Thousands of miles away.
The capital.
The Prince of Han had caught a cold and fallen ill.
When news reached the palace, the Emperor not only dispatched inner attendants to the Prince’s estate to visit but also sent down rewards.
Zhao Yanjin and his wife were extremely pleased.
However, this satisfaction lasted less than three days before someone impeached the Prince of Han for dwelling long in the capital, delaying his return to his fief, breaking the rules established by the Late Emperor.
The rule was: adult imperial princes could not enter the capital without summons. Even if they had business, they should handle it quickly and return promptly.
The Prince of Han had originally entered the capital to attend to the Emperor’s illness. Now that the Emperor’s dragon body was healthy, the Prince of Han should return to his fief rather than lingering in the capital.
Zhao Yanjin didn’t take such impeachment memorials seriously at all.
In another month it would be New Year. His Majesty was getting on in years and loved having children and grandchildren around. Without him stepping forward, His Majesty would resolve this memorial himself.
Sure enough.
At the morning court the next day, the Emperor didn’t mention the impeachment memorial. He only asked Director Zhu of the Directorate of Astronomy whether the date chosen for the Imperial Grand Prince had been decided.
Director Zhu stepped forward and stated that the eighth day of the fifth month next year was the best day of that year, suitable for marriage, and this date also matched the birth dates and hours of the Imperial Grand Prince and the Wu family’s third daughter.
The Emperor pondered for a long while, then shook his head: “Choose a good day in February.”
The court officials were inwardly in an uproar.
From now until February, there were less than three months. Three months to prepare the Imperial Grand Prince’s grand wedding was truly too rushed.
Who knew the Emperor’s next sentence would shock everyone even more.
“In March, I will personally lead the expedition. Director Zhu, help me also select a good day.”
The Emperor personally leading an expedition?
At the advanced age of sixty-two?
No wonder he was moving the Imperial Grand Prince’s grand wedding up to February.
The court officials looked at each other, not knowing how to persuade His Majesty to abandon this notion.
But thinking that His Majesty had spent his entire life on horseback, and personal expeditions were not just once or twice, they all swallowed their words.
“During my expedition, the Crown Prince will oversee state affairs. The Prince of Han will accompany me on the expedition.”
As these words fell, everyone’s gazes intentionally or unintentionally looked toward the Crown Prince.
Several years ago, the Crown Prince had also overseen state affairs.
That time His Majesty had also brought the Prince of Han on a distant expedition against the Tatars. After victory, the army turned back toward the court.
Upon hearing the news, the Crown Prince led the hundred officials preparing to exit the city to welcome them.
During the welcome, due to insufficient preparation and some delay in timing, His Majesty was very displeased and consecutively disciplined several of the Crown Prince’s people. Two of them were even imprisoned.
It was precisely that time when the Crown Prince completely lost favor in His Majesty’s heart.
Under the gaze of all eyes, the Crown Prince’s complexion was deathly pale at this moment.
He stood up from his chair, his obese body trembling as he knelt down.
“This subject son obeys the decree.”
Among the court officials, Xie Daozhi quietly glanced at the Imperial Grand Prince. As he lowered his eyelids, he sighed deeply in his heart.
The Marquis of Wu’an had repeatedly requested to join the expedition, but His Majesty never nodded in agreement. His heart was still biased toward the Prince of Han.
…
When the news reached Xie Zhifei’s ears, he was in the prison interrogating a criminal.
That little thief had stolen from six households consecutively but refused to reveal who his accomplices were.
If it were any other time, Xie Zhifei would still have the patience to go around with him. Hearing His Majesty would personally lead the expedition and even bring the Prince of Han, all good temper vanished.
“Beat him with ten boards first.”
Xie Zhifei walked out of the room and twisted his head to glance at Zhu Qing, grinding his teeth: “While I haven’t thought of a way to cause him some trouble, he’s pulled this on me.”
Zhu Qing looked at his master. His lips moved several times, not knowing how to console him.
“You needn’t comfort me.”
