On Zhengde Street!
The eyes of the shops, street vendors, and some passersby along the street were all focused on the two carriages in the Central of the road.
A grand, yet understated, carriage was traveling down Zhengde Street. Everyone, being well-informed, knew that this must be the vehicle of two important figures.
“The one on the left is the Third Prince’s exclusive carriage!”
On a restaurant by the roadside, someone recognized the Third Prince’s carriage.
“Who could make the Third Prince willingly stop his carriage in the street to converse with him?”
Someone asked, puzzled.
“If I’m not mistaken, that should be the Li Manor’s carriage!”
“The Li Manor?”
“It’s General Li, who recently gained great prominence in the military defense map case. I heard he’s about to be promoted and will become a major official in the imperial court!”
Someone said with a solemn expression, while others showed a glint in their eyes, instructing people to send the news back.
The entire Zhengde Street suddenly became somewhat turbulent with undercurrents.
And at this moment, the Central of everyone’s attention.
Li Wenzhong’s expression was solemn. He knew he had been set up. Regardless of the outcome, Emperor Wen and the Crown Prince might both harbor some suspicion and distrust towards him.
He hadn't even taken office yet, and he was already off to a bad start!
“Your Highness, my brother-in-law, I still have matters at home. However, I don’t have concubines giving birth, nor do I need to attend blind dates for concubines. I am absolutely loyal to your sister, so Your Highness can rest assured on that point. We can gather again another day if there’s an opportunity!”
Xia Chen spoke playfully, cupped his hands with a smile, and then lowered the curtain.
The carriage slowly started, leaving the Third Prince’s carriage stopped in the Central of Zhengde Street.
…
“This Li Wenzhong and Xia Chen are truly presumptuous; they don’t show any respect to Your Highness!”
Inside the spacious carriage, a beautiful woman spoke angrily.
“One is Emperor Wen’s man, and the other is the legitimate son of the Xia family. In terms of status, he’s still my brother-in-law. I’m not the Crown Prince, so why would they put me in their eyes?”
Inside the carriage, the Third Prince was expressionless, showing no signs of joy or anger.
“But they were too rude, talking nonsense. Especially that Xia Chen, he even dared to take advantage of Your Highness!”
The yellow-clad maid said indignantly. She was a close attendant of the Third Prince, not an ordinary maid.
“I knew they wouldn't accept my invitation. I specifically came today just to disgust them. Li Wenzhong is destined not to side with me, so I’ll just disgust my Crown Prince brother and my Imperial Father.”
“As for Xia Chen, I did want to win him over. I had always heard rumors in the capital and didn’t pay him much mind, but I saw him make a move at White Moon Tower last time. He truly is a fierce general. Now, even my Imperial Father wants to heavily employ him, which is quite interesting.
Although he is three years younger than me, calling him brother-in-law is indeed a bit shameful, but having this relationship does make it easier to get closer.
He comes from Zhendong Marquis Manor. If I can gain the support of Zhendong Marquis Manor because of him, then with military power in hand, whether I am the Crown Prince or not won’t be as important.”
The Third Prince lay in the yellow-clad maid’s embrace, smiling and talking incessantly, while the yellow-clad maid listened quietly.
While stroking the Third Prince’s head, sometimes she only pretended not to understand, but she wasn’t truly ignorant. She seemed thoughtless, but to gain the Third Prince’s trust, it was certainly not just due to her beauty.
She knew the Third Prince was lonely and sometimes needed someone to talk to and relieve boredom.
At this moment, the Third Prince seemed to have completely opened his heart and his floodgates of words.
“My Imperial Father in his early years was obsessed with the art of immortality, practicing both Taoism and Buddhism. He ascended the throne over 50 years ago, and my eldest brother was only born more than 20 years ago, followed by my second sister and the rest of us.
Although he is infatuated with the art of immortality, he cannot let go of power. He merely uses me as a chess piece to check and balance the Crown Prince.
I know he never intended to pass that position to me. No matter how excellent I am, he won't. I am just a tool in his hands!”
The Third Prince closed his eyes, his tone soft and flat, as if he wasn’t talking about himself, making it impossible to see the sadness in his eyes.
