Chapter 12: Dark Clouds Drifting

In the inner palace, the young Crown Prince entered the Longevity Palace with a warm, gentle smile.

Upon seeing him arrive, the palace maids and eunuchs bowed respectfully one after another.

He waved his hand mildly, showing no hint of arrogance.

In the small outer hall, a young boy and girl were playing chess; seeing the Crown Prince, the two stood up.

"Crown Prince Brother!" The boy looked to be about eight or nine years old, possessing skin as white as snow and a face as beautiful as a flower, even more lovely than the girl's.

The little girl beside him was slightly younger than the boy, wearing a soft pink silk cotton skirt, with delicate and bright features. She performed a proper salute. "Your Highness the Crown Prince!" Her voice was sweet and milky.

Standing together, they looked as beautiful as a pair of golden boy and jade girl.

The Crown Prince looked at them with a deep smile for a moment longer than usual. Then, he gave a light cough. "Fifteenth Brother, you didn't go to class?" His expression darkened slightly, but the smile remained in his eyes.

The boy was named Li Chen, his fifteenth brother, the Emperor's youngest son, born to Consort Dong.

Li Chen said with a smile, "Grandmother is making fish-skin shrimp shaomai today, with whole shrimp inside! Master Liu's eyes lit up when he heard about it. I came to keep Grandmother company; in a little while, I'll take a basket back to Master Liu."

"Oh? What food was made in Grandmothers's palace, and how did Master Liu know?"

Li Chen's dark eyes darted around, unsure how to answer. The little girl beside him covered her mouth and giggled.

The Crown Prince also laughed, gave them one more look, and turned to enter the inner hall.

The palace maids serving nearby felt their hearts fluttering wildly when facing this elegant, handsome, and gentle Crown Prince.

The inner hall was as warm as spring, with large pots of Clivia blooming in red and yellow. Incense drifted from a crane-shaped bronze burner... luxurious ornaments were everywhere. In front of a massive screen sat a wide, precious empress chair, where a noble lady in magnificent clothing sat leaning back, dozing off.

"Grandmother?" the Crown Prince called softly.

The woman opened her eyes. It seemed she had indeed fallen asleep; her gaze was hazy for a moment before clearing. Upon recognizing the person before her, she paused slightly before calling out, "Crown Prince?"

"Greetings to Grandmother! If I woke you, it is my fault!" The Crown Prince's smile was as refreshing as a spring breeze.

The Empress Dowager quickly sat up straight. "Why have you come at this time? Quick, sit!"

"Thank you, Grandmother!" The Crown Prince sat in the chair beside the Empress Dowager, appearing both respectful and intimate.

"You've come at just the right time! Today, I had..." She paused, seemingly having forgotten. Someone nearby quickly reminded her, "Empress Dowager, today is fish-skin shrimp shaomai!"

The Empress Dowager smiled somewhat sheepishly. "Quickly, go steam a basket! Pour tea for the Crown Prince!"

"Every time I come to Grandmother's, there is delicious food! I've been so busy today that I haven't even eaten breakfast yet!"

The Empress Dowager scolded him reproachfully, "It shouldn't be that busy, should it? Your Father Emperor is so harsh when he summons people! He doesn't feel for you, but your Grandmother does. I shall have to speak to the Emperor about this later! Furthermore, when there is food and drink ahead, do not be polite. Otherwise, carry a snack on you and sneak a bite when you have time. If you skip meals and then overeat, you'll ruin your appetite."

"Alright! Your grandson will listen to Grandmother!"

"Have you gone to see your Mother Empress yet?"

"Coming to the inner palace, of course I must see Your Ladyship first!"

"That's a good boy. When you go home today, tell your wife to bring Li'er along. I miss them!"

"Yes! Li'er said just yesterday that the spring rolls here are the most delicious!"

"If she comes, I will have them made! Oh, have you seen little Fifteen?"

"He is in the outer hall playing chess with Sister Qing'er!"

The Empress Dowager sighed. "Xiang Qing has had no children her age to play with since she came home, and now that she's in the palace, the princesses have all married. So she asks me about Li'er every day."

