Sharing a Pavilion With You
Chapter 178: A Treasure Beyond Measure

Chapter 178: A Treasure Beyond Measure

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the missing walls of the throne room. Servants were already busily at work repairing the damage. For most of them, it was back to work as though nothing had happened... Just a new Emperor to serve.

It was, however, a major upheaval for the women of the harem. The Emperor had ordered that they not be buried with him on his death, a practise that his more recent forebears had abolished.

The Crown Prince gave orders to his Chief Eunuch, Shi Lei.

"See to it that my Father’s concubines who bore him children are rehoused to suitable rooms to live out their days in the palace. Any who didn’t bear him children may return to their hometowns. That includes Noble Consort Ling," he emphasised.

His Father’s favourite was a powerful figure in the harem and would no doubt kick up a fuss at being asked to return to her hometown, he knew. Nevertheless, he was determined to have as few of his Father’s women in the palace as possible. They would only be a source of trouble.

"See to it that those women leaving the palace are properly looked after, Shi Lei."

"Of course, my Lord," the eunuch bowed to him.

"Your highness," a servant announced, "the former Chief Eunuch has arrived, as you requested".

"Good. Bring him in."

Feng Bao appeared before the Crown Prince, who sat on the Dragon Throne. The grey haired eunuch bowed deeply, and Yicai thought how he suddenly looked so very old.

"Rise, rise. Feng Bao, thank you for your service to my Father. I understand you were with him right to the very end."

Tears glistened in Feng Bao’s eyes, and he dashed at them with his hands. "I was, my Lord," his voice quavered. "He died in my arms after Prince Haoran stabbed him through the heart." Literally and figuratively, Feng Bao thought with anger.

"You deserve a good rest, Feng Bao. You’re free now to return to your hometown."

Yicai motioned at a servant who stood waiting in the wings, and the man came forward with a tray of gold ingots. There were enough there to make Feng Bao a very rich man.

"This is a reward for your service to my family, Feng Bao. I would be pleased if you will stay on long enough to be here for my enthronement ceremony tomorrow, and for my Father’s funeral rites."

The eunuch bowed deeply again. "Thank you, my Lord. I would be honoured to be present for both. I will always remember your kindness. Your Father wanted you to be Emperor, and I know your reign will make him very proud."

"I will do my best to live up to Father’s expectations for me. I know he didn’t want me to kill my older brother," Yicai’s brow furrowed.

"It was unavoidable, my Lord."

"Even so..." the weight of his responsibility for his eldest brother’s death pressed down on him.

"Miss Mei also served your Father faithfully until the very end. He sent her out with a message for Commander Bai. She clearly managed to successfully deliver it to him."

Feng Bao would not mention her marriage grant to Commander Bai to the Crown Prince. It was no longer his business, and it was up to Commander Bai to fight that battle.

He didn’t really understand why the Emperor had granted the girl a marriage to Bai Li instead of to his own son. He knew that the Emperor had loved her. He had loved her enough to be tempted to take her into his own harem, he was sure.

There was no doubt that the Emperor had believed she would make a good Empress. Perhaps he loved her enough to want her to be truly happy, he speculated, before quickly dismissing the idea. The Emperor had been nothing if not mercenary when it came to making use of people to further his aims...

"She did," affirmed the Crown Prince. "At great risk to herself the message was delivered to Commander Bai. Then she delivered herself to my brother in exchange for the lives of her parents. She’s the epitome of a virtuous woman," he said admiringly, his eyes softening tellingly.

Feng Bao wisely said nothing. Many, many years in the palace had given him an excellent nose for an upcoming crisis, and for when to make himself scarce.

"Your Highness, your wife is still waiting to see you," Shi Lei respectfully reminded the prince.

"Tell her I’m very busy for the next few hours but will come to her palace to eat dinner this evening," Yicai responded. "Summon Lord Mei to the palace for me," he ordered.

"Now, my Lord?" Shi Lei queried.

It was getting very late in the day to summon an official.

"Yes, now," Yicai said sharply. "Tell him it’s important."

The thought of having Mei Meili by his side had become his lifeline in this sea of turmoil. She would become his Empress, and he knew that she would be a beacon of grace and wisdom for the realm, an example for all women, and a treasure beyond measure for him.

While the Crown Prince was meeting with Feng Bao, Bai Li rode towards the Mei Mansion. He cantered Rishi through the dense streets of the capital, riding as fast as he dared. Word of the rebel prince’s defeat had already spread, and there were people everywhere on the roads, gossiping and celebrating.

The marriage grant from the late Emperor was tucked securely in his tiger pouch, alongside the Emperor’s message handing the throne to Zhu Yicai. He knew that the two documents must be presented together if he was to have any hope of marrying Meili.

The Crown Prince could choose to override the marriage grant as soon as he became the Emperor. That was why Bai Li had deliberately decided to start with the Mei family, rather than immediately showing it to his friend the Crown Prince.

He knew for sure that her parents would not want to see Meili join the palace harem, and that the Emperor’s final wish would help him secure their blessing.

With Lord Mei’s support adding to the Prince’s own Father’s final wishes, he really hoped he had enough... He wouldn’t countenance anything else. If he had to fight dirty, he was ready to do so. Whatever it took!