Chapter 120 Coaxing

Chapter 120: Winning Over

Dahuang kept circling around Cheng Ge, his tail wagging like a rattle-drum, barking as if to say he missed him.

Cheng Ge crouched down and hugged Dahuang, vigorously rubbing his head. "Dahuang, you little rascal! You missed me, didn't you!"

Dahuang stuck out his tongue and licked Cheng Ge's face nonstop. Cheng Ge couldn't help but giggle at the sensation.

"Dahuang, if you keep this up, there will be no chicken leg for you tonight," Lü Rou said threateningly.

Upon hearing this, Dahuang immediately calmed down and obediently lay at Cheng Ge's feet.

Just then, Lin Nanshu's attendant stepped forward and whispered a few words into Lin Nanshu's ear.

Lin Nanshu frowned slightly and said to Cheng Ge, "Muyu, there's an urgent matter at home that I need to attend to."

Cheng Ge turned around, looking disappointed. "Aren't you staying for a meal?"

Lin Nanshu gently brushed off the dog hair stuck to him. "I'll come see you in a couple of days."

"Alright, take care on your way back. I'll cook you some fish soup next time."

At the mention of fish soup, Lin Nanshu's expression stiffened momentarily, but he quickly recovered. "Okay."

After seeing Lin Nanshu off, Cheng Ge led the group towards the prince’s mansion.

"Young Master, please step over the fire brazier first to rid yourself of bad luck!" Funiang moved the fire brazier to the entrance, and Cheng Ge obediently lifted his leg to step over it.

"I've prepared orchid-infused water for you, Young Master. Please go and bathe first," the old servant said. Cheng Ge didn't show any impatience; he was actually looking forward to a relaxing bath.

Though his stay in the imperial prison had been tolerable, the air was stale, and with daily torture and interrogation of prisoners, it was inevitable to pick up a faint smell of blood.

Cheng Ge took a relaxing bath and then sat in the courtyard while Lü Rou dried his hair.

Dahuang was running around at his feet, tongue hanging out, occasionally barking and lowering his head to nuzzle Cheng Ge's calves.

However, it didn't take long before Ling Feng and Jiyue each grabbed one of Dahuang's hind legs and carried him away.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!" Dahuang kicked his back legs vigorously, looking back at Cheng Ge repeatedly, his eyes full of reluctance.

Cheng Ge was about to put in a good word for him when the steward happened to walk in from outside, followed by a row of servants holding gift boxes.

"Young Master, these were all sent from the imperial palace. Please take a look."

"More goodies!" Cheng Ge hopped up and walked over to the gift boxes, curiously opening them one by one.

This time, there were many items: various exquisite fabrics, assorted jade stones, and some rare medicinal plants.

"Wow! I'm about to hit the jackpot!" Cheng Ge's hand touched the brocade beside him, his face nearly breaking into a grin.

"But hold on." Cheng Ge paused in his movements, his expression turning puzzled. "Didn't the Emperor just send gifts a few days ago? Why send more now?"

The steward shook his head with a smile and replied, "Young Master, these are not gifts from the Emperor."

"Not from the Emperor? Then from whom?" Cheng Ge asked, full of confusion.

The steward pointed to the jade stones and herbs and said, "These were sent by the Crown Prince."

Then, pointing to the fabric, he continued, "And these were sent by the Second Prince. Upon hearing of your safe return from the imperial prison, he specially ordered these congratulatory gifts."

"The Second Prince?" Cheng Ge was obviously taken aback. He didn't have much interaction with Zhou Hao, so why would he suddenly send so many gifts?

Cheng Ge stared at the rolls of brocade, his mind spinning.

If he remembered correctly, this recent purge had swept up many of the Chen family's officials.

Among them, Chen Zhengyuan, the third-ranked Vice Minister of Works, had also been stripped of his position. And this Chen Zhengyuan was none other than the Second Prince Zhou Hao's uncle on his mother's side.

Logically, Zhou Hao should bear a grudge against him, so why send gifts?

