Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

After the court session ended, the Ministers seemed terrified as the Emperor announced the change of Ministers in the Court. Since this time, six Court Ministers were found guilty, so no one could object to the decision of the Crown Prince. 

The Prime Minister, Miao Yazhu, welcomed the decision of the Emperor by joining his fist to the palm and bowing his head. The other Court Ministers did the same and acknowledged the decision of the Emperor. 

"The Court is dismissed. Tomorrow there will be no court session on the occasion of the Crown Princess's birthday," asserted the Emperor. There was a broad smile on his face while informing this. 

"Yes, Your Majesty. May his majesty live long!" All the Ministers said in unison. The four princes, also bowed their heads as the Emperor stood up from the throne and left the Court. The Ministers lifted their heads and started to leave the Court except a few. 

The Prime Minister, the Finance and Accounts Minister, and the Law Minister came towards the Princes. "The Crown Prince has decided to select the ministers through the upcoming Civil Services Exam. Top three candidates will get the direct entry for the position of the Court Ministers," Miao Yazhu repeated the decision of the Emperor. 

"Yes. That's why fair conduct of examinations is important. Please send this order to every Province before the examination. Also, this time the army will be deployed as the invigilators. I have been informed by the Crown Prince that there are cases of cheating in the exam," Jian Guozhi told the Prime Minister.

"Hopefully, we get the best candidates who will be responsible for their positions and work," asserted Yongzheng. "However, I feel that they might lack experience. So, giving them such a big responsibility might have negative effects as well," Yongzheng shone the negative aspect on the selection of such a candidate. 

"Don't worry, Brother Yongzheng. For that, First Brother and I have already thought of something. Till the time, the new Ministers take over those Ministries, these three Ministers will be responsible for those Ministries," Sheng Li pronounced and looked at the Prime Minister and the other two. 

After conversing for some more minutes, the Ministers took their leave while the Princes left together for the Eastern Palace. 

"We brothers never sat together for drinks and dinner. Why don't we dine tonight together? Only we six brothers? What about this?" Rong Zemin suggested. 

"Not six but five brothers. Brother Nianzu is no longer in the Palace while Brother Yu is still young, so I am afraid if he can join us for the drinks," Yongzheng corrected Rong Zemin. 

"Brother Yu can also dine with us. Wine will not be served to him. However, he can have fresh fruit juice in the place of wine," Jian Guozhi proclaimed. 

Sheng Li did not want to dine with them as he had to prepare for the surprise for Ying Lili. By midnight, he had to prepare everything, so he decided to refuse them. 

"Brother Sheng, do not refuse for this because this is the first time we brothers will be together with true fraternity amongst us," Rong Zemin stated. Sheng Li felt stuck. If he were old Sheng Li, he would have refused but since everything had changed, he could not refuse their request either. He did not want to get distanced from his brothers. 

"When will the dinner be over?" Sheng Li queried. 

"Brother, we are thinking of keeping it the entire night. There will be music and dance," Rong Zemin excitedly said. 

"Dance?" Sheng Li asked with a bewildered expression. 

"Yes. I heard that a group of Dancers from the West is in the Capital for today's Dragon Festival. I will send the invitation to them," Rong Zemin added. 

"It seems Brother Sheng does not want to join us," Yongzheng skeptically looked at Sheng Li.

"No, Brother Yongzheng. I will join," Sheng Li told them. The three Princes were delighted to hear that. "I will join you all later," he said and left for Prison. 

Jian Guozhi understood the hesitance of Sheng Li to not join the dinner. "Tomorrow is the Crown Princess's birthday. I think that Brother Sheng is planning a surprise for the Crown, that's why he was getting hesitant," Jian Guozhi explained to the Second and Third Princes. 

"Oh! It did not hit my mind. No worries! We will free Brother Sheng early so that he can prepare for the surprise," Rong Zemin said with a smile. He turned his gaze towards Yongzheng and asked him if he would accompany him to his chamber. 

"Why, Brother Zemin?" 

"I want to show you something," Rong Zemin told Yongzheng, who nodded his head, and the two left after giving a bow to Jian Guozhi. 

Jian Guozhi could not believe that the Palace had become more peaceful than the earlier times. This change was unpredictable, and even in his most beautiful dream, he had never thought all the Brothers would ever come together. He went towards his chamber when encountered Ying Lili. 

A smile appeared on his lips. Ying Lili halted at her place and lowered her head. Jian Guozhi also greeted her. 

"First Brother, it is pleasant to see you after so many days," Ying Lili said. Jian Guozhi said the same words to Ying Lili. 

"Crown Princess, thank you for giving a second chance to Xue'er," Jian Guozhi expressed her gratitude. Ying Lili was stunned to hear 'Xue'er' from the mouth of Jian Guozhi. It made Ying Lili happy that the First Prince had taken her out of her head, and mind and accepted Xue as his wife. She felt good that finally, Xue Yu-Yan received the love of Jian Guozhi. 

"Sometimes giving a second chance can bring good results," Ying Lili pronounced. Jian Guozhi agreed with Ying Lili, though in his mind Ying Lili was still the best woman. His admiration for Ying Lili could never die. 

"May I ask where the Crown Princess was heading to?" Jian Guozhi softly asked. 

"I was going to meet the Emperor. The past few days his health was not good, so I wanted to check if the Imperial Father was taking his medicines regularly," Ying Lili replied to Jian Guozhi, who nodded. 

"Crown Princess, I shall accompany you as well. Can I?" Jian Guozhi asked. 

Court Lady Xu did not like it as she thought that the First Prince was unnecessarily conversing with the Crown Princess.

"Why not, First Brother?" Ying Lili stated. Jian Guozhi thanked her, and the two left for the Emperor's manor. 

While walking, Jian Guozhi told Ying Lili about today's Court session. "It is great that some new talents can come to the Court and aid the Empire with their intellect," Ying Lili pronounced. 

They soon arrived at the manor of the Emperor. Eunuch Jin took them inside the chamber, where the Emperor was doing calligraphy. 

They both greeted the Emperor, who told them to take the seats. Both of them got seated on the respective chairs and waited for the Emperor to finish the calligraphy. After ten minutes, the Emperor had done calligraphy. Eunuch Jin took the brush from the Emperor and started cleaning it. 

"Is the Imperial Father taking his medicines regularly?" Ying Lili humbly asked. 

"Yes. The medicine recommended by Hu Jingguo is effective, and I now get a night of good sleep too," Han Wenji replied. 

"There is one more medicine which he had told me to start for you after twenty days. I will give it to the Imperial Father from tomorrow onwards," Ying Lili informed Han Wenji. 

"Does the Crown Princess have the knowledge of the medicine?" Han Wenji curiously asked. 

"Yes, Imperial Father," Ying Lili replied. "Hu Jingguo used to teach me whatever he learned from his late master. He even passed me the knowledge of some of the rare medicines," Ying Lili told Han Wenji, who was delighted to hear that. 

"The Crown Princess always surprises me with her extraordinary talent," Han Wenji stated. Jian Guozhi agreed with his father. 

A Palace Maid came inside along with a Royal Messanger and bowed in front of them. 

"Greetings to his royal majesty, the Crown Princess and the First Prince. This is the message from Lu Province." The messenger opened the scroll and read out the message. 

~~~~

Hello Dear Readers! 

Hope you all are doing well. So, what could be the message from the Lu Province? Have any idea? Do share in the comments.

I will try to release as many as chapters in the Monday mass release. 

THANK YOU 

HAPPY READING