The Second Prince had just stepped off the stairs when he immediately raised both hands in a salute to Lord Jingnan, who was seated on the Pi Beast, saying, "Nephew respectfully welcomes Uncle back to the capital!"
There was no explanation, as if all the previous questioning and embarrassment had simply vanished.
Even Zheng Fan, as a third party, felt a stir of admiration for the Second Prince’s response.
This Ji Runhao certainly knows how to father impressive sons; each one is far from simple.
Lord Jingnan dismounted. Instead of helping up the bowing Second Prince, he walked straight into the prince’s residence. Zheng Fan and his 100 personal guards followed him in. The remaining Jingnan troops stayed put outside.
Once everyone had entered, the Second Prince finally straightened up. He glanced at Li Yinglian, whose gaze flickered evasively.
The layout of the Prince’s Residence was quite different from the terraced villas Zheng Fan had imagined. Outside, there was a large courtyard with a main gate. Inside, there were smaller, individual courtyards, each with several entrances and exits, belonging to different individuals.
In reality, palace attendants were responsible for delivering three meals a day, but it was obvious that not many princes actually ate the food provided here. The Sixth Prince had said that out of the six princes living there, only he sent someone to fetch his meals every day, claiming it was because he abided by the rules.
In Zheng Fan’s view, however, this fellow owned his own restaurants—with several branches of the Quande Building’s roast duck shops in the capital and a few in the surrounding counties. To eat at public expense for every meal despite that was truly shameless.
The Second Prince’s inner residence occupied the best position among all the others. It was central, facing the main gate of the Prince’s Residence. His elder brother’s inner residence was to its left, while the one on the right was vacant. However, the Eldest Prince rarely lived here as he commanded the Tiancheng garrison and thus primarily stayed in the military camp.
Upon entering, Lord Jingnan went directly to a pavilion and sat down. Maids immediately served tea and pastries. The maids all approached, trembling. This was hardly surprising, with so many unfamiliar, armored soldiers standing guard; anyone in their place would be intimidated.
Zheng Fan continued to stand behind Lord Jingnan in his usual lackey’s position.
There was no place for him to sit and drink tea here. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍
The Second Prince hurried over and, at the same time, ordered Li Yinglian, "Quickly, go fetch the Wuchuan Peach Blossom Wine that was gifted to me for my uncle to taste."
Lord Jingnan waved his hand. "There’s no need. I just had some at Chengjue’s place."
Just then, a man in a scholar’s robe walked in from outside the pavilion. He moved with light steps and had a distinguished appearance. Dressed in his white robe, he reminded Zheng Fan of Huo Jianhua in a period drama.
When the man walked into the pavilion, the Second Prince rose first and greeted him, "Teacher."
The other man immediately returned the greeting, "Your Highness."
According to the rules of Yan State, after coming of age, each prince was assigned a eunuch as his Attendant and a tutor to instruct him. It was similar to how Chengjue had Master Zhang and Chen Guangting by his side. However, these assignments had their nuances. Why did Chen Guangting and Master Zhang share such a close bond, like kindred spirits? It was because both were individuals who had faced setbacks in their respective paths and were thus assigned to an idle prince like Chengjue.
As for the Attendants and tutors of those princes who had a chance to enter the East Palace and eventually ascend to the throne (Dabao), there was a high probability that one would eventually head the Ministry of Rites and the other become a Prime Minister.
"This subject, Qi Simiao, pays his respects to Lord Jingnan," Qi Simiao bowed to Lord Jingnan.
"Kneel," Lord Jingnan said.
Qi Simiao was stunned for a moment, as was the Second Prince. Li Yinglian, standing beside them, appeared stunned on the surface but inwardly gloated at Qi Simiao’s predicament. Qi Simiao’s face flushed then paled, but he did not kneel.
Over the years, the civil officials in Yan State had become increasingly influenced by the customs of Qian State. This was natural; everyone wanted a better life. After all, Qian State was a paradise for civil officials, so learning from them was essential. If Qian State had been known for summarily executing its civil officials, they certainly wouldn’t have been emulated.
"Reporting to Your Lordship, this humble subject is of the Fifth Rank."
"Reporting to Your Lordship, this humble subject holds no noble title."
Qi Simiao took a deep breath. He still did not wish to kneel. The Second Prince, standing to the side, opened his mouth as if to speak. His teacher was a renowned scholar in Yan State and the junior fellow apprentice of the current Prime Minister. His essays and poetry set trends throughout Yan State, and he was naturally a man of immense integrity and lofty principles.
Just then, Zheng Fan sighed inwardly.
When you’re with a leader, you need to understand that when he extends his fingers, he wants a cigarette lit. You need to grasp that when he shifts his backside, he needs Vaseline. You need to know, when he’s going to get a room, whether to bring Durex or Jissbon. Ah, well, since I’ve already thoroughly trampled the dignity of the scholars, adding a bit more hatred from the Yan State literati doesn’t really matter.
Zheng Fan stepped forward and kicked Qi Simiao squarely in the back of the knee.
Qi Simiao instantly buckled and fell to his knees. He then looked up, glaring furiously at Zheng Fan.
The Second Prince, who was standing to the side, swallowed the words he had been about to say.
Lord Jingnan picked up a pastry, took a bite, and chewed slowly.
For a moment, the air in the pavilion grew exceptionally tense.
Lord Jingnan unhurriedly finished the pastry in his hand. He then reached out, took a kerchief from a nearby maid, wiped his hands, and finally asked, "Regarding the incident at the post station outside Yin City, who instructed you to arrange it?"