The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 179

Noticing that she actually felt sorry for the Crown Prince, Song Jin’s face immediately showed a disgusted expression. As if she felt this disgust was not enough, she raised her hand and waved it, as if she were shooing away flies.

Wan Xi stood to one side, looking at Song Jin in confusion. “Miss, what’s wrong? Are you hungry?”

Song Jin thought to herself, “How could you think that I’m hungry with this expression?” Truly, Wan Xi was a little foodie. “What do you want to eat? I’ll have Wang Liu buy it for you,” Song Jin said.

Wan Xi shook her head. “I just ate a chicken leg, so I’m not hungry. But, later, why don’t we have boiled meat again? The boiled meat in the capital is tastier than in Yuzhou.”

Song Jin thought, “You really have no worries and a big appetite.”

After teasing Wan Xi for a while, Song Jin took out some rice paper and a brush, carefully analyzing the current court situation. For someone who had time-traveled, all her knowledge of political schemes was limited to the plots of TV dramas, which made things very difficult for Song Jin. She wrote down a long list of court officials in three columns. Based on the information Wang Liu had gathered and the various analyses Lu Zhan had given her before, Song Jin made the most detailed analysis she could within her capabilities.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. The Third Prince was still in a coma, but his burns had begun to heal. The Second Prince had been celebrating every day. The Fifth Prince had secretly sent someone to deliver a message to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. He had been followed twice when he went out, which indicated that as soon as the Third Prince fell, the Second Prince turned his attention to him. It was time to create another protective charm for him.

The Crown Prince seemed to be lost in the new storybooks every day. Each prince was busy with their own matters, not stopping for a moment. The Emperor sat behind his desk in the Imperial Study, looking grim as he listened to the report from his Shadow Guard. Earlier, he had sent his Shadow Guard to investigate the man that Master Deqing had calculated. As a result, the guard hadn’t found out who the man was but had discovered the Second and Fifth Princes’ schemes.

The Emperor sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as he leaned back in his chair. “How could even the Fifth Prince have such ambition?” All along, the Emperor had thought the competition for the throne was only between the Second and Third Princes because he only wanted to leave the throne to the Crown Prince. So, he didn’t mind the Second and Third Princes fighting for it. He even thought that their struggle could deplete their strength, making it easier for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne later without much trouble. But now, the Fifth Prince had also appeared as a contender.

“The Crown Prince just keeps reading storybooks?” The Shadow Guard said, “Not exactly. The Crown Prince did visit the Fourth Prince’s residence once, but he didn’t stay long and left shortly after. He then went straight back to his residence. Other than attending the morning court, he hasn’t left his house, and the servants have brought him many storybooks.”

The Emperor felt a headache coming on. “Why did he go to see the Fourth Prince?” The Shadow Guard shook his head. “This, Your servant does not know. However, the Crown Prince seemed to be in a good mood after leaving the Fourth Prince’s residence.” “And the Fourth Prince?” “The Fourth Prince has been staying at his residence and hasn’t gone out. But one of his servants named Lu Zhan seems to be missing, and the Fourth Prince has been sending people to look for him.”

The Emperor knew that Lu Zhan had followed Shen Yue since childhood. Although he was called a servant, he was actually a guard and very skilled. “Missing?” “Yes, Your Majesty. He went missing the night Your Majesty bestowed the painting.” So, it was the same day the Third Prince set fire to the Fourth Prince’s residence? Thinking of this, the Emperor became even more troubled. He had a vague suspicion that either the Third Prince or the Second Prince had kidnapped Lu Zhan.

If it was the Third Prince, it would be easier to handle. The Third Prince might have feared Lu Zhan’s skills and taken him away to facilitate his plan against the Fourth Prince. But if it was the Second Prince, then why? Did he know in advance that the Third Prince was going to target the Fourth Prince?

As he thought about these things, the Emperor’s headache grew worse. “Come and give me a massage.” The Chief Eunuch immediately put down his whisk, stood behind the Emperor, and gently massaged his shoulders.

“You may leave.” The Emperor closed his eyes and waved his hand. The Shadow Guard turned and disappeared. For a moment, the Imperial Study fell silent. A faint fragrance of dragon saliva incense wafted from the golden beast-shaped incense burner, trying to calm the Emperor’s troubled heart.

The Emperor closed his eyes, looking grim. “You say, I went through so much trouble to take this throne, but what’s so good about it?” The Chief Eunuch was so frightened by these words that he immediately stopped his massage. The Emperor said irritably, “I’m just talking to you. Why are you so scared? Keep massaging.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” The Chief Eunuch resumed his gentle massage.

The Emperor closed his eyes and continued in a leisurely tone, “When my elder brother was in power, I thought about this position every day. Now that it’s mine, well, it’s not as good as I imagined.” He had fantasized that the throne meant absolute power, unparalleled respect, and the company of thousands of beauties.

But the reality was different. He had to wake up earlier than a rooster and sleep later than a dog. Summer was bearable, but in winter, while idle princes could sleep until noon, he had to get up in the dark and brave the northwest wind for court sessions. Because he had seized the throne, he dared not slack off for even a day, fearing that people would compare him unfavorably to his elder brother.

He handled every matter with extreme caution, striving to appear wise and capable. Absolute power and unwavering respect? Nonsense! At the slightest disagreement, the censors would threaten to spill their blood in the Imperial Hall to show their loyalty. The company of thousands of beauties? Nonsense!

Since becoming the Emperor, he barely had the energy to think about women. After dealing with memorials and discussing important matters with court officials, he was utterly exhausted and only wanted to lie down or daydream in the Imperial Garden.

His sons were still causing chaos. While he didn’t care much about having more or fewer sons, as he could easily strip them of their royal status if they acted out, he cared about his reputation. His elder brother was fortunate to have died early, leaving no sons. People remembered him as wise and heroic, and his wife as valiant and accomplished.

If they had had a son, causing trouble would have tarnished their reputation. But now, they had died too early, at the height of their glory, creating an indelible image that he had inadvertently helped to establish. Thinking about this, the Emperor felt regretful. He had acted too hastily, should have given his elder brother some chances to make mistakes, which would have damaged his image and eased the pressure on him when he took over. He had been too young back then!

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, the Emperor began to feel sleepy.

Just then, a faint voice reported from outside the study, “Your Majesty, something has happened at Deqing Temple.” The Emperor, who was dozing off, was suddenly jolted awake and quickly opened his eyes. “What?”

The Chief Eunuch, startled, immediately stopped his massage and called towards the door, “Come in and report.” A young eunuch cautiously pushed the door open, pale-faced, and hurriedly approached. “Your Majesty, something has happened. Master Deqing is dead.” “Dead?” “Master Deqing died on the ritual platform.”

The Emperor, shocked, narrowed his pupils and widened his eyes in disbelief. “What did you say?” He asked, enunciating each word.