Prince Jing was drunk and his mind wasn't quite right. He didn't immediately ask what kind of gossip it was about, but instead followed He Jiu Niang's words and asked, "What clear path?"
He Jiuniang said, "It's very simple. You know you're brave but lack strategy, so use your courage in the right places. As for things that require using your brain, leave them to smart people. Why bother yourself with trouble?"
"What's the meaning?"
Prince Jing shook his head, clearly not understanding.
"The border is currently unstable. With your skills, why not use them there? Only by maintaining peace on the border can the people of Beiyan truly live in peace and prosperity. Isn't that a great achievement in itself? As for the court, you know you lack the ability, so there's nothing to regret. Let those who are truly capable take the place. Besides, you know His Highness Prince Chen's temperament. He's not one to kill people. Even if he were to take that position in the future, he wouldn't be able to tolerate you. What do you have to worry about?"
He Jiuniang spoke these words from the bottom of her heart. Although she had some past grievances with Prince Jing, she knew that Prince Jing was not a bad person at heart; he was just being used.
Moreover, Prince Jing is quite capable. It would be a waste of his talents to just stay in the capital as a leisurely prince. It would be better for him to go to a place that is truly suitable for him to make his mark and realize his value.
Prince Jing remained silent, seemingly still processing what had happened, or perhaps pondering whether He Jiuniang's words were truly for his benefit.
He Jiuniang and Lu Baichuan weren't in a hurry. They slowly ate the duck heads and talked in hushed tones.
Prince Jing suddenly stood up, stared intently at He Jiuniang, and asked in a deep voice, "What is your purpose? What do you want to use me for?"
Now I felt much more sober.
He Jiuniang curled her lip and said, "What use are you to me? Even the emperor has started to favor Prince Chen, and the situation is very favorable. What is there for us to scheme against? Besides, I am not one of Prince Chen's men, so there is no need for me to plot anything. I just saw how dejected you were and pointed out a way for you. Whether you listen to it or not is your business. I will not force you."
Prince Jing pursed his lips, unsure of what to say for a moment.
After a long while, he pointed to the unfinished Lu Hei Ya (a type of braised duck) in front of him and said, "Pack these up and take them with me."
He Jiuniang blinked. Good heavens, she's been saving up money through eating and other means.
However, He Jiuniang was in a good mood today and did not intend to argue with him. She generously asked someone to help pack the leftovers and even gave him some extra.
Prince Jing was about to leave when he said, "I will think it over carefully."
After saying that, he left without waiting for He Jiuniang to speak.
Lu Baichuan looked at her and asked, "Now can you tell me what happened?"
"It all started when I entered the palace this morning..."
He Jiuniang then told Lu Baichuan about what had happened in the palace.
"Tell me, why is the old emperor siding with me without distinguishing right from wrong, besides wanting me to cure his illness?"
Lu Baichuan blurted out almost without thinking: "Prove my choice to you?"
"That's right!"
He Jiuniang snapped her fingers and continued, "He treats Prince Chen the same way he treated the Crown Prince back then, showing indiscriminate favoritism. He wants me to know that he is now on our side and hopes that I will treat him well. He also wants to use this incident to warn Prince Jing and make him think twice before acting."
The old emperor wasn't as foolish as he seemed; he knew everything.
Knowing that the overall situation is now largely settled, it is almost certain that Prince Chen will take the throne. If Prince Chen is willing, he can be forced to step down from the throne, or He Jiuniang, the doctor, can tamper with the old emperor's treatment and easily take his life.
The old emperor was naturally worried about such a thing happening, which is why he showed goodwill to He Jiuniang and made her understand his feelings.
"That's why Prince Jing became a sacrifice. But I know he's not a bad person at heart, he's just naive and easily taken advantage of. If you put someone like that in a suitable position, he'll definitely shine. Besides, Prince Chen is short of people right now, so this is me helping him recruit talent."
Do you think Prince Jing will go?
Looking in the direction Prince Jing had left, Lu Baichuan asked leisurely.
"If nothing unexpected happens, it definitely will."
He Jiuniang has always been very good at judging people, and as long as Prince Jing has any sense, he will know that guarding the frontier is his best option right now.
Even if Prince Chen wanted to eliminate all these brothers in the future, he would have to think twice before dealing with Prince Jing, who had made military achievements on the frontier.
Lu Baichuan nodded; he thought so too.
A slight bittersweet feeling welled up inside me; my wife was just too popular.
He had a grudge against Prince Jing before, and even hit him this morning, but now they can sit together and chat happily. His sense of crisis is getting stronger and stronger, and he always feels that he might lose his wife if he is not careful.
"What are you daydreaming about? Where did you go this morning? You didn't even come to pick me up at the palace gate today. What, you don't love me anymore?"
Seeing that he looked preoccupied, He Jiuniang deliberately spoke up.
"I went to the camp and spent the whole morning sparring with the soldiers."
As he spoke, he held out his hand for He Jiuniang to see; his palm was bright red, from the impact of the weapon.
I barely slept last night, and today I even got into a fight at the camp. This man is definitely up to something.
He Jiuniang glanced at him sideways and gave him a smile that was hard to decipher.
Lu Baichuan: ? ? ?
For some reason, I suddenly felt a chill down my back.
"Honey, my hand is injured. Can you put some medicine on it for me?"
He Jiuniang had already walked outside, and Lu Baichuan followed after her, wanting his wife to show her concern.
“Do it yourself, it’s not a big deal.”
He Jiuniang didn't care about him. He was dreaming if he was hiding something from her and expected her to care.
Looking at his swollen palms, Lu Baichuan sighed softly. It was over; his wife no longer cared about him. He felt even more upset.
That evening, they went to Prince Chen's residence for dinner. Firstly, it was at the invitation of the Princess Consort, and secondly, Prince Chen wanted to discuss the matter of closing the net with Lu Baichuan.
Xinran had been on her way for some time, but nothing seemed amiss in the capital, and even Prince Lin's side remained silent. Prince Chen found this rather strange and wanted to hear Lu Baichuan's opinion.
Here they gathered, the men talked about their careers, the women talked about fashion and makeup, each busy with their own things, without disturbing each other.
The situation at Prince Jing's residence was much more desolate. After returning from the Lu family, Prince Jing was still drinking alone in silence, and even the women in the backyard who wanted to serve him were driven away.
Yeah, I don't want those women to steal his Lu Hei Ya (a type of braised duck).
"Your Highness, you mustn't drink anymore; it's bad for your health!"
His servants tried to persuade him with great concern, but Prince Jing seemed to hear nothing, completely absorbed in his own world.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com