Novel Full Chapter 1185 - 173: Prince Jing Is Dead (2)
Chapter 1185 - 173: Prince Jing Is Dead (2)
"Your Majesty, the harem cannot go a day without an Empress, otherwise who will manage the affairs in the harem?"
"Noble Princess Consort Ying and Princess Consort Li are managing quite well," the Emperor smiled, "Without an Empress, the harem is much more peaceful."
"Then will you still conduct a selection?" Sun Kui cautiously reminded the Emperor, "Your Majesty, there are only a few noble ladies left in the harem. Would you like to hold a selection to expand it?"
The Emperor raised his eyes and glanced sideways at Sun Kui: "What, did my late mother come to you in a dream and urge you, her grandson, to remind me to hold a selection?"
Sun Kui was so frightened by these words that he knelt on the ground, his face full of terror and unease.
"This servant dares not, this servant deserves to die."
Seeing Sun Kui trembling on his knees, the Emperor said disdainfully, "Get up, I am not blaming you."
Sun Kui quickly stood up and gave the Emperor a flattering smile: "This servant only thought there weren’t many noble ladies in the harem, hence the suggestion. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"These few are enough. I am too lazy to hold another selection, too many women lead to too much trouble." The Emperor was not indulgent nor engrossed in matters between men and women. "Now that there are fewer, my ears finally have peace."
Sun Kui murmured to himself: To the Emperor, having Lady Liang is enough.
"Let the Empress’s position remain vacant."
"Your Majesty, if the Empress’s position remains vacant, I fear the ministers will keep discussing it."
"Let them talk, let them quarrel," the Emperor suddenly laughed wickedly, "Treat it as entertainment."
Sun Kui: "..." This servant knew it.
The Emperor said no more and continued reading the memorials.
At this time, Lord Wei was at Kunde Hall paying respects to Lady Liang.
Every day after court, Lord Wei would visit Lady Liang, accompany her and have conversations.
Early this morning, Lady Liang had prepared a soup, and when Lord Wei arrived, she quickly offered him some to drink.
Every few days, Lady Liang would personally cook soup for Lord Wei.
"This soup contains herbs sent by Yao Yao, said to be unique to Lingnan and very good for health. Drink more," Lady Liang personally served a bowl of soup to Lord Wei, "You are not allowed to leave until you finish this bowl."
Lord Wei smiled and said, "I wouldn’t dare not to finish it." Lord Wei didn’t really like soup, seldom drank it, and only did so at Lady Liang’s place.
"You are still too thin, you need to eat more meat and also more rice." Lady Liang knew Lord Wei had a weak stomach and wasn’t fond of meat.
"Lady Liang, I eat quite a lot at your place." Every day after court, Lord Wei would come to Lady Liang’s place, and she always prepared a hearty breakfast for him to return to his mansion full.
Lady Liang shook her head and said, "Still too little. Your appetite isn’t even a fifth of Yao Yao’s."
"I’m different from Tenth Brother, he loves to eat, I don’t have much interest in food."
"By the way, in a few days, Yao Yao will send some fresh fruits. When the time comes, take some back to eat." Lady Liang thought of her garden full of vegetables and fruits, "I picked some vegetables and fruits, take them with you later."
In Kunde Hall, there was a large vegetable plot. Every year, Lady Liang planted it full, resulting in a bountiful harvest, far more than she could eat, so she gave them to others—the concubines in the palace, Prince Chu and Lord Wei, the Imperial Kitchen...
"Lady Liang, how is Tenth Brother and the others, any good news?"
"They are fine, but if you’re asking for good news, they’re not in a hurry to have children." Lady Liang said helplessly, "You didn’t know, that rascal went back to Swamp Prefecture and just busied himself, leaving the Princess alone in Prince Han’s Mansion."
"Seems like Tenth Brother hasn’t grown up yet."
"Indeed, he hasn’t grown up, but that’s good."
The two chatted about family matters for a while.
When Lord Wei left, Lady Liang gave him a basket full of vegetables. Just after he walked out of Kunde Hall, he ran into Prince Chu.
Prince Chu was coming from Princess Consort Li’s place to greet Lady Liang.
The two met face-to-face, and neither gave the other a glance. Ignoring each other’s presence, they walked straight past one another.
Lady Liang was also pleased to see Prince Chu arrive.
Although Prince Chu and Lord Wei didn’t plan it, they had an unspoken understanding and never visited Lady Liang together.
Every day, Prince Chu would wait for Lord Wei to finish paying respects before coming to Kunde Hall to do the same.
Prince Chu was not a talkative person. He had little to say even to his birth mother, Princess Consort Li, but he could converse with Lady Liang.
Lady Liang looked at Prince Chu, opened her mouth as if to say something, but hesitated.
Seeing Lady Liang’s hesitant expression, Prince Chu spoke respectfully, "Lady Liang, if you have something to say, please do."
Lady Liang thought for a moment, eventually deciding not to speak her mind.
"Little Four, your complexion doesn’t look good. No matter how busy you are, make sure you rest well and eat properly. Take care of your health, understood?"
Prince Chu understood the underlying message of Lady Liang’s words and obediently nodded, "Lady Liang, I will."
Lady Liang changed the subject, mentioning Prince Chu’s children and suggesting he bring them to the palace to see her when he could.
Prince Chu did not stay long with Lady Liang. After chatting for a short while, he took his leave.
Once Prince Chu left, Lady Liang let out a long sigh, "Oh..."
Gui Xing heard Lady Liang’s sigh and asked with concern, "Madam, what’s wrong with you?"
"I’m just worried about Prince Chu and Lord Wei. They are both good children, but..." Thinking about the looming deadly conflict between the two, Lady Liang felt uneasy.
Gui Xing comforted, "Madam, the two lords will be fine."
"I hope so." Apart from worrying about Prince Chu and Lord Wei, Lady Liang felt more guilty. Guilty that while they fought to the death, the throne would end up with neither of them.
Meanwhile, far away in Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao received a secret letter saying Prince Jing was dead.
After reading the secret letter, Zhao Yao burned it over the candle flame.
"Eighth Brother certainly wouldn’t spare Seventh Brother."
"Your Highness, is Lord Jing really dead?" Tong Xi asked in shock, "Didn’t he return to his own domain? How come Lord Wei wouldn’t spare him?"
"To Eighth Brother, letting Seventh Brother die in his domain is best." Zhao Yao had long foreseen Prince Jing’s death; he wouldn’t live long. "Eighth Brother would not let him go."
Tong Xi said with a face of horror, "Your Highness, Lord Wei killed the deposed Crown Prince, and indirectly killed Prince Zheng, Prince Chen, Prince Han, Prince Dai, Prince Han, and Prince Yue. He..." Lord Wei is too terrifying. "Would Lord Wei really spare Prince Chu?" He was now somewhat grateful for his master’s good relationship with Lord Wei; otherwise, his master would also be killed by Lord Wei.
"Eighth Brother promised me he wouldn’t kill Fourth Brother, I believe him." Besides him and Fourth Brother, everyone else was killed by Eighth Brother. Sigh, Eighth Brother...
"Your Highness, Lord Wei is too terrifying."
Zhao Yao frowned slightly, growing increasingly concerned for the Emperor.