Chapter 55

Other than Ji Weiqiu's inspection tour to Huainan Prefecture, there were no other major matters in today's court session. Even this matter had already passed through the Grand Secretariat, with the three Grand Secretaries above all in agreement. Naturally, no one was foolish enough to step forward and say, 'I, your subject, believe this is inappropriate,' for fear of having their own head rendered 'inappropriate.'

At court, an imperial envoy delegation was arranged for Ji Weiqiu, including two Censors, one archivist, guards, and so on.

After the court session ended, several ministers left the palace together. One sighed with emotion, "The Emperor's favor towards the Prince of Rui is truly profound!"

"Isn't it so?" another person said, smiling and shaking his head, though it was unclear what he was smiling or shaking his head about. He said, "However, there were signs of this ever since the Prince entered the Grand Secretariat. It can be considered within expectations now."

When the Prince of Rui went down to Jiangnan, some people already sensed something was amiss. At that time, they still thought the Prince of Rui was a peaceful prince concerned only with pleasure, extremely easy to deal with. Who would have thought that starting from a baseless assassination case until the Prince's return to the capital, an unknown number of officials had been unseated. It was clear that this prince was not what he seemed on the surface; it would be more accurate to call him a smiling tiger.

After the Prince of Rui returned to the capital, he entered the Grand Secretariat to discuss matters. Since joining, His Highness the Prince of Rui seemed to have done nothing of note. It was said that in the Wenyuan Pavilion, he didn't fight for power or profit, acting more like a minor, idle official who simply clocked in for duty and then was done.

The Emperor did not give the Prince of Rui an official title, only letting him hold the name of a prince. Just when the court officials let down their guard, thinking that the Emperor had merely placed the Prince of Rui in the Grand Secretariat as an extra set of eyes, and furthermore, that he couldn't stand the Prince's daily absurdities and so made him do some proper work, who would have thought that he would now suddenly order the Prince of Rui to investigate the Huainan Prefecture case...

Looking at it now, the Emperor not bestowing an official title upon the Prince of Rui was a sign that he and the Prince were truly of one mind. He didn't want the Prince to be tainted by anything else, only for the Prince to represent his will. The last time the Prince of Rui left the capital, he returned having caused a river of blood to flow. This time, he presumably wouldn't let things go lightly either.

...Speaking of which, Prime Minister Wang must have displeased the Emperor for a long time, right? Otherwise, how could he have been dragged out of the hall for caning today? With the Prince of Rui being the one to speak out, there was still some leeway between the monarch and his subject...

Is this an attempt to make the Prince of Rui an isolated courtier?

The minister shook his head inwardly. The time was still too short; it was impossible to tell yet. They would have to wait and see!

The few of them exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts.

Ji Weiqiu had intended to go directly to Yinghua Hall to rest, but unexpectedly, he was summoned by Ji Su to Qingning Hall to accompany him. If it were any other time, Ji Weiqiu would have grinningly begged for a reprieve and gone to the Green Gauze Alcove for a nap. But how could he dare go now?

Ji Weiqiu's tongue tasted bitter. He wished he could be eight hundred li away from Ji Su right now.

"What's wrong?" Ji Su was as he always was, his expression peaceful and unruffled. He glanced sideways at Ji Weiqiu. "What has made you so angry?"

In the past, Ji Weiqiu's mouth never stopped talking. Today, he hadn't said a word, which Ji Su naturally noticed.

Ji Weiqiu lowered his head. "I, your younger brother, didn't sleep well yesterday, which is why I'm a bit short-tempered."

Ji Su scoffed. 'His temper is quite big indeed, big enough to have had Prime Minister Wang dragged out and beaten,' he thought. His heart stirred slightly, and he said, "Huainan Prefecture is a settled matter."

The Imperial Edict was issued in court; there is absolutely no turning back.

"No!" Ji Weiqiu suddenly raised his head. "I want to go to Huainan Prefecture!"

"Hm?" Ji Su's eyebrows twitched slightly. He felt that Ji Weiqiu most likely really hadn't slept well, so he didn't press the matter—as for Prime Minister Wang, he was beaten, and that was that. What of it? Was he somehow unable to be beaten?

Thinking of this, a faint smile appeared on Ji Su's face. He had raised Ji Weiqiu himself; did he not understand what kind of person he was? On the surface, he acted arrogant and unrestrained, but in reality, he was magnanimous and benevolent... to call him indecisive would be a bit too harsh. It was a good thing that he now had a bit of sharpness to him.

