After nightfall, the Crown Prince led the Crown Grandson back to the Crown Prince’s Mansion.
After a full day of exhausting duties, the Crown Prince, whose health was never particularly robust, looked utterly worn out. The Crown Grandson, by contrast, still appeared full of energy.
Once inside the mansion, the Crown Prince slowed his pace.
“Father, how are you feeling?” the Crown Grandson asked with a touch of concern, taking hold of the Crown Prince’s arm to help bear some of his weight.
In front of his son, the Crown Prince didn’t bother putting up a strong front. He allowed some of his weight to shift onto the boy, while murmuring with self-mockery, “I’m still in the prime of my years, yet my body is so frail. Even if I ascend the throne smoothly someday, I doubt I’d sit on it for long. Perhaps it would be best to hand this realm over to you sooner rather than later.”
The Crown Grandson didn’t want to hear this and frowned. “Father, please don’t say such inauspicious things. Your son is willing to assist you, and even more, I wish for you a long and blessed life.”
“I understand your filial devotion.”
The Crown Prince looked at his son with gratification, the concern in the boy’s eyes plainly reflected in his own. “But you should know well enough how my health stands. Though I’ve spent these past years quietly recuperating, the damage done to my vitality back then was severe—it cost me years of life as well.”
“The physicians of the Imperial Medical Institute have taken turns examining me, but none dared speak plainly. Only Wei Yan is honest with me.”
At the mention of Wei Yan, a glint of approval flashed in the Crown Prince’s eyes, though his tone carried a note of regret. “That man Wei Yan—his medical skill is superb, and he’s sharp and quick-witted. If only we could win him over to our side. It’s just a pity…”
It was a pity that Wei Jieyu belonged to Empress Xu’s faction, and Wei Yan would never secretly switch sides and pledge his loyalty elsewhere.
A flicker passed through the Crown Grandson’s eyes, as if he wanted to say something, but he silently held it back.
The Crown Princess, who had long been waiting for word, hurried forward and took hold of the Crown Prince’s other arm, asking with anxious urgency, “Why are you both back so late? I’ve been waiting for two hours.”
The Crown Prince said in a low voice, “Father Emperor’s health is weak. After court today, he returned straight to his bedchamber and didn’t even attend the palace banquet. After the banquet ended, I took A’Yao to Zichen Hall to keep Father Emperor company, and we only came back after having dinner there.”
Understanding dawned on the Crown Princess, and she asked quietly, “Did Father Emperor take those pills of immortality again?”
The Crown Prince nodded.
At his age, still putting himself through such strain—it would be a wonder if his body could bear it.
The Crown Princess grumbled silently to herself but said nothing more aloud.
Once inside the inner hall, under the bright candlelight, the Crown Prince’s pale, weary face was laid bare for all to see.
The Crown Princess quickly helped him sit down to rest, then sighed. “With Father Emperor falling ill like this, he’ll probably be away from court for half a month again. Your Highness will have to bear the burden once more.”
“My own hardship is nothing. But A’Yao will have to go to the palace in my place to attend to him, running there every day from now on.” The Crown Prince sighed, half in jest. “We can’t very well let Sixth Brother be the only one working so ‘hard,’ after all.”
Hard, indeed! Prince Yan was clearly using this opportunity to vie for favor.
The Crown Princess gave a light huff and instructed the Crown Grandson, “A’Yao, Prince Yan is quick and clever with his expressions, and he’s always good at making people happy. You’re usually so quiet and reserved—you’re bound to be at a disadvantage against him. When you’re with your grandfather, don’t keep that stiff, serious face all the time, understand? Make small talk now and then, and please him a little.”
The Crown Grandson gave a brief hum of acknowledgment, his handsome face showing little expression.
Mature beyond his years, he appeared far steadier than the lively, restless Prince Yan. But getting him to say a few flattering, cheerful words was as difficult as scaling the heavens.
The Crown Princess couldn’t help shooting him a look. “Look at you, never one for talking even on ordinary days. Even with me you’re always so cold and distant. When you see your grandfather, don’t put on that stony face again.”
The Crown Grandson frowned slightly, didn’t argue, and simply hummed again.
The Crown Princess: “…”
“Alright, enough nagging.” The Crown Prince finally spoke up. “A’Yao was simply born serious and reserved—why make him imitate Sixth Brother’s ways? Whatever he’s like normally, let him be the same in the palace.”
“But…”
“No buts.” The Crown Prince said meaningfully, “It’s easy enough to be a filial son who plays the fool to entertain his elders. But to be the heir apparent of Dazhou takes more than just a clever tongue.”
The Crown Princess fell quiet, turning the words over carefully in her mind, and the more she thought about it, the more sense it made.
Indeed! Let Prince Yan jump about and put on his lively displays however he liked. A’Yao was the Crown Grandson of Dazhou, the future heir to the throne—of course it was better for him to be dignified and composed.
The Crown Princess finally stopped fussing. The Crown Grandson let out a breath of relief and shot the Crown Prince a grateful glance.
The Crown Prince gave his son a secret wink, and father and son shared a knowing smile.
After a moment, the Crown Princess broke the silence. “Speaking of which, something rather curious happened at Jiaofang Hall today.”
“Oh? What kind of curious thing? Do tell.” The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow with interest.
The Crown Grandson had no interest in such trivial matters and was about to cup his hands and take his leave, when he suddenly heard Ling Jingshu’s name. The words on the tip of his tongue caught in his throat, and he focused his attention to listen.
“…Everyone at Jiaofang Hall was startled at the time—no one expected Empress Xu would summon Ling Jingshu into the palace. That girl Ling Jingshu was clever enough, though. Seeing there was no way to decline, she simply spoke up and accepted on her own.”
“And Wei Jieyu put in a good word for her, so Empress Xu agreed to grant her the position of female official, even making a special exception to allow her to bring maidservants into the palace.”
Ever since the Crown Grandson’s engagement had been settled, the Crown Princess’s ill will toward Ling Jingshu had faded somewhat. Now, speaking of her situation, she even let slip a rare note of sympathy. “Who knows what caught Empress Xu’s eye about that girl. Getting into Jiaofang Hall is easy enough—getting back out again later will be the hard part.”
For a young girl in the bloom of her youth, finding a good match and marrying early to start a family was the proper path in life. Entering the palace at a time like this might look honorable and respectable, but it was unlikely to lead to a good ending.
The Crown Grandson pressed his lips into a tight line, a flash of cold, sharp light passing through his eyes.
What was Empress Xu’s true intention in summoning Ling Jingshu into the palace?
It probably had something to do with Wei Yan…
“A’Yao,” the Crown Princess said earnestly, “Ling Jingshu’s affairs have nothing to do with our household. Once she enters Jiaofang Hall, she’ll belong to Empress Xu’s circle. It’s best you keep your distance from her.”
That way, he could avoid catching Empress Xu’s attention and being targeted through some scheme involving Ling Jingshu.
The Crown Grandson was silent for a moment before answering, “Your son understands.”
Displeased by his perfunctory tone, the Crown Princess shot him another glare. “Don’t just say you understand—take my words to heart. You must have heard plenty of stories about beauty leading men astray. You’d best be a little more careful from now on.”
The Crown Grandson frowned, displeased.
The atmosphere instantly turned cold.
The Crown Prince cleared his throat. “It’s late. A’Yao, go on and rest. Remember to rise early tomorrow and head to the palace in good time.”
The Crown Grandson rose at once and took his leave.