Within a few days, the assassin’s identity was verified, and the cause and effect were all clear. The memorial was presented to the emperor, and Zhu Yunjing also received the news.
Three years ago, several dams on the Yellow River burst, causing hundreds of thousands of people along the coast to be displaced. Although the court immediately allocated silver teals for disaster relief, countless people lost their lives in the natural disaster. Some became rogues, fleeing and even rising up against the court and its officials. At that time, the Northern War was in full swing. Although the imperial court sent troops many times to encircle and suppress the rebels, they could not wipe them out completely. The wildfire was endless, and the spring breeze blew again. Those assassins were accomplices of those rebels. They had sneaked into the capital earlier, taking advantage of the expeditionary army’s victory and waiting for an opportunity to assassinate the Crown Prince.
When Zhu Yunjing heard the report, he was served by his servants in changing clothes. His eyes flickered upon hearing the news, but he didn’t ask any more questions.
Wang Jiu carefully fastened Zhu Yunjing’s belt and hung a translucent and sparkling Panlong jade pendant around his waist. In the mirror, Zhu Yunjing looked tall and graceful. His posture was as majestic and powerful as that of a dragon Wang Jiu smiled and flattered: “Your Highness is truly a meticulous and talented person, with an extraordinary appearance.”
Zhu Yunjing snorted lightly: “What is the use of a good-looking appearance?”
Moreover, when this appearance was generated, some daring and arrogant people dared tease him. Zhu Yunxun always remembered this evil breath.
“Your Highness has a noble and extraordinary temperament as if made by heaven, and that is much more valuable than just good looks.”
“Enough of this useless talk. Is my aunt's birthday gift ready?”
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. It has already been placed on the carriage.”
“Let’s go.”
Today is Princess Shuhe’s fiftieth birthday. The princess’ mansion hosted a banquet. Emperor Zhaoyang could not come in person, so he sent all the princes to pay their respects to this eldest aunt.
Princess Shuhe was Emperor Zhaoyang’s elder sister, the only legitimate daughter of the former empress. Although she was more than ten years older than Emperor Zhaoyang, Emperor Zhaoyang was raised by the former empress, and had spent a considerable amount of time with the eldest princess at the knees of the former empress. The two of them had a very close relationship, and Emperor Zhaoyang had always held great respect for his elder sister.
Zhu Yunjing was picked up by Zhu Yunxuan who left the palace. Zhu Yunxuan had been feeling stifled in the palace for a long time, and today he was finally able to leave the palace, which made him particularly excited. He chatted non-stop all the way.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Walking through a bustling market, Zhu Yunxuan pushed open the carriage window to look outside. He sighed and said: “It’s a pity that I can’t go out and play. With so many people following me, I can’t go anywhere.”
Ite Tecplcu gfwlcvfv tlw: “Df mbcafca. Po sbe fcmbecafg jrrjrrlcr jujlc, yf mjgfoei atja sbe klii ibrf sbeg ilof.”
Today they left the palace in Weifu, but the number of guards following them doubled from usual. As a result of the incident a few days ago, the streets and alleys of the capital have been strengthened over the past two days. If it weren’t for the eldest Princess’ birthday, they would not have been able to leave the palace.
Ite Teczejc vlrjugffv: “P’w pera jc bgvlcjgs qglcmf. Crrjrrlcr kbeivc’a yf lcafgfrafv lc wf.”
“Qtb rjlv sbe jgf pera jc bgvlcjgs qglcmf?” Ite Tecplcu rjlv lwqjalfcais. “Tbe, ilxf Xe, jgf atf ifulalwjaf rbc bo atf fwqfgbg, jcv jgf wbgf njiejyif atjc Ite Teczec. Gbc’a ecvfgfralwjaf sbegrfio.”
“Well, this younger brother understands.”
Zhu Yunjing looked gougingly at his carefree little brother. The carriage that was going forward suddenly stopped, and Wang Jiu reported from outside the carriage: “Your Highness, the young master of the Xie family is here to pay respects to you and His Highness the Fifth Highness.”
“Let him get into the carriage.”
Xie Xuanming got into the carriage, and Zhu Yunjing spared him the formalities. Xie Xuanming smiled and said: “I was going to the eldest princess’s mansion to celebrate her birthday. I didn’t expect to meet Your Highness and the Fifth Prince on the way. What a coincidence.”
Zhu Yunjing had no intention of chatting with him about trivial matters and got straight to the point: “After you go back, tell your uncle to let the family members keep a low profile these days, and not attract Father Emperor’s attention.”
