twelve
The next day, outside the Imperial Study, Chai Wenyi gently rubbed his slightly sore legs, his eyes darting around listlessly. His previously upturned lips now curved into a wide, opposite arc. Thinking back to half an hour earlier, when he was sound asleep in the Wan Hua Lou, he was hastily pulled up by his servants, given a quick wash, and then shoved into a carriage, speeding all the way here, and Chai Wenyi felt inexplicably annoyed. Just then, Xu Yao hurriedly approached him: "Your Highness, the Emperor has summoned you."
Hearing Xu Yao's words, Chai Wenyi slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a handsome smile: "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Xu." After speaking, he followed Xu Yao towards the Imperial Study. They ran into the Eighth Prince, who had just come out of the Imperial Study: "Wenyi greets the Eighth Prince."
The Eighth Prince nodded slightly and said gently, "You've also come to pay your respects to the Emperor?"
Chai Wenyi chuckled and said, "It was the Emperor who summoned me to the palace."
"Well, it's been a long time since we last met. Come visit my residence sometime. The Princess Consort was talking about you the other day."
"Wenyi understands." Chai Wenyi gave a slight bow, a nonchalant smile on his face throughout. Only after the Eighth Prince left did Xu Yao lead Chai Wenyi to the Imperial Study.
The moment Chai Wenyi entered the imperial study, he glanced at Zhao Zhen, who was bowing his head and reviewing memorials on the throne. The sunlight streaming through the window slanted across Zhao Zhen, as if gilding him with a golden glow. This inexplicably stirred within him an urge to worship. Slightly adjusting his composure, Chai Wenyi stepped forward and respectfully knelt before Zhao Zhen: "Your subject Chai Wenyi pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
After a long while, a deep, magnetic voice finally rang out from above: "Rise."
Zhao Zhen raised his head and looked at the young man standing before him. Tall and imposing, with long, ink-black hair loosely tied back, his handsome face was like jade, with slightly androgynous features. His eyes were like two deep, unfathomable pools, and a slightly upturned, untamed smile played on his lips. This smile, though a little mischievous, was undeniably perfect; he was a man who could charm countless women. Thinking that this was the same man who had so desperately wanted to dethrone him, Zhao Zhen felt a faint sense of anticipation, wondering what surprises his childhood playmate would bring.
After a long silence, Zhao Zhen, pulling himself back to reality, smelled the strong smell of alcohol on Chai Wenyi's body, frowned slightly, and asked with some displeasure, "How much did you drink?"
"Your Majesty, I don't remember," Chai Wenyi said with a hint of teasing. "I just got up half an hour ago."
Looking at Chai Wenyi's deliberately frivolous demeanor, Zhao Zhen knew that they hadn't reached the point where they would face each other, so he said without showing any emotion, "You went to that brothel again? You're not young anymore, it's time to get down to business."
"Your Majesty's reprimand is correct, I have taken it to heart," Chai Wenyi replied dismissively, his eyes constantly glancing at the palace maid serving Zhao Zhen tea.
"Ahem." Zhao Zhen glanced at Chai Wenyi, who hurriedly lowered his head, and only spoke after the palace maid had left: "What? You won't even spare the women around me?"
"Hehe, I'm afraid His Majesty won't be willing to part with it." Chai Wenyi touched his nose with his finger and chuckled awkwardly.
"If I were to truly give her to you, I fear you would be unable to eat or sleep in peace." As he spoke these probing words, Zhao Zhen's face remained unreadable, his eyes fixed on Chai Wenyi.
Understanding the meaning behind Zhao Zhen's words, Chai Wenyi pretended not to know and chuckled, "Yes, I am not worthy of such a thing. The women in brothels are more to my liking."
Zhao Zhen withdrew his gaze, stood up, and slowly walked to Chai Wenyi's side: "If I remember correctly, you are twenty-three this year, aren't you?"
"Yes, it's kind of Your Majesty to remember." Chai Wenyi smiled nonchalantly.
“It’s time to properly arrange a marriage. We can’t let the Chai family line end in your hands.” Zhao Zhen said this while looking at the door. His long eyelashes cast two shadows under his dark eyes, making it impossible to see the expression in his eyes.
Upon hearing Zhao Zhen's words, a glint flashed in Chai Wenyi's lowered eyes, so fast it was hard to catch, before his face returned to its usual nonchalant smile: "It's just a pity that the woman I've taken a liking to doesn't reciprocate my feelings."
