Yuan Shanglu remained silent for a long time.
After a long while, he finally spoke, "A-Yuan, can you tell your father who you saw last night?"
Yuan Yuan's eyes flickered, and he answered truthfully, "Last night, I saved a person who was covered in injuries."
Covered in wounds?
Yuan Shanglu's expression immediately changed, and he lowered his voice to ask, "Where is that injured person now?"
Yuan Yuan replied, "An inn."
Yuan Shanglu's face turned extremely ugly.
Yuan Yuan opened his mouth: "Father? Did I do something wrong...?"
“You did nothing wrong.” Yuan Shanglu shook his head: “Our ancestors accumulated a reputation over several generations by saving lives and healing the wounded, which is why the Yuan family has its current status.”
You are a descendant of the Yuan family; you did nothing wrong by saving a life.
“But…” Yuan Yuan asked hesitantly, “What if that person was deliberately sent to get close to me?”
Yuan Shanglu frowned: "Then... we can only adapt to the situation."
Adaptability?
Yuan Yuan looked up and glanced at the brightening sky.
Today, the sky is overcast.
A breeze picked up, and many osmanthus blossoms fell onto the paving stones in the courtyard...
Yuan Yuan withdrew his gaze: "Father, shall I accompany you to the palace to see Aunt?"
As if he had thought of something, Yuan Shanglu nodded: "Okay."
Before entering the palace, Yuan Yuan bathed and changed his clothes, putting on a moon-white brocade robe and hanging a jade pendant at his waist before following Yuan Shanglu into the palace.
The sky was overcast.
Outside the palace gates, countless imperial guards patrolled with serious expressions, inspecting every carriage that entered or exited.
Once inside the palace, security became even tighter, with countless imperial guards patrolling outside the gates of each palace.
The palace servants were all very careful, not daring to make a sound even when they walked...
We finally arrived at Jincui Palace after a long and difficult journey.
Outside Jincui Palace, there were patrol teams of imperial guards every ten steps.
As soon as we entered Jincui Palace, the gates were closed by the Imperial Guards.
Upon hearing that Yuan Yuan had entered the palace, Consort Yuan happily came out to greet him: "A-Yuan!"
Yuan Yuan performed a proper bow: "Greetings, Consort Yuan."
Consort Yuan glanced around and took Yuan Yuan's hand: "Come on, let's go inside and talk."
Inside the sleeping quarters, a pleasant fragrance of incense burned.
Yuan Yuan looked around but couldn't see the young prince, so he asked, "Where is His Highness the Eighth Prince?"
Consort Yuan replied, "I was frightened last night. After the imperial physician came to examine me, he prescribed a calming medicine. I have already taken the medicine and am sleeping in the side hall."
Consort Yuan was over thirty years old, but because she was favored by the emperor and took good care of herself, she looked no more than twenty years old. She was beautiful and had a good temperament.
However, perhaps because she was frightened last night, her face was a little pale, and even with powder on, she still looked somewhat pale.
Consort Yuan beckoned, and her personal maid brought tea and snacks. Then, she pulled Yuan Yuan to sit down and smiled gently, "It's been a few days since I last saw you, Yuan Yuan, you've grown so much taller."
"Right, Auntie?" Yuan Yuan raised an eyebrow and said happily, "I also feel like I've grown taller!"
"After the New Year, I'll be taller than my father!"
Hearing this, Consort Yuan laughed and said, "Then, our A-Yuan must eat more and grow taller!"
In the future, you must grow taller than your father so that you can protect our Yuan family.
“Yes!” Yuan Yuan nodded solemnly: “Once spring arrives, I will study hard and participate in the imperial examination.”
In the future, I will not only protect the Yuan family, but also strive to protect my aunt and His Highness the Eighth Prince!
Upon hearing this, Consort Yuan's eyes reddened slightly, but she smiled with great relief and choked out, "Yes! Aunt... I'll be waiting for that day!"
At that time, Yuan Yuan did not notice the tears in Consort Yuan's eyes.
He thought his aunt was touched...
Yuan Yuan stayed in Jin Cui Palace for a long time before leaving the palace alone.
Before leaving the palace, Consort Yuan gave him an exquisite jade cicada pendant: "In a few years, our A-Yuan will come of age."
