Chapter 650: Test (1)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The Emperor had already restrained his emotions, but his face was slightly pale and he was panting slightly.
He said calmly, “The royal aunt is already fine. She just rested. Seventh Brother, don’t disturb her rest. When she wakes up, you can go and see her.”
What the Emperor said was reasonable, and Chu You couldn’t persist. He nodded and said, “Brother is right. Imperial Aunt is fine, and I’m half relieved.” “Brother, what illness is Imperial Aunt suffering from?” Chu You asked with a concerned expression.
The Emperor didn’t mind Chu You’s probing. He sighed softly and said, “Imperial Aunt isn’t young anymore. She’s old and weak. She’s been plagued by old illnesses these years. She’s most afraid of others worrying about her and always hides it. This time, I must let her recuperate well.”
The Emperor said a few words casually and didn’t go into details.
“Imperial Aunt’s personality has always been like this.” A faint light flashed in Chu You’s eyes. “When Father was alive, he often advised her not to be too headstrong and to take care of her body. My aunt is a good person. She’ll definitely be fine.”
The Emperor’s knuckles casually knocked on the coffee table without saying a word.
Gu Yanfei, who was sitting in the corner, held a pink enamel teacup and silently tasted the tea in the teacup.
After a pause, Chu You sighed and changed the topic. “It’s been almost a year since Father passed away. If Brother plans to go to the imperial mausoleum to pay respects to Father, I also want to go with you so that Father can see my princess consort.”
“Unknowingly, it’s been a year.” The Emperor sighed with emotion. He didn’t say that he was going, nor did he say that he wasn’t going.
The corners of Chu You’s mouth secretly tightened imperceptibly. His gaze deepened as he said, “After paying my respects to Father, 1 plan to bring the princess consort back to the fief. Please allow me to, Brother.”
When the last word fell, Chu You lowered his head and still cupped his fists, respectfully submitting.
The Emperor sitting by the window looked at Chu You quietly. Under the light, his expression seemed a little deep, and no one could tell if he was happy or angry.
Chu You didn’t mind and continued, “In the past, I was also insensible. If I was disrespectful to you, I hope you can forgive me. Now that I’m already married, according to tradition, it’s time to bring the princess consort to the fief.”
The Emperor’s knuckles were still gently knocking on the coffee table, as if he was thinking.
The room fell silent, and only the sound of wind blowing against the flowers and trees came from the window.
After a moment of silence, Chu Yi put down the teacup and suddenly asked, “I remember that Seventh Imperial Uncle’s fief should be in Yangzhou, right?”
The late Emperor favored his youngest son, Chu You, and gave the rich land of Yangzhou to Chu You as a fief. On the other hand, it was also because Yangzhou was far from the capital. When one was far away from the authorities that wouldn’t intervene, the late Emperor had always considered Chu You, his youngest son. When he was alive, he thought that if he couldn’t support his youngest son to succeed the throne, he had to leave a way out for his youngest son.
Yangzhou was the escape route that the late Emperor had prepared for Chu You.
Even if the previous Emperor didn’t say it explicitly, the others, including the Emperor, could understand this.
Chu You’s gaze slowly moved from the emperor to Chu Yi. He was silent as he guessed in his heart, “I wonder what Chu Yi means by asking the obvious.”
Chu Yi didn’t plan to wait for the other party to answer either. He continued, “Speaking of which, nine years ago, Seventh Imperial Uncle went to Yangzhou to take a look at his fief, right?”
“I remembered wrongly. At that time, I went to Yangzhou to visit my grandfather’s family in Linchuan City on behalf of the empress dowager.” Chu You’s long and narrow eagle eyes narrowed, and a sharp light flashed across them. His cold gaze swept across Chu You’s face.
This was only a reason to outsiders. In fact, everyone knew that Kang Wang’s greatest goal in going to Yangzhou was to choose a location to build Kang Wang’s Manor.
Chu You thought that Chu Yi was going to use the topic of Yangzhou to mention Gu Ce’s case again. Unexpectedly, Chu Yi asked casually, “Seventh Imperial Uncle, what do you think of Yangzhou?”
The uncle and nephew stared at each other for a moment. Chu You said calmly, “There are 38 counties and 195 counties under Yangzhou. The land is wide, the people are honest, and there’s a big canal that leads directly to the north and south. It’s a good place with beautiful scenery and prosperity.”
His answer was standard, and there was nothing strange about it. In the end, he even threw a question at Chu Yi. “When I returned from the State of Yue last year, didn’t I also go to Yangzhou?”
“Seventh Imperial Uncle is really…” Chu Yi opened a folding fan with a whoosh and shook it gently. “Back then, Yangzhou was in chaos, and countless citizens and soldiers died. Seventh Imperial Uncle paid more attention to the scenery of mountains and rivers..”