Love the Country, Love Freedom More

　　The young girl slept in Xuan Tian Ming’s embrace; however, the person that lay awake had his sleepiness chased away by what she had just said. Holding the little person in his embrace, he pondered over her words; however, a bitter smile appeared on his face in the end.

　　Was this country good? Was the throne good? Did he want it? He had never wanted it! He, Xuan Tian Ming, from a young age had never wanted to become an emperor. Ever since he became conscious of his actions, ever since he had realized that he was a prince, he had never thought of receiving the heavy responsibility of the country from his Father Emperor. His aspirations lay in the world; however, it did not lie with assuming the throne and overlooking the world and governing it. Instead, it was to bring this girl around the world and give her absolute freedom.

　　In the end, he was Imperial Concubine Yun’s child, and he also had that love for freedom that Imperial Concubine Yun had many years ago. But at the same time, he was also the Emperor’s son, and he also had the innate feelings of a ruler. Over the years, he had suppressed his desire for freedom and put forth all of his might to help the Emperor take care of this country. Loving all of the citizens in the country, and everyone knew that of the Emperor’s many children, the ninth prince was the one that the Emperor favored the most. In the future, the one that was most likely to assume the throne would also be the ninth prince; however, there were no people that knew that none of this was what the ninth prince truly desired…

　　The next day at dawn, Xuan Tian Ming got up early to attend court. After the 23rd day of the 12th month, Da Shun’s court would be closed. All matters from before the end of the year would be taken care of during this time. Even for Xuan Tian Ming, who had just returned to the capital, he would not get a single day’s rest.

　　There was nothing for Feng Yu Heng to do, as she continued to sleep for a while after Xuan Tian Ming left. When she woke up, Lady Zhou told her that Xuan Tian Ming had left a message that told her to wait in the palace. When court was dismissed, the two would go to the Lu manor together and deliver the gift that the eighth prince had entrusted him to Lu Yan.

　　Feng Yu Heng felt that it was entertaining, as the eighth prince had taken it seriously and listened to Noble Lady Yuan’s words, telling him to marry Lu Yan. He had even prepared some gifts for the new year. This sort of child that listened to his mother also had the ambition to usurp the throne. Who knew exactly where he landed between childish and mature. Or perhaps, in the eighth prince’s mind, Noble Lady Yuan had a very good understanding of the situation in court, such that he felt that marrying the Lu family’s young miss was the right decision. After all, Lu Song was still the left prime minister. He, the eighth prince, was famous in the South; however, he had a great shortcoming when it came to knowledge to the court and the power of government officials.

　　She peacefully sat in the palace for the entire morning until Xuan Tian Ming finally returned from court at noon. The two ate lunch then brought the new year’s gift that the eighth prince had prepared over to the Lu family. There did not look to be many gifts, and Xuan Tian Ming said to have them placed in a chest to make it easier to move around. That way, they would not need a large number of servants and make it a rowdy procession. As a result, they ended up filling two chests, which caused Feng Yu Heng to sigh over the eighth prince’s sincerity.

　　Xuan Tian Ming, however, laughed and told her: “This prince also bought quite a few nice things from the South for you. Later on, I’ll carry them to the imperial daughter’s manor for you.”

　　The two chatted and laughed as they arrived at the Lu family’s residence. Lu Song had also just returned from court not too long earlier. Upon seeing that Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng had personally come to visit, he was quite frightened. He thought that something had happened, as the entire family kneeled in horror to salute. Lu Song truly could not endure and asked: “Your Highness, Imperial Daughter, suddenly coming to visit, is something the matter?”

　　Xuan Tian Ming nodded and waved his hand. The servants carried in two chests, and he finally said to Lu Song: “Coming back from the South this time, this prince left first. Coming back to the capital first, His Highness the eighth prince asked this prince to bring some things back to be sent to Young Miss Lu.” After saying this, he pointed at the two chests and continued: “The majority are some accessories and clothes. In the South, they are considered good things. Prime Minister Lu, have the young miss accept them!”

　　Lu Song was startled. He never thought that Xuan Tian Ming had come to help the eighth prince deliver a gift, and he was even more surprised that the eighth prince had really prepared some gifts from the South for Lu Yan. He originally thought that Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng had come looking to stir up some trouble. For it to suddenly become a good thing, he was a little unable to recover.

　　It was his wife, Ge shi, who gave him a tug then spoke up, saying with a smile: “Many thanks Your Highness the ninth prince and Imperial Daughter for specially coming.” She then turned around and pulled Lu Yan forward, saying: “This is the one that was allowed to become engaged to His Highness the eighth prince thanks to His Majesty and the noble lady. Her name is Lu Yan. Yan’er, quickly greet His Highness and Imperial Daughter!”

　　Lu Yan quickly bowed and respectfully saluted to Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng. While saluting, her gaze drifted unconsciously over to the two chests. The chests still had not been opened, but she had just seen that the servants carrying them in had used quite a bit of strength. Thinking about it, there were definitely quite a few heavy objects inside, and she could not help but smile. Her mood had improved once more, “Yan’er thanks Your Highness for bringing these things back from so far away. Yan’er will definitely keep this grace in mind.”

　　Xuan Tian Ming waved his hand: “It just happened to be on the way. It can’t be considered a grace. Young Miss Lu must not speak like this. Quickly go and take a look at the gifts.” After saying this, he pulled Feng Yu Heng to the side and said to Lu Song: “This prince has already delivered the items and will not stay any longer. Prime Minister Lu’s opinion in court on the subject of the situation in the South really was unique. This prince wishes to ask for some advice about it at a later time.”