"Oh? Which family's daughter have you taken a fancy to?" Zhao Zhen tilted his head slightly, looking at Chai Wenyi.
"I have taken a liking to Xuanyuan Tianyi." As Chai Wenyi said this, his eyes looked back at Zhao Zhen, and the smile on his lips slowly deepened.
Seeing Chai Wenyi's somewhat provocative expression, Zhao Zhen smiled slightly: "Hmm, you have good taste. If you can get Tianyi to agree, I will grant you a marriage."
Chai Wenyi, who had been smiling, drooped his lips and made an exaggerated face after hearing Zhao Zhen's words, saying, "Why does Your Majesty have to make me laugh? Tianyi is not a woman I can catch up with. Rather than wasting time on her, I would rather find an ordinary woman."
"If you could really settle down and find an ordinary woman, that would be fine. But spending your days in brothels is disgraceful. Don't forget that you are a prince of the Great Song Dynasty." Zhao Zhen withdrew his gaze from Chai Wenyi and said in a deep voice.
Chai Wenyi touched his nose again, and said with some grievance, "Your Majesty, I am a prince because of my ancestors' honor. I did not earn this title myself. Please do not be too harsh on me."
"I know your true abilities perfectly well. Don't try to fool me with the tricks you use to deceive court officials. Set your mind on something serious." Zhao Zhen's words carried a warning that startled Chai Wenyi. He had assumed Zhao Zhen wouldn't easily notice his actions, but the underlying message of Zhao Zhen's words was so cautionary that Chai Wenyi had to be careful.
"Your Majesty flatters me. I am only good at writing little songs for those courtesans."
"Alright, stop joking around with me. Go see the Empress Dowager." Zhao Zhen said, patting Chai Wenyi on the shoulder.
After bowing respectfully, Chai Wenyi left the imperial study. Just as the two doors were about to close, Chai Wenyi couldn't help but look up and saw the complex look in Zhao Zhen's eyes.
After paying his respects to the Empress Dowager, Chai Wenyi walked straight towards the palace gate. He boarded the waiting carriage and leaned back lazily, recalling the look Zhao Zhen had given him earlier, feeling inexplicably nervous.
"Your Highness, are we returning to the manor?" Chai Shen's voice from outside the carriage interrupted Chai Wenyi's thoughts.
After thinking for a moment, Chai Wenyi said, "Let's go to the other courtyard."
The carriage zigzaggled through the streets of Kaifeng, turning left and right. After confirming that no one was following them, they turned into a narrow alley. After traveling for about half an incense stick's time, the carriage stopped in front of a large black gate. Chai Wenyi alighted from the carriage, looked around, and then gestured for Chai Shen to knock.
After a short while, the door opened, and a woman who looked to be around 40 years old opened it. When she saw Chai Wenyi behind Chai Shen, she quickly stepped aside. After Chai Wenyi entered, the woman peeked outside and then quickly closed the door.
"How has Madam been lately?" Chai Wenyi asked the woman following behind him as he walked toward the main house.
"Madam is well, but the young prince has been sleeping poorly lately," the woman said respectfully.
Upon hearing the woman's words, Chai Wenyi frowned slightly: "Have you consulted a doctor?"
"I've seen him. The doctor said that the young prince was born with a weak constitution, and his wife was also frightened during childbirth, which is why he has this chronic illness." As she spoke, the woman kept glancing at Chai Wenyi's expression.
As they spoke, the group arrived at the main house. Chai Wenyi pushed open the door and went inside first, saying, "Ziyun."
The woman who had been comforting the baby inside looked up and saw Chai Wenyi, a big smile spreading across her delicate face: "Your Highness."
He hurried a few steps and sat down on the edge of the bed, asking softly, "Is Jin'er asleep?"
"Hmm, she's been up all night and just fell asleep." Ziyun tucked Jin'er in and pulled Chai Wenyi to sit down at the table.
Looking at Ziyun's exhausted face, Chai Wenyi said with some heartache, "Ziyun, I'm sorry to have wronged you."
Ziyun poured Chai Wenyi a glass of water and said gently, "Your Highness is too kind. It is my good fortune to have Your Highness's favor."
With a tender look, Chai Wenyi pulled Ziyun closer, wrapped his arms around her waist, and buried his face in her stomach. After a long while, he finally raised his head and met Ziyun's affectionate eyes: "Ziyun, we should have hired a wet nurse for Jin'er, then you wouldn't have to work so hard..."
