Chapter 1231 - 304: Furious Rage

Chapter 1231: Chapter 304: Furious Rage

Wen Sutong’s residence was not large, but it was arranged with a distinct Jiangnan style, befitting an official family from the Qian State; in terms of taste and style, it was truly impeccable.

Lord Zheng and a blind man visited, and Wen Sutong opened the main door, leaning on a cane to personally welcome them.

Afterward,

Lord Zheng went alone to the study to rest;

Firstly, because the morning audience in the Imperial Study had exhausted him, and secondly, to leave the opportunity for conversation to them as father-in-law and son-in-law, while he would only make a brief appearance at the end to say a few polite words.

Perhaps it was because of the armor he wore, his body naturally switched into some battlefield functions, making it easier for him to fall asleep.

Lord Zheng truly fell asleep.

While Lord Zheng was asleep,

An old eunuch in a red robe arrived at the pavilion in the heart of the lake with an imperial edict, and opened the iron door.

"Commoner Ji Chengyue, receive the edict."

The Third Prince, dressed in white, was somewhat stunned as he witnessed this scene, having long lost hope of ever leaving this place alive; he truly did not expect an imperial edict to arrive at this moment.

"Your subject... humbly greets His Majesty, long live His Majesty."

The eunuch in the red robe smiled gently and announced the edict:

"By the Emperor’s mandate, the commoner Ji Chengyue..."

The edict contained roughly two meanings.

One was to admonish him for past mistakes, though the edict would not explicitly state what Ji Chengyue had done; it was nothing more than negligence or defiance;

The second was that His Majesty considered his reflection at the pavilion in recent years to be satisfactory, allowing him to leave the place. Though his status as a prince could not be restored, he would be allowed entry to the Zongren Mansion.

This means his royal status would be restored, but no privileges would be granted.

However, being a prince, with the current state achieved, if a general amnesty were granted in the future, he might at least inherit a title, so the hardest obstacle was past him.

"Your subject, thanks His Majesty’s grace."

Ji Chengyue knelt on the ground, raising both hands to receive it.

The red-robed eunuch placed the imperial edict into his hands, helping him up, while the Third Prince was already in tears.

"Your Highness, let me assist you back; His Majesty’s intention is for you to continue residing at the prince’s residence. The palace physicians are also ready to examine your health."

"Thank you, Eunuch, thank you... Father."

Having been confined at the pavilion for years, the detrimental effects on his health were evident, easily leaving hidden ailments needing proper care under palace physicians’ guidance upon his release.

And as the red robe eunuch looked at the Third Prince before him, he felt an inexplicable sense of kinship.

After all, this Third Prince was now one of his own.

Once a man has been subjected to such circumstances, with time, he naturally develops a certain gentleness;

Moreover, the Third Prince was originally fond of literature, so his demeanor leaned towards cultivated gentility.

The red-robed eunuch quickly dispelled these random thoughts from his mind, wondering why he was pondering such nonsense.

Inside the carriage,

The red-robed eunuch personally served a cup of tea to Ji Chengyue.

Ji Chengyue accepted the tea with both hands and pleaded:

"Eunuch, I’ve left some books and paintings there; I left in haste before and could not tend to them, I humbly ask you..."

"Your Highness, no need to be so formal, just say a word; I cannot bear your ’plea,’ later I’ll have someone fetch them."

"Thank you, Eunuch."

"Your Highness, no need for thanks."

The carriage moved through the streets.

Ji Chengyue caught the scent of baked cakes, instinctively sniffing the air.

The red-robed eunuch, raised in servitude despite his high palace position now, had not abandoned his keen senses, immediately instructing a young eunuch outside to purchase two sesame cakes.

Holding the freshly baked cakes, Ji Chengyue devoured them ravenously.

"Your Highness, eat slowly, be cautious not to choke."

In truth, the meals at the pavilion, though simple, were not poor compared to commoners’ standards. It was just that the food needed inspection upon delivery, and by the time it reached Ji Chengyue, it was usually cold;

It was bearable in summer, but in winter, he could only warm his meals using a small tea stove.

It was not the cakes he craved,

but rather the warmth and taste of freedom.

In other words,

he craved the flavor of liberty.

After finishing the two cakes, Ji Chengyue exhaled deeply, picked up the now cold tea, and drank it in one gulp, chewing on the tea dregs as he had learned to enjoy it over the years at the pavilion.

Then,

Ji Chengyue turned to the red-robed eunuch and asked:

"Eunuch, when can I go to thank Father?"

"This, His Majesty did not specify."

"I understand."

Ji Chengyue was satisfied with what he had received.

......

"I say, Fifth Brother, you’re about to leave; what are you busy with here?"

The Fourth Prince sat on the table beside, watching the Fifth Prince drawing diagrams.

"Did Fourth Brother not see? I’m drawing plans, combining ancient records with my own collection of water management methods, not seeking utility, but hoping for mutual verification."

"Ha, I know you’re drawing plans, but your river works, most likely, won’t be completed."

"Oh? Fourth Brother has news?"

"Well, I happen to have some acquaintances at the Ministry of War."

The Fourth Prince’s matriarchal clan was the Deng Family of Sanshi; although they were defeated in the first Wang River battle, some remnants remained. Moreover, being a prince himself, acquiring such information was not particularly challenging.