The Times Spent in Pretense

Zhang Shuo could not comprehend why the crown prince was here. He rushed to stand. “Quickly welcome him.”　　

“Sir Zhang need not be so courteous,” said the crown prince as he entered the room, his servants following him in. He raised his hand to relinquish the staff of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review from saluting. “I came today to take a look at that Second Prince of Jinpo Country.”　　　　

“As your honored self wishes,” said Zhang Shuo, leading the way without the slightest hesitation. 　　

The dungeon bore an unpleasant smell. Zhang Shuo had long since grown used to it, so did not notice it anymore. The crown prince’s personal servant at the side had taken out a handkerchief earlier, however, and handed it to the crown prince to use.　　　　

He covered his nose and mouth with it, not bothering to hide his disdain for such a place at all. As long as his personal servants caught sight of ugly prisoners in the nearby cells, they would rush to cover those cells with cloth, blocking the view on both sides of the path the crown prince was traversing.

If there were any rice straw that the guard staff had accidentally dropped on the path ahead, the court eunuchs would pick them up, as though these strands of straw would dirty the noble feet of the crown prince.　　

Pei Jihuai cast a glance at the immaculate soles of his shoes. Last night, when he had seen the crown prince, his shoes had been caked with mud. Yet he did not see these servants so careful and afraid in serving him then.　　

“Your Highness, the captive from Jinpo Country, A’Wa, is imprisoned there.” Zhang Shuo opened the door to the cell. Bowed with his hands held front. “If Your Highness has any questions, ask as you please. We humble officials will wait outside.”　　　　

The people of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review all retreated, leaving behind only the crown prince’s people.　　

When it came to tact, the Imperial Court of Judicial Review were professionals at it.　　

There were manacles around A’Wa’s arms and legs, and attached to the manacles were iron chains secured firmly to the walls. Even if the cell door was wide open, he wouldn’t be able to escape.　　　　

After two days without food, he appeared extremely thin and pallid. His dry lips appeared sickly pale.　　

Catching the sound of people talking, he opened his eyes in a tired manner. Voice hoarse as he said, “Who… are you?”　　

The person who had come wore splendid attire. Following behind him were many servants. He was definitely someone of a special identity.　　

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The crown prince looked at the filth within the cell, the time length of its existence a mystery. He did not enter the cell. He did not even sit on the chair the court eunuchs had brought him.　　　　

A’Wa was the most favored prince of Jinpo Country and had a good-looking appearance. But with his messy hair and beard that had not been shaven in many days, he appeared very depressed.　　

A’Wa waited a long while, yet the other party did not speak. He felt somewhat anxious. After he had arrived at Great Jin’s capital, he went on a hunger strike to sound out Great Jin’s bottom line. Never had he expected that this country would not care about a prince like him. As if it did not matter to them whether he died.　　　　

The more apathetic Great Jin’s attitude toward him grew, the more uneasy he felt. It represented that Great Jin no longer found any worth in Jinpo Country. Only in such a case would it be this arrogant.　　

Once he had realized his situation, A’Wa instead became more well behaved. Because he must survive and return to his country. Only if he returned alive could he become the next king. 　　　　

“Who has come?” asked A’Wa, supporting himself up with much difficulty using the bars of his cell. Then he saluted the person who had arrived.　　

“I heard that Second Prince was extremely dissatisfied with Great Jin’s hospitality.” The crown prince slightly arched a brow. “It looks like today, Second Prince is very accustomed to Great Jin.” 　　　　

His features were a pleasure to the senses. Eyes with a slight upward sweep of their tails as they faintly looked up. Eyebrows arched just a hint. Paired together, it made it seem like he was mocking others.　　

A’Wa felt ever more humiliated. He lowered his head, not allowing the crown prince to see his expression. “So it turns out it is a noble prince of Great Jin.” 　　　　

“Those who come to our land are guests. I am the host and ought to come and meet a guest like you.” The crown prince raised his hand a shade. Following that, court eunuchs brought wine and meat before A’Wa. “Word has it that Second Prince wishes to see our commandery princess. Since she is a woman, how could she meet with Second Prince? Thus, I have come here personally.”　　　　

When the crown prince noticed that A’Wa did not touch those dishes, his expression grew a bit cold. “What? Does Second Prince find the dishes I have prepared for you not to your liking?

