Chapter 43: Secretly Delighted (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)
A meaningful glint flashed in the Crown Prince's eyes. He didn't quite believe Fu Mingzi's words, but he still put on a knowing look: "I see. She truly has the heart of a loving mother."
Fu Mingzi smiled apologetically.
Seeing his expression, the Crown Prince knew he wouldn't get any answers, so he said no more. He offered a few more perfunctory words of concern before leaving, satisfied.
Zhou Xiaoyan and Fu Mingzi respectfully saw the Crown Prince off, and only breathed a sigh of relief when they could no longer see his figure.
"His Highness the Crown Prince is really not easy to deal with," Fu Mingzi remarked.
"The Crown Prince has been able to sit firmly on the throne for so many years, which is certainly not something that can be achieved casually," Zhou Xiaoyan said calmly.
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "But he's only slightly better than the Second Prince. Your Highness doesn't need to belittle yourself."
After saying this, Fu Mingzi pondered for a moment: "I always feel that His Majesty's attitude is somewhat ambiguous, and he doesn't seem to be very satisfied with the Crown Prince."
He was just testing the waters, since it was just his personal feeling and he had no evidence.
Zhou Xiaoyan glanced at Fu Mingzi, but didn't say anything. After a long while, he simply said, "Let's go back first, it's getting late."
Fu Mingzi observed Zhou Xiaoyan's expression and, seeing that he had no intention of doing business, breathed a sigh of relief. However, he still felt that there was something wrong with the way Zhou Xiaoyan had looked at him just now.
They returned to Zhou Xiaoyan's courtyard, and soon the food that the Crown Prince had promised to send arrived. Fu Mingzi glanced at it and saw two bowls of chicken noodle soup and a few side dishes, which looked very appetizing.
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "The Crown Prince is quite thoughtful."
I definitely wouldn't be able to eat anything greasy at night, so a bowl of chicken noodle soup is just right for my stomach. They even brought a bowl for Fu Mingzi as well, which was really thoughtful.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has been able to hold this position for so many years; he is naturally extraordinary," Zhou Xiaoyan said in a light tone.
They weren't actually that hungry. Fu Mingzi ate about half a bowl and that was about it. He then got up to say goodbye to Zhou Xiaoyan.
Zhou Xiaoyan was still eating and seemed unresponsive to his request to leave, only giving a faint "hmm".
For some reason, Fu Mingzi felt uneasy, but she didn't say anything else and turned to leave.
Zhou Xiaoyan finally raised his eyes after Fu Mingzi left.
His once indifferent eyes were now filled with a complex expression.
He was now at a loss as to how to get along with this person. At first, he just wanted to be nice to him, out of gratitude for his care in his previous life, and even to sacrifice his own life for him. But slowly, he realized that some things were different after all.
Suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, Zhou Xiaoyan looked at Wei Baocheng standing to the side: "Is Young Master Fu's courtyard all tidied up?"
Wei Baocheng was taken aback. His Highness had clearly asked this question before, but he was a man of some composure, so he pretended that he had never asked it before and said respectfully, "It's all arranged according to Young Master Fu's preferences. Your Highness can rest assured."
Zhou Xiaoyan nodded, put down the chicken noodle soup that he had barely touched, picked up a handkerchief and wiped his mouth: "Take it away, I'm full."
Wei Baocheng glanced at the bowl of noodles that hadn't changed, his mouth moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't. He waved his hand, signaling his servants to take it away.
"Does Your Highness wish to rest?" Wei Baocheng asked.
Zhou Xiaoyan frowned. He usually read for a while at this time, but thinking about tomorrow's affairs, he nodded and said, "Let's get settled."
**
The Crown Prince still lived in the eastern courtyard, which was the most spacious and best courtyard in the palace besides the Emperor's.
In fact, as the crown prince, he should have been overseeing the country in the capital during this spring hunt, but he knew his father's temperament all along, so he never had any hope of doing so.
Although he has spoken out now, which is not as good as the regent being able to touch the court, it doesn't make much difference to him. After all, these important ministers in the central government are all shrewd people, and even if he were the regent, his words wouldn't carry much weight.
"I never expected that Father would actually think of supporting my fifth brother to oppose me. If he knew that my fifth brother had already sided with me, wouldn't he regret it to the core?" The Crown Prince had a gentle smile on his face, but his tone was unusually cold.
Sitting opposite him was a trusted advisor of the Crown Prince, who smiled as well, but his tone was slightly gentler: "Even so, the Crown Prince still needs to keep a close eye on the Fifth Prince from time to time, lest the Fifth Prince also be blinded by this extravagance. The Fifth Prince should also show some resentment towards His Majesty from time to time, otherwise His Majesty may also become suspicious."
The Crown Prince nodded: "What you say is absolutely right, sir. That is exactly what I have been doing."
After saying that, the Crown Prince suddenly changed the subject: "How is things going with the Second Prince?"
The aide nodded: "We've been keeping an eye on things. Things have been peaceful these past few days, and there's been no more abuse or killing of servants. But given the Second Prince's temperament, I'm afraid he's still resentful."
"Hmph." The Crown Prince sneered: "No matter how unwilling he is, without Lu Ding, he is like a tiger with its teeth pulled out. Among the civil and military officials, who will help him snatch chestnuts from the fire?"
"Your Highness is brilliant," the advisor said, offering a timely compliment.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." The Crown Prince waved his hand. "After all, the Second Prince has been supported by Father for so many years, and a father-son bond might have developed. You should have someone keep a close eye on him. We can't let him make a comeback this time." His words trailed off with a hint of ruthlessness.
"Yes," the aide replied respectfully.
