Troublemaker Prince C26 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 26.1
You Yusui hadn't expected that while he was enjoying a pleasant life with Huo Xiling, Imperial Physician Cui, whom he least wanted to see, would appear before him.
Under the peach tree, Imperial Physician Cui in blue robes smiled warmly, while You Yusui, who had been sitting beside Huo Xiling eating pastries, wore a stiff expression. Generally, Imperial Physician Cui's appearance was inevitably accompanied by bitter medicine.
In the end, You Yusui set down the pastry in his hand and received Imperial Physician Cui with a solemn expression.
Compared to You Yusui's solemn expression, Fubo and Huo Xiling were absolutely delighted to see Imperial Physician Cui.
"Imperial Physician Cui, you've come at just the right time. This morning, His Highness said he felt uncomfortable in his chest but wouldn't let us fetch you. Now that you're here, you can examine His Highness. With you here, Imperial Physician Cui, we can finally feel at ease." Eunuch Fubo hurriedly walked up to Cui Yan and had a young eunuch bring over a stool for Cui Yan to sit on.
Hearing Fubo's words, Cui Yan placed his medicine box on the stone table, then walked toward You Yusui with a smile. If he hadn't guessed wrong, His Highness the Crown Prince had probably been feigning illness again this morning.
"Minister Xie was concerned about the Crown Prince's health and specifically instructed me to come check on him. Now it seems I've come at just the right time, lest someone avoid treatment out of taboo." Cui Yan glanced at You Yusui, who was nestled in Huo Xiling's embrace, with a hint of teasing in his eyes.
Huo Xiling, who was holding You Yusui, hurriedly rolled up You Yusui's sleeve, then said to Cui Yan. "Imperial Physician Cui, please examine him quickly."
Hearing this, Cui Yan couldn't help but glance sideways at Huo Xiling. Someone who practiced martial arts and had been by His Highness's side for so long didn't even have the ability to tell that His Highness was faking his illness? Indeed, concern leads to confusion.
As his words fell, Cui Yan extended his hand toward You Yusui, gently placing his fingers on You Yusui's wrist.
Without needing to examine his pulse carefully, Cui Yan knew You Yusui was fine, but the two people beside him were staring at him nervously.
You Yusui, on the other hand, appeared indifferent, since Imperial Physician Cui would never expose the fact that his pulse readings were wrong.
A moment later, Cui Yan released his pulse-taking hand and said with a smile. "From the pulse reading, the Crown Prince has no serious problems."
As his words fell, Fubo and Huo Xiling both breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that His Highness the Crown Prince was alright.
Next, Cui Yan added. "Although there's nothing wrong, he still needs to strengthen his foundation and cultivate his vitality. I have a health-preserving prescription here. Take it together with the medicine I prescribed before, twice a day."
"Didn't you say I was fine? Why do I need to drink medicine?" You Yusui looked at Cui Yan somewhat incredulously.
Cui Yan corrected him. "Your Highness, it's to strengthen your foundation and cultivate your vitality."
You Yusui: ......
"Good, good, good. Imperial Physician Cui, please write down the prescription quickly. If the Crown Prince's health is good, this servant is willing to do anything." Eunuch Fubo said from the side.
Huo Xiling pressed down on You Yusui's hand and said, "Your Highness must not pour out the medicine again."
Hearing this, You Yusui couldn't help grinding his teeth as he looked at Cui Yan. If his cousin hadn't instructed Cui Yan on some important matter, he would throw Cui Yan out right now.
"I'll need to administer acupuncture to His Highness in a moment. Please have His Highness dismiss all irrelevant persons." Cui Yan suddenly said.
You Yusui nodded and said, "Except for Xiao Huo, everyone else may withdraw."
Soon, the vast courtyard was left with only the three of them.
"What is it?" You Yusui dropped his previous languid demeanor, his expression becoming serious.
Cui Yan raised an eyebrow and handed Xie Tan's letter to You Yusui. After You Yusui quickly read through it and burned the letter, he asked, "What does Your Highness plan to decide?"
Only after reading the letter did You Yusui learn that besides the Third Prince and Huo Xiling's people, there was another group at the Spring Banquet—people belonging to the First Prince.
