Chapter 65: A Gentleman’s Revenge Is Never Too Late
Since there was still quite some time before the birthday celebration officially began, there weren’t many guests yet, which gave Emperor Chu Wendi and Chu Ziqian a chance to be alone.
“Greetings to the Retired Emperor.” Chu Ziqian bowed respectfully with a grand gesture. Since he was no longer a prince, he could no longer address him as “Imperial Father.”
“Qian’er, rise quickly.” Chu Wendi, his eyes rimmed with red, helped Chu Ziqian up. “It has been so long. Zhen has been extremely worried about your current situation… Are you well?”
Chu Ziqian felt a warmth in his heart, realizing that while he had been worrying about his father, his father had been worrying about him. Once stripped of the titles of Emperor and Crown Prince, his father’s expression towards him became exceptionally kind.
“This son is well in all respects. But Father, I heard you have been unwell recently?”
“Some time ago, Zhen was indeed uncomfortable, suffering from nightmares and insomnia at night. But Mo’er invited a doctor named Ji Hua to treat Zhen. Surprisingly, despite his young age, his medical skills seem better than those old fogies in the Imperial Hospital. Zhen is much better these days.”
Chu Ziqian breathed a sigh of relief. At the very least, although Chu Lianmo had usurped the throne, he still cared for their father. “That is good.”
“Nan’er,” Chu Wendi looked at Jiang Yingnan. “Didn’t you and Qian’er divorce before? Are you back together now?”
Jiang Yingnan blushed slightly. “Answering the Retired Emperor, yes.”
Chu Ziqian said with eyes full of deep affection, “Ah Nan has followed me since he was sixteen. We have weathered many storms over the years to finally be together in peace. I will cherish this opportunity given by the Heavens. In this life, I will treat him well and do my utmost to make up for all I owe him!”
“Very good, very good.” Chu Wendi revealed a gratified smile. “Nan’er is a child Zhen watched grow up. He is intelligent and has a gentle temperament; truly a good match. Zhen just didn’t know before that you two shared such deep feelings for so many years.”
“Heh,” Chu Ziqian suddenly smiled meaningfully. “Did the Retired Emperor not ask me before why I had no children after being married to Liu Min for so many years? It was because I never touched her. From beginning to end, only Ah Nan was in my heart.”
“…So it was like that…” Chu Wendi was somewhat surprised and felt a bit guilty. “Qian’er, in the past, Zhen was busy with state affairs and never took the time to understand your heart… Now Zhen is quite idle. Come visit Zhen more often when you are free.”
“Yes!” Chu Ziqian suddenly felt that perhaps Jiang Ruobin was right. Chu Lianmo had obtained that position, but he might not be the winner of everything.
“However, if you have no children, what will happen when you grow old?” Chu Wendi changed the subject. “By the way, you previously adopted Lin’er out. How are things between you two now?”
Chu Ziqian smiled bitterly at this question. “I am now a commoner, and Lin’er is a Prince. How can I still be his father?”
Chu Wendi said, “His biological father is not by his side. Even if you don’t have the title of father and son, you can still guide him more. When you are old, he will naturally care for you with all his heart.”
Chu Ziqian fell into thought.
Chu Tianlin’s current situation was indeed a bit subtle. Although Chu Lianmo had granted him a separate manor, implying he should stand on his own, the problem was that while Chu Yunxuan, who was only a year older, had the capability to establish his own household in the Eastern Palace, Chu Tianlin still had the temperament of a child. He really did need someone to guide him.
“Thank you for the suggestion, Retired Emperor.”
After wishing Chu Wendi a happy birthday that day, Jiang Yingnan went to find Chu Lianmo and made a request.
Chu Lianmo did not object.
The next day, Jiang Yingnan and Chu Ziqian went to find Chu Tianlin to express their intentions.
“What! You’re going to supervise my studies too!” Chu Tianlin’s eyes went wide. “I thought I was finally free!”
