Zhang Bo trembled. He would be involved despite being innocent. Prince Rong was quite right. In the worst case, this could also implicate the whole Dispatch Bureau, and he won’t be able to keep his position. It might even ended up involving his family.
In his anger, the Emperor could order his whole family’s three generations to be beheaded. How could he bear to sacrifice so many innocent lives like this?
In the end, by prudence, he probed Jing Rong’s intention. “What does your Highness mean?”
Jing Rong spoke without hesitation, staring straight into his eyes. “Immediately change all the lanterns.”
“Change everything?!”
“Or do you have another way?”
Of course he doesn’t!
Zhang Bo complied. “Yes, as you wish. Those lanterns are all from Fangshui, do you want to…”
Jing Rong interrupted his last word with a glance. “Lord Zhang, I will handle this matter. You only need to handle the lanterns. Don’t be too wordy as to avoid the scrutiny of the capital yamen and the supreme court.”
After some pondering, he nodded in agreement.
At the fastest speed, he replaced all the problematic lanterns.
That night, Jing Rong made a trip to the Li Mansion.
When the servants saw him arrive, they immediately went to notify their master. However, even after a long time, there was still no response from Old General Li. The pageboy that was attending Jing Rong was trembling in fear. His master’s temper was too wayward, so this wasn’t unusual. If Old General Li didn’t want to see someone, even if that person was the Emperor himself, that person could wait for an indefinite amount of time. However, the person waiting was still a prince, so how could a lowly pageboy not get nervous?
Fortunately for him, Jing Rong wasn’t in a hurry. He drank tea while he waited. After several cups of tea, he heard a cough.
Old General Li finally arrived, his charisma not decreasing despite his age.
Jing Rong immediately got up and greeted him.
“I never expected that the child I have not seen for many years has grown into a valiant and refined prince.”
Jing Rong was only 6 years old when he last saw Old General Li 18 years ago.
Jing Rong smiled in response.
After they both saw down, Old General Li rotated the cup of tea in front of him without drinking it.
“It has been more than ten years since the last time you came to the capital. Why did you suddenly decide to return now?” Jing Rong went straight to the topic.
“I came to see an old friend,” or so the old man explained.
“You are a senior at the imperial court. At your age, longing for an old friend is normal, but from what this Prince knows, the people that could be considered your long time acquaintance in the capital numbered at zero.”
The number of people that could be considered Old General Li’s close friends could only be counted on one hand.
The old man simply laughed after hearing Jing Rong’s words. He squinted his eyes which sparkled like the moonlight. He carelessly leaned back in his chair and appeared as if he was asleep.
Fortunately, Jing Rong knew of his queer temper, so he patiently waited.
He resumed to his tea tasting and was prepared to waste time.
After a long while, Old General Li finally spoke. “Your Highness, why don’t you tell me the reason for your visit? Last time, Teacher Ji was also like that. That something-Qin was beating around the bush too much, so your Highness should refrain learning from him.”
Jing Rong wanted to burst into a laugh when he heard how Old General Li called Qin Shiyu. Truly the same as always.
Jing Rong got up and walked further into the reception hall. He turned his back to Old General. “Did you not wait for this day for a long time now?” His deep voice was heard.
Old General Li didn’t answer, but his mouth was stretched into a smile.