199 An Ideal Royal Mother
Xiaoming and Liu Jin Yu arrived at the imperial gates. The sun was setting, and birds were returning to their homes. Xiaoming took a deep breath and looked at Liu Jin Yu.
“I hope you will not steal anymore. You can depart the ways of the organization, and live on your own,” Xiaoming suggested to her, taking a pouch from inside his pocket. He put it in the hands of Liu Jin Yu and said, “You can start your work using this money too. Don’t refuse to accept it.”
Liu Jin Yu curled her fingers around the pouch and peered into his eyes again. “Your Royal Highness, you should no longer envy the Sixth Prince. Instead, you can understand what he is. I feel, that if the Crown Prince gets the support of the Sixth Prince, then he doesn’t need to worry too much. It’s just a small piece of advice from his friend,” Liu Jin Yu said with a smile. She extended her hand for a handshake.
Xiaoming outstretched his arm and shook hands with her. “Don’t get into trouble anymore. If you need me, you can come here anytime,” he stated, and withdrew the hand soon before anyone could notice them.
“Go,” Xiaoming told her.
Liu Jin Yu bowed and walked away. After a few seconds, she halted and turned to wave at him. Xiaoming ended up smiling and gestured for her to leave.
Liu Jin Yu bowed again and walked out of the imperial gates. Xiaoming let out a deep sigh and returned to his manor.
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As he stepped in, he found his mother in the chamber. Eunuch Lianying and Eunuch Lishi were present too.
“I am not in a mood to converse with the Royal Mother. Please leave,” Xiaoming said and motioned his hand to the door.
.....
“I will leave after finding out what is in the Crown Prince’s head,” Zhu Liling pronounced. “Eunuch Lishi told me everything. For a petty woman, the Crown Prince removed Eunuch Lishi from his service. Today, the Noble Consort Xiuying was saying how the Crown Prince smiled at a servant. First, he was after Li Hua, and then he found Liu Jin Yu. You are the royal blood who isn’t supposed to mingle with low-class people,” Zhu Liling affirmed.
Xiaoming didn’t say anything and kept listening to her.
“Kang Xi will make her daughter marry either the second or third prince. Prince Qiu Mu will get immense support, and then he may become a danger to Xiaoming,” Zhu Liling said with a worried expression.
“Will Her Majesty leave my chamber? I want to take some rest,” Xiaoming said, completely ignoring her earlier words.
“Crown Prince, how could you be so ignorant? Asking his mother to leave?! Why? I am here to discuss an important matter with him,” Zhu Liling reprimanded him.
“You have ruined my life. I wish I had not been born,” Xiaoming said in anger.
Zhu Liling stopped blinking while the two eunuchs looked at each other. “What is the Crown Prince saying?” She finally stood up from her seat and walked up to him. Xiaoming took a step back.
“Please leave my chamber,” Xiaoming urged her. Zhu Liling’s eyes were filled with tears. She wanted to speak more when Xiaoming shouted at her.
“I found a friend after many years, and you tried to kill her. I hate your sight, Mother,” Xiaoming remarked and averted his gaze from her. “Leave before I have to show you the power of a Crown Prince,” he stated. For the first time, he was impudent with his mother.
Zhu Liling didn’t say anything and walked ahead to leave when her eyes fell on Lóng Wei. He was leaning against the door with his arms crossed.
“How is the great Royal Mother doing?” Lóng Wei asked with a smirk. “Ahh,” he immediately stood straight and bowed before meeting her gaze again, “I thought she would come to see me and my wife. But like all the time, she doesn’t want to play the role of an ideal Royal Mother.”
Lóng Wei didn’t leave any ground to humiliate her. He glanced at Eunuch Lishi. “Your boot licking habit didn’t go away till now. You need a good beating,” he affirmed.
“Be within your limits, Sixth Prince. You aren’t supposed to talk impudently with any of us,” Zhu Liling warned him. “I still haven’t forgotten what you did to my daughter’s face. That punishment is still pending,” she reminded him.
“Not anymore, Royal Mother,” Lóng Wei said with a confident tone and a grin. “You should leave as per the Crown Prince’s orders,” he added, and showed them the door.
Zhu Liling scrunched her brows and quickly left the chamber. Lóng Wei looked ahead and then walked towards him. “Brother Lóng Wei should not talk this way with my mother,” Xiaoming said.
“I try to be humble,” Lóng Wei answered.
“Why is Brother Lóng Wei here?” Xiaoming asked.
“To tell him that I trust him,” Lóng Wei stated. Xiaoming arched his brows in a puzzle and found that Lóng Wei had settled on the chaise lounge.
“Help me tomorrow in the Imperial Court,” Lóng Wei said.
“Imperial court? But, why?” Xiaoming questioned.
“The Crown Prince will find out tomorrow in the court session. I will forgive him and even forget that he was once my enemy,” Lóng Wei gave him his words. Xiaoming wondered what Lóng Wei had to say in the imperial court.
“If Brother Lóng Wei tells me, then it will be easier for me to understand the matter he will raise in court,” Xiaoming suggested to him. Lóng Wei clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“That’s a surprise, Crown Prince. Don’t worry. I am not planning anything against you,” he assured Xiaoming.
He laughed a little. “Brother Lóng Wei, it is not about planning against each other. It is about the trust you have in me.” Xiaoming was curious about the matter Lóng Wei wanted to bring to court. Was it about Qiu Mu? He could not go against Qiu Mu, because that would worsen the relationship between them.
“It is about Li Hua. She has to make an appeal to the King. I want the Crown Prince to help us till the end,” Lóng Wei affirmed.
Xiaoming was perplexed to hear him. What appeal could Li Hua have to make with the King in court? He knew that Lóng Wei would not reveal anything to him until the next morning.
Because his heart still held a soft spot for Li Hua, he agreed to help them. He also wanted to repent for the crime he committed.