Sooner or later, he would understand that a person cannot always remain unchanged. When he was young, he had his elder brother to protect him, and his Mother Empress to protect him. But now that he was growing older, he must learn that for a man to stand in this world, if he cannot stand on his own, everything is like a castle in the air... How long could he and the Mother Empress support him?

Ji Su made a slight movement with his hand, but he saw Ji Weiqiu subconsciously take a step back. He paused, frowning slightly.

Ji Weiqiu was completely unaware of his subconscious action, only knowing to seize this opportunity. "I, your younger brother, request to leave the palace and return to my manor. I must depart in two days and need to go back to make some arrangements."

These were just empty words. What could Ji Weiqiu possibly need that wasn't in the palace? He had lived in the palace for so long that any items he was accustomed to using would have been moved into the palace long ago.

Ji Su nodded. "It's good for you to go back."

Knowing to clean up his own manor before leaving could be considered a sign of maturity.

Ji Weiqiu cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Imperial Elder Brother."

Ji Su raised a hand slightly. "Go and rest for a while."

Ji Weiqiu immediately thanked Ji Su, turned, and headed for the side hall. Ji Su's eyes darkened slightly; his original intention was for Ji Weiqiu to go to the Green Gauze Alcove. His expression was somewhat profound, but only for a moment. He then changed his mind and ordered, "Qingxi."

"The Emperor?" Eunuch Qingxi walked briskly from the side to Ji Su's side. Ji Su said, "Have Jiang Qingyun check the Prince of Rui's pulse."

Jiang Qingyun was Imperial Physician Hu's disciple and now also served in the Imperial Medical Academy. His medical skills were superb.

After a brief pause, Ji Su added, "Have Jiang Qingyun accompany the Prince of Rui down to Huainan Prefecture."

Eunuch Qingxi replied respectfully, "Yes."

Ji Weiqiu returned to the hall, his body utterly exhausted. But his thoughts were in turmoil, and lying on the couch, he could only close his eyes and rest lightly, unable to fall asleep at all. He cursed himself inwardly for being useless. 'Isn't it just a small matter? Isn't it just an accident? Is it necessary to get so worked up over it?'

'It's not like I really have any improper thoughts about my brother! It was just an accident! Let's just let this episode pass! Stop thinking about it all the time, no one else knows!'

'Just get a good night's sleep. Xingbo will be here in a little while. I'll have him help me pack, then I'll leave the palace first and return to the manor. Maybe things will be a little better once I'm on my own territory...'

Unknowingly, the time it takes for an incense stick to burn had passed, yet Ji Weiqiu was still not asleep. Suddenly, he heard Xiao Zhuo's soft voice from outside seeking instruction, "Your Highness? Your Highness?... The Emperor has ordered Imperial Physician Jiang to come and take your pulse for peace of mind."

"Come in." Ji Weiqiu turned over and sat up. The hall door was pushed open, and a man in a dark red official's robe, with a handsome and refined appearance, walked in. The man cupped his hands and said, "I, Jiang Qingyun, pay my respects to the Prince."

"Dispense with the ceremony," Ji Weiqiu said.

Jiang Qingyun stepped forward, and with him came a waft of simple, ancient medicinal fragrance. He positioned the wrist pillow, invited Ji Weiqiu to place his wrist on it, and then placed two fingers on Ji Weiqiu's wrist. After just a moment, Jiang Qingyun said, "The Prince's body is fine, but your heart is heavy with melancholy. It would be best to relieve it soon."

Jiang Qingyun's eyes were gentle and perceptive, making Ji Weiqiu feel the embarrassment of being seen through. Even though he knew the other person couldn't possibly know, he couldn't help but think of yesterday's events. Jiang Qingyun's eyes suddenly curved into a smile. "It's just that people eat the five grains, so they will always have joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. The Prince need not take it to heart."

"Imperial Physician Jiang is very well-spoken," Ji Weiqiu said flatly.

"This humble subject thanks the Prince."

Ji Weiqiu had been waiting for Jiang Qingyun to prescribe medicine. A small problem like his would usually be solved with a dose of calming medicine from an imperial physician. Noticing that Jiang Qingyun had started to pack up his medical kit, Ji Weiqiu asked, puzzled, "You're not prescribing any medicine?"

