Chapter 49: Diverse Thoughts

After receiving the imperial edict, the Prince's mansion set up a simple banquet to entertain the two imperial envoys and the guards, constables, and soldiers. The soldiers, having eaten their fill, all agreed that although the dishes at the mansion looked rough and the utensils were large bowls and basins, the taste was absolutely excellent, not inferior to the top restaurants in the capital. However, Li Bandou and the constables did not look too good. On the day the governor hosted a banquet, many of them were present, and the prince had complained about his poverty for a long time. Today, he casually asked a servant in the mansion and learned that the prince ate this every day.

"None of you are to mention today's meal when we return, or don't blame me for getting angry!" Li Bandou looked at his subordinates and said. The constables nodded, all understanding from each other's eyes that the governor had clearly been tricked by the prince. He wouldn't dare to do anything to the prince, but dealing with them was no problem. Whoever mentioned it would be asking for trouble. It was better to let the governor remain in the dark.

While everyone was drinking hot tea and waiting for the envoys, another steward came and gave each person a piece of gold leaf, saying it was the prince's reward for their travel expenses. Everyone was experienced; a quick touch and pinch told them that each piece of gold leaf was worth at least five taels of silver. They were all confused when they received it. The prince was truly a unique person, robbing people for only two coins each, how many people would he have to rob to gather enough for this gold leaf!

"The prince is still a child, robbing everyone was just for fun. I apologize on behalf of the chief steward for any inconvenience caused, please don't take it to heart, everyone!" the steward said, making a full bow.

"Hehe, we dare not, we dare not! Everyone knows the prince was just joking, we won't, right, brothers!" Captain Wang said with a smile.

"Yes, the prince's joke was interesting and fun. At my age, I was still peeing and playing in the mud," the soldiers thought. Only you got beaten, and you have no complaints, so what complaints could we have? Everyone had come to terms with it. The horses belonged to the government, and the gold leaf in their pockets was their own. Why should they provoke the prince over his own family's things?

The prince's midday banquet did not end until the hour of Shen. When the two envoirs came out, although they were smiling, everyone felt it was a forced smile. The prince, however, looked extremely sad, holding onto Liang Shicheng's sleeve, unwilling to let go, his affection hard to express.

"Prince, this old servant has a mission and cannot stay long. When the prince returns to the capital, I will definitely report to the emperor and come to the mansion as a servant to accompany the prince!" Liang Shicheng raised his hand and wiped the prince's tears with his sleeve.

"Grandma Liang, you must tell the emperor and empress that I miss them very much. Don't forget to come and accompany me after you finish your mission!" Zhao Cheng cried, clinging to Liang Shicheng's chest.

"Prince, I will definitely come, I will definitely come!"

"Prince, it's getting dark, they still need to return to the capital to report. Don't hold on any longer!" Huang Jingchen pulled Zhao Cheng and said.

"Alright, goodbye!" Zhao Cheng sobbed, suddenly turning around and grabbing Cai You, saying, "Little Cai, remember our agreement, when you return, find me to join in!"

"Prince, I won't forget, I won't forget!" Cai You hurriedly replied, running out of the mansion and getting into the carriage like a frightened rabbit.

"Achoo!" Cai You sneezed three times, wiped his nose with a handkerchief, and threw it out of the carriage. Seeing his guards looking listless, he was furious, "Captain Wang, why didn't you arrange for some carriages? At this rate, when will we get back to the capital?"

"Scholar, we haven't even left the prince's estate yet. If he starts charging for the carriages again, we might have to return naked!" Captain Wang said with a bitter smile.

"Ah?! Then tell the constable to quickly find some carriages in the next village. Don't provoke him, we must return to the capital today!" Cai You said, lowering the curtain of the sedan chair in frustration. Today, he had suffered a great loss. The prince, acting like a bandit, had almost beheaded him, taken the money Chen Tang had given him, and held him by the throat, forcing him to "borrow" ten thousand strings of coins as a gift. Only then did the prince reluctantly agree not to pursue the matter of insulting the royal family and avoid the punishment of slapping himself in public.

"When I return, I must thoroughly investigate which theater troupe the mansion hired. What did you have to perform as bandits robbing people!" Cai You knew that Zhao Cheng had been sent here because he was possessed by evil spirits. Now, after watching the play, he seemed even more affected, almost like a madman. The emperor had asked him to check on the prince's condition, and he must report honestly to avoid any trouble.