Xie Xuanming felt a little resentful when he heard this: “How can it be? My father’s errands have been gone, and now he spends his days drinking tea and playing with birds in the mansion. He can’t keep a lower profile than this.”
Zhu Yunxuan on the side snorted softly: “Your uncle was dismissed because of his poor river management in the past. Now that there has been an assassination attempt, I am afraid the old incident will be brought up again. My cousin, you should think about how to move on instead of complaining here.”
Xie Xuanming looked embarrassed and said: “Yes… I will tell my father when I get home.”
Back then, if Xie Chongming, the governor of the river, had not neglected his duties and failed to observe his job, there would not have been so many breaches and so many deaths and injuries. It would not be an exaggeration if someone ransack the house and beheaded him. Emperor Zhaoyang dealt with Xie Chongming lightly for the sake of Zhu Yunjing’s mother and Zhu Yunjing himself. For this reason, there was a lot of criticism in the court, and people would occasionally bring it up and comment on it.
Zhu Yunjing closed his eyes, feeling depressed in his heart. But since Zhu Yunxuan had already spoken up for him, he didn’t waste much time talking. Although the Xie family members were out of tune, they still had the ability to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. So it was unlikely that anything serious would happen.
Two quarters of an hour later, the Crown Prince’s carriage stopped at the gate of the Princess Mansion, and the butler welcomed them in with joy.
In the main hall, the eldest princess, dressed in a red brocade dress with golden thread, was very graceful and luxurious. Laughing happily with the noblewomen, she sat on the main seat. Because they were all elders present, when Zhu Yunjing and the other two entered, they did not avoid them and saluted the two princes before taking their seats.
Zhu Yunjing and the others each sent a birthday gift. Zhu Yunjing had prepared a jade Ruyi. Zhu Yunxuan presented the Buddhist scripture he had copied himself. The eldest princess accepted their gifts with a smile, pulled them to say a few words, and finally said: “Let’s all go to the back garden to play. You won’t be happy listening to us old women chatting. We’ll call you when it’s time for the feast.”
Today’s birthday banquet for the eldest princess only invited the wives of officials from various prefectures in the capital and the younger generation of various families. As they walked into the back garden of the princess’ mansion and listened to the distinct sound of birds chirping and laughing, Zhu Yunjing suddenly realised that actually, their aunt was holding a matchmaking banquet in the name of the birthday banquet.
Princess Shuhe was widowed in her early years. She had no children and adopted several royal orphans, and lived quite happily. Her greatest passion was matchmaking, and she had indeed made many successful marriages.
Zhu Yunxuan and Xie Xuanming obviously understood the situation, and they were both eager to try. The three of them walked to the edge of the lake, and saw a dozen or so young girls had gathered in the flower hall on the other side. All of them were charming, beautiful, and bold. They gathered by the lake, occasionally looking over to their side, whispering shyly or bursting into silver bell-like laughter.
Xie Xuanming and Zhu Yunxuan murmured together, chatting about the girls on the other side. Zhu Yunjing felt helpless and didn’t participate. He walked into the pavilion above the rockery, where many people were drinking tea and chatting. All of them were young masters and sons from various prefectures in the capital.
As soon as the Crown Prince appeared, the once noisy pavilion fell silent for a moment. Everyone got up to greet him one after another. Zhu Yunjing waved his hand and gestured for them to sit down. He glanced sideways at Zhu Yunxun and the others sitting by the railing, and said with a smile: “Why are you so cautious? Can’t Gu even eat you guys? Why haven’t I seen you act like this in front of Gu’s younger brothers?”
Zhu Yunxun came out with a few other younger brothers. The ones who were too young stayed with the eldest princess. There were only a few brothers who were about the same age as them, and they were all cautious and transparent people. They felt a little uncomfortable after hearing this, but only Zhu Yunxun drank his tea calmly, and said: “They have never played with Royal Brother before, so it’s inevitable that they are a bit restrained. I hope Royal Brother won’t take offense.”
“Gu is not that stingy.”
Zhu Yunjing sat down opposite Zhu Yunxun and ignored him, sipping his tea alone. The rest of the people looked at each other in blank dismay, seeing that Zhu Yunjing really didn’t seem to care about them, and gradually let loose and started playing around. The atmosphere became warm again.
Zhu Yunjing looked at He Huailing who was sitting with Zhu Yunxun. He didn’t expect to run into this person here today. But after thinking about it, He Huailing was also from a prominent family, so it didn’t seem unusual to see him appearing on such an occasion.
