Chapter 256

Chapter 256 Jing Wu was startled and immediately admitted his mistake: "This subordinate wouldn't dare!" Prince Jing chuckled. "Imperial Father is indeed lustful and power-hungry, but he's also genuinely capable." If he lacked ability, with all the maneuvers he'd pulled, he would have been toppled long ago. "Old Fifth thinks Imperial Father is old and past his prime... but how is it that I feel he's using the same old tricks, sitting securely at his fishing perch?" "My leaving the capital was simply because I didn't want to be used as his pawn." When Prince Jing was born, Noble Consort Rou had already fallen out of favor. But because his birth mother was a Noble Consort, he received all the upbringing and treatment befitting an imperial prince, and naturally had more interaction with the Emperor than Prince An did. For this reason, Prince Jing understood the Emperor better than Prince An. He casually smoothed the hem of his robes. "I have no desire to be a traitor, cursed and reviled for all time." "When the old man has worn out his own sons, that will be the time he comes begging for me." Jing Wu was naturally somewhat stirred by Prince Jing's words. Yet inwardly, he couldn't help but wonder—where did his prince's confidence come from? Just then, a guard suddenly came to report: "Reporting to Your Highness, Side Consort Fang from the rear courtyard requests an audience." Prince Jing frowned. "Did I not say that women of the inner quarters are forbidden from entering the front courtyard?" The guard said, "This subordinate said the same, but Side Consort Fang refused to leave. She even pressed a dagger to her own throat, saying she must see you tonight." Prince Jing raised an eyebrow. "Let her in." His heart suddenly began to beat a little faster. Prince Jing's initial choice to come to Yunzhou was because his people stationed there had reported discovering a number of mines. He happened to not want to be manipulated by the Emperor, so he seized the opportunity to come to Yunzhou, feigning a temper tantrum. Who would have thought Fang Yuan'er would suddenly come to see him, once again making a prophecy, mentioning the earthquake in Qiangwu. Prince Jing was half-convinced, half-doubtful. He believed because Fang Yuan'er's previous prophecies had all been remarkably accurate, bringing him considerable advantage. He doubted because he would never entrust his life to someone else's hands. Even if Fang Yuan'er's prophecy proved correct this time, it might not be correct next time... If he became too reliant on Fang Yuan'er, then as long as she harbored treacherous intentions, she could easily topple Prince Jing beyond recovery. Because he believed her, Prince Jing had agreed without hesitation to bring Fang Yuan'er to Yunzhou. Not long after, Wan Linlang had also made a prophecy. Prince Jing had always wanted to know what secret lay hidden in the two women's 'prophecies,' so he agreed to bring her along as well. After arriving in Yunzhou, both Fang Yuan'er and Wan Linlang had stayed quietly in the rear courtyard. Tonight, Fang Yuan'er suddenly made a move. Prince Jing's first reaction was that an earthquake had occurred in Qiangwu. When Fang Yuan'er entered, she was still clutching a dagger in her hand. Even knowing she posed no threat to Prince Jing, Jing Wu instinctively stepped in front of him to shield him. After dismissing the guards, Prince Jing asked only one question: "You come in the dead of night—what do you wish to say?" Fang Yuan'er's face was somewhat pale. "This concubine just had a dream, dreaming of... movement." Her face was as white as paper, which unconsciously inspired a measure of trust in those who looked upon her. Fang Yuan'er wasn't lying this time. After the plot had shifted, she actually didn't know when the earthquake in Qiangwu would strike. But tonight, shortly after she lay down to sleep, she began to dream. In the dream, the earth shook and mountains quaked, the common people wailed in grief... This was unmistakably a scene of an earthquake. Fang Yuan'er said, "This concubine is not certain whether it is the Qiangwu earthquake, but my heart is deeply unsettled. I came specifically to see Your Highness, to beg you to send someone to investigate, just in case..." No sooner had Fang Yuan'er finished speaking than the guard's voice came from the doorway again: "Reporting to Your Highness, Concubine Wan is also at the gate, saying she has important matters to tell you." Prince Jing waved a hand. "Understood. Bring her in." Wan Linlang entered