An Ke looked at the still-steaming medicinal food on the table. Her heart warmed, knowing that the Empress Dowager had always thought of her.
The Empress Dowager gave a wink to Granny Zhi, who understood and served the princess a bowl of medicinal food.
Anke didn't spoil the fun and finished her drink right away. After dinner, the Empress Dowager kept the two of them for a while longer before letting them go home to rest, as they must be exhausted after a day of fun.
Qing'er was unaware that An Ke returned to her room, washed up, and went straight to sleep. She didn't have the slightest worry about insomnia.
*
Yonghe Palace
Consort Yu was eagerly awaiting her son's arrival at the dining table. She knew they had gone out of the palace together today. And for the first time, Consort Yu hadn't stopped them.
During the time Consort Yu was back in the palace, she had heard the general outline of what had happened from her maids and servants. The fact that her son had left the palace with that Princess Huanzhu during her absence seemed utterly absurd to her. She felt he was becoming less and less like her bright, outstanding son. But today, she felt as if her son had returned.
The guards had just reported that Princess Yong'an, the Fifth Prince, and Princess Qing had returned. Consort Yu's anxious heart finally settled. As long as he was with An'an, Consort Yu felt at ease. And as long as he wasn't with that Little Swallow from Shufangzhai, Consort Yu was at ease no matter who Yongqi left the palace with.
Before long, Yongqi's voice could be heard calling out, "Mother, Mother."
It was Consort Yu's head maid who, upon receiving Consort Yu's instructions, immediately went out to greet the Fifth Prince.
"I heard from the Empress Dowager today that you all went to the Horse Park together. How was it? Did you have fun?" Consort Yu didn't object to her son playing during his rest time at all. As long as it was in accordance with palace rules and etiquette, that was fine. So she asked gently.
“Today we not only went horseback riding at the Junma Park, but also went to her Delong Villa with An’an.” Yongqi seemed to have returned to his childhood, when he could talk to his mother about anything, and he would come back and repeat to her whenever something interesting happened.
"Is that so? I've long heard that your Imperial Father bestowed the Delong Manor next to the Junma Garden upon Princess Yong'an. I heard that Consort Ling also asked for that manor, but your Imperial Father resolutely refused. I never expected that it would end up in the hands of your sister An'an." Consort Yu also recalled the past. At that time, Consort Ling had just gained the Emperor's favor and thought she was extraordinary. She never expected that her request would be met with a closed door.
It was because of that incident that everyone in the palace learned of Princess Yong'an's name. It also made everyone in the palace realize that no one should offend Princess Yong'an, who was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
"Mother, let's not talk about anything else, let's eat first." Yongqi didn't really want his mother to reminisce about the past. Yes, Consort Ling was very good, but there was only one Father Emperor. Yongqi would never forget how he used to watch his mother sitting sadly in the main hall of Yonghe Palace when he was a child.
Consort Yu was well aware of Yongqi's little schemes, but she simply chose not to expose them. She then went along with the Fifth Prince's wishes and changed the subject. "I heard that Princess Qing went along today? Did you speak much with her?" Consort Yu was testing Yongqi, and as she did so, she placed a piece of chicken from the chicken soup into the Fifth Prince's bowl. In fact, on their return to the palace from Mount Wutai, she had also subtly probed the Empress Dowager about what kind of person she intended to marry Qing'er to.
Qing'er was practically raised under the watchful eyes of Consort Yu. Although she didn't have a particularly privileged family background, she enjoyed the Empress Dowager's favor. This alone was enough to put her ahead of other legitimate daughters from noble families.
"Today was just to teach Qing'er how to ride a horse. Afterwards, we went to An'an's Delong Manor together, but we only had a cup of tea and watched An'an and Ertai compete in archery. That's all." Yongqi picked up the piece of chicken from his bowl and ate it, his head down so no one could see his expression.