“Many thanks, Your Highness the crown prince, for the bestowment.” A’Wa’s expression chilled as he picked up the wine cup and drank a mouthful. Great Jin’s emperor favored the crown prince to an immense degree. He must not offend this person.　　　　

But he had also heard that Great Jin’s emperor was suspicious of his children. The crown prince was this arrogant in conduct. Thus, sooner or later, the emperor would grow resentful of him.　　

Once the imperial princes of Great Jin started competing for the throne, his Jinpo Country would have an opportunity.　　

When he recalled the land they had to give up due to losing the war, A’Wa’s eyes grew bloodshot from the hate. If it wasn’t for the fact that he fell for the Hua family’s evil schemes, and trusted that woman’s lie in a gullible manner, how could he have dropped to such a state?

“Eat some meat,” said the crown prince, lifting his chin.　　　　

The meat had already grown somewhat cold. Two days had gone by since A’Wa had eaten a meal, so the first bite was satisfying.  But he almost could not hold down the second, nearly vomiting it back out. That said, he knew that should he spit out any food right now, it would offend the crown prince, whose purpose for coming here still remained unknown.　　

He covered his mouth, forcing himself to swallow the greasy and nausea-inducing meat.　　

“Continue.” The crown prince did not so much as look up.

It wasn’t until A’Wa had finished all the food on the table, angered to the point where his blue veins nearly burst, that the crown prince said, “Second Prince is a member of the royal family. As such, you must pay particular attention to maintaining a cultured deportment during meals. Otherwise, if other people saw you, they would think that Jinpo Country’s royal family did not know any etiquette.”　　

Forced to eat food that had gotten cold and humiliated to such a point, A’Wa felt his heart fill with hatred, so much so that he could barely conceal it.　　

“Prince A’Wa is brave and skilled in battle, and has led troops to massacre nearly 10,000 civilians from my Great Jin’s Hu Prefecture.”　　　　

Then the crown prince turned and left the prison, nodding faintly at the officials of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review, who were standing guard outside the door. Following that, he boarded his sedan.

“Your Highness, are you returning to the palace?”　　

Within the sedan, silence for a good while. After which, the crown prince said, “Head for the Daoist temple in the suburbs of the capital.” 　

Once the officials of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review had sent off the crown prince, Pei Jihuai said, “Sir, the crown prince seems to be in a poor mood today.”　　　　

“It’s the death day of Empress Gonghui,” whispered Zhang Shuo. “It’s natural that the crown prince’s mood is bad.”　

“Where did the crown prince go today?” Emperor Changlong asked the court eunuch by his side.　　　　

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the court eunuchs by the crown prince’s side have reported the following: The crown prince paid a visit to the Imperial Court of Judicial Review. Afterward, he prepared to make for the suburbs to relieve some boredom.” Zhao Sancai cast a glance at the emperor’s face. “Does Your Majesty wish to summon the crown prince to the palace?”　　

“No need. Let him do as he pleases today,” replied Emperor Changlong, waving. At that moment, a court eunuch entered the hall to announce the following: Prince Ying was seeking an audience.　　

“Declined.” Without having to guess, Emperor Changlong knew that his eldest son was here to complain about the crown prince. He did not feel like coaxing such a grown son. “He’s already this grown-up, yet hasn’t made any progress at all. He only knows how to watch Yuansu carefully just so he could complain about something to Us.”　　　

Zhao Sancai dropped his head, grinding ink without a word.　　

When Prince Ying heard that his imperial father was too busy to meet with him, he angrily made his way to Lincui Palace. If his imperial father did not give him an audience, then he could not inform him of how the crown prince had abused their captive?　　

“It’s good that he abused him,” said Consort Xian after hearing what Prince Ying had to say, not even sparing him a glance. “This palace has heard that this Prince A’Zhang led troops to raid Hu Prefecture a few years ago, which neighbors Qinghan Prefecture. And he killed nearly 10,000 of our civilians—”　　

“Consort-Mother, his name is A’Wa.”　　

“I don’t care what he’s called.” Consort Xian smacked the table. “It’s great that the crown prince put this kind of person in order. What are you rushing to your imperial father to complain about?!”　　

To which Prince Ying was speechless.　　

“Enough.” The more Consort Xian dwelled on it, the angrier she became. “In any case, the crown prince was the one who started to give him trouble. You simply need to continue at it, and it would be helping those innocent civilians vent their anger.”　　　　

