Jiang Qi's handling of this incident was remarkably low-key. All soldiers involved were dealt with in secret. As for Luo Yuan, Jiang Qi merely fabricated a charge to demote him and place him under house arrest. Wang Zhongze's secret letter stated that Jiang Qi seemed only aware of the soldiers impersonating refugees to infiltrate the capital for the restoration, but unaware of their secret lobbying among court officials. Hence, the incident was discreetly handled under the guise of disrupting public order, without implicating the court officials who had already sided with the young prince. The letter concluded by saying this was merely a setback in Fu Ziming's path, and one day, he would greet the Crown Prince back on the imperial road leading to the palace.
*Knock, knock, knock.* A hesitant knock sounded from outside the door, followed by Uncle Zhong's voice, "Sir, I have something to report."
Luo Yuan tilted his head back and drained the wine from the flask. "Come in."
Uncle Zhong pushed the door open.
He glanced at the scattered empty wine bottles strewn across the room and looked at his master with some concern. He hesitated, feeling it might not be an opportune moment to relay this matter, but since Lord Luo was to leave tomorrow, he had to inform him today regardless.
"Sir, I wish to invite a Taoist priest to perform a ritual in a few days. Would that be permissible?"
Why now of all times? Luo Yuan felt a prickle of annoyance. Such a trivial matter should have been handled by Uncle Zhong himself. Thus, he waved his hand impatiently, signaling him to do as he pleased.
Uncle Zhong did not leave. He said, "Sir, the Prime Minister is here and is waiting in the courtyard."
The courtyard was quiet. Jiang Qi had dismissed everyone, leaving only the two of them. Luo Yuan did not greet him. He had drunk too much. Although his mind was relatively clear, his body could not maintain balance. He slumped onto the stone bench, leaning against the stone table, barely supporting his upper body.
Jiang Qi glanced back at the drunken figure, then looked up at the sky. "There is no moon tonight, but the stars are more numerous and brighter than usual. A dear departed friend once told me that these stars have always been here, but the moon's brilliance obscured their light, which is why we don't see them on ordinary nights."
"Does the Prime Minister come to my humble abode late at night merely to speak of stars?"
"Lord Luo, with your proud demeanor, you bear a slight resemblance to the late Emperor."
Hearing Jiang Qi mention his father, he instinctively became alert. Much of his drunkenness had dissipated. Beneath the stone table, his hand subtly moved to the hilt of the long sword at his waist.
As if sensing Luo Yuan's tension, Jiang Qi smiled faintly. "Lord Luo need not be nervous. I have come only to bid farewell to a friend, nothing more."
"I am unaware of when I managed to ascend to the esteemed status of being Lord Jiang's friend," Luo Yuan said in a low voice, his wariness of Jiang Qi unabated.
Jiang Qi continued as if to himself. "Lord Luo always reminds me of a child. If that child were still alive, he would be about your age. I still remember how he was back then, not diligent in his studies, always being reprimanded by the late Emperor. The Emperor would use a jade brocade sash to strike his small hands until they turned red, yet he wouldn't shed a single tear." Jiang Qi lowered his head, his fingertips playing with a nearby rose, as if lost in memory.
Luo Yuan scoffed inwardly. Of course, he remembered. Back then, Jiang Qi was merely a low-ranking official, yet for some reason, his father held him in high regard and kept him by his side at all times, never apart.
Jiang Qi continued, "Rumor has it that the young Crown Prince and Consort Jin died when falling stones struck them on their way to offer incense, causing them to plunge into a deep abyss. However, they only saw the surface; the truth is known by no one, except... me. But I suspect that General Luo would be interested to know. Then perhaps I shall tell General Luo alone. Lord Luo, you must keep this secret for me."
Luo Yuan stared intently at Jiang Qi with a blank expression. The chilling aura emanating from him filled the small garden, yet Jiang Qi seemed unfazed. He broke off a blooming rose, brought it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. "Ah, indeed, flowers are more fragrant at night."
"The truth is, Consort Jin took the young Crown Prince out of the palace not for incense, but to escape. The Emperor finally learned of Consort Jin's affair with her paramour. The Emperor was furious and intended to sentence Consort Jin to death. Who would have thought someone tipped her off in advance, prompting Consort Jin to flee the palace with the young Crown Prince. Who could have predicted that the escape route would be met with falling stones? Truly, it was a blessing from heaven that allowed the Emperor to preserve the royal family's dignity."
As he spoke, Jiang Qi plucked the petals of the rose, murmuring, "Say, don't say, say, don't say..." When he removed the last petal, he said, "Say... it seems this is also the will of heaven."
He turned to look at Luo Yuan. "General Luo, do you know that the late Emperor had an innate dislike for women? I, like the late Emperor..." He hesitated for a moment, then skipped over it. "The late Emperor rarely favored any concubines. Consort Jin... was merely one of the few exceptions. When her activities outside the palace were discovered by the Emperor, what angered His Majesty was not her infidelity. The Emperor began to suspect that the young Crown Prince was not of royal blood, but the bastard child of that woman's lover. Therefore, although the young prince's body was never found, the Emperor announced to the world that the Crown Prince was dead."
Upon hearing this, the chill emanating from Luo Yuan's body was capable of freezing all things. So Jiang Qi had come to tell him he was a bastard, to make him abandon any thoughts of succession.
He inwardly sneered. He would not believe a single word this old fox uttered!
"You are in no position to inherit the throne!" Ruoning had said behind him that night.
Thinking of Ruoning's words, his heart suddenly trembled violently.
Could it be...? Did Ruoning also know he was not of his father's blood? Could... what Jiang Qi just said be true?!
However, outwardly, he remained composed, coldly asking, "Why does Lord Jiang tell me all this?"
Jiang Qi gave a faint smile, as if this royal secret, capable of crumbling Luo Yuan's world, was merely small talk with an old friend. "It's nothing. Perhaps it's because I'm getting old. Looking at these roses, I've become sentimental. I've rambled on so much that I've forgotten the main reason for my visit. I've come to bid farewell to Miss Yang. You and she are to depart the capital tomorrow. I wish to inform you that your exile to Lingnan is merely a pretense. His Majesty has permitted you to travel via the Grand Canal back to Youzhou City tomorrow. That is your old home, and it is also closer to Miss Yang's home. There, you can ensure a prosperous life with ample food and clothing. I also hope that Lord Luo and Miss Yang can henceforth be a loving couple, enjoying eternal happiness and well-being."
Hearing Jiang Qi say this, Luo Yuan's heart stirred with doubt. Jiang Qi did not seem to know that Ruoning had already left; he thought Ruoning had left him to find Qingye. Since Ruoning hadn't gone to find Qingye, where was she? Had she truly gone home?
"Luo Yuan thanks His Majesty for his benevolence. Ruoning is already asleep. I will inform her in the morning," he replied.