Deposed 18

Chapter 18. Gift

The three-day kneeling punishment decreed by Emperor Changping did not require them to kneel through the night. Once the hour of You (5-7 PM) passed and night fell, the princes could return to rest and report back the next morning.

“Eldest Prince, Her Majesty, the Empress, has prepared dinner at Fengyi Palace and has sent this servant to invite you to dine.”

Empress Ji’s trusted eunuch had been waiting on the side. Seeing that the time had come, he immediately stepped forward to help Mu Jue up and summoned the palace servants to bring a sedan chair. They carefully carried the First Prince, who couldn’t even stand up after kneeling for a whole day, towards Fengyi Palace.

Almost at the same time, the head palace maid from Noble Consort Su’s palace also arrived with a sedan chair. “Second Prince, Noble Consort has prepared dinner and your favorite pastries at Qingjia Palace. She has specifically ordered this servant to invite the Prince over. Your Highness has suffered greatly.”

The palace maid’s eyes were red.

Mu Xiao had a dark expression. He hadn’t suffered, he was heartbroken.

He had prepared for so long, anticipated for so long, and in the end, his idol hadn’t even spared him a glance!

At least some people got two hawthorn pills for digestion!

The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Princes were also quickly summoned by their respective mothers. Even the least noticeable Mu Qi happily threw himself into the arms of his birth mother, Lady Lin, who had come to pick him up personally.

“Q-Qier was insensible and took His Highness’s things without permission. I hope Your Highness will be magnanimous and not hold it against him. This concubine, this concubine apologizes to Your Highness.”

Lady Lin stood three steps away, timidly placed the soft cushion and knee pads before Mu Yun, then hurriedly bowed and dragged Mu Qi away.

After leaving the area of Chengqing Hall, Lady Lin finally, with lingering fear, scolded her son, “Are you stupid? How dare you eat something given to you by the Crown Prince? What if those cookies were poisoned! He’s a former Crown Prince, he has no brotherly affection for you at all. He probably even wishes to get rid of all of you, the Emperor’s own sons. Use your brain!”

The lamp-lighting palace servants had already begun to light the lamps in each hall.

Gao Jili looked at the little Highness still kneeling alone on the broken stones and coaxed him with some heartache, “Your Highness, why don’t we go back too? I heard there’s a temple fair at the West City Gate today. It’s very lively.”

“No, I can’t leave yet.”

The youth clenched his fist, a small flame flickering in his eyes.

Gao Jili: Huh?

His Highness, the Crown Prince, said righteously, “I haven’t received the deed to my luxurious estate in the suburbs yet.”

It was agreed that he would get a deed for each day of kneeling, payment on delivery.

If they dared not to give it to him, hmph!

“This old servant greets Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Wang Fulai emerged from Chengqing Hall with a smiling face. He had only half-completed his bow when he saw the youth opposite him impatiently hold out his hand. “Dispense with the formalities. Where’s the deed?”

Wang Fulai: “…..”

Wang Fulai: “Well, it’s like this. Your Highness, don’t be anxious. His Majesty knows that Your Highness has been kneeling all day and must be tired. Therefore, he has specially prepared hot soup and dinner in Chengqing Hall and is waiting for Your Highness to dine. After you’ve eaten your fill, you can have the deed.”

Emperor Changping had originally accepted Empress Ji’s invitation to dine at Fengyi Palace. But just as he reached the door, he saw that the other princes all had their mothers come to pick them up, leaving only the Crown Prince kneeling there alone, looking extremely pitiful. He temporarily changed his mind and had the imperial kitchen set the dinner directly in Chengqing Hall.

Nine dishes and one soup, meat and vegetables, all nutritious and beneficial for growth, even higher in standard than Emperor Changping’s usual meals.

“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”

Emperor Changping looked at Mu Yun, who was gnawing on a pork trotter with a blank expression, and asked with a hint of nervousness.

Mu Yun responded with a perfunctory “hmm,” continued to gnaw on the trotter without any expression, and when he was finished, casually wiped his hands on his robe. For the eighth time, he asked, “Where’s the deed?”

Emperor Changping: “…..”

This child, why was he so obsessed with money?

“Wang Fulai, go to my private treasury immediately and fetch the deed to Mingxiu Villa.”

In front of so many palace servants, Emperor Changping didn’t want to earn a reputation for being “untrustworthy and swindling a child.”

Wang Fulai was slightly surprised.

Mingxiu Villa was a gift from Emperor Wen to the then-Crown Prince, the current Emperor. It was built in the best location in the suburbs, and just like its name, it was surrounded by beautiful mountains and clear waters, with excellent scenery. The villa had a natural hot spring with rising steam. Regular bathing in it could strengthen the body, beautify the skin, and even cure chronic diseases like lumbago, rheumatism, and arthritis. Previously, Empress Ji wanted to take the frail First Prince there to bathe, but the Emperor hadn’t agreed. This time… he was giving it away to the Crown Prince so casually as a gift?