"It seems they all want to use the Spring Banquet to harm me." You Yusui said with a cold laugh.
"Rest assured, Your Highness, I will make them pay back one by one on your behalf." Huo Xiling grasped You Yusui's hand and said.
You Yusui gripped Huo Xiling's hand back and said, "You're the best at coaxing me."
After speaking, You Yusui said to Cui Yan, "The marriages of Eldest Imperial Brother and Third Imperial Brother cannot be ruined."
If this matter were exposed, whether the Third Prince and Miss Su's marriage could proceed was still uncertain.
Hearing this, Cui Yan's expectant gaze dimmed, and he casually said "Oh." He had been hoping to watch some excitement.
"However, we can't let Consort Xian off easily either." You Yusui curved his lips and said, "Have cousin find an opportunity. After Miss Su marries Third Imperial Brother, reveal the truth to Miss Su. Say that it was the Empress Dowager who pleaded desperately for His Majesty to conceal this matter."
Hearing this, Cui Yan understood. Although they wouldn't have the excitement of exposing the truth and watching everyone explode together, Consort Xian thought she had successfully sown discord between the Su family and the First Prince, when in reality she had gained nothing and might even be raising a venomous snake at her side.
As for the First Prince, he would have to bear the crime of framing the Third Prince and Miss Su, marry Miss Li who couldn't provide him any assistance, and even endure a period of the Su family's anger and resentment.
Wonderful! Imperial Noble Consort and Consort Xian fought each other, and neither of them got anything good out of it.
"Truly worthy of Your Highness." Cui Yan said with a smile.
It seemed His Highness the Crown Prince had indeed changed a great deal. The former Crown Prince probably wouldn't have done this. But this was good—following someone with cunning and depth was better than following someone benevolent and weak.
"The acupuncture is finished. Crown Prince, remember to take your medicine. I'll be going now." After speaking, Cui Yan picked up his small medicine box and left the hot spring villa following the servants outside.
"Your Highness." Huo Xiling looked at You Yusui beside him and couldn't help calling out.
You Yusui turned his head to look at Huo Xiling and said, "Do you think I'm too unscrupulous?"
His current self was ultimately different from his first life.
"No, Your Highness will always be the best in my heart." Huo Xiling embraced You Yusui and said.
Hearing this, You Yusui showed a smile and patted the big dog who wished he could hang on him, saying, "We've played enough here. If we don't return to the palace soon, His Majesty will probably become anxious."
"Fubo, have someone prepare the carriage to return to the palace." You Yusui said to Fubo standing in the distance.
"Yes, Your Highness."
You Yusui's party ultimately returned to the palace before dark. When his carriage passed through the palace gates, someone stopped the carriage and asked him to go to Xuande Hall.
Hearing this, You Yusui said to the driver on the carriage, "Go to Xuande Hall."
The carriage slowly made its way toward Xuande Hall. In just a moment, You Yusui, supported by Huo Xiling, walked into this imperial bedchamber.
The furnishings of Xuande Hall were as always, still simple and efficient, carrying an air of ancient solemnity, just like the master of this palace.
Upon entering Xuande Hall, You Yusui smelled the heavy scent of sandalwood. The emperor sitting above put down the memorial in his hand and said, "You've come. Zhen thought you would stay at that hot spring estate today and not come."
Hearing this, You Yusui immediately coughed and said: "Hearing that Father Emperor had business with this son, I couldn't attend to much else and rushed back by carriage."
After speaking, You Yusui became emotionally agitated. You Fengyun was truly afraid You Yusui would say "As long as Father Emperor summons me, even if I must crawl, this son will crawl back," so he quickly waved his hand and had a young eunuch bring over a stool for him to sit and speak.
"Do you know about Zhen asking you to choose another date for the Spring Banquet?" You Fengyun asked.
"I know." You Yusui said. "Even dragging this sickly body, this son will handle it properly for Father Emperor."
"Then wait until your health improves before holding it." You Fengyun said.
Hearing this, You Yusui rolled his eyes internally. My health has never been good, so can I keep not holding it? If it's not held within half a month, you'll probably come urging me.
