Emperor Xiaochang had heard of the grand procession's return to the city yesterday, and today he saw his son, dust-covered and travel-worn.
Seeing his son's tanned complexion, Emperor Xiaochang felt quite pleased. Considering the current popular sentiment in Luoyi, he spoke directly, "Tomorrow, you will report to the Commandant's office. Before the year ends, there will be a vacancy for a Garrison Commander there."
All the Commandants of the various prefectures were registered with the newly established Commandant's office. Although it was not as direct as holding military power within the army, it allowed for dealings with all the Commandants who held military authority, making it a coveted position.
If this matter had fallen upon any other prince, they would have been laughing in their sleep.
However, Xie Jingqi, who was having breakfast, could not even muster a smile, let alone have any appetite.
He had been pushed into coming to Luoyi like a duck being forced onto a perch. With such a capable fourth brother, wasn't it better for him to remain a contented idler within the imperial city?
"I won't go."
The seventh prince was the first to dare to refuse the emperor's kind offer.
Feng Gu, who was guarding the entrance, had expected the emperor and his son to exchange heartfelt words after such a long separation. Instead, he heard the sound of Emperor Xiaochang overturning a table.
Immediately after, the seventh prince stormed out with a dark expression.
Feng Gu hurried inside and saw the emperor slumped in his grand chair, clearly infuriated. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The Seventh Prince has always spoken without thinking. Please do not take his words to heart."
Emperor Xiaochang's chest heaved. "The princes are all grown. Do they really think I don't know what they are scheming? If they have the capability, let them fight it out until the death. But I just thought that Old Seven is no worse than them, and what if he could actually contend for the throne?"
The imperial throne had always been contested throughout history.
Emperor Xiaochang did not oppose his sons' struggle for power, as he hoped that someone would continue to protect the foundation laid by their ancestors.
Old Seven was her son. He could not protect her back then, and now he absolutely did not want to mistreat little Seven.
Feng Gu gently persuaded, "The Seventh Prince will eventually understand His Majesty's good intentions. Even if he doesn't, the Fourth Prince, who has always supported him, will make him understand."
Mentioning the Fourth Prince, Emperor Xiaochang's gaze turned cold. "He had better truly be helping Old Seven and be a law-abiding subject. Otherwise..."
Feng Gu shivered at the ruthlessness in the emperor's eyes and dared not speak further.
Ever since that fire, the emperor had been wary of the Fourth Prince. Could it be...
Was His Majesty still brooding over the events of that year?
Xie Jingqi, still hungry, left the Longyan Hall and headed straight to Empress Zhong's Fengyi Palace.
In the inner hall, the Fourth Prince was accompanying Empress Zhong for breakfast.
Empress Zhong heard the announcement and looked towards the Seventh Prince. Seeing his dark expression, she instructed Zhi Nan, her attendant, to add another set of bowls and chopsticks.
Xie Jingqi naturally sat by the table and began to eat.
Empress Zhong wisely avoided provoking her younger son and spoke to her elder son, "I heard that you have been getting quite close to the eldest daughter of the Ji family recently?"
Xie Jinglan put down his bowl and chopsticks and replied frankly, "Regarding General Xue's matter, it was greatly thanks to the eldest daughter of the Ji family's assistance. I am indebted to her and must take good care of her."
"But from what I hear, you are not indifferent towards the eldest daughter of the Ji family?" Empress Zhong raised an eyebrow. What she had heard was far more sensational than what her son said, but in front of both her sons, she could not be too blunt.
Xie Jinglan calmly picked up his teacup, his voice becoming even more assured, "She is indeed a good girl."
Empress Zhong was not a stubborn traditionalist. Even if Ji Zizhao had been divorced, it would not matter, as she had been formally married to the Fifth Prince. Hearing her son speak thus, she should have been happy. However, considering the character of the illegitimate son of the Ji family, her heart became uneasy.
They say one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel...
Xie Jingqi, who had been quietly eating, chimed in, "Wait, wait a moment, you two."
He understood every word his fourth brother said to their mother, so why couldn't he understand when they were put together?
Seeing that her younger son had recovered, Empress Zhong recounted the events that had transpired in the imperial city.
Xie Jingqi was shocked. "Fourth Brother, you have taken a liking to Ji Zizhao!"
He hadn't even had a chance to play matchmaker, and his fourth brother was already making a move?
Xie Jinglan felt a slight stir in his heart, but his brows furrowed. "She is my benefactor."
Xie Jingqi: "..."
Go lie to the devil.
In all these years, besides me and Mother, I haven't seen you care this much about anyone else.
Xie Jingqi had a fiery temper, but his anger was as fleeting as it was intense. Thinking that his fourth brother had the same idea as him, all his unhappiness from earlier with his father vanished.
Nothing was more important than his fourth brother's lifelong happiness.
Empress Zhong watched her two sons leave arm in arm and sighed silently.
Outside Fengyi Palace, Xie Jingqi eagerly said, "Father said my trip to Luoyi was very meritorious. Fourth Brother, how about I use my contributions to exchange a wife for you?"
Xie Jinglan stopped, truly at a loss whether to laugh or cry. "It's that difficult for your fourth brother to even get a wife?"
He even had to use his younger brother's contributions to get a wife?
"It's different. If it were anyone else, Fourth Brother would have handled it himself. But Ji Zizhao's status is special. Our royal family has everything, except for too many rules that can crush people. Ji Zizhao, after all, was married to Xie Jingzhou. If we don't present something formidable to force Father's hand, Father will definitely not agree to let Ji Zizhao marry you." Xie Jingqi, being a prince, knew royal rules even if he was somewhat dissolute.
Xie Jinglan asked in return, "I recall you didn't think highly of the eldest daughter of the Ji family before?"
Xie Jingqi: "..."
Was he not allowed to admit his mistake?
"I was blind before, but I am not now. Fourth Brother, it's true that Ji Zizhao is divorced, but she is still pure. Besides, Ji Zizhao is very capable. If she can marry Fourth Brother, then your brother and I will have double assurance in the imperial city."
With his brother and sister-in-law being so powerful, he could live a comfortable life of leisure.
Xie Jinglan looked at his brother's beaming face and, at that moment, truly admired Ji Zizhao's skills.
In such a short time, she had managed to bring about such a drastic change in his stubborn younger brother and even gained his full endorsement.
If he hadn't known Ji Zizhao's abilities and methods beforehand, he would have worried that his brother's brain had been replaced by Ji Zizhao.
However, he shook his head at Xie Jingqi's suggestion, "Is that all the ambition you have?"
Xie Jingqi: "..."
Why the scolding when he was just speaking properly?
"Little Seven, you have gained your father's attention this time, and you should make good use of the merits you've earned. It would be best for you to seek a position. You had your capping ceremony this year, and you'll likely be betrothed soon. Do you expect me to not only support you but also to support your sons and daughters, and grandchildren?"
Xie Jingqi's head started to ache again from the scolding. "Fourth Brother, just tell me, do you like Ji Zizhao or not?"