"Very well, let's have our meal. Rest early afterward." Consort Yu stopped subtly hinting; there would be plenty of opportunities later. Besides, even if it wasn't Qing'er, it would be another noblewoman. However, she was thinking of Qing'er, since she knew her background well. There wouldn't be as much of a period of adjustment. But even without Qing'er, the Emperor would likely choose a suitable consort for her son.
The night was silent.
*
Fujia
While outside, Ertai looked at the sunset and decided not to go back to the mansion for dinner. He found a small stall and had a simple meal there.
Then, thinking he could take a leisurely stroll home, he dismounted from his horse and led it home.
Furen was waiting for him in the main courtyard of his house, and Ertai didn't feel any surprise. He would have been surprised if his father hadn't been waiting for him tonight.
He then went with the servant his father had sent to fetch him to the main courtyard. Upon entering, he saw his father sitting in the main hall, drinking tea. He was holding a book in his hands, but whether his mind was still on the book was unknown.
"Father, why aren't you resting so late? Is there something you need from your son?" Ertai didn't want to beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
Fu Lun had probably been waiting a long time, hadn't he? His eyes were getting sore from reading, and it was only when he heard Ertai's voice that he snapped out of his reverie. He blinked his sore eyes and looked at his tall son standing in front of him.
I don't know when it started, but my second son has grown so tall and imposing without me even noticing. If it weren't for my concerns about the Emperor's suspicious nature, my second son would likely have been a child prodigy. Hopefully, it's not too late to make amends now.
"I heard that you went to the Horse Park with the Fifth Prince, Princess Yong'an, and Princess Qing today." This news had already spread throughout the palace, and Fu Lun didn't need to inquire about it to find out.
"Yes, the princess asked some other questions today. She asked if I was pretending to be a spoiled brat, and she also tested my riding and archery skills," Ertai answered sincerely. He told his father everything that had happened that day. He hoped his father would support his decision. Besides, even if he hid it from his father, he probably wouldn't believe that the princess hadn't asked anything today.
Fu Lun was quite the old fox in the court. His methods of understanding people's hearts were incredibly sophisticated.
"Oh." Fu Lun was somewhat surprised. He was surprised that the princess would ask so frankly, and surprised that his son would be so open with him. "So what did you say and do today?" Fu Lun was very nervous. This was none other than Princess Yong'an, who could discuss state affairs. If he didn't answer well, he might be "invited" by the emperor to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for tea tomorrow.
“Father, I want to give it a shot.” Ertai’s steady and powerful voice rang out, his deep eyes filled with determination.
Fu Lun looked at the son he had "abandoned" and sighed helplessly. "Do you know that Er Kang has already angered the Emperor? How will you proceed from now on? I'm afraid I can no longer be your strongest support." Saying this, Fu Lun also felt somewhat guilty towards his son. When his eldest son first entered the court, he could still provide him with some assistance, but now that his second son wanted to fight for his position, he could do nothing.
Thinking of this, Fu Lun's eyes darkened. He didn't know if keeping Ziwei was a blessing or a curse. What he didn't know then seemed even more unclear now, but one thing was certain: if this matter were exposed, the Fu family would be the first to be questioned by the Emperor. After all, they had secretly kept the real princess and protected the fake one. Knowing the truth but failing to report it was deceiving the Emperor. These accusations were like ticking time bombs. Fu Lun felt restless and unable to eat or sleep every day.
Thinking back to Ziwei, she must have been a person of strong will; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to travel safely from Jinan to Beijing. And while staying in her own residence, she even seduced her own son.
Thinking of Erkang, Fu Lun was even more troubled, utterly at a loss as to what to do with his son. Whenever it came to Ziwei, his son seemed to have lost his mind. He feared that he would likely implicate the entire Fu family and his Ertai in the future! A fierce glint flashed in Fu Lun's eyes at this thought.
It seems that sometimes we have to choose between the two, after all, you have to give up something to gain something.
