The spring rain had just ceased, and the following day, Prince Yan and the Crown Prince set out for the Ministry of Revenue to participate in the "Rite of Ploughing."
Each spring, the Emperor would prepare for the "Rite of Ploughing," where he would symbolically till the soil and plant seedlings to demonstrate his respect for agriculture. However, the last two years had been plagued by the Emperor's ill health, leaving him bedridden and unable to perform the ritual. Consequently, the Crown Prince had taken on the role.
"Crown Prince Brother, Second Brother, the Censors are watching closely. We must take this ploughing seriously," Prince Heng sneered with veiled mockery.
Prince Heng, born to the noble consort, had always been at odds with the Crown Prince. The Censorate, a power base of Prince Heng, was populated mostly by his confidants. Today, their watchful eyes were trained on the Crown Prince and Prince Yan, ready to record any mistake for posterity.
The Crown Prince shot a subtle glance at Prince Heng, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.
"Crown Prince Brother, don't look at like that. Your brother is quite terrified," Prince Heng retorted, shaking his white jade fan with a sardonic smile.
The ritual music began, marking the start of the Rite of Ploughing.
The newly rained-on field was wet and muddy. Dressed in ceremonial attire, the Crown Prince stepped into the mud and nearly slipped. Thankfully, Prince Yan, quick-witted and swift, supported him, preventing a humiliating fall.
However, the Crown Prince began to cough violently, even coughing up blood.
Having suffered a severe illness during the winter, the Crown Prince's health had not fully recovered, and he was sensitive to the wind. The eunuch dispatched by the Emperor to oversee the event quickly returned to the palace to seek instructions. The Emperor, via an imperial edict, permitted Prince Yan to replace the Crown Prince in the ploughing.
Prince Heng seethed with silent frustration.
He knew this was the Emperor's way of warning him—even if the Crown Prince couldn't ascend the throne, there was still Prince Yan capable of the task. As for him, Prince Heng, he would never rule.
"Brother, rest now. I'll handle this," Prince Yan said, helping the coughing Crown Prince to the side.
The Crown Prince held Prince Yan's hand: "Yuanjing, you've never fard before. Are you sure you can do this?"
Prince Yan thought of the vegetable plot in Fangfei Courtyard, where he had recently planted seedlings. That lively and charming woman, Shen Wei, had taught him the proper technique and posture for farming.
Shen Wei had never imagined that her attempt to curry favor would inadvertently earn Prince Yan's greater fondness.
Prince Yan's lips curved into a faint smile as he assured, "Brother, rest easy."
With the ritual music playing, in the gaze of the officials, Prince Yan took over the ploughing in place of the Crown Prince. The Censors' eyes widened, scrutinizing every move, eager to catch any flaw.
Yet they were all disappointed.
Prince Yan's grip on the plough was flawless. His actions—from digging the soil to planting the seedlings—were executed without a single mistake.
The officials marveled at Prince Yan's skills, admiring his wisdom and virtue. Truly, a virtuous prince indeed!
The sickly Crown Prince watched his brother at work, his eyes filled with relief.
He realized his weakened body wouldn't last much longer, and the billions of lives in the state of Qing would ultimately fall to Prince Yan.
The ritual music concluded, and the Rite of Ploughing ended flawlessly.
The Censors, finding no faults, were forced to pen words of praise for Prince Yan.
Prince Heng ground his teeth in frustration, his eyes dark with anger.
...
As the evening approached, the satisfied Prince Yan returned to his manor and dined with his wife. Today's successful Rite of Ploughing was thanks to Shen Wei's help.
He planned to visit Shen Wei tonight to check on the sprouts of his small cabbages and turnips, then share a night of intimacy with her. Eager, almost impatient.
"My lord," his wife gently reminded during the dinner, "While Shen Wei of Fangfei Courtyard is delightful, do not forget the others you've favored before. Concubine Liu suffered a recent mishap, falling into water. You should show her so care as well."
Prince Yan set down his jade chopsticks, his gaze turning to his wife: "I don't need my wife to dictate who I favor."
Prince Yan wasn't pleased with his wife's attitude.
As a prince, his choice of company and comfort should be his to make.
But his wife often spoke to him with a tone of command, not as a spouse but more like a mother. It was presumptuous, botherso.
His wife sensed the chill in the air and hurriedly stood up, aware of her overstepping: "My lord, I apologize."
Prince Yan stood, leaving his wife's courtyard.
His wife's knees weakened, nearly collapsing. She steadied herself with Granny Liu's assistance, her eyes filled with sadness and despair.
Closest of kin can be the furthest of strangers. Her husband's affection for her was growing colder.
All n in the world were cold-hearted.
...
Prince Yan left his wife's courtyard and made his way directly toward Fangfei Courtyard.
As he walked, he thought of his childhood sweetheart, Liu Qiao'er, and mories of their innocent ti together surfaced.
"Forget it, I'll visit the Moonlight Courtyard first," Prince Yan decided, altering his path toward the Moonlight Courtyard.
