A Benevolent Father and a Filial Son
On the morning of the sixth day, after the officials assembled for court, and discovered that two people were missing from the great hall.
The Crown Prince and Prince Qi.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Li, who had supposedly been attacked and injured and ought to be recuperating at home, appeared in the hall in a manner most peculiar.
The officials exchanged glances without a word. Thoughts stirred beneath composed faces.
Only Prime Minister Nie stood as steady as a mountain, eyes closed in quiet repose.
Chen Youwei adjusted the collar of his official robe and approached, performing a courteous bow with deliberate show. “Your Highness is present at court today. I presume your injuries are no longer serious.”
Lu Ronghuai’s brows relaxed, his mood evidently good. “Rest assured. I will not die anytime soon.”
Another could not restrain his curiosity. Feigning concern while seeking information, he asked, “Your Highness left the New Year’s Eve palace banquet abruptly, and soon after came news that you and the Prince Consort were attacked. Has the assassin been captured?”
“There is no need for your concern.” Lu Ronghuai’s tone was calm. “The man has already been cut into pieces by this Prince. Would you care to see?”
The assembled officials collectively clapped hands over mouths and stepped back, fighting to keep their breakfasts where they belonged, regretting that they had ever gone looking for trouble this early in the morning.
When Emperor Hongjia entered and saw his ministers looking pale and unwell, he felt puzzled. Just as he was about to ask, he caught sight of Lu Ronghuai. His expression brightened. “Third Son, are your injuries healed?”
Lu Ronghuai pressed a hand to his chest and coughed twice. His voice was faint and colorless. “Reporting to Father Emperor, though I have not fully recovered, duty remains. I dare not slacken in the slightest.”
Emperor Hongjia was deeply moved. He immediately ordered that a chair be brought for him.
“Do not stand. You come to court before your wounds have healed. This is nonsense. Sit at once.”
“This son thanks His Majesty.”
Lu Ronghuai lifted his robe and sat without hesitation.
The officials below watched this tender scene of “benevolent father and filial son.” They only regretted having eaten quite a hearty breakfast with nowhere to expel it.
After expressing concern for Lu Ronghuai, Emperor Hongjia glanced aside and only then noticed the absence of the Crown Prince and Prince Qi.
“Where are the Crown Prince and Prince Qi?”
A young eunuch rushed in from outside the hall and threw himself onto his knees on the marble floor, then wailed in a trembling falsetto, “Reporting to Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince was beaten last night!”
Another eunuch hurried in behind him, breathless as he kowtowed. “Your Majesty, word has come from Prince Qi’s residence. Prince Qi has suffered frostbite in the night and has a fever that will not break!”
The entire court erupted in commotion.
Emperor Hongjia struck the dragon throne in anger. “Who dared do this? Has the heavens been overturned?”
The ministers’ gazes fell in silent unison upon Prince Li.
Lu Ronghuai leaned back against the chair, posture lax. His cold gaze swept across them. He curved his lips with composure. “Why do you all look at this Prince? Do you believe I am responsible?”
His smiling eyes rested upon them, yet they cut like blades.
A chill crept along their necks. They spoke in evasive phrases and muddled through.
Emperor Hongjia recalled Lu Ronghuai’s past record and could not help his suspicion. “Third Son, was it truly not you?”
Lu Ronghuai’s complexion went a shade or two paler. He coughed. “Father Emperor overestimates me. I am gravely wounded and the residual poison remains in my body. Even if the will were there, the body is not capable.”
Even if the will were there…
Emperor Hongjia felt his heart seize. He was just drawing breath to speak when Lu Ronghuai spoke again.
Lu Ronghuai smiled faintly. “This Prince has always been clear in matters of grievance and gratitude. Elder Brother and Second Brother bear me no enmity of late. Why would I trouble them and cause Father Emperor sorrow?”
Emperor Hongjia swallowed the words that had risen to his lips.
The morning court concluded hastily. No one had the heart for governance.
