Will You Leave on Your Own or Shall This Prince Send You Off?
Once the snow had ceased the following morning, Lu Ronghuai left the residence with Xian Shuang and Xian Yu.
Xian Yu said cheerfully, “My lord, I have discovered that kneeling in the Buddhist hall is quite pleasant. This subordinate slept exceedingly well last night.”
Lu Ronghuai cast him a sidelong glance. “Then this fine assignment shall be yours henceforth.”
Xian Yu choked into silence.
“My lord, are we going to Fuxian Tower again?” Xian Shuang asked, lifting the whip and calling into the carriage.
“Mm.”
Xian Shuang drove the carriage. The party headed toward the largest tavern in Ye Jing.
Lu Ronghuai possessed a private room on the third floor of Fuxian Tower and it was well concealed. When the window was opened, one could overlook the bustling main avenue of Ye Jing.
“My lord, after Cheng Zhi left the residence yesterday, he met someone in a back alley,” Xian Shuang reported.
“Who?” Lu Ronghuai asked lightly.
A flash of killing intent passed through Xian Shuang’s eyes. His face remained rigid. “A minor eunuch from the Eastern Palace. They arranged to meet again today at Fuxian Tower.”
Xian Yu sneered. “My lord treated him well. What an ungrateful wretch.”
Several days earlier, Lu Ronghuai had ordered them to watch Cheng Zhi in secret. At the time, they had been puzzled. Now the answer lay plain.
“Shall we catch him in the act shortly?” Xian Yu asked.
“No need. This Prince is more curious what they will discuss. Open the hidden compartment.” Lu Ronghuai remained unhurried.
Xian Shuang moved to a wall and slid open a concealed compartment beside a landscape painting.
This hidden aperture allowed them to see outward into the adjacent private room. Those on the opposite side could not detect its presence.
After the time of two cups of tea, Cheng Zhi appeared in the neighboring room.
Soon after, a middle-aged man entered.
“Brother Guan, has the Crown Prince not come?” Cheng Zhi rose and peered past Guan Wei’s shoulder.
Guan Wei sneered inwardly. A mere adviser presumed to expect personal audience from His Highness?
He smiled politely. “His Highness is occupied. He has specially instructed me to receive Brother Cheng properly. Please be seated.”
Cheng Zhi appeared pleased. “To serve His Highness loyally is our honor. Brother Guan, I bring good news.”
“Brother Cheng, please speak.”
“Prince Li has recently fallen into discord with the Marquis of Xuanning’s manor. The Marquis has voiced many complaints in private. Last night, he sought out Minister Xu Zhan of the Ministry of Revenue for wine.”
The Marquis had long maintained distance from both the Eldest Prince and the Crown Prince’s factions. For him to seek Xu Zhan now was a signal.
“Minister Xu’s daughter married into the Eastern Palace last year as a secondary consort. Brother Cheng means that the Marquis intends to show favor toward us?” Guan Wei’s eyes lit up.
Cheng Zhi nodded. “In my humble view, it is only a matter of time before the Marquis inclines toward the Eastern Palace.”
Guan Wei still harbored doubt. “The Marquis is Prince Li’s maternal uncle. What if this is feigned allegiance?”
“Even so, consider this. Has Noble Consort Ning ever aided the Ning family these past years?”
Guan Wei shook his head.
“She does not even concern herself with her only son. Why would she care for the Ning clan? Unless the Marquis is a fool, he will know whom to choose.”
“Well said. When I report back, His Highness will surely be pleased.”
Cheng Zhi stroked his white beard and added, “There is another opportunity. Prince Li dislikes his Consort. The Crown Prince may find a chance to win over Prince Li’s Consort.”
Guan Wei nodded. “Recently Prince Li caused the Third Princess to fall into the water. She was ill for half a month. The Empress and His Highness are greatly angered and intend to trouble Prince Li at the New Year’s Eve banquet. If Prince Li’s Consort can be drawn over, matters would be much simpler.”
