Upon entering Yuqing Palace, the Fourth Prince passed through the covered walkway and saw the Crown Prince.
His brows furrowed deeply, and he strode forward: "It's raining, why is the Crown Prince still standing outside? Why isn't anyone following him?"
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince was surprised for a moment, then turned to look at the Fourth Prince and smiled, "It's the Fourth Prince? Yuqing Palace hasn't had any guests for some time. Come in and have a seat."
The Fourth Prince looked at the Crown Prince, who was getting soaked in the rain, and moved his lips, but when he met the Crown Prince's indifferent gaze, he suddenly couldn't say a word.
Once inside, the Fourth Prince spoke twice before the Crown Prince went to change his clothes.
Fourth Master sat there, his hand unconsciously tapping the table, knowing what was going on.
The Crown Prince changed his clothes and came out. Seeing the Fourth Prince's serious expression, he smiled gently.
"I was unable to attend your wedding last time. How is everything at your residence now?" The Crown Prince slowly sat down and inquired.
Fourth Prince nodded: "Everything is fine, Your Highness, thank you for your trouble."
The young master blinked and then smiled: "Fourth brother, you're always like this, so rigid and inflexible."
Fourth Master lowered his head, unsure of what to say. The Crown Prince seemed different from before, more... open-minded and carefree.
"Why did you decide to come to Yuqing Palace today?" The Crown Prince's voice was very gentle.
The Fourth Prince pondered for a long time: "I wonder if the Crown Prince is aware of the matter in Huguang?"
The Crown Prince's smile faded, and his expression turned somewhat cold: "The news came early this morning, so I suppose everyone in the palace already knows."
Fourth Master was speechless: "Then...the Crown Prince..."
The Crown Prince smiled again: "Fourth Prince, sometimes, if you don't move forward, someone will push you forward, and you won't be able to help yourself."
Fourth Master was in a daze for a moment and didn't speak for a while.
The Crown Prince had been smiling all day, a very gentle smile: "Fourth Prince, you're good. When I have time, I'll come to your residence for a drink."
The Fourth Prince looked at the Crown Prince and, unusually, smiled: "Alright."
After leaving Yuqing Palace, the Fourth Prince turned his head and glanced at Yuqing Palace.
The Crown Prince is different now.
A person as pure and noble as a clear breeze and a bright moon, as elegant as a jade tree, is too pure.
It was beyond my control...
The Fourth Prince understood a bit. The position of Crown Prince was good, but the Emperor was in his prime. If the Crown Prince was too good, it wouldn't be good.
So now they are supporting Prince Zhi and protesting against the Crown Prince, but... what does Father Emperor really want? What does he really want?
Su Peisheng helped the Fourth Master up and whispered, "This servant thinks that as a father, I always think about my children."
Fourth Master nodded slightly, then paused for a moment.
Are fathers always thinking about their children?
Father Emperor, are you... using Prince Zhi to pave the way for the Crown Prince? But the Crown Prince is currently...
The Fourth Prince was in a great state of confusion, and in a daze, he arrived at Yonghe Palace.
Just then, Granny Zhao came out and saw that it was the Fourth Prince. She hurriedly came up to him and said, "Oh dear, it's raining so hard. Why did you come to the palace, Fourth Prince? What if you catch a cold?"
The Fourth Prince called out, "Is Mother inside?"
Granny Zhao nodded: "Yes, I was just saying I was going to send something to the Ministry of Revenue for you. Hurry, hurry, come in."
Consort De heard the commotion and came out. She asked a maid to hold up an umbrella for her as she was about to come out from under the eaves.
The Fourth Prince strode forward and bowed, saying, "I've disturbed Mother's peace."
Consort De scolded, "Why are you saying such things? Go inside quickly. Granny Zhao, bring the Fourth Prince's old clothes." As she spoke, she touched the Fourth Prince's shoulder, "His clothes are all wet. How did Su Peisheng serve him? Go and change his clothes quickly, or he will catch a cold."
