How Long Have You Followed This Prince?
Chu Yuan did not understand what he intended to do. Lu Ronghuai’s gaze was far too intent, fixed upon him in a way that made him faintly uncomfortable.
His eyes lowered.
“Nineteen.”
“Your birthday?”
“The fifteenth day of the sixth month.”
“Two years younger than this Prince,” Lu Ronghuai nodded and rose to his feet. “In three days, accompany this Prince to Yuqiang’s coming-of-age ceremony. This Prince has other matters to attend to. You may return.”
Lu Ronghuai strode away.
Chu Yuan stood and walked slowly toward the door. As he stepped outside, the wind caught him. He covered his lips and coughed twice.
He turned his eyes toward the sun sinking in the west and smiled without a sound.
Next year in the sixth month, he would reach his own coming-of-age. If Mother Empress were still alive, she would certainly have arranged a grand and lively ceremony for him. A venerable officiant would comb his hair and chant blessings. Someone would bestow upon him a courtesy name, congratulating him on stepping into adulthood.
None of that would happen now.
Lu Ronghuai remained in the study until deep into the night.
On his way back to Fuju Courtyard, his thoughts kept returning to the dream from two nights before.
Everything that had happened in the palace today matched the dream exactly.
He had remained outside Fengqi Palace, watching. When he saw Lu Lingshuang drag Chu Yuan out, he signaled Xian Feng with a gesture and followed silently behind.
He had concealed himself well and was not discovered.
The moment Chu Yuan fell, his restraint gave way. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and saved him.
He knew that if he did not intervene at that instant, Chu Yuan would fall into the bitterly cold waters of that pool just as he had in the dream.
More importantly, he did not wish to see that dream unfold again.
By the time he finished washing, it was already past the third watch.
Lu Ronghuai closed his eyes and forced himself to stop thinking about the incomprehensible dream.
Then he dreamed again that night.
The scene shifted to Qianzheng Hall.
Lu Ronghuai entered and found himself kneeling upon the floor.
“Prince Li, do you know your crime?” Emperor Hongjia asked from the dragon throne, his voice heavy.
Lu Ronghuai raised his head and looked directly at the emperor. A cold smile curved across his unruly face. “This son does not know what fault he has committed.”
“I ordered you to construct Zhengqing Temple. You embezzled three million guan of silver, cut corners, and caused the roof beams to collapse, resulting in over a hundred workers and servants losing their lives! When the Vice Minister of Works sought to expose you, you slit his throat and discarded his body to destroy the evidence. Utterly ruthless!”
As he spoke, the Hongjia Emperor struck the table and rose. The thunder of his fury shocking the gathered ministers below.
Lu Ronghuai, however, seemed to have heard a jest. He shook his head. His gaze was dark and steady as he met the emperor’s eyes.
“This matter was not done by this Prince. The Ministry of Works can testify for this Prince.”
The Minister of Works stepped forward and bowed. “This official can testify.”
“Speak freely.”
“Prince Li did indeed embezzle the silver. This official has evidence.” The minister presented a stack of account books.
“This official can also testify that Prince Li replaced the materials, treating human life as though it were mere grass.”
“Your Majesty, Prince Li’s aide Cheng Zhi can also testify,” the Minister of Works added.
“Summon him to the hall.”
Lu Ronghuai turned his head and saw Cheng Zhi, whom he had long trusted, enter wearing the familiar gray robes.
Cheng Zhi produced a secret letter bearing Prince Li’s private seal. “This one testifies that Vice Minister Su was indeed killed by Prince Li.”
Lu Ronghuai laughed.
“So you had long since colluded.”
Cheng Zhi’s expression was solemn and his manner righteous. “This humble one has followed Your Highness for years and has always obeyed you above all. Yet this one still possesses a conscience. I could not abide Your Highness’s bloodthirst and cruelty. Even if it costs this one his life today, this humble one must seek justice for the innocent people who died unjustly.”
“What fine words about a remaining conscience.” Lu Ronghuai rose to his feet.