　　Once these words came out, Lu Song shuddered. Today in court, the matter relating to the South that he spoke of had all been in line with what the eighth prince had said. Now, the ninth prince had come and said this sort of thing. What exactly did this mean? He raised his hand and wiped away some sweat, repeatedly saying: “I don’t dare, I don’t dare. This lowly official had a misconception.”

　　However, Feng Yu Heng giggled from the side, “Misconception? Lord left prime minister really knows how to joke. Do you know what misconception means? A misconception is an absurd and mistaken opinion. But in court, a place that is solemn and dignified, every word that an official says is an analysis of the country. To be responsible to the Emperor and the country, not to mention every word being accurate and unassailable, but it must only be said after some deep thought. And for the words of lord left prime minister himself to be misconceptions, your conduct is… deceiving the ruler?”

　　Lu Song trembled, and his legs gave out. With a “thunk” sound, he kneeled. With him kneeling, everyone in the Lu manor also kneeled. Lu Song then said: “Imperial Daughter, please understand, this official did not mean it in that way. It really is not the intended meaning!” He then looked toward Xuan Tian Ming and said: “This official suddenly became panicked about Your Highness wanting to ask this official for advice, thus… did not pay attention to my words and allowed Your Highness and Imperial Daughter to misunderstand.”

　　Xuan Tian Ming looked at him coldly but did not say anything further. He just said: “Prime Minister Lu, there’s no need to explain too much. Imperial Daughter was just telling a joke.”

　　Lu Song’s heart trembled, a joke? She had said that he had deceived the ruler! Was this something that could be joked about? But he did not dare argue with Feng Yu Heng. First, he understood himself and knew that he could not argue with her. Second, he had indeed made a bad choice in his wording. How did he end up using the word misconception? It was no wonder so many people in court said that the ninth prince would give off a kind of pressure. Often, in just a few words, people would be completely thrown off. Today, he had ended up saying “misconception.” It seems that what was said was not fake!

　　Lu Song awkwardly and nervously stood in place. It was the madam, Ge shi, that was the first to recover and say: “Your Highness, Imperial Daughter, please come inside for some tea.”

　　With her speaking up, Lu Song also invited them inside; however, Xuan Tian Ming shook his head, “This prince and Imperial Daughter have another matter to attend to and will not be staying. We will be taking our leave.”

　　Put plainly, Xuan Tian Ming taking his leave allowed everyone in the Lu family to let out a sigh of relief. Only after they were sent out of the manor and had gone far away in their imperial carriage did Lu Song wipe away the sweat that had come out on this cold winter day. Bringing his madam and daughter back into the manor, he turned around and ordered for the manor’s gates to be closed. Only then did he feel at ease.

　　Ge shi sighed and helped Lu Song while shouting: “Husband really has been troubled.”

　　Lu Song waved his hand and helplessly said: “It’s exactly as they say, being near the ruler is like being near a tiger. For the officials in court, which day is not spent on edge.”

　　Ge shi then continued: “As I see it, His Highness the ninth prince is considered polite. The cunning one is Imperial Daughter Ji An. As long as she speaks up, even a bone could be picked from an egg. Husband saying misconception earlier was nothing more than some words of courtesy, but she ended up hearing that sort of thing from her own logic. To deal with this sort of person is really more frightening than being near a tiger!” As she spoke, she became curious, “It must be said that Imperial Daughter Ji An’s personality really is hard to figure out. During the Winter Hunt, it looked as if she was helping our Lu family, but why was it that today…”

　　Lu Song sighed and said: “How could we figure out that girl’s intentions. As I see it, during the Winter Hunt, she might not have been doing it to help us. The marriage between Yan’er and His Highness the eighth prince was already strange. What exactly is going on with it, we still do not know.”

　　Lu Yan listened to her parents’ conversation but was very disapproving: “Who cares what she’s thinking. Who cares what exactly is going on. Either way, the marriage between daughter and His Highness the eighth prince was personally agreed to by His Majesty. Could there be a lie that comes from His Majesty’s mouth? Was this not the outcome that father had been hoping for from the beginning?”

　　Ge shi also said: “Yan’er is right. Getting her engaged to His Highness the eighth prince was originally what we had planned. This marriage was personally sanctioned by His Majesty. We are also a prime minister’s manor, and Yan’er is the daughter of the first wife. The position of official princess cannot be avoided. At present, regardless of the situation, our goal has been accomplished. What follows now is to see if His Highness the eighth prince is competent or not. Husband also needs to do everything possible to support him. Only by allowing His Highness the eighth prince to assume the throne can our Lu family truly feel proud and elated.”

　　Lu Song nodded, “Wife is right. Since we have already come this far, we can only grit our teeth and continue down this path. Right or wrong, success or failure, it will be decided in these few years. Even if His Highness the eighth prince’s momentum is not as great as His Highness the ninth prince’s, we need to think of a way to help him turn things around.”

　　Hearing Lu Song say this, Lu Yan’s heart was filled with joy, as she happily went to look at the two chests filled with gifts; however, Lu Song saw the joyous expression on his daughter’s face and felt a slight unease. Was this matter not going too smoothly? It was so smooth that he felt it was not realistic!

　　Just as he was thinking about it, the sound of someone knocking at the gates came. The housekeeper went to take a look and spoke with the person that had come. After a while, a look of shock quickly appeared on his face, as he quickly ran over and urgently said: “Master, Her Highness the Empress sent someone to deliver something to the third young miss…”