Chapter 78

Facing Cai Jing's attitude, Gongsun Kang had nothing to say, after all, he was just a minor official in Kaifeng Prefecture. Standing in the hall, Gongsun Kang recounted his speculations about the murder case and the possibility of an assassination. Cai Jing listened carefully from beginning to end, remaining calm throughout.

"Hmm, I understand. Please thank His Highness on my behalf when you return!"

Cai Jing's words were essentially a polite dismissal. Gongsun Kang bowed and left reluctantly. Although Cai Jing said he understood, it was uncertain whether he would cancel the grand birthday celebration.

Cai Jing had been in the imperial court for over a decade, and his depth of scheming was far beyond what Gongsun Kang could comprehend. As a chancellor, the most basic requirement was to remain unperturbed by events. To survive in the imperial court, one must never reveal their true thoughts. Was Cai Jing really not worried about the possible assassination? Of course not. What good would fear do? Canceling the birthday celebration would not stop others from finding other opportunities to strike. It would be better to use this opportunity to catch all the culprits at once.

Gongsun Kang returned to Kaifeng Prefecture in a sullen mood. Zhao Yougong had anticipated this outcome. People in Cai Jing's position would not fear assassination. Zhao Yougong detested those who talked big, whether in this life or the previous one. Some people always belittled Cai Jing, Liang Shicheng, and others, calling them cowards or incompetent. In reality, these people might be treacherous ministers, but they were certainly not incompetent. Take Cai Jing, for example. He lived a life of extreme luxury, was corrupt, and deceitful, but his ability to handle state affairs was first-rate. Especially in manipulating the political landscape, he was unparalleled.

Being treacherous does not mean being mediocre. Often, the more treacherous a person is, the more unpredictable and cunning they are. Sometimes, Zhao Yougong felt that Cai Jing was very much like Heshen of the Qianlong era. For over a decade, countless people had tried to bring him down, even Wang Fu wanted to take his position as chancellor, yet he remained as solid as a rock. This skill alone was enough for others to learn from for a lifetime.

What Cai Jing would do was beyond anyone's control. In any case, Kaifeng Prefecture had to keep an eye on the Hejia Troupe. For two days, nothing unusual was found. Everything was still in the realm of speculation. It was impossible to lock down the Hejia Troupe unless the assassins revealed themselves. Of course, it was also possible that they had been looking in the wrong direction from the start, and the murder at Xiangguo Temple was just a simple act of revenge.

Compared to the busy and frazzled Gongsun Kang and others, Zhao Yougong was much more relaxed. He spent his days either at Xiefang Tower or wandering around Bian River Street, rarely spending much time at Kaifeng Prefecture.

In the past two days, Cai Jing had also sent an invitation to the Chu Wang Palace. Zhao Yougong was delighted, having heard that the crab roe buns from the Chancellor's residence were the best in the world. He was determined to taste them this time.

Crab roe buns were rare even in the Song Dynasty, let alone in the future. Moreover, the crab roe buns from Cai's residence were made with only the finest ingredients. It was said that one meal of crab roe buns from Cai Jing was equivalent to the annual expenses of three hundred moderately wealthy households, showing how much he enjoyed life.

After wandering around Bian River Street for a while, Zhao Yougong led Ajiu and Xiaosan back to Kaifeng Prefecture. Zhu Lian was sitting at a table, engrossed in reading "Qimin Yaoshu."

Zhu Lian was quiet and serene, dressed in a purple gauze blouse, with black hair and bright, clear eyes. A string of gemstones sparkled on her forehead. In front of the wooden lattice window, a few rays of sunlight illuminated her delicate features, making her look both gentle and alluring. Zhao Yougong, a young man who had seen many beauties, could not help but lose his usual frivolous demeanor. Without thinking, he walked over and leaned down to kiss her forehead.

Her skin was smooth, and the touch of the gemstone chain brought a cool sensation to his lips. The gemstone chain was neither diamond nor pearl; perhaps it was crystal?

Zhu Lian was deeply engrossed in her book. When her forehead was suddenly kissed, she instinctively wanted to scold him, but as she raised her head, her delicate nose brushed against his lips. Feeling the warmth, Zhu Lian's face turned red, and her breathing quickened. She raised her hand to strike, but her soft hand was caught by his. Seeing his mischievous smile and intense gaze, Zhu Lian dared not meet his eyes and turned away.

"You..."

Hearing the reproach in her voice, Zhao Yougong did not hide his feelings. He looked at her intently, and soon his eyes softened. For some reason, he thought of Zhu Xi.

Zhu Lian could still move freely in and out of Kaifeng Prefecture and work among a group of men. Had she ever thought about how, two hundred years later, her clan's descendant Zhu Xi's Neo-Confucianism would severely restrict women's behavior? At that time, not only would women not be allowed to move freely in and out of Kaifeng Prefecture, but even showing their faces in public would be criticized.

Zhao Yougong kept smiling, and after a long while, Zhu Lian could no longer bear it. She raised her head and glared at him, "Your Highness, you're still smiling..."

