iiChapter 770 - Love the Country, Love Freedom More (1/2)
The young girl slept in Xuan Tian Ming’s embrace; however, the person that lay awake had his sleepiness chased away by what she had just said. Holding the little person in his embrace, he pondered over her words; however, a bitter smile appeared on his face in the end.
Was this country good? Was the throne good? Did he want it? He had never wanted it! He, Xuan Tian Ming, from a young age had never wanted to become an emperor. Ever since he became conscious of his actions, ever since he had realized that he was a prince, he had never thought of receiving the heavy responsibility of the country from his Father Emperor. His aspirations lay in the world; however, it did not lie with assuming the throne and overlooking the world and governing it. Instead, it was to bring this girl around the world and give her absolute freedom.
In the end, he was Imperial Concubine Yun’s child, and he also had that love for freedom that Imperial Concubine Yun had many years ago. But at the same time, he was also the Emperor’s son, and he also had the innate feelings of a ruler. Over the years, he had suppressed his desire for freedom and put forth all of his might to help the Emperor take care of this country. Loving all of the citizens in the country, and everyone knew that of the Emperor’s many children, the ninth prince was the one that the Emperor favored the most. In the future, the one that was most likely to assume the throne would also be the ninth prince; however, there were no people that knew that none of this was what the ninth prince truly desired…
The next day at dawn, Xuan Tian Ming got up early to attend court. After the 23rd day of the 12th month, Da Shun’s court would be closed. All matters from before the end of the year would be taken care of during this time. Even for Xuan Tian Ming, who had just returned to the capital, he would not get a single day’s rest.
There was nothing for Feng Yu Heng to do, as she continued to sleep for a while after Xuan Tian Ming left. When she woke up, Lady Zhou told her that Xuan Tian Ming had left a message that told her to wait in the palace. When court was dismissed, the two would go to the Lu manor together and deliver the gift that the eighth prince had entrusted him to Lu Yan.
Feng Yu Heng felt that it was entertaining, as the eighth prince had taken it seriously and listened to Noble Lady Yuan’s words, telling him to marry Lu Yan. He had even prepared some gifts for the new year. This sort of child that listened to his mother also had the ambition to usurp the throne. Who knew exactly where he landed between childish and mature. Or perhaps, in the eighth prince’s mind, Noble Lady Yuan had a very good understanding of the situation in court, such that he felt that marrying the Lu family’s young miss was the right decision. After all, Lu Song was still the left prime minister. He, the eighth prince, was famous in the South; however, he had a great shortcoming when it came to knowledge to the court and the power of government officials.
She peacefully sat in the palace for the entire morning until Xuan Tian Ming finally returned from court at noon. The two ate lunch then brought the new year’s gift that the eighth prince had prepared over to the Lu family. There did not look to be many gifts, and Xuan Tian Ming said to have them placed in a chest to make it easier to move around. That way, they would not need a large number of servants and make it a rowdy procession. As a result, they ended up filling two chests, which caused Feng Yu Heng to sigh over the eighth prince’s sincerity.
Xuan Tian Ming, however, laughed and told her: “This prince also bought quite a few nice things from the South for you. Later on, I’ll carry them to the imperial daughter’s manor for you.”
The two chatted and laughed as they arrived at the Lu family’s residence. Lu Song had also just returned from court not too long earlier. Upon seeing that Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng had personally come to visit, he was quite frightened. He thought that something had happened, as the entire family kneeled in horror to salute. Lu Song truly could not endure and asked: “Your Highness, Imperial Daughter, suddenly coming to visit, is something the matter?”
Xuan Tian Ming nodded and waved his hand. The servants carried in two chests, and he finally said to Lu Song: “Coming back from the South this time, this prince left first. Coming back to the capital first, His Highness the eighth prince asked this prince to bring some things back to be sent to Young Miss Lu.” After saying this, he pointed at the two chests and continued: “The majority are some accessories and clothes. In the South, they are considered good things. Prime Minister Lu, have the young miss accept them!”
Lu Song was startled. He never thought that Xuan Tian Ming had come to help the eighth prince deliver a gift, and he was even more surprised that the eighth prince had really prepared some gifts from the South for Lu Yan. He originally thought that Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng had come looking to stir up some trouble. For it to suddenly become a good thing, he was a little unable to recover.
It was his wife, Ge shi, who gave him a tug then spoke up, saying with a smile: “Many thanks Your Highness the ninth prince and Imperial Daughter for specially coming.” She then turned around and pulled Lu Yan forward, saying: “This is the one that was allowed to become engaged to His Highness the eighth prince thanks to His Majesty and the noble lady. Her name is Lu Yan. Yan’er, quickly greet His Highness and Imperial Daughter!”
Lu Yan quickly bowed and respectfully saluted to Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng. While saluting, her gaze drifted unconsciously over to the two chests. The chests still had not been opened, but she had just seen that the servants carrying them in had used quite a bit of strength. Thinking about it, there were definitely quite a few heavy objects inside, and she could not help but smile. Her mood had improved once more, “Yan’er thanks Your Highness for bringing these things back from so far away. Yan’er will definitely keep this grace in mind.”
Xuan Tian Ming waved his hand: “It just happened to be on the way. It can’t be considered a grace. Young Miss Lu must not speak like this. Quickly go and take a look at the gifts.” After saying this, he pulled Feng Yu Heng to the side and said to Lu Song: “This prince has already delivered the items and will not stay any longer. Prime Minister Lu’s opinion in court on the subject of the situation in the South really was unique. This prince wishes to ask for some advice about it at a later time.”
Once these words came out, Lu Song shuddered. Today in court, the matter relating to the South that he spoke of had all been in line with what the eighth prince had said. Now, the ninth prince had come and said this sort of thing. What exactly did this mean? He raised his hand and wiped away some sweat, repeatedly saying: “I don’t dare, I don’t dare. This lowly official had a misconception.”
However, Feng Yu Heng giggled from the side, “Misconception? Lord left prime minister really knows how to joke. Do you know what misconception means? A misconception is an absurd and mistaken opinion. But in court, a place that is solemn and dignified, every word that an official says is an analysis of the country. To be responsible to the Emperor and the country, not to mention every word being accurate and unassailable, but it must only be said after some deep thought. And for the words of lord left prime minister himself to be misconceptions, your conduct is… deceiving the ruler?”