IDWBE -Chapter 529 Leaving the Palace

Houses were built solidly, carriages were crafted beautifully, and tools like the ink line, plane, and construction ruler were used skillfully. Yet none of this was recorded accurately in books. There were no written references that later generations could consult.

Everything depended on masters teaching apprentices by hand, sometimes even strengthening the connection through marriage between families.

If two or three blacksmiths, carpenters, or tofu sellers appeared on the same street, business would become difficult.

To prevent techniques from spreading and to protect their “secret skills,” craftsmen often deliberately hid their knowledge. Over time, this led to the strange rule of “passing skills to sons but not daughters.”

In fact, the awareness of protecting trade secrets in feudal society was stronger than modern patent protection.

Of course, these people would never imagine that the skills they treasured so dearly might one day be listed as intangible cultural heritage.

“Like cucumbers, it’s also a melon,” the Crown Prince remarked. “I never expected the appearance and taste to be so different. If the people could plant it widely and transport it into the city, it could become another way for them to earn a living.”

Lin Yi looked at him in surprise.

So the Crown Prince actually has some business sense.

“Brother, excellent insight,” Lin Yi said. “Watermelons are easy to grow and don’t require very rich soil. If cultivated well, they can earn more than wheat or sweet potatoes. The only drawback is that they can’t be grown in winter. Otherwise we could eat them all year round.”

After finishing his slice of watermelon, the Crown Prince placed the rind on the table and wiped his hands with a handkerchief.

“As long as you enjoy eating them, they can still be grown in winter—just at a higher cost. Fresh fruits and vegetables sold in Ankang City during winter are grown in heated greenhouses, and they are quite expensive. Minister Chen Yan once wrote a poem about it:

‘The cucumber, when first seen, rivals ginseng;
small as a hairpin, yet worth several pieces of gold.
Such trifles cannot extend one’s life—
why spend ten thousand coins for a single meal?’”

Lin Yi laughed. “Then I’ll make sure the people of Ankang can eat fresh fruits and vegetables even in winter. Eating flatbread every day is miserable.”

He had once seen winter cucumbers himself—tiny things barely bigger than a finger.

While that cultivation technique was a breakthrough, it still relied on traditional craftsmanship and secrecy, with little real innovation.

That was why he had started building new greenhouses from scratch.

The Crown Prince cupped his hands politely. “The Regent’s ambitions are far-reaching. I truly cannot compare.”

Lin Yi looked at him curiously. “Brother, you’ve changed.”

He used to have a temper—now he was suddenly so agreeable that Lin Yi felt uncomfortable.

The Crown Prince smiled faintly. “The Regent has shown mercy by allowing my wife and children to remain with me. They sit by my side every day. With no worldly worries and no ambitions left, isn’t that also a form of peace?”

Lin Yi stood up and walked barefoot to him. “Have you truly let it go?”

The Crown Prince replied with a question: “If I let go, what then? If I do not, what then?”

Lin Yi said quietly, “What do you think I should do?”

The Crown Prince shook his head and smiled. “If I say I have let go, would the Regent believe me?”

“I would,” Lin Yi replied firmly.

The Crown Prince sighed. “Then I have let it go.”

Lin Yi nodded approvingly. “That’s good. We’re brothers after all. Why fight to the death? If I prosper, would I really deny you a meal?”

The Crown Prince stood, adjusted his robe, and bowed deeply. “I am profoundly grateful.”

Lin Yi quickly lifted him up. “Why be so formal between brothers?”

“Etiquette must not be neglected,” the Crown Prince replied seriously.

Lin Yi patted his shoulder. “Brother, you understand me best. I’m deeply comforted.”

Then he added: “Since I believe you, let me tell you something honest. I wonder if you’ll believe it.”

The Crown Prince said politely, “I naturally trust the Regent.”

Lin Yi said slowly: “I actually don’t want to be emperor. Working from morning till night with no days off—exhausted like a dog every day. What’s the point?”

The Crown Prince tried to keep a straight face.

His mouth still twitched slightly.

Not want to be emperor?

Does he realize how outrageous that sounds?

After a long silence, he finally said through clenched teeth,

“The Regent works very hard.”

“Exactly,” Lin Yi said anxiously. “Since I arrived in Ankang City, every memorial reports either hurricanes or droughts. The people are either rebelling or preparing to rebel. Everywhere needs money—silver everywhere! I’m exhausted dealing with it all. The books say governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish. That’s nonsense. I feel like a bricklayer, tearing down one wall to patch another.”

The Crown Prince tried to look sympathetic but failed.

In the end he could only say guiltily: “The Regent handles countless affairs daily while we officials contribute little. I am ashamed.”

Lin Yi waved his hand generously. “It’s fine. We’re family. No need to be so serious. Soon you’ll have a chance to help.”

The Crown Prince hesitated. “Please instruct me. I will serve wholeheartedly, even unto death.”

Lin Yi pressed him back into his chair. “Sit down first. Princess Xuan is returning. I need you to go personally to receive her. She’s traveled far. If no one welcomes her, I’ll look like a careless younger brother.”

Emperor Delong had over twenty children. Princess Xuan was one of them.

When Delong first ascended the throne, internal and external crises overwhelmed him.

At that time, Moxi requested a marriage alliance, insisting on a real princess rather than a palace maid pretending to be one.

Helpless, Delong sent Princess Xuan to marry into Moxi, forming an alliance.

Normally, such marriage princesses never returned home.

But circumstances had changed.

Lin Yi now controlled the government—and he had even driven away the Wadan tribes.

After retreating, the Wadan people began attacking neighboring tribes and states.