**
Early the next morning, the palace was lit up. Fu Mingzi was also woken up early by Xiao Yunzi. She was dressed in riding clothes while still half asleep. It wasn't until she had finished washing up that Fu Mingzi became much more awake.
He returned from Zhou Xiaoyan's place last night. Perhaps because it was the first time he had lived so close to Zhou Xiaoyan, he was so excited that he couldn't sleep for most of the night. His mind was racing with all sorts of thoughts. He finally managed to doze off around midnight. Now, he was woken up early in the morning, so he was naturally exhausted.
"Is Your Highness awake?" Fu Mingzi asked groggily.
"I got up early and was waiting for you to have breakfast," Xiao Yunzi replied cautiously.
He could tell that this prince was quite precious. The prince himself had gotten up and instructed him not to call Young Master Fu, but to let Young Master Fu sleep for another quarter of an hour. This was the first time he had spoken to the Fifth Prince, and now, thinking about it, it all felt unreal.
But at the same time, it made him realize that serving Young Master Fu was indeed a very promising job. Back then, many people were unwilling to do it, but now they all envied him.
"Oh." It was early in the morning, and Fu Mingzi's mind wasn't quite sharp, so she just gave a blank reply.
After Xiao Yunzi helped him tie his hair into a bun, he realized that he had made Zhou Xiaoyan wait for him again.
Back in the palace, it was fine to wait a while for a nap, but now he has to wait for breakfast too. He's really putting on airs.
Upon thinking this, Fu Mingzi felt a chill run down her spine and became completely sober.
"Then let's hurry up and not keep His Highness waiting." Fu Mingzi hurriedly got up.
Xiao Yunzi smiled and said softly, "Young Master, please don't rush. His Highness usually eats breakfast a little later, but if you are in such a hurry, and it's still not light outside, His Highness will be very worried if you twist your ankle."
Fu Mingzi's heart skipped a beat, and he stopped what he was doing. He touched his nose somewhat awkwardly and glanced at Xiao Yunzi casually, saying, "Why is Your Highness so worried about me, a grown man?" He then chuckled a few times, as if he were just saying it casually, but his eyes were fixed on Xiao Yunzi with great tension.
"Young Master is too kind," Xiao Yunzi said with a smile. "In all my years, I have never seen Your Highness treat anyone else with such care."
"Really?" Fu Mingzi felt a moment of ecstasy, but after the ecstasy came a trace of hesitation, and for a moment she became anxious and uncertain.
“Of course it’s true,” Xiao Yunzi said firmly.
Fu Mingzi's joy intensified, and she felt a little lightheaded as she walked out the door. She immediately felt that the air was much fresher, and even the first rays of dawn looked beautiful.
When they reached the front hall, they felt a little apprehensive, as if they were returning home. They cautiously walked in, glanced up at Zhou Xiaoyan, and saw him sitting on a heated couch by the window reading a book, with a lamp on the table.
The aroma of food wafted from the east room where people were eating, suggesting that the food had already been served.
"Your humble servant is late." Fu Mingzi was inwardly uneasy, but on the surface he seemed to be fine as he stepped forward and bowed to Zhou Xiaoyan.
Zhou Xiaoyan put down his hand. In fact, he hadn't turned the pages of his book for a long time since he heard Fu Mingzi's footsteps.
"Let's have a meal," he said calmly.
Fu Mingzi's heart stirred, and she couldn't help but steal a glance at Zhou Xiaoyan. His handsome profile, illuminated by the lamplight, was breathtakingly beautiful. His features were exquisite, and his skin was like jade. A beauty under the lamplight—the ancients were absolutely right. Fu Mingzi's heart pounded wildly.
They ate in the east wing. Since it was a temporary palace, the meal was not as lavish as in the palace, but it had a more rustic feel. Fu Mingzi ate with relish, while Zhou Xiaoyan, as usual, only ate a few bites and drank a bowl of porridge before stopping.
Fu Mingzi felt a pang of sympathy and couldn't help but advise, "Your Highness, please eat more. We're going on the spring hunt today, so you need to conserve your energy."
Upon hearing this, Wei Baocheng, who was standing to the side, felt a pang of anxiety and subconsciously looked at Zhou Xiaoyan.
Zhou Xiaoyan first frowned slightly, then actually picked up his chopsticks and took a few bites.
"You should eat more too," he said calmly to Fu Mingzi.
While Fu Mingzi beamed with joy at Zhou Xiaoyan's concern, Wei Baocheng was in turmoil.
Others might not know, but he knew perfectly well that Zhou Xiaoyan had never been fond of culinary delights, and he especially disliked being urged to eat. In the past, if someone tried to persuade him, he would not only ignore it, but if they angered him, he would even scold them. But now…
Looking at Zhou Xiaoyan, who was calmly eating the small steamed bun that Fu Mingzi had put on his plate, Wei Baocheng felt his worldview collapse once again, and at the same time, his regard for Fu Mingzi increased even further.
This young master Fu is truly no ordinary person... Wei Baocheng sighed inwardly.
After finishing their breakfast, they went to the hunting grounds together. This time they arrived earlier than the Crown Prince, but Fu Mingzi knew that the Crown Prince must have come with the Emperor.
To Fu Mingzi's surprise, the Grand Secretary Zhao Guodong took the initiative to speak with him.
"You must be the fifth young master of the Duke of Jingguo's mansion."
Although Zhao Guodong had the appearance of a kind elder, Fu Mingzi was terrified. He knew very well that his family had no relationship with Zhao Guodong. Moreover, based on the Duke of Jingguo's past cursing, there might be a great grudge between them.
"It is indeed this junior," Fu Mingzi replied timidly.
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