“What are you doing?” Emperor Hongjia shouted in alarm. “Jinlin Guards, seize him for Zhen!”
Lu Ronghuai countered, “What does Father Emperor believe this son intends to do?”
“Would you commit murder before the throne? Kneel!” the Hongjia Emperor roared.
“Your Majesty, if Prince Li is not severely punished, public anger cannot be appeased!” the court ministers knelt as one.
Emperor Hongjia closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the cold ruthlessness of a sovereign had returned.
“Prince Li has filled his own coffers, harmed the people and officials alike, and disregarded the laws of the realm. By rights, he should be executed… In consideration of his past merits, the death penalty is waived. He shall be exiled to the Northern Frontier. His property is confiscated. The Prince’s residence is dissolved. For the remainder of his life, he is forbidden to leave the frontier.”
Lu Ronghuai opened his eyes, emotions churning in their depths.
The next morning, Cheng Zhi arrived at Prince Li’s residence.
“Mao Shu, where is the Prince?” Cheng Zhi asked.
Mao Shu pointed toward the northwest and sighed. “He went to the training grounds before dawn. His complexion did not look well. When he returned from the palace yesterday, he seemed in good spirits.”
Cheng Zhi’s darted around as he asked, “Whom did the Prince meet last yesterday?”
“He last met the Prince Consort. After that, he remained in the study and saw no one else,” Mao Shu replied meaningfully.
Cheng Zhi stroked his beard and smiled gently. “No matter. I will check on His Highness.”
Lu Ronghuai had practiced swordplay for more than an hour. Heat steamed from his body. He intended to return to Fuju Courtyard to bathe and change.
Then he encountered Cheng Zhi along the way.
“Congratulations, Your Highness. His Majesty has ordered you to serve at the Ministry of Works. It shows that in His Majesty’s heart, he still holds you in high regard,” Cheng Zhi stepped forward to offer felicitations.
The news of the enfeoffment had already spread throughout Ye Jing. Cheng Zhi had come early for this very reason.
Lu Ronghuai lowered his head and wiped the sword hilt. A faint frost seemed to veil his sharply defined features, and a trace of coldness touched his lips.
Cheng Zhi did not notice the subtle change in his expression. He only felt that today’s Lu Ronghuai was somewhat strange.
However, he did not dwell on it. Prince Li had always been unpredictable by nature. Even he could not discern what the Prince truly thought.
“Previously, Prince Qi took the daughter of the Ministry of Personnel as his secondary consort. The Crown Prince married the daughter of the Ministry of Revenue as well. Each has drawn the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue to their side. Only Your Highness stands comparatively isolated.”
“Now that Your Highness will serve in the Ministry of Works, with your strategy and wisdom, you will surely bring it under your influence. This one offers his congratulations in advance.” Cheng Zhi bowed.
Lu Ronghuai smiled faintly.
His imperial father’s intentions were not necessarily favor. It was merely another measure of balance.
“Rest assured, Your Highness. This one inquired last night. Minister of Works Chen Youwei has not pledged allegiance to any faction. You must seize this opportunity.”
“Master Cheng,” Lu Ronghuai suddenly said, “how long have you followed this Prince?”
Cheng Zhi was momentarily startled. He looked up at Lu Ronghuai, only to find that Lu Ronghuai was not looking at him.
“This humble one has followed Your Highness for four years,” he replied respectfully.
“Four years…” Lu Ronghuai smiled. The smile did not reach his eyes. “Has Master Cheng ever felt wronged following this Prince for so long?”
Cheng Zhi’s face showed alarm as he spoke with utmost sincerity. “Your Highness overstates it. Others may not know, but this humble one understands in his heart that Your Highness treats this humble one extremely well. This humble one swears to follow Your Highness unto death.”
Lu Ronghuai finally looked at him.
The corners of his lips curved up slightly as he said with ambiguous meaning. “In the days to come, Master Cheng must not forget these words spoken today.”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu Ronghuai: This Prince has already chosen the manner of your death.
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