Chapter 134 Rules Must Not Be Abolished
Emperor Zhaode could no longer bear any more resentment.
He said irritably, "Get out of here, all of you."
Yan Cang was the first to take his leave.
Yan Chen and Shen Jingbai lagged behind. When they arrived outside the hall, they saw Yan Cang standing under a pillar, as if waiting for them.
Yan Chen asked, "Is His Highness the Prince of Yan waiting for me?"
Yan Cang turned and glanced at him: "Elder brother, there's no need for that."
Yan Chen smiled and said, "Rules cannot be disregarded."
Yan Cang was silent for a moment: "There are quite a few fewer people in the court recently."
Yan Chen said, "I am confined to the Prince's residence and have no interest in the court."
“There are many military affairs to handle in the camp. We need to raise supplies for the border, send people to deliver military pay, and keep an eye on the reports sent back from the four borders. Now I also have to take care of the Six Ministries. My energy is really limited.” Yan Cang said in a calm tone. After he finished speaking, he added, “The princess is pregnant. I haven’t had a meal with her or talked about everyday things for a long time.”
Yan Chen raised an eyebrow: "Why are you telling me all this?"
“Even if I’m busy every day, I can’t manage everything.” Yan Cang got straight to the point. “I need my eldest brother to come to court and help me.”
Yan Chen smiled faintly: "I can't do anything about it—"
“I can agree to anything that Father Emperor doesn’t agree to,” Yan Cang said calmly, with the strength of a promise that is worth a thousand pieces of gold. “As long as my eldest brother is willing.”
Yan Chen narrowed his eyes: "What did you say?"
Yan Cang said, "It means exactly what you think it means."
Yan Chen turned and exchanged a glance with Shen Jingbai, then pondered, "Let me think about it."
"Two days," Yan Cang said calmly. "If there is no reply within two days, I will promote a capable newcomer. Please, Your Highness, consider this carefully."
Having said that, he turned and left.
Yan Chen frowned slightly, gazing at his tall and slender back, a strange thought vaguely arising in his mind: "Jing Bai."
"Um."
Yan Chen pondered, "Did Yan Cang already know that he would one day sit in that position?"
Shen Jingbai, with his gentle and composed demeanor, said, "Perhaps."
They were only imprisoned for four years, not forty.
Four or five years ago, Yan Cang charged into battle on the frontier, achieving remarkable military exploits and shining brightly. At that time, the emperor often said that when Prince Chen became emperor, Prince Yan would become the most powerful general, protecting the vast land of Yong Dynasty for him. He hoped that the two brothers would trust each other and become each other's strongest support.
Shen Jingbai remembered that Yan Cang had signed a military order before going to the battlefield.
Now, both father and son have tacitly forgotten the military order, and while they do not appoint a crown prince, they intend to pass the throne to their sons.
Shen Jingbai smiled and said, "It's good that the country has a successor."
Yan Chen turned to look at him: "What are you thinking?"
Shen Jingbai knew he was asking about what Yan Cang had just mentioned, and smiled gently: "We've been in the Prince's mansion for four years, it's about time we got out and about."
Yan Chen was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Mm."
"As for marriage and such..." Shen Jingbai turned his head to look at the rows of palaces in the distance, "I don't care about that title, but His Highness the Prince of Yan's attitude has surprised me."
People in the world can accept that high-ranking officials and nobles keep male concubines and indulge in unrestrained promiscuity.
But no one accepts two men falling in love normally.
To everyone else, this was an unbelievable thing.
Before being imprisoned, Shen Jingbai had witnessed too many people's contemptuous faces and heard too much ridicule and humiliation. Only Prince Yan Cang, even when he only returned to the capital occasionally and heard about this matter, never cared or commented.
His attitude towards Yan Chen remained consistent. He never flattered or fawned over him during their youth, nor did he ridicule or mock him after learning about this matter. When they met, he would still call him "elder brother" as usual and "Young Master Chen" as well.
In fact, even though Shen Jingbai was arrogant to the core, he knew better than anyone that, given Yan Cang's status, it would be more appropriate to call him Shen Jingbai directly.
He used to think Yan Cang was too polite.
Only now do I realize that Yan Cang has always respected his elder brother, the Crown Prince. Because he respects Yan Chen, he respects Yan Chen's choices, and therefore he also has more respect for Shen Jingbai.
“If another prince were to ascend the throne, I might prefer to stay in the Prince’s mansion for the rest of my life.” Shen Jingbai sighed softly. “If the Prince of Yan were to ascend the throne, it would be quite nice for the two of us to do something in the court.”
Yan Chen didn't speak, but just stared at Yan Cang's back for a long time before turning his gaze away.
After a moment, he slowly nodded: "Mm."
Yan Cang will return to the Prince's Mansion earlier tonight.
As dusk approached, he arrived at Frost and Snow Courtyard.
Chu Yunjin was reading alone when she heard a maid bowing. She looked up in surprise and saw Yan Cang stepping across the threshold. He was dressed in a magnificent and solemn princely robe, which made him look imposing and awe-inspiring.
Chu Yunjin's face lit up with joy. She put down her book, stood up, and went to greet him: "Why are you back so early tonight?"
Yan Cang raised his hand to take off his outer robe and handed it to Ade, then pulled Chu Yunjin into his arms: "I was tired, so I came back early."
Chu Yunjin raised her hand to touch his face, feeling sorry for his haggard and tired appearance: "You've lost weight these past few days. I'll have Ade serve you some food. You should wash your hands quickly."
Yan Cang put his arm around her waist, lowered his gaze and kissed her forehead, then placed his large hand on her abdomen: "How are you today? Is there anything wrong?"
"It's alright." Chu Yunjin pulled him to wash his hands and face. "I haven't had any major reactions these past two days. Look, my complexion has improved a lot."
He paused for a moment, then said, "The imperial physician came today and said everything was normal after taking my pulse."
Yan Cang nodded, relieved: "I'll probably be less busy in the future."
"Really?" Chu Yunjin looked up at him. "Why?"
Yan Cang said, "I'll have my eldest brother and Shen Jingbai come out to help me."
The position of prime minister not only means great power, but also responsibility and ability. At present, he can't think of anyone else in the court who can take on this position except Yan Chen.
Although Yan Chen had been secluded for four years, the court officials still held him in awe. When he returned to court, the officials would work even harder.
Of course, besides official business, Yan Cang also had his own personal motives.
With Yan Chen and Shen Jingbai as examples, the ministers would be more psychologically resilient. Even if Yan Cang never takes a concubine and only wants Chu Yunjin for the rest of his life, they would have less to say.
Chu Yunjin was stunned: "Is Shen Jingbai the eldest prince's lover?"
spouse?
Yan Cang was taken aback, finding the term novel.
But he understood and nodded: "Yes, it's the person he likes."
"Young Master Shen must be very outstanding." Chu Yunjin imagined what Shen Jingbai looked like. "What kind of person is he?"
Yan Cang said, "He appears to be an elegant and noble young master from a prominent family, with a scholarly air and refined manners. However, he is unruly, resolute, and cunning at heart. He is a potential powerful minister."
Chu Yunjin never expected him to speak so highly of someone.
It seems that Shen Jingbai is indeed outstanding.
A thought suddenly struck her.
If... if in her past life she and Yan Cang had sought help from Yan Chen and Shen Jingbai when they were in trouble, would the two of them have a way to break the deadlock?
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