"You guys go ahead and eat; I'm going to the latrine."
"Sure, Big Boss, feel free."
"We'll keep this duck for you."
"Don't bother. My stomach's upset, and I can't handle oily food. Just eat it yourselves; no need to waste it."
Yan Xiaoliu left his seat. Instead of heading downstairs, he went up to a first-class private room on the second floor.
Upon entering, he found two people seated inside: Master Zhang and young Eunuch Zhang.
As Chengjue entered, both eunuchs imdiately rose to their feet.
"Your slave pays respects to You, My Lord!"
"Your slave pays respects to You, My Lord!"
Master Zhang was composed. As an old palace hand and an Attendant who had been with Chengjue since childhood, he was accustod to such formalities.
Young Eunuch Zhang, however, was moved to tears at the sight of the Sixth Prince.
"My Lord! This slave has missed you dearly!"
As he said this, young Eunuch Zhang kowtowed three tis to the Sixth Prince.
This show of emotion was genuine. Just as common folk wisdom dictates 'a wife follows her husband, for better or worse,' the lives of eunuchs were similarly tied to their masters. Moreover, it was far more difficult for a eunuch to change masters than for a common woman to remarry.
Their master was their life's support, their spiritual pillar, their very belief. In the past, his master was among the least influential of the princes, but young Eunuch Zhang still held a glimr of hope, however small. But now, with their master effectively gone, young Eunuch Zhang had spent the past few months feeling like an orphan. Even the palace maid, Xiaoju, who used to flirt with him due to his good looks, had stopped paying him any attention. His hopes of finding a partner were dashed. His already fragnted life had turned even bleaker.
The Sixth Prince walked over to the window, looking down at the bustling scene below.
Ever since the Earl of North Border's estate was established in Beifeng Prefecture, shielding the region from the barbarian threat, Yanjing had enjoyed many years of peace and prosperity.
Master Zhang spoke first, "My Lord, how have you been recently?"
Chengjue offered a faint smile. "I'm fine. Quite comfortable, in fact."
Far more comfortable than being confined in the prince's residence.
A fleeting shadow crossed Master Zhang's eyes. Today was the Crown Prince's wedding day. All other princes would be wearing ceremonial robes to accompany the Second Prince to fetch his bride. Yet their own master, also a prince, could only stand here in a bailiff's uniform, watching from afar. They were all princes, yet the Emperor was truly harsh.
"By the way, has that matter been taken care of?"
"Are you referring to the convict nad Ran Min?"
"Yes."
"Your orders have been carried out, My Lord. The batch of convicts he is with will be sent to Li Tian City. I have made the arrangents and forwarded the necessary docunts. From there, he will be exiled to Shengle. There should be no complications."
"Good."
Ran Min—the convict who had killed a man, then brazenly drunk wine and eaten at in the county yan—had caught Chengjue's interest. That was why he wanted him sent to Zheng Fan. Among all the princes, only the Eldest Prince could legitimately command troops. The other princes, however, also held varying degrees of influence over the military. The only military commander Chengjue had any connection to was Zheng Fan. Truth be told, Chengjue was well aware that if Zheng Fan hadn't relied on his repeated military achievents, and subsequently the appreciation and protection of Tian Wujing, it was hard to say whether his father, the Emperor, would have directly intervened... It was truly hard to say.
"Actually, there's one more thing..."
DONG! DONG! DONG!
A deep, resonant bell toll suddenly echoed, followed swiftly by more bell sounds from all four directions of Yanjing.
Chengjue's expression changed instantly. Master Zhang's face also filled with horror.
Only young Eunuch Zhang looked bewildered, asking foolishly, "Is that the wedding bell?"
Master Zhang smacked young Eunuch Zhang on the back of the head and cursed, "Fool! That's the Departure Bell!"
Chengjue licked his lips and said, "It seems sothing has happened."
***
The Crown Prince was dressed in specially tailored, gold-edged ceremonial robes. The design, along with the accompanying pearls and adornnts, was clearly a cut above those of his brothers, signifying the distinct status of the Master of the East Palace.
Since the Eldest Prince was leading troops elsewhere and Chengjue was confined, the princes accompanying the Crown Prince to fetch the bride today were his fourth, fifth, and seventh younger brothers.
The Crown Prince rode at the head of the procession, followed by the three princes. Behind them ca the younger generation from various noble and influential families.
Today was an extrely important day for the Crown Prince. Being the son of the current Emperor was truly no easy task. Even though he was the eldest son born of the Empress, he had trodden with extre caution these past years. This was especially true after last year, when his own maternal uncle had destroyed his mother's family. His mother, the Empress, had returned to the palace and subsequently suffered a ntal breakdown. For a while, the Crown Prince had feared his future was bleak. Who could have predicted that not only would he be successfully installed in the East Palace, but today, he would also be marrying the daughter of the Earl of North Border. After today's wedding, he would naturally gain the inherent support of the Earl of North Border and the North Border Army. His position as Heir Apparent would beco even more secure!
Along the wedding procession route, commoners lining both sides of the Imperial Way knelt in homage. The Crown Prince ordered his attendants to scatter copper coins, sharing the joyous occasion with the people.
The procession, marked by grandeur and intermittent stops, finally arrived at the main entrance of the West Garden.
The Earl of North Border and his wife had not returned to the capital. However, a detachnt of the North Border Army, representing the bride's paternal family, was stationed outside the West Garden.
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