Before Chai Wenyi could finish speaking, Ziyun gently covered his mouth: "Your Highness, Ziyun understands. The fewer people who know about our existence, the better. Although Ziyun doesn't know what Your Highness is going to do, Ziyun will never become a burden to Your Highness."
Pulling down Ziyun's hand, Chai Wenyi said softly, "Ziyun, I swear, I will give you and Jin'er the best of everything in this world in the future. I will use everything I have to make it up to you two."
Ziyun gently stroked Chai Wenyi's face: "With Your Highness's words, I would die content."
Hurriedly covering Ziyun's mouth, Chai Wenyi said somewhat angrily, "Don't talk about death. You must live well and raise Jin'er to adulthood."
"Mm." Ziyun nodded with a smile. Although she sensed that Chai Wenyi was in a bad mood, she was understanding and did not press him for details.
"Get ready, I'll have someone send you back to Fangzhou tomorrow morning," Chai Wenyi said after thinking for a moment.
"Back to Fangzhou?" Ziyun looked at Chai Wenyi with some confusion. "Ziyun has never been to Fangzhou before. If the prince sends us there, what will we do since we don't know anyone here?" As she said this, tears welled up in Ziyun's eyes.
Gently pulling Ziyun onto his lap, Chai Wenyi embraced her and whispered, "Fangzhou is our own place, and the conditions are much better than here. Besides, I won't have any worries if you go back to Fangzhou. Don't worry, I will have someone take care of everything. You can stay at the Prince's Mansion when you go there."
Ziyun understood that staying in the capital would distract Chai Wenyi, so she nodded obediently: "Your Highness, Ziyun will wait for you in Fangzhou."
Gently moving Ziyun's shoulder to face him, Chai Wenyi promised, "Don't worry, once things are settled here, I will return to Fangzhou as soon as possible. Promise me you will take good care of Jin'er."
Ziyun forced a smile, nodded gently, and buried her face in Chai Wenyi's shoulder.
Returning to his residence from the villa, Chai Wenyi remained in a bad mood. After sitting down in his study, he called out, "Chai Shen."
"Your Highness." Chai Shen stood quietly in front of Chai Wenyi, awaiting his instructions.
"You will personally escort Madam and the young prince back to Fangzhou tomorrow. I will have someone meet you on the way. Remember, no matter what happens, you must get them safely to their destination." Chai Wenyi said this with an unyielding and firm tone.
"Yes, Your Highness, rest assured, I will risk my life to ensure the safety of the Madam and the young prince." After saying this, Chai Shen knelt down and kowtowed heavily to Chai Wenyi.
"Get up, and call Lu Zhen here." Chai Wenyi waved his hand, signaling Chai Shen to stand up.
A moment after Chai Shen left, Lu Zhen came in: "Your Highness, you summoned me."
"Hmm, any news from the southern border?" Chai Wenyi slumped back in his chair, his voice tinged with weariness.
“Everything is under control, but…” Lu Zhen looked at Chai Wenyi with some hesitation.
"Speak." Chai Wenyi looked at Lu Zhen with some impatience.
Lu Zhen quickly lowered his head: "The head of the Xuanyuan family went to Ailao Mountain to see the princess. Moreover, when he came down the mountain, he went to the back cliff. Chai Jun accidentally knocked Zhan Zhao off the cliff, and the head of the Xuanyuan family also jumped down. His current life or death is unknown."
As Lu Zhen finished speaking, Chai Wenyi's face was filled with gloom. His hands were clenched into fists, and after a long while, he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth: "Tianyi, in what way am I inferior to Zhao Zhen? Why do you never even look at me properly? And now you're going to be my enemy for Zhao Zhen's sake. Is Zhan Zhao more important to you than me?" He slammed his fist heavily on the table, and with a crisp cracking sound, the corner of the table fell heavily to the ground.
Lu Zhen knew what was troubling Chai Wenyi, so he lowered his head and stared at the tips of his shoes. After a long while, he heard Chai Wenyi speak again: "Give the order: find Tianyi at all costs. He must be alive or dead."
"Yes," Lu Zhen answered carefully, holding his breath.
"Tell Fangzhou to be ready to act at any time," Chai Wenyi said quietly, glancing at the bloodstains on his palm from where his fingernails had scratched.
"Yes." Lu Zhen saw Chai Wenyi wave at him and then quietly slipped out.
The moment the door closed, Lu Zhen clearly saw a single tear fall from the corner of Chai Wenyi's eye.
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