Chapter 015: Who Is Playing Whom?

The emperor truly had little time left, so his haste to arrange the crown prince’s marriage was only natural.

Xiao Yue stepped over the threshold and looked up at the distant, imposing cluster of palace halls. It was midday, and the vast expanse of gilded roofs gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight. He stood there for a moment, gazing, until Tao Renzhi approached, wearing a polite smile. “Young Prince, would you like me to call for a palanquin?”

Xiao Yue withdrew his gaze from afar and smiled. “No need! There’s still plenty of time; I’ll walk.” After a pause, he asked, “Is the crown prince studying in the Hall of Manifested Literature?”

“Yes! It’s an ancestral custom: every morning, the crown prince and the two young princes rise early to study half a day in the Hall of Manifested Literature, then practice riding and archery at the drill grounds in the afternoon,” Tao Renzhi replied, his smile deepening into more wrinkles as he recalled scenes from years past.

Xiao Yue nodded. “That’s right on my way. I’ll drop in and invite the crown prince to come along with me.”

After all, he and the emperor were brothers by blood. Though the emperor regarded him with some suspicion, there had never been any real conflict, so the entire palace treated him with particular courtesy.

He wanted to stroll, and naturally Tao Renzhi accompanied him without objection.

Xiao Yue had grown up in this palace. He had no need of a palace attendant to show him the way to the Hall of Manifested Literature; with Lei Ming in tow, he wandered at a leisurely pace, gradually making his way there.

When they arrived, the main study was already empty. Though the crown prince only studied for half a day, his tutor, Huo Wenshan, along with his assistants, were required to remain on duty all day.

Today, though Xiao Yue wore a casual robe, it was still one reserved for royalty, adorned with the four-clawed python motif. Huo Wenshan, glimpsing him from a side window, hurried to the main hall.

Huo Wenshan was a veteran official who had served two reigns and naturally recognized the youngest son of the late emperor and Empress Dowager Zhou. Although he hadn’t yet heard that Xiao Yue had returned to the capital, he quickly composed himself, bowed, and greeted him. “Your Highness Prince Sheng, it’s been many years—may you be well.”

“Please, Master Huo, rise.” Xiao Yue nodded slightly, glanced about the room, and then spoke slowly. “Ah, I should call you Grand Tutor Huo now. I’m on my way to attend a banquet at my sister-in-law’s palace and thought I’d stop by to invite the crown prince to join me. Has he finished his lessons for the day?”

“Yes, he left a while ago. He said Her Majesty is hosting a family banquet and asked him to arrive early,” Huo Wenshan replied, polite and measured. “So the empress is entertaining Your Highness Prince Sheng.”

“Ah, I see I’m a step late then,” Xiao Yue said. “I won’t trouble you further.”

He turned to leave.

Huo Wenshan escorted him all the way to the main entrance. But just as Xiao Yue crossed the threshold, he suddenly turned back. “By the way, Grand Tutor Huo, may I ask who is currently the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Office?”

“Uh…” Huo Wenshan hesitated, then answered, “That would be Lord He Yunling.”

“Thank you!” Xiao Yue offered his thanks and continued down the steps, instructing Lei Ming as he walked, “Remember? Lord He Yunling. Once we leave the palace, find out where his residence is and prepare a generous gift to deliver on my behalf.”

If Xiao Yue had truly pressing business, he would never discuss it in front of outsiders. In fact, he had little regard for the crown prince, and his detour here was quite out of character.

Lei Ming, well acquainted with his master’s ways, played along at once. “Does Your Highness require something of him?”

Xiao Yue toyed idly with the jade pendant at his waist, his manner relaxed. “Just now in the imperial study, my brother said my sister-in-law would soon be choosing a bride for me. I’ve been away from the capital so long, I know little of the noble ladies here—I can hardly marry someone at random, can I? Later, go and speak with Lord He. If the candidate my sister-in-law selects doesn’t suit my taste, have him declare that our birth charts are incompatible. That way, I won’t have to reject the lady outright and wound her pride.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll see it done as soon as possible,” Lei Ming responded gravely.

