Liang Jiugong first watched as the Crown Prince was helped out, and then a young eunuch came to him and whispered a few words.
Liang Jiugong shook his head as if regretful: "Serve the tea carefully and don't neglect it."
Upon hearing this, the little eunuch's disdain slightly diminished. He bowed in agreement and withdrew.
Liang Jiugong turned and went into the inner hall, muttering in a very low voice, "Isn't this courting death?"
He returned to the inner palace, just as the Emperor was about to lose his temper. The memorials on the table were swept to the ground, but fortunately only a few were missing.
Liang Jiugong stepped forward, squatted down, and picked them up one by one, saying to himself, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has already returned to Yuqing Palace."
His Majesty seemed unconcerned about this: "How is Prince Yu's health? What did the imperial physician say?"
Liang Jiugong stacked the collected memorials one by one on the table, and at the same time replied, "The imperial physician came to report at noon. Prince Yu's health remains the same... all ailments from his early years of warfare have just flared up this year. According to the imperial physician, I'm afraid it's..."
His Majesty did not seem to be in a good mood upon hearing this.
Why are you stammering?
Liang Jiugong apologized, saying, "The imperial physician means that I'm afraid my days are numbered... Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
The Emperor was naturally furious upon hearing this: "What do you mean by 'not much time left'? Do you think the Imperial Medical Academy staff are just there to eat for free? What use are they if they can't even cure any diseases? Tell them to protect Prince Yu no matter what!"
The ailing Prince Yu touched a chord in His Majesty's heart that he had always been unwilling to touch. His Majesty and Prince Yu, Fuquan, were only half a year apart, so in a sense they were brothers of the same age. Fuquan was also only over fifty years old.
However, the imperial physician has now informed His Majesty that Prince Yu, Fuquan, is nearing the end of his life, which seems like a hint to His Majesty.
In terms of relationships, His Majesty had to address Prince Yu, Fuquan, as his second brother. Although he had two older brothers and four or five younger brothers, his eldest brother did not even live past six months, and most of his younger brothers also died young.
Now, he only has one older brother, Prince Yu Fuquan, and one younger brother, Prince Gong Changning, who are still alive.
However, His Majesty was always closer to Prince Yu, Fuquan. No matter what tributes were offered throughout the year, he would always think of Fuquan. Sometimes, when he had free time, he would invite Fuquan to the palace to play chess with him...
His Majesty remained silent for a long time. It was unclear whether he was thinking about his past with Prince Yu or something else during this silence, but his expression was anything but pleasant.
Liang Jiugong simply waited in silence.
"Why are you still kneeling? I'm worried about my second brother. Go out of the palace to visit him on my behalf." The Emperor's voice calmed down, as if his previous rage was just Liang Jiugong's illusion.
Liang Jiugong uttered a sound, but did not stand up. Instead, he said, "Your Majesty, Suo'etu's son, Gerfen, is waiting outside the hall. He says he has something to report to Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, His Majesty immediately let out another cold laugh: "What is he doing here now? To plead for that scoundrel Crown Prince? What, his father has only been living in the Imperial Clan Court for half a year, and he, as the son, wants to try his luck there too?"
Anyone could tell that His Majesty was angry, and Liang Jiugong knelt down again with a thud: "Your Majesty, please calm down."
The Emperor is becoming increasingly capricious these days.
They seemed increasingly wary of... the Crown Prince.
His Majesty flicked his sleeves, clearly not wanting to see Gerfin: "Tell him to go back and reflect on his actions behind closed doors. I don't think he wants that job."
Upon hearing this, Liang Jiugong understood. It was indeed inappropriate for Lord Gerfin to come at this time. That's why the Crown Prince was accused first. Lord Gerfin was well-informed. His Majesty had only just received the news when he rushed into the palace to plead for the Crown Prince.
The Hesheli clan originally relied solely on Prime Minister Suo, a veteran of several dynasties. Now that Prime Minister Suo is recuperating at home, neither of his two sons has inherited his true skills. They hold only idle positions and rarely come to the emperor to report on their official duties.
Today, for the first time ever, he came to the palace saying he had something to report to His Majesty. Who couldn't tell that he was there to plead for the Crown Prince?
But coming at this moment is really not very smart.
His Majesty just reprimanded the Crown Prince and is still in a bad mood. For Lord Gerfin to come to the palace at this time to plead for the Crown Prince is just asking for trouble.
When Liang Jiugong went out and persuaded the person to leave, he couldn't help but shake his head.
Indeed, sometimes success or failure is inseparable from the people around us. If things continue like this, I'm afraid a change in the world is only a matter of time.
However, His Majesty has been preoccupied with Prince Yu's health lately, and now there's been this incident of the Crown Prince cursing Prince Yu. Prince Yu and His Majesty are like brothers, and if someone else were to fan the flames...
As Liang Jiugong walked out of the palace toward the residence of Prince Yu, Fuquan, he was lost in thought.
The Emperor's current mercy towards the Crown Prince is probably entirely due to the late Empress Hesheli and the few remaining father-son bonds between the two. It remains to be seen how many more storms the Crown Prince can withstand.
No amount of nostalgia can outweigh countless suspicions, especially... the suspicions of an emperor.
...
The entire Forbidden City was shrouded in gloom because Prince Yu, Fuquan, had fallen ill. No one dared to make any big fuss, so the Second Princess's birthday passed quietly in the summer rain.
Prince Yu was ill, and no matter what, the Fourth Prince still had to visit him at his residence. In fact, he didn't usually associate with Prince Yu much.
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