PNB Chapter 541: Let Them Get In Here
Chapter 541: Let Them Get In Here
When Prince Cheng ordered the elite cavalry to station themselves on the spot, Prince Li advised him that such action was unnecessary. When a vassal king from outside the Capital City enters, at most two hundred cavalry may accompany him into the city.
Yet Prince Cheng insisted on bringing only twenty riders.
Now at the city’s gate, as long as Prince Li spoke to open the gate, they could enter the city ahead of time, but Prince Cheng refused again.
Encouraging Prince Cheng to enter the city early wasn’t because Prince Li wanted to return to his residence’s Anle Residence early, but because he wanted Prince Cheng to do more and thus commit more mistakes.
Be it Prince Cheng or Prince Zhuang, they were both obstacles to him.
Regardless of Prince Cheng’s intentions, suppressing and calculating against him first was never wrong.
Unfortunately, Prince Cheng didn’t listen at all; he only cared whether Concubine Cheng was tired, telling her to quickly get on the carriage to rest and that she should be awakened when the city gates opened.
So caring and meticulous!
Prince Li sneered inwardly; even after more than twenty years, was he not tired of it yet? Although that woman, Lu Qianxue, looked young, she was over thirty; could she really compare to a young maiden?
The world is vast, with countless beauties; as a man, he has no grand ambitions; as a prince, he sees no supreme throne, only revolving around a woman, and only one woman at that—what an accomplishment!
When Prince Cheng rested, everyone else had no choice but to get into their respective carriages.
The five carriages from the Cheng Prince Mansion were parked there, with twenty elite cavalry guarding them on either side, while the other carriages parked to the side.
Prince Li looked at the parking arrangement of the Cheng Prince Mansion’s carriages, a profound look flashing in his eyes. Old Fifth had indeed spent time in the military and frequently dealt with bandits on the borders of Yunzhou, so Prince Cheng was rightly vigilant, not changing even after arriving in the Capital City!
Half an hour quickly passed, and before anyone could even nap, the sound of the city gates opening was heard. The travel-worn, hungry and tired group suddenly relaxed, feeling almost a sense of happiness.
In the palace, it was once again time for the morning court, albeit a small court session held in Longyu Hall with only key officials present.
The Emperor discussed state affairs with the ministers for a while, when a report came in: "Reporting to the Emperor, Prince Cheng seeks an audience outside the hall!"
The Emperor paused, then said, "Prince Cheng’s journey was tiring, and he has not rested yet; he must also be hungry. Instruct the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a meal and send it to Yuliu Pavilion! Have Prince Cheng meet after he has eaten!"
The ministers were taken aback; had Prince Cheng returned to the Capital City?
Even though Prince Cheng seldom returned to the Capital City over the past twenty years, the Emperor still held him in high regard, even considering whether he had eaten before summoning him?
At this moment, the Emperor added, "Send someone to Prince Zhuang Mansion and instruct Prince Zhuang to enter the palace immediately!"
Prince Cheng had returned, yet the Emperor did not meet him right away and summoned Prince Zhuang first? Truly, the Emperor’s mind was unfathomable; they had no clue of his intentions.
When the eunuch returned with the message, the Emperor asked, "What was Prince Cheng’s reaction?"
The eunuch replied, "In response to the Emperor, Prince Cheng thanked Your Majesty for your grace, stated he wasn’t hungry, and remained outside the hall, not going to Yuliu Pavilion!"
The Emperor wasn’t surprised; it seemed he was as stubborn as twenty years ago. He simply furrowed his brows and said, "Then let him wait!" and continued discussing state affairs with the ministers.
After a short while, the sound of a quarrel erupted from outside, which interrupted the discussion inside. The Emperor, displeased, asked, "What is this commotion outside?"
A eunuch hurriedly reported, "Responding to the Emperor, Prince Zhuang has entered the palace, and upon encountering Prince Cheng outside, a dispute arose, and now they have come to blows."
The Emperor’s face darkened: "Outrageous! Order the both of them to get in here!"
Shortly after, the two came forward and kneeled in front of the hall.
Prince Zhuang’s right eye was bruised, and his lip was split. Prince Cheng limped, both looking somewhat disheveled, faces filled with anger, glaring at each other as if they were foes.
Once the city gates opened, Prince Li and his group entered the city, and at the Cheng Prince Mansion in the Capital City, Uncle Chen was already waiting to receive them. Prince Li, hungry and tired, said, "Fifth Imperial Brother, now that we’re in the Capital, freshen up and prepare before going to the palace to see Father. I shall return to the mansion to change clothes before entering the palace to meet His Majesty!"
The brothers parted ways not far from the city gate, as the Left and Right Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Rites, noticing the dust on themselves, thought it wouldn’t be appropriate to enter the palace for an audience in such a state after only sleeping rough for a night, so they each returned to their mansions.
However, Prince Cheng only had the elite cavalry escort Concubine Cheng back to the Prince Mansion; he himself went directly to the palace.
The Emperor was unsurprised when he didn’t meet him, so Prince Cheng waited outside.
Then, Prince Zhuang arrived.
Upon seeing Prince Cheng, Prince Zhuang’s eyes flared with anger: "You wretch, pretending all this time. Finally, you show your face? Come with me to see Father; I will expose your true colors and have Father punish you!"
Prince Cheng walked towards Prince Zhuang and, without a word, threw a punch.
His iron fist flew like the wind. Prince Zhuang let out a miserable cry, the punch landing squarely on his right eye, which was the cause of his bruised eye.
Enraged, Prince Zhuang cursed, "Old Fifth, are you a mad dog? How dare you hit me?"
Prince Cheng’s eyes were icy: "I’m hitting you. What has Jingchen done to you for you to harm him so ruthlessly? Hitting you is too lenient; I’ll kick you to death!"
With that, he kicked, knocking Prince Zhuang over.
Prince Zhuang grew even angrier, having been caught off-guard before, but now hit twice.
Dare Old Fifth hit him?
He cursed angrily, "What right do you have to hit me? You killed my son, and I killed yours; we are even! If anything, I’m more at loss, losing two additional sons and much of my assets."
Those were his assurances, his capital, yet they were mostly destroyed—such humiliation was intolerable.
Thus, he threw a punch while cursing: "You also killed my Wei’er, I’ll beat you to death!"
But Prince Cheng merely tilted his head, dodging the punch while landing another one, causing the two brothers to brawl outside.
The commotion grew louder, finally alarming the Emperor inside the hall.
Seeing their disheveled appearances, the Emperor was exasperated, exclaiming, "Are you both rebelling? Daring to fight right outside my hall!"
Prince Cheng walked up, then knelt with a thud!
Prince Zhuang followed, kneeling quickly.
Prince Cheng, without a word, kowtowed three times, then three more.
Though facing the Emperor required kneeling, such a grand ceremony wasn’t necessary; even after many years hadn’t seen the Emperor, three kowtows were enough for a high ceremony.
The officials inside the hall stared at Prince Cheng in bewilderment, the Emperor’s anger subsided somewhat.
After all, this son rarely came to the Capital, and even if he had angered him those years ago, he was still his son.
The Emperor grunted, "Why perform such a grand ceremony?"
Prince Cheng looked up, his eyes bloodshot, gazing at the Emperor. His look seemed to contain endless sorrow, his demeanor weary, face still bearing the marks of travel; his voice hoarse, laced with grief and despair, he rasped, "Father, may I ask where my son Jingchen is?"