Chapter 182 The Incompetence Continues

Going to sea is no small matter, often involving thousands of people and goods. To ensure everything goes smoothly, policies were finalized countless times, training was intensified, goods were selected, and the cargo was loaded onto the ship. After all that, it took four or five months before the time finally came for us to set sail.

Since Hongzhao had recommended Fu Yu to go to sea with the ship, he naturally couldn't let him go alone. With the date approaching, he and the other three companions were checking Fu Yu's luggage again and again.

"Have you remembered everything I said? Someone will meet you when you board the ship. Don't rush to use the code; get to know each other a bit better first. Also..."

Fu Yu took the thick cloak from Amur and waved it in front of the Crown Prince—"Remember, my Crown Prince, you can rest assured, this servant remembers everything you said."

"Don't stick to the same old trade routes. Travel more, observe more, and ask more questions. If necessary, change the route. I've got all of this in mind, so please put your mind at ease, Your Highness." Fu Yu was always a thorough person, and besides, the Crown Prince had repeatedly reminded him so many times that he already knew it by heart.

Seeing his expression, Hongzhao nodded in relief. "Since you know what you're doing, I won't nag. I have one more thing to tell you: if you encounter any danger, don't step forward. Come back safely, and I will reward you handsomely no matter what. Remember that?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I understand." Fu Yu patted the Crown Prince's shoulder. The five of them had grown up together since childhood, and their bond was naturally extraordinary. He knew that the Crown Prince was worried about him, and he would certainly not let the Crown Prince down.

Just then, they heard Xiao Dezi's voice coming from outside—"Greetings to the Third Prince, may the Third Prince be well."

Third Brother is here.

Hongzhao put down the books in his hand and walked outside. "Third brother, didn't we agree to meet at Mother Empress's place? Why did you come here first?"

Today is the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival. This year has started off badly, with one thing after another. First, the Emperor fell seriously ill, then there was the Zhen family incident, and then the Empress Dowager fell seriously ill for several months without getting better. According to the Empress's wishes, a grand celebration should be held.

Firstly, it was to bring good fortune and shake off the bad luck of the past year on this auspicious day. Secondly, it happened to coincide with the departure of the first royal ship after the lifting of the sea ban, so a farewell banquet was held to celebrate this occasion, making the preparations much grander than in previous years.

As soon as Hongshi stepped in, he saw that the room in the prince's quarters, which was not very big to begin with, was almost filled with things. He showed a rare maturity and composure as he waved the bundle he was holding.

“Fu Yu is such a thin person, if you guys carry him like this, he’ll collapse before he even gets on the ship.” After Hong Shi finished speaking, everyone in the room looked at what they were holding or on the ground. Even Hong Zhao smiled and scratched his head.

Hongshi carefully placed the bundle in his hands into Fu Yu's hands—"These are some medicines prepared by Huiyi. They are different from those in the Imperial Hospital. They are some folk remedies. Although they look simple, they can sometimes be surprisingly effective. I hope you will not need them. If anyone else has any, you can give them a try."

"Thank you, Third Prince. I will keep this with me at all times!" Fu Yu carefully put away the bundle. The Crown Prince and the Third Prince had a good relationship, so they, as his companions, naturally had a lot of contact with the Third Prince. Over time, they became quite familiar with each other, and he would certainly remember this thoughtfulness.

"It's so kind of you, Third Sister-in-law, to go to such lengths while you're pregnant. Will you be attending the banquet tonight? I'll definitely thank you properly for your efforts."

Seeing that it was almost time, the two walked side by side out of the Prince's residence and headed towards Yongshou Palace, chatting as they went.

"There are many people coming tonight, and Huiyi loves a lively atmosphere, so she will naturally go. Her mother told her to manage her own time. If she feels tired, she can go back and rest without having to inform anyone."

When Hongshi mentioned his pregnant wife, he seemed to have endless things to say. Hongzhao could only chime in with a few words. As soon as they reached the entrance of Yongshou Palace, Hongshi couldn't help but drink two large bowls of tea. He was so thirsty from talking that he couldn't help it.