"If you can bear it, let Sister Li'er come stay for a few days!"

After some idle chatter and tea, the Crown Prince finally said, "I have good news to tell Grandmother. Your seventh grandson is coming back!"

"Ah?" The Empress Dowager blinked blankly.

In recent years, her memory had become quite poor following a major illness. However, fearing others would notice, she would sometimes pretend. "Oh, coming back is good, coming back is good!"

Feeling that she hadn't actually remembered at all, the Crown Prince smiled even more. "It is my seventh brother, Prince Qi, Li Jing!"

Unsure if the Empress Dowager had remembered, he continued, "He is coming back for the New Year! The whole family reuniting—it's wonderful!"

"You probably don't know yet, but he is quite capable. He won a great victory and achieved great merit over there. When Father Emperor received the news, he was overjoyed!"

The Empress Dowager comforted him, "A prince with such capability is a blessing to the Emperor, and a fortune to you."

"And even more of a fortune to the Imperial Court, the world, and you, Grandmother! Grandmother, your grandson is here to remind you—it has been several years since the Seventh Prince's consort passed, and he still has no wife!"

"His consort... passed away?"

A flash of sharpness passed through the Crown Prince's eyes as he smiled. "Do you remember? Zhou Li, the Fairy Li who was once famous throughout the capital!"

The Empress Dowager's eyes lit up. "Her? Oh, I remember! How many years does it take for such a beautiful person to appear!" she remarked with emotion.

"Indeed!"

The Crown Prince's thoughts drifted for a moment before he focused again. "The position of the Seventh Prince's consort has been vacant for several years. When he returns, Father Emperor will surely arrange for this. But in this world, who has better vision than Your Ladyship? Perhaps you will have to be the one to vet the candidates!"

"I am worthy of those words. I like girls who are both beautiful and graceful. I have several good ones in mind! Leave this matter to me and your Mother Empress!"

When the shaomai was served, the Crown Prince unceremoniously ate a whole basket.

Then, he departed leisurely.

Watching his silhouette disappear at the doorway, the Empress Dowager dropped her warm smile and looked down at the emerald green bracelet on her wrist.

...Is he coming back?

...

Empress Jiang had just dismissed the maids from Consort Dong of the Zixiao Palace and was pressing her brow.

"Mother Empress, what is wrong?" The Crown Prince entered silently and asked with concern.

The Empress was startled. "Why have you come at this time?"

"I just finished some matters in the front. I haven't seen you for many days and missed you! What are you doing?"

The Empress snorted. "Dong Zhaolin is becoming more and more troublesome; there isn't a single day of peace!"

"I was just at the Longevity Palace and saw little Fifteen playing chess with the Empress Dowager's grand-niece."

The Empress knew that little Fifteen frequently visited the Empress Dowager's palace.

The cooks in the Empress Dowager's small kitchen were exceptional, and little Fifteen loved the food most; she hadn't paid much attention, but her heart skipped a beat now. "Does she have intentions?"

"The Qian family has lost power for many years; it wouldn't be out of place for her to try to promote them. That pair looks just like a golden boy and jade girl..." A glint flashed in the Crown Prince's eyes as he let out a chuckle.

"Is this appropriate?" Jiang Yi was the Empress and her son was the Crown Prince, making her seem fearless, but she did not dare to let her guard down.

The Crown Prince sneered. "The Qian family cannot be helped much even with support. Little Fifteen is just a small brat; Master Liu said his intellect is average and he has no interest in his studies. What use is it to have Father Emperor's favor? How can he compare to me? Let him be!"

Seeing the Empress still hesitating, he added, "Mother Empress, too much is as bad as too little! What you should focus on is not this. Li Jing is coming back. I have already read the briefing... his merits are solid. Furthermore, I have gathered intelligence that his methods are as ruthless as ever; when he slaughtered that High God Wang, he didn't even leave a dog behind. This time, upon his return..." The Crown Prince's gaze grew deep.

"He truly has a long life!" Empress Jiang said with resentment.

(End of Chapter)