This is a coming-of-age gift that your aunt gave you in advance.
Coming of age?
Yuan Yuan paused for a moment, then said, "Aunt, are you sure you're not mistaken?"
Ah Yuan hasn't even turned thirteen yet!
Even if she turns thirteen, there are still seven years until she reaches adulthood…
"Auntie is not mistaken." Consort Yuan placed the jade pendant into his palm and said gently, "The congratulatory gift can be sent in advance!"
My aunt is getting old and her memory isn't very good.
Therefore, this coming-of-age ceremony item will be given to A-Yuan in advance for him to keep!
Yuan Yuan hesitated for a moment, but still accepted the jade pendant: "Thank you, Aunt."
"Good boy." Consort Yuan raised her hand and gently stroked his head. Her eyes were slightly red, and her voice was incredibly gentle: "Our A-Yuan is the most noble young master in the capital, and also the most handsome young master in the entire capital!"
May our young master Yuan be happy forever.
Auntie hopes you will always be radiant and carefree…
Yuan Yuan gently stroked the cool jade pendant in his hand and nodded to Consort Yuan: "Don't worry, Aunt, I will!"
Consort Yuan patted his shoulder: "Let's leave the palace."
Seeing that Consort Yuan's eyes were red, Yuan Yuan forced a bright and cheerful smile: "Aunt, I will come to the palace to accompany you in a few days!"
You and His Highness, please take good care of yourselves.
Consort Yuan forced a smile: "Alright."
Yuan Yuan then took the jade pendant and left Jin Cui Palace.
Along the long palace corridor, imperial guards patrolled from time to time.
After walking for a while, and after a group of imperial guards passed by, a figure in deep purple, surrounded by a crowd, swaggered toward them.
Upon seeing that person, Yuan Yuan frowned and pushed the jade pendant in his arms further inside.
In the blink of an eye, the person approached: "Tsk, who do we have here? You're so conspicuous from afar."
"So it was you, Yuan Yuan."
Yuan Yuan remained expressionless, bowed slightly, and clasped his hands in greeting: "Greetings, Your Highness the Fourth Prince."
The fourth prince, Jiang Chi, is the son of Consort Hai.
The Hai family, with its powerful military and extremely stable foundation, was so influential that even the emperor had to show them deference. As a result, Jiang Chi, backed by such a strong family, developed an arrogant and domineering personality from a young age.
After turning fifteen, Jiang Chi frequented brothels day and night, and often paraded around the capital with a large group of lackeys.
When they see a beautiful young woman, they will take her away without caring whether she is engaged or not.
Unfortunately, he was a prince, and every time he committed a crime, the emperor would punish him with a beating and then confine him for a few days.
Then, the Hai family stepped in to clean up his mess...
The entire capital city was filled with fear and disgust for this fourth prince.
In contrast to Jiang Chi, Yuan Yuan, the eldest son of the Yuan family, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, was so popular in the capital that everyone liked him because of his stunningly handsome face, good family background, good upbringing, and his always smiling and kind nature.
Although he was not very old, he was handsome, tall, and had an outstanding temperament. He could easily win the hearts of many women just by riding around the capital.
As much as Yuan Yuan is likable, Jiang Chi is just as detestable.
As time went on, Jiang Chi's hatred for Yuan Yuan grew stronger and stronger...
Yuan Yuan remained in the bowing posture.
Jiang Chi glanced at him, beckoned, and a servant handed him a birdcage made of pure gold.
Inside the birdcage was a pure white parrot, as white as snow.
Jiang Chi picked up a red worm and waved it around, teasing the parrot: "Yuan Yuan, as a young master from a prestigious family, is this how you greet me, the prince?"
Upon hearing Yuan Yuan's name and unable to eat the insects, the parrot became so anxious that it started yelling at the top of its lungs, "Yuan Yuan, I'll kill you! Yuan Yuan, I'll kill you..."
kill?
In the blink of an eye, an idea popped into Yuan Yuan's mind.
He suddenly looked up, staring at Jiang Chi with shock and coldness.
Jiang Chi turned his head and met his gaze directly.
Startled, Jiang Chi took two steps back, then a fierce glint appeared in his eyes: "Guards! Protect the Emperor! Quickly restrain Yuan Yuan!"
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