Prince Zhi hurried over, pulled Lady Jue Luo up, and they went into the main hall together. He thought about how he and Bao Yue had secretly pledged their lives to each other, and at that time he seemed not to have thought of Lady Jue Luo, his primary consort who had always been his devoted wife. But now, Prince Zhi's heart was full of Princess Bao Yue, as if all the affection he had shown for his primary consort had never existed.
The two walked hand in hand to the warm couch and sat down on either side. Mu Jin quickly brought out the Monkey King tea that Prince Zhi liked, and then quietly retreated to the side.
"Your Highness, please try this. It's your favorite Houkui tea." For some reason, the Princess Consort noticed something different about Prince Zhi from the moment she first saw him. However, she quickly concealed her unease and continued to speak to Prince Zhi gently, as always.
Prince Zhi nodded, picked up the blue-and-white porcelain teacup with its intertwined floral design, and as he lifted the lid, a familiar aroma of tea wafted out, bringing with it the same feelings he had for Lady Jue Luo. They had been separated before, but never for this long. Prince Zhi suppressed his inner turmoil and smiled, "The Houkui tea from the Princess Consort's place is still the most delicious. I'll never forget it, no matter where I go."
If I want to fight for that position, I can't lose the support of the Fujin family. Moreover, the Jueluo clan has always been good and hasn't made any major mistakes. Even though I've fallen in love with Baoyue now, the Fujin position should still belong to the Jueluo clan.
The princess asked, "My lord, are the clothes I made for you suitable?" Lady Jue Luo felt that the Prince Zhi's gaze was somewhat different, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was, so she could only say something else.
Prince Zhi was taken aback, completely unable to recall this matter. In the past, when he was away fighting, Lady Jue Luo would send him things regularly. But this time, Prince Zhi couldn't remember what his wife had sent at all. Could it be that the servant hadn't told him?
"Everything is fine. Your Highness is very thoughtful. I wore it a few days ago in the northern desert." Prince Zhi could only say this to appease the situation.
"That's good, as long as the master needs it." The princess's heart stirred slightly, but she didn't show it on her face.
The two sat in silence for a while, the atmosphere seemingly hesitant. Finally, Guihua said from the side, "Madam, the meal is ready. I think it's about time. Why don't you bring the meal up?"
The princess then hurriedly said, "My lord, I have prepared a hot pot of mutton."
Prince Zhi nodded immediately, looking slightly embarrassed.
After the food was served, the couple sat opposite each other at the table, with maids serving them food.
"You may all leave. I have something to say to my wife alone." Seeing that the atmosphere had eased a bit, Prince Zhi spoke loudly to his wife about something important.
Guihua and Mujin gestured for the two maids standing at the door to leave and closed the wooden door behind them.
Lady Jue Luo served Prince Zhi several dishes, and the two seemed to have returned to their former intimate state.
"My lady, do you know why the prince returned without permission this time?" asked the Prince Zhi.
Lady Jueluo glanced at Prince Zhi and said, "I am naturally aware of Your Highness's ambitions. However, how will Your Highness explain your unauthorized return to Father Emperor?"
Prince Zhi said smugly, "That's alright, Father Emperor won't blame me. I just said I wanted to come back and spend the New Year with Father Emperor. Besides, the situation in the northern desert doesn't require me to stay there all the time."
Jue Luo said, "That's true, but I'm afraid someone will use this to speak ill of the prince in front of Father Emperor. Right now, everyone hopes that the other party will make a mistake, so that they will incur Father Emperor's displeasure and have one less rival."
Prince Zhi looked at Lady Jueluo with approval and said, "What you say is very true, Your Highness. What is your plan to silence others?"
Jue Luo said, "I think it would be better for Your Highness to take the initiative to apologize to Father Emperor. Just say that I was ill and came back because I was worried about you. After all, Your Highness has always been kind to me."
Upon hearing this, Prince Zhi quickly replied, "What are you saying, Madam? I am also very distressed for you right now."
Only then did Lady Jue Luo realize that the former Prince Zhi had returned. She immediately gave him a reproachful look and said, "Your Highness!"
Prince Zhi now understood his situation. He couldn't be solely infatuated with Bao Yue; after all, she was a woman from a different ethnic group, while his first wife was from the Gioro clan, and moreover, she was the Grand Consort personally chosen by Emperor Kangxi. Furthermore, the Gioro clan's mother, Khorkun, was a first-rank general, commanding half of the troops in the Northeast Camp. With such support, his path to the throne would be more secure.
After the couple finished their hearty lunch, Prince Zhi remembered the Second Princess and accompanied Lady Jue Luo to see her. Ever since the First Princess married into the Mongolian grasslands, the Second Princess had become their only solace. Lady Jue Luo couldn't help but shed tears when she thought of her eldest daughter.
“Mother, didn’t my eldest sister reply that she’s doing well? Besides, Uncle Ban Gu is our relative, he won’t mistreat my eldest sister.” The second princess was only eight years old, but she was very sensible. When she saw Prince Zhi and Lady Jue Luo coming to visit, she mustered her spirits and fawned over them.
Jue Luo then stopped crying and started laughing, and the family of three spent a happy afternoon together.
News of Prince Zhi's return to the capital spread quickly, and some people began to prepare to tell Emperor Kangxi that Prince Zhi had disregarded military orders and returned to the capital without permission, showing no regard for the emperor's decree. Among them was the Third Prince Yinzhi, who had always regarded Prince Zhi as his biggest rival.
The Third Prince's Mansion is not far from the Zhijun Prince's Mansion. When Emperor Kangxi built mansions for his sons, he arranged them in a row according to the time they left the palace to build their mansions.
"Third Prince, now that Prince Zhi has returned to the capital, we have another formidable competitor," one of the Third Prince's advisors said to the Third Prince, who was sitting on a heated couch playing chess with another advisor.
"Father ordered him to oversee the battle at the front, but he came back on his own. He's really audacious. Father didn't summon him back." Third Master said without looking up.
“Exactly, why don’t you go and impeach him before the Emperor for dereliction of duty, disregarding imperial orders, and returning to the capital without authorization?” the strategist suggested.
"I'm thinking about it, but then I think I'm afraid I'm not the only one who wants to impeach him," said the Third Master.
"Does Your Excellency not want to take the lead yourself, but instead rely on the help of others?" asked the strategist sitting opposite the Third Master.
“Yes, it would be best to reap the benefits without lifting a finger. What do you say, Fang Weng?” Third Master turned to an old man sitting on the daybed beside the bed.
"Third Master, what does the Emperor hate the most right now?" the old man asked.
Third Master was taken aback, and after a moment of thought, said, "What Father Emperor hates most now is disloyalty and filial impiety. Thirteen has fallen victim to these very words this time!"
Kangxi had already spoken about the matter concerning the Crown Prince and the Thirteenth Prince in front of all the officials, so it was basically common knowledge.
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