Chapter 19, Chapter 17: Safe Journey
Seventeen looked at Mingyue intently for a long time, then nodded and slowly said, "Okay, we'll spend the New Year with her."
Mingyue was suddenly stunned by his gaze, yet she didn't know why she felt a pang of sadness rising in her heart.
Just as the two were speechless, Grandma Yi came out carrying a plate of food. Mingyue turned her head away awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with Seventeen.
"Grandma Yi, let me help you."
Seventeen blinked and followed behind to help serve the dishes.
Even though there were only three people, Grandma Yi prepared a table full of food. Although it couldn't compare to the delicacies in the palace, Seventeen felt it was the best New Year's Eve dinner she had ever had.
Grandma Yi has a small appetite; she was full after a few bites. Holding a hot water bottle in her arms, she watched Seventeen and Mingyue eat with a smile.
"This old woman doesn't have anything of value at home, please don't mind, young masters."
"Hachi!"
Seventeen ate without even looking up, praising the food in a muffled voice.
Grandma Yi smiled at the two of them, her face full of love: "If the young masters want to eat some home-cooked dishes in the future, they can just come to this old woman."
"Grandma Yi, please stop calling us 'Young Master' all the time. Just call us by our names."
Mingyue got up and poured a pot of water. She first poured a cup for Grandma Yi, then poured a cup for Seventeen and herself.
"Yes, Grandma Yi calls me Seventeen!"
"Seventeen?"
Grandma Yi's eyes showed a hint of confusion: "Which ten? Which seven?"
Seventeen scratched his head, realizing that his name didn't really sound like a name. Just then, Mingyue, who was standing nearby, explained calmly, "He's the seventeenth in the family, so we'll just call him that to make it easier to distinguish him."
"I see, that's quite a large and prosperous family."
Grandma Yi turned to look at Mingyue with a smile, and the other woman smiled and said, "Grandma Yi, just call me Mingyue."
"Good names, and they're all good kids."
The three of them finished their New Year's Eve dinner, which wasn't particularly lively but was very heartwarming. Seventeen years old, the youngest of the three, chatted with Grandma Yi, listening to her stories of the neighborhood from her younger days, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
As dusk approached, Mingyue put down her book and called out softly, "Seventeen, it's time for us to go back."
Seventeen reluctantly said goodbye to Grandma Yi, promising to come again often in the future, before leaving with Mingyue, turning back every few steps.
"You're so reluctant to part with it?"
Seventeen scratched his chin and laughed, "Grandma Yi's stories are all very interesting."
"She was a young lady from a wealthy family when she was young, but her family fell into decline. However, she and her husband always had a good relationship. After many hardships, they came to Yejing and settled down there."
"Sigh, what a perfect family, it's all Wei Lifeng's fault."
Seventeen looked regretful, then asked in confusion, "How does Brother Yue know so much about Grandma Yue's life?"
"Since I wanted to save her daughter, I naturally needed to understand the situation better."
Mingyue looked down at Seventeen, a dark glint flashing in her eyes as she thought of how the couple had a daughter late in life, only to end up in such a state.
He was determined to uncover all the treacherous elements hidden within the grand landscape.
......
Nothing major happened during the year, and even the matter of Consort Ling gradually came to an end. However, with Emperor Jing's secret instigation, the scandal that should have been kept secret had already spread throughout Yejing.
When a minister attended court after the New Year, he angrily demanded that Emperor Jing find out who was spreading rumors behind the scenes. Emperor Jing agreed perfunctorily to his face, but secretly put the matter far away.
Just kidding, I orchestrated this all by myself. Do you expect me to arrest myself?
Thus, the matter of spreading the scandal was dropped, but the rumor that the former crown prince was not the late emperor's biological son spread further and further, and the one in the capital who tacitly accepted the situation seemed to be confirming it.
No matter how widely the rumors spread, people only talked about it in private; who would dare to say it to someone's face? Did they think they had enough brains?
However, along with the rumors came the "truth" about Emperor Jing's ascension to the throne.
I don't know where the news came from, but it is said that before the late emperor died, he discovered that the former crown prince was not his biological son and wanted to make the second prince, who is now the Jing Emperor, the crown prince. However, the former crown prince's faction secretly plotted against him, causing the late emperor to pass away prematurely.
But the old faction never expected that this second prince, who was usually quiet, would be so decisive and efficient in his work. In a short period of time, he took over the vast Dajing and spent several years securing his throne.
Since Emperor Jing ascended the throne, the changes in the Great Jing Dynasty have been significant, and the people have felt them most directly.
Whether it concerns daily life, work, or anything else, it's a series of policies that benefit everyone.
They weren't fools; of course they had to praise such a good emperor.
The people in the palace ignored the rumors and gossip from the outside world, but Seventeen was recently quite worried.
Because His Majesty had already announced in front of all the ministers at the morning court session that he would select two guards to be given to the Prince of Huainan, the Prince of Huainan's expression changed on the spot, and he even said a few words to Emperor Jing.
Seeing the increasingly heated atmosphere between the two brothers, Minister of War Han Junping took the initiative to step forward.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. The prince is straightforward by nature and did not mean it."
After saying this, he cupped his hands to Emperor Jing, then turned to the Prince of Huainan and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, I believe that His Majesty's relationship with you and your brothers is not based on suspicion, but rather on consideration for the long journey and out of compassion for your brother!"
Emperor Jing looked at the Minister of War with an inscrutable expression, and snorted coldly: "Minister Han understands my worries, but as for you, have you made any progress over the years!"
Seeing that the Prince of Huainan was about to start arguing again, the other ministers also spoke up to persuade them. With everyone offering their opinions, the two brothers of noble status finally calmed down.
