MCSCPM -Chapter 336 Permission to Return to the Capital

Normally, in such a situation, Chu Helian would never have agreed to see her. Even Eunuch Sun thought the emperor wouldn’t meet her.

But unexpectedly, the emperor lifted his head and said, “Enough. If I don’t see her, she might end up kneeling outside like Consort Shu. Let her in.”

Eunuch Sun was momentarily surprised and hesitated, but quickly recovered and hurried out to bring Liu Zhaoyi inside.

Liu Zhaoyi had come on behalf of Prince Ling. These past days, since Prince Ling could not return to the capital, she had been planning to plead with the emperor. After the recent events involving Prince Yi, she had kept postponing. Now she had finally seized the opportunity—though little did she know, the emperor was troubled over the words Prince Jing had just spoken.

“I pay my respects to Your Majesty,” Liu Zhaoyi said, bowing.

Chu Helian waved his hand impatiently. “Speak. What is it?”

“Your Majesty, I know that if I come to speak about Prince Ling, you would surely be displeased, but I cannot wait any longer.”

“You know I will be angry—why come, then?”

“Your Majesty—”

Chu Helian suddenly raised his hand to stop her. He sighed deeply, his brows tightly furrowed. “Regarding Prince Ling, there’s no need to say more. His nature is wild. I wanted him to learn some discipline. As his mother, you constantly wish to have him by your side—how can he grow into a capable man? Prince Ling has been spoiled by you.”

“Your Majesty, that’s not the case. Although Ling’er is free-spirited, he is not malicious. He is filial and well-intentioned. I know the saying ‘a kind mother spoils her son,’ but I haven’t seen Ling’er for a long time. I miss him. Filial piety is the highest virtue—please, Your Majesty, allow Ling’er to return to the capital, if only for his filial nature.” Liu Zhaoyi pleaded earnestly, tears brimming in her eyes.

Chu Helian, though still angry, could not deny her words were true. Ling’er was indeed irresponsible, but at least he was never scheming. Even if kept outside, he would never achieve anything.

Liu Zhaoyi looked at Chu Helian and noticed his hesitation. She pressed on, “Your Majesty, consider Ling’er’s consistent filial piety. Though stubborn, his heart is good. Please show mercy and allow him to return.”

Gradually, Chu Helian’s heart softened. He had analyzed the matter carefully—no matter what, Ling’er was still his son. He could not let him remain away forever.

“Fine,” Chu Helian finally relented. “I do not wish to see mother and son separated. Let Prince Ling return to the capital.”

Liu Zhaoyi immediately wept with gratitude. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you so much.”

“Enough, enough. I have other matters to attend to. You may leave. I will issue the edict for Prince Ling’s return myself.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will not trouble you further,” Liu Zhaoyi said, bowing before departing.

Chu Helian massaged his temple, troubled. As emperor, he still could not fully resolve his own family matters.

Eunuch Sun, who had intended to stay silent, cautiously spoke up. “Your Majesty, are you troubled over Prince Jing?”

“You understand me, Eunuch Sun.”

“Your Majesty, you shouldn’t overexert yourself. Some things happen and cannot be changed. As they say, young birds will fly; eventually, they must leave the nest.”

He was referring to Prince Jing. He was grown now—sooner or later, he would have to be on his own. Even if Chu Helian tried to restrain him, eventually, Jing’er would leave when he grew old.

Eunuch Sun did not say this bluntly but left the emperor to draw his own conclusions.

Chu Helian fell silent, pondering.

Meanwhile, as soon as Chu Helian issued the edict, the imperial guards personally escorted Prince Ling back to the capital.

Prince Ling was elegant and debonair, dressed in a white robe, holding a lotus-patterned folding fan. His appearance was charming, but his eyes held a quiet depth, like a serene abyss that was impossible to read.

Everyone knew Prince Ling was free-spirited, fond of beauty and wine, appearing like a playboy. No wonder the emperor had previously refused to let him return to the capital.

