Chapter 1233 - 304: Furious (Part 3)

Chapter 1233: Chapter 304: Furious (Part 3)

The Fifth Prince changed out of his carpenter clothes and put on a fresh outfit.

No matter what, with Third Brother back, we as younger brothers naturally have to pay our respects.

As they were about to leave, the Fourth Prince suddenly remembered something and said, "If I’m not mistaken, Consort Ming’s birthday is later this month, right?"

Consort Ming is known for her virtuous reputation, with a gentle temperament and well-versed in etiquette.

The Third Prince, in his early years, loved poetry and books, somewhat influenced by his mother consort.

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince spoke, "Are you saying that last night Father stayed at Consort Ming’s place?"

The Fourth Prince immediately kicked the Fifth Prince,

and cursed:

"How would I know this!"

If I received reports every day about where Father stayed last night, then what exactly am I trying to do?

The Fifth Prince shrugged and said, "I thought you knew."

"Don’t get me into trouble."

"Well, I was just casually asking, though I do think if Consort Ming knew Zheng Fan visited Third Brother, she might take the opportunity to plead with Father, and Father might agree to release Third Brother considering Consort Ming’s birthday is near."

"Sigh, our Father, his heart is still soft," the Fourth Prince lamented.

"Fourth Brother, are you talking nonsense because of a fever?"

The Fourth Prince glanced at the Fifth Prince and said:

"You’re the one who started the fever."

...

Just after the Third Prince moved into the prince’s residence, the Fourth and Fifth Princes came to visit.

"Brother, we pay our respects."

"Brother, we pay our respects."

"Rise, rise, brothers."

Next was a scene of brotherly politeness as everyone sat together and exchanged pleasantries.

However, since the imperial physician arrived, the Fourth and Fifth Princes soon took their leave.

Upon exiting, the Fourth Prince stretched and said, "Old Third always used to act like a scholar, hardly paying us attention, but after being locked up for two years, he’s become much more grounded."

"Indeed," Old Fifth echoed.

"It’s a pity, I see, Old Third has lost the chance for revenge."

"Do you think Third Brother still desires revenge?"

"Heh heh," the Fourth Prince chuckled twice, "I don’t believe he has let go of it, because every night he must be filled with resentment. But Zheng Fan is already Lord Pingye, with princes at the reins and the Crown Prince driving the carriage—how can he compete?"

"Soon, I need to go to Sixth Brother’s residence and deliver some toys I made myself for the children."

"You’re diligent; are you going to see Zheng Fan?"

"Perhaps, since Zheng Fan will have to leave Yanjing the day after tomorrow. If Father doesn’t issue a new edict, I’ll still have to go to Jin land with him."

"Aren’t you afraid others will see you as part of Prince Chengjue’s faction too?"

The Fifth Prince chuckled and

said:

"Fourth Brother,"

"Hmm?"

"Third Brother has already been released."

"So what?"

"No matter how bad, can it be worse than Third Brother?"

"I don’t understand what you’re saying."

"Then let me put it another way, like Zheng Fan, who has been stripped of his title as a prince yet still granted nobility—what’s that due to? Capability.

No matter if it’s our Father, Second Brother, or Sixth Brother at the helm,

whether it’s bloodlines, brotherhood, or descendants,

nothing is more important than people who can get things done.

So, even with no manpower or resources to support us, it’s a must and a certainty that I, Wang River, will go, and contribute my share, lest I’m truly seen as a failure.

Do you understand what I mean, Fourth Brother?"

"Understood."

"Good."

"You’re calling me a failure."

"..." Old Fifth.

...

After waking from his afternoon nap, Lord Zheng went to the Wen Family’s living room.

Then,

Lord Zheng realized that not bringing the blind man to visit Empress Dowager was indeed a significant mistake.

At that moment,

The blind man and Wen Sutong were sitting face-to-face, each with tea in hand.

"You seem to be in great spirits."

"You’ve lost weight, must be because you’re very busy; take care."

They were chatting about everyday matters,

but speaking very slowly,

taking long pauses before continuing.

Lord Zheng knew the blind man was exchanging messages with Wen Sutong using "mental chains."

It’s only natural that there were Spy Bureau personnel in the Prince Jin’s mansion;

and no fewer would be present at Wen Sutong’s house.

Lord Zheng couldn’t find a secret room to converse privately with Empress Dowager, because if he did, the Yan Emperor’s wrath would immediately fall upon him.

The Yan Emperor’s ambition is to unite Zhuxia; how could he tolerate his own generals infringing upon the affairs of a country’s Empress Dowager?

This made Lord Zheng’s visit to Prince Jin’s mansion overly bland and much different from what he anticipated. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

Alas,

If the blind man were present,

things would be much more convenient, allowing for private conversations.

Finally,

Lord Zheng sat down again, finished half a cup of tea, chatted with Wen Sutong about the climate at Snow Sea Pass and Yanjing City, and just as the tea cooled, he stood up and bid farewell.

Returning to the Sixth Prince’s estate, everyone had dinner.

Gou Moli inquired whether Zheng Fan could take him to visit the Spy Bureau’s prison; Lord Zheng hesitated.

Outside rumors clearly stated,

the Wild People King was defeated and captured, brought to Yanjing City.

Rumors spread that the Wild People King had already been executed, while others claimed he was still imprisoned in the Spy Bureau’s dungeon.

Lord Zheng certainly knew the real Wild People King was in front of him, and the one imprisoned in Yanjing City was a fake.

The fake’s name was A’lai, a man closely resembling the Wild People King, willing to become his shadow.

If Gou Moli asked to be taken to the courtyard to see the Princess,

Lord Zheng would surely kick him over,

but this particular request,

gave Lord Zheng a bit of a headache,