Troublemaker Prince C28 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 28.1
You Yusui had never expected that the matter of preparing a coffin and burial goods for himself would be exposed by his young cousin at his first meeting with his maternal grandfather after all these years.
Although for You Yusui this wasn't particularly significant, the only thing that might trouble him was how to explain it to Xie Yi.
Just as You Yusui raised his head to look at Xie Yi, he saw Xie Yi gazing at him with eyes full of guilt, regret, and pity. Such emotions appearing on Xie Yi, who was known as Lord Xie, were extremely rare, as he had always been carefree and composed.
"You are still so young, why would you think of preparing a coffin for yourself?" When Xie Yi asked this question, he didn't dare imagine how much grievance You Yusui had suffered in the palace.
He was even wondering whether sending his daughter into the palace back then had been a mistake. The current emperor might be a good emperor, but he was definitely not a good father or good husband.
If You Yusui hadn't been born into the imperial family, with the Xie family's power and influence, what would it matter if they brought him over to be raised by Xie Yi personally? Who would dare object? Who would dare say a word against it?
However, You Yusui happened to be born into the imperial family and was designated as Crown Prince at the age of three. Xie Yi couldn't even ask You Fengyun for custody of the child. In fact, to protect him thoroughly, he could only have the loyal servants his daughter left behind care for him carefully, without being able to look at him even once more.
Only if the relationship between the Xie family and the Crown Prince remained as thin as water could the balance the emperor desired continue, and only then could the Xie family and the Crown Prince continue to remain safe.
Faced with Xie Yi's gaze, You Yusui couldn't say anything pleasant or amusing. He only lowered his eyes and said, "After experiencing life and death, I've come to understand many things."
Then You Yusui smiled at Xie Yi and said, "Prepare one's funeral arrangements early, and then live freely and happily."
Having been reborn over ten times, in those previous lives You Yusui had many burdens weighing on his heart and had never thought about living freely and happily. Since the mandate of heaven only allowed him to live until his coming of age, then he would only seek his own happiness, never mind what others might say.
In this life, he was indeed living much more happily than before.
However, hearing this made Xie Yi feel even more heartbroken. He naturally knew about the serious illness the Crown Prince had suffered, how he had been unconscious for several days with his life hanging in the balance, and how the good medicine the Xie family sent had vanished like a stone dropped in the ocean. After the Crown Prince awakened, his body had been extremely weak, falling ill from time to time.
Everyone knew that without a miracle, the Crown Prince didn't have many years left to live.
"The Xie family does everything according to their heart's desire. I only want you to be happy," Xie Yi said this while looking at You Yusui's face.
"Thank you, maternal grandfather," You Yusui smiled and said, "But since maternal grandfather has accepted this prince's gifts, I wonder if maternal grandfather could help this prince with a favor."
Xie Yi knew that You Yusui's visit wasn't just to see him, so he handed the fishing rod and basket to Xie Tan beside him. "Give the fish to the kitchen and have them make fish soup to nourish Sui Sui's health. Also, slaughter one of my chickens and one of my ducks for Sui Sui to taste."
After speaking, Xie Yi led You Yusui and Huo Xiling into the house.
Xie Ling on the side looked at his elder brother holding the fishing rod in his left hand and carrying the fish basket in his right, and asked, "Are we really going to catch grandfather's chickens and ducks for His Highness the Crown Prince to eat?"
Xie Tan looked at him expressionlessly and said, "What do you think?"
Hearing this, Xie Ling's face immediately wrinkled up as he said, "But grandfather has always been reluctant to kill the chickens and ducks he raised himself. The meat must be old and tough by now."
Xie Tan looked at Xie Ling as if looking at an idiot. "Do I need to teach you something this simple?"
Later, one chicken and one duck that Xie Yi had raised were indeed killed, but what was served at the table were ones the Xie family kitchen had purchased from outside.
At the same time, Xie Ling was also punished by Xie Tan with copying books, the reason being that he wasn't steady enough.
At this moment, in Xie Yi's study, You Yusui had already informed Xie Yi about His Majesty's plan to hold the Qionglin Banquet.
Xie Yi took the memorial from You Yusui's hand and read it carefully, then pondered for a moment and said, "This method is excellent for selecting talent, however..."
