Chapter 28 I'm still quite shy in front of His Highness...

The Crown Prince's first court appearance after returning to the capital surprised not only the court officials but also Emperor Chunming.

Knowing that he was arrogant and never took the emperor seriously, I never expected that he would even attend the important court assembly uninvited, without even giving a greeting.

Emperor Chunming visited the Ninth Prince last night. The little boy was so tormented by him that his arm was dislocated, and he was almost scared out of his wits. When he woke up yesterday, he cried so hard that he couldn't catch his breath and vomited up all the food he had swallowed.

Consort Yu wept uncontrollably, and he couldn't bear it. He tried to comfort his beloved consort and the child, and the ordeal didn't end until late at night.

It's a tragedy that the Crown Prince is so ruthless. Xiao Jiu only made a slip of the tongue; a minor punishment would have been enough. But he punished him so severely and even made a big fuss about it, going to the Grand Secretaries and practically pointing his finger at him and berating him for failing to raise his son properly! He made Xiao Jiu lose face in front of the court officials!

But today, when the Crown Prince went to court, even if Emperor Chunming was dissatisfied, in order not to give others a handle to use against him, he had to suppress his anger, get up with a smile to greet him, and ask him about his well-being, acting as a loving uncle.

Prince Chen stared at the five-clawed dragon pattern on the Crown Prince's court robes, finding it extremely glaring.

In the entire Great Zhao Dynasty, only two people were allowed to wear dragon robes: Emperor Chunming and the Crown Prince.

In the early days of the dynasty, princes and dukes were entitled to wear dragon robes. However, during the reign of Emperor Jingyou, all princes and dukes except the emperor wore python robes. Therefore, these princes could only wear four-clawed python robes. However, Emperor Chunming granted the crown prince the special privilege of wearing dragon robes in order to show his magnanimity.

All this honor should have belonged to him.

The civil and military officials had not seen the Crown Prince for a long time. Some were afraid, some were curious, some were intimidated by the Crown Prince's majesty and dared not look him in the eye, and some had something to hide and were afraid that the Crown Prince would find fault with them as he had done three years ago.

Rumors circulated that the Crown Prince's expedition to the northern frontier was an attempt to atone for his crimes, but this was not the case.

Before leaving, he personally dealt with a group of corrupt and incompetent officials. This was not only to remove these harmful elements from the country and its people, but also to make an example of them and deter other officials from misbehaving during his absence.

The methods used to deal with them back then were so cruel that they still send chills down my spine when I think about them now.

In the past, when he went to war, everyone could breathe a little easier. Now that he has returned to the capital, everyone has to be on edge again. Just seeing him stand in front of the troops with his hands behind his back, the fierce and majestic aura he exudes is enough to send chills down people's spines.

"Wasn't he supposed to be seriously injured and beyond treatment? How come he's still standing here perfectly fine?"

"When he returns to Beijing this time, I wonder how many more people will suffer."

"The late emperor was wise and powerful, and deeply benevolent. Who among the court officials did not submit to him? How could his son be so..."

The crown prince listened to the voices coming from all directions, a cold sneer curling at the corner of his lips.

There are some things he doesn't need to explain much, and he's too lazy to explain them anyway.

Just as it is popularly known that he slaughtered all the people in the seven cities of Northern Wei without leaving any survivors, how much of this was due to snow disasters and how much was due to plagues? The few thousand people he actually ordered to be killed were all Wei soldiers who would rather die than surrender.

The Northern Wei dynasty was warlike and aggressive, and for a century it repeatedly provoked trouble and invaded the borders of the Great Zhao. Even the valiant and skilled Emperor Xian was ultimately defeated on the northern frontier. During the three years he led troops on the northern frontier, he also experienced countless fierce battles, and the soldiers of the Great Zhao suffered heavy casualties. The victory was not easy.

An army that refuses to surrender will cause endless trouble in the future.

He did not deny that he had a violent and bloodthirsty tendency in his bones, so his actions often tended to be extreme. He almost ruthlessly killed the soldiers of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Of course, there was also a physical reason for this - he did not know how much longer he could live.

The headache tormented him day and night, surrounded by wolves. Countless nights were filled with the near-death experience of the pain. And then there was the moment when, amidst a hail of arrows, a sudden, excruciating pain, like steel needles piercing his nerves, struck his skull, causing him to convulse and become immobile, leaving him helpless as the arrows pierced his flesh...

He was unwilling and couldn't afford to wait any longer. He didn't have much time to waste or maneuver, so he preferred to eliminate future troubles once and for all.

This principle applies not only to the enemy forces of the Northern Wei, but also to those corrupt officials.

Now that he's back, he can't let these people get away with it.

He will eliminate corrupt officials one by one.

Those who fail to perform their duties as officials are not worthy of standing in this majestic imperial court.

How can we expect those who are easily led astray by rumors, unable to distinguish truth from falsehood, and prone to distorting right and wrong, to uphold justice for the people?

