If it weren't for the poisoned jade pendant incident last night, Dongfang Heng, like the other ministers, would have thought the Fifth Prince was a promising talent. But upon closer reflection:
The Fifth Prince had never attended court before, so he should have felt somewhat strange facing all the civil and military officials. Just like when he first entered the Golden Palace, his face was calm, but his heart was still a little turbulent.
The Fifth Prince, however, had clear yet calm eyes. Facing the assembled officials, he remained remarkably composed and proper. This seemed rather unusual, as if he had known all along that things would turn out this way, lacking the strangeness one would expect when entering the palace for the first time.
"Your Highness, Prince Zhan has important matters to attend to and cannot accompany you to Xiangxi. You may select five hundred elite soldiers, take the relief funds, and prepare to set off." The Fifth Prince lacked self-confidence, and if he continued to speak, he would only be pointing out his shortcomings. The Emperor had already made up his mind and would not change it. He issued the order to the Fifth Prince with an air of authority.
The Fifth Prince's lips moved, but the words that were about to come out were changed to euphemisms: "Your subject obeys the decree."
Amidst the envious and jealous stares of the crowd, he slowly straightened up, his slightly thin body adorned with a noble and elegant purple hair ornament, his clear eyes tinged with a hint of helplessness.
Prime Minister Li sneered inwardly. The disaster relief in Xiangxi was such a good opportunity to make a name for himself, something others would fight over. The Fifth Prince was inexplicably struck by this great event, and instead of being happy, he was somewhat unwilling. He was indeed an ignorant and naive man who did not understand the importance of the matter.
Having grown up in the palace, his martial arts skills were mediocre. He had never seen those reckless refugees and bandits. Even if he could complete his mission in western Hunan, it would be a mere scrape. If anything went wrong, they could seize him and strike a heavy blow against Duke Ye.
Dongfang Zhan couldn't go to Xiangxi, nor could the Crown Prince. The Fifth Prince seized the opportunity, but his chances of making a contribution were practically nonexistent. Although the outcome was somewhat disappointing, Duke Ye and his group didn't gain any benefits, so they didn't suffer any loss.
Dongfang Heng and Prime Minister Li had completely different views. Looking at the Fifth Prince's clear and helpless eyes, he suddenly had a feeling that the Fifth Prince, like him, had long guessed that the Crown Prince and Dongfang Zhan would clash, and knew that the Emperor would have no choice but to send another prince to Xiangxi.
The fourth, sixth, and fifth princes of Qingyan are of similar age. However, the maternal clans of the fourth and sixth princes are weaker than those of the fifth prince. In addition, he is the younger brother of the crown prince, and the Ye family faction will do their best to protect him and send him to Xiangxi.
In front of everyone, he appears as an innocent child, and Dongfang Zhan will not see him as a competitor or stop him from going to Xiangxi. He can fully display his talents and become a strong contender for the throne.
Royal affairs are complicated. The relationship between fathers and sons, and brothers is very distant. Dongfang Heng is not a prince. No matter how fierce or ruthless the struggle between fathers, sons, and brothers in the royal family is, he has no interest in getting involved as long as it does not harm his family.
As for the Fifth Prince, regardless of whether he was having an affair with Consort Li, as long as he didn't cause trouble for Shen Lixue, Dongfang Heng wouldn't pay him any attention. But if he dared to touch Shen Lixue, he would show no mercy.
At Chenshi (7-9 AM), the matter of Xiangxi was settled, and all the civil and military officials left the court. Dongfang Zhan stormed back to the Zhanwang Mansion, striding along the clean bluestone path. His azure robes fluttered in the strong wind, and his sharp eyes were filled with a sinister and terrifying light.
The disaster relief in western Hunan was such a good opportunity, but it was given to that fool, the fifth prince. It's such a pity. Dongfang Heng really never forgets to oppose me. He finds an opportunity to undermine me. Even though I put my mind on vying for the throne, he doesn't let me relax.
"Ting-dong!" The clear, spring-like sound of the zither suddenly resounded over the Zhanwang Mansion. It was like birdsong or a rushing stream, the sound light and melodious, but it only fueled Dongfang Zhan's anger and irritation. He roared in the direction from which the sound came: "Who is playing the zither?"
The beautiful music stopped abruptly, and accompanied by hurried footsteps, a slender figure walked out of the courtyard tremblingly.
A light blue Xiang dress accentuated her exquisite figure, embroidered with begonia blossoms that made her appear even more slender and graceful. Her delicate, flowing hair was styled in a small bun, giving her an air of dignity and nobility. Her beautiful eyes, clear as a fawn's, met Dongfang Zhan's eyes, which were blazing with anger. Her body trembled violently, and she hurriedly lowered her head, stammering, "Your...Your Highness...I didn't know Your Highness was in a bad mood...I beg Your Highness's forgiveness..."
Shen Yingxue!
Dongfang Zhan was startled, and suddenly remembered that she had been tricked by Shen Lixue into becoming his concubine.
That day was his wedding day, and he was so busy that he didn't get a good look at her. Now, looking her up and down, apart from her slightly thick waist, her figure was still quite slender. Her face was as beautiful as before, but she had applied a thick layer of powder, and the smell of perfume wafted in the wind, making it pungent and unpleasant.
When she was the daughter of the Prime Minister, she did wear makeup, but it was only a thin layer with a faint scent. He neither liked nor particularly disliked it. But now, just looking at that thick layer of white makeup makes him extremely disgusted.
She was once a noble lady, how could she have become like this in just a few months? Could it be that she has been living the life of a commoner for too long and has become vulgar?