Jiang Qingyun closed his medical kit and then said, "The Prince's body is fine, so there is no need for medicine. Having a few palace attendants massage the Prince's meridians to ensure they are unobstructed will allow you to heal without medication."

Ji Weiqiu listlessly said, "Alright." Eunuch Xiao Zhuo naturally stepped forward to lead the Imperial Physician out. Not long after, he led two palace attendants in, who looked at Ji Weiqiu expectantly. Ji Weiqiu was quite obedient to doctor's orders. He honestly went to the long couch and lay face down. The palace attendants came forward, lit some incense, washed their hands, and only then began the massage.

Ji Weiqiu grunted twice, and the palace attendants' hands immediately lightened their pressure. Ji Weiqiu gave an order that it was fine, and they began again—it had to be said, it was very comfortable. Even if one wasn't sick, it felt good to be massaged. How could anyone dislike massages? No one!

Ji Weiqiu thought to himself that Imperial Physician Jiang was quite skilled.

Before he knew it, Ji Weiqiu had fallen asleep. By the time he woke up, it was already noon. The palace attendants had left at some unknown time, and a familiar figure was beside him, bent over a desk writing. Seeming to hear the movement, the person looked up and smiled. "Your Highness is awake."

It turned out to be Xingbo.

For some reason, Ji Weiqiu let out a long sigh of relief. He had been afraid it was Ji Su; thank goodness it wasn't. Perhaps it was because he had managed to sleep for a while, but the memories from before he slept had faded somewhat. Ji Weiqiu felt much more relaxed. His chest rose and fell as he breathed, slowly calming his heart.

A quiet and elegant fragrance drifted into his nostrils. Everything was just as he remembered it, unchanged.

He got up and said, "Xingbo, help me pack some things. I'm returning to my manor. In two days, I must set off for Huainan Prefecture."

Xingbo was a little surprised. "Your Highness?"

If Ji Weiqiu were just returning to his manor for two days, there would be no need for special instructions, and the same went for his trip to Huainan Prefecture. Summoning him to the palace meant that His Highness did not plan to live in the palace anymore in the future.

He was a little worried. Could it be that there was a disagreement between His Highness and the Emperor?

Ji Weiqiu didn't answer him, only asking, "Has the manor been cleaned up?"

Xingbo said, "Yes, Your Highness. It's just that there are a few people... your subordinate doesn't know how to handle them..."

"Deal with them as they should be dealt with." Ji Weiqiu tossed out the sentence. He wasn't some Guanyin Bodhisattva here to save all sentient beings. The matter involved betraying a master, and it also involved treason. Since the other party didn't treat his life, his family's lives, or the lives of everyone in his manor as lives, why should he treat their lives as lives?

He quickly changed his clothes, called for a sedan chair, and immediately left the palace without a backward glance.

Xingbo was puzzled. He had served Ji Weiqiu for several years; how could he not see that Ji Weiqiu's expression was off today? The way he left... it was as if he were fleeing for his life.

Even being eager to return home wasn't like this. It was as if a tiger were chasing him from behind.

Xingbo watched Ji Weiqiu leave, and only then did he begin to methodically instruct the palace attendants to pack their luggage. Ji Weiqiu was going to Huainan Prefecture. This was a major event, and with only two days to arrange everything for the journey, it was impossible not to be tense.

Elsewhere, Ji Su learned of Ji Weiqiu's departure from the palace. He asked faintly, "Was the Prince of Rui very happy to leave the palace?"

Eunuch Qingxi lowered his head and said respectfully, "This old slave does not know. In this old slave's humble opinion, His Highness is departing in two days, so there must be many things to arrange at the manor."

As he spoke, his tone also became lighter. "His Highness still has the disposition of a child. The rules in the palace are inevitably stricter. He is naturally happy to leave the palace."

A sudden gust of wind came, abruptly scattering the incense smoke from the burner, making it dance with the breeze. Ji Su stood by the burner, one hand hovering over the smoke, feeling the wispy warmth pass through his fingers.

The heavy, melancholic fragrance in the hall also dissipated somewhat at this moment, leaving only a quiet and serene, inexplicably silent room.

Ji Su nodded. There was a peculiar look in his eyes that no one could decipher. After a long while, he slowly said, "...Let him be."