With the Crown Prince about to depart for the south, the Emperor could no longer remain at ease in Yuqing Palace for the sumr.
Thus, the Emperor ended his sumr retreat early and returned to Shangjing with his empress and concubines.
By the ti they reached the palace gates, the Crown Prince was already there with his n to greet them.
As it was still raining, it was inconvenient for everyone to linger. After a hasty exchange of formalities, they entered the palace.
Hua Qingqing received the Emperor’s special permission to return ho and inform her family’s elders that she had entered the palace.
anwhile, Hua Manman returned to the Prince Mansion with Prince Zhao.
When Gao Shan learned that Prince Zhao and Lady Hua were about to head south, he quickly had people pack their belongings and prepare the carriages.
Li Ji sent Chen Wangbei with his personal letter to the Tiger Roar Camp to mobilize three thousand n.
Everyone in the Prince Mansion was busy, working in an orderly fashion.
「In the palace.」
Crown Prince Li Cheng had already learned that Hua Qingqing had been made a Jieyu.
He was furious, but he couldn’t let it show. He had to force himself to act as if nothing was wrong, standing respectfully before his father to receive a lecture.
"Consider this incident a lesson. In the future, when you send people for disaster relief, you must act cautiously and not let word get out."
Li Cheng replied obediently, "I understand."
’He was already fuming, and now he felt even more wronged and indignant.’
’The disaster relief plan was proposed by those people from the Central Secretariat, and Father had approved it. How is it that now that sothing has gone wrong, it’s all my responsibility?’
’It’s not like *I’m* the one who told the bandits to rob the relief funds and supplies!’
The Emperor knew his son was not particularly magnanimous and that saying too much would likely be counterproductive.
So the Emperor only touched on the matter briefly before changing the subject to the journey south.
"On this trip south, you must not only ensure the disaster relief is properly implented but also find out what happened to the previous shipnt of relief funds and supplies.
Especially those bandits. To dare and rob the court’s relief supplies is utterly lawless! They must be executed to appease the people’s outrage!"
As he finished, the Emperor’s tone grew severe. His imperial aura radiated outward, pressing down on everyone present until they all lowered their heads.
Li Cheng was sowhat intimidated. No longer daring to let his mind wander, he hurriedly replied.
"I will do my utmost and not disappoint you, Father!"
The Emperor’s tone softened slightly.
"Prince Zhao will accompany you south this ti.
Although he is the sa age as you, he has been fighting enemy forces on the frontier since he was young. He knows more than you do.
You can ask him about anything you don’t understand. He will do his best to help you complete your assignnt."
Li Cheng was inwardly scornful.
’In his eyes, Prince Zhao was just a cripple. He couldn’t even stand, so how could he possibly help?’
’It would be a miracle if Prince Zhao didn’t drag him down.’
But on the surface, he had to maintain a respectful facade, nodding as he replied.
"I understand."
The Emperor rubbed his temples, a hint of fatigue on his face. "That’s enough. Go say goodbye to your mother, the Empress. The disaster relief is urgent; you will depart tonight."
"Yes."
Li Cheng respectfully withdrew.
After he was so distance away, Chief Eunuch Zuo Ji cautiously asked.
"Your Majesty, why didn’t you explain the matter concerning Hua Jieyu?"
To outsiders, it looked as though the Emperor had deliberately stolen the Crown Prince’s woman. But as the Emperor’s most trusted chief eunuch, Zuo Ji knew the Emperor had actually been set up.
If this matter wasn’t explained clearly, he feared the Crown Prince would harbor resentnt.
The Emperor said nonchalantly.
"It’s just a woman. The Crown Prince wouldn’t create a rift between us over such a trivial matter."
In his eyes, while Hua Qingqing was clever and beautiful, she was hardly a peerless beauty capable of toppling nations.
The Crown Prince had seen his share of won. How could he possibly harbor resentnt toward his own father over a single, ordinary woman?
Zuo Ji sighed softly. ’I can only hope things turn out as His Majesty predicts.’
Li Cheng went to bid his mother, the Empress, farewell.
In front of his mother, the Crown Prince finally no longer had to maintain his strenuous pretense.
He frowned and complained.
"Father knew perfectly well that Hua Qingqing was the woman I had chosen.
I had already sent soone to her family to propose marriage. Many people knew about it.
Now she’s beco Father’s concubine. How am I supposed to maintain my dignity?"
The Empress soothed him in a gentle voice.
"She is just one woman. If your father fancies her, it’s no great loss to let him have her.
I will have soone find a few more beautiful girls to send to you another day. You absolutely must not quarrel with your father over this."
Li Cheng said, frustrated.
"Don’t worry, I certainly wouldn’t dare argue with Father.
I just feel so wronged!
Father already has so many won in his harem. Why did he have to fight for Hua Qingqing?
When Father is enjoying himself with Hua Qingqing, has he ever once considered my feelings?"
The Empress sighed.
"Things have already co to this. No amount of complaining will help now.
Right now, the most important thing is to handle the disaster relief properly.
This affects your image in the eyes of the court officials and the common people. You must ensure it has a perfect outco."
Li Cheng nodded. "I know."
He paused, but in the end, he couldn’t hold back his jealousy and hatred. His face darkened as he spoke.
"Father is actually sending Prince Zhao south with , and he even gave him the Tiger Roar Camp and the Hongjun Sword.
I just don’t understand. Why does Father trust a cripple so much?
Could the rumors outside be true? Is Prince Zhao really Father’s..."
Before Li Cheng could finish, the Empress cut him off sharply.
"Silence!"
Li Cheng snapped back to his senses. Realizing he had misspoken, he sullenly shut his mouth.
The Empress frowned at him, displeased.
"I have warned you before. This matter concerns the Royal Family’s lineage and must not be discussed carelessly.
Did you let my words go in one ear and out the other?"
Li Cheng defended himself in a small voice.
"But that’s what everyone outside is saying."
The Empress lectured him earnestly.
"No matter what anyone outside says, as long as the Saint has not personally acknowledged it, it can only be a rumor. Do you understand my aning?"
Li Cheng nodded obediently.
"I understand."
The Empress walked over, reached out to smooth the creases on his collar, and warned in a low voice.
"I know you harbor a great deal of resentnt, but this disaster relief mission is no small matter. You must handle it perfectly.
As for Prince Zhao, you need only remain amicable on the surface. Do not do anything more."
A mother knows her son best. The Empress was well aware of her son’s capabilities. With his ager sches, he was no match for Prince Zhao.
Unfortunately, Li Cheng had an intolerant nature.
Given the Emperor’s favoritism and trust toward Prince Zhao, combined with the rumors swirling outside, Li Cheng was bound to be intensely jealous.
He would surely look for opportunities to undermine Prince Zhao during the journey.
As expected.
Upon hearing his mother’s words, Li Cheng’s eyes flickered, and a trace of reluctance showed on his face.
The Empress sighed.
"You and Prince Zhao are going south together this ti. If sothing were to happen to Prince Zhao along the way, the Saint would suspect you first.
Are you sure you want to anger the Saint over Prince Zhao?"
The Emperor held a great deal of intimidating authority in Li Cheng’s heart.
In the end, out of fear for his father, Li Cheng reluctantly chose to compromise.
"Fine. I will listen to you."
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