"Hehe, do you not know what kind of person I am? Have you prepared yourself? Who knows, one day I might not be able to resist and do something even more hateful!"

What could be more hateful than using force? But Zhu Lian was not afraid. She bit her lip and turned away, "Your Highness won't do that!"

What a strange woman. Zhao Yougong could not understand Zhu Lian's thoughts, so he stopped trying. However, he felt a bit depressed. Proposing marriage was inevitable, but would Emperor Huizong agree? The Zhu family of Jiangbei was a wealthy and influential household. A marriage alliance between the Zhu family and the Chu Wang Palace was not what Emperor Huizong wanted to see.

Zhao Yougong knew this, but Zhu Lian might not. Perhaps she was determined to find the answers she sought, but having the answers might not bring happiness.

Zhu Lian should not have followed him, because the closer they were, the more painful it would be to part.

Zhao Yougong's thoughts were unknown to Zhu Lian. At that moment, she was full of girlish thoughts, no longer the dignified and graceful woman she had been. A glance by the lake, a passionate kiss on the bell tower of Xiangguo Temple, and today's tender affection. No matter what kind of person Little Prince Zhao was, her heart was already filled with his image.

In the evening, Zhu Lian returned home. As she entered the main hall, she met Zhu Guina, who was about to leave.

"Zhuoya, walk slowly!" They passed each other, and Zhu Guina turned to call out.

"Father, is there something you need?" Zhu Lian turned and asked.

"Yes, Zhuoya, come sit with me in the pavilion!" Zhu Guina smiled kindly, and the two of them walked into the garden.

Even in the evening, the garden was still beautiful, with the sunset reflecting on the lake like a red glass wall. Sitting in the pavilion, Zhu Guina looked at his daughter with a smile, but his eyes were strange, making Zhu Lian feel uneasy.

"Father, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Hehe, I never thought my little Zhuoya would grow up so fast!"

Zhu Guina's words were filled with emotion. Zhu Lian, being clever, quickly guessed what he was getting at.

"Zhuoya, tell me, what do you think of Prince Yongning? Does he meet your standards?"

As expected, hearing her father's tone, Zhu Lian felt a bit flustered. She did not know how to answer. In terms of appearance, Little Prince Zhao was handsome and elegant, but what about his other qualities? His talent, ambition, and character were still unknown. Zhu Lian thought about it, her brows furrowed, unable to decide.

Zhu Guina would not wait long. Seeing his daughter's expression, he chuckled, "Do you think the Prince is not good?"

Zhu Lian did not answer, just shook her head slightly.

"Then you think he is good?"

She shook her head again.

This left Zhu Guina in a dilemma. He opened his mouth, paused for a moment, and then stroked his beard, laughing, "You little girl, what are you thinking? Shaking your head like that, what am I supposed to do?"

"Father, how can I answer such a question? No one in this world is simply good or bad."

"Hmm? That's true. How about I ask you another way?" Zhu Guina used a teasing tone, speaking softly, "I plan to send someone to the Chu Wang Palace to propose marriage. What do you think?"

From the day she started working at Kaifeng Prefecture, Zhu Lian had expected this day, but when it actually came, she found it hard to make a decision. In her heart, she did not refuse, but proposing marriage now seemed too hasty.

"Father, can we wait a bit longer?"

"You little girl, you're not in a hurry, but I am. You spend all your time with the Prince, don't you worry what others will say? If we settle the marriage soon, it will ease my mind." Zhu Guina thought he understood his daughter's feelings, laughed, and walked away.

Watching Zhu Guina's back, Zhu Lian smiled bitterly. It was hard to say no to the proposal, but saying yes also brought some concerns. Little Prince Zhao had too many secrets, and she did not know if settling the marriage early was a good or bad thing.

The red clouds in the sky faded, and the pavilion cast a long shadow. Perhaps not refusing was already a form of agreement. Leaning against a pillar, Zhu Lian placed her right hand on her chest, feeling her heart beat steadily and strongly.

Was she happy? Of course. If the marriage could be settled, she would be happy. From the first glance, Zhu Lian knew that Little Prince Zhao would protect her for life. The love and care in his eyes were genuine.

What if she was wrong? Zhu Lian smiled quietly, like a gentle summer breeze. She would not be wrong, because her heart would not deceive her.

On the second day of the eighth month, the front of the Chancellor's residence was bustling with people. It was Cai Jing's birthday, and there were many people coming to offer gifts. It was said that even Tong Guan, the governor of Jiangnan, had returned specially.

A grand birthday celebration, extravagant to the extreme. A single gift, how many resources it required.

At the hour of Si, Zhao Yougong arrived at the Chancellor's residence early. Although he was a wealthy and carefree young man, he knew that to live well, he had to curry favor with Chancellor Cai. To please Cai Jing, Zhao Yougong had spent a lot of money to obtain three Dong pearls. For this, Nian Nuer had been quite heartbroken.