"Is it the New Year?"
"No, it's too far. Now we have two good handles in our hands. When your third brother comes back and finds out about Sichuan, we can take action. But..."
"Just what?"
"I need a chance for him to make the first move."
"An opportunity? He's been the Crown Prince for thirty-nine years. He's been incredibly patient. Such an opportunity is hard to come by, especially if he has to make the first move."
"That's right. So, Princess, how's your zither practice going?"
Meng Qi didn't expect that Song Chengze would bring up this while they were discussing such a tense topic.
"Of course it's very good, as long as the prince can practice well, but don't hold me back when the time comes."
"Hahaha..." Song Chengze laughed, and the vibration of his chest made Meng Qi realize that he was truly happy. It turned out that she really had the ability to make him truly happy.
"This is a great opportunity." After smiling, Song Chengze hugged Meng Qi tightly.
"Are you planning to use the August 15th Palace Banquet as an opportunity?"
"How is that possible? First, time is too tight and we're not well prepared. Second, there's no good reason. I just want to use this to arouse his suspicion and get him to start, so that he can reveal his true intentions."
Meng Qi nodded, "I understand. We need to excel and get the Emperor to praise us. Or, if the Emperor is pleased, he might grant you something, making the Crown Prince feel threatened."
Song Chengze scratched her nose lightly. "You clever little thing, that's what I meant. Of course, our performance alone isn't enough. We need to make some arrangements inside and outside the palace. You don't have to worry about these things. You don't have to worry about Ran Ge's matter these two days. I'll have them deal with it. As for the method you mentioned for dealing with Li, I'll naturally listen to you, but we'll keep her for a few more days. Who knows if she'll be of any use."
Meng Qi leaned closer to his arms and yawned, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Song Cheng felt the even breathing of the beloved in his arms, lowered his head and placed a kiss on her forehead. Thinking about what he had just heard about the prince and Li, his eyes were gloomy.
――――――
On the first day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Song Chengze finally had time to rehearse the song several times with Meng Qi from the beginning.
After just one rehearsal, Lu Jinzhou was already incredibly astonished. He clapped his hands and said, "The rapport between the Prince and Princess is unprecedented. I have never seen it before. Are you two sure you haven't secretly practiced together?"
Song Lu smiled slightly, "Mr. Lu, you shouldn't praise me in such a roundabout way."
Lu Jinzhou laughed heartily, "No, really not, Your Majesty, Princess, this song should only exist in heaven, it is rare to hear it in the world."
Meng Qi said happily, "Is it really that good?"
"Excellent, very good. Your Majesty's swordplay is as smooth as flowing water, seamless and effortless. Your Majesty's zither playing is as melodious as a mountain spring, refreshing and soothing to the ears."
Zhang Decheng stepped forward with a smile on his face. "Although I don't understand music theory and can't understand all the swordplay, the cooperation between the prince and princess just now was truly seamless."
Song Chengze smiled as he wiped his sword, "I'll let you guys make a big statement upfront. If the king and the princess don't come out on top tomorrow, you'll be the ones to blame."
Zhang Decheng took Song Chengze's sword and hung it up carefully. Song Lu smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. If I can't do it, I am willing to accept the punishment."
"Okay, I'll punish you by making you drink three bowls in a row."
Everyone burst into laughter when they saw Song Lu's bitter face, but Song Lu couldn't drink even a drop of alcohol.
Chu Yong's announcement was heard outside. Meng Qi knew that Song Chengze would have other arrangements for tomorrow, so she stood up and said, "There are still a few notes I played wrong. I'll go back and practice."
Song Chengze said, "Don't worry too much, this is already good enough."
Meng Qi nodded, and everyone saluted.
At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet the next day, Song Chengze and Meng Qi's collaboration truly shined, even the usually calm Concubine Lian couldn't hide her surprise. She only knew her son and daughter-in-law had prepared such a program, but she hadn't expected it to be such a moving piece, nor had she known Meng Qi could play the zither so well.
The emperor was extremely happy and even clapped his hands to the rhythm of Meng Qi, forcing the prince and princess who had performed before them to blush, but they had to pretend to be happy.
What Meng Qi didn't expect was that the emperor not only rewarded her with a lot of jewelry and fabrics that day, but also announced in court the next day that Song Chengze would be the one to patrol the border.
The Emperor's border patrols were naturally different from garrisons; they simply involved patrols of the capital's garrisons, expressing the Emperor's concern. These patrols primarily concerned the twenty-six guard posts in the East and West Camps. Even if the Emperor couldn't go, the Crown Prince should have been in charge. Since ancient times, the military has been paramount to the stability of power.
The Emperor's decision undoubtedly became the fuse that officially broke off relations with the Crown Prince and Prince Rui. Over the next month, the Crown Prince demonstrated this tit-for-tat attitude to the fullest.
In the court, he opposed everything Song Chengze proposed. He fully supported anything Song Chengze disagreed with. The Crown Prince's behavior had the ministers sense something was wrong. Some wavering individuals began to take sides, while others, already prepared to do so, quickly withdrew.
Meng Qi has always been confused as to why Song Chengze didn't take action. He had said long ago that he would use the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet to anger the prince. She also thought that Song Chengze would start the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet soon, but two months have passed and it is almost the end of the year, but there is still no movement.
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