Chapter 177: Snow Lotus

Chapter 177: Snow Lotus

Zhang Shuisheng, realizing his master truly had no such intentions, relaxed and curiously asked, "Your Highness, what do you think the second prince’s interest in the autumn hunt is about?"

The third prince's smile faded. He sipped his tea, eyes following the floating tea stems, and said softly, "The Crown Prince turned fifteen in January, and Father has him attending court daily. The second prince is getting restless, wanting to use the autumn hunt as an opportunity to show himself before the court and nobility. After all, the Crown Prince might not ride much at the hunt."

He blew on his tea, musing quietly, "In my opinion, the second prince is a bit too anxious. If we consider only a healthy heir, he is the eldest. Why wouldn’t the court pay him attention?"

Mid-thought, he contradicted himself, "No, the second prince wouldn’t overlook this. Is his eagerness to impress Father? Or is there something else at play?"

The third prince furrowed his brow, lost in thought. Zhang Shuisheng, stunned by his words, said, "But the Crown Prince’s health… It’s unlikely His Majesty would name him heir, right?"

"Indeed," the third prince, having thought it through and deciding not to dwell further, nodded and said, "But perhaps the second prince doesn't see it that way. You know, despite his frail health, the Crown Prince has grown to this day and has always been favored by Father. Who can truly understand Father’s thoughts?"

What the third prince didn't mention was that the Emperor's affection for the Empress outshone that for any other in the harem. If the Empress were to bear a healthy legitimate son, the position the second prince longed for might become increasingly unattainable. This was something the second prince was likely also aware of, and his urgency to impress could stem from this reason.

While the third prince had this private conversation with his personal eunuch, Xiao Lang and Hua Yang were in Fengyi Palace, speaking with Jiang Hui.

After dinner, Qin Wanyi excused herself to return to Jade Cloud Pavilion, not wishing to disturb the mother and her two children.

Hua Yang, seated next to Jiang Hui, holding the increasingly inactive Snow Snow in her arms, looked at Xiao Lang and asked, "Brother, I didn’t see Chen Qian today. Has he gone home?"

Although Chen Qian was older, Hua Yang had always addressed him by his name.

Xiao Lang, sitting at the table peeling hazelnuts for his mother and sister, replied with a smile, "No, he just didn’t accompany me to Fengyi Palace and went back to Jingxing Garden by himself."

Chen Qian would turn fifteen in July, and naturally could no longer freely enter and exit the Emperor's harem with Xiao Lang like in his younger days.

"Oh, I thought he had gone home," Hua Yang said, scratching Snow Snow's chin and nodding.

"Why?" Xiao Lang was inwardly alert, "Sister, are you looking for him?"

"No," Hua Yang sighed, "It's Wanyi who needs him."

Xiao Lang relaxed and continued peeling the hazelnuts.

At that moment, Jiang Hui put down the album she was looking at and beckoned Xiao Lang, "Nian, come here."

"Okay." Xiao Lang immediately stood up, holding the peeled hazelnuts, and went over to Jiang Hui. He fed his mother a nut and handed the rest to Hua Yang, asking, "Mother, what is it?"

Jiang Hui handed the album to Xiao Lang, swallowing the food in her mouth, and said with a smile, "Most of these ladies are reserved for you princes. There’s no rush to decide. Just mark some names and let the ladies stay a few more years. Nian, see if there’s anyone you like?"

Xiao Lang was indifferent to this matter, saying, "Mother can decide."

However, Hua Yang, interested in her future sister-in-law, took the plate of hazelnuts back from Xiao Lang and snatched the album from his hands, saying, "Brother, don’t be shy. Hua Yang will help you choose a virtuous wife!"

Xiao Lang allowed his sister to do as she pleased and leaned closer to Jiang Hui, "Mother, I heard that Father's men have news about the Tianshan Snow Lotus."

Since the year Xiao Lang was poisoned, His Majesty the Emperor had issued an edict to search for the Tianshan Snow Lotus and sent people to investigate near the Tianshan Mountains. There had been news of the Snow Lotus much earlier.

But the Snow Lotus of younger years lacked sufficient medicinal properties, not to mention that the imperial physicians had diagnosed that Xiao Lang had missed the optimal time for treatment to strengthen his constitution. Only recently had rumors emerged about a hundred-year-old Tianshan Snow Lotus, which, after a few more months of maturation, could be harvested and sent back to the capital.

Jiang Hui wasn't surprised that Xiao Lang knew about this, and asked with a light smile, "Nian, what do you think about this?"

Xiao Lang understood his mother's meaning without her specifying. His phoenix eyes brimming with amusement and a hint of cunning, he said, "It’s a rumor deliberately leaked by Father."

Jiang Hui nodded and then said, "Since your father has let this news slip, the real Snow Lotus must have already reached the capital. In a few days, the head of Lin Institute will come to take your pulse."

Lin Guida, the chief physician, was promoted to the Left Judge of the Imperial Medical Bureau in the tenth year of Jianzhao and remained in charge of Xiao Lang’s medical care.

"Mother, I understand," Xiao Lang hesitated for a moment, then softly asked his mother, "Has Father noticed something?"

In the first few years, the Emperor was genuinely concerned about Xiao Lang. He and Jiang Hui tried hard to have another healthy legitimate child. But as Xiao Lang grew older and reached his teens, despite the unchanged affection, the Emperor's subtle strictness increased. These changes might not be apparent to others, but Xiao Lang felt them acutely.

Hearing this, Hua Yang, who was flipping through the album, couldn't help but lift her head and look at Jiang Hui, worried.

Jiang Hui gave them a slight smile, picked up a porcelain cup from the carved double-tiered table beside her, sipped some tea, and said slowly, "Your father is rarely so oblivious."

"Ah?" Hua Yang was slightly surprised, whispering, "Mother, Father hasn’t blamed you, has he?"

Although Jiang Hui's intention was to protect her son, this act was a clear deception of the Emperor, and, if taken seriously, could even be construed as colluding with the imperial physicians and deceiving the ruler. If the Emperor bore a grudge against Jiang Hui and her children because of this, it wouldn't be hard to understand.

"Hua Yang, do you remember when your uncle became the Middle General of the Right Valiant Guards?" Instead of answering directly, Jiang Hui posed another question.

"Uncle?" Hua Yang pondered for a moment, then realized, "Uncle was promoted to Middle General in the thirteenth year of Jianzhao. Was that when Father...?"

Jiang Hui didn't respond, but she knew very well the fury hidden beneath the Emperor's calm demeanor that year. Yet, ultimately, the Emperor didn’t confront Jiang Hui, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Perhaps she indeed held a special place in Xiao Sheng's heart, but Jiang Hui knew that he wouldn't just silently endure resentment because of her alone. His decision to turn a blind eye must have had other reasons.

And those reasons were not hard to guess.