Chapter 47 Bringing Bad News
In front of the Little Pavilion Amidst Flowers, Li Cheng crouched on a green stone. Holding a toothbrush in his left hand and a cup in his right, he was brushing his teeth.
This toothbrush was crafted by himself, using the finest boar bristles procured from the Imperial Guards, along with some tools he had personally made.
Instead of the common blue salt used in this era, he brushed with homemade tooth powder.
In the future, brushing teeth had long become a habit; not doing so was truly uncomfortable.
Back when he was in Lijiawa, conditions were harsh, and he could only imitate some of the more frugal but refined poor people of this era by using his fingers and clean water to rub his teeth.
Though somewhat indulgent, he still added a bit of salt.
He had thought about making a toothbrush and toothpaste before, but at that time, the conditions were too severe, and his time, energy, and finances were limited.
Most of his energy went into producing perfume and improving his life.
Now, living in the imperial palace, he no longer worried about survival.
Anything he desired could be obtained by simply instructing the Imperial Guards, who would quickly deliver it.
Moreover, the quality was particularly excellent.
In this respect, Zhao Eldest Brother was indeed right: as long as his demands were not excessive, they could be met.
By now, the sun was already high in the sky. In the future, he would have been up, washed, and eaten for over an hour, already working hard.
But now, he leisurely rose and slowly washed up.
This kind of natural awakening, without having to be chased like a dog all day, was truly a long-lost luxury for Li Cheng.
Except for the absence of mobile phones and computers, which felt somewhat regrettable and boring, Li Cheng was quite satisfied.
With food and lodging provided, dedicated security personnel, and whatever he wanted given to him, if only he had a phone or computer, he would happily never leave the Little Pavilion Amidst Flowers for ten years!
“Your Highness, the Princess,” came the voice of the Imperial Guards.
Li Cheng looked up toward the sound and saw four people approaching the pavilion.
Surrounded by maids, elderly women, and eunuchs, the young woman in the middle was none other than Miss Lin.
She was punctual, arriving so early.
Just as Zhao Kuangyin had said, she truly loved poetry.
Li Cheng quickened his toothbrushing, finishing hastily in three or four strokes, rinsed his mouth, and quickly washed his face.
Wiping his hands, he smiled and called out casually, “Your Highness has arrived?”
His tone was informal, as if greeting a normal friend or perhaps a neighboring girl, not a princess.
The young Imperial Guard nearby twitched his eyelids at the scene.
This master was quite something—what kind of courage did it take to be so casual?
Even if the princess had a good temper, this was too much!
Not to mention the princess herself, even the mistress beside her would surely scold him.
Yet, what happened next left the guard utterly stunned.
“Yes, I have arrived,” the Princess of Chu nodded lightly and replied.
She showed no sign of offense whatsoever.
As for the strict-looking mistress by the princess’s side, she surprisingly ignored the young man’s impertinence completely.
Not a hint of reprimand.
Being able to compose poetry was truly remarkable!
The young Imperial Guard surnamed Li couldn’t help but think this to himself.
No wonder the sovereign once said that a prime minister must be a scholar!
If only he could write poetry, might he be treated the same way?
“You’re up a bit late. Please wait a moment, Your Highness,” Li Cheng said, wiping his face with a towel and gesturing politely.
Seeing this, the Princess of Chu stepped through the main gate of the pavilion’s fence and entered the courtyard.
“No, I arrived early,” she said with a smile.
Li Cheng smiled in return.
This Miss Lin was not as cold as she appeared; her words were quite amusing.
“The poetry is ready; I will recite it for Your Highness now.”
Li Cheng was not one to be overly fussy.
Knowing that the Princess of Chengguo must have been anxiously waiting these past few days, and that a princess coming so early was solely for poetry, he would not keep her in suspense.
Hearing this, the Princess of Chu brightened, alert and attentive.
She quickened her steps to a stone bench beside the pavilion.
Before she sat, Mistress Hua promptly placed a soft cushion on the seat and swiftly spread another on the stone table.
Xiao Die took the writing box from the eunuch, opened it skillfully, and laid out brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, securing them with paperweights.
Clearly, the Princess of Chu had come well prepared.
Even if she doubted Li Xiao Lang could write poetry as fine as Wuchang’s, she still held high expectations.
Even if the quality were somewhat lesser, it would suffice.
Seeing the princess ready and tilting her head toward him, Li Cheng cleared his throat and began slowly:
“Do not heed the sound of wind striking leaves through the forest; why not sing and stroll slowly?
With bamboo staff and straw sandals lighter than a horse, who fears? A cloak of mist and rain lets life be free.
The chill spring breeze sobers the drinker; slightly cold, yet the slanting sun on the mountaintop welcomes him.
Turning back to the desolate place from which he came, he returns; neither wind nor rain, nor sunshine awaits.”
...
A man rushed out of the residence of the Prince of Jin, heading straight for the imperial city.
At the palace gate, he presented the prince’s token, stated his purpose, and was soon allowed entry.
He was escorted briskly toward the Hall of Longevity.
Soon, he met Wang Ji’en standing guard outside.
After a brief exchange, Wang Ji’en’s expression changed drastically.
He nodded to the man from the Prince of Jin’s residence: “Wait here; I will inform the sovereign at once.”
Then he hurried into the Hall of Longevity.
“Sovereign!” Wang Ji’en called out anxiously.
“What is it?” Zhao Kuangyin asked with a start.
He feared another incident involving his wet nurse, worried the situation had worsened.
“The Prince of Jin’s household sent word... there is mourning.
The Princess of Jin, she... has passed away.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin felt a momentary relief—thankfully, it was not his wet nurse.
But then a heavy sorrow settled over him, his face filled with grief.
Though the Princess of Jin had long been ill and the imperial doctors had given a grim prognosis, he had prepared himself mentally.
Yet hearing such news so suddenly was still painful.
Indeed, fate was cruel.
He had lost another family member.
“Go! Immediately come with me out of the palace! To the Prince of Jin’s residence!” Zhao Kuangyin wasted no time issuing the order.
Before his words ended, he was already moving toward the outside of the Hall of Longevity.
Wang Ji’en followed closely behind, bowing slightly, his expression unsettled...
Soon, Zhao Kuangyin left the palace, heading straight for the Prince of Jin’s residence.
...
Inside the Prince of Jin’s residence, cries of mourning filled the air.
Prince Jin, Zhao Guangyi, upon hearing the news that the sovereign was coming, first felt joy, then his expression grew grave, a flash of coldness flickering in his eyes.
He gave a sharp order to those around him and swiftly left the residence to greet his esteemed imperial brother.