sjar Chapter 755 One prospers, all prosper; one suffers, all suffer. The Crown Prince must bear this debt
Chapter 755 One prospers, all prosper; one suffers, all suffer. The Crown Prince must bear this debt
"Have you heard? The Fifth Prince was sprayed with a cloud of rice powder and turned into an old man with a white beard. His face immediately turned black!"
"That's nothing. The Seventh Prince was in a much worse state. He was surrounded by a group of children, and a cup of hot tea was spilled all over his robe. He was so embarrassed that he stormed off on the spot!"
"Where is the slightest bit of a prince's demeanor? He can't even tolerate a few children. He pretends to be a respectable person all the time, but he's completely exposed when it really matters. No wonder he left his own brother alone on the frozen lake; I think it was intentional!"
Words are like knives, each one drawing blood. The reputation of virtue that the two had painstakingly cultivated over many years was completely washed away in a single day by the innocent laughter of children, leaving only a notorious reputation for being petty and eccentric.
When the news reached the palace, a thunderous roar of anger echoed from the imperial study.
The emperor summoned the fifth and seventh princes and gave them a severe scolding, during which he reportedly smashed a fine Duan inkstone.
Finally, an imperial edict was issued, citing "lack of elder brotherly conduct, eccentric behavior, and unfit to serve as a model," and ordered Zhao Zhang and Zhao Rui to be confined to their residences for one month and fined half a year's salary.
Inside the flower hall of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Gu Qingchen was sitting quietly by the window, holding a book in his hands, but his mind was not on the pages.
Qian Zhenyun walked in slowly, placed a cup of fresh tea beside her, and said in a calm voice that seemed to have settled the dust: "The imperial decree has arrived."
Gu Qingchen raised his eyes, his gaze clear: "So fast?"
“His Majesty is furious,” Qian Zhenyun said succinctly. “The reputations that the two princes have cultivated over a long period of time have been destroyed overnight.”
Gu Qingchen put down his book, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table. There was little smug joy in his eyes, but rather a deep calmness.
She won this round, but it was only the beginning.
Just then, a servant hurried into the flower hall and respectfully reported, "Miss, someone from the palace has arrived. They say that His Highness the Twelfth Prince has sent something."
Gu Qingchen and Qian Zhenyun exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
Zhao Heng?
"Invite him in."
A moment later, a small, unremarkable eunuch was led in.
He kept his head down and took very small steps. When he saw Gu Qingchen, he immediately knelt down to pay his respects, his voice soft and tinged with nervousness.
"This servant greets Miss Gu. His Highness instructed this servant to give this to you."
As he spoke, he respectfully held up an ordinary-looking wooden box with both hands.
Gu Qingchen gestured to the maid beside him to take it. After the eunuch presented the wooden box, he kowtowed again, said nothing more, and bowed as he withdrew.
Qian Zhenyun stepped forward, his eyes filled with inquiry: "Your Highness, Twelfth Prince?"
Gu Qingchen opened the clasp of the wooden box, and the lid swung open with a click. Inside, there were no gold or silver jewels, nor any rare or exotic objects, but simply a small rabbit woven from colorful silk threads. The craftsmanship was slightly clumsy, but the weaver's care was evident.
She picked up the little rabbit, only to find a folded piece of paper under its feet.
Gu Qingchen's heart skipped a beat for no reason. She unfolded the paper, and the scene on it made her breath catch in her throat.
It was a painting, with childish, crooked brushstrokes.
In the center of the painting are two small figures holding hands. One of the figures is wearing a dark blue robe and has a simple crown on its head, representing Crown Prince Zhao Chen'an.
The other little figure was dressed in royal blue, just like Zhao Heng had worn that day. Both little figures had big smiling faces painted on their faces, and they were making faces at the other two little figures with a smug look on their faces.
Opposite them were two little figures with large crosses drawn on their faces, looking mournful.
One was taller and the other was thinner; they resembled the Fifth Prince and the Seventh Prince.
Next to the painting, there was a character written crookedly, but it was still barely legible.
--Thanks.
Gu Qingchen held the thin piece of paper in his hand, his fingertips turning slightly white, but his heart was filled with turbulent emotions.
She always thought that Zhao Heng was just a five-year-old child, a pawn in the Crown Prince's hands, a tool in her whole plan to attack her opponent.
But this painting, this single word, struck her like a thunderbolt, exploding in her mind.
This child understands everything.
He knew who his enemies and allies were. He knew the true purpose of this children's banquet. He even understood that he and the Crown Prince were a community where their fates were intertwined.
He was neither the crown prince's puppet nor a passive pawn.
He was actively choosing his side, expressing his most direct gratitude and sincerest loyalty to her, his "ally," in his own way.
Qian Zhenyun also saw the painting. The slight surprise on his face slowly turned into a deep look. He stared at the childish yet shocking painting for a long time before speaking in a deep voice.
"It seems we all underestimated this Twelfth Prince."
His gaze shifted from the painting to the deep sky outside the window, and his eyes sharpened.
"He may become the sharpest and most unpredictable knife in the Crown Prince's hands."
Gu Qingchen slowly folded the thin piece of paper and carefully placed it back into the wooden box, along with the clumsy, colorful silk rabbit.
She closed the lid, and the soft "click" seemed to temporarily shut out all the turbulent waves inside.
“He is not a knife.” Gu Qingchen raised his head, looking at Qian Zhenyun with clear eyes, his tone calm but firm. “He is a person, a living, breathing person. Since he is an ally, we cannot only think about using him, but also know how to protect him.”
A five-year-old child, at the very center of the enormous vortex of the royal family, is able to so clearly distinguish friend from foe, and even knows how to proactively show goodwill and solidify alliances. This level of intelligence is both astonishing and heartbreaking.
Qian Zhenyun looked at her, a hint of agreement flashing in his eyes: "What you say is true, Miss. But, with His Highness the Twelfth Prince being so intelligent, will His Highness the Crown Prince... know about this?"
That's the key issue.
If Crown Prince Zhao Chen'an knew and had been secretly grooming Zhao Heng, then the Crown Prince's thoughts were far more profound than his outward gentleness and benevolence suggested.
If he didn't know, then Zhao Heng's "knife" was a sharp blade whose edge even the wielder himself hadn't realized.
Gu Qingchen stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the clear outline of the withered branches in the courtyard, illuminated by the winter sun.
"Whether he knows it or not, His Highness the Twelfth Prince's actions have bound himself, me, and the Crown Prince even more deeply together."
She said softly, "We are all in this together, whether we prosper or suffer. The Crown Prince must accept this favor."