ATPnovel Chapter 1631: 18: Changle Is Here (Part 2)
Chapter 1631: 18: Changle Is Here (Part 2)
Chapter 1631: Chapter 18: Changle Is Here (Part 2)“Are you aware?” Jiang Wuji asked, “Zheng Shi has already found you, and it was I who stopped him?”
“I could only tell him that this matter was at my behest, I have the intention to oversee this case… A good bystander now has to put out the fire. Qi Song, what do you think?”
“I admit my mistake.” Qi Song said.
Jiang Wuji did not even glance at him and turned over. The thin silk robe faintly revealed his perfect muscle lines.
Yet above the robe, his face was exquisite and delicate.
The two beautiful maids who were massaging his shoulders and legs quietly withdrew, one behind him, one to his right.
The Yangxin Palace Master sat sideways on the soft couch, facing the scenery on the Xia Mountain.
Qi Song was half-kneeling behind him to the left.
“Everyone makes mistakes, so I will forgive you this once.” Jiang Wuji said, “Since you’re involved, take responsibility to uncover the truth and watch those in the Beiyaduwei. After all, my concern for my eleventh brother is justified.”
“Yes.” Qi Song responded obediently.
“But I don’t need the truth, do you understand?”
“I understand.” Qi Song thought for a moment, then softly asked, “Your Highness, to whom should the truth be handed once it’s found?”
It seemed he truly understood.
There’s no fear of stupidity, just fear of being too clever.
Jiang Wuji looked at the distant mountains and said faintly, “Zheng Shangming is just another loyal dog, Lin Youxie’s future is limited. Help Jiang Qingyang get promoted, since he’s currently in favor, and only he can make a big deal of this matter.”
“Understood.” Qi Song gave a solemn bow before getting up and retreating.
It was already winter month, the red maples had withered.
At this time, the Xia Mountain was bare and had nothing much to see.
But Jiang Wuji looked intently.
On that overly delicate face, there weren’t many expressions.
“Why did the music stop?” he suddenly asked.
The beauty playing the qin said, “If Your Highness cannot listen attentively, it shouldn’t be played.”
“Am I not attentive enough?”
“Your Highness was busy suppressing murderous intent just now. How could you have the heart to listen?”
Jiang Wuji’s eyes bore a hint of amusement: “Se Se, being too smart can cause big trouble.”
The woman named Wu Se lightly flicked the qin strings with her pinky finger.
Dong dong dong dong dong.
She softly said, “Your Highness is indeed my big trouble.”
“You’re right!” Jiang Wuji laughed, but his eyes remained on the Xia Mountain.
People look at splendid scenes, he looks at desolate ones.
“Pity the world’s beauty like beauties, so easily withered…”
He sighed, then suddenly said, “Feel like playing with a spear!”
He then stepped down from the couch, beckoning casually.
A bright red spear landed in his palm.
He held the bright red spear upside down and walked directly into the air towards that Xia Mountain.
The black and gold silk robe gleamed in the light,
At that time, the mountains were devoid of flying shadows, the setting sun still shone.
Both man and spear, were stunning.
…
…
There are all kinds of people in the world.
There’s a Prince like Jiang Wuji who always runs outside the palace, and then there’s the Crown Prince Jiang Wuhua who almost imprisons himself in Chang Le Palace, never stepping outside.
Except for some necessary ceremonies, he stays in the palace as much as he can.
Daily tending to flowers, cooking and steaming, enjoying himself.
Once he claimed— “This is my Changle.”
While Jiang Wuji was playing with the spear on the maple-leaf-laden Xia Mountain, in Chang Le Palace, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort were dining.
Only two palace maidens attended to them, one for the Crown Prince, one for the Crown Princess Consort, moving lightly, never making a sound.
Although the dining hall was spacious, the two chatted as they ate, not feeling lonely.
There weren’t many dishes on the table, three meats and two vegetables with a soup, all personally made by the Crown Prince, their fragrance enticing.
A eunuch came hurriedly, the sound of his steps urgent, clearly bearing important news.
But upon reaching the dining hall’s entrance, he stopped, saying nothing, silent.
Everyone in Chang Le Palace knew that when the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort dined, they were not to be disturbed.
In the Crown Prince’s rules, there were few matters more important than mealtime.
At least the matter he needed to report right now wasn’t more crucial than the dining of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort.
“Isn’t today’s venison not tender enough?” the Crown Prince asked softly, “A seven-month deer wasn’t available, so we chose a nine-month one. This kind of banana-tail deer is hard to raise; only between July and August is its meat at its best. You were eager to eat, so there was no choice…”
Song Ning’er swallowed the venison in her mouth and, in a practiced manner, commented, “Indeed, it is not as tender, but it has more texture, which gives it a peculiar flavor. Of course, the main thing is that the Crown Prince’s cooking skills are extraordinary; everything you make is delicious!”
