Chapter 355: Chapter 287: The Imperial Family_3
Liang Chen pondered, "Do you think he will tell Prince Rong about this?"
Fu Zhen mused, shaking his head, "It’s hard to say. Because to this day, I still don’t know what he’s striving so hard to climb upwards for."
Liang Chen stood with hands on hips, exhaling deeply, "The palace isn’t very peaceful either."
"What’s going on in the palace?"
"This morning, I went to Grand Preceptor Gu’s place and heard him say that the Emperor’s health is erratic, and the Empress is very worried."
Fu Zhen sighed upon hearing this, "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are inevitable. When that day comes, there is nothing one can do. The Empress should try to see it through. At least, in the future, she will still have the Third Prince by her side."
The Third Prince, Yang Xiao, was actually already titled King Yan, but everyone was used to calling him as they did when he was a child.
Yang Xiao’s health wasn’t good; it was worse when he was young, having crossed the gates of hell several times. So, although he was supposed to take up his post at sixteen, the Emperor specially granted him to stay and establish a manor in the capital.
After all, there weren’t many in the royal family. In the Crown Prince’s generation, there are just the two brothers and another, Yang Zhan, from Prince Rong’s Mansion.
A few words were spoken briefly here, and then Liang Chen was called away. Fu Zhen, concerned about the developments at Prince Rong’s Mansion, sent someone to the kitchen to arrange food and drinks and went to find Liang Xuan.
Upon asking at the gate, he was told that Liang Xuan had been taken out of the mansion by a young man from the Cheng family...
Cheng Zhihuan, Cheng Chiren’s son, was the same age as Liang Xuan. The two were inseparable on ordinary days, so it wasn’t surprising that Liang Xuan was taken away by Cheng Zhihuan, especially when Cheng Chiren had come to the Pei family.
After all, these young rascals were already used to mingling in the capital city; no need to worry.
Pei Zhan and the others had lunch together, then rode their horses to the palace. To avoid interrupting the Emperor’s nap time, they deliberately walked slowly and arrived outside the Qianqing Palace just as midday was ending.
In this scorching heat, the Emperor’s thin body was still dressed in spring and autumn robes, indeed looking more fragile than in previous years.
"Be seated." After granting seats, the Emperor said, "I summoned you because of matters concerning Prince Rong’s Mansion. After the war in the northwest was settled, I thought the world would be at peace, but unexpectedly, one incident after another has occurred within the capital.
"The night attack on Prince Rong’s Mansion cannot be taken lightly. This is not an isolated incident; the audacity of the assailants endangers the safety of the capital’s civilians. It could easily trigger trouble. You young talents are capable; from today, Ming Zhi and Shaoyang will lead, each deploying troops to guard the four city gates."
The group accepted the order.
The Emperor’s gaze swept over their faces and then said, "The incident occurred within Prince Rong’s Mansion. Since the mourning for Princess Rong lasts for forty-nine days, with people constantly coming and going, we cannot guarantee there won’t be further disturbances.
"I plan to dispatch another troop to garrison Prince Rong’s Mansion. Who will go?"
Cheng Chiren and Du Mingqian surveyed their companions and then clasped their hands, "As the Emperor commands! Your subjects will follow the decree, without fail!"
The Emperor nodded slightly and turned his gaze to Pei Zhan. "Then let Ming Zhi go."
Pei Zhan knelt, lifting his robe, "Your subject obeys the decree!"
"For specific matters, go find the eunuch later for instructions."
After taking the order again, Pei Zhan stood up.
The ruler and ministers spoke some more words, and seeing the Imperial Physician waiting outside the door, Liang Chen worried that the Emperor had exerted himself too long and took the initiative to leave.
The Emperor waved them off, then sat on the couch, watching their departing figures.
The Empress emerged from behind the curtain, followed his line of sight briefly, and then said, "Ming Zhi, this child, is cautious and quick-witted, and shouldn’t let the Emperor down."
The Emperor inhaled slightly, then exhaled slowly, "Let’s hope so."
The Empress added, "The Emperor should try to relax. If even they cannot accomplish the task, then throughout the court, afraid there would be none who could."
The Emperor turned his face to her, looking at her gloomily, "Zitong advises me to relax, but has Zitong herself truly done so over these years?"
The Empress gazed at him deeply, then sighed quietly, lowering her eyes. "Oh, you, always so astute, seeing right through my heart."
The Emperor smiled gently and patted her hand, "After being husband and wife for so many years, how could I not know you?"
Just as the Empress opened her mouth, the Emperor spoke again, "I know my days are few, I just hope to see a conclusion in my lifetime. If, after all efforts, things don’t turn out as hoped, at least there won’t be as much regret."
The Empress took a deep breath, "What nonsense are you talking about? Enough, let’s not bring this up. The Imperial Physician is waiting outside to check your pulse. Let him come in first."
With that, she stood up.
When she turned her back, her eyes, with years of wear and tear, could no longer hide the redness.