Chapter 33: What I Owe the Daoist Master, I Have Repaid in Full… p1
But Zhao Shangjun only touched her chignon lightly, straightening the hairpin that had slipped, his movements even tender.
The scent of white plum blossoms drifted past her nose, elusive.
He was very close, and he whispered in her ear, “Mm, I believe you.”
Fu Tangli lowered her head, momentarily lost in thought.
Zhao Shangjun then helped her back up and released her.
After that, they walked in silence, back to the hunting ground camp.
Everyone was gathered there, murmuring and discussing something. Seeing the Prince of Huai return with Fu Tangli, they were all surprised.
Zhao Yuanjia led the group and strode forward to greet them. “Imperial Uncle, what happened?”
Li Huai’en was also in the crowd, his face open and without any abnormality.
Zhao Shangjun’s gaze swept over the crowd, his tone carrying a distant coldness. “I was passing through the woods and saw a vicious leopard about to harm Lady Fu, so I killed the leopard and saved her.”
Li Huai’en was greatly shocked at these words. He stomped his feet and showed a look of regret and vexation. “It has indeed caused trouble. I just reported to the Crown Prince that the leopard keeper was derelict in his duty, and the cheetah escaped. Its whereabouts were unknown, and we were searching for it. Who knew that the beast would harm Lady Fu? It is truly my fault. I deserve to die a thousand deaths.”
Zhao Yuanjia still had some genuine concern. He hurried closer and reached out his hand. “Second Lady, are you hurt anywhere?”
His hand reached out to Fu Tangli, wanting to help her off the horse.
Fu Tangli hesitated for a moment and quickly glanced at Zhao Shangjun.
There was no expression on Zhao Shangjun’s face, or rather, His Highness, the Prince of Huai, had always been like this, majestic and proud. He just stood there coldly.
In front of so many people, Fu Tangli could not refuse Zhao Yuanjia. She placed her hand on his and got off the horse. Perhaps she had been too nervous on the way, and her feet were a little numb when they touched the ground, and she even stumbled.
Zhao Yuanjia put his arms around her, trying to catch her. “Be careful.”
Only Fu Tangli noticed the look that flashed across Zhao Shangjun’s eyes—cruel, bloody, the danger of a beast lurking in the darkness, which made her tremble even more than the cheetah in the woods.
Fu Tangli shivered, immediately withdrew her hand, stood up straight, and took a step back without a trace, shaking her head. “It’s nothing. Fortunately, His Highness, the Prince of Huai, came to the rescue. I am not seriously injured. The Crown Prince need not worry.”
Zhao Shangjun clasped his hands behind his back and said coldly, “The young lady is frivolous and reckless, wandering alone in the mountain forest, almost losing her life. How absurd. The Crown Prince must discipline her more, so that she may be steady, chaste, and quiet, and not make the same mistake again.”
Fu Tangli lowered her head, her posture proper, not daring to utter a word.
Zhao Yuanjia nodded. “Indeed. The Second Lady was rash. It was most improper.”
Zhao Shangjun’s tone changed, his gaze sharp, as he looked at Zhao Yuanjia. “As for the Crown Prince, be more vigilant in the future. Do not allow such a beast of unknown origin to be by your side. It is not of our kind, its nature is vicious and wolf-like, and it cannot be tamed. It should be driven away.”
Zhao Shangjun’s words had a hidden meaning, which Zhao Yuanjia naturally understood. His smile became forced, and he replied vaguely, “Imperial Uncle worries too much. Gu will naturally be cautious.”
Li Huai’en’s face turned pale, but he had learned his lesson once and no longer dared to be so presumptuous in front of the Prince of Huai. He could only grit his teeth and kneel down to apologize. “It was my lack of consideration to have brought that beast here today. If it had harmed the Crown Prince, I would deserve to die ten thousand deaths.”
Zhao Shangjun finally turned his gaze to Li Huai’en, raised an eyebrow, his tone grim and calm. “Since you know you deserve to die ten thousand deaths, why don’t you go and die?”
Li Huai’en suddenly looked up, a strange smile on his face. His accent had the characteristic tone of a Hu person, and his words seemed particularly heavy. “I was just now chasing that wicked beast with all my might. When I was about to catch up, I happened to see a strange scene and was so shocked that I was dazed for a moment, which allowed the beast to escape. Although I am guilty, it was not my intention. I ask His Highness the Crown Prince to be lenient and give a light punishment.”
Fu Tangli’s pupils suddenly contracted. In an instant, she understood Li Huai’en’s threat. This Hu person, he had seen her with Zhao Shangjun.
Her heart was beating fast and hard. She couldn’t help but take a step forward. “It was just a false alarm, no harm was done. Your Highness the Crown Prince need not blame General Li.”
She then bowed to Zhao Shangjun, her eyes shimmering, full of pleading. “This child was reckless, this child was at fault. Your Highness, please calm your anger. The matter was caused by me alone. If you pursue it further, it will truly make me feel ashamed.”
Li Huai’en cupped his fists. “Lady Fu is magnanimous. Huai’en is ashamed.”