"However, it will touch upon the interests of the aristocratic families," You Yusui completed Xie Yi's unfinished words.
Xie Yi lowered his eyes and rubbed the memorial in his hand with his fingers. The selection process described in it was indeed more transparent, clear, fair, and just than the recommendation system, but at the same time, the aristocratic families would have no advantage in it, which would definitely cause their dissatisfaction.
However, Xie Yi didn't care much about this. If the Xie family's descendants weren't accomplished, they might as well return to Chenjun to farm the land. But other aristocratic families wouldn't think this way—they would only want their ancestors' legacy to extend even longer and further.
"This matter will likely face opposition from the aristocratic families," Xie Yi put down the memorial and said, "However, who wrote this memorial? If the methods proposed can be implemented, it would truly be a blessing for the Great Jing."
You Yusui lowered his eyes obediently and said, "Father Emperor wants this prince to hold the Spring Banquet at an appropriate date."
"Hmm?" Xie Yi raised his head, indicating for him to continue.
"But this prince's health isn't good. Hosting a Spring Banquet that gathers poor scholars, aristocratic family sons, and noble young ladies—this prince really doesn't have the energy, so this prince changed the Spring Banquet to this."
"Maternal grandfather, this prince wanted to be lazy," You Yusui said weakly and pitifully, like a sick little animal that evoked sympathy.
And Xie Yi, whose heart was nearly melting from You Yusui calling him "maternal grandfather," would agree to whatever You Yusui said to him in that moment.
"So, this prince would like to ask maternal grandfather to oversee the Qionglin Banquet," You Yusui looked at Xie Yi and said.
Looking at his frail grandson, Xie Yi's heart filled with countless feelings of compassion. As a maternal grandfather, could he bear to see his grandson troubled by those disgraceful aristocratic families? He could not.
Moreover, to appease the emperor's suspicions, the Xie family did need to do something.
"Very well, maternal grandfather will oversee the Qionglin Banquet for Sui Sui and let Sui Sui be lazy," Xie Yi said with a smile while stroking his beard.
"Thank you, maternal grandfather," You Yusui said with a smile.
After You Yusui and Xie Yi talked for a while, it was nearly noon, and an old servant who had been with Xie Yi for a long time came to ask where to serve the meal.
"Let's dine under that pear tree," Xie Yi said.
Under the pear blossom tree was a stone table, perfect for dining. After Xie Yi and You Yusui took their seats, You Yusui pulled Huo Xiling, who had been standing beside him, to sit down next to him.
Xie Yi on the side naturally noticed that the relationship between You Yusui and Huo Xiling was extraordinary, but he didn't expose it. He just subtly inquired about Huo Xiling's background.
Hearing that he was the brother-in-law of General Liu, Xie Yi's expression showed some realization. He seemed to be reminiscing about something as he said, "Your elder sister was a remarkable woman who could follow the general on military campaigns north and south, traveling throughout the land, seeing countless landscapes. She was someone Yan'er had long admired and hoped to meet, but unfortunately..."
His Yan'er had died in childbirth before she could meet Huo Xiling's sister, Huo Yun, and Huo Yun had also died of a strange illness more than a year ago.
Hearing this, Huo Xiling gripped his cup tighter and said to the grief-stricken Xie Yi, "Lord Xie, please accept my condolences."
One day, he would bring the truth of his sister's death to light, make the arrogant Grand Princess pay the price she deserved, knock her down from her high position, make her lose everything she should have, and then let her die slowly in endless pain.
However, he wasn't in a hurry now. He needed to lie low, protect his other important person well, and only strike with certainty after accumulating enough power.
Seeing the atmosphere become so heavy, You Yusui quickly changed the subject and told stories about the foolish mistakes Xie Ling had made when he first came to the Eastern Palace because he wasn't familiar with the duties.
Xie Yi on the side could only shake his head and sigh, cursing Xie Ling for being extraordinarily stupid.
Finally, this lunch ended in laughter, and You Yusui had to leave the Xie family residence.
Xie Yi couldn't bear to see You Yusui leave and accompanied him all the way to the door. He only returned home after watching the carriage You Yusui was riding in disappear at the corner of the road.
In the carriage, You Yusui leaned against Huo Xiling's chest. His expression carried a hint of melancholy, and then Huo Xiling heard him say, "If it were possible, this prince would not want to return to the Eastern Palace."
