Free Web NovelChapter 406: Chapter 408: A Lingering Ghost
Li Ying knew Manman had married Prince Zhao, and he knew that, as husband and wife, they were bound to be intimate.
But hearing with his own ears that Manman was pregnant, Li Ying couldn’t help but feel a sting of pain and jealousy.
How ironic it was that the woman he had yearned for all these years was going to bear another man’s children.
Li Ying’s hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched into fists. He replied expressionlessly.
"Forgive me, Your Highness, but I am not learned enough. I’m afraid I cannot be of assistance."
With that, he turned to leave.
Any normal person would have taken the hint and shut up.
Unfortunately, Li Ji was not a normal person.
He had heard Li Ying’s inner thoughts and was delighted. He immediately strode after him, talking as he went.
"There’s no need to be so modest, Fourth Prince. With your talent, helping us choose a name should be a piece of cake. Your reluctance... could it be that you refuse to grant me and my Princess Consort this small favor?"
Without turning his head, Li Ying said, "I really cannot help. Your Highness should find someone more qualified."
’The very thought of Manman carrying another man’s child makes my chest tighten. How could I possibly be in the mood to name their baby?!’
Hearing Li Ying’s thoughts, Li Ji could barely contain his glee.
The more Li Ying seethed with envy and jealousy, the happier Li Ji felt.
’He knew this was childish, but he couldn’t deny how satisfying it was!’
Li Ji sighed, putting on an act.
"Well, if the Fourth Prince won’t help, so be it. I wouldn’t want to force you. But when my child is born and we hold the cleansing ceremony, you must do us the honor of coming for a drink, you hear?"
Li Ying gritted his teeth in fury.
’He knew Prince Zhao was doing this just to spite him.’
’Invite me to the cleansing ceremony? He just wants to force me to witness his perfect little family of three, doesn’t he?!’
Li Ji mused aloud, "To think that in the blink of an eye, I’m about to be a father. What do you think our first child will be, a boy or a girl?"
Li Ying gritted his teeth and replied stiffly.
"I wouldn’t know."
Li Ji continued, "I’d prefer a daughter. One who looks like the Princess Consort—obedient and adorable.
But a son would be fine, too. As long as the child is ours, the Princess Consort’s and mine, I’ll be happy."
Li Ying’s pace quickened, desperate to shake off this infuriating man.
But no matter how fast he walked, Li Ji kept pace with him easily.
’He’s like a lingering ghost, impossible to shake!’
Li Ji went on, "I suppose I’ll have to learn how to care for a child now.
I’ve heard raising a child is exhausting work, but it doesn’t matter. It is, after all, the child my Princess Consort is bearing for me.
No matter how hard it gets, it’s my responsibility to bear. Wouldn’t you agree, Fourth Prince?"
He spoke with a light, cheerful air, yet every word was like a needle plunging into Li Ying’s heart.
Li Ying was in agony.
Unable to bear it any longer, he stopped abruptly and said through gritted teeth.
"Surely you have your own business to attend to at the palace, Prince Zhao? Stop following me!"
Li Ji replied at a leisurely pace.
"You must be mistaken, Fourth Prince. I’m not following you. This is the only path to the Imperial Study Room. I am on my way to the Imperial Study Room for an audience with the Saint, so I must take this road."
As it happened, Li Ying was also on his way to see his imperial father. Hearing this, he could only purse his lips in silent fury and continue walking.
Li Ji, keenly savoring the joy of twisting the knife in the wound, continued to prattle on.
"Speaking of which, you’re not getting any younger yourself. When do you plan to marry? When you do, I’ll be sure to bring my Princess Consort to celebrate with you."
Li Ying pretended he was deaf and mute. He said nothing, simply staring at the ground as he forged ahead.
...
The Emperor was quite surprised to see Li Ji and Li Ying arrive together.
"Did you two arrange to come together?"
Li Ying explained formally, "To answer my Imperial Father, I happened to encounter Prince Zhao on the way."
In contrast, Li Ji’s reply was far more casual.
"My Princess Consort is pregnant, so I asked the Fourth Prince to help choose a name for the child. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t do me the honor and flatly refused."
The Emperor was quite pleased to hear that Princess Consort Zhao was pregnant.
It was perhaps the only piece of good news he had heard in days.
"Pregnancy is a wonderful thing. Have Princess Consort Zhao rest and take good care of herself at home. If she can bear you a son or daughter, I will reward her handsomely!"
Li Ji smiled and replied, "Thank you for your immense grace, Your Majesty."
The Emperor added, "As for the child’s name, it’s still early, so there’s no need to rush. I will have the Hanlin Scholars select a few good names for you to choose from. After the child is born, you can pick a suitable one."
Li Ji expressed his gratitude once more.
"Your Majesty is as thoughtful as ever."
The Emperor, remembering that Princess Consort Zhao had been kidnapped by Prince Dongyang, asked a few more questions out of concern.
Li Ji, long accustomed to the Emperor’s concern, answered with a casualness that lacked the deference and caution a subject ought to show before his ruler.
The two of them conversed harmoniously, and Li Ying, unable to find an opportunity to interject, could only remain silent.
Watching the two of them chat so congenially, Li Ying thought with cold detachment, ’They really look like a biological father and son, while I’m just the spare part in the room.’
Only when their conversation wound down did the Emperor finally turn his gaze to Li Ying.
"You performed great deeds in suppressing the rebellion. I intend to grant you the title of Commandery Prince. The specific title has yet to be determined. What are your thoughts?"
Li Ying replied with the utmost respect, "I will obey my Imperial Father’s command."
Li Ji smiled and said, "As the saying goes, good things come in pairs. Your Majesty, why not also arrange a suitable marriage for the Fourth Prince? That would give him double cause for celebration. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?"
Li Ying’s head snapped up, his gaze fixing icily on Prince Zhao.
Li Ji, completely unfazed, simply smirked, his posture relaxed and nonchalant.
The Emperor considered this for a moment and agreed that Prince Zhao had a point.
’The Fourth Prince is not young anymore; it is indeed time for him to marry and start a family.’
In the past, the Emperor wouldn’t have bothered himself with the Fourth Prince’s marriage. But now, having lost several sons in succession, the Fourth Prince was the only one who seemed at all dependable.
Until the Sixth and Seventh Princes came of age, the Emperor had no choice but to rely more heavily on the Fourth Prince.
Therefore, the Fourth Prince’s marriage could not be taken lightly; it had to be decided with care.
The Emperor asked Li Ying what qualities he sought in a principal consort.
Li Ying knelt on the low couch, his hands resting on his lap, concealed by wide sleeves.
Thus, no one could see his hidden hands gripping the hem of his robes so tightly he nearly tore the fabric.
’He knew Prince Zhao was doing this deliberately.’
’Prince Zhao wanted him to marry someone else, to completely extinguish any lingering hope he had for Manman.’
’To achieve his goal, Prince Zhao had even used the Emperor to pressure him.’
He was seething with hatred, yet he had to maintain a reverent facade, answering with his head bowed submissively.
"Thank you for your kind intentions, Imperial Father. But with Prince Dongyang and his cohorts still at large, and with your own health not yet fully recovered, I truly have no heart to think of marriage. I only wish to serve by your side and fulfill my filial duties."
