Free Web NovelChapter 1282: Chapter 1271: Illegitimate Son
"Though neither Second Young Master nor Third Prince is likely to cause trouble on this trip to Nanyue, it’s best for Your Highness not to let your guard down. Always proceed with caution," Ye Qiu said quietly.
"I understand these things. Is there anything else Lord Ye wishes to instruct?"
"Nothing else, really. I’ve prepared some medicines to repel poisonous insects for Your Highness, and the method of preparation is also included. As for upon reaching Nanyue, Your Highness need only follow our previous discussions, and there shouldn’t be any major problems for a short while. The rest, we should maintain monthly contact, with urgent matters addressed promptly."
Prince Kang nodded as he listened, then looked at Ye Qiu with a puzzled expression: "I’ve always struggled to understand. Compared to Second Prince and Third Younger Imperial Brother, although I bear the title of the legitimate heir, in terms of reputation in court and Father Emperor’s impression, I am the worst. Why did you choose me? I remember your legitimate sister also married Prince An; choosing him should have been the best result."
"There’s no special reason, simply because Jing and I are siblings by the same mother, and Your Highness is the legitimate heir, which by rights makes you the orthodox choice," Ye Qiu candidly replied, without any concealment.
Indeed, Prince Kang nodded as he listened: "Rest assured, I will take good care of Lady Jing in the future."
"Do the two lords need more tea?" The waiter’s voice sounded from outside the door, causing the two to cease their discussion.
"Come in," Ye Qiu said casually, setting down his teacup and glanced at the waiter with a little smile, "Didn’t you notice a servant standing outside? Why shout loudly without checking with them first? Is this how your shopkeeper teaches you to serve guests?"
His reprimand was anything but jovial, and the shopkeeper hurriedly came forward with a smile: "This waiter is new and doesn’t understand the rules. Neglecting the noble guests is my fault. In atonement, the two lords shall not be charged for future visits to our Ruyi Building."
"The shopkeeper knows how to do business well—fully aware that we are about to leave the capital, and uncertain when we might return—this compensation is no loss at all, yet called an atonement?" Prince Kang said coldly, using his usual intimidating demeanor, and the shopkeeper was immediately frightened, falling to his knees.
He knew this was Prince Kang before him and was aware that he was about to go to Nanyue, almost as if exiled. Yet, at the end of the day, he was still a prince—a far cry for a commoner like him—one word enough to drive him out of the capital.
No matter who supported him, at the critical moment of Prince Kang’s departure for Nanyue, if rumors spread that a tavern owner disregarded Prince Kang, forget Your Majesty—even the person behind him would be the first to deal with him.
So the shopkeeper was now in panic, fearing Prince Kang would hold him accountable.
"It’s my failure in teaching the waiter properly; I ask Your Highness to punish." He knelt, drenched in sweat that had soaked his back.
"What does Lord Ye think is the best way to handle this?" Prince Kang turned and asked Ye Qiu, "We rarely get to gather, and who knows when we’ll meet again. Having the waiter ruin the mood was really a shame; Lord Ye, suggest a method!"
"Everyone has families to feed, let’s just let it go," Ye Qiu said, seemingly not bearing to it.
The shopkeeper and waiter quickly looked up, gratitude filling their eyes.
"So be it, but today’s meal in this tavern shall be free for all. My voice just now must have had some impact," Prince Kang waved his hand impatiently, not even bothering to glance at them.
"Thank you, noble lords, thank you, Your Highness." They expressed tearful gratitude, repeatedly kowtowing before almost crawling out.
Ye Qiu and Prince Kang exchanged a look, eyes filled with sarcastic amusement—a reminder that someone was still uneasily spying!
"What’s going on? How did you provoke Prince Kang’s personal anger?" In the back room, the shopkeeper harshly scolded the waiter.
The waiter kept his head down, muttering, "I was merely curious about what Prince Kang and Lord Ye were discussing."
The shopkeeper sneered, "So, what did you hear?"
"Nothing," the waiter replied, even more quietly.
"Don’t you have any sense? Now, what’s worth paying attention to about Prince Kang? Him having a meal with Lord Ye, so what? Don’t forget, Lord Ye’s sister is Prince Kang’s concubine! If they really had confidential matters to discuss, would they choose our Ruyi Building?"
"Wasn’t I thinking the most dangerous place is the safest place?"
"Thinking? Are you doing the thinking, or should Your Highness do it? Just wait for Your Highness’s punishment. Not just you, I’ll have to personally go and take punishment too." The shopkeeper took a deep breath, his face dark as dust.
"Punishment? But didn’t Prince Kang already forgive us?" the waiter asked in surprise.
"Prince Kang may have forgiven, but have you thought about how other nobles would perceive today’s events? Would they accuse our Your Highness of bullying? Would they discuss how he forgot himself before even sitting as Crown Prince? What if this reaches Your Majesty’s ears..." The shopkeeper’s heart grew heavier as he spoke: "To both explain to Prince Kang and Empress, and also take the opportunity to suppress some princes, Your Highness will become the target of all. To prevent such things, Your Highness must act first—just hope for the best your own sake!"
The waiter, listening, paled with fright, asking in alarm, "Then what should I do? Help me, shopkeeper!"
"There’s no way, not even for myself."
The day before departure, Prince Kang heard that the shopkeeper at the Ruyi Building had already changed, and snorted disdainfully without paying further attention. Who would have guessed that night, numerous treasures came as gifts from the palace—not only from his Father Emperor, but his two brothers also sent many afterward.
Prince Kang looked at the treasures with a smile; his venture of establishing a port finally had some capital and was no longer so tight-fisted.
Speaking of it, Ye Qiu truly was a treasure. Sometimes there seemed to be nothing, even often guiding his actions, yet the returns were unexpectedly rewarding.
If it were before, what rewards would Father Emperor give him? Even a lack of scorn would make his entire day joyful.
But now? Father Emperor had spoken kindly to him continuously for a month, and Empress Mother’s favor even outshone the previous exclusive favor Princess Rou had, as if becoming a different person.
All this was Ye Qiu’s merit, as if everything was under his control.
Just like his trip to Nanyue; initially, he was unwilling, yet somehow he was persuaded and quickly took action, resulting in the current situation.
Not only did Father Emperor trust him greatly, but even the two brothers who saw him as a rival had withdrawn their tactics against him. The situation had undergone a complete transformation.
