Chapter 264 - Sharing
Nianzu skipped breakfast as he wanted his mother to wake up first. Han Wenji told Nianzu to have a meal, but he refused. Eunuch Jin came to the Emperor and whispered something in his ear. "I have some urgent work. Inform me when Lady Hui will be awake," Han Wenji asserted. Nianzu bowed and stayed in that position until the Emperor walked out of the room.
Once the Emperor left, Nianzu lifted his head and looked at Chuntao. "Why is she taking so much time to wake up?" Nianzu worriedly asked.
"Your highness, it's because of the medicines," Chuntao replied and looked at Deng Hui, who had opened her eyes.
"Your highness, the Virtuous Lady is awake," Chuntao jumped in happiness. Nianzu quickly looked at his mother and sat on the stool beside the bed.
"P-Prince Nianzu," she murmured and tried to get up. Nianzu helped his mother while Chuntao put some pillows behind her back.
"Give me a glass of water," Nianzu told Chuntao, who filled the glass from the jar and handed it to Nianzu. Nianzu helped his mother to drink the water. Wiping the mouth of her mother from the handkerchief, Nianzu asked, "How are you feeling? Why did you not take your meals properly? Do you know how scared I was after seeing you in this state?"
Deng Hui faintly smiled. "How could I when my son didn't come to me after that day? I am absolutely fine now," Deng Hui said.
"Forgive me for that day, mother. I will never do such a thing," Nianzu said and looked at Chuntao. "Bring breakfast for us." Chuntao bowed and walked out of the chamber. She informed Eunuch Chung about the waking up of Lady Deng Hui, who told a maidservant to inform the Emperor regarding that.
After taking their breakfasts, Nianzu gave medicines to his mother and told her to take a rest. He called a maidservant there and told her to look after his mother.
Nianzu came back to his chamber with Eunuch Chung and Chuntao. As he got seated on a chair, he recalled that Chuntao was supposed to go to her village today. "Miss, I completely forgot that you were supposed to go to your village for a day. You can leave now," Nianzu proclaimed.
"His highness might need me for work. I will go some other day," Chuntao humbly said, lowering her head.
"Today is a free day. I have only limited work which I will complete myself," Nianzu replied. "You might not get time later, that's why go today. Enjoy your day," said Nianzu with a tiny smile on his lips. He opened the drawer of the desk and took out a pouch with coins in it.
He placed the pouch on the desk and said, "Take this. It is your monthly wage that you have earned."
Chuntao was astonished to see that the Prince was giving her wage quite earlier. "But, your highness, there are still five days left for this month to get over," Chuntao stated.
Eunuch Chung picked the pouch and handed it to Chuntao. "If his highness is giving it earlier, then you should not refuse. You worked hard, so keep it."
Nianzu smiled and agreed with Eunuch Chung. "I will get busy, then I might forget to give you this. There are three marriages in the palace so, I will be busy with that," Nianzu affirmed.
Chuntao nodded and thanked the Fourth Prince. She was contented to see the wages that she had earned. But then she recalled that she had to pay her debts as well. "Your highness, I need to give you the first installment of the debt I have taken from you." She opened the pouch when Nianzu stopped her.
"Miss, you do not need to give. What will I do with this money? I have been provided with everything. Let's forget about this debt thing," Nianzu pronounced. Eunuch Chung was not surprised to see this side of his master. Nianzu usually loved helping vulnerable people like this.
"But, your highness, I cannot take your money. I came to the Palace because of this sole reason that is to pay your debt back," Chuntao stressed in her words.
"Miss, then use this money somewhere. I will be happy if you use this money for a good cause. I brought you to the Palace because of your observation skills which I need. I want to see the Empire from the eyes of a commoner. That time you were not agreeing so, I had no option other than that," Nianzu affirmed. Chuntao agreed to the Fourth Prince and again thanked him.
"You may go now," Nianzu said. Chuntao bowed and left the chamber.
"Your highness, can I say something?" Eunuch Chung asked.
"Hmm."
"His highness is too good to Miss Chuntao. It is unusual of you. His highness did not only teach Miss Chuntao how to read and write but also taught her music. Forgive me if I sound rude, your highness," Eunuch Chung humbly said.
Nianzu smiled. "A diligent woman like her must be taught. Knowledge increases by sharing," Nianzu replied.
"Pardon me, your highness, but the people around you might see it in the other way," Eunuch Chung asserted. Nianzu understood what Chung was trying to say.
"Miss Chuntao will leave the Palace soon. Since we could not help her family, that's why I decided to take care of her for a short period of time," Nianzu explained to Eunuch Chung, who nodded his head.
"I understand, your highness." He went to a shelf there, and brought the three scrolls with him which needed the stamp of the Advisor.
"The First Prince sent these scrolls yesterday," putting them on the desk, Eunuch Chung informed the Fourth Prince. who nodded and opened one of them.
After reading them thoroughly, Nianzu opened the second drawer and took out the stamp. He stamped on the scrolls and approved the decision- on changing the officials' pay structure for three months.
"I will give them to the First Prince," Nianzu said. After the ink of the stamp dried, he folded the scrolls and left for the Office of the Governor.