Chapter 88 Prince Yan's Wish
Because Xiao Qing was ill, some things were delayed.
For example, the handling of plum sparseness.
Xiao Qing remained silent, and the Grand Tutor paid no heed. Chief Eunuch Huang of the Palace Prison came to inquire once, but after receiving no reply, he did not come again.
Mei Shu has regained consciousness under Ming Xiu's care. She was surprised to find herself back in Chengde Palace, but with guards watching her from outside and only having medicine and food delivered to her door every day, she had no idea what her current situation was.
After two days, she became a little impatient.
She requested to see the emperor and to return to the palace prison, but neither request was granted.
However, she was informed that there were important matters in the palace recently: Prince Yan was to be recognized as a member of the imperial family and recorded in the royal genealogy, after which he would move into the palace. Everyone was busy with this matter and wouldn't have time to attend to her for the time being.
This situation left her even more bewildered.
But who cares about her?
Before they knew it, it was the second day of the eighth month, and the Grand Tutor brought Prince Yan into the palace.
Xiao Qing let Mingxiu and Danying do whatever they wanted, insisting on conforming to the rules and etiquette.
With the late emperor gone, Duke Anguo is the most senior member of the royal family. Xiao Qing, as the highest-ranking member of the royal family and Xiao Yan's "older brother," is the person Xiao Yan sees most often during the ceremony.
His closest confidant was naturally the Grand Tutor.
The Grand Tutor personally led him up the steps, gently reminding him to pay homage to Heaven and his ancestors, so that he would not be impolite in an unfamiliar environment. He also personally handed the jade register representing the royal status to Xiao Qing. After Xiao Qing reviewed it, he allowed Prince Yan to be included in the jade register according to the proper etiquette, and then handed it over to the Duke of Anguo to announce his official name. The whole process was meticulous and thoughtful.
Xiao Qing glanced at it twice before letting her gaze wander, not wanting to look anymore.
However, she still managed to finish everything she was supposed to do.
Prince Yan was assigned to live in Chengguang Hall, which was originally located in the southeast corner of the vast Chengde Palace complex. It has since been separated and converted into Chengguang Palace after some renovations.
Xiao Qing agreed to everything and left as soon as the ceremony was over, without even exchanging glances with the Grand Tutor when he said goodbye.
Zhao Youchen, who had been observing everything, finally realized that something was amiss.
Taking advantage of the moment when no one was around, Zhao Youchen raised an eyebrow and asked Fu Mingyi, "What are you up to?"
"What?" Fu Mingyi asked, puzzled.
Do you know what's been going on in the palace lately?
"What?"
"It's said that Prince Yan has a lot of influence, that he can get the Grand Tutor to do everything personally. Even His Majesty wouldn't treat him like this."
Fu Mingyi was silent for a moment. "How is Chengde Palace?"
Zhao Youchen said, "Since you came back, I have reorganized the Imperial Guards sent to Chengde Palace. Now they are as solid as an iron barrel. Those flies and rats are nothing to fear. They have eyes to watch out for them."
Fu Mingyi nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
Zhao Youchen was not giving up. "Even so, the Grand Tutor seems to have been too cold towards His Majesty lately."
"I remember your birthday is coming up soon."
Zhao Youchen was taken aback. "Why bring this up?"
Fu Mingyi smiled, patted his shoulder, and said, "Now that the Imperial Guards are mostly safe, we still need to be careful about His Majesty's safety. You should think more about His Majesty's well-being."
Zhao Youchen watched his calm and composed departing figure, his mind filled with questions.
What's the meaning?
Wait, why didn't he consider His Majesty's feelings?
If it weren't for eliminating as many dangers as possible, would he have spent so much time and night reorganizing the Imperial Guard?
Not to boast, but in the entire Great Xiao—no, now it's Southern Xiao—there are probably few places where the Imperial Guard is more elite than his.
To protect the obedient and sensible young emperor, the people here are all capable of doing the work of ten.
What's Fu Mingyi up to?
And what's with this "birthday is coming soon" thing? It's completely out of the blue; what does it even have to do with anything?
However, he still took Fu Mingyi's words to heart.
His Majesty seems to be in poor spirits lately. He's almost done with his work and needs to go see him.
Who cares about Fu Mingyi's eccentric behavior?
When Zhao Youchen went to Chengde Palace to meet the emperor, Xiao Qing and Ying Ying were feeding cats together under the shade of a tree in the small garden.
Mingxiu, Danying, Ma Hong, and Liu Yi were all waiting on the side, like four pillars.
Zhao Youchen bowed and paid his respects, then saw Xiao Qing slowly stand up and turn around to look at him.
Although the young emperor's expression was calm, and there was even a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, he keenly sensed a hint of unfamiliar estrangement hidden deep in the young emperor's eyes.
His heart skipped a beat, and he was momentarily speechless.
Xiao Qing walked over. "General Zhao, is something the matter?"
Zhao Youchen's mind was a bit of a mess for some reason, and he couldn't keep up with the conversation for a while.
"I heard that Your Majesty is unwell, and I was unable to come to pay my respects sooner. I am uneasy. Your Majesty... are you feeling better?" He said halfway through, then felt something was off and abruptly ended the sentence.
Xiao Qing nodded, "It's alright now. General Zhao is busy with military affairs, there's no need for such formalities."
Zhao Youchen glanced away and saw Ying Ying still intently feeding the cat under the shade of the tree. He couldn't help but think of the Grand Tutor's attitude towards Ying Ying that night.
Does the Grand Tutor really not think that Yingying and His Majesty seem too close?
This closeness seems different from that of Ma Hong and Liu Yi.
"General Zhao, is there anything else?"
"Hmm, it's nothing..."
Xiao Qing nodded, "Then General Zhao, please go ahead with your work. I won't disturb you any longer."
As Zhao Youchen watched the young emperor squat back in the shade of the tree, chatting idly with Ying Ying while they both reached out to stroke the kitten's fur, he felt a sudden, overwhelming unease in his heart.
Prince Yan moved into Chengguang Palace that very day.
The small garden is located between Chengde Palace and Chengguang Palace. Prince Yan leaned on the high pavilion and looked towards the small garden. The wind lifted the hair by his ears, exposing his already angular profile to the sunlight.
Fu Mingyi said gently from behind him, "Your Highness, it's windy here. Your Highness's injuries haven't healed yet, and you might catch a cold."
Xiao Yan withdrew his arms, turned around and grabbed Fu Mingyi's sleeve. When he looked up, his eyes revealed a restrained yet hopeful light.
"Grand Tutor, Yan also wants a kitten."
He held up one finger. "One is enough."
Seeing that the Grand Tutor remained silent, he timidly lowered his gaze, but still bravely pressed on: "Before, in the Cold Palace, that little cat was killed by them. Yan... will be obedient, even if it's a stray cat unwanted by anyone outside the palace, Yan will..."
Fu Mingyi squatted down, looked at his moist and red eyes, and finally said, "It's alright. As long as Your Highness doesn't think of unpleasant memories because of the kitten, I will grant Your Highness's wish."
Xiao Yan happily tugged at Fu Mingyi's sleeve again, "Really? Grand Tutor wouldn't lie to Yan, would he? Yan can have a stray cat, even if it's ugly, it doesn't need to be prettier than the Emperor's cat."
Fu Mingyi nodded. "It will just take a little more time, is that alright?"
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