CHAPTER 1538: CHAPTER 1538: GOOD FATHER-IN-LAW

Zhulan was not surprised, "If Noble Consort Hui weren’t gravely ill, how could the Emperor have taken the Little Prince away from her side?"

Xue Han, who had always been focused on her youngest son, hadn’t thought deeply about the matter. Upon hearing her mother’s words, she reacted, "Is the Emperor dissatisfied with the Wang clan?"

"Hmm, it’s often said that one’s honor lifts the entire family’s honor. The Wang clan has grown ambitious, so the Emperor naturally has to start addressing it from the roots. The Wang clan’s support comes from the two Princes. The Emperor’s move is not surprising."

Xue Han shivered, "Did the Emperor act directly against Noble Consort Hui?"

Zhulan replied, "Not exactly. However, there are plenty within the harem who wish to act against her. The Emperor only needs to turn a blind eye. What the Emperor wants is the result."

Noble Consort Hui now being gravely ill is precisely the result. To the Emperor, the women of the harem—apart from the Empress—combined are worth less than a single strand of the Crown Prince’s hair.

Xue Han’s pupils shrank, "Mother, could Noble Consort Hui’s illness lead to her death?"

She didn’t care if the Emperor had acted directly or not; all she felt was a chill. The Emperor’s ruthlessness was unmistakable.

Zhulan pondered and said, "I don’t think so. Not only for the sake of maintaining balance in the harem, but also to give the Wang clan an explanation. Noble Consort Hui’s grave illness won’t turn fatal. Once the Little Prince is taken away from her, her illness will likely recover."

Xue Han felt a pang in her heart, "I’ve been wondering why Father insisted that my husband stay at Huguo Temple until the New Year. Now it seems Father saw the situation clearly. Our Qin Prince Residence is better off being low-key."

Zhulan said, "Your father’s advice is wise. Right now, the Emperor is exceedingly kind to you all, but it’s all the more reason to speak and act cautiously. Otherwise, leaving him with grievances might sow seeds of suspicion for the future. Should distrust arise, the more glorious the Qin Prince Residence is now, the harder days will be ahead."

Xue Han took her mother’s advice to heart, "Mother, I will certainly be cautious in my words and actions."

"Hmm, and in the future, try to minimize your visits to the Palace. Don’t get too close to the Empress either. The Empress is in frail health, and she knows it herself. Avoid stirring up any schemes in her mind. The women of the harem are too cunning. You’re better off living peacefully at the Qin Prince Residence and enjoying your own simple days."

Xue Han agreed, then added, "The Empress was indeed gravely ill last time. I also recently heard Mother mention it briefly."

Zhulan sighed deeply, noting that the Emperor was not destined for a long life.

At Huguo Temple, Rongchuan sat in a pavilion drinking tea while enjoying the distant mountain scenery. The murderous air around him had dissipated significantly, and he appeared much calmer.

Prince Qi placed the tea he had brought onto the stone table, saying, "Look, I’ve brought you some good tea."

Rongchuan turned around, "Second Brother, how do you have the time to visit me?"

"I’m very free. Among us brothers, I’m the most leisurely. I wanted to visit you earlier, but you hid yourself at Huguo Temple as soon as you returned to the capital, so I waited a few days."

Rongchuan chuckled lightly, "Second Brother, you misunderstand. I came to Huguo Temple to cultivate myself and offer prayers. How did it turn into hiding in your eyes?"

Prince Qi fiddled with his fan, saying, "Fine, fine. Prayers it is, as you say."

Prince Qi knew well in his heart. Rongchuan had first visited the Palace upon returning to the capital, then Marquis Zhou’s residence, before packing his bags and coming to pray at the temple. He had shown no intent to return to the capital, clearly planning to stay a while.

When he left the capital, he’d mentioned it to their grandfather, who had remarked, "Prince Qin has a good father-in-law—no, a good father. Marquis Zhou has truly considered everything for Prince Qin."

Indeed, he had a good grandfather, and Prince Qin had a good father-in-law.

Rongchuan was still concerned about Xu Chen, "I’ve returned without having a proper conversation with Xu Chen. That child has already grown capable of handling matters independently. Second Brother, when do you plan to marry him off?"

Prince Qi put down his fan, "There’s no rush for that child. I plan to wait a bit longer."

It wasn’t because the circumstances were unfavorable. To be honest, he was wary of the Emperor and felt it was better for his son to remain low-key for now. A delayed marriage was not a bad idea.

Rongchuan was simply asking and did not press further. After all, he was only Xu Chen’s uncle. "Second Brother, shall we play a match of chess?"

"Fine. It’s been ages since we’ve played. Let’s see if you’ve improved."

Rongchuan smiled, "Then let Second Brother witness my progress."

One match later, Prince Qi’s face was lit with a smile, though his eyes betrayed astonishment. Fifth Brother had truly improved a great deal, particularly in handling the bigger picture. A person’s chess style reflects their inner character, and Rongchuan’s recent trip to the grasslands had indeed matured him.

After one match, Prince Qi declined another, saying, "Your Fourth Brother is gravely ill and will soon return to the capital from Dongbei."

Rongchuan thought to himself that his brothers truly had good sources of information, "What did the Imperial Physician say?"

"Fourth Brother will need to focus on recuperation in the future."

How long he’d live wasn’t clear. According to the Imperial Physician, his condition would weaken his lifespan. No one dared elaborate more, except to say that Fourth Brother’s health was poor and his years limited.

Rongchuan’s expression remained indifferent. He and Fourth Brother had no brotherly bond, and Fourth Brother’s current suffering was the result of his actions in the past.

That evening, Zhou Shuren returned home, "Have you heard of the grain donation initiative?"

Zhulan replied, "I’ve heard. Mr. Qi is donating one hundred stones of grain, and I was thinking of discussing with you how much we should donate."

Zhou Shuren said, "This time, instead of individual donations from each branch, the entire Hou Residence will donate six hundred stones."

"Everyone planted high-yield sweet potatoes this year, so I think most will donate sweet potatoes. Should we stick to donating refined grains?"

"The noble families care about their reputation and won’t solely donate sweet potatoes. Do as you see fit for our household."

Zhulan continued, "By the way, who do you think will be tasked with raising the Little Prince?"

Zhou Shuren had thought about it, "Most higher-ranking concubines already have children of their own. Noble Consort Hui is of the consort rank, and her child cannot be raised by a lower-ranking concubine. The Emperor will likely promote someone to consort rank soon. Whoever is promoted will take on the task."

Zhulan had already guessed someone suitable and decided not to dwell further on the harem’s affairs.

The next day, Yu Die was preparing to go out, and Zhulan pointed to the snow falling outside, saying, "It’s snowing today, and you still want to go out?"

Yu Die replied, "Grandmother, I’ve arranged to meet Lin Qing, and since it’s the first snow, the scenery is especially wonderful. We should go out and enjoy it."

Zhulan reminded her, "Wear more layers so as not to catch a chill."

Yu Die responded, "I will."

After Yu Die left, Zhulan said to her eldest, "Of all the girls in the household, Yu Die is the liveliest. If only she could balance out with Yu Wen."

The eldest sighed about his cousin Yu Wen, "Come to think of it, since the weather has turned cold, I’ve only seen Yu Wen at family meals."

Zhulan was also helpless, "Exactly. One is too restless, and the other too quiet."

Qing Xue laughed and added, "Miss Yu Wen is going out today as well."

Zhulan was surprised, "Did the sun rise in the west today?"

The eldest also laughed, "Mother, Yu Wen is growing up. She might also want to go out occasionally."

Zhulan shook her head, "More likely her sister-in-law forced her out the door."

Zhulan guessed correctly. Despite Yu Die’s invitation, Yu Wen had wanted to back out but was ultimately nudged out of the house.

On the Zhou family’s carriage, Yu Wen wrapped herself in a cloak and asked, "Third Sister, when are we going home?"

Yu Die was speechless, "You barely stepped out the door and already want to go back. You’re too lazy!"

Yu Wen sighed, "If laziness could kill me, I’d welcome it. Ah, my warm bed."

Yu Yi tapped Yu Wen’s forehead lightly, "We’re outside now."

Yu Wen fell silent, hunching her shoulders to avoid further remarks.