Chương 20: Father and Son talk
The Crown Prince and Xiao Chen soon arrived the forbidden city. Xiao Chen waited for his master at the gates.
Zhang Zhengyang hastened to the Emperor's quarters led by an eunuch, where his Imperial father waited. While they walked the Crown Prince thought about the reason his father summoned him. As he was deep in thought he heard a shrill sound of plate breaking. It turned out a palace maid bumped into the eunuch who escorted him. The maid had fallen due to the collision as well as the trey she held and everything in it.
The Eunuch already began reprimanding her, as she quickly got on her knees to beg for forgiveness.
Zhang Zhengyang perceived a strange smell. "What were you carrying?" He asked.
"Replying to his highness, the crown prince, this servant was carrying medicine for the peace consort. This servant was careless and has delayed your highness, please puni-" Zhang Zhengyang was sick of the same boring line as well as the smell of whatever the maid was carrying.
He waved his hands, "No need, hurry up and get another bowl of medicine for the peace consort, don't let her wait."
"Quickly thank the crown prince for sparing you!" The eunuch shouted.
"Thanking your highness for sparing this servant." She quickly said, with her head lowered to the floor.
They resumed their journey. Leaving the palace maid drenched in cold sweat.
The crown prince arrived greeted the Emperor, "This son greets Imperial Father!"
"Zheng'er is here." Said the Emperor, Zhang Zhengyang could hear the weakness in his voice, but apart from that, one could hardly tell that he was suffering from a deadly poison.
"General Yang is returning with his troops, they've sent news that they'd be arriving the capital soon." The Emperor cut to the chase."There'll be a series of celebrations in the coming month, as the crown prince you'd have to be present, but I have discussed with some officials, and they are still favorable towards the idea of sending you to the south to administer disaster relief this time."
The Crown Prince stood straight, as he listened attentively to all the Emperor had to say. In Xia dynasty once a Crown Prince, one would have to attend a series of ceremonies, get blessings from the Emperor, this way the honor and respect he deserves as the heir is given to him.
One of these ceremonies was coming up in the following month. But officials had connived to make him miss it, by signing petition so he could be sent to the south for disaster relief. His father on the other hand wasn't against the idea. The task could have been taken by anyone, but it had to be him. Zhang Zhengyang knew there was something going on underneath.
But one had to face adversities when they come. There was no backing down, we can only fight to the end. Sure, the series of 'ceremonies' was good, but it didn't define anything much. Those weren't things to care about. The most important thing had been said, and they went on to discuss other important pressing issues.
By the time they had finished talking, the sun was no longer at its peak anymore.
"Zhengyang." His Imperial father called him by his name. "You have to work hard and focus on what matters. You still have a long way to go. Don't let me be disappointed.
"Your son will heed to your advice." Zhang Zhengyang replied humbly.
Zhang Zhengyang on his way back, from meeting his Imperial Father, he meets Purity Consort, the mother of the Fourth Prince. He felt his day couldn't get any better. He greeted her as she went by with a palanquin, looking all high and mighty. She looked down at Zhang Zhengyang and smiled.
"Crown Prince." She returned his greeting.
The Purity Consort had always been one of his enemies, she always had a benevolent air, but what was hidden in her heart even she herself couldn't fathom. That was Zhang Zhengyang's perception of her. Both of them weren't close to begin with. So once they crossed paths they hadn't much to say to each other. She was currently the highest ranking Consort, carrying out the duties of the Empress.
They both went their separate ways.
When the prince returned to the manor, he asked about Zhao Xing, but the maids told him she was no longer there.
He guessed she had returned to her world. He clenched his fist as he thought of his dilemma.
'If master was still here.' He thought. He made his way to his study.
"Master, they clearly know that this ceremony means a lot yet, they're trying to look for excuses to send you away." Xiao Chen was enraged on his master's behalf.
"Humph, is the ceremony all they're after? If it is then we should question how they made it this far in life." the crown prince scoffed. His words puzzled Xiao Chen.
"Master then what are they after?"
Zhang Zhengyang didn't answer him.
In the court the Emperor had the final say but if those officials were persistent enough they could move mountains. Those in the court had indeed been persistent about this. Because of the previous incident with the fourth prince, they thought the Crown Prince was too incompetent. The Fourth Prince's supporters took this opportunity, and said the people had lost trust in him because of his previous failure, and if he could show them he was worthy of being the crown prince they would feel at ease.
Ha, nonsense. That time if it wasn't for his master and the fourth prince none of this would have happened. Indeed his enemies methods were swift and vicious. He has seen through their ploy, but he cannot run away from it. He was sure his road down south wouldn't be at all easy.
Just then one of his shadow guards appeared before them. "Master." He greeted.
"Speak."
"We have news concerning the poison master."
When Zhao Xing woke up it was already morning, she stretched as she thought about the incident that had happened, the beautiful scenery, the tea house, meeting the Fourth Prince...
Then she tried to remember what had happened yesterday in her world. Her memory was fuggy and she had difficulty remembering. She hit her head a few times with her hands.
"was it yesterday..? What happened..?" She kept mumbling to herself till she heard her mother's voice.
"Zhao Xing are you awake?"
"I'm awake, I'm coming." Just as she said so the memories she'd been trying to regain came hitting her like a whirlwind making her dizzy. She held her head with both hands and tried to get out of bed, making sure she didn't fall in the process.
She took her phone and dialed a number, whilst holding her hurting head with one hand.
"Sorry the subscriber.." She cut the call and dialed again. She tried again two times before the line went through. "Fatty, are you still sleeping at this hour?" She said with a harsh tone, but it came out weak because of the hoarseness it carried, one couldn't tell if it was because of her having just woke up from sleep, or if it was her headache.
The person at the other end of the line didn't speak for a few seconds. "Sister is that you?"
Zhao Xing didn't seem to have the time to talk with him, as she said impatiently, "Fatty, I need your help."
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