This plate of fragrant fried banana-tail deer was indeed visually, aromatically, and gastronomically perfect.
When it was just served, it still appeared as a whole deer. But in fact, it had been cut into thin slices long before, and after being fried, it was pieced back together.
With a gentle stab of chopsticks, a slice could be picked up. The meat was thin enough to be almost translucent, finely patterned like banana leaves, fried to a glossy golden without appearing greasy.
The secret spices of Chang Le Palace were sprinkled over the meat slices, their fragrance lingering in the air, lasting more than just a few moments.
At this moment, the large plate was almost empty, with only a few pieces left, showing how much the Crown Princess Consort indeed loved this dish.
Jiang Wuhua cupped his hands over the table in a show of sincere gratitude and said, “Thank you for your praise, Crown Princess Consort!”
Song Ning’er waved her hand, indicating that she had no time for formalities with him.
Picking up the last few pieces of venison with her chopsticks, she swiftly ate them along with the glistening white rice.
Then setting down her ivory chopsticks, she lifted the tea bowl beside her, gulping down a bowl of fragrant tea, and contentedly sighed, “I’m full!”
“Would you like some soup?” Jiang Wuhua asked, “It’s made with this banana-tail deer’s antler as the main ingredient, complemented by mushrooms sent from the Zhuhe district, making it very delicious.”
Song Ning’er shook her hand: “I really can’t drink any more; my stomach is already round…”
She glanced at Jiang Wuhua, mischievous yet shy, “Don’t believe me? Feel for yourself?”
“Isn’t that inappropriate?” Jiang Wuhua said with his mouth while his hand was already reaching out.
For a while.
“Smack!”
Song Ning’er slapped his hand, playfully scolding, “Had enough?”
“Hmm…” Jiang Wuhua withdrew his hand, laughing, “It seems you are indeed full.”
“Sigh.” Song Ning’er let out a long sigh, “The desire for taste is a great hindrance to my cultivation!”
Jiang Wuhua beamed, “Isn’t the joy of husband and wife in sharing meals and beds?”
“Go away!” Song Ning’er rolled her eyes at him, “Who shares a bed with you?”
Jiang Wuhua said, “In life and after death, who else can be by my pillow?”
“Only you would say such things!” Song Ning’er stood, “I won’t disturb you while you’re busy with official matters, I’m going to rest.”
Jiang Wuhua spoke softly, “I’ve asked someone to prepare dessert for you in the Qingfeng Pavilion. It was made this morning. You might want to try it.”
“Do you really think I’m not fat enough?” Song Ning’er playfully scolded but eventually turned to walk towards Qingfeng Pavilion.
Compared to her dignified demeanor in front of others, she was clearly much more lively when alone with him.
Jiang Wuhua just watched her leave, smiling, and said nothing more.
As soon as the Crown Princess Consort left with the palace maidens attending her, the eunuch waiting outside finally came in.
He bowed and said, “Your Highness, latest news, people from Yangxin Palace have also gotten involved in the Feng Gu case.”
Jiang Wuhua pushed his rice bowl aside, served himself a bowl of deer antler soup, sipped it slowly, and said, “As expected. And how about Hua Ying Palace?”
“The Third Prince hasn’t shown any signs, or perhaps we haven’t managed to uncover them,” the eunuch replied.
Jiang Wuhua shook his head, “No signs mean no action. With Wuyou’s personality, if he were to react to this matter, there would definitely be no small commotion.”
He drank a few more sips of soup and suddenly asked, “I heard someone went to warn Jiang Qingyang, is that true?”
“Indeed, there was such a thing,” the eunuch replied.
“Audacious.” Jiang Wuhua placed the spoon back into the bowl, “In my vast Daqi, who can be so rampant?”
The eunuch said, “The origins of that carriage driver are quite clear; his family has served the Beiyaduwei as drivers for three generations. Now the person has disappeared… neither alive nor dead. There’s no clue.”
“Forget it, leave this matter to Beiyaduwei to investigate,” Jiang Wuhua waved dismissively, “Convey my decree, have the Imperial Guard increase protection for the case workers, especially at the residences of Jiang Wang and Lin Youxie, ensure heightened patrols. Such a thing must not happen again. None of the three working on this case can be compromised, is that understood?”
“Understood.”
The eunuch took his orders and hurried away.
Jiang Wuhua, losing interest in the soup, got up and left, casually saying, “Today’s soup is good, share it among you.”
The only remaining maid in the dining hall was already accustomed to it, unfazed, she simply bowed, “Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace.”
Jiang Wuhua just waved a hand and walked out.