He Huailing, who had taken off his armour, was less fierce than when they first met, but had gained some suave and handsome qualities. Zhu Yunjing loved beautiful people regardless of gender. As long as they looked good, he would always receive some preferential treatment. Unfortunately, He Huailing’s surname was He. Therefore, even if he was a beauty, he would still be considered poisonous.
He Huailing seemed a little absent-minded, and Zhu Yunjing lowered his gaze to hide the smile in his eyes. He knew that He Huailing must have had a hard time these few days, and all kinds of rumors about him in the capital were rampant. Some said that he was the incarnation of the Ziwei Star. Others said his destiny was extremely expensive. There was also a strange story that was made up by someone about He Huailing’s birth, claiming that when he was born, there were colorful clouds and golden lights in the sky. It was spread with details and soon reached Emperor Zhaoyang’s ears.
Not everyone can afford such flattery.
A young servant bowed and came into the pavilion, handing a sachet to He Huailing. He said that Miss Zhao from the flower hall across the lake had sent it over. Upon hearing this, the young masters present started to scream, whistling and booing. Even Zhu Yunxun smiled and raised his eyebrows: “I didn’t expect the Zhao family cousin to be interested in her cousin. She even asked someone to send a sachet over. Cousin, you might as well accept it.”
On the other side of the lake, Zhao Xiuzhi held a round fan to partially cover her face, looking at the suave figure in the opposite rockery pavilion with a smile. She was shy yet confident. She was the Empress Dowager’s most beloved grandniece. Although the Zhao family used to be just a butcher’s family in the market before the Empress Dowager entered the palace, so what? No matter how disdainful these aristocratic ladies were in their hearts, they still had to support her. She didn’t even want to be the Crown Princess, but only had her eyes on He Huailing. Was she afraid she wouldn’t be able to stretch a hand and grab it?
A quarter of an hour later, the maid next to Zhao Xiuzhi returned the sachet, sweating profusely. She tremblingly said: “Ding…Dingyuan Marquis said Miss is very generous and kind, but he can’t bear Miss’s favour. So he returned the sachet to its original owner.”
The smile on Zhao Xiuzhi’s face froze. She stood up and left with a swish of her sleeves.
On the rockery, Zhu Yunjing dropped the tea bowl and smiled contemptuously: “Even Zhao, the gorgeous cousin of Dingyuan Marquis, doesn’t catch your attention.”. I wonder what kind of furen Lord Marquis wants to find?”
The Empress Dowager’s intention to grant Zhao Xiuzhi to Zhu Yunjing was only mentioned to Emperor Zhaoyang in Yongshou Palace and not spread out. Otherwise, the most embarrassing one today would be Zhu Yunjing. However, after this incident, Zhu Yunjing decided not to accept this Zhao family daughter and even declined the position of concubine.
He Huailing said indifferently: “In matters of marriage, even if parents or matchmakers are involved, what matters is mutual affection and willingness. Otherwise, it will only bring embarrassment and trouble to both parties. If they do something persecuted, it would be even more unjust.”
Zhu Yunjing’s expression turned cold. Who is persecuting whom? Can Zhao Xiuzhi be so favored that she can persecute He Huailing? He Huailing’s words obviously meant something else. These words seemed to have some deep meaning to both Zhu Yunjing and the people around him. Their expressions became somewhat strange.
Among the people present, there is only one Crown Prince whose actions of coercion had become widely known throughout the city! . After Xu Hanlin was imprisoned, no one mentioned those romantic affairs anymore. But that didn’t mean they had forgotten!
“What Dingyuan Marquis said is true,” Zhu Yunjing sneered. “I hope Dingyuan Marquis will remember today’s words and never forget them in the future.”
Thank you for the chapter
Thank you for reading.
Haha, He Huailing later:
What matters is wife, not the way I got wife
Exactly! XD
Off to a rocky start in the relationship 😂
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How are this two going to conceive a child is beyond me at this point lol. I’m dying to see how this is going to develop lol
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He Huailing: You forced the wrong guy to marry you, it should have been ME! 😤
Thank you for the translation~
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No problem 😍 Glad you skipped volleyball practice to translate this for us, bless!
Ahh this novel is getting more and more interesting. I’m dying to see how things will develop
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Thank You for the new chapter (⋈◍＞◡＜◍)。✧♡
Thank you for reading!
So wait, did he marry Xu Hanlin?
No, he actually didn’t. My previous statement was based on a misunderstanding and misinterpretation of that sentence. I have now revised it accordingly. I apologize for any misunderstanding that may have occurred. 🙇