What a sha, I just missed the final step. Otherwise, today I would have surely achieved what I wished.
However, tomorrow he must persuade Father Emperor to agree. To alleviate any hesitation on the Emperor’s part, he needs to think of a strategy to solidify this matter once he returns.
On second thought, Prince Jing seed to be quite satisfied with today’s performance, so the Emperor should not be suspicious.
But who exactly was that elder statesman? Prince Jing felt a bit puzzled.
"Your son takes his leave!"
As Prince Jing erged from the Imperial Study Room, Xiao Chengzi quickly unfurled a paper umbrella to shield him.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xiao Quanzi, Prince Jing turned to leave.
As he was about to head toward the palace gate, he unexpectedly saw soone he was not willing to encounter outside the Imperial Study Room.
Forr Grand Secretary Liang Zhirui!
The rain fell like a curtain, with fine droplets swaying in the wind. The bleak, cold wind, combined with the raindrops, seeped into one’s bones.
Xiao Chengzi tilted the umbrella entirely towards Prince Jing, but one umbrella could hardly shield two people. Prince Jing’s side was already soaked, not to ntion Xiao Chengzi, who was holding the umbrella.
The fine raindrops blew sideways, drenching Xiao Chengzi from head to toe.
Wiping the rain from his face, Xiao Chengzi noticed their master standing still, gazing at the approaching figure.
Xiao Chengzi dared not speak; he knew that the Prince definitely did not wish to see this person now.
To avoid angering the Prince, he didn’t dare to make a sound.
Not far behind the two, Xiao Quanzi watched them standing in the rain curtain and could not help but shake his head and sigh.
Observe! This is the difference between master and servant, sa people but different fates.
Why else do people go to great lengths to climb up the social ladder? Is it not just to master their own and others’ destinies?
Xiao Quanzi glanced back at the Imperial Study Room, silently vowing in his heart that even though he was no longer a man, he would beco the highest-ranking eunuch.
Prince Jing’s initially somber face transford into a beaming smile as Liang Zhirui ca closer.
"So it really is the elder statesman. Just now, while in the Imperial Study Room, I heard Chief Chen report that you had arrived. I never expected it to truly be you. It’s been many years since we’ve t."
Even before Liang Zhirui approached, he could see a master and servant amid the curtain of rain from afar.
The peacock blue cloak stood out conspicuously in the gloomy weather. Liang Zhirui was puzzled, wondering who it was.
His eyesight had weakened with age. As he drew nearer, his heart sank—it was Prince Jing.
Could he have arrived too late? He hoped everything was still salvageable.
"This humble servant greets Prince Jing!"
Though it was still raining, the necessary courtesies could not be omitted. Liang Zhirui prepared to kneel.
Seeing this, Prince Jing quickly stepped forward to stop him.
"No need for such formalities, elder statesman. Although you have retired, you have always been the person I admire most."
Prince Jing’s gentle voice resonated above Liang Zhirui, who followed his gesture and stood up.
Judging from the firmness of Prince Jing’s grip, Liang Zhirui believed he sincerely did not want him to kneel.
This was natural, given they were outside the Imperial Study Room. Even the Emperor held this retired elder in high esteem, retaining his respect and allowing him to enter the palace to et the Emperor at any ti. Prince Jing dared not act pretentious.
Letting Liang Zhirui kneel today would undoubtedly provoke the Emperor’s displeasure if word reached his ears.
Prince Jing helped Liang Zhirui up but felt a pang of regret inside.
He wished he had known earlier about Liang Zhirui’s ability to et the Emperor and his significant influence. He should have aligned with him sooner.
If Liang Zhirui supported him, not only would the legitimate daughter of Duke Zhen’s Mansion follow his wishes, but so would Gu Chengyu, as they’d heed their teacher’s advice, wouldn’t they?
What a pity! Had he known of Liang Zhirui’s lingering influence, he would have gone out of his way to connect with him and earn his favor.
"It’s been many years indeed! Prince, you’ve already passed the age of crowning. I still rember you as a young boy back then! You should have been about the sa age as my little disciple, Jinyu, shouldn’t you?"
Liang Zhirui smiled and then recalled, "Oh! You were probably even older than Jinyu back then."
As he gazed at the figure before him, mories of the past flooded back, and Liang Zhirui felt deeply moved.
"Indeed, after all these years, your robustness remains unchanged, just like before."
Prince Jing released his grip, maintaining a smile despite his internal grumbles.
What was Liang Zhirui implying? Could he be hinting that he’d grown old, knowing Prince Jing intended to marry his granddaughter?
What was Liang Zhirui’s true purpose today? He surely must have caught wind of the rumors Mrs. Ke previously spread outside.
Visiting today, Prince Jing harbored no illusions that Liang Zhirui was pleased with him; he suspected the elder statesman ca to discuss matters regarding his marriage with the Emperor. A troubling premonition gripped him.
"I’m old now, far from what I used to be," Liang Zhirui laughed heartily.
"Prince! I have co to see the Emperor, so I’ll take my leave first, to avoid keeping His Majesty waiting."
"Very well! Another day, this prince will host a gathering to catch up with the elder statesman."
Prince Jing naturally would not detain him and simply uttered a polite remark in farewell. In fact, Prince Jing indeed planned to do so eventually, for it would be beneficial to maintain good relations, considering Liang Zhirui was Miss Yao’s grandfather and Gu Chengyu’s teacher.
The two exchanged farewells and parted ways.
After Prince Jing had walked far, Liang Zhirui turned back to glance at him once more. Anxiousness welled within him, fearing it might be too late.
"This humble servant Liang Zhirui humbly wishes the Emperor peace and good health!"
Liang Zhirui respectfully and swiftly kneeled, only to be unexpectedly assisted to his feet by the Emperor himself.
"Elder statesman, there is no need for such formalities!"
The Emperor scrutinized Liang Zhirui’s face, noticing his hair had turned completely white. A sense of lancholy washed over him—everyone had grown old.
"Rituals cannot be dispensed with; the Emperor is the supre sovereign. How could a commoner presu to be so arrogant?" Liang Zhirui knew the Emperor’s polite words were rely conventional courtesy and dared not presu upon himself.
"So many years have passed, yet your stubborn nature remains unchanged." The Emperor, upon seeing this familiar face, felt pleasantly surprised.
Prince Jing boarded the carriage, returning to the mansion with a grim face.
Xiao Chengzi removed the wet cloak from Prince Jing’s shoulders, advising, "Prince! You should change your clothes. They’re damp, and you might catch a cold."
Prince Jing nodded in agreent, hearing Xiao Chengzi turning around to instruct soone outside to bring the ginger soup prepared by the kitchen.
After changing clothes and downing a full bowl of ginger soup, Prince Jing finally felt warmth spreading through his body.
The ginger soup dispersed the chill from his body and temporarily lifted the gloom from his mind.
Only then did Prince Jing sit down and ponder over Liang Zhirui’s audience with the Emperor.
Liang Zhirui had not visited the Emperor for years, and he had been back in the Capital for quite a while. The purpose of today’s audience was evident.
At the sa ti, he recalled Gu Chengyu not accepting his offer; undoubtedly, Liang Zhirui and Gu Chengyu’s interests aligned.
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