Chapter 356: Not the Right Time Yet (Part 2)

The mother and daughter hurriedly followed behind the servants out of the mansion’s gates, and as soon as they stepped out of the vermilion-painted door, they were stunned by the sight before their eyes.

The streets, usually spacious enough, seemed unbelievably crowded at the moment. On both sides, the townspeople stood on tiptoe, craning their necks like a flock of chicks waiting to be fed.

“Move aside, move aside!” Ms Qin covered her nose with a handkerchief, pulling her daughter as they squeezed to the front.

On the flagstone road, different colored ceremonial entourages slithered by like a parade of dragons.

First came the claret-colored procession, led by sixteen Golden Armor Guards, followed by a gilded carriage with black curtains embroidered with four-clawed designs, gleaming under the sunlight.

“That’s the entourage of King Liangzhou!” said a scholarly-looking man to his companion nearby, “Look at the golden gourd on the top of the carriage; it’s the emblem of King Liang’s Mansion.”

Next was the indigo-colored procession, with musicians playing a solemn tune, twenty-four guards wielding long halberds, flashing with cold light.

Riding a tall, white horse in the center was a middle-aged man dressed in a ceremonial robe, his expression stern.

“Prince Jiozhou has arrived too!” an elderly person in the crowd exclaimed in surprise, “I’ve lived most of my life and it’s the first time I’ve seen so many Princes entering the capital at once.”

Zhao Qiao’er stared blankly, unconsciously gripping her mother’s sleeve, “Mother, why have all these Princes suddenly…”

Ms Qin’s eyes darted, and she whispered, “Are you silly? Have you forgotten about the big fire in the Imperial Palace a few days ago? I heard that…”

“Shh—” a nearby candy vendor abruptly interrupted, “Madam, speak cautiously, lest the walls have ears.”

The mother and daughter reluctantly fell silent, yet their eyes were even more filled with excitement.

The Da Jing Dynasty encompassed seventy-two counties. Besides Zhao Zun of Canzhou being a titled different surname King, the other Vassal Kings of various provinces were brothers of Emperor Jing.

Even the vegetable sellers knew that Vassal Kings could not enter the capital without a decree. Now that they all entered at once, such a spectacle…

“Mother, do you think Brother, King of Canzhou Zhao Zun, might return to the capital too?” Zhao Qiao’er suddenly brightened up.

Ms Qin pinched her daughter, “Don’t call him Brother! You must call him Prince!”

Despite saying so, she couldn’t help but smile, “If King of Canzhou returns, our good days are surely coming.”

The two stood on the steps, watching the majestic and imposing processions, having long forgotten their previous quarrel.

Zhao Qiao’er had already begun considering which brand of rouge and powder to buy, while Ms Qin contemplated how to get the land deed to the Prince Mansion back from Zhao Zun.

“Mother, look! Is that the banner of Canzhou?” Zhao Qiao’er suddenly stood on tiptoe, pointing at a distant cavalry.

Ms Qin squinted to carefully distinguish, then shook her head in disappointment.

“That’s Prince Jingzhou’s procession. Your brother… Ahem, I don’t even know the color of King of Canzhou’s banner.”

The mother and daughter craned their necks searching through the crowd, but never once spotted a familiar face.

Until the last Prince’s entourage disappeared around the corner and the crowds gradually dissipated, they had to admit—Zhao Zun was not here.

“These are all the emperor’s blood brothers.” commented a nearby silk-clad merchant, “What qualification does the different surname King have?”

Upon hearing this, Ms Qin’s face immediately darkened. She pulled her daughter away, still muttering.

“Even if he hasn’t come now, once things are settled, the different surname King should be summoned to the capital. By then…”

As she walked, a flicker of malice flashed in her eyes, “See if that mother-son duo dares leave us in this shabby yard without care! If he dares not to care for us, I’ll go to the officials to accuse him of being unfilial.”

Zhao Qiao’er nodded along, already imagining herself adorned in silks, wearing golden hairpins and jade bracelets.

They paid no heed to the few servants behind them who were gesticulating and whispering among themselves, faces etched with derisive smiles.

As Zhao Qiao’er and her mother were discussing how Zhao Zun would surely bring them a better life, over in Yong’an City, Zhao Zun felt his nose itch and sneezed loudly.

“Hmm! Who is thinking of me?”

Zhao Zun squatted on the ground, rubbing his reddened nose, soot leaving comical black streaks on his bronzed face.

The sun was too fierce, and he was hiding under the metal roofing watching Big Fatty fiddle with the manual briquette machine.

Big Fatty, busy with woodworking tools, turned around. His clothes, once neat, were now stained gray with coal dust, resembling a coal mining laborer.

He grinned, revealing a row of white teeth contrasting sharply with his blackened face, “Haha, I bet someone’s cursing you, huh!”