The other three Princes have not yet been bestowed their titles, so they can only be referred to as Prince. It won’t be long before the Crown Prince is established, and these Princes will necessarily return to their fiefs.
Gu Chengyu felt a bit of a headache upon hearing this, originally planning to leave. But the Eldest Prince arrived, necessitating a greeting before departing; otherwise, it would be considered disrespectful and dismissive of the Royal Family.
Everyone was stunned to hear this; the Eldest Prince had already been confined by the Emperor and stripped of his position, so how could he co to Prince Jing Mansion?
"Quickly invite him in!" Prince Jing returned to his senses in an instant, happily instructing Xiao Chengzi to go to the front to greet him.
Gu Chengyu cast a glance, thinking this was truly an actor. Constantly performing, perhaps even when alone, lost in his act. In the end, even he believed it, right?
Does Lu Chen know about such pretense? Gu Chengyu glanced at Lu Chen again, causing Lu Chen to turn his head towards him. Gu Chengyu smiled at him, sitting quietly on the side without speaking.
Lu Chen returned a aningful smile at Gu Chengyu, indicating that Prince Jing’s plan did not culminate. Upon first eting this young man, he knew he was no ordinary person.
The Eldest Prince walked towards the study with hands behind his back, "Fourth! I heard your health has been unstable lately. I brought so nourishing herbs for you; your body needs careful maintenance."
The Eldest Prince hadn’t yet stepped into the study when he said this to Prince Jing.
"Brother! How are you free today?" In truth, Prince Jing wanted to ask how the Eldest Prince managed to leave the mansion?
The Eldest Prince entered the study, noticing Prince Jing’s sowhat pale complexion, furrowing his brow, "Are you unwell again?"
Prince Jing forced a bitter smile, shaking his head, "Doesn’t Brother know ? Every half a month or so, an episode occurs. Luckily, there is that folk redy; otherwise, I would have long been dead."
"Why such words? You overthink; rest well, and you’ll recover." The illness was longstanding, leaving the Eldest Prince unsure of how to comfort Prince Jing.
"Subject Lu Chen greets His Highness, the Eldest Prince."
"Student Gu Chengyu greets His Highness, the Eldest Prince."
Gu Chengyu followed Lu Chen in saluting the Eldest Prince; despite previous unpleasantness, the dignity of the Royal Family cannot be offended.
Though the Eldest Prince hadn’t noticed the people in the room upon entering earlier, hearing soone now salute him, he turned towards that clear and pleasant voice, recognizing it was him.
The young man stood with his back to the light, hiding facial expressions, but just from seeing that upright posture, the Eldest Prince knew without a glance at the face that this must be Gu Chengyu. Lu Chen had long been overshadowed, and the Eldest Prince watched Gu Chengyu for a good while before, prompted by Prince Jing’s gentle cough, realizing he hadn’t allowed the two to rise.
Following the Eldest Prince’s gaze, Prince Jing noticed Gu Chengyu’s bowed deanor, his greeting posture remarkably proper, seemingly without fault.
He then smiled again, thinking Gu Chengyu’s good looks left Brother montarily stunned, though previously Brother had indeed manipulated him. Prince Jing was unaware Gu Chengyu and the Eldest Prince had t before and thought the interest was due to Gu Chengyu’s appearance.
He was well aware of the Eldest Prince’s preferences.
"Ahem! Brother, this is Mr. Gu Chengyu!"
Just now, the Eldest Prince was pondering why Gu Chengyu was here, thus appearing absentminded.
"Rise!"
Lu Chen too noticed the peculiarity, casting a glance between the Eldest Prince and Gu Chengyu, feeling contemplative.
Gu Chengyu stood up, stationed to the side silently, determined to bid farewell after a while.
The Eldest Prince shifted his gaze from Gu Chengyu, addressing Prince Jing, "Fourth, how do you know Mr. Gu? You hadn’t ntioned before."
Recalling that night on the estate, the Eldest Prince tentatively linked the assassin incident with Prince Jing but showed no expression.
"Lu Chen knows him. Mr. Gu is extraordinarily talented, having recently composed a tune and can also set music. Knowing my fondness for this, Lu Chen invited him to assist in composing."
The Eldest Prince, hearing Prince Jing’s words, remained noncommittal, familiar with Fourth’s affection for such pastis. With a frail body, engaged in idleness daily, how else to while away the ti without tinkering with these?
Prince Jing wanted to inquire why the Eldest Prince could leave the mansion yet swallowed the words. ntioning it now seed to risk reopening wounds.
Noticing Prince Jing’s reticence, the Eldest Prince smiled and volunteered, "Father confined last ti, but now I am to redeem myself through tasks. I will depart in a few days, having co to see you beforehand."
The Eldest Prince’s remarks left Gu Chengyu pondering, questioning the Emperor’s intentions by releasing the Eldest Prince before appointing the Crown Prince. Tasked with redeeming himself, does the Emperor favor the Eldest Prince for the position of Crown Prince? What of the legitimate Second Prince? How should he handle this?
Such a statent led everyone present to understand the underlying implications, fostering deeper speculations, with the Eldest Prince gazing directly at Gu Chengyu.
"Congratulations, Brother. Completing this task surely warrants considerable benefits."
The Eldest Prince smiled, avoiding a reply to Prince Jing’s words, leaving Gu Chengyu to speculate whether this was tacit confirmation. He remained uncertain, having always found the Emperor’s thoughts enigmatic; the favor towards the Eldest Prince seed dubious.
Shaking his head to clear it, Gu Chengyu decided against overthinking, intending to inquire at his senior’s mansion about the court’s direction. Perhaps, after the Imperial Examination, conclusions could be drawn.
"Mr. Gu! I hear your flute playing is excellent; why don’t you perform for ?" The Eldest Prince suddenly addressed Gu Chengyu.
The lody Gu Chengyu and Xi Yan played at Tianxiang Pavilion had recently spread, with those skilled in music able to recall segnts. Though not whole, parts were rembered.
Thus, the Eldest Prince had heard about it. The tune’s artistic elegance, coupled with Xi Yan’s collaboration, further elevated Tianxiang Pavilion’s reputation. Major poetic gatherings in the Capital sought Xi Yan’s performance, though Xi Yan seldom left the Pavilion.
"Indeed, I play the flute. Does Mr. Gu play the zither?" Prince Jing, seemingly revitalized, regained interest.
Gu Chengyu glanced at him pointedly, curious about the herbal redy and its effectiveness.
"I know only the basics, hardly proficient." In zither skills, Gu Chengyu was inferior to Xi Yan, though not as dismissive as he claid.
"Don’t be modest, Mr. Gu. If you are unaccustod to the zither, I’ll defer the flute to you."
Gu Chengyu found it puzzling, as flute playing requires technique and strong lung capacity. Given Prince Jing’s ailnt that day, could he truly play the flute?
"Is playing the flute feasible for Your Highness? Perhaps it is better to play the zither?" Lu Chen expressed concern for Prince Jing, acknowledging his superior flute skills.
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