Cheng Zhi agreed. “One difficulty remains. Prince Li shows no interest in his post at the Ministry of Works. He has not even exchanged words with Minister Chen.”
Chen Youwei had long been aligned with the Eastern Palace, concealed well from public knowledge.
They had hoped to use this opportunity for Chen Youwei to entrap Lu Ronghuai. Instead, Prince Li appeared idle and unreliable.
“It matters not. Observe quietly at the Ministry. His Highness’s true opponent is the Eldest Prince. Were it not for Prince Li’s excessive military merit, His Highness would not spare him a glance.”
“Brother Guan speaks wisely.”
The conversation continued. On the other side, Xian Yu and Xian Shuang nearly crushed their teacups.
Seeing Lu Ronghuai calmly sipping tea, they forced themselves to drink as well to suppress their anger.
“Investigate the connection between them. Act cautiously. Do not be discovered,” Lu Ronghuai said softly as he set down his cup.
The two nodded.
“Come. They show this Prince such concern. This Prince should visit the Ministry of Works.” Lu Ronghuai rose and strolled out at leisure.
Their departure was as silent as their arrival. Soon they reached the Ministry gates.
Lu Ronghuai entered as though strolling through his own garden.
Chen Youwei was in discussion with subordinates. When Lu Ronghuai strode in, the entire room fell silent.
“Continue. This Prince merely came to observe.” He seated himself in a pearwood chair, propping his head in interest.
The officials exchanged looks.
Chen Youwei stepped forward, wearing a distant smile. “To what do we owe the honor of Prince Li’s visit?”
Lu Ronghuai raised a brow. “If this Prince recalls correctly, I too hold office here. We are colleagues.”
“I would not presume,” Chen Youwei shook his head. Recalling the previous times he had given tasks that Lu Ronghuai had perfunctorily dismissed, his smile faded. “Your Highness has many affairs. The minor matters of the Ministry would not trouble you.”
“You speak truly.” Lu Ronghuai nodded in agreement.
Chen Youwei fell silent.
“Minister Chen does not know. Since returning from the battlefield, this Prince’s hands itch daily. I must kill a few men to ease the feeling. I refrain from frequent visits for the sake of my colleagues. Should this Prince inadvertently injure someone, what then?”
He spoke in a tone gentle as spring rain, yet his words chilled the marrow.
The hall sank into deathly stillness.
Everyone’s faces were extremely pale. They looked at Lu Ronghuai as if looking at an evil spirit.
Lu Ronghuai left the Ministry of Works satisfied.
After returning to the residence, he trained with Xian Yu and the others until sweat drenched him.
He bathed, dined, and went to the study.
Xian Feng entered bearing a letter. “My lord, Prime Minister Nie has sent an invitation to the poetry gathering.”
“Throw it away.” Lu Ronghuai did not lift his head from the documents he was reviewing.
Xian Feng hesitated. “My lord, might this offend Prime Minister Nie?”
“And if it does?” Lu Ronghuai looked up, gaze cold. “Nie Chouwen wishes nothing more than for this Prince to offend him.”
“But…”
“Put away that naive thinking.” Lu Ronghuai’s eyes pierced through him. “That old man’s temperament is strange. Even if this Prince married his grandson, he would not necessarily lend aid.”
“Prime Minister Nie indeed has a legitimate grandson.”
“Will you leave on your own or shall this Prince send you off?”
“…This subordinate will leave on his own.”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Cheng Zhi: We must find a chance to win over Prince Li’s Consort!
Lu Ronghuai: He’s already in this Prince’s bed, don’t @ me!
IsitRo:
I maaaaaaaaaade it!!!!!!!!! By made it i meant, i diiieed several times! Had been working on these since Fri. Will still post ch 21-30 next week, so the chaps will finally link properly on Novelupdates. orz Then back to 5 chaps coz my head is giving ache. c':
0 Comments