Zhao Yuanjia felt even more that Fu Tangli was sensible. He helped her up again and said gently, “The Second Lady was frightened. Huai’en indeed deserves a beating and cannot be easily forgiven. Gu will order him to apologize to you properly another day.”
Fu Tangli lowered her head without a word, forced a smile, her face looking a little pale.
Zhao Yuanjia only thought she was frightened. Seeing her in such a fragile state now, she had a different kind of charm. He had a few more thoughts and condescended to speak to her in a low voice, comforting her.
The spring day was clear, the sun brilliant and bright, falling on Zhao Yuanjia’s face, making his features shine. The noble Crown Prince and the future Crown Princess stood together, their appearances complementing each other, truly a match made in heaven.
At this moment, everyone came to their senses and came forward, either to flatter or to show concern. There were also some bold ones who came forward to plead with the Prince of Huai.
Zhao Shangjun’s face was expressionless. He seemed to have lost interest in this matter and didn’t want to look at it anymore. He mounted his black horse and turned to leave.
***
The next day, Princess Linchuan came to visit, bringing a cart of gifts to apologize to Fu Tangli.
Li Huai’en himself did not show up, but had the princess come. Fu Tangli could avoid seeing Li Huai’en, but she could not avoid seeing the princess. So she had her shown in.
Princess Linchuan was completely different from her husband. Although she was a princess, she was small and cautious. Even when she spoke to Fu Tangli, there was a hint of submissiveness in her tone. She apologized repeatedly, which made Fu Tangli feel a little sorry for her, and she could only go along with her words and not mention the matter at the hunting ground.
Because of Princess Linchuan’s visit, this matter alarmed Fu Fangxu. After the princess had left, Fu Fangxu called Fu Tangli to the study and questioned her in detail.
How could Fu Tangli go into detail? She glossed over it in a few words, only saying that she had encountered danger in the woods and had been saved by the Prince of Huai, nothing more.
After hearing this, Fu Fangxu had other ideas. He pondered for a moment, dismissed the servants, and closed the door. This was a private matter he wanted to instruct Fu Tangli on alone.
“The late Emperor was skilled in both literary and martial arts. In his early years, he was like the Prince of Huai, conquering the world, a sage ruler of a generation. But the current Emperor is not skilled in archery and horsemanship, and the Crown Prince is the same. Fortunately, there is the Prince of Huai, whose valor is no less than the late Emperor’s, enough to pacify the world. His Majesty relies on him heavily. You have received the Prince of Huai’s grace and must not be rude. You should go with the Crown Prince to thank him. Take this opportunity to show goodwill and interact with the Prince of Huai. In the future, it will ultimately be beneficial to the Crown Prince.”
Fu Tangli’s scalp tingled, and she didn’t dare to respond.
Fu Fangxu did not notice her abnormality and just continued to instruct, “As for Li Huai’en, his father, Li Yan, holds a great army and controls a large part of Fanyang and Hedong. His power cannot be underestimated. We cannot offend the Li clan either. The matter of the cheetah injuring someone is a good opportunity to do him a favor. Tomorrow, you go and return the gift. With this back and forth, you can also build a relationship. How wonderful.”
Fu Tangli remembered Li Huai’en’s intention to kill her at the hunting ground, his heart so malicious. She was truly disgusted with this person and couldn’t help but say, “The Prince of Huai seems to be at odds with Li Huai’en. I have seen them clash several times. Since the Crown Prince is close to the Prince of Huai, he will surely not be able to coexist with Li Huai’en in the future. Why go to such trouble?”
This granddaughter had always been exceptionally intelligent. It was rare for there to be something she didn’t understand. Fu Fangxu was quite proud and, with a hint of a smooth smile, patiently taught his granddaughter, “For a prince to hold military power has always been a taboo. Although His Majesty relies on the Prince of Huai, he must also be wary of him. Li Yan is the person His Majesty has chosen to counterbalance him. The Crown Prince needs to appease both sides. You will understand in the future. Grandfather will not be wrong.”
Fu Tangli was taken aback. For no reason, a surge of indignation arose in her. “The Prince of Huai has repelled the Turks in the north and conquered Goguryeo in the east. He is peerlessly valiant and invincible. When my grandmother was alive, she also praised him often, saying he was a general of a generation. How can the Hu people of the Li clan be compared to him? How can His Majesty…”
Fu Fangxu stroked his beard, looked at Fu Tangli, and smiled without a word.
As Fu Tangli spoke, her voice gradually grew lower. In the end, she did not finish. She sighed faintly, then lowered her eyes and said softly, “Yes, I understand.”
Fu Fangxu was still very fond of this granddaughter. She had a bit of a temper, but she also knew how to adapt to circumstances. She understood things with just a hint. She was a talent that could be molded. In the future, when she married into the Eastern Palace, she would surely be able to bring the Fu family to a higher level.
He nodded. “It’s good that you understand. The thank-you gift for the Prince of Huai and the return gift for Princess Linchuan will be paid for by the family’s public account. Later, I will have Fu Quan take you to my storeroom. You can pick a few things that you like. Good child, just do as your grandfather says as soon as possible.”
Fu Tangli was silent for a long while, then lowered her head, feeling a sense of bewilderment in her heart.
***