CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 84: THE TREACHEROUS SERVANT欺主

As she spoke, her expression was rather fierce.

Unfortunately, the Second Prince had long grown accustomed to her two-faced behavior.

He was already numb.

In one ear and out the other.

She could say whatever she wanted, after all, it wasn’t the first time he had heard such words.

Nanny Chai saw that the Second Prince remained indifferent, which only fueled her anger.

But this was under the Emperor’s nose, so she had to be more cautious in her actions.

With a cold snort, she withdrew.

She didn’t even bother with proper manners before leaving, which showed how she normally abused her power to bully others!

The door was closed, and only after the noise outside ceased did the Second Prince slowly open his eyes.

Having taken medicine continuously for years, his body was very weak.

His face was always waxy pale, and he was even shorter than the Third Prince, who was over a year younger than him.

The spring and autumn seasons were always the hardest for him.

During the summer, he felt somewhat more at ease.

Because Princess Consort Lan had to maintain appearances in public, she forced him to come to the traveling palace.

Yet he held that resentment in his heart, realizing that there was no one in the palace who would stand up for him.

That Princess Consort Lan spoke nicely and acted appropriately.

In both private and public, she put on the face of a good mother, fooling everyone in the palace into believing she raised him well.

But only the Second Prince knew the vast difference between genuine care and superficial affection.

He had few siblings, and when Empress Xu and the Eldest Prince were alive, they indeed cared for him sincerely.

Unfortunately, heaven did not favor the kind, and they both passed away one after the other.

He was only about two or three years old at the time, a period when he should have been at his most lively and active.

Yet he precociously remembered the pain of parting through life and death.

Since then, he’s never been close to anyone again.

"Cough, cough, cough, cough."

A fit of coughing left his small face flushed red, veins throbbing, nearly gasping for breath.

Reaching out to pour himself a cup of warm water, he found that not even cold water was prepared in the pot.

He lay back on the rocking chair, trying hard to calm himself down.

Over the years, such neglect had happened more than once or twice.

He had long grown used to it.

Looking at the main hall not far outside the window, he pondered.

If he were to go to his father and speak up, would he believe the gentle and kind Princess Consort Lan, or would he trust his cold and peculiar self?

His small eyes gradually reddened.

But he still bit his pale lips tightly, refusing to show any weakness.

Thus, after the two princes moved to Zeping State, the Emperor never stayed at Huifang Courtyard again.

When Mr. Dong personally informed Lin Wanyi, she was genuinely delighted.

Not a hint of disappointment could be seen.

She spoke to Dong Yuzhong gently.

"Your Majesty, who works tirelessly for state affairs, it’s a blessing to finally enjoy family time with the two princes. Please inform His Majesty that all is well here."

"Of course, Your Ladyship indeed has a good temper. I’m sure the Emperor will be pleased to hear this."

Lin Wanyi smiled and said no more.

She then turned to Xia An with instructions.

"Xia An, bring me those two wooden ox and horse my father made for me to give to Mr. Dong."

"Yes."

Wooden ox and horse?

Dong Yuzhong was quite curious about these things.

Lin Wanyi explained to him.

"These aren’t valuable, but they’re interesting, so Mr. Dong can take them for the Second and Third Prince to play with."

Xia An brought the items over and placed them on the ground.

The wooden ox and horse could move on their own without human touch.

This amazed Dong Yuzhong.

"How curious!"

Growing up watching her father make these, Lin Wanyi was unfazed.

Instead, she told him.

"The princes are both young and might find these interesting. However, before giving them, have the Imperial Physician examine them to ensure there’s nothing wrong because..."

Lin Wanyi didn’t finish her sentence, but Dong Yuzhong understood her concern.

The Emperor had few heirs, and these two princes were precious.

If someone tampered with the gift to frame her, it would be troublesome.

Thus, it’s best to have the physician check beforehand.

"Rest assured, Your Ladyship, Doctor Cheng just so happens to visit the Second Prince soon, so he can look over them as well."

"That’s good, but has the Second Prince’s illness not improved?"

Lin Wanyi, relatively new to the palace, had never encountered this Second Prince and knew little of his condition.

All she knew was he was born weak, carrying ailments from his mother’s womb.

But with all the skilled Imperial Physicians and precious medicines in the palace,

how could he have been treated for years with no improvement?

Dong Yuzhong sighed at her question.

"Alas, despite years of treatment with expensive medicines, it’s hopeless for the Second Prince. He’s been on medication since birth and has never stopped all these years."

Lin Wanyi suddenly felt a sense of shared adversity and hardship.

She, too, had been on medication for years.

So emotionally, she empathized with the Second Prince.

After sending Dong Yuzhong away, Lin Wanyi was still lost in thought over their recent conversation.

Chunqi, who had come to deliver medicine, noticed her demeanor and asked in confusion.

"Your Ladyship, what’s the matter?"

Lin Wanyi remained silent for a moment before speaking to Chunqi.

"Next time you make dried fruits, make extra. The Second Prince’s sense of taste must be dulled from all the medicine; we can send some over as a gesture."

"That’s easy. Once the peaches ripen, I’ll pick some. After drying, they’ll be sweet and tangy, perfect for counteracting the taste of medicine."

"Hmm."

Lin Wanyi nodded.

In Qiqing Hall, the Emperor’s desk, once piled high with scrolls,

now had only a food box and the two wooden ox and horse from Huifang Courtyard.

Inside the box was the jerky that Qiu Ming had collected from Chunqi.

Mr. Dong had kept it well, so it hadn’t spoiled.

When the lid was opened, the savory aroma of the jerky gently wafted out.

And those charming, amusing wooden toys beside it added to the scene.

Somehow, many images related to Lin Wanyi floated through his mind.

Sitting quietly on the Dragon Chair, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up.

He picked up a piece of jerky and tasted it carefully.

The sesame seeds added aroma, and the chili provided flavor; the Emperor was tasting such a thing for the first time.

And he couldn’t seem to stop.

He found himself imagining a sesame seed sticking accidentally to the corner of Lin Wanyi’s mouth.

The proud expression she might wear made him involuntarily swallow.

Unaware, Dong Yuzhong beside him thought the jerky must be so good that the Emperor couldn’t resist.

He considered seeking an opportunity to ask his apprentice Qiu Ming for a couple of pieces to try himself!