When the two of them arrived, there were already quite a few people in the main hall. Looking at the three empty seats, Hongzhao silently made some plans in his mind.

The Empress Dowager fell ill in the middle of the year, and it has been three months now. Her illness has worsened day by day, and she has not been able to get up. She certainly cannot come today. However, Hongzhao thought of the news he got from Zhou Qi. The Empress Dowager's illness this time was probably not good. Judging from her pulse, it would be considered that she had taken good care of herself if she could make it through the New Year.

It seems that the series of misfortunes over the past few years have caused this illness to develop a few years earlier than depicted in the drama.

In the drama, the Empress Dowager did not forget to leave a will for Yixiu on her deathbed to protect her position as empress. This made Hongzhao start to speculate about what she would leave behind this time, whether it was to protect the fourteenth prince or the Uya family.

Before long, the emperor and empress arrived hand in hand. Everyone raised their cups and exchanged a few words before the banquet began with singing and dancing.

Lu Jiaying sat on the upper seat, and the most eye-catching person looking down was none other than the Third Princess Consort Huiyi. She was dressed festively today, and her round belly was pleasing to the eye. "Huiyi, your baby is almost nine months along, right? Are the midwives all ready?"

The Emperor and Empress were sitting close together, so Yinzhen could naturally hear Lü Jiaying speak. He also followed the Empress's gaze and looked over. She was his first grandchild, and it would be a lie to say he wasn't happy.

"Hongshi, you're going to be a father soon, so you must take good care of your wife." Even the usually taciturn Emperor spoke up, which showed his joy. After all, in this era, it was quite rare for someone in such a high position to have their first grandchild after the age of fifty.

Hongshi helped Huiyi to her feet, and the young couple generously toasted their father and mother with a cup of wine, while Huiyi drank water.

After several rounds of drinks, even though Yinzhen rarely raised his cup, two rosy blushes inevitably appeared on his face. Just as everyone was clinking glasses, a person, led by Xia Zi with a troubled expression, walked into the hall with lowered eyes and hesitant steps.

"Zhu Xi? Is something wrong with the Empress Dowager?" Yinzhen squinted as he recognized the person standing in front of him, and couldn't help but feel surprised.

Zhu Xi shook his head. "No, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is well. It's just that it's Mid-Autumn Festival and Her Majesty asked me to bring you a message."

"Pass on a message?" Yinzhen paused, setting down his wine cup. Lu Jiaying, standing beside him, also turned her gaze from her daughter to Zhu Xi. For some reason, Zhu Xi was acting unusually discreetly today, as if she didn't want anyone in the palace to hear. It seemed Zhu Xi knew the Emperor wouldn't like to hear what the Empress Dowager wanted her to deliver.

Seeing that the Emperor remained silent, Lü Jiaying smiled and spoke up, "Did the Empress Dowager send Aunt Zhuxi to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with the Emperor? Then Aunt Zhuxi should stay in the palace and enjoy the festivities."

Zhu Xi didn't know what to say, so she took two more steps forward and lowered her voice again.

"The Empress Dowager said that the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions. Since the Empress Dowager has been away from home for many years, she inevitably misses her relatives. So she ordered someone to bring back a cousin from her family to the palace, just to keep the Empress Dowager company and have some fun."

Upon hearing Zhu Xi's words, Yinzhen's good mood vanished instantly. He lowered his eyes and refused to look at the speaker, expressing his resistance through his body language.

"This cousin is from the Hui-fa-na-la family, and her name is Shu-shen. The Empress Dowager's idea is that since the cousin is about the same age as the eldest princess, they can get along well. However, she herself is suffering from illness and is not easy to take care of, so she asked the Empress to look after her. She can just ask her to visit Shou-kang Palace more often."

Zhu Xi finished reciting the Empress Dowager's instructions in one breath, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

She knew all too well that the Emperor didn't want to hear about these things, especially after the incident with Princess Qingying, and with today being the Mid-Autumn Festival. However, she also understood the Empress Dowager's thoughts. Everyone knew the Empress Dowager's health was in a precarious state. If that day truly came, someone from the Uya and Ulanara clans would have to maintain the relationship.

The Empress Dowager was extremely anxious.