CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER 87: ACCOMPANYING TO MEET THE EMPEROR

Because there wasn’t much, all the food ended up in the stomach of the Second Prince.

This was probably the fullest he had ever been in his memory. Staring at the empty bowls and plates, he suddenly realized.

His face seemed to flush slightly, and he offered a bit of an explanation.

"I... didn’t eat breakfast, so... I had a bit more."

Everyone looked at this little child showing an embarrassed look just because he ate a bit more food.

They all felt quite sympathetic.

Especially Chunqi, who liked it when others finished all the food she’d made, always experiencing a sense of accomplishment.

So she smiled and said to the Second Prince.

"If the Second Prince likes it, you can always come to our Huifang Courtyard, and I will definitely make varied dishes for you."

"Really?"

There was a trace of delight in the Second Prince’s eyes, but it quickly dimmed again.

Now he was in Zeping State, and after some days he would return to Princess Consort Lan’s place.

No matter where he was, thinking of eating these delights was just a fantasy.

So before Chunqi could reply, he just said plainly.

"Forget it, it’s not that great."

These words were merely meant to deceive himself, so no one present paid attention to them.

Lin Wanyi put down the needlework in her hands and glanced outside.

Then she softly asked.

"Second Prince, you’ve been out for quite a while. Should I have a servant escort you back?"

Hearing this, the Second Prince’s face stiffened.

He didn’t want to be sent back just like that; Nanny Chai would certainly be harsh with him.

But if he didn’t go back, how long could he stay?

So he lowered his gaze and after a moment, just said.

"Mm."

Lin Wanyi looked at Qiu Ming, and Qiu Ming nodded.

This little matter he could handle, so he prepared to leave.

But just before he did, Lin Wanyi stopped him.

"Mr. Qiu, have Chunqi bring the chicken soup with cabbage made today to the imperial court. Say that the Second Prince enjoyed it, and perhaps His Majesty will like it too."

Qiu Ming gave her a deep glance and quickly understood the intent behind her words.

For Lin Wanyi, this might be the only way she could help.

More than that was beyond her capacity.

Although the Second Prince was young, his mind and thoughts were cultivated in the Imperial Palace.

He understood Lin Wanyi’s intentions as well.

To say he wasn’t grateful would be false, but because of his pride, he didn’t say much.

So he followed Qiu Ming and left.

Zeping State, inside Qiqing Hall.

Dong Yuzhong looked at the Second Prince in front of him and the food container in Qiu Ming’s hands.

With a benevolent expression, he spoke to the Second Prince.

"Don’t worry, Second Prince, your nanny hasn’t spread this matter, so the Emperor doesn’t know about your private departure from Zeping State."

The Second Prince slightly opened his mouth but thought it over and kept silent.

Seeing his expression, Dong Yuzhong added.

"The Emperor is available now. Would you like to go in and pay your respects?"

"May I?"

"Of course. You’ve been ill, while the Third Prince has visited several times."

Dong Yuzhong said with a smile.

The Third Prince was very diligent, visiting every day, rain or shine, whether he could see the Emperor or not.

The Second Prince thought about it, but still decided against it.

He shook his head and just as he was about to say something, he heard the Emperor inside ask.

"Is it the Third Prince?"

The Second Prince let out a bitter smile, hiding all his grievances within.

Dong Yuzhong immediately went inside and said.

"Your Majesty, it’s not the Third Prince, it’s the Second Prince, and Qiu Ming from Lin Changzai’s side is also here."

"Oh? Why have they come? Let them in."

"Yes."

The Emperor rubbed his eyes as that sore feeling returned.

He thought of Lin Wanyi, who used to massage him, and a smile appeared; he hadn’t seen her for a few days.

Outside, when the Second Prince heard the Emperor tell him to enter, his little face frowned deeply.

However, Dong Yuzhong smiled and leaned in, softly saying to him.

"Second Prince, don’t worry, the Emperor really does care about you."

Care?

The Second Prince, hearing these words, found them quite amusing for a moment.

Does he really?

If so, why was there never anyone around when he felt upset?

But now there was no turning back, so he had to go in.

He was small, but well trained in etiquette.

Upon seeing the Emperor, he performed the kowtow ceremony earnestly.

"This son sees the Father Emperor, may the Father Emperor be at peace."

"Rise, your health is fragile, you need not perform kneeling ceremonies in the future."

"Yes."

Though he agreed, the Second Prince felt quite sad inside.

He disliked this kind of special treatment, making his illness seem like it set him apart.

Yet in front of the Emperor, he dared not speak rashly.

"Qiu Ming."

"At your service, Your Majesty."

"Why have you come? Is your master’s health unwell?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, my master is well."

"Mm, that’s good."

"Today I have come to deliver something to Your Majesty. This chicken soup with cabbage in the food container was greatly enjoyed by the Second Prince, so my master sent me to let Your Majesty try it."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor suddenly frowned.

Then looking at the Second Prince’s bowed head, he became somewhat angry.

"You snuck out?"

The Second Prince, being young and suddenly reprimanded, would be frightened even if he were more resilient.

But unlike other children, he did not lie out of fear.

He steadied himself and nodded.

The Emperor let out a humph, his expression already displeased.

But seeing the Second Prince’s slightly trembling body, he suppressed his anger and spoke.

"How long have you been out?"

"About two hours."

Two hours, and the nanny tasked with watching him hadn’t noticed a thing?

The Emperor immediately became furious.

"Well! I thought Princess Consort Lan found a meticulous nanny, yet the Second Prince was missing for two whole hours, and no one reported! How exactly are they looking after my son?"

Hearing this, Dong Yuzhong immediately said.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I will go to the back hall right away to see what Nanny Chai is doing!"

With that, he left instantly.

Watching his departing figure, the Second Prince felt even more grateful to Lin Wanyi.

If it wasn’t for her having Qiu Ming accompany him this time, the Emperor might never have discovered the matter.

Nanny Chai, accustomed to slacking off, had only seen the Emperor once since coming to Zeping State.

Her initial vigilance had long relaxed.

Otherwise, how could she not notice the Second Prince was out for so long?

The Emperor had been ruling for twenty years and certainly recognized these tricks!

So when he looked at the Second Prince, his expression carried much complexity.

Qiu Ming placed the chicken soup on the rosewood table by the bright window and then stepped back.

In the main hall, only the Emperor and the Second Prince remained.

After a long silence — neither of them was good at expressing their feelings —

it was the Emperor who first broke the stalemate.