#10: Lunch

After the morning court, a throng of officials crowded around, blocking Wu Ruian’s path.

Gongsun Miao said, “Your Highness, why put yourself through this? Is the granddaughter of an obscure night soil collector worth offending His Majesty over?”

Wu Ruian snorted, offering no reply.

Changsun Qi then chimed in, “Your Highness, could it be that you’ve been living in Kangping Ward all these days? No wonder His Majesty searched all over Taiping Prefecture and couldn’t find you.”

“Imperial Mother was looking for this Prince?” Wu Ruian frowned, “What did Imperial Mother want with this Prince?”

“His Majesty…” Changsun Qi stopped speaking when Gongsun Miao patted his shoulder, realizing he shouldn’t presume to guess the emperor’s intentions, and so he said no more.

Changsun Qi’s eyes were filled with helplessness, yet also with a deep affection as he looked at Wu Ruian.

Gongsun Miao, on the side, shook his head and sighed, “Your Highness, you are still too young, too frivolous.”

The word “frivolous” already carried a derogatory connotation. In the entire imperial court, apart from Emperor Chen Zhao, probably only figures like Gongsun Miao and Changsun Qi dared to speak to him in such a manner.

Wu Ruian couldn’t be bothered to play riddles with them, nor did he much care why Emperor Chen Zhao was looking for him. All he wanted to do now was find the murderer who had caused Xu Ya’s death and bring her justice!

Several ministers, all seasoned individuals who had lived for many years, saw that Wu Ruian seemed disinclined to exchange further pleasantries with them, so they one by one chuckled and departed.

Wu Ruian walked behind, watching Gongsun Miao’s triumphant back, a cold sneer on his face: “Laugh all you want, laugh all you want. When this prince finds evidence of Gongsun Qi’s reckless disregard for human life, I’d like to see if you can still laugh!”

At that moment, Wu Ruian was about to stride away when he suddenly heard a clear, sharp call from behind: “Sixth Brother, wait for me.”

Wu Ruian stopped, turned around, and saw the Third Prince, Wu Yu, hurrying towards him.

Wu Yu’s eyes held a hint of urgency, as if fearing that Wu Ruian might leave because he hadn’t heard his call.

Wu Ruian looked at him, immediately bowed and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, “Your younger brother greets Third Imperial Brother.”

“Six, Sixth Brother, you may dispense with the formalities. There’s no need for such distance between us.” Wu Yu scratched his head, looking a little bewildered.

Wu Ruian felt incredibly complex emotions upon seeing him like this.

Wu Ruian was tall and slender, looking impeccable in any attire. Especially when attending morning court, dressed in the military uniform of a martial official, he was even more dashing and elegant, a captivating sight wherever he went.

However, Wu Yu was completely different.

Wu Yu was a few years older than Wu Ruian, but appeared much shorter and frailer than him. Due to insufficient prenatal care, he had been weak since childhood. When Wu Ruian was seven, he was already taller than Wu Yu was in his teens.

At that time, Wu Ruian, being young and ignorant, often bullied him.

Later, after the capital was moved, the Third Prince, to avoid being mocked and bullied by others, volunteered to remain in the Eastern Capital, no longer wishing to exhaust his limited life in these struggles for imperial power. But unexpectedly, after hiding for ten years, he still could not escape the fate of a prince.

He eventually came to Taiping Prefecture, entering the imperial court as Emperor Chen Zhao’s legitimate son.

And even now, although Wu Yu had grown much taller, he still appeared pale and would gasp for breath after walking just a few steps, as if he could burn out at any moment.

Wu Ruian, seeing him like this, thought of his tragic past, and the scenes of himself and others ganging up to bully him when they were young… truly unbearable memories, filled with shame and anger.

“Sixth Brother looks unwell, are you sick?” Wu Yu widened his eyes, full of concern, and even reached out to feel Wu Ruian’s forehead.

Wu Ruian frowned and irritatingly dodged his hand, “This Prince is fine.”

“Ah, is that so… well, it’s good that you’re fine, good that you’re fine.” Wu Yu smiled very gently, but beneath the gentleness, his inner hurt and embarrassment were unmistakable.

He didn’t know anyone in Taiping Prefecture, and he wasn’t very familiar with his second imperial brother due to their significant age difference. He simply wanted to get closer to Wu Ruian so he could have someone to talk to.

Wu Ruian read the loneliness in his eyes, then sighed and said, “Third Imperial Brother, would you… like to have lunch with your younger brother?”

“Really? Are you going to treat me to a meal?” Wu Yu’s eyes widened instantly, his excitement overflowing.

“…” Wu Ruian was a little surprised.

It was just a meal, not like going to heaven, did he need to be so excited?

Wu Ruian composed himself, forced a smile, and nodded, “Really.”

“Thank you, thank you, Sixth Brother.” Wu Yu’s eyes reddened, making Wu Ruian even more bewildered.

Wu Ruian, to ease the awkwardness, added, “Oh, right, outside, you should preferably refer to yourself as ‘this prince.’ The word ‘I’ doesn’t quite suit your status.”

“Yes, yes, yes, look at me… Ah, it’s this prince. You see, this elder brother has forgotten again. Imperial Mother has also told this elder brother many times about this, but this elder brother just can’t remember. I’m truly sorry.”

“Imperial Brother need not apologize to your younger brother. You have done nothing wrong to your younger brother.” Wu Ruian rubbed his forehead, correcting him again.

“Ah, yes… Sixth Brother is absolutely right.” Wu Yu blushed, simply nodding and saying nothing more.

He was afraid he might say something wrong again and displease Wu Ruian.

Wu Ruian and Wu Yu walked towards Han’guang Gate. After leaving the palace gate, they saw Wu Yu’s and Wu Ruian’s carriages parked side by side.

