Though Fuyi’s pipa playing lacked proper melody, the zither’s flowing and graceful notes complemented it, creating an oddly harmonious blend.
Even Xiayu and Qiushuang began to feel that their miss’s pipa playing was, in fact, bearable.
After several songs, Fuyi’s enthusiasm for playing gradually waned. Hugging the pipa, she looked at Sui Tingheng, who was still seated beside her, gently plucking the zither.
“Your Imperial Highness,” she called.
The zither’s music stopped. Sui Tingheng rested his hand on the strings and turned to her, waiting for her to continue.
“I’ve had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you, Your Imperial Highness,” Fuyi said, her voice slightly slurred from the wine but still coherent. She handed the pipa to Sui Tingheng’s attendant before saying again. “It’s getting late; I should take my leave.”
The moon was already high in the sky. Sui Tingheng gently ran his hand over the zither strings before standing up. “Allow me to escort you back.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Highness.” Fuyi didn’t refuse and walked beside him. “Your Imperial Highness holds a noble status. May I suggest you bring more guards when leaving the palace?”
“Very well.” Sui Tingheng lifted the lantern in his hand, illuminating the path ahead.
As they descended the steps, Fuyi suddenly stumbled. She instinctively reached out to steady herself on Sui Tingheng’s arm.
“Miss Yun, careful!”
“Pardon the offense, Your Imperial Highness,” Fuyi quickly withdrew her hand and bowed to him.
“No need,” Sui Tingheng said, handing the lantern to Mo Wen and extending his arm to her again. “The road at night is difficult. Please hold onto me.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Highness,” Fuyi replied politely but didn’t actually take his arm. She understood that his gesture was one of courtesy, but it would be inappropriate for her to take advantage of the prince’s politeness.
Back in the crown prince’s carriage, Fuyi said, “I have yet to congratulate Your Imperial Highness on your crown prince appointment.”
Sui Tingheng’s gaze swept briefly across her face before returning to its usual calm. “Today is Miss Yun’s birthday. Naturally, the birthday star takes precedence.”
Amused by his response, Fuyi rested her head on her hand, feeling a bit drowsy. “Many people celebrate their birthdays today, but the Great Long Dynasty has only one crown prince.”
“Are you tired?” Sui Tingheng retrieved a cloak and draped it over her, leaning down slightly to ensure it covered her well. “Rest for a while. I’ll wake you when we reach your house.”
“Your Imperial Highness,” Fuyi said, looking at the cloak. “This morning, someone suspicious entered Ning Wang Manor. You’ve just been named crown prince; please be extra cautious.”
If Ning Wang dared to harm the crown prince, he would surely meet a brutal end. However, Fuyi couldn’t allow personal grievances to blind her to potential threats to the crown prince, especially one who had endured so many hardships in his childhood, yet remained a virtuous and kind gentleman.
“Desire can strip people of all reason,” she said with a yawn, covering her mouth. “Your Imperial Highness is a wise man, and a wise man does not stand next to a wall about to collapse. Please strengthen your security.”
The carriage grew quiet as Fuyi drifted off to sleep.
Sui Tingheng watched her restless sleeping face, extinguished the carriage’s interior candle, and lifted the curtain to call Xiayu and Qiushuang inside to accompany her. He then mounted his horse.
…
Night fog thickened as a drunken man stumbled out of an alley.
“Who goes there?!” Sui Tingheng’s guards unsheathed their swords, ready to defend.
“Ugh,” Sui Xun groaned, rubbing his throbbing head. He’d only had a few drinks—how had he ended up unconscious in an alley? He managed a few unsteady steps before spotting the gleaming swords under the moonlight, jolting him half-sober. “J-Jinwu Guards?!”
The Jinwu Guards not only maintained order in the capital but also had the critical role of protecting the Emperor and his family. Their presence here meant only one thing—a member of the imperial family was nearby.
“S-sinner Sui Xun greets the Crown Prince.” Sui Xun immediately dropped to his knees, bowing deeply with trepidation.
“There’s no need for such formality, cousin, please stand up.” Sui Tingheng said coolly. There was no expression on his face as he looked down at Sui Xun. “Why are you here so late, and where are your attendants?”
“My attendants…” Sui Xun shook his head, trying to piece things together through his foggy mind. A few hours ago, he had hurriedly left the Caiyin Pavilion, and it seemed that was when he’d lost his attendants. He couldn’t quite remember what happened afterward.
Sui Tingheng raised his hand slightly. One of his guards entered the alley and soon returned with a jade pendant, which he recognized instantly—it was a rare warm jade that Sui Xun had once boasted about in front of him.