If he weren't a prince, if he lived with the Xie family with a grandfather who doted on him and brothers who were good to him, he would surely be happier than he was now.
Thinking of how happy and relaxed You Yusui looked in front of Xie Yi, Huo Xiling couldn't help but say, "I also wish His Highness could be like that every day."
"But it's not possible," You Yusui said helplessly.
After speaking, You Yusui turned over and wrapped his arms around Huo Xiling's neck, saying, "So, to make this prince this happy every day, you must coax this prince like your mouth is coated with honey every day, coax this prince until the day this prince lies in the coffin."
Looking at You Yusui, Huo Xiling couldn't help but reach out and stroke You Yusui's hair, saying, "Huo Xiling will always like His Highness, will accompany His Highness to live a long life of a hundred years, until our hair turns white with age."
You Yusui smiled. He rubbed the pad of his finger against Huo Xiling's rather thin lips and said, "Such a sweet mouth."
Unfortunately, he wouldn't live past his coming of age and could never grow old together with Huo Xiling. But this was fine too. His life wasn't long—only three years. As long as Huo Xiling earnestly coaxed him for these three years without any flaws, he could pretend that Huo Xiling truly liked him.
Just like that, You Yusui and Huo Xiling quietly rode the carriage back to the Eastern Palace.
As soon as he entered the Eastern Palace, You Yusui had an announcement made stating that His Majesty would hold the Qionglin Banquet three days later to make up for the regret of this Spring Banquet, and all scholars could attend the banquet at Qionglin three days later. The announcement was posted at the city gates and places where crowds gathered, along with requirements for those attending the banquet.
"Why can't noble ladies go?"
"If the young ladies want to see handsome young men, they can wait outside Qionglin," the yamen runner explaining the announcement to common people said. "Of course, if the young ladies want to force their way in, they can try."
As soon as he finished speaking, no one dared to say anything more. What kind of place was Qionglin? It was the emperor's private garden. Forcing one's way in—wasn't that seeking death?
"Why can we only bring one servant?"
"The time to organize the Qionglin Banquet is tight. This measure was taken for convenient management. If you don't like it, young master, you can wait for next year's Spring Banquet."
Wait for next year's Spring Banquet? If they didn't go, wouldn't all the spots go to the poor scholars? No, they had to go!
For the poor scholars, these rule changes didn't make any difference to them, so they had no objections.
However, they didn't realize that this announcement didn't mention the most important procedures at all—it was completely a trap to lure them in and slaughter them.
Once everyone arrived, they would have to accept the rules whether they liked it or not. When the Qionglin Banquet was held again next time, it would go much more smoothly.
It had to be said that You Yusui had thought of many things to smoothly hold the Qionglin Banquet.
The news that the Spring Banquet had changed to the Qionglin Banquet quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys. The happiest among them were those poor scholars. Many of them had studied hard buried in their books just to shine for that one moment at the Spring Banquet, so that patrons would notice them.
When the Spring Banquet was ruined by the scandal of the Eldest Prince and Third Prince and couldn't be held, these scholars were the most heartbroken. They had been living frugally in Chang'an City, waiting for the day when the Spring Banquet would be held again. Now, just a few days later, news had come. Their hearts had finally settled, and they didn't have to think about whether to return home or stay in Chang'an.
"Excellent! The Crown Prince will hold the Qionglin Banquet in three days, and you and I can both display our talents!" scholars who heard this news exclaimed excitedly.
"Won't the Crown Prince collapse from exhaustion holding the Qionglin Banquet for us?" someone voiced their concern.
Soon, someone said with a mocking expression on their face, "That's still better than someone seducing a young lady into bed and creating such a disgraceful situation of pregnancy before marriage, ruining the entire Spring Banquet."
"Minister Su treats us poor scholars so well, how can you..."
"Minister Su is Minister Su, the Eldest Prince is the Eldest Prince. I'm ashamed to be associated with such a person."
"What man hasn't had romantic affairs? It's just a romantic escapade, why be so petty about it?" Someone began to speak up for the Eldest Prince.
"Any family that knows propriety would break your legs if they knew you had illicit relations with a respectable young woman and got her pregnant out of wedlock."