Zhou Hao was born to Consort Chen and, Crown Prince aside, was the only other prince. No one would believe he wasn't eyeing the throne. The Chen family wielded significant power in the court.

Consort Chen's direct elder brother, Chen Zhengqi, was currently serving as the Commander of the Metropolitan Training Division, overseeing the three major garrisons of the capital.

They had both civil and military power, which, compared to the Crown Prince, had him totally outmatched.

To put it bluntly, if the Emperor hadn't been protecting him, Zhou Zhan wouldn't have stood a chance as Crown Prince.

As the saying goes, a fine bird picks the right tree, and a wise servant chooses his master.

Now that the two princes were growing older, many factions had begun to take sides.

Although the Crown Prince's character wasn't bad, his natural talent was merely average.

Moreover, throughout history, barely half of the Crown Princes had successfully ascended the throne.

Although Zhou Hao was born to a concubine, he had been personally tutored by Consort Chen since childhood, and his conduct and insight were clearly more impressive than Zhou Zhan's.

However, before this, there had been those who, implicitly or explicitly, urged Zhou Mingqi to depose the Crown Prince and install a replacement, but all such suggestions were rejected.

The reason was simple: regardless of how capable Zhou Hao might be, if the Chen family's influence came into play, should the Second Prince ever ascend the throne, imperial authority would inevitably fall into the hands of the maternal clan.

In that case, not only would the Crown Prince be as good as dead, but the possibility of holding the emperor hostage to command the nobles, or even directly usurping the throne, would be very real.

Cheng Ge rested his chin on his hand, pondering Zhou Hao's intentions.

Could he be trying to court him? But Cheng Ge was currently only a minor Fourth-Rank Official—what use could he be?

"Uncle Cui, what do you think the Second Prince's intentions are?"

The steward replied with an ingratiating smile, "Young Master, this old servant does not know. However, you are currently favored by the Emperor, and having previously served in the Eastern Palace, you are on good terms with the Crown Prince…"

Cheng Ge understood immediately upon hearing this. Zhou Hao was most likely testing his stance.

He drummed his fingers lightly on the table, thinking that no matter Zhou Hao's purpose, he would have to handle it cautiously.

"Steward, please prepare a return gift for me. It shouldn't be too perfunctory or too flashy," Cheng Ge instructed.

...

After resting at home for a few days, Cheng Ge's injuries were pretty much healed.

He got up early that day—not because he had to pee, but because he had to start his new job.

"Remember the youthful ambition that soared to the clouds, once vowing to be the best in the world.

Make your mark on Lingyan Pavilion, climb to the Sweet Springs. Since ancient times, fame and honor have belonged to the young.

A youth should harbor the lofty aspiration of a swan, riding a fine horse to traverse the plains..."

Cheng Ge, with eyes tightly shut, mumbled half-heartedly to himself, trying to get pumped up.

Lü Rou fastened his official robe with a plain gold sash, hung his plaque at his waist, and slipped the black boots onto his feet.

She turned sideways and carefully took the Black Gauze Hat, tiptoeing to gently place it on his head.

She studied his profile as she carefully arranged every strand of hair, each move done with total devotion.

"Master, this is your first time going to court; you absolutely must not be late."

Lü Rou looked at Cheng Ge with a worried expression, softly reminding him, just like a fussy old mother.

Cheng Ge, still drowsy, barely opened his eyes a crack and nodded groggily.

"Mm, sis, don't worry. I've never been late for work..."

Before he finished speaking, he began to step out as if sleepwalking.

"Master, wait! You forgot your tablet!" Seeing this, Lü Rou held up the tablet and rushed over to stop Cheng Ge.

"Oh, oh, almost forgot..." Waking with a start, Cheng Ge took the tablet and strode out of the room without looking back.

However, about ten seconds later...

A figure slowly came back from the right side and shuffled right past Lü Rou.

"Looks like that was the wrong way. The main door is over here."

Lü Rou: "..."