Seeing the pendant, Sui Xun broke into a cold sweat as memories of his previous arrogance resurfaced.
‘Why did I wear that pendant out today?!’
Sui Tingheng glanced back at the carriage behind him and motioned for the guard to return the jade pendant to Sui Xun. “Escort Marquis Gongping back to his manor.”
Sui Xun didn’t dare say a word. The pendant in his hand felt extremely hot as if burning.
…
After the carriage stopped outside the Yun manor, Xiayu and Qiushuang carefully helped Fuyi out. Seeing that Xiayu was about to remove the cloak draped over Fuyi’s shoulders, Sui Tingheng spoke, “Keep it on. Don’t let her catch a cold.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Highness,” Qiushuang said, bowing deeply in gratitude.
Sui Tingheng gave Fuyi one last glance before mounting his horse and riding away.
…
“Your Imperial Highness, it’s late. You should rest.” Mo Wen couldn’t help but urge Sui Tingheng, who had returned to the palace but was still working in his study. “Tomorrow is the grand assembly1, and you’ll need to rise early.”
“I know my limits. You may leave,” Sui Tingheng replied, taking a sip of bitter tea before resuming the memorial he hadn’t finished writing.
The frontier is harsh and cold. Soldiers do not fail the people; neither should we fail them…
…
The court attendees hadn’t expected that during the Crown Prince’s first grand assembly, he would propose increasing the pay for frontier soldiers. Some senior officials secretly breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that the proposed increase was just one taels per year—far more reasonable than the Emperor’s earlier suggestion.
Not long ago, His Majesty had abruptly proposed increasing the soldiers’ pay by five taels per year. Naturally, such a massive expenditure had been met with widespread resistance, and the Minister of Revenue had been so exasperated he had tendered his resignation and retired to his hometown. But the Emperor was undeterred. He even recalled Yun Wangui from exile in Chongzhou to take over as Minister of Revenue, showing his determination.
Now, hearing the newly-appointed Crown Prince present a well-reasoned case for a modest increase of one tael—an amount they could grudgingly accept—most objections faded.
Since the Crown Prince himself proposed this number, it was unlikely the Emperor would undermine his son’s authority by insisting on five taels, right?
“What do you all think?” the Emperor asked, casting meaningful glances at the courtiers as if urging them to step forward and oppose the Crown Prince’s proposal.
“Lord Chen?” the Emperor subtly extended his hand, holding up five fingers.
The person subtly averted his gaze, pretending not to notice his liege’s signal. “This subject supports His Imperial Highness’ proposal.”
“How about you, Lord Zhao?” The Emperor waved his sleeve, almost thrusting his five fingers in Lord Zhao’s face.
“This old subject agrees as well,” Lord Zhao murmured, staring intently at the ceremonial scepter in his hand, avoiding eye contact.
“Lord Zhan—…”
“Your humble subject seconds the proposal!”
“This subject seconds it as well!”
“You… You…” The Emperor clenched his fists, glaring in disappointment at the crowd who refused to meet his gaze. “Fine. Since the Crown Prince cares deeply for the soldiers, we will go along with his suggestion.”
The officials collectively exhaled in relief. They had been dreading the possibility that the Emperor might throw another tantrum and insist on the higher amount. Five taels were truly beyond what the current court could afford; if the Emperor insisted, they would have no choice but to oppose it to their dying breath!
For this reason, their gazes toward the Crown Prince were full of gratitude.
‘All thanks to His Imperial Highness!’
Yun Wangui glanced at the Emperor seated on the throne, then at the calm and composed Crown Prince. Lowering his head, he concealed a smile.
If his calculations were correct, the Emperor’s original intention had always been to propose a one-tael increase, not five.
The Emperor was well aware of the state of the national treasury. Naturally, he couldn’t seriously expect the Ministry of Revenue to produce such a large sum out of thin air.
Sometimes, taking ten steps forward and then retreating eight made it easy for people to overlook that, despite the retreat, they had still advanced two steps.
It was a brilliant strategy—one that not only boosted the Crown Prince’s standing among military officers but also achieved the desired goal.
“Minister Yun, do you have any objections?”
“Your Majesty is wise, and His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince is compassionate. We subjects are deeply impressed,” Yun Wangui said, bowing. “Your Majesty and His Imperial Highness care for the frontier soldiers, which is a blessing for them. Their diligent defense of the border is, in turn, a blessing for the people of the realm.”
The others quickly caught on and joined Yun Wangui in their praises. The more they praised, the less likely the Emperor would change his mind and demand an increase of three or even five taels!
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