“Consort-Mother…” Prince Ying looked at Consort Xian, dumbfounded for a moment. “Weren’t we supposed to look for something that can be used against the crown prince?”　　 

“How could this be considered that?” Consort Xian rose to her feet and pushed Prince Ying out the door. “Be smarter when you do things.”　　

As a result, not long after the Imperial Court of Judicial Review had sent off the crown prince, they welcomed Prince Ying who wore an unsightly expression. Before they could clarify why Prince Ying had come, they witnessed as he mocked Jinpo Country’s Second Prince before swaggering off.　　　　

Suspicious, Pei Jihuai looked at the chief justice. “Sir Zhang, was Prince Ying also in a bad mood today?”　　

An hour later, the Prince Ning who had caught wind of this news also arrived. Despite the fact that he wasn’t very smart, he knew to copy what his eldest brother and the crown prince did, so as to follow the right way to uphold himself.　　　　

However, he had a simple and honest personality. Not to mention, he was cowardly. He did not know how to curse others. He could only have his advisors prepare what to say, then move a chair right outside the prison cell. Following which, he would read off of the draft of curses.

Afterward, Prince Ning had the sense that this wasn’t enough. So he spat toward A’Wa’s cell. Then he touched his slightly protruding belly and left, perfectly satisfied.　　

Everyone in the Imperial Court of Judicial Review was rendered speechless.　　

The princes that came to visit most likely had mental illnesses today. 

Once Wei Mingyue had finished the noon meal, she said to Hua Liuli, “Back when I had left the capital city, I visited a Daoist temple in the suburbs and made a wish: that the gods would protect you and bless you with a safe birth. Now that I have returned to the capital, I should go thank them.”　　　

“Mother, it’s already the afternoon. You’ve just returned to the capital. Rest for a few days first,” urged Hua Liuli, worried about Wei Mingyue’s health. “The temple is not going anywhere.”　　

“It’s naturally better to thank the gods as soon as possible after the completion of a wish.” Wei Mingyue caressed her daughter’s head. When she had been pregnant and rushed to Qinghan Prefecture, there were many times when she thought she would not be able to maintain her fetus. However, the fetus was especially well-behaved; not only did it not make her feel ill, it did not even give her morning sickness. 　　　　　　

Not to mention, it was only because of her fetus suddenly kicking her that she caught those suspicious-acting spies in Qinghan Prefecture; she had to sit down and rest at a tea stand, allowing her to notice them.

Because of this, the child had only stayed in her womb for seven months before it came out to the world.　　‌

In her heart, this child had been a gift from the gods. As precious as jewels and pearls. Therefore, she named her Liuli.　　

Liuli was precious and fragile. And so, they wanted to protect her for her whole life.　　

“Liuli, come with me,” said Wei Mingyue. She noticed Hua Yingting wanting to come along, so added, “Yingting, obediently wait at home with Changkong.”　　　　

Angry, Hua Yingting sat down. “I don’t have to go to the temple, but you can’t look at those young men and women on the road too much.”　　

Wei Mingyue glared at him. And he rushed to shut his mouth.　　

“Daddy, I will take care of Mother well. Don’t worry,” said Hua Liuli, winking at him.　　　　

Hua Yingting thought, Forget it. With you and your mother together, you’d definitely be looking at the handsome young men and pretty young women around. He was worried that there was no limit to his wife spoiling their daughter. If by any chance, their daughter took a fancy to someone and his wife helped her snatch that man away, what’s to be done? 　　

Mother and daughter left the premises in high spirits, leaving Hua Yingting and Hua Changkong to watch over the estate.　　

“Why was the Daosit temple built on a mountain?” said Hua Liuli as Wei Mingyue dragged her up the mountain, the latter’s whole body resembling a little bok choy that shriveled from the cold.　　　　

“You’re so lazy—” All of a sudden, Wei Mingyue’s manner entirely changed. “You’re so frail. You should pray more to the gods for their blessings and protection.” 　　

Hua Liuli raised her head to look at Wei Mingyue. Mother, you dare to lie in front of the gods?　　　　

But Wei Mingyue only smiled. Gods are very magnanimous. They definitely won’t care about my little lie.　　

Mother and daughter released one another’s hands in a calm fashion. Then they saluted the person at the top of the steps. “Your Highness the crown prince.”