Chapter 95: CH 86

In the evening, Yu She felt Zhong Wan’s forehead. He didn’t notice anything wrong, and lowly said, “If you feel uncomfortable, tell me. Sit up first. I’ll have them bring the food into the bedroom later.”

Yu She ordered Zhong Wan to sit on the bed. He personally threw the dirty silk handkerchiefs and Zhong Wan’s undergarments into the hand basin. Zhong Wan’s breathing was still a bit irregular. He burst into laughter while watching Yu She. “Young Prince, can’t you just leave those things alone and wait for someone else to take care of them? You won’t let me help you either. I was originally already feeling quite guilty, and now you’re determined to do the servants’ work too. You’re purposefully trying to make me anxious, right?” 

Yu She glanced at Zhong Wan. He walked over to the desk and tidied up the messy booklets while calmly saying, “Who would I order to come take care of the mess?”

Zhong Wan leaned against the blankets. His voice was very soft. “Anybody. Steward Feng, the maid… maybe not the maid. She’s too young. Someone else…”

“Anybody?” Yu She picked up the brushes scattered on the floor. His expression was calm. “Who wouldn’t be able to guess what had happened just now after seeing this mess?”

Zhong Wan’s eyes were still a bit wet. He softly said, “So what if they can guess?” 

“What would it be considered if the story got out?” Yu She offhandedly grabbed a clean handkerchief and wiped down the desk. He looked at Zhong Wan, confused. His gaze seemed to carry a hint of blame. “Which family’s official couple would do such things at a desk?”

Zhong Wan was completely lost because of this sudden reprimand. He almost couldn’t react.

He stared at Yu She, who looked proper and completely unruffled. He practically believed the fact that this wasn’t the person who had kept a death grip on him earlier and forced him to say a string of things he normally wouldn’t be able to say.

After blanking out for a bit, Zhong Wan said, “Ziyou, weren’t you the one who did those things just now?”

Yu She’s expression appeared normal. “So what? Just because I did, I should let others know that you acted like an ordinary concubine and fooled around with me at the desk?”

Zhong Wan’s expression froze. A moment later, he suddenly understood Yu She’s intentions. He couldn’t help laughing.

Zhong Wan rested his head against his arm and pondered for a bit. It was true. Yu She only showed off how much Zhong Wan admired him, couldn’t be without him, and clung to him. However, as for the specific details of how “excessively sweet” they were, he refused to share even one extra word with outsiders.

Yu She had also personally washed the blood stains—that made one want to both laugh and cry—from last time in secret. He hadn’t let anyone seen them. 

Deep inside, Yu She was still very proper. He felt that these things needed to be hidden away. In other words…

Zhong Wan softly said, “You think that I’m the young princess consort that you’ve officially married. You’re scared that others will find me lacking in self respect if they learn that I like to play around in private, right?”

Yu She’s fingertips slightly trembled. He rushed to tidy up his desk before saying, “I’m scared that others will say…”

Zhong Wan was curious. “Say what?” 

In a lower voice, Yu She said, “Say that I don’t respect you.”

Zhong Wan smiled. Suddenly, his heart felt very warm.

Zhong Wan thought back on everything that had just happened. His body still felt a bit weak. He whispered, “You really don’t respect me. Think back on what you just forced me to say…”

The corners of Yu She’s mouth slightly quirked up. A servant came in to change the tea. Yu She wiped the amusement from his face and quickly threw the handkerchief in his hand onto the ground, managing to just barely cover up all the evidence of their impropriety at last. 

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In a meaningful way, Yu She glanced at Zhong Wan, then nonchalantly told the servant, “No need. It’s a trivial matter. I can heal him.”

That night, the lights in the side courtyard of Prince Yu’s estate were extinguished very early. In Prince Yu’s estate, which was quite close to the side courtyard of Prince Yu’s estate, though, the lights were still bright. 

In the study, a few advisors argued lowly. They couldn’t come to an agreement.

Yu Mucheng felt dizzy because of the advisors’ argument. However, not only did he keep from throwing a tantrum, his expression still remained kind.

An advisor said, confused, “It’s quite strange. The emperor used to believe these things in the past! Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent Heir to our prince’s estate back then to avoid calamity. Things are fantastic now. Prince helped the emperor raise Heir, but the emperor has now cut off all ties and refuses to acknowledge Prince. Even worse, his personality has also changed.”

“Who cares about beliefs? It’s all about benefits. If something is beneficial, it can be believed. If not, that means someone is pulling the strings from behind the scenes.” 

“That Imperial Astronomy Department is full of bullshit! Every sentence they said checked off one of the emperor’s taboos. Yet, it appears as if they’re being mediators for us. What trash!”

