Chapter 527: Chapter 187 Jasmine_3
Alas, the good times did not last long. The Empress Dowager passed away eight years later. Fortunately, the Crown Prince, Yuan Xi, was gentle, generous, and quite popular among the people at court. He was also willing to protect his young brother, so Yuan Lang was not bullied at court.
Later, after the initial Crown Prince died in the Qiu Hong disaster, Yuan Lang spent three years in the State Temple offering an Ever-bright Lamp for his elder brother, without returning to Shengjing. During those three years, the former Emperor passed away, unable to bear the blow, and the other two princes were also imprisoned due to their offenses. When Emperor Liang Ming ascended to the throne and Yuan Lang returned to the capital three years later, he was the only one left out of the initial five princes, except for the current Emperor.
He became the Emperor’s only sibling.
He was young and lacked maternal family protection. Previously unassuming and without significant animosities, he was overlooked by everyone. After the game had been reset, he was like a speck of dust thrown to the back of one’s mind, hardly worth mentioning in conversations.
Yuan Lang was quite content being a leisurely prince, never involving himself in court affairs.
Gradually, everyone in Shengjing knew there was such a prince, approachable and kind, who personally picked bok choy at the market in Official Lane.
He was happy with his carefree life.
Others said that Prince Ning was in vain a member of the Royal Family, lacking ambition, mediocre and ordinary, and that he wasted the "Yuan" surname.
But only those in the know understood that one who is willing to lie low always has deeper plans.
Pei Yunmeng stepped forward and presented the letter in his hand, "Your Highness, the confession of the captive we caught earlier has taken shape."
Prince Ning nodded, took the letter but did not open it immediately. Instead, he placed it on the table, sat down, and sighed.
"What’s troubling Your Highness?"
Prince Ning shook his head, "Today there’s a report from the local authorities, Su Nan is ravaged by a locust plague. The people are suffering terribly."
"Though the Crown Prince and the Third Prince vie for power, and the Crown Prince’s position is determined, the Emperor’s decision remains unsettled. The court fights daily, and no one pays heed to the locust plague. The common people are the ones who suffer."
"Troubles arise from resentment, and calamities stem from minor issues. I fear that if it goes on like this, there will be great chaos under the heavens."
After a moment of silence, Pei Yunmeng replied, "A fine rider does not forget to mount his horse, a skilled archer does not forget his bow. One who rises high should not forget those below."
Prince Ning laughed, "Are you criticizing my Imperial brother, or praising me?"
"Both."
"Those words, if spoken aloud, could lead to the execution of entire families."
"Then I shall thank Your Highness in advance."
Upon hearing this, Prince Ning burst into hearty laughter.
"Minister Yan always said you were rebellious to the core, it gave him headaches. Given his temperament, it’s quite generous that you didn’t anger him into something serious."
"No wonder you dared to slap the face of the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion in front of everyone, not giving that old fox any leeway..."
At the mention of the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, Prince Ning abruptly paused and looked at the young man, "Speaking of which, that Medical Officer you protected, Hong Man mentioned last time that she had taken her to Yuxian Tower last year."
Pei Yunmeng: "..."
"You actually protected her in Yuxian Tower," Prince Ning said with curiosity in his eyes, "I did not get to see her during the last hunting event; Yun Ying, when do you plan to marry her?"
Pei Yunmeng felt a headache coming on, "Your Highness, she and I are just friends."
Prince Ning waved a hand, "Spare that tale for Minister Yan, that old bachelor. I too was young and frivolous once. If you didn’t fancy her, why trouble the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion at this time?"
Pei Yunmeng paused.
After a moment, he said, "I apologize."
"I’m not blaming you," Prince Ning sighed, "Her ladyship once showed kindness to me. You’re her son, and of course, I would also hope for you to marry and lead an ordinary life, like other men. That was also her ladyship’s wish."
"Now that you have found a lady you admire, I wouldn’t want you to miss out for other reasons."
He spoke seriously, and Pei Yunmeng was slightly moved, about to speak, when Prince Ning continued.
"One heartbroken person is enough in Minister Yan, let’s keep it that way."
Pei Yunmeng: "..."
The momentary touch of emotion he had felt was swallowed back.
"Anyway, when you find the time, let me meet this girl you fancy. Minister Yan, Deputy Envoy Xiao, and even Hong Man have met her. I cannot lag behind. But peeking secretly isn’t proper, being your beloved. Next time there’s a hunt or another such gathering, have someone discreetly inform me."
"After I meet her, it will be as if we’ve acknowledged each other."
He went on for a while, gradually veering off to discuss these messy matters. Although Pei Yunmeng knew Prince Ning to always be like this—profound when serious and extravagantly ridiculous when not, with gossip worse than idle market sellers—it was really too much to handle.
Pei Yunmeng gave a few perfunctory responses and then excused himself, eager to leave hurriedly.
Once outside Prince Ning’s secret residence, Pei Yunmeng finally let out a sigh of relief.
Such gossipy behavior was truly unbecoming of a man with the "Yuan" surname.
Utterly outrageous.
The taverns along Qinghe Street bustled as the sun set, and the evening grew lively, not as hot as in the afternoon.