He didn't care even if his reputation was ruined.

...

After breakfast, Cao Yuanlu took Yun Kui to a back room behind the side hall to learn how to comb hair from Granny Yan.

Granny Yan is an old servant of the Eastern Palace. She used to serve Empress Huigong. Now that she is old, she does some trivial chores in the Eastern Palace and lives in a private room in the rear building, which is considered a way to enjoy her old age.

It was rare for someone to come and talk in the house, and Granny Yan was very happy.

Cao Yuanlu specifically mentioned, "This is the palace maid who serves His Highness in charge of his bedchamber; His Highness is very fond of her."

Granny Yan looked at Yun Kui with even more surprise and affection.

Yun Kui felt truly ashamed, her cheeks flushed red. She wanted to explain, but was too embarrassed to speak.

Cao Yuanlu had other things to do and left first, so Yun Kui stayed peacefully in the back room and learned how to comb hair from Granny Yan.

Although Granny Yan was old and frail, her white temples were neatly combed, her clothes were tidy, and there was not a speck of dust in the room.

During a casual conversation, I learned that when Empress Huigong married the late emperor, her hair was styled by Granny Yan herself. Later, she was also styled by Granny Yan for important occasions such as sacrifices and palace banquets.

Yun Kui said, "His Highness the Crown Prince is so handsome, then Empress Hui Gong must be the most beautiful woman in the world."

Granny Yan agreed with this statement, but was surprised that the young girl would use such words to describe the Crown Prince.

She had served the Crown Prince since childhood and knew that he had been born with a terrible illness, which made him violent and unpredictable. Everyone in the palace kept their distance from him, and when noble ladies came to the palace, few dared to even look at him properly, let alone get close to him.

This girl is quite something.

Granny Yan brought over a vermilion lacquered tray displaying various combs, hairpins, and crowns. After looking at them from left to right, she simply removed Yun Kui's pearl flowers and untied her hair, using her hair to teach her.

The girl's long, black hair was like satin, draped over her shoulders like delicate clouds, making her face appear fair and translucent. Her hair was tied up, and the skin around her ears was so thin it was almost transparent, as flawless as jade.

Looking at the clear, sparkling eyes in the mirror, Granny Yan couldn't help but smile and say, "You really are a beauty in the making. No wonder His Highness is so fond of you."

Yun Kui explained softly, "Don't listen to Eunuch Cao's nonsense. His Highness doesn't actually favor me much; he just keeps me by his side to serve him. I'm also very afraid of him, and I'm always very careful when I answer him..."

Granny Yan chuckled. "If you don't like it, why would I let you stay to serve me in bed?"

Yun Kui blushed, but she couldn't very well explain to everyone that His Highness hadn't touched her.

Thinking about it carefully, aside from inviting her to sleep together at night, kissing her twice, saving her twice, and even standing up for her in front of all the princes yesterday, it seems that... there's nothing else.

Anyway, since she's relatively loyal, I'll keep her around to warm my bed for now. If she really angers him one day, her life will still be in danger!

Looking at Granny Yan's skillful hair-combing technique, Yun Kui said softly, "Granny, you have served the Crown Prince for many years and understand His Highness's preferences and temperament better than anyone else. Could you give me a few pointers? That way, I can be more clever in front of His Highness in the future."

Granny Yan had been recuperating for many years and had not served in Chengguang Palace for a long time. In her memory, the Crown Prince was still a melancholy young man, with a thick gloom always shrouding his brows.

When he was three years old, the Empress Dowager passed away. The young prince remained silent and did not eat or drink anything, kneeling in the mourning hall for three whole days.

When he was five years old, his most trusted attendant poisoned his food. The prince vomited blood all night and almost lost half his life. From then on, his dark eyes became wary and suspicious of everyone.

When he was seven years old, he suffered a headache and accidentally killed someone. That night, he sat in the corner of the empty hall, looking at her with his bloodshot eyes and said, "Granny, how much better it would have been if I had been the one who died."

...

Thinking back on everything that had happened, Granny Yan couldn't help but tear up. She felt sorry for him, who was all alone and whose personality had become increasingly stubborn and cruel due to the long-term torment of his illness. Yet she was also gratified that he had persevered step by step to this day, building up his own power, eliminating treacherous officials for the court, and completing the unfinished work of the late emperor. This man who had never been close to anyone now had a girl he liked by his side...

Those in power should not reveal their preferences to others, and the Crown Prince is aloof and ascetic, showing no particular interest in anything. Even if he has some liking for something, as the heir apparent, he can only keep it to himself and will not easily expose it to others.

However, Granny Yan had served the girl for many years and knew some details that others did not, so she was willing to talk to the girl a little more.

"Your Highness, there is actually a little-known hobby."

Yun Kui's eyes lit up: "Please tell me."