"Father, your son's mind is made up. Father, there's no need to say anything more." Even without relying on his father, he would still make great achievements in the court. Besides, he only obtained his official position by relying on his father. Ertai felt disdain. A good man should serve his country and make contributions.
"You're doing this for Princess Yong'an, aren't you?" Fu Lun asked kindly and gently, not as a question, but as a statement of certainty. Although he had focused more on his eldest son in recent years, he also paid attention to his second son. After all, they were both his flesh and blood. Back when the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, he saw his second son's eyes light up noticeably when he saw Princess Yong'an.
Although he hadn't paid much attention to palace affairs these past few days, he had heard what his wife had told him upon returning home. (Sometimes Ertai would ask his servants about things when he returned home. Sometimes Ertai's servants would also ask their young master.) This second son, when talking about Princess Yong'an, his tone was noticeably more cheerful. How could he not see that?
However, Princess Yong'an's status is so noble that Ertai's family background is simply not a match for her. If he wants to be worthy of her, Ertai will likely have to work hard himself. Moreover, Prince Rui is not someone easily fooled. Although he has placed Princess Yong'an under the Empress Dowager's care, just looking at the guards surrounding her shows how much Prince Rui cherishes his daughter. Marrying his daughter will be extremely difficult. At the very least, one must gain Prince Rui's approval.
"Yes! Father, do you remember when your son attended a palace banquet with you, got lost, and was brought back by a girl in palace attire?" Ertai didn't hide anything and spoke his mind directly.
"Oh, I remember...it happened a long time ago. Could it be that the little girl was Princess Yong'an?" Although he was happy to see his son liking Princess Yong'an, he couldn't believe that his son had known her so long ago.
"Yes, the princess has been in my heart for a long time. Since the princess is of noble status, I must strive to achieve great things to be worthy of her. Only by accomplishing a great feat can I stand by her side and share the view of the world with her." The young man stood tall and straight, like an unyielding pine tree. His eyes were resolute, but as if he had thought of something, his gaze softened.
"Alright, alright. Go ahead and do it. Your father will always support you." Hearing his son's heartfelt words, Furen couldn't find any words to stop him. Besides, everyone has their youthful impetuosity; since his son had such ambition, he should have the courage to put it into practice. Recalling his own youthful days, Furen was filled with emotion.
Furen was deeply gratified that his son was even more outstanding than he had been.
"Yes, your son will certainly live up to your expectations."
"Alright, go and get some rest. Even if you want to achieve great things, you'll probably have to wait a while longer. Don't rush things; be patient and calm." Fu Lun patted Ertai's shoulder with satisfaction and slowly walked towards his room. He smiled as he walked, pleased that his second son finally had a goal.
Ertai then returned to his courtyard to rest, thinking that he should make good plans for entering the palace the next day.
*
And so the days passed by uneventfully.
Anke and Qing'er would sometimes paint in the Imperial Garden, and sometimes go to the Ruyi Pavilion to learn oil painting from Benjamin. Sometimes they would sit together discussing calligraphy and poetry, and sometimes they would sit with Yongqi and the others playing chess. Their days were happy and peaceful. This gentle life almost made Anke forget about Xiao Yanzi's existence.
As time passed, the day arrived when Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei were finally released from their confinement.
Just as An Ke got out of bed, she heard Xingxing whisper in her ear, "Princess, I heard that yesterday, Princess Huanzhu from Shufangzhai had a huge argument with the Fifth Prince in the Imperial Garden. He was so angry that he turned around and left immediately."
Anke was still a little dazed, but upon hearing the gossip, she immediately sobered up. "Oh? Do you know what it's about?"
As Xingxing styled her princess's hair and makeup, she whispered, "It sounds like Princess Huanzhu is questioning the Fifth Prince about why he hasn't come to Shufangzhai these days, and also asking him why the Emperor dismissed the four guards?"
Anke looked at herself in the mirror, inserted a ruby hairpin into her hair, and smiled faintly, "Today will be quite a spectacle."
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