After the court session, the Prince of Huainan was fanning himself and preparing to get into his carriage when he was suddenly called out, "Your Highness!"
He turned around and saw Han Junping, who had just helped him resolve his argument with his elder brother.
"Lord Han."
"Your subject greets Your Highness."
Long Zhaoming, fanning himself, squinted and asked, "What is it?"
Han Junping looked up at him and, using his sleeve as a cover, handed an object to the other man.
"snort."
Long Zhaoming flicked his sleeves, turned around and got into the carriage, completely ignoring Han Junping.
Han Junping was not annoyed by being treated this way. He simply put away the item in his hand and watched the carriage of the Prince of Huainan leave with a smile.
"Just a greenhorn..."
Seventeen stuffed all his clothes into his bundle, and only after he was almost done packing did he return to Emperor Jing's side to take his duty.
"Seventeen, will you blame me for sending you to Jiangnan?"
Emperor Jing was painting when the Seventeenth Prince entered. With the last drop of ink, he completed a traditional Chinese ink painting.
"Your Majesty is terrified. Everything Your Majesty has said and done is for the sake of the Great Jing. I can only understand Your Majesty's will, do my best, and have no resentment whatsoever!"
Seventeen bowed his head and knelt on one knee to pay his respects. Even if he was unwilling, he could not show it on the surface.
Emperor Jing sighed softly: "Why are you being so distant with me? Don't worry, I have already instructed the Prince of Huainan on my trip to Jiangnan that I will not let the Seventeenth Prince fall into danger."
"Seventeen thanks Your Majesty for your consideration, but Seventeen is a secret guard, and protecting Your Majesty and the Prince is simply my duty."
Seventeen looked up at Emperor Jing. He didn't know why Emperor Jing had sent him to the side of the Prince of Huainan, but he trusted His Majesty.
Your Majesty's words and actions are all well-considered. It is only by following the Prince of Huainan that Your Majesty can better arrange other matters.
I absolutely cannot cause His Majesty any trouble.
Emperor Jing looked down at the Seventeenth Prince for a long while, and seeing that the other man was a little scared, he chuckled and said, "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After standing up, Seventeen stood beside Emperor Jing. During this time, he had gotten used to standing beside the other party, acting as his shadow.
Standing to the side, Seventeen's gaze involuntarily fell on the painting.
His Majesty painted... the plum tree outside his residence.
Seventeen was speechless. The plum tree wasn't particularly beautiful, standing alone in the courtyard, but its blossoms were vibrant and passionate.
"Seventeenth, I will give you this painting, is that alright?"
Emperor Jing looked at Seventeen with his hands behind his back and smiled, the smile on his lips was very obvious. Seventeen suddenly looked up, but met the other's dark eyes.
Although both have black eyes, His Majesty's and the Prince of Huainan's are different.
Although His Majesty's eyes were slightly upturned at the corners, they made him appear even more majestic and solemn, while the Prince of Huainan's eyes seemed to hold countless emotions.
At that moment, the other person was looking at him like that, and he could see his own shadowy reflection in their dark eyes. In an instant, Seventeen's throat tightened.
"Why are you so stupid?"
A hint of a smile crept into his imposing eyes, as if his entire being revolved around the person before him.
Seventeen came to his senses and, in a hoarse voice, bowed his head to express his gratitude: "Your Majesty's kindness is truly terrifying to me."
"I've already told you there's no need to be so distant with me. Take this painting back and hang it up."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Seventeen watched as Emperor Jing rolled up the scroll and handed it to her, saying, "Take it."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Seventeen held the painting in her arms, her eyes looking at Emperor Jing, which seemed to contain a myriad of emotions, which finally turned into firmness.
"Alright, let's send the scroll back first, stop standing there like an idiot."
Emperor Jing rolled up the book in his hand and gently tapped the Seventeenth Prince on the head, bringing his lost soul back to reality.
Seventeen didn't even know how he got back to his residence. He unrolled the scroll, and at that moment, the contents of the scroll merged with the scene he saw.
Your Majesty... is truly a very kind person.
Seventeen silently recited the words in his heart, and after much deliberation, he carefully placed the scroll in his bag, preparing to take it with him to Jiangnan.
Five days later, the Prince of Huainan officially set off. Seventeen stood silently beside the carriage, watching Emperor Jing come to see him off.
To outsiders, this appeared to be Emperor Jing's concern for his younger brother, but only the Seventeenth Prince knew that the two brothers were about to quarrel again.
"Couldn't you have waited until spring to leave!"
This is the King of Huainan gritting his teeth.
"Get out, get back to your Jiangnan as soon as possible, and don't forget what I entrusted to you."
This is Emperor Jing, whose face is somewhat gloomy.
"Why are you in such a hurry! We finally managed to fish him out!"
"If you don't go back soon, they'll think you're up to no good!"
"Impossible! They still treat me like a carefree prince!"
Emperor Jing had been holding back for a long time, but he could no longer bear it. He kicked the Prince of Huainan, shooing him into the carriage, and then whispered to the Seventeenth Prince, who was sitting in front driving the horse, "Seventeenth Prince, have a safe journey."
"Why didn't my royal brother wish me a safe journey!"
Emperor Jing simply pulled back the curtain, covering the jealous face of the Prince of Huainan.
Seventeen laughed out loud, looking at Emperor Jing and nodding solemnly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, your subordinate will definitely protect Your Highness well."
"...That's not what I meant."
Emperor Jing choked for a moment, then waved his hand. The horse's hooves kicked up dust, and the carriage gradually moved away. The entourage followed in an orderly fashion. Yuanfu, the eunuch standing beside Emperor Jing, stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, shall we return to the palace?"
"Okay, pack your things, I'll be leaving soon."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A note from the author:
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