happened—Emperor Chunde’s gaze held a touch of melancholy.
Although the Dafeng Dynasty’s political situation was stable, they faced the covetous Wei Country across the river, so they couldn’t rest easy.
Born into the imperial family, sons should be either dragons or phoenixes, or perhaps wolves or tigers. A willow-like lamb of a son, even if fortunate enough to grow up safely amidst tigers and wolves, would struggle to support this realm.
Old Fourth probably didn’t realize that if not for this sudden fire, he would have ridden that crazed horse and might have lost his life beneath its hooves!
This case likely involved palace intrigue and shouldn’t be investigated in public.
Emperor Chunde suppressed his anger and said, “Since the horses are frightened, the princes shouldn’t risk riding them. I… don’t wish to see the white-haired sending off the black-haired. Let the banquet end here. Everyone may disperse. I will also retire to rest.”
Having said this, he turned to the Empress and addressed her: “Today, seeing the Crown Prince, I noticed he has grown taller. During these four years, his studies have been neglected. In the blink of an eye, he’s already seventeen… As heir to the throne, he should have a proper imperial tutor. My respected teacher, Master Ge, happens to be in the palace. I shall ask him on the Crown Prince’s behalf, allowing him to become Master Ge’s disciple!”
After these words, the Emperor rose and departed.
Empress Tang was somewhat dazed, nearly forgetting to thank him for this favor.
The earlier fire had been completely unexpected, thoroughly disrupting her originally flawless plan.
With this fake Crown Prince appearing in public, walking vigorously, if her scheme couldn’t be implemented, wouldn’t the real Feng Qiyuan be unable to appear in public?
Unless… she arranged another accident, giving the Crown Prince a legitimately lame leg to cover up the crime of deceiving the Emperor.
This wouldn’t be difficult—secretly executing the impersonating girl and then arranging for the Crown Prince to “accidentally” break his leg would suffice.
But now… His Majesty had spoken, wanting the Crown Prince to study under Master Ge! This Ge was His Majesty’s revered teacher!
She had thought His Majesty didn’t value the Crown Prince, and even after lifting his confinement, intended to depose him.
But now it seemed the Crown Prince’s fortunes were rising. His leg… couldn’t be crippled. Wouldn’t this absurd charade have to continue?
Empress Tang lost her composure, rising with a heavy heart, her gaze turning to the kneeling “Crown Prince” nearby.
Although she had adopted the Sixth Prince, Old Six was only eight years old, still too young to stand as an equal against Old Second, and would need to wait several more years.
If the Crown Prince could still be useful, he would be the best candidate to counter Consort Shang and her son!
The famous doctor had said that resetting the Crown Prince’s leg would require half a year to a year for recovery. If so, they needed to continue treating Feng Qiyuan’s injured leg while having this fake Crown Prince maintain the position of the Eastern Palace!
With this thought, a smile blossomed at the corner of the Empress’s mouth. She reached out to help up the “Crown Prince” beside her, softly exclaiming “Heaven bless the Crown Prince,” and taking a handkerchief from a maid to tenderly wipe the soot from her son’s face.
This display of maternal affection caused Consort Shang’s teeth to nearly dissolve with sourness as she swept her sleeves and departed.
At a side platform not far away, the man in the wheeled chair was observing everyone’s changing expressions with a distant gaze. He quietly asked someone beside him: “You say… You saw the Crown Prince setting the fire?”
The guard Gao Qi, standing behind him, hurriedly replied in a low voice: “Your horse Fierce Fire was borrowed by the Third Prince for the race. Remembering that you had mentioned its horseshoes were loose, I was concerned and wanted to ensure a thorough inspection to prevent accidents. Needing to relieve myself, I went behind the haystack. Unexpectedly, I caught a glimpse of the Crown Prince throwing a fire starter into the hay when no one was looking.”
Hearing this, the man raised an eyebrow slightly, studying the slender youth now boarding a carriage with interest: The Crown Prince, usually not particularly cunning, had developed some scheming abilities.