The yellow-clad woman looked at the handsome face of the Third Prince in her arms, gently stroking his forehead, her eyes filled with tenderness.
“If he wants to use me as a tool, then I will be one. If he wants to make me the Crown Prince’s whetstone, then I will sharpen him.
Hahaha, he thinks he can control everything, he thinks he is a god in the mortal world.
Ridiculous!
Does he really think he’s a god?
Controlling everything, I want to see if he truly is a god in the mortal world!”
The Third Prince’s tone grew increasingly indifferent, revealing endless coldness!
…
…
“This Third Prince is truly well-informed. We had just left the palace gates when he followed right after!”
Xia Chen said with interest, playing with a dagger in his hand.
“He seems to be coming for me, but his real target is you!”
Li Wenzhong glanced at Xia Chen.
“He’s just interested in the Zhendong Marquis Manor behind me, that’s all. What a pity, his wishful thinking is wrong. I’m just an unfavored legitimate son in the Marquis Manor!”
Xia Chen said carelessly, not knowing if he was speaking to the Third Prince or to Li Wenzhong.
“Lord Antong indeed doesn’t value you, but your uncle, Xia Qian, isn’t bad to you, is he? He’s the current head of the Xia family!”
Li Wenzhong didn’t even raise his head, his voice drifting into Xia Chen’s ears.
Xia Chen smiled and didn’t continue the conversation on that topic.
…
Li Wenzhong sent Xia Chen to Wendao Street, where Zhendong Marquis Manor was located in the Central of the street.
“Tomorrow, I’m going to report to the Lantern Bearers. What about my duties in the Imperial Guards?”
“Emperor Wen didn’t specify, so it’s likely he wants you to temporarily hold both positions in the Imperial Guards!”
Li Wenzhong pondered for a moment before speaking.
Xia Chen nodded, gracefully jumped off the carriage, then waved his hand and turned to walk into the Marquis Manor.
Upon entering the Marquis Manor, Xia Chen didn’t return to his own courtyard but went directly to his uncle Xia Qian’s courtyard.
Emperor Wen transferred him to the Lantern Bearers, ostensibly to investigate cases and find internal spies, but Xia Chen always felt there was a deeper meaning.
After all, even if there were rifts between him and the Xia family and his father, he still had the Xia family’s blood flowing in his veins. Now the Xia family was immensely powerful, controlling military authority.
Was Emperor Wen not afraid that the Xia family would infiltrate the Lantern Bearers organization and control Great Wu’s intelligence and espionage network?
Xia Chen explained all the circumstances to Xia Qian one by one.
“I understand this matter. You go back first. If there’s any development, I’ll have someone send you a message!”
Xia Qian’s expression was solemn; even he couldn’t figure it out for a while.
Xia Chen nodded and returned to his own courtyard.
Night fell, like a giant dark beast swallowing the entire capital city.
The nightlife for the rich and powerful truly began!
The red-light district!
Nobles, wealthy young masters, and even many officials gathered here.
A piece of news spread among various small groups.
“Have you heard? Today, Emperor Wen personally received Xia Chen, the legitimate son of Zhendong Marquis Manor!”
“How is that possible? Even some of the Vice Ministers in the Six Ministries are rarely summoned by Emperor Wen!”
“It’s true! Do you know what Emperor Wen said when he summoned Xia Chen?”
“Brother Li, hurry up and tell us, don’t keep us in suspense, I’m dying of curiosity!”
“Emperor Wen said: If Xia Chen had pursued a scholarly career from a young age and entered the Hanlin Academy, he would surely become Grand Secretary in 30 years!”
“Hey, Brother Li, why did I hear it was ‘would surely become Grand Secretary in 20 years’?”
“Nonsense! Emperor Wen clearly said that this son has the talent to govern the world, and intended for Xia Chen to replace the current Grand Secretary Lin Hanpu in ten years and become a pillar of our Great Wu!”
…
All social venues like brothels and restaurants were discussing Xia Chen’s summons to the palace by Emperor Wen today, with various versions flying around.
In the end, it was even said that Xia Chen possessed extraordinary talent, and although he was young, his learning and wisdom had already surpassed the current Grand Secretary Lin Hanpu!
…