Next, You Fengyun said some caring words, bestowed some medicinal materials, and prepared to let You Yusui leave.
After a cup of tea's time, You Fengyun looked at You Yusui who was still sitting there. The meaning was obvious: why aren't you leaving yet?
You Yusui stood up and said: "This son has one more matter to beg of Father Emperor."
"What matter?" You Fengyun narrowed his eyes as he looked at You Yusui.
"Eldest Imperial Brother says he and Miss Li are true love, so he asked this son to plead with Father Emperor on his behalf, hoping Father Emperor will agree to Eldest Imperial Brother's request to marry Miss Li." You Yusui said with a sincere expression.
Hearing this, You Fengyun was stunned, then said: "What did you just say they are?"
"Father Emperor, they are true love!" You Yusui said with a moved expression.
True love! They truly love each other.
Hearing this, You Fengyun couldn't help but fall silent for a moment. Did he think no one had told him about the conversation between You Yuyi and Li Xiyue?
Probably only Li Xiyue herself considered the other person true love.
"Not only is Eldest Imperial Brother's feelings for Miss Li true love, but Miss Li is also carrying imperial bloodline. If we don't acknowledge it in time, I fear the bloodline may be left outside." You Yusui began pointing out that Li Xiyue was also pregnant.
Hearing this, You Fengyun frowned. He didn't mind what kind of women his sons slept with, but creating this kind of situation after sleeping with someone disgusted him. Especially since the Li family was his maternal family—he needed to give the Li family and the Empress Dowager an explanation, and couldn't let the world see this as a joke.
"What do you think should be done?" You Fengyun asked.
"Since Eldest Imperial Brother and Miss Li truly love each other, and they have a child between them, please Father Emperor quickly grant marriage between Eldest Imperial Brother and Miss Li, lest the world see this as a joke." You Yusui answered with a straight face.
You Fengyun closed his eyes and thought for a moment before saying, "Granted."
Hearing this, You Yusui showed a smile. Fortunately, his Eldest Imperial Brother and Miss Li already went through three formal betrothal ceremonies, otherwise if his Father Emperor had just issued the order and he openly violated it, the punishment You Yuyi received would only be heavier.
(TL: 三服 (sān fú) refers to traditional stages of betrothal and mourning rituals, often used in historical/fantasy contexts to indicate formal marriage arrangements or family rites.)
"Then this son takes his leave." After You Yusui finished speaking, he left Xuande Hall.
Upon exiting, You Yusui encountered Xie Tan, who was also coming to Xuande Hall. The two nodded to each other and passed by.
After this night, three imperial edicts were issued from Xuande Hall. One was granting marriage between First Prince You Yuyi and Miss Li Xiyue of the Li family. Another was granting marriage between Third Prince You Yushan and Miss Su Yingying of the Su family. The last one stripped the First Prince of all his positions and ordered him to reflect on his mistakes in the palace until his wedding.
These two marriage edicts made no one happy except Li Xiyue, and hearing these edicts, Consort Xian was overjoyed—she knew she had succeeded!
Moreover, after princes married, they could establish their own residences outside the palace and enter the court to participate in governance.
In short, Consort Xian felt she had won completely.
Consort Xian and the Li family successfully pinned the blame for framing the Third Prince and Miss Su on the First Prince. They couldn't help feeling smug, not knowing that someone was fanning the flames behind the scenes. Even some trivial details were completely cleaned up, and the person they truly wanted to harm was completely hidden in this matter.
After Prime Minister Su was summoned to Xuande Hall by You Fengyun and returned home, he remained silent. Then he received the emperor's marriage edict.
In Prime Minister Su's study in the Su residence, Prime Minister Su's son Su Zhou looked anxiously at Prime Minister Su and said, "Father, what happened in the palace? Please tell me! If you don't speak, are you trying to worry your son to death?"
Prime Minister Su closed his eyes. The one who ruined his granddaughter's reputation was his own daughter—how could he speak of this? Even if he wanted proof, Xie Tan had directly laid the evidence before him, leaving him no choice but to believe.