A few days later, with the emperor's permission, the second prince entered the palace and met the sick Concubine Hui.
Mother and son were deeply in love and cried bitterly.
Afterwards, the second prince went to see the emperor.
The emperor didn't see him, so he kowtowed outside the Mingguang Hall and said to Wan Dabao sincerely: "Please tell me, father-in-law, that during this period of time, I have been confined to the house to think over the causes and consequences. All this happened because of
My son had some thoughts that he shouldn't have, and was blinded by jealousy for a moment. He knew that he was wrong, and depriving him of the title was the punishment he deserved. When he returns to the house, he will study hard, meditate on his own mistakes, and will no longer call him father.
The emperor is sad and disappointed. It's just that my father, the emperor, and my concubine are both old, so I can't worry about it. I just hope that my father will take good care of himself and don't blame my mother and concubine."
After saying this, he went back.
Nothing extra was done.
After hearing what Wan Dabao told him, the emperor said calmly: "I guess he still has some conscience."
After thinking for a while, he asked again: "What is the boss doing these days?"
Wan Dabao replied: "The eldest prince invited the immortal chief of Xuandu Temple to give a lecture. He seems to have the intention of becoming a Taoist."
The emperor frowned and sneered: "He? Entered the Tao?"
"yes."
The emperor said coldly: "Then let him join Taoism. Until now, he still doesn't know where he went wrong. He just wants to follow the heretical path!"
Wan Dabao smiled and said nothing.
Even if the reserve position is abolished, he is still a prince, and he has no right to make arbitrary comments.
The emperor asked a few questions, ignored him, and drove to Qianqiu Palace.
...
The second prince returned to the mansion.
"Your Highness, it's getting late, would you like to have a meal?" the guard asked.
The second prince waved his hand: "Wherever there is room for food, go and invite Mr. Hong."
The guard paused and said, "Yes."
Mr. Hong is the second prince’s new favorite.
Before, the second prince had many customers, and Mr. Hong was inconspicuous. Later, when the prince was deposed and the customers dispersed, Mr. Hong became more prominent.
He has no intention of leaving at all, and he is not like those hangers-on who just live their own lives.
After seizing the title, he observed it for half a month, then suddenly came to see the second prince and got straight to the point: "Your Highness is giving up on yourself like this. Are you giving up on yourself?"
At that time, the second prince was trapped in the decadence of failure and was drinking every day. After hearing what he said, he became furious: "Did I give up on myself? My father gave up on me! The king has been deposed, what can happen in the future?"
Mr. Hong said: "Although His Highness is no longer King Xin, you are still the second prince."
"So what?"
"Until the coffin is closed, there is no way to tell. If you are still alive, or even still a prince, there is still hope. If you continue like this, please forgive me for resigning."
Faced with his anger, Mr. Hong remained calm.
The second prince finally calmed down and asked him: "Sir, what does this mean?"
Mr. Hong said: "Your Highness has taken in Hong for three years. In the past, he was very happy and did not need me. Now that His Highness is in trouble, I should repay the kindness of providing food for these three years. Therefore, I will do my best to get His Highness out of the current situation."
.However, this requires your Highness to be determined. If Your Highness continues to do this, