Chapter 87: Missing Nan Xueyin Terribly

On the other side.

Xiao Youlan requested an audience with the Emperor, but the study was empty.

"The matter of the Prince Duan being assassinated has spread far and wide. Upon hearing this, the Virtuous Consort was deeply worried and specifically summoned Prince Duan to the palace to see him. The Emperor has gone there as well."

The guards outside the door explained respectfully.

Xiao Youlan understood.

He could have stayed in the study to wait, but after a moment of thought, he turned and walked toward the Virtuous Consort's palace.

Standing outside the palace gate, he heard conversation coming from within.

"... Son is truly fine, Mother Consort need not worry." This was Xiao Mingyu's soothing voice.

"They say children are pieces of flesh that have fallen from their mother's body. I haven't seen you for only a few days, and you've been hurt like this; how can I not be heartbroken?" The Virtuous Consort's voice carried a distinct, aggrieved, choked sob.

"These are just minor injuries, they will heal in a few days. Mother Consort, please stop crying, the Emperor is still here."

Immediately after came the Emperor's joking remark: "Your mother consort is soft-hearted; she probably cried once the moment she heard you were injured. If some people don't know how to cry and keep their sorrow bottled up in their hearts, that is the real trouble—sooner or later, they will be stifled by it. Like your mother consort, crying often might actually make her healthier!"

This dialogue—parents loving and a son filial—made the three of them seem like a harmonious and close-knit family.

Xiao Youlan had not experienced this for a very long time.

Ever since his mother passed away, there had been few affectionate, joking conversations between him and the Emperor; basically, they only discussed state affairs, the implementation or abolition of certain policies, or the promotion and demotion of certain officials, and so on—it was all official business.

In his memory, the Emperor rarely seemed to care whether he was happy or not, only teaching him how to be a Crown Prince and how to be an Emperor.

Xiao Youlan had originally thought he could adapt; hadn't he gradually become cold, distant, and taciturn in his daily life?

But standing here today, hearing the conversation between the three of them, his heart suddenly began to ache.

He ached with longing for his mother, and he ached with nostalgia for the warmth of their family in the past.

It was also at this moment that he truly, truly, truly missed Nan Xueyin.

"The Crown Prince has arrived."

A palace maid noticed him and said with a smile.

Inside the hall, they heard, and the Emperor was the first to raise his voice, "Youlan is here, come in."

Xiao Youlan entered as instructed.

Xiao Mingyu was sitting near the Virtuous Consort, using a handkerchief to wipe the tears from her face, coaxing her softly: "An outsider has come in, Mother Consort, hurry and wipe your tears dry."

The two words "outsider" seemed understated, yet they carried weight.

Xiao Youlan's expression was indifferent; he entered the hall and paid his respects one by one, "Greetings, Father Emperor. Greetings, Virtuous Consort, Fourth Brother."

Xiao Mingyu wiped away the Virtuous Consort's tears, turned his head, and nodded with a smile, "Crown Prince."

Although the tears on the Virtuous Consort's face were wiped away, her eyes remained watery and red. She gave Xiao Youlan an apologetic smile, "I am truly sorry, I have let the Crown Prince see a joke."

She then instructed the palace maid, "Quick, set a seat for the Crown Prince and serve tea."

Xiao Youlan did not refuse.

The Emperor asked, "Why have you come here?"

The palace maid brought over a chair, and Xiao Youlan sat down calmly, replying, "This son originally had matters to discuss with Father Emperor, but hearing that Father Emperor had come to the Virtuous Consort's place, I came over as well."

He glanced sideways at Xiao Mingyu, revealing a trace of concern, "I heard outside the door just now that Fourth Brother was injured; I wonder when this happened?"

He actually knew; it was an injury sustained at the gambling den, but he pretended not to know.

Xiao Mingyu did not respond directly to the matter of the gambling den, only saying, "Many thanks for the Crown Prince's concern, it was not today. Today, I am grateful for the Crown Prince's timely assistance, otherwise, I fear this injury would have worsened."

The Emperor gave an "Oh?" and asked, "You saved Mingyu today?"

"This son went to the military camp today and happened to run into Fourth Brother being attacked on the way back to the city."

The palace maid brought over freshly brewed tea. The Virtuous Consort sniffled and said, "I am truly grateful to the Crown Prince today. This is lotus leaf tea dried right here in my palace; I hope the Crown Prince will not mind."

Xiao Youlan followed the social convention, took it in his hand, and brought it near his nose to sniff, "The fragrance is overflowing and refreshing. Many thanks, Virtuous Consort."

The Virtuous Consort's face lit up with joy, "I was worried that the Crown Prince, being of noble birth, usually drinks the precious teas presented from everywhere, and I feared you would not be used to this lotus leaf tea. Seeing that you like it, I am relieved. If you like it, you might as well take some. Mingyu often uses this lotus leaf tea to entertain guests at his residence."

Xiao Youlan raised an eyebrow.

Xiao Mingyu uses such ordinary lotus leaf tea to entertain guests?

Does the Virtuous Consort believe it herself after saying it?

Who doesn't know that Prince Duan loves luxury, to the point where he wishes his rooms were built of pure gold.

But his expression remained unchanged, and he said calmly, "Then many thanks, Virtuous Consort."

Because he was present, the three of them could not continue their reminiscing and laughter. Before long, the Emperor stood up, "Let's go."

Leaving the Virtuous Consort's place, Xiao Youlan walked side-by-side with the Emperor toward the study.

The Emperor spoke leisurely: "Speak, why did you come to find me, what is it exactly?"

Xiao Youlan did not hide it: "First, it is about matters in the military camp; second, it is about Zhong Yun."

Hearing the two words "Zhong Yun," the Emperor turned his face, "What is wrong with Zhong Yun?"

"This son has ordered for Zhong Yun to be sent to Baoci Palace."

The Emperor showed displeasure, "I have said it before, you are to be the Emperor in the future. The Zhong family girl is beneficial to you, so you should keep her in the Eastern Palace. If you don't like her, just see her less often; it is no big deal. Can you not even endure this?"

Xiao Youlan had long guessed that the Emperor would definitely oppose him sending Zhong Yun away.

Upon hearing this, he lowered his eyes, and after a moment, said in a low voice: "Father Emperor's tone just now when speaking to Fourth Brother was much gentler."

The Emperor was startled.

He looked at his eldest legitimate son, his anger gradually dissipating. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice softened, "I... did not mean that."

The words clearly carried guilt.

This was precisely the reason Xiao Youlan had ultimately decided to come here.

By making his father feel ashamed and pity for him, the words he would say next would be more persuasive.

Xiao Youlan kept his eyes lowered and said: "Father Emperor actually misunderstood this son. This son sending Zhong Yun to Baoci Palace this time is not because I cannot endure it, but because I hope that in the future, the Zhong family girl can truly be of help to my ascension to the throne."

Emperor Yongzheng was puzzled, "What does this mean?"

"When this son went to the military camp, I brought a woman by my side. Zhong Yun was dissatisfied with this and secretly tampered with her clothes, injuring that woman."

Xiao Youlan raised his eyes and looked at Emperor Yongzheng calmly and earnestly, "Just as Your Majesty said, this son will not marry only one woman in the future. If I indulge Zhong Yun in such jealous and vicious behavior, it will only worsen, and the inner palace will inevitably fall into chaos, which will certainly affect the stability of the imperial court and the world. That is why I sent her to Baoci Palace, to let her learn the rules under Grandmother and follow the Momo. Only then will she learn to be content with her lot, obedient, and virtuous."