Troublemaker Prince C29 (Part 2)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 29.2
Xie Yi smiled with satisfaction. Who could know that this was just a Qionglin Banquet his grandson had created to slack off?
You Yusui, who had presided over this Qionglin Banquet, collapsed onto Huo Xiling. "I've fallen ill!"
Huo Xiling was stunned. Then he saw You Yusui quickly wink at him, and his hands holding You Yusui didn't start trembling.
In the slightly dim lamplight, You Yusui heard Huo Xiling say, "Your Highness, don't scare me."
Huo Xiling was afraid of hearing that You Yusui was ill, because he knew that each time he fell sick, You Yusui's lifespan would be reduced a little. He was afraid You Yusui wouldn't live to grow old together with him.
You Yusui said, "My body is very weak. After handling the Qionglin Banquet, I should fall gravely ill."
Huo Xiling didn't understand You Yusui's logic. After news spread that the Crown Prince had fallen gravely ill upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Huo Xiling watched the stream of precious trinkets, ornaments, and supplements sent from Xuande Hall, and after the emperor exempted You Yusui from the task of grading papers, he suddenly understood.
His Highness was feigning illness to slack off and obtain more compensation.
Thus, Huo Xiling looked at You Yusui lying in bed with a pale face pretending to be weak with somewhat mixed feelings.
However, no matter how many times he saw You Yusui like this, he still felt heartache.
"Your Highness," Huo Xiling sat by You Yusui's bedside and called softly.
"Mm?" You Yusui lazily opened his eyes.
"The medicine Eunuch Fubao had people prepare should be ready soon," Huo Xiling said.
Earlier, the Crown Prince's exclusive imperial physician Cui Yan had already visited. After helping You Yusui maintain his cover, he left behind a pile of bitter medicines and departed. Fubao immediately began brewing the medicine.
You Yusui sat up, his jet-black long hair falling over his snow-white inner robe. The beauty mark under his left eye had become even more crimson. Then he reached out to lift Huo Xiling's chin, saying, "Xiling, you know that this time I'm feigning illness."
Huo Xiling was forced to lift his head, catching glimpses of You Yusui's exposed collarbone from the corner of his eye.
"So, can I not drink the medicine?"
You Yusui's voice carried a hint of grievance. Huo Xiling knew this was His Highness acting coquettishly.
"But Eunuch Fubao..."
You Yusui interrupted Huo Xiling. He smiled and said, "Xiling can help me drink it, won't that work?"
A moment later, with his chin raised, Huo Xiling agreed, "Alright."
You Yusui released him with satisfaction. Finally, in the Eastern Palace, he was living the beautiful life of having someone drink his bitter medicine and someone accompany him to sleep.
At this moment in Xuande Hall, the student exam papers that You Fengyun had officials from the Ministry of Rites finish reviewing had already been placed on his desk. While flipping through these ten excellent papers, he asked, "Has the Crown Prince's illness not improved?"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Anhai said, "That's right. He fell ill after returning from the Qionglin Banquet and has been having recurring episodes."
You Fengyun stared at the papers and asked, "What did the Head Imperial Physician say?"
Anhai sighed and said, "The Head Physician said His Highness's body is weak and his lifespan is limited."
Hearing this, You Fengyun was slightly stunned and ultimately sighed.
Actually, You Fengyun wasn't very satisfied with any of these heirs.
Before the Crown Prince's serious illness, he was benevolent and virtuous with the bearing of a gentleman. However, what an emperor needed most was ruthlessness. If such a Crown Prince ascended the throne, the suppressed aristocratic families would definitely strike back, and the Crown Prince simply didn't have the resolve to kill aristocrats, eliminate maternal relatives, or balance the pure stream faction. You Fengyun could only use such a Crown Prince as a target to balance the three factions, and once he became useless, he could be discarded.
As for the First Prince, he was petty and impulsive, lacking an emperor's magnanimity. The Third Prince obeyed Consort Xian and lacked governing ability. If he ascended, maternal relatives would monopolize power, which would be another great disaster for Great Jing.
In short, You Fengyun didn't find any of them satisfactory.
After You Yusui woke from his serious illness, his personality changed and he acted with increasing resolve, which made You Fengyun begin to pay attention. However, You Yusui's body was a major limitation.
"What a pity," You Fengyun said.
After finally having an outstanding one, he had the appearance of a short life.
"Take these away," You Fengyun handed the ten policy essays to Anhai. Those circled in red were the top three of this Spring Banquet.
"Yes."
Three days later, the Qionglin Banquet results were posted. Those whose names appeared on the list could enter the court.
Many students looking at this list felt that all their years of effort were worthwhile. Moreover, if anyone was dissatisfied, they could go look at the articles posted nearby—it was completely fair and transparent.
