On the second day, Zhu Cheng ca over again at dinner ti, asking to have lavish dishes brought into Li Garden to dine with them. He also specially invited Yan Daoxin to join the al, thanking him for the prescription that worked wonders for Pang Yuzhen.
The person who used to have issues eating and sleeping has improved sowhat in appetite and now sleeps peacefully through the night. Not only has Pang Yuzhen beco more comfortable, but Zhu Cheng, who had been troubled lately, felt relieved.
Ding Qian was indeed very efficient in handling matters. The night before, Zhu Cheng gave the order, and the next day, he organized so craftsn to start preparations for constructing the water channel in that area.
It is said that upon hearing the news, the surrounding villagers rushed to contribute to the construction of the water channel, delighted beyond asure.
After all, year after year, they toiled like everyone else, yet only earned less than half of others’ harvests. They had endured this hardship for generations. Finally, with the advent of the water channel, the villagers saw hope for a better life.
Regarding this, Zhu Cheng couldn’t be more satisfied, and during the feast, he personally poured Lu Qing a cup of wine, thanking him for facilitating such a good deed.
Lu Qing respectfully accepted without refusing, and they continued to exchange several cups together, Zhu Cheng gradually becoming sowhat intoxicated, his eyes slightly blurry.
Seeing the mont was ripe, Zhu Yu found an opportunity to speak to Zhu Cheng, "Father, why not co with us tomorrow to inspect the progress of the water channel construction?"
"What’s wrong with that!" Zhu Cheng’s recent days of joy were amplified by the alcohol, and in his haze, found no issue with Zhu Yu’s proposal, agreeing readily, "Tomorrow morning, have soone prepare the carriage, you will accompany to inspect."
"Taking the Prince Mansion’s carriage might not be suitable." Zhu Yu smiled and said to Zhu Cheng, "Father, with this grand deed you’ve done for the people of Shuo Country, since even Ding Qian has ntioned the villagers are overjoyed, wouldn’t you want to see their happiness firsthand?
If you go in the Prince Mansion’s carriage, the villagers will know the Prince Shuo is coming. Naturally, they will line up respectfully to welco him. But in such a case, how could you witness their genuine joy and gratitude?"
Zhu Cheng, still sowhat foggy, found Zhu Yu’s words increasingly sensible upon contemplation. If he went openly, the villagers may be polite and joyful, but he wouldn’t know if it was out of fear or genuine enthusiasm. In such a case, he wouldn’t feel truly satisfied.
If he could go without disturbing the villagers and see them genuinely praising him, treating the populace like his own children, for having done a great deed, wouldn’t that be wonderful?
The more Zhu Cheng thought, the more he found this to be the right way. Hence, he imdiately summoned the steward and ordered preparations for the next morning to have horses ready and several sets of ordinary coarse cloth short coats, like the attire of common folk going out for business. He wanted to go with Zhu Yu and the others to personally inspect the water channel construction, emphasizing not to alarm anyone.
As it was getting late, the steward dared not delay upon hearing and quickly went off to make arrangents.
Zhu Cheng continued to drink and toast with Lu Qing until he was swaying while walking before being helped by several servants outside the yard to return and rest.
Once Zhu Cheng had been sent off, Zhu Yu returned to check on Lu Qing.
Lu Qing, indeed, was as before when visiting Yunyin Pavilion, reeking of alcohol, yet his gaze remained exceptionally clear, not showing any sign of intoxication.
He took out the water bladder hidden in his sleeve, casually poured the wine within onto the ground while withdrawing his gaze from outside: "Though your father often lacks consideration in his actions, I must admit there are still many in the Prince Mansion aligned with him.
We’ve stayed here these few days, yet Princess Shuo and your mother remain entirely unaware of your identity, showing that the steward of the Prince Mansion and several old servants sent by your father are quite tight-lipped.
This is not only good for your father but also advantageous for us.
If Prince Shuo Mansion had already been infiltrated by nurous Pang Family spies, it would be as hard as scaling heaven for us to covertly grasp anything.
Zhu Yu nodded: "I knew beforehand, those nanny figures beside Pang Yuzhen are her confidants. Regardless of what she needs to communicate with her family, she would definitely entrust it to those nannies.
The other people in the mansion, she probably doesn’t trust, so she hasn’t tried to rope them in nor assigned them significant responsibilities. As long as we aren’t discovered by those around her, there’s nothing to worry about."
"Speaking of which, tonight you signaled to offer your father drinks, just to persuade him about going out incognito while intoxicated?" Lu Qing finally had ti to confirm his earlier suspicions with her.
Earlier, when Zhu Cheng, in a good mood, poured him wine, Zhu Yu had given him a gestural cue, though he had surmised what she wanted at the ti, the reason for doing so only beca clear once Zhu Yu voiced her proposals to Zhu Cheng.
"My father, despite not being overly ambitious, greatly cares for his image, including his obsession with crafting unparalleled weapons, which stems from self-esteem.
If ordinarily asked him to go looking disheveled like a common old man to the canal site, he would certainly refuse.
Especially since I’m a daughter, proposing such things to him, he would certainly not accept when sober; only in tipsy monts would he be flattered and overlook much."
"That being said, isn’t there a chance he might change his mind once sober tomorrow morning?"
"No," Zhu Yu smiled, shaking her head, "he’s already instructed everything tonight, so even if he regrets tomorrow, to avoid the servants laughing at him for making drunken promises and being untrustworthy, he won’t let himself take back his words.
Though once sober, he might shift the bla onto the one suggesting the idea."
She said this while smilingly pointing to her own nose, seemingly not very worried.
Sure enough, the next morning, Zhu Cheng’s reaction was exactly as Zhu Yu had predicted. Upon realizing what arrangents he’d made the previous day, he didn’t retract his words; however, he remained sullen throughout.
The only hint of a different expression erged upon seeing Zhu Yu’s disguised appearance.
Upon seeing his daughter transford into a stranger, Zhu Cheng couldn’t help but stare at her for quite so ti, forgetting to vent his anger on her.
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