“Everything happened suddenly. The emperor woke up this morning and met with someone from the Imperial Astronomy Department. He didn’t say a single word about this during morning assembly, though. After morning assembly, he directly kept Heir behind and then immediately issued an imperial decree. From start to finish, he didn’t mention anything to anyone else. Even if Prince had wanted to defend himself, he wouldn’t have been able to.”

“How could he defend himself? The Imperial Astronomy Department didn’t mention Prince at all. Everything they said was in Fifth Highness’s favor. Currently, our Prince wants to remove himself from this mess, but can’t. How could he help speak up for Fifth Highness? This is a ploy! Fifth Highness is still under house arrest and doesn’t know anything. Prince wants to help him, but is also feared! This person has guessed that we can only worry without doing anything.”

Someone was still confused, saying, “You and I both know that we didn’t do this. It’s most likely Heir’s plan, but… but I haven’t heard that Heir has anyone in the Imperial Astronomy Department. Have you?” 

Everyone turned to look at Yu Mucheng. Yu Mucheng shook his head. “Though Ziyou has been misbehaved these past few years, he has still placed his subordinates into different positions. Yet, he has never tried to collude with powerful officials. He also never interacts with the people of the different yamens, only secretly… According to my investigations, he doesn’t have too many allies.”

Somewhat uncertain, Yu Mucheng asked, “Could it truly just be a coincidence? There really is some astronomical phenomenon?”

Someone angrily said, “No! As soon as I received the news, I found a famous divinator in the capital and asked him. The divinator told me that it’s extremely common for the constellations to change after winter! He also said that he didn’t see anything about the stars next to Antares flashing or anything. They’ve only slightly shifted. It’s clearly the Imperial Astronomy Department making a big deal out of nothing!”

“Who else could it be?” 

An advisor who had remained silent this entire time now looked at Yu Mucheng. He tentatively asked, “I still have to ask Prince, during this time that Fifth Highness has been under house arrest… has he gotten a bit impatient?”

Yu Mucheng fell silent.

If Yu She hadn’t done this, it was very likely that Xuan Qiong or Imperial Consort Yu had.

Yu Mucheng sighed with fatigue. 

Upon seeing this, his advisers believed this reason a bit more. They didn’t dare to say anything else.

A moment later, someone bravely said, “Given the state of things now, Prince must make a decision!”

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Yu Mucheng asked, voice low, “What decision?”

“In the wind and rain, the bolts and screws of the big boat have become rusty. Right now, should we do our best to repair it, or… or…” This person hardened his heart and said, “There is already too much water inside the boat. Should we abandon this boat and find another small boat?” 

The other small boat naturally referred to Xuan Rui.

Someone instantly refuted, “That’s Prince’s biological nephew! So many years of effort…”

“So many years of effort, but what of it? Currently, Fifth Highness often acts of his own accord. He’s ruined his own foundations. How should we fix that?”

“What are you saying? So we’re not going to protect Fifth Highness anymore?!” 

The advisors started arguing once more. With a bit of force, Yu Mucheng placed his teacup on the table. Everyone fell silent.

Yu Mucheng slowly said, “It’s not that I don’t want to protect Fifth Highness, but can’t you guys tell? The emperor has already grown completely suspicious of me. I can no longer do anything to help Fifth Highness.

“They’re my biological sister and biological nephew. I feel more sorrow than anyone else.” A sigh left Yu Mucheng’s lips. “But as of now, perhaps I’ll be able to protect them even better if I find another method.”

Yu Mucheng closed his eyes. “Order the people who followed the procession to Qian An… to act.” 

Since Yu She had been officially named a prince of the first rank, the capital surprisingly calmed down. At least, it had on the surface.

Emperor Chongan really knew how to cherish himself. After a successful recovery, he even started attending morning assemblies more frequently. Nobody dared to mention the naming of a crown prince anymore. Emperor Chongan himself was patient too. In a completely fair manner, after naming Yu She a prince, he turned around and gave Xuan Qiong, who was still under house arrest, many gifts.

Regarding this, Yu She was unbothered. Each day, he finished his own tasks as usual. On the other hand, Xuan Jing threw a tantrum in his own estate after finding out about this. He complained that Emperor Chongan had given the other two gifts but forgotten about him. However, everybody ignored this.

The senior cabinet officials had either received an unknown cue from Emperor Chongan or had completely given up on Xuan Qiong and Xuan Jing, believing that there wasn’t much suspense about who was going to be crown prince anymore. They started acting a bit friendlier to Yu She and also became more sincere while teaching him how to take care of official matters. 

Each day, Yu She diligently learned about politics in the day while attentively taking care of Zhong Wan at night. In a rare occurrence, life passed by in a peaceful and meaningful way.

This day, Xuan Congxin brought Xuan Yu along to see Zhong Wan.

