Chapter 572 - Competitive
Han Wenji stepped back and looked at his son from head to toe. He had put on the commoner's clothes and his shoes were torn. "It must have been tough," Han Wenji said as he patted his arms and then looked into his eyes.
"A little, Imperial Father," Nianzu replied. Han Wenji hummed and put his hands down. He glanced at Chuntao, who still had lowered her eyes. He averted his gaze from her and looked at Deng Hui.
"Prince Nianzu married a commoner after he left this place. I hope her status will not bother you, the other Consorts, and anyone else in the Royal Family," Han Wenji stated, looking at Deng Hui and the others.
"We have no problem," Deng Hui replied and went towards her son. She placed her palm over his left cheek and caressed it. She then grasped his hands and checked them. "Prince Nianzu has lost weight," she said with tearful eyes.
"Imperial Mother, we will make Prince Nianzu eat a lot, and then he will become healthy again," Lei Wanxi pronounced and came forward. Nianzu let go of his mother's hands and stepped towards Lei Wanxi.
"I am angry with Brother Nianzu. He left without even meeting me," asserted Lei Wanxi and averted his gaze.
"Forgive me," Nianzu said with a smile.
"I do not forgive anyone easily," Lei Wanxi said and walked away. Nianzu kept smiling and did not find Yongzheng.
"Where is the Second Brother?" Nianzu asked.
Everyone turned gloomy and he found something was off. He looked at Weng Yu, who started to cry. "Did something happen?" He asked.
"Brother Nianzu, let's go inside first. We will tell you later," the First Prince intervened and came forward. Ying Lili took away Weng Yu while the other Princes take Nianzu and his wife to his chamber.
Han Wenji looked at Deng Hui and said, "Empress Hui, you shall thank the Crown Prince as he was the one who made Prince Nianzu's return possible. I hope the Empress will no longer despise the Crown Prince." The two other Consorts looked at the Empress and wondered what the Crown Prince had done.
Eunuch Chung started to cry as he saw Nianzu in front of him. He got on his knees. "My master, I am glad that you have returned. Without you, this Palace has become deserted," asserted Eunuch Chung. Nianzu got on his knees and picked him up.
"I missed your presence," Nianzu stated.
Eunuch Chung wiped his eyes using the long sleeves of his Hanfu Dress. "This way, Your Highness," Eunuch Chung said politely. Nianzu glanced at Chuntao and grasped her hand. They both walked in followed by the other Princes.
Nothing had been displaced from its original place. Nianzu looked at the desk on which a few books were put. He turned to look at his brothers and asked about the Second Prince.
"Brother Nianzu, we will tell you later. You two shall take rest," Jian Guozhi pronounced and looked at Rong Zemin and Sheng Li. Nianzu did not pressure them and agreed with that. Jian Guozhi and Rong Zemin walked out first. However, Sheng Li stayed inside the chamber.
"Brother has indeed lost his weight," Sheng Li remarked and looked at Chuntao.
"I heard that the previous Village Headman did something to you. Forgive me that you had to suffer from that," Sheng Li stated.
"Brother Sheng, you do not need to apologize. You already did more than enough for us," Nianzu said. Chuntao agreed with her husband's words.
"I will see you later, Brother Nianzu. You two shall take rest," Sheng Li said and left the chamber.
Nianzu looked at Chuntao. "I told you that Brother Sheng takes care of the people close to them," he said and smiled.
Eunuch Chung came inside and informed them that they should take the bath.
"Take Chuntao to the bathhouse. Make sure to give her full assistance," Nianzu ordered Eunuch Chung, who bowed.
Chuntao looked at Nianzu, who gestured to her to follow Eunuch Chung, who left with him. Nianzu removed the headband from his forehead and then left for the bathhouse.
~~~~~
Bai Yaling refused to take the meals as she thought to visit the Shrine first. She got into the palanquin when she heard the voice of Wang Hao.
"Court Lady Xu, I will accompany the Princess with a few soldiers," Wang Hao informed her.
"Yes, General Wang. The Princess has stepped into the palanquin. Shall we leave?" Court Lady Xu asked him.
"Yes," Wang Hao replied and walked ahead. Bai Yaling looked through the translucent curtain and saw he had hopped on the horse.
Court Lady Xu put the curtain away and informed her, "Princess Bai, we are leaving for the Shrine." Bai Yaling nodded her head. Court Lady Xu pushed back the curtain on the window and told the carriers to lift the palanquin.
General Wang pulled the reins and the horse started to walk. The foot soldiers followed him, followed by the carriers. Court Lady Xu was on the left side of the palanquin while the five other maidservants were on the right side.
Bai Yaling recalled the day when she had come to the palace in a palanquin from her home. It brought tears to her eyes. She used to be so competitive that even her cousin sisters were jealous of her. She was so happy when she got selected as the potential bride for the Second Prince.
She took out the handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the tears from her eyes. Putting it back into her pocket, she pushed the curtain away and looked outside. She rested her head against the wooden wall of the palanquin and stared blankly at the trees which were moving back.
Unbeknownst to her, tears rolled over her cheeks which Court Lady Xu noticed. She came close to the palanquin. "Princess Bai, are you alright?" She asked worriedly.
Bai Yaling peered at her and hummed.
"You are crying. Shall I ask them to stop? Do you want to go back to the Palace?" She questioned her.
Bai Yaling wiped those tears from the back of her palms. "No.. I want to visit the Shrine," replied Bai Yaling and pushed the curtain back on the tiny window.