Although there were reasonable grounds for His Majesty to do so, wouldn’t it attract too much attention? If word got out to certain people, they would be displeased again.

“If I tell you to go, go. Why are you dawdling? I am the Emperor. Do I need to consider other people’s opinions when giving a gift?”

Emperor Changping’s face darkened with displeasure. Obviously, Wang Fulai’s reaction had triggered some unpleasant memories.

“Yes, Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This old servant was muddle-headed.”

Wang Fulai also came to his senses. Yes, although it had only been three short years, the situation in the court was now under His Majesty’s absolute control. The civil and military officials were all loyal and obedient to His Majesty, and there was no longer any person or family that could sway His Majesty’s will. As long as His Majesty was willing, no one could interfere even if he wanted to give away a mountain of gold and silver, let alone a villa.

Mu Yun finished the pork trotter, drank two more sips of creamy mushroom soup, then sat on the stool with his hands propping up his chin, obediently waiting for Wang Fulai to return.

“Ahem.”

“I know that the Marquis of Dingbei’s return to the capital this time has caused you a lot of mental stress.”

Emperor Changping cleared his throat, trying to make small talk to break the awkward atmosphere lingering around the dining table.

After all, the scene of Marquis Wei angrily gripping the little Crown Prince’s wrist in front of Chengqing Hall this afternoon had been spread far and wide by the passing palace staff and officials, and Emperor Changping had inevitably heard a few snippets.

He was very worried about the Crown Prince’s physical and mental state, so he took the initiative to bring it up, wanting to understand the situation.

Who didn’t have a soft spot for their own children?

However, the youth opposite him only lazily moved his eyelids, looking like he didn’t want to bother with him or the world.

Emperor Changping could only continue the conversation alone. “Rest assured, the Marquis of Dingbei is not an unreasonable person. I have already instructed him not to make things difficult for you. He…”

“Hmph!”

“Why is Wang Fulai so slow!”

The youth suddenly complained irritably, his eyes only on the money.

“…..”

Emperor Changping’s throat bobbed a couple of times, and he chose to temporarily end the topic.

***

“What did you say? His Majesty is not coming to Fengyi Palace and will dine with the Crown Prince in Chengqing Hall?”

Hearing the news from the eunuch, Empress Ji was stunned.

She had specially dressed up and personally cooked a table of Emperor Changping’s favorite home-style dishes. She waited and waited, having the dishes reheated twice, only to receive this news.

“Did you tell His Majesty that this Empress and the First Prince are waiting here? Why did His Majesty suddenly change his mind?” Empress Ji still couldn’t quite believe it. Although her relationship with Emperor Changping had become increasingly distant over the years, because he doted on their frail eldest son, Emperor Changping would usually grace Fengyi Palace with his presence whenever Mu Jue was there, no matter how busy he was with government affairs. Sometimes he would even stay overnight.

“Replying to Your Majesty, this servant did say so. His Majesty said that Your Majesty and the First Prince should eat first, and he will come to see the First Prince another time. Also… there is one more thing, this servant doesn’t know if he should say it.”

Empress Ji nodded. “Speak quickly.”

She was eager to know what was going on in Chengqing Hall.

The eunuch glanced at his mistress’s expression and said, “According to Xiao Anzi, who serves His Majesty, His Majesty… His Majesty is giving Mingxiu Villa to the Crown Prince as a gift.”

“This… how is this possible!”

Empress Ji could no longer maintain her composure.

Wasn’t His Majesty deliberately acting as if he favored the Crown Prince to lure out Diting? But giving away Mingxiu Villa, wasn’t such favoritism a bit too much?

“What’s wrong, Mother?”

After bathing and changing, Mu Jue was in much better spirits. Seeing Empress Ji walk into the hall looking lost, he quickly got up, helped her to a seat, and asked with concern.

Empress Ji was silent and did not speak. After a long time, she suddenly stroked her son’s hand and said, “Yurun, did you find the gold-threaded soft armor that Mother asked you to find?”

Mu Jue nodded, seeming to have some reservations. “Your son would never dare to neglect Mother’s instructions. I had someone find it yesterday. It’s just…”

“There are no ‘justs’.”

Empress Ji interrupted her son. “Your mother is incompetent, and your maternal family is weak. Now, the only person in the court who can compete with the Su family is Wei Zhao. Therefore, the only person we can rely on is also Wei Zhao. Moreover, Wei Zhao has an old grudge with the Crown Prince. In the future, you won’t have to lift a finger, and he will help you get rid of that scourge.”

“After these two days, find a suitable opportunity. Your mother will arrange for you to become Wei Zhao’s disciple.”

“That piece of gold-threaded soft armor will be your apprenticeship gift.”