“Quibbling.” Somehow he felt calmer.
Everyone had been persuading him and pretending that nothing was wrong. They all told him that it was not a big deal to become disabled. However, they did not know that whenever they mentioned his leg, he would be in pain. The longer he was the Crown Prince, the more difficult it became. He had been scolded by his Imperial Father so much, it had become a norm. He has even been in prison before. Now that his leg was disabled, he was about to crumble. Only Fu Shui was talking about grilled fish as if everything was normal.
“Are you going to eat it?” Fu Shui asked.
“No.” The Crown Prince’s tone had already changed.
After a while, the Crown Prince looked up after not hearing a reply from Fu Shui. He wanted to scold and laugh.
Fu Shui was eating the grilled fish. “Your Highness, I am simply someone who picks herbs. I don’t know how to talk about big principles. But from what I see, the world’s principle is like this grilled fish. Do you think that if you don’t eat it, others will follow you and starve instead of eating it? There are so many people who want to eat it. Those people that already had their eye on the fish will take the chance to replace you. In the end, you’re the one who starves to death. Whereas, other people will be full. Think about it. If you continue hiding in this corner and give away the grilled fish, who will this fragrant grilled fish be eaten by in the end? Who would be the ultimate winner?”
The Crown Prince thought deeply before his expression changed. He took the grilled fish from Fu Shui and took a huge bite. Fu Shui did not say anything more as he smiled and looked at the Crown Prince, who was eating eagerly.
“Fu Shui, do you know who you resemble?”
Fu Shui replied, “Chen Ji.”
The Crown Prince was curious. “You know Chen Ji?”
Fu Shui shook his head. “No I don’t. But everyone tells me that I resemble him.”
The Crown Prince looked at him. “In my heart, you are him.”
Fu Shui’s eyes were calm and steady. “If Your Highness wants to pretend that I am him, I am fine with it. However, you have to promise me one thing. I heard that Chen Ji passed away at a very young age. I hope that Your Highness will not let me lose my life so early like he did.”
The Crown Prince placed the grilled fish down. “I promise you. I will not let anyone hurt you. I will not let what happened to Chen Ji happen to you.”
There was a slight change in Fu Shui’s eyes.
Chapter 66.2: Breaking Ties
The internal attendant reported that Zhan Xuanzhi was requesting an audience.
The Crown Prince did not hesitate as he got up. “Let him wait in the study room. I will change and go over.” He turned back to look at Fu Shui. His eyes were determined. “You are right. I cannot hide in one corner. I have to protect my grilled fish.”
Although the Crown Prince spoke with determination, he was fuming when he returned. Fu Shui glanced at him before looking at the chess set. He then started setting up the chess pieces.
The Crown Prince was furious. “Zhan Xuanzhi kept nagging at me for removing the chief historian from Han Mansion from the Ministry of Appointment’s Commendation List. Prince Han has already received many rewards from his battle. Father even personally wrote him the word virtuous. That is enough and he should stop there. However, Zhan Xuanzhi lectured me and said Prince Han was Prince Han while the chief historian was the chief historian. He said that I was not fair and was foolish.”
Fu Shui spoke absent-mindedly, “So Your Highness is angry because Zhan Xuanzhi spoke up for people from the Han Mansion. That’s natural. People walk up while water flows downwards. Zhan Xuanzhi is also a person. He sees that you are not in a good situation and chooses to side with Prince Han. It is nothing surprising.”
“Zhan Xuanzhi is siding with Prince Han?” The Crown Prince was shocked. He then shook his head. “No that cannot be. Zhan Xuanzhi was assigned to me by Imperial Father. Although his aloof face annoys me, he is not someone who is indecisive.”
Fu Shui said blandly. “I am just guessing according to common sense. You can believe me or not. Anyway, if I were you, I would guard against him.”
“How should I guard myself?” The Crown Prince had already been convinced by Fu Shui. “Zhan Xuanzhi is speaking up for Prince Han’s man so outrightly. Plus he is reasonable. If I don’t listen to him, he will bring it up to Father and I will become even more passive.”
“You are the Crown Prince. How can you not manage your own Eastern Palace personnel? Just think of a way to shut him up.” Fu Shui shrugged. “For example, ascending in brightness and falling in darkness.”
The Crown Prince murmured, “Ascending in brightness and falling in darkness?”
“On the surface, you should promote Prince Han’s subordinate. But actually, you should transfer him to a position with no power or duties. Let him become an empty frame…” Fu Shui looked into the Crown Prince’s solemn eyes and placed down the chess piece. He then turned to leave. “I have talked too much. These aren’t matters that I should be concerned with. I should leave.”
The Crown Prince called for him to stay. “Fu Shui, since you have nothing to do, come here and help me prepare ink.”
Fu Shui turned and moved smoothly over to the Crown Prince, helping him prepare ink. He looked over to look at the comments the Crown Prince was writing. “Crown Prince, you are impressive. Now, Zhan Xuanzhi will have nothing to say.”
The Crown Prince was proud. “You are also contributing by helping me prepare ink. In the future, you should help me prepare ink when I am writing.”
Fu Shui lowered his eyes. The corners of his mouths tilted up as he agreed.
Fu Rou arrived at the garden outside Lingxiao Palace. She saw Prince Zhou in the midst of practicing sword dance. His sword was moving like a dragon as it hissed like water. Prince Zhou caught sight of her. However, he did not say anything as he turned away from her.
“I am indebted to Her Majesty for her acknowledgement of me. She allowed me to teach Prince Qin. Yesterday, Prince Qin asked me what it meant to ‘Achieve nothing due to hesitations’ I could not answer and would like to ask Your Highness.” Since she was the one asking something from him, she did not mind speaking up first.
“You usually hide from me. Only when you have a problem then do you think of me.” He swung his sword and the autumn flowers swayed. “Who do you think I am?”
“I have overstepped my boundaries.” She was slightly awkward. “I shall take my leave.”
“<<The Book of Lord Shang. Change>>” His swordplay was gentle as he brushed the red leaf that was floating in front of her and appeared in front of her. “Achieving nothing due to hesitations is from <<The Book of Lord Shang. Change>> Shang Yang believed that in order to achieve big things, one has to be decisive and cannot hesitate. If one has doubts about one’s own actions, they will not succeed nor achieve anything.”
She understood. “Thank you, Your Highness. I will take my leave now.”
He suddenly smiled. “You are leaving like this? You have no other issues?”
She was silent. She knew that he had seen through her.
“Is Sheng Chumu still being punished to reflect?” He saw her nod and was upset. Only Sheng Chumu could make her put aside her pride. “The Empress asked Imperial Father to punish Sheng Chumu on the Crown Prince’s behalf. Naturally, the Empress will not speak up for Sheng Chumu in front of Imperial Father. Therefore, you want me to do it. In your heart, am I someone who is so kind and can be repeatedly made use of?”