“Not bad, not bad.” Ning Kun examined them carefully. “The prince was worried the trees wouldn’t survive. It seems digging up an entire courtyard’s worth of soil was effective. This year the heir can see the pomegranate flowers from home.”
“And eat the big pomegranates from home,” a follower added from the side.
With a splash, water was thrown over. It splattered on the ground. Ning Kun and the follower instinctively dodged. Looking up, they saw Tie Ying standing on the steps, looking at them coldly.
“You’ve arrived. Do you need to wash up? Want tea?” Tie Ying asked. Without waiting for their answer, she pointed behind them. “Help yourselves.”
The follower didn’t dare say more and retreated with head bowed.
Ning Kun wasn’t dissatisfied with Tie Ying’s attitude either, nodding: “We understand. Tie Ying, go about your business.” He asked again, “Is the heir busy?”
Tie Ying sneered: “The heir isn’t busy. What is there to be busy with here?” With that, ignoring them, she picked up the copper basin and walked away.
Only then did the follower come forward, saying quietly: “Tie Ying’s temper is getting worse and worse. Can she take good care of the heir? Should we send more people?”
After Xiao Xun entered the capital and was detained, he refused attendants given by the court and didn’t have Prince Zhongshan send followers. Even Ning Kun, who had originally followed the heir, was sent back. Only Tie Ying remained by his side.
Ning Kun glanced at him, saying: “In this kind of confined place, having too many people would be noisy instead. The heir is someone who loves quietness. As for Tie Ying’s temper, hasn’t it always been like this? After you go back, do you know what to say?”
The follower saw his warning gaze and grasped his meaning. If he went back saying Tie Ying vented her temper on them, wouldn’t that make people misunderstand that the heir had resentment?
If the prince knew the heir had resentment, he would surely feel—sad, worried, and blame himself.
“What the heir hopes for most is that the prince won’t worry,” Ning Kun said coldly.
The follower quickly acknowledged: “The prince doesn’t need to worry at all. When Tie Ying saw us, she received us skillfully—one person worth ten. The heir is also being cared for very well by her.”
Ning Kun nodded with a smile: “I’ll go see the heir now. When I left, the heir said he wanted to learn painting. I’ll see if the heir has made progress.”
Ning Kun came alone to the study—the study was also converted from an ordinary post station room. Bookshelves displayed a dazzling array, famous paintings hung on the walls. These furnishings, including tables and chairs, were all transported from Zhongshan Commandery.
The windows had also been changed to round moon gates. Before the window stood a beauty vase with willow branches inserted in it, swaying gracefully in the wind.
Beside the swaying willow branches stood a young man wearing water-blue wide-sleeved robes, standing with his back turned.
Looking at this figure, Ning Kun’s eyes grew slightly warm. He bowed in salute: “Ning Kun pays respects to the heir.”
Xiao Xun seemed to be startled awake. He turned around, his face breaking into a smile with deep dimples: “Gentleman Ning has arrived.”
……
……
“The weather is getting hotter. The prince has sent summer clothes for the heir, and also the heir’s favorite foods from home.”
Ning Kun took out several lists, reading them verbosely.
“Also, the heir loves swimming. The prince is thinking of digging a lake at the post station, tearing down the entire back row of houses. The space would barely be enough.”
Xiao Xun reached out to take the several lists, only glanced at them once, then tossed them on the table.
“Gentleman Ning,” he said. “After returning, everything went smoothly, right?”
Ning Kun nodded: “Zhongshan Commandery is even better than before. With faces torn, the prince has no more scruples. This spring he reformed the military farms. By winter, new soldiers can be conscripted. Also, next spring money will be minted—”
Fields, soldiers, money—independence and autonomy. This meant Zhongshan Commandery would no longer be controlled by the court.
Xiao Xun wore a faint smile, asking: “And you, sir? Things went smoothly for you too?”
Ning Kun understood his meaning and nodded with some gratitude: “The heir sent me back. The prince favors me and trusts me even more. I’m now in charge of new policies within the commandery.”
Xiao Xun nodded: “I told you before—Gentleman Ning is greatly talented. Following Father Prince is where you can display your abilities.”
Ning Kun bowed: “Thank you, heir. I was originally given by the prince to the heir.”
He should have stayed here, accompanying and serving the heir like Tie Ying.
“No need to thank me,” Xiao Xun said, looking at Ning Kun. “So then, the matter I asked you to investigate—you’ve found out, haven’t you?”
Ning Kun’s bowing form paused slightly.
That matter—the heir still hadn’t forgotten it.