Fu Gui went ahead to announce his arrival, and Concubine Liu, trembling, ca out to greet him. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and her face was pale and frail.
"Qiao'er, I ca late," Prince Yan stepped forward, aiming to take Concubine Liu's hand.
Looking at the handso man so close, Concubine Liu felt a cold sweat creep down her back. Despite Prince Yan's striking appearance and tender deanor, his thods after his ascension were terrifying.
In her past life, Concubine Liu had been falsely accused of infidelity and scheming against the princes. The look in Prince Yan's eyes had been darker than the abyss itself.
n were heartless creatures!
The dangers of such a man demanded distance!
Prince Yan held Concubine Liu's soft hand, her palm sweaty and sticky. Though it displeased him, he didn't release her hand, and the two entered the room.
Concubine Liu nervously poured tea for Prince Yan, stuttering: "My lord, I... I am still not recovered. I fear I cannot serve you tonight."
Prince Yan ca to see his woman not just for the pleasures of the flesh but also to simply talk, sharing the night peacefully.
Prince Yan reassured: "I'm here tonight just to keep you company."
Over the years, Prince Yan's feelings for Concubine Liu had waned, but there was still so remnant affection. Concubine Liu's recent misfortune, which led to her falling into the water, deserved so attention from him as a courtesy of their past.
Upon hearing this, Concubine Liu only grew more terrified.
She knew her allure. If she wanted, the prince would surely favor her again. But the dreadful mories of her previous life made her shudder.
She couldn't afford to be in the spotlight again!
"My lord... I am truly unwell. Please, go elsewhere," Concubine Liu mustered her courage and refused him once more.
Prince Yan's expression darkened.
He studied Concubine Liu intently, noting her deliberate distance. Prince Yan was astute; he knew sothing was amiss.
Human tolerance has its limits.
While Prince Yan cared for Liu Qiao'er, he also expected reciprocation from her.
Concubine Liu's behavior tonight had entirely exhausted the last vestiges of his feelings for her.
Prince Yan stood, his tone emotionless: "Since you're unwell, take your ti to recover."
With that, Prince Yan left, his departure leaving Concubine Liu trembling in fear.
By the courtyard gate, Concubine Liu's personal maid was puzzled and asked, "Mistress, why did you push the prince away? Judging by his direction, he's heading to Fangfei Courtyard next. Shen Wei is basking in his favor now; we should act to cut her down."
Concubine Liu's lips curled in a cynical smile: "Shen Wei may be flourishing now, but when she falls, it will be far more painful."
If she, Liu Qiao'er, chose to act, she could easily reclaim Prince Yan's heart.
Her long-standing relationship with him wouldn't vanish because of a newcor like Shen Wei.
Concubine Liu rembered clearly how, in her past life, the humble-born Shen Wei had briefly enjoyed Prince Yan's favor but it lasted only a month.
Even without her interference, Shen Wei wouldn't have the fortune for long.
...
Leaving the Moonlight Courtyard, Prince Yan beca increasingly annoyed.
He had treated Concubine Liu well, even arranging for imperial physicians to attend to her during her illness.
Now that Concubine Liu was recovered, she acted so spiteful!
As a royal prince, he, dignified and noble, had been treated coldly by a concubine. His eyes darkened as he commanded Fu Gui: "Reduce the rations for the Moonlight Courtyard; allocate as per a concubine's level."
Fu Gui quickly replied: "Understood, Your Highness."
Fu Gui inwardly sighed.
Concubine Liu's actions were truly foolish. The prince was the master of this household. The sustenance of the won within relied entirely on him, as he was the sole provider.
Yet Concubine Liu dared to disrespect the prince. It was utter folly.
Seeking her ruin.
Having left Concubine Liu's quarters, Prince Yan turned his steps toward Fangfei Courtyard. Two charming rabbit lanterns hung above Fangfei Courtyard's gate, adding warmth to the night.
Seeing the pair of enchanting rabbit lanterns, Prince Yan's mood improved, and he strode eagerly into Fangfei Courtyard.
Shen Wei was still awake, climbing a ladder to return a baby swallow to its nest atop the roof. Prince Yan stood in the courtyard, gazing up at Shen Wei under the darkening sky.
She wore a pale green hanfu skirt, her face bare and her jet-black hair falling loosely over her shoulders. Her profile was radiant and beautiful. She gently placed the fallen swallow back into its nest, and the bird chirped incessantly, as if expressing gratitude.
"Your Highness, you're back!" Shen Wei stood on a ladder, spotting Prince Yan below. She seed quite surprised and hastily began to climb down.
Accidentally (or so it seed), she lost her footing.
Shen Wei let out a sharp scream.
Prince Yan reacted quickly, catching her firmly in his arms. Shen Wei trembled like a frightened deer.
Carefully scanning her surroundings, she realized she was unhard. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. She gazed at Prince Yan with admiration and said, "Your Highness, you're amazing! Thank you so much for saving !"
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