as well, her face equally pale. She spoke immediately: "Your Highness, this servant had a dream." Prince Jing raised an eyebrow. "Dreamed of an earthquake?" Wan Linlang's expression was quite composed. Her gaze swept over Fang Yuan'er, and she nodded calmly. By now, the two had more or less figured out each other's true identities, and neither deigned to keep up pretenses. Wan Linlang simply said, "This servant has never been to Qiangwu, so I dare not be certain whether it is Qiangwu." "Only that tonight's dream came suddenly and strangely, so I presume to beg Your Highness to send someone to Qiangwu to observe. If nothing is wrong, so much the better; but if something is... we won't have delayed the rescue efforts." To put it more precisely— If a heaven-sent merit fell from the sky, Prince Jing needed to rush to claim it quickly. After hearing this, Prince Jing immediately said, "Jing Wu, send men at once, riding at full speed to Qiangwu to investigate." Jing Wu saluted Prince Jing. "This subordinate obeys!" But he did not leave immediately. Instead, he said, "Your Highness, you have a garrison of guards stationed in Qiangwu. If there were any unusual activity, they would surely send word at the first opportunity." Prince Jing nodded slightly. "Dispatch two additional teams. If they encounter anything on the road, have them return and report immediately." After Jing Wu left the front courtyard to arrange the men, Prince Jing did not dismiss Fang Yuan'er and Wan Linlang, but waited for the results. Wan Linlang rose and saluted Prince Jing. "This servant has a request to make, and I beg Your Highness's permission!" Prince Jing said tersely, "Speak!" Wan Linlang said, "If there truly is an earthquake, even summoning physicians from all directions would take time. This servant comes from a lineage of medical women and cannot bear to see the common people suffer." "Therefore, I beg the Prince to allow me to assist as well, to contribute my own strength, so that I may have no shame before my conscience." Prince Jing smiled faintly. "Well said—no shame before one's conscience." "If Qiangwu truly suffers an earthquake, physicians will certainly be in short supply. If you can save even two more lives, that is merit. How could I refuse?" Fang Yuan'er's heart tightened, fearing that Wan Linlang might gain the Prince's regard through saving lives. Her mind raced. "Prince, though I lack Concubine Wan's skills, I too wish to contribute my strength for you." As she spoke, Fang Yuan'er studied the Prince's expression. Seeing no sign of softening on his part, she stepped back and said, "If there is a shortage of hands at that time, I and my maidservants are all at the Prince's disposal." Prince Jing said, "You are thoughtful." But he neither agreed nor refused. Within half an hour, a shout rang through the entire front courtyard. "Reporting to the Prince—a great calamity has occurred!" The shout carried all the way from the main gate to the Prince's study. Prince Jing's face darkened. He cut straight to the point: "Has something happened in Qiangwu?!" The messenger guard nodded, his voice choked with grief: "Reporting to the Prince, Qiangwu has been struck by an earthquake. The people's homes have all collapsed, and not one in ten has survived... I rode here at full speed, and all along the way there was nothing but wailing and weeping." Prince Jing's breath caught. He immediately took his token and mobilized troops. He added, "Gather all physicians in the city at once, take over the medicine shops, and send everything to Qiangwu!" "If anyone refuses to comply, let them come to Qiangwu and answer to me!" The guard was startled. "The Prince intends to go to Qiangwu in person?!" Prince Jing shot him a glance. "The people are in distress. I am sustained by the people's support. If I do not go to Qiangwu now, am I to cower in Yunzhou waiting for good news?" That "good news" was, of course, dripping with sarcasm. Prince Jing continued, "Inform the Prefect of Yunzhou that he is to await my orders at any time!" The guard's mind was reeling. "Yes!" Wan Linlang was taken along by Prince Jing. Fang Yuan'er remained at the Prince's residence in Yunzhou, for before leaving, the Prince had placed the inner court under her charge. This arrangement brought Fang Yuan'er no joy at all. She had suppressed Wan Linlang for two years, yet had failed to crush her completely. Now, if Wan Linlang were to earn merit and turn her fortunes around in one stroke... would she, Fang Yuan'er, have any good days ahead?!