Prince Ling’s carriage reached the city, heading toward the palace. His naturally carefree personality could hardly endure palace restrictions. Having finally come to the capital, he intended to enjoy himself before entering the palace. His father knew his nature, so he might as well enjoy himself first and face the consequences later.

This time, however, the palace guards accompanying him were all elite imperial warriors, personally serving the emperor. Escaping would require some clever thinking.

Prince Ling waved his folding fan. “Stop, stop. I need a moment of convenience.”

The carriage quickly halted. Prince Ling stepped out. “I’ll only be a moment. Stay here.”

He was about to leave when the guards insisted on following him.

“I told you not to follow,” he said. “Did you not hear me?”

“Prince Ling, we were ordered to bring you to the palace, so we must accompany you,” one guard explained.

“Afraid I’ll run away, are you? Look carefully—do I seem like that sort of person? You don’t need to follow me. If you dare follow, I’ll have twenty lashes each. Understand?”

Twenty lashes—a severe punishment. The guards exchanged glances and thought: though Prince Ling was mischievous, he wouldn’t defy the emperor. They stepped back.

Prince Ling smiled to himself and quickly left, soon escaping the palace guards. He planned to wander the city on his own.

The capital had not seen him for a long time but remained bustling. He disliked the palace and its false pretenses. Life outside was freer, allowing him to do as he pleased.

Prince Ling strolled leisurely through the city streets, enjoying the scenery, a smile on his face, feeling triumphant. Muttering to himself, he said, “The capital hasn’t changed in all these days. I prefer being here, free, rather than bound in the palace.”

Unbeknownst to him, Yin Qingyue had been sent out by Xiao Hu to buy groceries. She had no choice but to comply. If not for hiding her identity and appearance, she would have refused this task. At least, being outside was better than always being stuck in the inn, washing dishes or delivering tea.

Today, Xiao Hu had given her extra money and a carriage, planning to purchase five days’ worth of provisions for the inn—dozens of baskets of vegetables.

“Ugly girl, have you finished buying the vegetables?” asked the young driver.

“Almost. Please load these onto the carriage,” she said, pointing to the baskets beside her.

“Alright,” the driver responded, jumping down to carry the baskets.

As they moved the baskets, someone unexpectedly knocked one over.

“Ah! Young master, watch where you’re going! This is all silver!” the driver exclaimed, distressed.

Yin Qingyue looked up and saw the culprit—a man in a white robe holding a folding fan, seemingly indifferent to the spilled vegetables. Most of the produce were cabbages, so not easily damaged, but she disliked his attitude.

Stepping forward, she lightly patted the driver’s shoulder. “You load the rest of the vegetables onto the carriage. I’ll handle this.”

“But ugly girl—”

“Go! Now!”

The driver had no choice but to climb onto the carriage.

Prince Ling, seeing Yin Qingyue’s appearance, shook his head, thinking such a face existed in the world. Yet he wasn’t disdainful—he just regretted that her eyes, deep and expressive, were wasted on such a plain face.

Yin Qingyue glared at him. “Shouldn’t you pick up the vegetables you knocked over?”

Prince Ling, stubborn as ever, waved his fan, pulled out a silver ingot, and handed it to her. “Is this enough?”

“I don’t want your silver. You pick up the vegetables yourself—what you break, you fix.”

“Really? You refuse silver?” Prince Ling was surprised, holding the ingot that could buy several baskets of cabbage.

“I don’t have time to waste with you. Everyone is responsible for their own actions. Pick up the vegetables you spilled, and this incident will be considered as never having happened,” Yin Qingyue said firmly.

But Prince Ling refused. “Ugly girl, you pick them yourself.”

“Why are you so ungrateful?”

“I’m always like this. You refuse silver and expect me to pick up vegetables? Absolutely not.”

Though he acted proud, he meant no harm—he only wanted to tease the “ugly girl.”

Yin Qingyue sighed, realizing he was a rascal, but unconsciously read his intention—Prince Ling found her amusing for standing up to him.

Prince Ling? The only ones who could call themselves “this lord” in the current era were Prince Jing, Prince Yi, and now, seeing this man’s appearance, it must be Chu Ling—Prince Ling himself.