Once dismissed, those aligned with the Crown Prince and Prince Qi hurried toward the Eastern Palace and Prince Qi’s residence. Lu Ronghuai walked alone at the rear, far behind the others.
He watched the anxious officials ahead, as well as those of both factions who are currently keeping their allegiances well-concealed. A cold smile flickered at the corner of his mouth.
Then, a figure to his right walked at an unhurried pace, drawing his attention.
He spoke first. “Vice Minister Su, walk with me.”
Su Ruhe halted. He cast a blank look at Prince Li, unable to fathom why this omen of disaster figure suddenly wished to accompany him.
Too indolent to ponder, he nodded slowly and said nothing.
Lu Ronghuai found it amusing.
As in his previous life, the man remained dull and close-mouthed.
Remembering Su Ruhe’s fate in that former life, the smile faded from Lu Ronghuai’s eyes. He spoke as though casually. “Vice Minister Su’s residence lies in Wutong Alley, does it not?”
“That is correct, Your Highness.” Su Ruhe covered his mouth with his sleeve and yawned.
Lu Ronghuai gave him a meaningful glance. “There is a deep bend in the river at the entrance to Wutong Alley. Vice Minister Su passes by it every day on his way to and from court. You would do well to take care.”
Su Ruhe was so drowsy his thoughts moved sluggishly. Only after walking some distance did understanding dawn.
Prince Li… was concerned for him?
Su Ruhe was seized by a violent shudder. The sleepiness vanished in an instant. His refined face twisted into a strained and fearful smile. “This official is most grateful for Your Highness’s concern. This official will exercise utmost caution.”
Observing his expression, Lu Ronghuai knew he had misunderstood.
No matter. He merely wished to prevent this upright young official from being drawn once more into the scheme because of him, murdered unjustly, and cast into that deep bend of the river without even a complete corpse.
“Vice Minister Su has reached the third rank at such a young age. Your future is boundless. This Prince holds you in high regard.”
The praise made Su Ruhe’s scalp prickle. Bearing the weight of it, he replied, “Your Highness is too kind. This official is entirely unworthy of such regard.”
“We both serve in the Ministry of Works. Should you encounter difficulty in the future, you may seek this Prince.”
Lu Ronghuai continued to extend his springlike benevolence.
Su Ruhe, however, felt as though he were being roasted over an open flame.
What did Prince Li intend? To draw him into his camp? He was but a minor vice minister who wished only for quiet days until retirement.
Misery filled Su Ruhe’s heart. He regretted leaving home in such haste that morning without consulting the almanac.
“This Prince must return to accompany Ah-Yuan. I shall go ahead.”
Having concluded his overtures, Lu Ronghuai’s thoughts were already racing home. He no longer cared to proceed at Su Ruhe’s unhurried pace.
Upon exiting the palace gates, Xian Feng waited with the horse. Lu Ronghuai mounted and rode swiftly toward his residence.
It had been but a single night apart, yet longing gripped him so fiercely.
He wished he could carry the man upon his person at all times, to ease the ache of separation.
Meanwhile, within Fengqi Palace, the Empress flung her teacup to the ground.
Her phoenix eyes burned with fury. Through clenched teeth she said, “That beast was so ruthless as to break both legs of this palace’s Crown Prince. I will not let this pass lightly.”
Her trusted maid stepped forward. “Your Majesty, calm your anger. Prince Li has always been vindictive. He cannot compare with His Highness the Crown Prince’s benevolent heart.”
The Empress closed her eyes, suppressing the fire within. “Luo’er is too honest. That is why he allows that bastard to press forward time and again.”
“What does Your Majesty intend?” The maid gently massaged her temples.
“At times, one needs no blade to kill. A single word, a single sentence, is enough to ruin a man.”
The Empress’s brows relaxed. Her mood improved. “Let the people of the entire capital see the true face of that bastard, and how loathsome it is.”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu Ronghuai: Vice Minister Su, walk with me.
Su Ruhe: STAY AWAY FROM MEEE!
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