The ceremony of reinstating the crown prince was much simpler because of the disaster in Qianhe County.
The prince didn't mind it at all. When he moved back to the East Palace he had dreamed of, he was so happy that he almost burst into song.
The Crown Princess did not look very happy, but instead there was an unrelieved sorrow deep in her eyes.
The prince was displeased when he saw this and opened his mouth to curse, but then he thought that he had finally become the prince again and decided to endure it for the time being.
The East Palace seemed to be quite harmonious for a while.
The disaster situation in Qianhe County has become increasingly serious. Some disaster victims have gathered together and started causing trouble due to restrictions on their movement due to the epidemic.
The officials who went to provide disaster relief sent back an urgent report asking for help. Emperor Jingming stared at the memorials on the desk and pondered over who to choose for the disaster relief.
If the victims of a disaster riot, it would undoubtedly have a good effect of calming people's hearts if a member of the royal family went to express condolences on behalf of the emperor.
Emperor Jingming thought about it and decided to give this task to the crown prince.
Although so many ministers supported the reinstatement of the crown prince before, it was because they were worried that the vacant throne would cause instability in the country, not because they recognized the crown prince himself.
Emperor Jingming knew in his heart that the crown prince was not a man of good character and had never done anything that would gain praise from his subjects and the people, not to mention that the crown prince had been deposed before and had the stigma of ordering the murder of Prince An.
This stigma was created to cover up a greater stigma, but even such a stigma could one day cause the prince to be suppressed by important officials.
Emperor Jingming hoped that the crown prince would have more political achievements so that he could sit firmly on the throne in the future.
"Pan Hai, call the prince over."
The prince had just flirted with the palace maid in the familiar little garden when he was called to Yu's study.
The prince had been deposed before, and in order to turn the tables he followed Yang's father's advice and tried hard to curry favor with Emperor Jingming. Now that he has become the prince again, his mentality has changed, and his natural fear of the emperor has returned.
"Father, do you want to ask your son something?" the prince asked cautiously.
Emperor Jingming glanced at the crown prince and frowned: "What are you doing?"
The prince immediately became nervous.
He just touched the little palace maid's hand in the garden. Could it be that his father also found out?
The prince smiled dryly and said, "My son is taking a walk in the garden..."
Emperor Jingming didn't care whether the prince was walking in the garden or touching the hands of the young palace maids. He asked, "Are you still used to it now that you are back in the East Palace?"
The prince said hurriedly: "I'm too used to it!"
The corner of Emperor Jingming's mouth twitched, and he said, "In the future, you must remember your duties and not act recklessly."
"I understand, son." The prince lowered his head and responded honestly.
He now completely understood that no matter how beautiful the beauty was, he could not touch his father's woman.
Emperor Jingming felt a headache when he saw the crown prince in this state. The only consolation was that the crown prince was a good person. If he lived long enough and waited for Chun Ge'er to grow up, he could simply pass the throne directly to Chun Ge'er.
Thinking of this, Emperor Jingming was no longer so picky about the prince. He coughed lightly and said, "I have a task for you."
The prince was stunned for a moment.
Errand?
Growing up, it seems that his father has never assigned him any tasks... Hey, is his father going to give him an important task?
The prince was cheered up and looked at Emperor Jingming with burning eyes.
Emperor Jingming stroked his chin and asked slowly, "Do you know about Qianhe County?"
"Qianhe County? Father, are you asking about the earthquake in Qianhe County? Of course I know." The prince said hurriedly.
If it weren't for the earthquake in Qianhe County and then in the capital, he would probably still be spending the summer in Jingyuan.
Emperor Jingming said sternly: "It's not just an earthquake. There is an epidemic in Qianhe County and riots among the victims..."
The prince was unsure of what Emperor Jingming meant, so he continued, "The people of Qianhe County are suffering so much. I am so heartbroken after hearing this that I can't sleep at night."
Emperor Jingming was pleased: "I'm glad you have this intention. I asked you to come here because I want you to represent me to visit Qianhe County and appease the people..."
The prince was stunned.
Did he hear it wrongly? His father actually asked him to go to Qianhe County!
Qianhe County, where an epidemic and mobs broke out!
The prince stared at Emperor Jingming with only one thought in his mind: his father must still be resentful about Concubine Yang's matter, otherwise why would he let his own son go to die?
"Why, you don't want to?" Seeing the prince's stupid look, Emperor Jingming got angry again.
This bastard who only knows how to eat, drink, play and touch the palace maids gets scared when he has a serious job to do!
When the prince saw the deep gaze of Emperor Jingming, he suddenly came back to his senses with a start. He smiled stiffly and said, "Of course my son is willing..."
Emperor Jingming nodded and said, "That's good. Then go back and tell the Crown Princess, make some preparations, and set out tomorrow."
The prince almost fell down when he staggered. Seeing that Emperor Jingming looked serious and didn't seem to be joking, he finally couldn't pretend anymore. He said with tears in his eyes, "Father, although I am willing, I am a little scared in my heart... I don't know what the epidemic situation in Qianhe County is like..."
Emperor Jingming glanced at his useless son.
No matter how terrible the epidemic is, it is still under control. When it comes to Qianhe County, people can be flexible in deciding whether to go to the city. His son is really inexperienced and he scared himself before he even went there.
"We won't know the situation of the epidemic until we go and see it." Emperor Jingming said lightly, wanting to see the prince's reaction.
The prince's face turned three shades paler.
Emperor Jingming frowned: "If you don't want to go--"
"My son wants to go!" The prince interrupted Emperor Jingming.
He has just become the crown prince again, and he can't even get comfortable in the seat yet, so he must not disappoint his father.
Emperor Jingming looked at the prince quietly.
The prince said with a stiff upper lip: "Father, I have never left the capital since I was a child. I am a little uneasy about taking on such an important task for the first time. I wonder if I can..."
"Just say it if you have something to say." Emperor Jingming slowed down his tone.
Although the prince is a little cowardly, it is good that he knows his own strengths and weaknesses.
"Can I find a companion to go with me..." The prince boldly made this request, watching Emperor Jingming's reaction.
How could Emperor Jingming let the Crown Prince see his emotions? He thought for a moment with a serious face and asked, "Who do you want to go with you?"
The prince breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Father, whoever you think is suitable is the one. I am not picky."
He still understands the principle of knowing when to quit, as long as there is someone to suffer with him.
"How about this..." Emperor Jingming hesitated for a moment and ordered Pan Hai, "Call all the princes here."
Before long, the study was crowded with princes, except for Prince Jin who had gone to guard the imperial mausoleum.
Emperor Jingming silently counted his sons, and when he saw that they matched, he said in a deep voice, "I called you here because I want to choose one of you to accompany the Crown Prince to Qianhe County to comfort the disaster victims. Who of you is willing to go?"
Upon hearing this, the princes looked at each other in bewilderment.
Accompany the prince to Qianhe County?
The first thought that came to everyone’s mind was: This is truly accompanying the prince to study!
The second thought immediately popped up: Qianhe County, where the epidemic is severe and the victims are rioting? This is a tough job.