“Do you feel sorry for Sheng Chumu?”
“At Swallow House, he was once the person I looked forward to seeing the most. It was also because of him that I decided to leave Swallow House. When he returned from Guangzhou City and appeared before me again, I understood. No matter how well a guest treated you, no matter how sweet his words are, he can always take back his heart anytime. A girl from the brothel will always be a girl from the brothel. When a guy is bored, he can play with you. But when he doesn't like you, he can ignore you. This logic is acceptable and the lack of guilt and feelings are non-existent.” Lian Yan’er raised her eyebrows lightly. “For a guy who does not like me, why must I place him in my heart?”
Yan Zifang came to a realization. “So you chose Haihu.”
“Ma Haihu is not the best but he is the one who is most sincere to me. I have seen many men in this lifetime and I know clearly who I should treasure.” She, Lian Yan’er, was willing to give her all to Mai Haihu.
“A foolish person will have foolish happiness. Ma Haihu is a person who does not even know how to use a fishing rod but has actually managed to fish a mermaid like you. You are even willing to take the risk and enter the Duke Lu Residence.” In the beginning, Yan Zifang did not have much expectations of her.
“Not for him, I did it for myself.” Lian Yan’er could teach Mai Hainiu three golden rules because she was an example herself. “I told you, I like him but I do not want to become a laughing joke. I want him to become a court official so that he can hold his head high and I can proudly marry him.”
Lian Yan’er stood up and walked off.
Lizheng Palace had never been so silent before. Empress Zhangsun sat defeatedly on chair, it has already been a few days since she could stand up. Today, Prince Qin asked about Fu Rou when he came to visit her. Empress Zhangsun did not reply. Actually, when the news of Consort Han’s death reached her, she had calmed down. She knew that Fu Rou had not spoken out of selfishness and Fu Rou was only trying to prevent an innocent person from being accused. However, Empress Zhangsun was also helpless.
The guards outside her palace reported that Prince Han had arrived.
Empress Zhangsun sighed. Prince Han had not visited her ever since he returned from Chang’an so she could only instruct someone to call him to her. Some words had to be spoken face to face.
Prince Han entered the room and bowed. He did not speak further.
“She was my daughter-in-law and I pitied her. However, it is a severe crime to send poisonous jujube cake to the Eastern Palace and no one could save her. Even if she was interrogated by the Justice Office, she would be humiliated and in the end, it was also hard for her to escape death. It is better that she left this way with her dignity. Her family would also not be harmed.” Although she knew that Fu Rou was right, she could not admit it for the Crown Prince and Prince Han. “Prince Han, do not blame me, I also do not feel good.”
Prince Han remained emotionless and his tone was calm. “I do not dare to.”
Empress Zhangsun grew more worried. “Prince Han……”
Prince Han remained respectful. “Like Imperial Mother said, blood brothers are like hands and feet and wives are like clothes. Consort Han was only a piece....I got used to. A comfortable piece of clothing I liked to wear. Now that she is gone, what else can I say? I have already mourned for many days and I cannot continue to be sad.”
The one before him was his mother who raised him but he was so angry on the inside that he was about to blow up. Just because of a few words from the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, his consort was killed! Did the Empress only have the Crown Prince as her son? He was always the one who gave into the Crown Prince. He always had to think of the Eastern Palace. Who would think of him?
Empress Zhangsun was slightly rest assured. “Right, this is the way. You must hold yourself up again. After some time has passed, I will pick a lady who is perfect for you.”
Prince Han suddenly burst into laughter. “Let’s talk about that in the future. Otherwise, I will be hated by the Crown Prince again. Imperial Mother, you can’t possibly ask me to change clothes all the time. When will I finally have clothes that I am comfortable in?”
Empress Zhangsun could sense his displeasure and she grew anxious.
“In the past, I absorbed myself in poetry and music and did not have much ambition. I am unfilial for not understanding Imperial Father’s sacrifice in building this country. But after learning from pain, I want to turn over a new leaf now. As a prince of Great Tang, I cannot indulge myself in luxuries and not give back. In the future, I will take part in court matters and voice my opinions to contribute to Great Tang’s future. I will share Imperial Father’s worries with him.” He had given in all the time. Since the Crown Prince could not see it, he would no longer hold it in!
Empress Zhangsun stared at Prince Han in shock.
Prince Han continued, “Please rest assured, Imperial Mother. In the future, the Crown Prince and I will be brothers in court and cooperate wholeheartedly. Imperial Mother, please take care of yourself. I will leave now.”
Empress Zhangsun was blank for a moment. She suddenly came to a realisation. She was wrong, horribly wrong. She had personally pushed Prince Han to stand on the opposite side of the Crown Prince. Without Consort Han, his hate could no longer be resolved. A sudden pain went through her head and she spurted out blood. With shivering hands, she tried to reach for the medicine bottle but knocked it over instead. However, there was no one before her to help her pick it up anymore.
Chapter 72.2: Limit
This day, the Crown Prince and Prince Han were in conflict during the morning court.
A few days ago, the Crown Prince brought up the Court Official Examination and placed Lu Yunji in charge of it. At that point, Prince Han raised an objection. Using Official Hu Ningwu from Sheng Country as an example of a greedy court official who took advantage of the citizens and robbed women among various other misdeeds, Prince Han wondered why Lu Yunji had given Hu Ningwu a positive referral. The Crown Prince felt that Prince Han was targetting him but Prince Han had evidence of Lu Yunji accepting bribes.
The Emperor saw this matter with great importance and he immediately ordered for the Ministry of Appointments Assistant Minister to oversee the investigation.
The Crown Prince returned to the Eastern Palace, fuming. “What nonsense! He tried to poison me but on behalf of Imperial Mother’s face, I took it out only on Consort Han and let him go. However, he is suddenly acting outrageous by publicly offending me in court!”
Fu Shui stood by and commented, “Your Highness, you should have hardened your resolve to go against Prince Han earlier on. It was a pity that you were fooled multiple times by his acts of loyalty.”
Sun Lingshu chimed in, “I tried to persuade Your Highness many times. There isn’t a single good person in the Han Mansion. Your Highness is too kind.”
Fu Shui added, “Speaking of which, the Crown Princess’ sister had to sacrifice her life to expose Prince Han’s true face. Your Highness, you must treat the Crown Princess better in the future.”
Sun Lingshu immediately shot a glance at Fu Shui but Fu Shui maintained calm.
“I do not need you to remind me. I know how the Crown Princess feels towards me.” The Crown Prince frowned. “Now, how are we going to teach Prince Han a lesson?”