“I never thought that there would be so many people sad over an actor.” Prince Zhou could not help but be moved.
“Those of royal descent are human, an actor is also human. No matter how high one’s status is, there will be times when they are weak and in suffering. No matter how low one’s status is, there will also be times when they are magnanimous and do things that let others admire them.” Whether someone receives the sadness of others has nothing to do with status and has everything to do with their character.
Smoke rose in spirals, accompanying ash up into the sky, leaving behind the noisy human life.
When Lu Qi found out that his sister had left the house alone and had yet to return when evening came, he was extremely anxious. He was ready to head out to look for her when Lu Yingying returned.
Lu Qi rushed up to her and slowly helped her off her horse. “Where have you gone? You scared me to death!”
“I was feeling bored so I rode my house out.” Lu Yingying did not dare to tell him the truth.
“You were relaxed while you were out but I almost flipped the entire Chang’an trying to find you. Hurry and go in. Father is also worried about you.” This sister of his had been obedient when in Guangzhou, now, she has become mischievous.
“Father is not like you. Father will definitely say, since the wedding has been cancelled, let Yingying go out if she wants. What is most important is to not hold it in and fall sick.” Lu Yingying stuck out her tongue as she walked in.
Lu Qi shook his head. He could not do anything to her, she was his only sister.
Lu Yingying returned to her room and sat by the window. She could not help but stroke her own lips as her heart pounded. She could not believe that she actually dared to kiss Yan Zifang. Does Yan Zifang know how she feels now? If he knew, would anything change between him and her father?
Nanny Fan carried a tray of water in for her to wash up.
Lu Yingying needed to distract herself and asked Nanny Fan, “Tell me. If a girl kisses a guy, what does it mean?”
Nanny Fan had a look of contempt. “If they are not married, they would be an adulterous couple.”
Lu Yingying touched her lips and mumbled, “We are not an adulterous couple.”
Nanny Fan asked her why she kept touching her lips and she immediately lowered her hand, saying that the weather was dry. Nanny Fan wet a cloth and leaned over to dab her lips. She quickly covered her mouth.
“Don’t wipe!” She shouted from between her fingers. Nanny Fan was startled. “Why not?”
“You just can’t wipe it! Aiya, just go and sleep. I will do this myself. I don’t need you.” She chased Nanny Fan out of the room. Alone, she turned to a copper mirror and smiled at herself in a silly manner.
At that time, Lu Yingying was innocent and believed that hatred was like an ice cube. As long as she hugged it tightly enough, it would melt. It was only later on that she would realise that to Yan Zifang, hatred was a sword. If she continued to hug it and not let go, she would only hurt herself.
Chapter 30.1: Cock-fighting
The Emperor entered the Empress Palace quietly. All the palace maids and internal attendants immediately bowed to greet him. They were about to announce his arrival when he made a motion to shush them as he walked to the front of where the Empress was lying. He gazed upon her thin face and subconsciously reached out a hand to brush a few stray strands off her face.
Zhangsun was not in deep sleep and was immediately jolted awake. She smiled as she saw the Emperor and immediately made a move to get up and greet him.
The Emperor stopped her. “Lie down. Are you feeling better?”
“After seeing Your Majesty, my illness has gotten a lot better.” Zhangsun still insisted on sitting up. “My body is sore from lying down for too long. I want to sit up and talk to you.”
The Emperor personally helped her up. “Why is only Wei Song here to serve you? Where is Prince Han, Prince Qin and Xinnan? The Crown Prince is the worst. His own mother has fallen ill, yet he is not here to serve you?"
“The Crown Prince has been here numerous times. I am the one that asked him to leave. When I see him, I think of how he made you angry and his presence irritates me. If Your Majesty does not want to forgive him, I will also not forgive him.”
The Emperor sighed, “The Crown Prince has really made a mistake this time.”
Zhangsun replied, “I heard that Sun Tan was the one that told you about Chen Ji.”
“Empress, you cannot blame Sun Tan. What he did was right.” The Emperor believed that as the one leading the country, he had to be wise and let his subjects speak honestly.
“I do not blame Sun Tan. Similar to Your Majesty, I am thankful for Sun Tan. He is the Crown Prince’s father-in-law, why would he hurt the Crown Prince? When the younger generation makes a mistake, it is the older generation that feels the pain and wishes to hit him so that the pain will wake him. Sun Tan reported the issue with Chen Ji to Your Majesty so that you would reprimand the Crown Prince like any father would to their son. Sun Tan does this only because he sees the Crown Prince as his own family.” Zhangsun spoke sincerely.
“You think the same way as I do.” The Emperor was comforted.
Empress Zhangsun looked at the Emperor’s expression. “Then the Crown Prince...what does Your Majesty intend…”
“I don’t intend to do anything. Chengqian is after all, our eldest son. He has always abided by the rules and is outstanding in every way. He was simply bewitched this time. Young people are curious and may meet with unhealthy influences. It is normal for them to momentarily be led astray. I won’t think of changing the country’s future leader just because of a small mistake that he made.” Things that he said in a fit of anger shall just be like the passing wind.
Empress Zhangsun breathed a sigh of relief. “Your Majesty is sincerely compassionate about the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince will understand your intentions. You can’t really blame the Crown Prince. I heard that while the Crown Princess is pregnant, she is unable to attend to the Crown Prince, yet she doesn’t allow the Crown Prince to go near any other women in the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince must be very lonely.”
The Emperor frowned. “Sun Tan’s daughter is actually so jealous?”
“She is a pregnant woman after all. Let her be for now. After she gives birth, I will teach her properly and make sure she knows how to be a proper wife.” Only her daughter-in-law could make mistakes, not her son. Especially not her Crown Prince.
“Actually, now that I think about it, it is also my fault that the Crown Prince made a mistake. I have been too busy handling matters regarding the country and have neglected his education.”
“Yes, I was about to bring this up to Your Majesty. The Crown Prince should have a few more honest and frank officials with him.”
“After the Imperial Examination ends, I will help him choose a few to really help him.”
“On behalf of the Crown Prince, thank you Your Majesty.”
“If you want to thank me, you should quickly get better. I cannot do without my Empress.”
Empress Zhangsun sunk into the Emperor’s embrace. Now, everything was good. The wave had finally passed.
After looking through numerous lists of names, Du Ning still failed to find his name and sighed internally. His dreams of marrying a Fu Yin was dashed.
Those that passed all felt pity for him. They all knew that he never held back when he wrote and guessed that he had probably touched one of the examiner’s nerves. Hence, his literary talent had gone to waste.