IDWBE -Chapter 573 No More Pretending

Ankang City, as the political, economic, and cultural center of the Daliang Kingdom, saw hundreds of people freeze or starve to death every year.

As for the more remote areas with poor economy and difficult transportation, it was even worse—if a city didn’t lose over a thousand people in a year, it was a miracle of heaven.

In his past life, Lin Yi had long been accustomed to being a loser, so sometimes he couldn’t help but put himself in the perspective of ordinary people.

For a commoner who couldn’t eat enough or dress warmly, not rebelling—that would be like putting one’s anus against a drill!

If one didn’t have the courage for that, at least a little mischief in the cold wind should be acceptable, right?

The more he put himself in their shoes, the stronger his sense of urgency became.

He was almost developing paranoid delusions.

Xie Zan cupped his hands and said, “Reporting to the Prince, Ankang Prefecture, together with the Military Department, has set up a shelter outside the city. It provides accommodation, bedding, and cotton clothes, and the large pots of porridge are kept boiling all night.”

Sitting next to Xie Zan, Gan Mao frowned. “Prince, the porridge is cooked too thickly. Citizens with enough provisions are coming out to claim it. If this continues, the daily expenditure in grain and money will be unsustainable. I think we need to come up with a solution.”

“People are coming just to grab it?”

Lin Yi hadn’t expected this. “The shelter is seven or eight li from the city. With this heavy snow, a round trip takes over an hour. Is it really worth it just for a bowl of porridge?”

Gan Mao smiled, “Prince, it’s not just a few bites—that’s a big bowl with sweet potatoes. Some people come at night, eat until half full, lie down in the shelter, and by morning they’ve had breakfast and can look forward to lunch. Sometimes they stay four or five days. As it gets colder, more people will come. No matter how many shelters you build or how many pots of porridge you cook, it will never be enough.”

“Cold and frozen, with nothing to do, lying down anywhere is fine.”

Lin Yi again put himself in the shoes of ordinary people and immediately understood their thinking.

In the dead of winter, biting cold winds—imagine a place with food, drink, and a warm bed to lie down in. Only a fool wouldn’t go!

One could even drag the whole family and spend the whole winter there!

Xie Zan gave a wry smile. “Prince, your benevolence makes you unaware of the cunning of these people.”

Lin Yi sighed. “Then surely you’ve thought of a solution?”

Before they could speak, he waved them off. “Fine, do as you wish. I won’t interfere.”

According to his guess, they might mix sand into the porridge—a trick He Jixiang had once suggested.

At that time, he had a saintly heart and didn’t agree, thinking only a notorious corrupt official like Heshen could do such a thing!

But now, with so many people faking disaster victims and eating relief rations, that trick seemed unavoidable.

Those who wanted to take advantage wouldn’t tolerate gritty porridge; only truly starving citizens could endure it.

As for whether it might cause kidney stones or other issues—that wasn’t something to consider now. First, they had to survive.

“Prince, you are wise.”

The three said in unison.

“I take responsibility for wisdom; you take responsibility for mischief.”

Lin Yi said casually.

The three old men scowled.

Damn!

This Prince really is shameless!

And yet, they were powerless.

He Jixiang, slumping, raised his cup. “I toast the Prince.”

“Thanks.” Lin Yi realized he now had the constitution to drink endlessly without getting drunk!

How could he drink so much and still be this clear-headed?

Impossible!

Xie Zan said seriously, “Prince, now that your authority extends across the realm, I think—”

“I don’t want your thoughts. I want mine,” Lin Yi interrupted again. “I know what you’re going to say. I’ll tell you in advance—no need for the usual formalities. The emperor of Daliang right now is still my father. Don’t think otherwise.”

He Jixiang, knowing the Prince well, saw his resolute attitude and sighed, “As you command.”

“Fine, drink at your leisure.”

Lin Yi ignored all formalities, clinking glasses with everyone.

He walked over to Prince Chu and smiled, “Eighth Brother, I’m glad you’re back.”

The usually noisy Taihe Hall suddenly quieted. Everyone held their breath; one could hear a pin drop.