Wu Ruian’s purple-gold carriage was incredibly magnificent, a truly beautiful sight. Wu Yu’s, however, was relatively ordinary, no different from those used by common ministers. When viewed alone, it wouldn’t seem out of place, but placed beside Wu Ruian’s carriage, the difference in quality was immediately apparent, making it seem much inferior by comparison.

“Imperial Brother, please take your younger brother’s carriage back.” Wu Ruian made a gesture of invitation to Wu Yu.

Wu Yu waved his hands repeatedly, saying, “No need, this elder brother will take his own carriage. Sixth Brother, just lead the way, and this elder brother will follow.”

“Why be so polite, Imperial Brother? After lunch, your younger brother will simply send you back.” Wu Ruian said, and despite his polite refusal, forcefully ‘pushed’ him onto the carriage.

After Wu Yu got into the carriage, he didn’t know where to sit. Only after Wu Ruian got in, he pressed him down onto the main seat in the center, saying, “Imperial Brother is older, so naturally, you should sit in the main seat.”

“Is that so… then thank you, Sixth Brother.” Wu Yu sat up straight, looking at the gilded splendor around him, seemingly unaccustomed to such extravagance.

Wu Ruian, seeing this, sighed and pressed a hand to his forehead again.

He truly felt that his Third Imperial Brother hadn’t come from the Eastern Capital, but rather from some remote mountain corner. But this also further indicated that the Third Imperial Brother’s past days in the Eastern Capital had truly been difficult, and his guilt towards him deepened a few more points...

Upon arriving at Prince Wu’s manor, Wu Yu’s eyes remained wide with astonishment. Throughout their journey, he was so amazed by every flower, plant, tree, and stone in the manor that he couldn’t stop exclaiming, “Sixth Brother, your manor is so big!”

Wu Ruian didn’t know how to answer him, so he remained silent the entire time, letting him gaze around like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden.

The housekeeper, Liu Changqing, had met the late emperor and had watched the Third Prince grow up as a child. Seeing him again now, he recognized him instantly.

“This servant greets the Third Prince, may Your Highness be blessed.”

“You are…” Wu Yu found the old housekeeper’s face familiar and at first his eyes held some confusion. But before Liu Changqing could introduce himself, he suddenly clapped his hands and exclaimed excitedly, “You are Eunuch Liu, aren’t you?”

“Your Highness still remembers this old servant; this old servant feels deeply honored.” Liu Changqing stroked his beard and smiled kindly.

Wu Yu then said, “Of course I remember you! You used to often bring me… cough, bring this prince pastries and snacks, and this prince still remembers it clearly to this day!”

After Wu Yu finished speaking, Liu Changqing felt a bit awkward.

In truth, how could he have specifically brought pastries to Wu Yu?

Those were merely things Wu Ruian refused to eat, and he happened to encounter Wu Yu once in the Imperial Garden, so he simply passed them on to Wu Yu. Who would have thought he would remember it for so long.

Alas… what a pitiful child.

Liu Changqing sighed inwardly, then bowed to Wu Ruian and said, “Lunch has been prepared. Where would Your Highness like to dine?”

“The main hall.” Wu Ruian finished speaking, then led Wu Yu to the main hall of the main building. Liu Changqing, having received the order, immediately set up a banquet table in the main hall. The meal consisted of four dishes and one soup, all exquisitely presented and meticulously arranged. However, the ingredients were ultimately nothing more than chicken, duck, fish, and meat, accompanied by some fresh vegetables.

“Your younger brother did not inform the housekeeper beforehand that Imperial Brother would be joining for lunch, so the meal is simple. Please do not take offense, Imperial Brother.”

After Wu Ruian finished speaking, Wu Yu didn’t even know where to put his hands. He stammered for a long time before saying, “Such dishes, in the Eastern Capital, could only be enjoyed on major festivals. How could this elder brother… find fault with them?”

Wu Ruian was noncommittal and exchanged a look with Liu Changqing, their eyes silently conveying: “After we left, how desolate did the Eastern Capital become? Are they not even getting enough to eat?”

Wu Yu seemed to have noticed their confusion and explained, “Ever since Imperial Mother moved the capital and you all successively left, this prince had no one to talk to in the deep palace, and my food and daily expenses were reduced day by day. They… probably thought this prince wouldn’t live much longer.”

“What about Nanny Zhang?” Liu Changqing, in his haste, even forgot the proper etiquette between master and servant, anxiously asking, “Nanny Zhang raised you personally, she was extremely good to you. Did she also come to Taiping Prefecture this time?”

Wu Yu’s face fell, and he shook his head, saying calmly, “Nanny Zhang died many years ago. Now, all those serving by this prince’s side are new people.”

“Is that so, truly…” Liu Changqing sighed deeply, his eyes reddening.

“Alright, let’s not talk about these things. The food is getting cold; let’s eat first.” Wu Ruian also felt a pang of sadness. He finished speaking, then picked up a large piece of braised pork and placed it in Wu Yu’s bowl.

“Thank you, Sixth Brother.” Wu Yu smiled at him, his nose red, his eyes seeming to sparkle with a crystalline sheen, as if tears might fall at any moment.

Wu Ruian hastily turned his head, burying his face in his rice.

He didn’t know why, but he always felt that the presence of his Third Imperial Brother was constantly reminding him. Reminding him how absurd, how boring, how utterly detestable he had been in the past...

In the past, he probably hadn’t been much better than the oppressive Gongsun Qi. The only difference was that Gongsun Qi bullied common folk, while he bullied princes and noble sons, with Wu Yu being the foremost among them.

Alas… truly an unbearable memory.