"I actually think this Qionglin Banquet is better than the Spring Banquet," someone whispered.
At the Spring Banquet, most people were trying to gain fame. To gain fame, most spoke sensationally and had to create momentum for themselves, which required connections and relationships. However, where would genuine students from humble backgrounds have opportunities to access these things? Sometimes, wanting to take the stage to express their insights would be refuted. How could it compare to the Qionglin Banquet, where they could freely express themselves on paper and display their true talent and learning?
"Moreover, Lord Xie and Prime Minister Su both came to the Qionglin Banquet. Isn't that more impressive than the Spring Banquet?"
"Fortunately, the papers this time had names covered; otherwise, I definitely wouldn't have been selected," said the student who had previously proposed debating about the Third Prince at the Qionglin Banquet, patting his chest.
Everyone: ......Shouldn't you be worried that after entering government service, Prime Minister Su will make things difficult for you?
Most of those selected in this Qionglin Banquet were students from humble backgrounds, with a small portion being aristocratic young men. When the list came out, it made sensitive aristocratic families frown. However, His Majesty hadn't said he would cancel the Spring Banquet and only hold the Qionglin Banquet, so they were eager to ask His Majesty about it. Only after Eunuch Anhai from the emperor's side spread news that the Qionglin Banquet would be held once every three years did the aristocratic families feel at ease.
However, with the Qionglin Banquet being held once every three years, with Lord Xie and Prime Minister Su present, and with the Crown Prince's anecdote of breaking flowers to present as gifts, for a time, in everyone's minds, this once-every-three-years Qionglin Banquet that existed in a half-veiled, ambiguous state had much higher status than the annual Spring Banquet.
A month's time passed in a flash. You Yusui's illness also recovered after recurring episodes. Unfortunately, Huo Xiling had to drink a bowl of bitter medicine every day. Only the candied fruit His Highness fed him could make him smile.
At this time, the marriage arrangements for the First Prince and Third Prince had been prepared. You Fengyun's imperial edict granting them princely titles had been issued. The First Prince was granted the title Prince Yan with five thousand households in fief, and the Third Prince was granted the title Prince Wu with seven thousand households in fief.
The residences for the two princes had also been selected. The First Prince's residence, though large, was in a remote location, while the Third Prince's residence was closer to the palace.
For a moment, it was clear at a glance which one the emperor favored more.
When First Prince You Yuyi learned of this news, he directly smashed his beloved Ru ware porcelain. Father Emperor's favoritism was far too obvious!
Watching the First Prince lose his temper, the palace attendants didn't dare to advise him, while the Imperial Noble Consort was even angrier than the First Prince.
Only after the First Prince calmed down did he begin to console himself. Getting married and being granted a princely title wasn't entirely bad—for instance, he could now participate in government affairs in court according to regulations.
At the same time, You Fengyun also thought of this problem. The First Prince and Third Prince could both attend court to listen to governance. How could he let the Crown Prince idle away in the palace?
Thus, You Fengyun immediately summoned the Crown Prince to ask if he had any plans to marry and have children.
You Yusui, who had been inexplicably summoned: ???
"This son has no such plans," You Yusui said after lowering his head and silently cursing You Fengyun.
You Fengyun narrowed his eyes, looking at You Yusui below, and said, "Do you really not want a Crown Princess?"
You Yusui raised his head and earnestly said to his good father emperor, "Father Emperor, the physician said—no marriage, no children, eternal youth. I still want to live a few more years."
You Fengyun was silent for a moment and asked, "What youth?"
You Yusui: "Eternal youth."
You Fengyun: ......
Which boy calls himself eternally youthful? Was there some error here?
"Who said this?" You Fengyun asked seriously.
"Imperial Physician Cui, Cui Yan," You Yusui found someone to take the blame for this nonsense he had made up.
Imperial Physician Cui, if you want to blame something, blame the fact that you prescribed too much bitter medicine for me.
You Fengyun: ......
After a moment, You Fengyun said to Anhai, "Have the Head Physician have a good talk with Young Master Cui."
He was increasingly unable to understand these young people.
"Yes," Anhai said.
You Yusui lowered his head, revealing a smile. Imperial Physician Cui, wait for your superior to have a talk with you.
Just when You Yusui thought he could avoid getting married, You Fengyun told him that while he needn't take a wife, he must attend court.
"Father Emperor, this son's health is poor," You Yusui struggled.
You Fengyun smiled, "It's fine. I can grant you a seat."
You Yusui: ...... A treatment he couldn't have expected in dozens of lifetimes, he received here.
In the end, You Yusui received the imperial edict to attend court and listen to governance. However, it didn't matter. He would slack off and fall ill tomorrow.