Prince Chu, Lin Zhan, stood up and respectfully bowed. “All under heaven belongs to the Regent Price. No matter where I am, I am your subject, Prince Regent.”

“Eighth Brother, you’re too polite,” Lin Yi loved hearing this. “We are all brothers. Sit and talk.”

“Thank you, Prince Regent.”

Prince Chu remained standing, too honest to sit.

This brother knew him well!

Jealous, grudging, some things couldn’t be taken lightly.

Lin Yi then looked at the Crown Prince and said, “Eighth Brother has been away from the capital for some time. Ankang City has changed a lot. He might not fully understand; please, Big Brother, look after him.”

The Crown Prince and Prince Chu were not close, but they were still full brothers. Lin Yi needed him as a safeguard.

If Prince Chu caused trouble, he would be held accountable!

The Crown Prince stood and said bitterly, “I obey your command.”

“Then let’s continue drinking.” Lin Yi had no idea how much he drank; by the time he left, he was swaying.

He led the way out of Taihe Hall, officially ending the banquet.

Now Prince Xin had the chance to kneel before his mother, Consort Kang. “Your child has been unfilial, causing worry, Mother.”

Tears streaming, Consort Kang said, “Good child, you’re back. Go now.”

With so many people in Taihe Hall, she couldn’t say much.

“Your son takes his leave.”

Prince Xin didn’t linger; he followed Prince Chu.

Prince Nanling stood in the large square, watching Prince Chu’s retreating figure, his face dark as if it could drip water. “One day, I will personally kill that traitor and ease my hatred.”

If not for Prince Chu, his mother, Consort Zhan, wouldn’t have thrown herself into a well.

Mei Jingzhi looked up at the snow and patted his shoulder. “Remember my words: a gentleman takes revenge, ten years is not late. Don’t act rashly now. If you make a move, the Regent Prince will not spare you. I believe your mother in heaven wouldn’t want to see you hurt yourself for her.”

“Grandfather.”

Tears streamed down Prince Nanling’s face.

The wind and snow grew stronger.

Prince Chu sat in the carriage, lifting the curtain to peek outside. “I never expected that after two years away, Ankang City would change so much. I remember this area was a slum. How is it now such a large square? And that riverside used to be full of homes. Now there’s not a single one?”

Prince Jin laughed, “I returned only ten days earlier than you. Many things are unclear. I only heard that after Ninth Brother took charge of the court, he acted arbitrarily, launching sanitation reforms that caused public unrest, spending silver endlessly.”

Prince Chu said, “Sometimes he really does act rashly. But now, we are under his control, so we must be cautious.”

Prince Jin chuckled wryly. “Ah, under someone else’s roof, you have to bow. Do you really think he will spare us?”

Prince Chu said, “He let the Third Brother escape; why would he kill us? You still don’t understand him. He may be greedy, but he isn’t murderous. If the Third Brother gains power, that’s when our time is up.”

Prince Jin looked at Prince Chu in surprise. “You’ve always supported the Third Brother; why don’t you trust him now?”

Prince Chu pouted. “You lived with your Third Brother in Pingcheng. Did that make you trust him?”

“Fair enough,” Prince Jin shifted his hand warmer over his belly. “What about you? If you gained power, could you spare us?”

Prince Chu laughed. “In the past, I would have said brothers share fortune and hardship. Now, I’ll be honest: if I hold power, I’ll kill all the unfaithful dogs in the world.”

Prince Jin and Prince Xin were shocked, then understood.

The tide had turned; the brothers no longer had ambition. No need to pretend magnanimous, kind, or just. Too tiring.

No more pretending: I’m a villain.

Dare you stop me?

“Eighth Brother is indeed a man of temperament,” Prince Jin said, smiling. “Just as I thought.”

If he gains power, not one brother will survive.

For royal sons, brothers are all a danger—even parents.

“I’m still sitting here, and you’re thinking of killing me?” Prince Xin, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke.

Prince Chu said casually, “Fifth Brother, you’re no saint either. I don’t believe that if you ascend, you could tolerate us. I’ll be the first to kill you.”