This horse race had been overseen by the Second Prince, and the stable supervisor seemed to be a former attendant from Consort Shang’s palace. If the Crown Prince were injured, followed by deliberate accusations, Second Prince Feng Qiting would have a hard time explaining himself.
The tactic wasn’t particularly sophisticated, but if the Empress intended to cause trouble, the Second Prince would be entangled in it.
Unfortunately, while the mother was ruthless enough to sacrifice her son, the son was too timid and concerned for his safety, disrupting the plan early and wasting all these arrangements.
However, looking at it now, it wasn’t entirely wasted. His Majesty had ultimately been moved to compassion, using Imperial Tutor Ge to support the Crown Prince, while simultaneously cooling the Second Prince’s momentum, balancing the court dynamics.
Guard Gao Qi asked again: “Young Master, should we reveal that the Crown Prince set the fire?”
Mu Hanjiang closed his eyes to rest: “Currently, river bandits are rampant in Jianghuai. Though the rebel Meng Zhun was captured, he broke out of prison in Yicheng. His capable lieutenant, ‘The Little King of Hell,’ is cunning and has kept his whereabouts hidden. Meng Zhun’s escape is like releasing a tiger back to the mountains—Jianghuai may soon face turmoil again. Our return to the capital, besides searching for Meng Zhun, is primarily to secure provisions for the military. We needn’t interfere in palace intrigues… Let’s just observe the situation.”
Gao Qi, still dissatisfied, said angrily: “But the Crown Prince caused you to be unable to—”
Seeing Young Master Mu’s cold stare, Gao Qi immediately fell silent.
Mu Hanjiang closed his eyes again, saying calmly: “There will be time enough…”
Gao Qi suddenly understood—he had forgotten his master’s nature. He was someone who held grudges. Four years ago, the Crown Prince had humiliated the Young Master while drunk.
Such a grudge—how could his master forget?
There would be time enough. Having offended their Young Master, that effeminate Crown Prince wouldn’t live to see a peaceful ascension to the throne!
…
Meanwhile, in the Empress’s palace, someone was kneeling in the hall.
The fake Crown Prince knelt until fatigued, body tilting from side to side. Song Ao immediately reprimanded with a cold face: “Kneel properly!”
The young girl raised her eyebrows and smiled, showing no annoyance. She mentally calculated the time: since returning, she had been punished with kneeling by the Empress for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick. From the looks of it, the vicious old woman didn’t know when to stop and intended to make her kneel indefinitely.
She felt her somewhat hungry stomach and, ignoring Song Ao’s gloomy face, casually called toward the inner chamber concealed by a curtain: “Mother Empress, have you forgotten that you have important matters to discuss with your son?”
Seeing no response from the Empress, she continued nonchalantly: “Your son heard Father Emperor say he would invite a great scholar for me. I wonder if this scholar will review my previous studies? Should I prepare something? Alas, my calligraphy has deteriorated over the years, it’s rather shameful…”
Before she could finish, a voice finally came from the inner chamber: “Shouting across a curtain—Your Highness is increasingly lacking in manners! Come in. Everyone else, withdraw.”
The fake Crown Prince rose as desired, casually stretching her knees and back, and ignoring Song Ao’s rounded eyes of disapproval, strode in with large steps, lifting the curtain to enter the inner chamber.
The Empress was reclining on a soft couch, massaging her temples with her eyes closed. The girl seemed at ease, immediately sitting by the couch upon entering and taking a large bite from an oily pastry on the tea table.
The Empress opened her eyes in astonishment, her voice suddenly cold: “How dare you! Who do you think you are? Have you forgotten proper conduct?”
The young girl, truly hungry, took another large bite and, spewing pastry crumbs, said: “You… you said that etiquette is for outsiders to see, that I should behave well and not give myself away. But now it’s just the two of us, with no outsiders, who am I maintaining etiquette for?”
She then winked knowingly: “Besides, aren’t we… like mother and daughter?”
As this clinging plaster of familial recognition wrapped around her again, the Empress angrily raised her hand, wanting to slap the worthless girl.