They had already seized large areas of Moxi territory.

Moxi, like Wadan, was a confederation of nomadic tribes.

Now they barely had land left to graze their livestock.

To seek Liang’s help, they decided to play the emotional card.

Thus Princess Xuan—married away more than twenty years ago—was returning to Liang.

“The princess is returning…” the Crown Prince murmured.

Then he said seriously, “Receiving foreign envoys is an important matter. I fear I am not capable enough. Please choose someone else.”

Lin Yi snorted. “Didn’t you just swear you’d serve even unto death? Think carefully. If you take this task, I’ll let you leave the palace. You can’t return to the Eastern Palace, but I’ve prepared the Prince Yong’s residence for you and your family.”

Princess Xuan’s return was both a family matter and a national matter.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites would be involved, but they were not family.

Lin Yi himself was family—but since Moxi was asking favors, it would look weak if he personally welcomed them.

The women of the imperial harem couldn’t meet male envoys.

So the only candidates he could think of were:

the Twelfth Prince

the Prince of Dai

the Crown Prince

The first two lacked prestige.

Even if the Crown Prince’s power was gone, his title remained.

It was perfectly appropriate for him to receive the princess.

More importantly, Lin Yi hoped this opportunity would break the deadlock between them.

After all, keeping such an idle person around was wasting food.

Even a useless person should be put to use.

The Crown Prince suddenly looked up. “The Regent will allow me to leave the palace?”

He wisely did not ask why he couldn’t return to the Eastern Palace.

Frankly, if he were allowed to go back there, he might not dare leave the palace at all.

Staying inside, near his father, was the safest life.

Lin Yi said calmly: “Because I trust you.”

The Crown Prince sighed. “I will not disappoint your trust.”

Lin Yi peeled a grape and spit the seeds onto the ground. “Don’t feel too pressured. My philosophy is simple: If you’re well, and I’m well, then everyone is well.”

The Crown Prince nodded. “I understand.”

Then he asked cautiously: “Since Princess Xuan is returning, does the Regent have any specific arrangements?”

Lin Yi grimaced at the overly formal tone. “Just eat and drink with them. Answer questions honestly and keep proper manners. My sister doesn’t need to stay at the diplomatic hostel. She can enter the palace directly and spend time with Lady Sun.”

“I will obey,” the Crown Prince replied loudly.

“That’s all,” Lin Yi said. “You can leave the palace today. Prepare yourself. If nothing unexpected happens, my sister will arrive in Ankang City in five days. No need to escort me—I’m going to inform my mother.”

Without waiting for a reply, Lin Yi walked out of Changqing Palace.

Xiao Xizi followed behind him nervously.

After hesitating several times, he said: “Your Highness… you’re really letting the Crown Prince leave the palace?” By all logic, the Crown Prince being alive was already a miracle. Now he was even allowed outside?

Lin Yi stopped and glanced sideways.

Xiao Xizi immediately collapsed to his knees.

“I deserve death!”

Lin Yi rolled his eyes.

“You spend all day worrying about useless things instead of doing your job. Is that your responsibility?”

Xiao Xizi cried miserably.

“I deserve death.”

Lin Yi waved impatiently.

“Then what are you waiting for? Go prepare things for the Crown Prince.”

Meanwhile, Lei Kaishan approached with a grin.

“Eunuch Xi, how have you been?”

Xiao Xizi sighed.

“Do I look well?”

“Not really,” Lei Kaishan replied.

Xiao Xizi looked him up and down and snorted.

“You’d better be careful. The military discipline inspectors are checking appearances everywhere. If they catch you looking sloppy, you’re finished.”

Lei Kaishan immediately panicked.

Since Lin Yi reorganized the army in Sanhe, strict discipline had been enforced everywhere.

They feared no one—except the inspection team led by Duan Liang.

Even in winter while standing guard, if someone had a runny nose the inspectors would force them to wipe it clean.

Lei Kaishan looked around nervously.

“Are you serious? Is Duan Liang in the palace?”

Xiao Xizi pointed toward the palace gate.

“If you run now, you might still make it.”

Lei Kaishan cursed.

“Trying to get me killed faster?”

He couldn’t abandon his post while escorting the prince.

That would be even worse.

---

Under the blazing sun, Lin Yi stood at the entrance of Ci’an Palace.

His mother had suddenly moved here.

Seeing the Regent appear, eunuchs and maids immediately knelt in fear.

Lin Yi merely waved lazily.

Inside, the courtyard was beautiful: lush plants, ornamental rocks surrounded by ponds, peach blossoms drifting on the water.

Consort Yuan was reclining under an ancient cypress tree while maids fanned her.

Now Lin Yi understood why she had insisted on moving here.

It was basically a miniature imperial garden.

“Mother?” he called.

Consort Yuan opened her eyes lazily. “So you finally remembered to visit me. You even had a son and didn’t bring him for me to see.”

Lin Yi sat on a stone, drank a cup of tea, and laughed. “I’ve barely sat down and you’re already scolding me?”

She looked him over disapprovingly. “You’re now the Regent. How can you dress like this?”

Lin Yi shrugged. “The whole point of being Regent is doing what I want and wearing what I want. If I can’t even choose my clothes, what’s the point?”

She sighed. “You’re always joking.”

Privately, she wondered if heaven had made a mistake.

How had this son of hers obtained such immense power?

It truly made no sense.

Lin Yi said, “I actually came to discuss something. Do you remember Princess Xuan?”

Consort Yuan sighed softly. “How could I forget? Even now, whenever Lady Sun mentions her, she cannot stop crying.”