The last time Xuan Congxin had visited the side courtyard of Prince Yu’s estate, Yu She had treated her quite well. She was no longer so worried and felt that Yu She wasn’t actually as terrifying as the rumors made him out to be. She boldly brought Xuan Yu along to visit.

It had been a long time since Xuan Yu had seen Zhong Wan. He now knew about what had happened back then. When he saw Zhong Wan, his eyes turned red with guilt. While still at the estate, he had already written a draft of what he was going to say, but before he could get in the right mood to give his speech to Zhong Wan, Zhong Wan had beat him to it, exasperated as he said, “Wipe away your tears. It’s already been a year. You’re not young anymore. Learn from Congxin. Don’t cry so often.” 

Xuan Yu still wanted to say something. However, Zhong Wan sat down and simply started testing him on his homework. In a flash, Xuan Yu grew nervous. This past period of time, nobody at the estate had been keeping an eye on him. He had neglected a lot of his homework. Fearful that Zhong Wan would feel disappointed, he diligently replied to Zhong Wan’s questions. In only an instant, he had already forgotten what he had been planning to say previously.

Half an hour later, Zhong Wan nodded. “So-so. You ought to count yourself fortunate that I’m your teacher. If you were the previous Old Imperial Preceptor Shi’s student, your reading partner would likely get hit everyday.”

Upon hearing this, Xuan Congxin glared at her useless brother. Xuan Yu shamefully promised, “I’ll study i-immediately after going back.”

Zhong Wan rubbed his head and told someone to bring refreshments over. Xuan Yu opened his mouth several times to speak, but was also fearful that he would forget his lines. Thus, he lowered his head and silently recited something to himself each time after opening his mouth. 

Agitated, Xuan Congxin urged, “There’s not much to say. You were perfectly fine while reciting the lines to me at home. Have you already forgotten?”

Zhong Wan laughed. “What do you actually want to say?”

Xuan Yu swallowed. He nervously stated, “A few days ago, a few days ago… Father and Mother appeared in my dreams.”

Zhong Wan froze for a moment. “Huh?” 

In a moment of panic, Xuan Yu completely forgot all the lines he had memorized. Incoherently, he said, “They’re doing great these days! They still look very young too!”

Zhong Wan dryly said, “Is that so.”

Xuan Yu subconsciously straightened his back. He sincerely added, “Father told me to tell you something.”

The smile on Zhong Wan’s face faded away. He asked, “…What?” 

Xuan Yu’s eyes were red. “Father said that you’ve suffered too much these past few years. He’s seen everything. Regarding Eldest Brother, he went looking for death himself. No one else can be blamed. Father said that he’s never blamed you in the slightest and that you haven’t disappointed the estate at all. Right now, he only worries for you. He wants me to ask you this: you were clearly so healthy originally, so why have you become so sickly and frail now?”

Zhong Wan burst into laughter. In order to help him relax, these two kids had honestly put a lot of effort in.

Xuan Yu softly said, “Mother has something to say to you too.”

For a moment, Zhong Wan paused. Though he clearly knew this was all fake, he still couldn’t help asking, “What did Princess Consort say?” 

Xuan Yu started crying again as soon as he had opened his mouth. He was so choked up that he couldn’t say anything. Xuan Congxin threw her handkerchief onto Xuan Yu’s face. She couldn’t help getting angry. “You can’t even clearly say anything. What use are you?!

“I’ll say it.” Xuan Congxin cleared her throat and awkwardly said, “You know, Father and Mother appeared in my dreams too.

“Mother said, ‘Guiyuan, my son. Ten years…’”

Xuan Congxin became choked up. She had scolded Xuan Yu for being useless, but now that it was her turn, she had started crying after the first sentence too. 

Xuan Congxin inhaled deeply and tried to remain calm to say, “Mother said that back then, before she left, she hid thousands of thoughts in her heart, unable to share all of them with you. Moreover, she couldn’t share many of them with Father either. For some unknown reason, she hadn’t been able to resist turning to you.

“You were thoughtful and filial. You told her to rest at ease and that even if Father married another wife later, you would still protect us. You wouldn’t let us get bullied by a stepmother. But back then, that wasn’t what Mother meant.”

Xuan Congxin wiped her tears away and continued, “Mother originally wanted to say that if Father married another wife, our stepmother wouldn’t have dared to mistreat us in any way, because we would be Father’s biological children. However, you were different. You were someone of a different surname. In the future, it was possible that the stepmother would fear you.”

Here, Zhong Wan honestly couldn’t remain calm anymore. He stood up and walked over to the window. 

While choked up, Xuan Congxin sincerely stated, “Mother told me to tell you to be very careful. You must protect yourself well. You’re her first child and someone very precious to her. Don’t mistreat yourself anymore or make her feel sad on the other side.”

With his back facing Xuan Congxin and Xuan Yu, Zhong Wan fell silent for a long time. After, he replied in a hoarse voice, “Un.”

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