Jiang Yingnan smiled. “I was your teacher once, after all. It is only right to care about your studies now. The Emperor has also nodded in agreement to this.”
“But… but…” Chu Tianlin looked pitifully at Chu Ziqian. “Eldest Imperial Uncle, can you please not have such high demands for me anymore? Can you stop hitting my palms at the slightest mistake?”
Chu Ziqian smiled faintly. “I am no longer your ‘Eldest Imperial Uncle,’ so naturally I won’t hit you. As for how you are taught, we will prioritize Ah Nan’s opinion.”
“Ooh…” While Chu Tianlin breathed a sigh of relief, he faintly felt that although Jiang Yingnan looked gentle, there was a part of him that was also terrifying.
Jiang Yingnan was looking at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. “Lin’er must be obedient from now on. No more skipping class, and definitely no more pranks on the teacher, okay?”
“…I… I understand,” Chu Tianlin answered tremblingly.
A few days later, he ran to the Crown Prince’s palace in tears to complain to Chu Yunxuan. “Brother, save me! I finally understand! Uncle Jiang didn’t dare be too fierce with me before, but now he’s simply too scary, too scary! I tore the teacher’s book, and he punished me by making me glue it back together page by page and copy it three times… Boohoo, that book is so thick, my hand is so sore and painful!”
“I think you deserve it.” Chu Yunxuan glared at him. “Didn’t I tell you not to play pranks anymore?”
“…Waaah, now even you are so fierce, Brother! Daddy is in jail, Mommy remarried, nobody loves Lin’er anymore!” Chu Tianlin sat on the ground and started throwing a tantrum, rolling around.
Chu Yunxuan found it secretly amusing but kept a straight face. “Imperial Father taught me that as the Crown Prince, one cannot be too mild in temperament; one must have boldness when boldness is required. Look at how old you are, why are you still acting like a three-year-old? Get up, or I’ll hit you.”
Chu Tianlin immediately stopped crying, looking incredulously at Chu Yunxuan, who used to never hit even a kitten or puppy. “You… is this what they call ‘one takes on the color of one’s company’ (being influenced by bad company)?”
This remark almost made Chu Yunxuan burst out laughing. Fortunately, his expression management was very strong.
Takes on the color of one’s company… Using that to describe him being influenced by Chu Lianmo (Lianmo contains the character for ‘Ink’) was actually quite fitting.
“Don’t talk nonsense. If Father hears that, do you still want your head?”
“…” Chu Tianlin had no choice but to obediently stand up.
“Your Highnesses,” a servant came over to report at that moment. “Prince Lin’s mother, Madam Sun, is outside asking for an audience.”
“Huh?” Chu Tianlin was stunned. “Didn’t Mom remarry? Why did she run over here?”
Sun Jiaojiao had guessed that Chu Weide wouldn’t be able to get out in this lifetime, so not long after he was imprisoned, she made a scene demanding to remarry. Chu Tianlin had originally disapproved of his mother remarrying so quickly, but he couldn’t stop her.
“This slave does not know the specific situation.”
Chu Yunxuan said, “Let her in then, let’s hear what she has to say.”
Then, Sun Jiaojiao ran in, her face covered in tear stains.
As soon as she entered, she urgently grabbed Chu Tianlin’s hand. “Lin’er, I went to Prince Lin’s Manor to find you but couldn’t, I asked around and found out you came to the Crown Prince’s Palace… You must save Mom!”
“Mom, what’s wrong with you?” Chu Tianlin was just confused.
“Look…” Sun Jiaojiao tearfully rolled up her sleeves, revealing bright red whip marks all over her arms. “That Deng Bing is a beast! He says he loves this sort of thing and whips me every night! I want to leave, but he won’t let me go… Go beg the Emperor to issue a decree for him to divorce me!”
Before Chu Tianlin could speak, Chu Yunxuan spoke up with a sneer, “Wasn’t it you who insisted on marrying this Deng Bing in the first place?”
Recommended Reads