Granny Yan chuckled softly, “When His Highness was young, he refused to eat longevity noodles on his birthday every year. Instead, he would eat some sweet cakes and pastries. Sometimes it was a pine nut candy, sometimes it was a piece of osmanthus cake. He didn’t eat much, but I think he liked it.”

Yun Kui couldn't believe it: "Your Highness actually likes sweets?"

Granny Yan nodded and sighed, "But he is getting older now, and he is busy fighting in various places. He has many things to worry about, and my health is not good enough. I haven't been able to serve in the palace for a long time. I don't know if His Highness still likes me."

Yun Kui secretly made a mental note of it.

She came from the Imperial Kitchen. Although she had never cooked, she had helped out with the pastry chefs and learned how to make several desserts by observing them every day.

If he can win His Highness's favor in this way, will he treat her better?

And since you've taken a bribe, you're bound to be indebted to him. If you want to take advantage of him again, he probably won't be so stingy.

Yun Kui hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Granny, are you aware of His Highness's headache?"

Granny Yan sighed, "His Highness cried more than other babies from birth. We initially thought it was due to premature birth and weakness, and since Empress Huigong died in childbirth, there might have been a connection between mother and child. But later, His Highness cried almost every night. The Empress Dowager consulted many famous doctors, but none could diagnose the problem. Imperial Physician Zheng did have some prescriptions for treating headaches, but His Highness was too young to take medicine, so we could only use a small amount of calming incense to help him sleep. Later, Military Physician He came to the palace and said that His Highness's headaches were unusual and different from others, but we still couldn't find a cure. He's been suffering like this for twenty years..."

Yun Kui's eyes dimmed as she recalled the Crown Prince's bloodshot eyes when he woke up last night, unable to imagine the pain he must have been in.

Granny Yan smiled and said, "You don't need to worry too much. His Highness is sensible and can endure what ordinary people cannot. He won't easily harm the people around him. Otherwise, how could this old woman have survived to this day?"

Yun Kui shrank back and muttered, "That's because you are highly respected, so His Highness naturally cherishes you. He's very fierce towards me, though."

Granny Yan couldn't help but laugh. In all her years, she had never heard such a thing. People in this world say that His Highness is ruthless and cruel, and there are even harsher comments, but no one says that His Highness is "fierce".

As the two were talking, Granny Yan's hands didn't stop moving. In the blink of an eye, she had styled Yun Kui's hair into a neat and tidy men's bun.

Yun Kui looked at herself in the mirror and thought, "What a handsome young man!"

If she were a man, her appearance wouldn't be much worse than those of the princes in the palace.

Granny Yan stared at her intently for a moment, feeling that her hairstyle, resembling a man's, seemed somewhat familiar, but she couldn't quite place who she looked like.

Yun Kui studied diligently for half a day, and after returning home, she went straight to the kitchen, intending to make a dessert for the Crown Prince to curry favor. Unexpectedly, the accountant was also there.

The accountant was anxious because he had not been summoned by the Crown Prince. He thought that since it was cold these days, he might as well make a warming soup for the Crown Prince and send it to Chengguang Palace so that he could show his face in front of the Crown Prince.

"What are you doing here?" the accountant asked, staring at her.

Yun Kui looked around and said, "I'm craving some snacks."

The accountant said irritably, "You're too greedy. His Highness eats so many sumptuous meals every day, and you still come to the kitchen specifically to find snacks. Don't you even look at how much weight you've gained?"

Yun Kui followed her gaze and looked down, noticing her own ample bosom, which did seem fuller than before. However, she still had to retort: ​​"What do you know? This is called 'round and plump.' Don't you even know how you became so full? Are you questioning His Highness's abilities?"

The accountant was stunned for a long time before he understood what she meant, and his face turned bright red instantly: "You...you have no shame at all!"

"That's not true." Yun Kui smiled and patted her shoulder. "We're so close, of course we can speak frankly. I'm still quite shy in front of His Highness the Crown Prince."

Accountant: "..."

The kitchen was full of ingredients, and when Yun Kui saw some fresh water chestnuts, she decided to make a foolproof milk water chestnut cake for the prince.

Chop the water chestnuts into a paste, pour in fresh milk and flour, and stir. But as she stirs, Yun Kui's gaze drifts to her chest.

She's really gained quite a bit of weight... which is definitely related to the fact that she's been eating too well lately.

I wonder if His Highness the Crown Prince has noticed.

He hadn't touched her there for a long time, except for that time when he used the aphrodisiac to massage her properly. Even when they shared a bed, he would just lie beside her coldly and indifferently, occasionally holding her for a while, but with extreme restraint.

He really... did he need to be so restrained?

Lost in these thoughts, Yun Kui's ears grew slightly hot, and an inexplicable longing welled up from the bottom of her heart.

I promised myself I would quit pornography, but I've broken that promise again.

It turns out she didn't just want his body, she also wanted him to try her body on her again...