Chapter 245: Part 2

Chapter 245: Chapter 201: Part 2

Just as he was thinking how pitiful his father, the Emperor, was, he heard his mother say, “The Emperor faces a difficult task in making his decisions. But in turn, he is never the one being judged. He alone holds the power of choice; the fate of all rests on his every whim. And every one of those people, well, they are all desperate to sit in his position.”

‘Being a boss isn’t easy; they can rack up astronomical debts an ordinary person could never imagine.

But are the people who keep rushing to start their own businesses fools?

The biggest mistake a worker can make is to feel sorry for their boss, to empathize with them. It’s like being a traitor to the working class.’

“But just keep what I told you to yourself. Don’t mention it to anyone, especially not your father.”

Jiang Xian pinched his little cheek.

Zhao’er nodded earnestly, his voice childish yet firm. “This is a secret between you and me, Mother!”

‘He and his mother were number one. His father could be number two.’

But after a quick glance at his mother’s expression, he secretly made a headstrong decision of his own.

…

Ever since they began attending the Upper Study Room, the Princes had very little free time. Xie Zhao was the ultimate King Juan—not only did he have homework from his tutors, but his mother also gave him extra lessons, wanting him to be a true all-rounder. Still, time is like water in a sponge; you can always squeeze some out. And for someone as brilliant as him, an assignment that took the other Princes a full hour to complete, he could finish in half an hour with time to spare for a second check. Not to mention recitation—he had a photographic memory.

If the other Princes were held to the Eldest Prince’s standards, they would likely study until their heads spun.

Thus, even though Xie Zhao had his “extra lessons,” he wasn’t really any busier than the other Princes.

Three days after his talk with his mother, Xie Zhao used his free time to send away his nanny, palace maids, and eunuchs. He slipped away to Zhaoyang Palace and said to the eunuch at the gate, “I heard Nanny Rong is ill, so I’ve come to visit. Please go and announce me.”

The little eunuch looked troubled. “Your Highness, the Lady has given an order. She will see no one but the Emperor. I will be sure to convey your kind intentions, but Your Highness should please return for now.”

‘So I really can’t see her!’

Xie Zhao refused to believe it. He was stubborn. “Nanny Rong wouldn’t refuse to see even me. If you won’t go and announce me, then get Aunt Qiu Yun. She can tell me herself. I’m sure she’ll take me inside.”

The little eunuch hurried to agree.

When Qiu Yun came out, her face was fraught with worry. “I would love to let you in, Your Highness. These past few days, Her Ladyship has been eating only a single bowl of congee a day and holing herself up in her room. Nothing I do to coax her works. Her Ladyship has always been so fond of you; perhaps you could make her smile. But I’m also worried she might take her anger out on you.”

For a palace maid to say such things was to overstep her bounds, but Qiu Yun was a handmaid Noble Princess Consort Rong had brought with her from the Rong Mansion. The bond between mistress and servant was strong, allowing her to speak from the heart.

As Qiu Yun saw it, her mistress was worried about her family but held no blame for Lady Shufei.

The last time this came up, Qiu Tang had been furious. She felt that since General Jiang was the Pure Consort’s uncle, the Rong Family’s current predicament was entirely the fault of the Jiangs, and they should cut off all ties. But before she could finish speaking, Noble Princess Consort Rong had told her to shut her mouth, forbidding her from saying another bad word about the Pure Consort.

Like Qiu Tang, Qiu Yun was a handmaid who had grown up in the Rong Mansion, and she had deep affection for the Rong Family. She understood Qiu Tang’s anger, but she also felt that, in her heart, her mistress still cared for Lady Shufei…

More than the Rong Family, Qiu Yun cared about her mistress’s feelings.

Besides, to put it bluntly, while politics in the imperial court influenced the dynamics of the harem, didn’t the concubines ultimately have to live their lives within the harem’s walls? If the Rong Family were to fall and her mistress was consequently snubbed by the Emperor, the only ones she could rely on would be the Pure Consort and the Eldest Prince.

“If she wants to take her anger out on me, then let her. I’m tough-skinned; a few harsh words from Nanny Rong won’t hurt me.”

Xie Zhao continued, “To be honest with you, my own mother is so worried about Nanny Rong that she can barely eat or sleep. Even General Jiang’s triumphant return failed to make her smile. Is Nanny Rong awake right now? I know you can’t just let me in, and that’s fine. If she’s awake, I’ll just climb the wall to see her.”

“We can’t let you do that!” Qiu Yun hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “Our mistress is awake. She hasn’t called for a meal yet. She’s sitting on the swing in the courtyard.”

Overjoyed, Xie Zhao thanked Qiu Yun and darted off in a flash.

Zhaoyang Palace was heavily guarded, with eunuchs and palace maids posted everywhere; how could they possibly let an outsider climb the walls? The problem was, this “outsider” happened to be the Eldest Prince, a great favorite of the Emperor. Rank had its privileges, and when faced with this mischievous, throne-inheriting child, no one actually dared to lay a hand on him.