Fourth Master came out after changing his clothes, feeling a little awkward because the clothes were a bit small.
Consort De smiled and said, "These are last year's clothes, they're a bit small now. Come and sit down, and drink this ginger soup."
Fourth Master drank the ginger soup as instructed.
"Why have you come to the palace at this hour?" Consort De knew what was going on, but she still asked.
The Fourth Prince thought for a moment and told the truth: "I suppose Mother already knows about the matter in Huguang. I just arrived at the Qianqing Palace, but I didn't go in. Instead, I went to see the Crown Prince."
Consort De sipped her tea, looking at her son's somewhat dazed expression, and sighed inwardly. "Fourth Prince, he's good in every way, but he has the same problem as the Crown Prince."
Although he hadn't experienced much of the world, he had heard a lot of dirty stories, but in some matters, he was not as experienced as Prince Zhi, who had been in the military camp.
It can't compare to the methods of Prince Zhi.
"Your mother knows you. I won't say anything else. The inner palace is not allowed to interfere in politics. You're all grown up now, and you should know these things. As for your imperial father, your mother only wants to say one thing: your imperial father knows everything. He has a high perspective and can see far ahead. Remember one thing: your imperial father is protective of his own."
Even without considering the previous court sessions, one can glean some insight into the Emperor's temperament just by looking at the Seventh and Eighth Princes. The Seventh Prince is in poor health, and although Consort Cheng has not had a good life these past few years, the Emperor's decision to place her under Consort De's care may well be an act of protection.
But the Emperor dotes on Lady Wei, the birth mother of the Eighth Prince. But is she living a good life? Is she of high rank? After all these years, isn't she just a concubine?
Those who are openly favored may not be truly cared for, and those whom the emperor wants to protect are untouchable by others.
The same goes for the marriages of the seventh and eighth princes. The eighth prince's marriage is very prestigious, isn't it? Everyone is watching closely. No one cares about the seventh prince's marriage, but he's living a good life. He's definitely going to become a prince. As for the eighth prince, well, he'll have to work hard for now.
Some things are better left unsaid. His Majesty isn't blind; he knows perfectly well what's going on.
Fourth Master suddenly realized: "My son is foolish."
Consort De smiled and said, "Is everything alright at the manor? You've been busy these days, but you still have to take care of things at home."
The Fourth Prince should have said, "The Princess Consort manages the household very well."
Consort De hummed in agreement and asked, "Where is the First Princess? I heard from the imperial physician that she's not doing well?"
The Fourth Prince nodded: "The eldest princess was born prematurely, so her health is a bit weak. The imperial physician said she will be better when she turns one year old."
Consort De nodded. Although she longed for a grandson, she would not neglect him just because he was a princess.
The mother and son talked for a while longer, and when the rain stopped a little, Fourth Master took his leave.
Upon returning to the manor, the Fourth Prince first wrote a memorial. The Ministry of Revenue should come up with a plan for the disaster relief funds, and naturally, the misappropriation of funds intended for the repair of the imperial palace should be reported to the Emperor.
After finishing writing the memorial, it was already quite dark. He stretched and got up to go outside.
Su Peisheng hurriedly followed, thinking to himself, "Are we going to Li Gege's place again?"
As Su Peisheng walked around the garden, he thought to himself, "Is Fourth Master going to see Princess Bai Jia?"
That's true, Princess Li has been spoiling her for so long, it's about time the novelty wore off.
However, after passing by Bai Jia Gege's courtyard, the Fourth Prince did not go in, but instead went to Song Gege's courtyard.
Upon arriving at the entrance of Consort Song's courtyard, the Fourth Prince suddenly asked, "Does Your Highness remember there's a jade pendant with orchids in the storeroom? Let's send it to Lady Li."
Su Peisheng immediately understood: well, Li Gege's days are numbered.
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