“I understand if you want to kill me, but why first?” Prince Chu asked exaggeratedly, “All these years hiding in Chuzhou, we’ve spent time together. I’ve helped you so much—at least I deserve some credit, right?”

Prince Xin said expressionlessly, “Precisely because we’ve spent so much time together, you know too much. That’s why I can’t spare you.”

“That’s so reasonable, I can’t refute it.” Prince Chu sighed.

Prince Jin sighed. “You’re so sure the Ninth Brother won’t kill us? You shouldn’t have returned.”

He and Prince Nanling suffered most; they were forced to come back!

Because the Third Brother failed, the gates were opened in surrender!

Prince Xin said, “The tide has turned. Instead of hiding for life, better to gamble everything.”

“Huh, why are we leaving the city?”

Prince Chu suddenly asked.

Prince Jin snorted, “Do you think returning to Ankang City means we’re not hiding for life?”

“What do you mean?”

Prince Jin, seeing them flustered, said, “Our houses in the city were confiscated by the Ministry of Revenue: some sold, some rented out, some converted to new schools. Even the Crown Prince lives in the Third Brother’s house now. Only the Sixth and Twelfth Brothers didn’t move.”

Prince Chu gritted his teeth. “Ridiculous! Where do we live?”

Prince Jin sighed. “Like me—outside the city. From now on, just across the wall, we’ll be neighbors.”

The carriage stopped.

Torch and lantern light from the Military Department officers lit the street like daytime.

Jiang Yi rode up, cupping his hands. “Three Princes, we have arrived.”

Prince Chu looked at the narrow gate and gray wall, incredulous. “You want me to live here?”

Prince Xin laughed. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

He led the way into the courtyard.

Jiang Yi turned to Zixia. “Miss Zixia, thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

Zixia instructed the servants to escort Prince Xin, Prince Chu, and their households into the mansion.

Lin Yi returned home and lay down, sleeping until late at night. Thirst woke him, and he drank two large jars of water.

Zixia, worried, said, “Prince, you should drink less in the future.”

“Today I’m happy; a little extra won’t hurt,” Lin Yi yawned. “How did my older brothers react?”

Zixia smiled, “Prince Xin seemed normal, but Prince Chu threw a fit.”

Lin Yi laughed. “Well, they lived in four-mansion estates; ordinary people couldn’t afford that in a lifetime. I spared their lives—they should be quietly grateful, not greedy.”

“Prince speaks wisely.”

Zixia hesitated. “Prince Chu’s two concubines are already pregnant. I took the liberty of sending Chen Xilian to check; nothing serious.”

“You did the right thing.”

Lin Yi drank another large jar of water.

Zixia hesitated. “Prince, what about Miss Suxin?”

“Didn’t I tell you to place her in Guan Xiaoqi’s mansion? What happened?”

After Lin Yi returned to the capital, Guan Xiaoqi had gone to Guan Sheng’s, leaving the house empty. He had placed Suxin there with two maidservants.

Zixia said, “Prince, Miss Suxin is used to luxury. That house is rather remote. The maid said there are strange noises at night. Miss Suxin hasn’t slept well for several nights.”

Lin Yi said, “What else could make noises besides animals?”

Zixia said, “Prince, to repay Guan Senior’s debts, Miss Guan sold all the livestock, even sending the mangy dog to the mansion.”

“Guan Sheng is really hooked on gambling.”

Lin Yi laughed.

Zixia continued, “Miss Guan repaid Guan Senior’s debts. She was afraid he would gamble again, so she returned home to keep an eye on him.”

“A while ago, she said she didn’t care about her father’s gambling. She sounded carefree. But now, he’s really hooked—she can’t sit still.”

Lin Yi decided that if he met Guan Xiaoqi, he’d tease her well—saying and doing are different!

Zixia said, “Gambling is nothing good; once involved, there’s no turning back.”

“True,” Lin Yi thought for a moment. “When you have time, visit her house and send some silver over.”

Zixia covered her mouth, smiling. “The Princess, being merciful, took 200 taels from her private funds and sent it over.”

“Does the Princess actually have money?”

Lin Yi recalled what Du Yinniang had said and his eyes gleamed.