NOVPUBXu Wan was shocked that he dared to say such things and quickly kicked him under the table, gritting her teeth as she said, "Just eat your meal."
This little chatterbox, meddling in everything, even daring to lecture his own father.
Zong Zhao asked, "What did you write on the lantern earlier?" Though he could hear their conversation, Xu Wan had fallen silent after reading the boy's poem, leaving him unaware of its contents.
The little troublemaker excitedly recited his new poem again, leaving Zong Zhao struggling to hold back his words before falling into silence. When he turned, he saw Xu Wan had already plugged her ears, clearly having suffered enough from his poetic "talents."
He couldn’t help but let the corners of his lips curl up—a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
Xu Wan looked up just in time to catch it and teased Zong Jincheng, "See? Even your father is laughing at you."
The little troublemaker was baffled. "Where? I didn’t see him smile at all!"
Xu Wan rolled her eyes. "Go see the palace physician and get your eyes checked."
Zong Jincheng refused to believe it, scrutinizing Zong Zhao intently before blurting out, "Is this how people with a poker face smile? It’s so subtle! Does Qin Ye smile like this too?"
He vaguely remembered seeing a similar expression on Qin Ye’s face during their last debate competition.
Xu Wan replied, "No idea. Why don’t you observe him next time?"
Zong Jincheng scoffed. "Why would I bother? Whether he smiles or not, he’s still my defeated opponent."
Zong Zhao interjected, "Hasn’t Qin Ye always been first in class?"
"You even know that?" Xu Wan was surprised. Zong Zhao had never visited the advanced class or asked much about Jincheng’s studies, yet he was aware of Qin Ye’s standing.
The little troublemaker immediately bristled. "I’ve beaten him before! I’ve beaten him! He hasn’t always been first! Just wait and see, Father—when the imperial exams come, I’ll crush him under my feet and leave him in the dust!"
Zong Zhao glanced at him. "So you do know your poetry skills are lacking?" That’s why he only dared to mention the imperial exams and not the autumn provincial exams.
Zong Jincheng wailed dramatically, "Father, you’re too good at hitting where it hurts! I’m your son—can’t you go easy on me?"
Zong Zhao nodded encouragingly. "Then work harder. Try not to lose too badly in the autumn exams."
Zong Jincheng: "!!!"
"This is an absolute disgrace!" The humiliated boy shot up from his seat, howling, "I’m done eating! I’m going to cram poetry right now! Just you wait, Qin Ye—this young master will show you what real talent looks like!"
As the little rascal stormed off, Zong Zhao calmly continued his meal. Xu Wan strongly suspected this was his revenge for the boy’s earlier nonsense, but she had no proof.
In the afternoon, Zong Zhao kept his promise to visit the Crown Prince at the Eastern Palace, bringing Xu Wan along as usual. He entered alone while Xu Wan stayed with the Crown Princess.
Unlike her usual composed demeanor, the Crown Princess seemed deeply troubled, her brows furrowed with unshakable worry. Xu Wan gently asked, "Your Highness, is something weighing on your mind? Is the little princess doing well?"
The Crown Princess replied, "The little princess is being cared for by her wet nurse—there’s nothing to worry about there. But His Highness… he’s been unconscious for nearly three months now. Zong Zhao said he would wake up soon, yet…"
She had trusted Zong Zhao’s words, willing to wait however long it took. But recently, palace rumors had spread—some claimed the Crown Prince might take ten or even twenty years to wake, if he ever did at all. The uncertainty gnawed at her, making her wonder if Zong Zhao had only been comforting her with empty promises.
Xu Wan didn’t know the details, but based on her understanding of Zong Zhao, he was a man of his word. If he said the Crown Prince would wake soon, it was likely true.
She reassured the Crown Princess, "Your Highness, don’t let your thoughts spiral. Often, things seem worse the more we dwell on them. His Highness is blessed—he’ll surely awaken soon."
Inside the chamber, Zong Zhao finished applying acupuncture needles to the Crown Prince but didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he sat quietly by the bed, lost in memories of their youth—training in martial arts, hunting together. The once bright and spirited young man now lay bedridden for over a decade.
Zong Zhao clenched his fists, then slowly relaxed them. Softly, he murmured, "Your Highness… just a little longer."
When he stepped out, the Crown Princess rushed to him. "How is he? Any improvement?"
Zong Zhao replied, "There is progress. Thank you for your diligent care, Your Highness."
Her lips trembled. "Zong Zhao, how much progress? Will it truly take ten or twenty years for him to wake?"
Zong Zhao frowned. "Have the palace rumors reached you?"
Tears welled in her eyes. "It’s not just rumors—the entire court knows! Luo Jingfeng is using this to rally officials, urging His Majesty to depose the Crown Prince. He claims the empire cannot have a ruler who may never wake. Why would Luo Jingfeng say such things? Was he truly the one who poisoned His Highness? And why are you associating with him?"
Fear had clouded her judgment. The political storm made her question everything—was Luo Jingfeng the real culprit? Had Zong Zhao’s promise of the Crown Prince’s swift recovery been a lie to buy time?
She couldn’t bear the thought that Zong Zhao might abandon the Crown Prince, nor that His Highness might never wake. She needed answers—was Zong Zhao on their side or Luo Jingfeng’s?
The air in the hall grew heavy. Xu Wan understood the Crown Princess’s distress—the Eastern Palace was under immense pressure, with Luo Jingfeng’s faction pushing relentlessly. Even the Wei Duke’s influence couldn’t shield them forever.
"Your Highness," Zong Zhao said, his back to her, "I’ve told you before—focus only on caring for His Highness. Leave matters outside the Eastern Palace to me."
The unspoken words lingered: I will bring His Highness justice.
As Zong Zhao and Xu Wan departed, the Crown Princess collapsed to her knees, silent tears streaming down her face.
She remembered clearly—when the Eastern Palace had been at its lowest, it was Zong Zhao who rushed back day and night, giving them hope. If he were truly Luo Jingfeng’s man, he would never have bothered.
Back at the General’s Manor, Xu Wan hesitated before asking, "If the Crown Princess knew about Jincheng, would she feel better? Or… should you tell her it won’t take ten or twenty years?"
Zong Zhao lowered his voice. "The Crown Princess is intelligent—hints are enough for her to understand. Besides, knowing too much would only endanger her. That’s not what His Highness would want."
Xu Wan nodded, then remarked, "Luo Jingfeng is relentless. He seizes every chance to torment the Crown Prince, especially when the Eastern Palace can’t fight back."
Zong Zhao murmured, "Because the throne must remain empty. His Highness’s presence blocks the Luo family’s ambitions."
Xu Wan scoffed. "Jincheng adores the Crown Prince—he’s always boasting about becoming a high-ranking official to serve him. Yet Luo Jingfeng is doing everything to drag His Highness down, the complete opposite of Jincheng’s wishes. And after all this, he still expects reconciliation? If Jincheng doesn’t throw a punch at the sight of him, it’ll be a miracle." 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝑝𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
