Jian Guozhi was reading the scrolls of the petitions which had come from the three villages near the capital. "Your highness, the Fourth Prince wants to see you," a maidservant informed Jian Guozhi who told her to send the Prince in. He put the seal aside on the table and waited for Nianzu to come in.
Nianzu greeted the First Prince as he entered his study room. "Please take a seat, Fourth Brother," stated Jian Guozhi. Nianzu pulled the chair out for him and sat on it.
"What happened that you suddenly wanted to see me?" Jian Guozhi queried.
"Elder First Brother, I went to the village nearest to the market. I found that the condition is not good there, and the finances given to the village are not sufficient," asserted Nianzu.
"Who is the Village Headman?" Jian Guozhi questioned.
"Wuqing Pao. There is a water supply problem in the village, so you must look into that as the Governor of Luoyang," pronounced Nianzu. Jian Guozhi nodded and thanked the Fourth Prince for informing him about that.
"Fourth Brother, I heard you told the Crown Prince to make reforms in a few laws. The Civil Service Department Chiefs were being called to the Palace, but I was not informed about that. Why so? I think as a First-Born child I have some rights over such issues," Jian Guozhi complained.
"You are taking it wrong, Elder Brother. The Emperor wanted it to discuss with all the Five Princes after the return of the Crown Prince to the capital. Earlier the Crown Prince told me not to jump to conclusions without discussing the matters with you and the two senior brothers," Nianzu politely replied. Jian Guozhi nodded and apologized for doubting their intention.
"Elder Brother does not need to apologize," Nianzu stated.
"I heard you have brought a young woman to the Palace. I am surprised to find out about that. Mother will try to question you," Jian Guozhi stated.
"What questions, Brother?" Nianzu queried.
"You also know that a son of a concubine does not have many rights." This statement hurt Nianzu, but he did not say anything. "I have not any ill-thought. I am just saying what the rules say. But because you are the Advisor to the Emperor, I think that mother will be considerate to this and let a common village woman live in the Palace," Jian Guozhi affirmed.
"I hope so, Elder Brother," answered Nianzu. "Elder Brother, I would like you to look into that village matter," pronounced Nianzu and took his leave. Nianzu was going to meet Chuntao when he was stopped by the Head Eunuch from Empress Manor.
"The Fourth Prince is summoned by the Empress," the Head Eunuch informed Nianzu who nodded and followed him to the Manor of the Empress. Nianzu greeted the Empress as he arrived at her chamber.
"Please have a seat, Prince Nianzu," Weng Wei said. Nianzu took a seat left to the Empress. "I heard a common village girl has entered the Palace. Isn't this known to Prince Nianzu that without my permission you cannot let anyone take here?" Weng Wei asked.
"Forgive me, your majesty. I took such a decision because of a reason," Nianzu responded.
"A son of a concubine cannot take the decision. I am disappointed that a smart person like you forgets about your rights," Empress Wei remarked.
"I was responsible for something related to the young woman whom I brought here," replied Nianzu. He clenched his fists as he was titled as the 'son of a concubine.' He had no shame in that, but the way Empress Wei was referring to it made him angry that he was not considered equal to his other brothers.
"Send her away else I will," Weng Wei ordered.
"I cannot do that, your majesty," Nianzu stated thus, refusing the order of the Empress which outraged her.
"I know you are the Advisor of the Emperor but it does not mean that you have the power to refuse my orders, Prince Nianzu. Be like your mother who always listens to me. If her rebellious son talks like this, then I am afraid I need to take further action. You have no status in this Palace," Empress Wei proclaimed.
"I understood. Your majesty, I want to leave this Palace," Nianzu pronounced.
"What!?" Empress Wei asked.
"I do not want to live in the palace. Will you convey this message to the Imperial Father? If he will agree to this, then I will leave along with the young woman whom I have brought here," Nianzu affirmed. "And I request you not to title me as the son of a concubine. If his majesty knows about this, then he will not feel good that you discriminate against me."
Nianzu had lost control over his emotions. He knew the repercussions which would come after his statements, but he could not control himself today. He was sick of the Palace already and it was his best chance to leave the palace forever.
"You are going out of your line, Prince Nianzu. Do you know what could be the consequences of whatever you said to me?" Empress Wei threatened the Fourth Prince.
'She will punish his mother' it hit the mind of Nianzu so he gulped the anger that had built inside him in that brief moment. He lowered his eyes and apologized to the Empress. "I brought the young lady here because I want her to help me with the work. I hope the Empress will allow this," Nianzu humbly said.
"Prince Nianzu, you are like my own son. Why do you need my permission? Like the Fifth Prince, you think that I discriminate against you? I am afraid that the Fourth Prince thought like that." Nianzu frowned, seeing the sudden changes in the Empress's statements.
"Discriminate?!" Han Wenji who happened to hear that asked.
Nianzu turned his head and saw his father there. He got up from his seat and greeted him. "What happened?" Han Wenji asked.
Weng Wei shed the fake tears, and then immediately wiped them. "Your majesty, you are here! Nothing happened. I was talking with my son," Weng Wei answered as she stood up from her seat.
"I heard that you were asking for some permission," Han Wenji said, looking at Nianzu.
"Yes, father. I brought a village girl to the Palace as I found her smart. She will help me in the work so for that I was taking the permission of her majesty," Nianzu pronounced.
"But then, why was the Empress saying that you think she discriminates against you?" Han Wenji questioned.
"Father, I apologize for that. I thought that her majesty would not agree to this. Forgive me," Nianzu apologized and lowered his head further down. Weng Wei smirked at seeing that.
"Prince, why are you apologizing? It is fine," stated the Empress. Nianzu gulped the anger inside him and took his leave from there. Han Wenji looked at Weng Wei but said nothing to her.
~~~~~
Hello Dear Readers!
I will give two more chapters by the evening thus giving 5 chapters today (3 I have given already), as per my time zone. This early mass release is because, on Monday, I cannot give more than one chapter or two as I have some work that day.
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