Xie Zhifei said calmly: “The one who truly needs comfort is that person in the Eastern Palace.”
Just after stumbling over Li Buyan, now facing an advanced wedding and His Majesty’s expedition—this frustration was truly unparalleled.
“Send word to Ming Ting. Have him go with me to the separate estate tonight.”
Xie Zhifei thought for a moment, then added: “You personally make a trip to the Bu family army. Say we’ve traced those who attacked us last time.”
Zhu Qing was startled.
Xie Zhifei: “It was the Prince of Han.”
Zhu Qing was startled again: “Master, just based on Miss Yan’s few words, without any real evidence?”
Xie Zhifei glared: “Yan Sanhe’s words are real evidence. When has she ever guessed wrong?”
“General Bu probably won’t believe it.”
“Just tell him this. Whether he believes it or not is his business.”
Zhu Qing hesitated: “His Majesty hasn’t yet selected the expedition personnel. General Bu…”
“Will definitely be included.”
Xie Zhifei: “His Majesty’s personal expedition is to win battles. To win battles, he can’t do without the Bu family army taking the vanguard.”
Zhu Qing: “…” Has master also become a fortune-teller?
Whether he was a fortune-teller or not, Xie Zhifei didn’t know. He just wanted to do one thing now: sow discord!
No, there was another thing he also wanted to do: go find Zhu Yuanmo and see if he could make the Prince of Han’s illness continue indefinitely.
…
Zhu Yuanmo wasn’t surprised at all when Xie Zhifei came looking for him.
The Prince of Han accompanying His Majesty on expedition, the Crown Prince staying in the capital—this matter appeared reasonable, but with careful thought, one could see how precarious the Crown Prince’s position was.
His Majesty at the advanced age of sixty-two journeying to the northern lands to fight—never mind how the battle went, just considering His Majesty’s current physical condition, could he return safely?
If he couldn’t, with only the Prince of Han by His Majesty’s side, the variables would be too numerous.
Throughout history, such things had happened before.
When the First Emperor of Qin toured the south, he died at the Shaqiu Palace platform. His son Huhai kept the death secret.
With the help of ministers Zhao Gao and Li Si, he killed over twenty brothers and sisters and forced Crown Prince Fusu to death, becoming Emperor himself.
A bloody lesson indeed!
“Third Master.”
Zhu Yuanmo sighed: “Things can happen once but not twice. He’ll become suspicious.”
I haven’t even opened my mouth yet, and you’ve already refused outright.
Xie Zhifei felt extremely depressed.
But thinking it through carefully, it made sense. Half the Imperial Medical Bureau had run to the Prince of Han’s estate. If they couldn’t even cure a cold, who would believe it?
“What I can help Third Master with is only this: after calculating the auspicious expedition date, I can subtly mention to His Majesty that the Prince of Han’s zodiac animal and birth date make this journey inadvisable to accompany His Majesty.”
Zhu Yuanmo: “Moreover, I can’t fabricate it. It must be truthful. His Majesty is suspicious, and the Directorate of Astronomy has other capable people.”
Having a solution was better than having none.
His depression swept away, Xie Zhifei cupped his fists toward him: “I thank Big Brother Zhu on behalf of Huairen.”
“Between you and me, what thanks are needed?”
Zhu Yuanmo stepped forward and said quietly: “That I can still handle affairs for His Majesty is all Third Brother’s merit.”
“Big Brother Zhu also handled it well.”
Seeing he took no credit whatsoever, Zhu Yuanmo’s heart softened involuntarily.
“There are still three months. We’ll always find an opportunity. Third Brother, rest assured. I’m in the same boat as you. I won’t just watch the boat capsize.”
These words were tantamount to giving Xie Zhifei a reassurance pill.
He didn’t say much else, only whispered: “In a few more days they’ll return. I’ll send people to meet them a hundred miles out. There should be good news brought back.”
Zhu Yuanmo looked at Third Master Xie’s profound eyes and also whispered:
“If I can’t find an opportunity, please have His Highness the Grand Prince make other preparations early.”