Master and servant exited the hall, leaving behind a pensive Huo Wenshan.

Once outside the courtyard, Lei Ming asked, “Does Your Highness wish to prevent the crown prince from marrying the Marquis of Dingyuan’s daughter?”

Xiao Yue was not one to spare a lady’s feelings. If he disliked the empress’s choice of bride, he would reject her without hesitation. Lei Ming knew his master’s temperament perfectly. There was no way he would go out of his way to spare a girl’s dignity. His visit to Huo Wenshan was clearly a calculated effort to enlighten that scholar, who was desperate to climb the ranks.

Xiao Yue seemed in good spirits today. Instead of showing displeasure, he smiled meaningfully. “Whether I want it or not is beside the point—the question is, do you think the Marquis of Dingyuan wants his daughter to marry the crown prince?”

“He’s simply overwhelmed by imperial favor and can’t refuse, surely?” Lei Ming was puzzled, but instinctively pondered, “The Wu men are famed warriors, with no shortage of military honors. I’ve heard the family is strict with its sons but dotes on its daughters—especially the second young lady, who’s been chosen for the crown prince. The old matron had no daughter of her own, and with the marchioness passing early, she’s especially fond of her granddaughter and spoils her in every way.”

“Exactly! That’s what I’ve heard as well,” Xiao Yue said, his smile deepening, reaching his eyes.

Master and servant made their way toward the empress’s Zhengyang Palace.

Meanwhile, in the warm chamber of Zhengyang Palace, the young crown prince Xiao Yun was sulking at his mother. “Mother, that Wu Tan is far too arrogant and unruly! Have you and Father truly decided I must marry her? I’ve had people keeping an eye on the Marquis of Dingyuan’s residence these days, and this morning I heard she pushed her own sister into a pond after returning from the palace yesterday—nearly drowned her! I don’t like such a petty, fierce, and willful girl.”

The banquet was already laid out in the warm chamber. Empress Jiang, with nothing else to occupy her, was meticulously inspecting the tableware. She showed no irritation at her son’s complaint, only smiled kindly and looked back at him, chiding gently, “You have the nerve to call another girl spoiled? I haven’t even discussed what happened yesterday afternoon with you.”

Xiao Yun was young, and his dislike for Wu Tan, as well as his resistance to his father’s chosen match, made him deliberately target her. Now, called out by his mother, he grew evasive, his gaze flickering with guilt.

Empress Jiang saw it all and continued, “Didn’t I already tell you about what happened outside Huayang Palace yesterday? Both sides are just words against words. The testimony of that Huo girl can’t be taken as fact. Did you not listen?”

Xiao Yun lowered his eyes, avoiding his mother’s gaze. His tone was much weaker now, though he still protested, “But you said both sides are just words—so there’s still a chance that’s the truth!”

As the crown prince, he could never admit to bullying a young girl; it would be shameful.

By this time, Xiao Yue had entered the Zhengyang Palace grounds. The guards at the gate meant to show him the way, but he declined. Because of the banquet preparations, the courtyard was quiet, most servants busy in the kitchens. Xiao Yue strolled up to the warm chamber, and from under the eaves, could clearly hear the mother and son’s conversation through the window. With interest, he paused to eavesdrop.

Lei Ming sidled up and couldn’t help but whisper, “Master, between the Huo girl and the crown prince, who is toying with whom?”

Yesterday, he had thought the young crown prince hopelessly naive, led by the nose by a pretty face. But now, hearing him bring up old matters in private, he didn’t so much as defend his beloved.

－－－－－－Side Note－－－－－－

Yesterday, dear audreyqj’s comment about the second male lead suddenly reminded me: as someone who always improvises, I haven’t even fleshed out his character yet… I spent a day reflecting in the corner, and realized the heavyweight second lead is still far off from entering the fray. So for now, I’ll just give our young crown prince some extra dramatic flair and let him play the part (*^▽^*).

If you’re still wondering why the crown prince seems to have two faces—one heavily made-up, one adolescent—go back and review the first chapter and follow the heroine’s “spoiler class” for a deeper understanding. The story is still short and the plot can’t unfold fully yet, so bear with me~

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