The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 538: The Frustrated Prince Li

If Prince Liang repeatedly submits memorials, the Emperor would think he is grief-stricken and has gone mad due to losing sons consecutively.

But Prince Zhuang is different; the Emperor understands this son, he is resilient, patient, and has deep-seated ambition. Such a person has indifferent emotions, especially since he has many sons, over a dozen illegitimate sons, though Princess Consort Zhuang’s health is not very good, and she has only borne Huangfu Wei as the sole legitimate son.

Thinking about how he managed his fiefdom for so many years, yet meticulously orchestrated to dethrone Prince Liang, who had been Crown Prince for forty years, and replaced him himself, shows strategy, cunning, and means.

Furthermore, Old Fifth is the most unruly. Although he did indeed request to return to the Capital first this time, who knows if, as Prince Zhuang suggests, he is already in the Capital City?

Of course, this possibility is unlikely, since he trusts the skills of his Hidden Guards. Besides, he knows that not just Prince Zhuang, but even Prince Li’s people are searching in the Capital City for traces of Prince Cheng and his wife. No one has found them, likely because they are searching for something that doesn’t exist.

However, even a trace of suspicion would lead to verification!

Since the Imperial Palace banquet, the events concern Old Third and Old Fifth. Initially, he considered sending Prince Liang there, but recalling how Prince Liang is more a liability than asset, living in a muddled way, indulging in excesses daily, he decided to let him continue his heedless lifestyle.

Among the Princes in the Capital who are uninvolved, only Old Nine remains. Sending Old Nine is most suitable.

Thus, Prince Li received the order to leave the city for the reception.

Prince Li felt helpless; the message from Fifth Imperial Brother indicated they would not arrive until tomorrow, yet the Emperor had him set out this afternoon, so what could he do but leave the city to welcome them!

Who knew that this welcome would stretch over twenty miles, reaching a tea shack as dusk approached.

Fortunately, they left by carriage; had they walked, their legs would have been worn out. Looking at the quiet official road ahead, only the chilly wind passing by, Prince Li felt immensely frustrated.

The officials accompanying from the Ministry of Rites are the Left and Right Vice Ministers, and the Ministry of Rites Right Assistant Minister, Xiong Wenbai, came to ask Prince Li: "Your Highness, it seems Prince Cheng’s carriage has yet to arrive, shall we continue forward, rest here, or first return to the city?"

If we continue forward, with darkness falling, not to mention lacking even a tea shack for temporary rest, furthermore, they are attending a reception. Prince Li’s escort is not numerous, and as a Prince, he is pivotal. Should any danger arise, no one present would be free of concern!

Prince Li was full of resentment; had Old Third not been speaking untruths to the Emperor every day, sending memorials without restraint, causing Father Emperor to doubt, how else would he have been sent so far for a reception?

Here he was, tired and hungry, enduring wind and dust, while Old Third was comfortably dining on gourmet fare in his mansion. Just the thought made him feel imbalanced.

Prince Li sulkily said, "Returning now, the city gates are closed, we shall rest here!"

Originally thinking that after traveling twenty miles, they would surely see Prince Cheng’s carriage, yet not even a shadow of it appeared, continuing forward means who knows how much further they might have to go. This road is the main route to the Capital; they might as well wait here.

Moreover, having set out in the mid-afternoon, moving with pauses, they had already passed dinner time by now, being tired and hungry, they needed to eat something to fill their stomachs and rest their feet.

When Prince Li gave the order, everyone breathed a sigh of relief; though sitting in the carriage spared them the fatigue of riding, sitting for so long was tiring nonetheless.

A large group of elegantly dressed individuals, basking in apparent nobility, took seats in the tea shack, startling the owner into nervousness.

He only had three small rooms and one attendant, typically serving passing travelers who were thirsty or hungry, as it wasn’t too far from the Capital City.

But now this place was occupied by nobles, demanding drinks and dishes, wine and food, much of which the owner had never heard of; he only had rudimentary fare.

Seeing the owner standing there dumbfounded, Prince Li frowned: "Why aren’t you preparing it?"

The owner fell to his knees with a thud, nervously stating: "M-Masters, we don’t have the kind of things you’re requesting!"

Normally, they served ordinary passers-by, just to fill bellies. For more refined dining, the Capital had restaurants, none would favor such a small, simple tea shack.

Prince Li examined the owner’s plain clothes and then this simple environment, patiently asking: "Then what do you have here?"

The owner quivered as he replied: "We have hot tea, cooked beef, braised pig trotters, white steamed buns, and diced radish."

Upon hearing this, Prince Li’s mouth twitched incessantly.

Cooked beef and braised pig trotters he had eaten before, but within his mansion, chefs presented them in decorative platters, adorned with various garnishments, followed by meticulous preparation, before assigning an elegant name.

These straightforward names, he was indeed hearing for the first time.

Now, hunger gnawed at him, so he waved his hand: "Serve a pot of hot tea at each table, bring out all the edible items here!"

Tea and food were quickly served, these individuals eagerly poured tea and began eating.

But soon after, there came sounds of "poof," "ptooey," "ugh"...

Unpleasant noises reached the ears.

"Poof" was for those who drank tea; the tea was simply awful.

"Ptooey" was for those who ate the tea; what manner of tasteless rubbish was this?

"Ugh" was for those whose delicate stomachs and sensitive noses couldn’t tolerate such coarse flavors.

Even when starving, it was unbearable.

This showed just how exquisite their usual meals were.

Prince Li couldn’t stomach this taste, feeling his resentment grow.

At this moment, he should be in his Li King Mansion, enjoying gourmet delights, accompanied by his most adored Concubine, her cherry-red lips uttering understanding words...

Where would he be in such a rundown tea shack?

Clearly just over twenty miles from the Capital, yet forced to sleep outside tonight.

The group couldn’t eat, only gazing westward anxiously. If Prince Cheng arrived early, they might be able to open the city gates and return to their cozy nests.

But when would Prince Cheng ultimately arrive?

The tea shack had been commandeered; the owner dared not utter objections.

But even if the entire tea shack were used, it couldn’t accommodate the many noble, delicate bodies.

Many still sat outside under a hastily erected shelter.

So hungry!

Used to fine dining, even missing a single meal, their stomachs growled impatiently. As they waited, the time reached late evening; starving individuals summoned the tea shack owner and attendants from the woodshed, prompting another round of preparation.

The tea shack owner was near tears, for there’s only so much available, you can’t cook without ingredients.

Due to the guests’ insistence, they reluctantly brought out what was leftover from dinner, which led to the once disgusted nobles devouring it ravenously, leaving the owner’s eyes practically bulging in surprise.