During the banquet, the prince kept insisting on returning to the capital. If you knew the reason, you would be shocked. He wanted to rob people at the capital's gate, saying that everyone who passed through there was rich, and he could collect at least a hundred strings of coins a day. Unlike in the countryside, where he encountered only poor people and could barely collect enough for a pot of wine. He also said he knew who was rich and would split the money with himself. If he and the prince really started collecting money from the ministers at the capital gate, a few of them might dare not refuse, but he would be drowned in their spittle.

"Absolutely cannot let this little demon return to the capital, or I will be the one to suffer. But how do I explain this to the emperor?" Cai You leaned back, lying on the young lady's thigh, his hand slipping into her undergarment, making the carriage suddenly feel warm and cozy.

"Hmph, Huang Jingchen, you old fox, no matter how I probe, you don't mention returning to the capital. You just say the prince misses the emperor and empress and wants to return to the palace. Are you taking me for a fool? If the prince returns, who will he stay here to serve? He will definitely go back with you. What a clever plan." Liang Shicheng thought angrily, "What's even more infuriating is that you 'abuse' the second prince, inciting the child to insist that I accompany him. You want me to be the scapegoat, no way!"

"Unfortunately for the prince, this child, though mischievous, is a talented one, far superior to the dull first prince, the overly aggressive third prince, and the foolish fourth prince. If he could receive proper guidance in the palace, he would have a bright future!" Liang Shicheng was conflicted. The empress was already gravely ill, only appearing briefly at the New Year's assembly. Empress Zheng, however, was favored immensely, and the empress position would eventually be hers. With her support, the second prince might even become emperor.

Huang Jingchen was Empress Zheng's man and would surely be heavily favored upon returning to the palace. Given his attitude towards himself, this gold might remain buried in the earth forever. Moreover, the emperor was in his prime, with at least twenty to thirty years left to live. Even if the second prince could ascend the throne in the future, he would probably be long retired. For now, he should still cling to the emperor's powerful support, "If one does not act for oneself, heaven and earth will punish. For my own future, I can only temporarily委屈 the second prince." Liang Shicheng sighed and finally made a difficult decision.

"Uncle Huang, with this commotion, your return to the capital has become uncertain. I truly feel sorry for you!" After seeing off the two envoirs, Zhao Cheng returned to the room, full of regret.

"Hehe, Prince, there's no need for that. I said I would stay with you!" Huang Jingchen waved his hand and smiled, "With the prince's guidance from the immortal master, he will surely achieve great things. I want to see what miracles the prince will create!"

"Thank you, Uncle Huang. Let's work together for the prosperity of the Song Dynasty and the well-being of the people!" Zhao Cheng clenched his fist and said solemnly.

"Good, with the prince's ambition, even if there are mountains of knives and seas of fire ahead, I am willing to serve the prince loyally!" Huang Jingchen was also moved by Zhao Cheng, feeling as if he had regained his long-lost passion, and said firmly.

"Prince, we've gained a lot today. The emperor's reward plus Scholar Cai's gift amounts to over two hundred thousand strings of coins. If this could happen every day, it would be great!" At this moment, Jianxi directed the servants to carry in four or five boxes and said.

"Haha, you little greedy one, do you think money is so easy to come by? I cried and laughed, pouted and fussed all day to get this, more tiring than a performer!" Zhao Cheng pointed at Jianxi's nose and said.

"Hehe, Prince, you really acted well. If I hadn't known beforehand, I would have believed it. Look at the two envoirs, they were completely fooled and gave us so much money!" Jianxi touched the boxes and said.

"Alright, stop boasting. Don't let today's events spread outside. Call the chief steward to count and store it. Now he won't have to worry about money!" Zhao Cheng said, "Divide this money among everyone, let the mansion's people share in the joy!" He took out a stack of banknotes from his pocket, counted out a few, and said, "Prince, where did you get so much money?" Jianxi took the banknotes from Zhao Cheng, counted them, and found they amounted to two hundred strings of coins, with a large stack still left in his hand.

"Ah, I robbed it from Little Cai. If Uncle Huang had come a moment later, I would have taken his jade belt, which is worth a thousand strings of coins!" Zhao Cheng looked at Huang Jingchen, somewhat regretfully.

"Second Master, you still have a lot left. Why not put it all in the accounts?" Jianxi asked.

"No, the remaining money is for Uncle Huang. He has many expenses and refuses to take money from the mansion's accounts. I can't let him keep paying out of his own pocket!" Zhao Cheng stuffed the remaining banknotes into Huang Jingchen's hands and said.

"Prince, there's a saying: 'People act, heaven watches!' Why should we care about the means as long as our conscience is clear?" Zhao Cheng pointed to the sky and then to his heart and said.

"Conscience clear," the people in the room murmured, all lost in thought.

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