However, the first thing the Fourth Prince did after recovering was to go to the palace first, instead of going to the backyard.
The Fourth Prince had just entered the palace when his wife followed him in at noon. It was said that she had presented a plaque to Consort De to pay her respects.
Although Li Chenjiao was a secondary consort, she could not frequently enter and leave the palace, as she was appointed through a request rather than formally granted the title, thus her status was ultimately lower.
Aside from going to the palace with the Fujin and others during festivals, Li Chenjiao rarely went to the palace on ordinary days.
However, it would be fine if he didn't go to the palace, but he couldn't avoid all the social engagements in the capital. The incident involving the Fourth Prince served as a lesson for him.
However, she heard that the Crown Prince had also injured his body. But now the Fourth Prince has been recuperating for over a month and is almost fully recovered. How come she heard that the Crown Prince in the palace still needs to be carefully cared for for a while?
However, given the Crown Prince's privileged status and the Emperor's doting affection, it's not surprising that he would need to recuperate for a while longer.
The matter of the Crown Prince and Fourth Prince being injured by their horses seemed to remain unsolved in the end.
Li Chenjiao heard from Xiao Luzi that it seemed only the stewards of the martial arts arena and the stewards of the stables in Yuqing Palace had been punished for their negligence.
The head of the training ground was beaten to death.
The stable manager in Yuqing Palace was spared death thanks to the Crown Prince's intercession, but it is said that he was still given twenty lashes and sent out of the palace.
In the end, it really became an unsolved case.
The Fourth Prince was also pondering this matter on his way to Yuqing Palace.
He first went to the Qianqing Palace to express his gratitude to his father, but his father was in the Southern Study discussing matters with important officials such as the Grand Secretary, and was not available for the time being.
The Fourth Prince bowed and thanked Liang Jiugong for his message. He originally intended to go to Yonghe Palace to pay his respects to his mother, but he was puzzled and decided to go directly to Yuqing Palace instead.
However, when the Fourth Prince arrived at Yuqing Palace, he did not get to see the Crown Prince as he had hoped, but was instead turned away.
Yin Bing looked apologetic: "Replying to Fourth Master, the Crown Prince has just taken his medicine and gone to sleep. He'll probably be asleep for a while—"
Fourth Master understood what Yinbing meant, but he glanced at the sky and didn't reveal it. He even skipped the task of relaying the message and left with his hands behind his back.
Su Peisheng smiled at Yin Bing from behind, and Yin Bing smiled back, saying, "I'm really sorry."
After seeing the Fourth Prince off, Yinbing returned to Yuqing Palace, still puzzled: "Does Master not want to see the Fourth Prince?"
The young master leaned against a large, dark blue pillow embroidered with gyrfalcons behind him, his expression calm, though his face did look somewhat pale.
"Has everything that needed to be dealt with been dealt with?"
Seeing this, Yinbing wisely refrained from asking further questions: "It was taken care of long ago. That day, the servant casually threw the silver needle into the pond in the Imperial Garden. Luoshui has thick fur, and the needle hole is small. Moreover, it was on the horse's back, and Luoshui's fur was pressed down by the saddle. The imperial physician did not notice it when he examined it, and it is now even less visible."
The Crown Prince closed his eyes and said, "I'm tired."
Yin Bing moved her lips, glanced at the medicine that had long since gone cold by the bedside, and finally obeyed and took the medicine away.
The palace was empty. The Crown Prince slowly lay down, his eyes half-closed.
He looked very much like the late Empress Hesheli, with a naturally compassionate appearance. However, his lips were thin like his father's, which, though not jarring, seemed to remind him that he was not a compassionate person.
He knew that his father, the Emperor, would be testing the princes' studies in February, and he also knew the exact date.
He had prepared for this long ago.
He didn't want to fight for so much; this method was clumsy, and he wasn't surprised that the fourth brother would notice.
He originally just wanted to curry favor with the fourth brother, but only later did he realize that he had been too hasty.
They waited patiently for so long in their past life, but now they can't wait even a moment longer.
I'm actually hoping that the fourth brother can take that position and replace him.
The fourth prince was a good emperor, better than his father.
The Crown Prince closed his eyes, but his expression still couldn't hide his solemnity.
Right now, he's afraid that because of his schemes, everything might change.
After all, in his previous life, at this time, the favored concubine Li in the fourth prince's harem had already given birth to a prince, and the marriages of the ninth and tenth princes had also changed—
In the struggle for power and profit, even the slightest misstep can lead to utter ruin.
The Crown Prince dared not gamble anymore, and for the time being, he dared not make any other moves.
What else happened this year?
April is almost here, and Father Emperor is going on another southern tour.
Meanwhile, in the Qianqing Palace, it was already noon by the time the important officials of the Southern Study left.
Liang Jiugong pressed the Emperor's wrist and then recounted the Fourth Prince's visit, including his departure from the Qianqing Palace to the Yuqing Palace.
Upon hearing this, His Majesty first asked, "How is the Crown Prince's health progressing?"
Liang Jiugong answered in a measured tone: "The imperial physician just reported yesterday that the physical injuries have healed, but the Crown Prince was frightened that day and still needs to recuperate properly for a while."
The Emperor remained silent for a long time after hearing this answer: "Baocheng's temperament is just like her mother's."
His Majesty's words were affectionate, but this affection was reserved only for the Crown Prince.
Liang Jiugong didn't reply, waiting for the Emperor to glance at him before he lowered his head and obediently flipped through the memorials for the Emperor.
As he flipped through the pages, he said, "The Imperial Concubine has already sent over the list of candidates for this year's grand selection of beauties. Would Your Majesty like to take a look?"
After Empress Tongjia passed away, there was no empress in the harem. Only Empress Tongjia's half-sister, Xiao Tongjia, was conferred the title of Consort.
When Liang Jiugong brought up this matter, it was not to arrange for the emperor to have a full harem, but rather to find spouses for members of the imperial family.
His Majesty glanced at Liang Jiugong again.
Liang Jiugong quickly put away the memorial and presented the booklet.
"The Ninth Prince's wedding is approaching. A few days ago, Consort Yi mentioned two women to the Ninth Prince's concubines." This means two princesses.
"Baoqing—pick two with delicate features."
His Majesty flipped through a few pages and arranged two more marriages for members of the imperial clan.
"Whom did Consort De choose for the fourth prince's harem?"
"Liu, daughter of Liu Man, commander of the Bordered White Banner."
It's not a particularly outstanding identity.
The Emperor suddenly looked up, his tone ambiguous: "Consort De—"
Liang Jiugong remained silent, waiting for the Emperor to continue.
The Emperor remained silent, slowly turning each page of the booklet.
"Her it is." The Emperor nodded.
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