Dongfang Zhan didn't know that Shen Yingxue's face was tanned by the sun, and she was applying so much powder to cover up her unsightly skin tone.
Shen Yingxue heard Dongfang Zhan's return. She played the zither in the courtyard to attract his attention, but she didn't expect him to be in a bad mood. She regretted it and bit her lower lip, waiting for Dongfang Zhan's storm. Unexpectedly, there was no sound above her. She quietly raised her eyes and saw him staring at her in a daze. She was stunned for a moment, and then a strange joy rose in her heart.
Prince Zhan had always liked her, but she was bewitched by Prince An and schemed against by Shen Lixue, which caused her to miss out on Prince Zhan. Now, she has regained her freedom and has come to Prince Zhan's side by chance. Prince Zhan still has feelings for her, but heaven has taken pity on her.
She mustered her courage and walked towards Dongfang Zhan, her beautiful eyes sparkling with deep affection, calling out sweetly, "Your Highness..."
It was all her fault before. She abandoned Prince Zhan, who loved her deeply, because Prince An didn't love her. Now, she has opened her eyes and seen the man who truly loves her. She will treat Prince Zhan even better and will never betray him again.
A strong scent of perfume wafted over him. Dongfang Zhan looked up and saw Shen Yingxue almost touching him, her beautiful face beaming with a smile, white powder almost falling off her face. He frowned deeply and asked, "What are you doing?"
"I know Your Highness is in a bad mood. Would you mind helping me to cheer you up?" Shen Yingxue looked at Dongfang Zhan with a smile, her beautiful eyes full of hope.
Dongfang Zhan looked at her with great interest: "How do you plan to relieve my worries?" His worries were not something that ordinary people could relieve.
"I have my own methods." Shen Lixue smiled sweetly, gently loosening the ribbon around her waist, and her beautiful outer garment slid slowly to the ground along her slender body.
While at the inn, she was always cleaning the toilets. The small pond was very close to Qin Junhao's courtyard, and she often saw Qin Junhao bringing back all sorts of women. Qin Junhao often lost his temper, but whenever the women took the initiative to please him, his mood would turn from bad to good. Those women never failed to work, so she also planned to use this method to make Dongfang Zhan happy.
The white undergarment couldn't hide Shen Yingxue's slightly plump belly. Dongfang Zhan looked at her, a hint of mockery rising at the corner of his mouth. He had almost forgotten that Shen Yingxue had been pregnant before, but the child was no longer in her womb, and her figure hadn't fully recovered.
A cold wind blew by, and Shen Yingxue trembled like a pitiful little flower in the wind. Dongfang Zhan just looked at her indifferently, without the slightest bit of pity.
She gritted her teeth and gently unbuttoned her blouse, revealing her fair skin and a hint of a plum-red bodice, which aroused desire.
Shen Yingxue gently leaned her soft body against Dongfang Zhan. Dongfang Zhan did not react. Shen Yingxue was secretly delighted. He did not push her away and still cared about her. Taking advantage of the situation, she leaned closer to him, letting his tall body shield her from the cold wind.
Her small hands weren't idle either; they reached down to Dongfang Zhan's waist, untied his belt, and then unbuttoned his outer garment. Her soft breasts gently caressed his strong chest, and her beautiful spring scenery was faintly revealed.
Dongfang Zhan stood quietly, looking at Shen Yingxue calmly, without pushing her away, and seemed to have no impulse.
Shen Yingxue was puzzled. Qin Junhao was currently pressing the woman down and making love to her fiercely, so why wasn't Prince Zhan reacting? Wasn't her teasing enough?
Her small hands pulled open Dongfang Zhan's outer robe and touched the buttons on his inner robe, quickly unbuttoning each jade clasp. Zhan Wang used to like her so much, he must also want to have her. She was seducing Zhan Wang, and he would definitely not refuse.
The delicate jade clasp crumbled in her hands, and beneath her white inner robe, Dongfang Zhan's strong chest was faintly visible, many times more muscular than Lei Cong's thick chest. Shen Yingxue blushed instantly, her small hands moving non-stop, and she quickly unfastened the jade clasp.
Dongfang Heng remained standing steadily, looking at her indifferently, without showing the slightest intention to take the initiative.
Shen Yingxue gritted her teeth, hardened her heart, pressed her slender body close to Dongfang Zhan, slowly stretched out her arms, wanting to climb up his neck, closed her eyelids slightly, and slowly brought her tempting lips to Dongfang Zhan's thin lips.
The man's unique masculine scent sprayed onto Shen Yingxue's face, causing her heart to flutter. Her face flushed red, and she quickened her pace. This was her first formal kiss with a man, a kiss from the Prince Zhan. It was sure to be wonderful.
Just as she was about to kiss his sexy, thin lips, Dongfang Zhan suddenly gave a cold laugh and pushed Shen Yingxue away.
Caught off guard, Shen Yingxue fell to the ground, her whole body aching. Her clothes were disheveled, her hair was messy, and her beautiful eyes were full of surprise: "Your Highness... what's wrong with you..." Why did you suddenly push her away?
"Your hands are too rough, they've ruined my clothes." Dongfang Zhan slowly fastened his inner and outer garments, his casual words startling Shen Yingxue. Her face turned pale, her eyes reddened, and she slowly raised her small hand.
Her fingers were slender with distinct joints, but her palms were covered with calluses, like tiny, sharp burrs. She could feel the roughness when she held a handkerchief or touched silk fabric. The yellow calluses from scrubbing the toilet for so long would take her quite some time to regain her former fair and delicate skin.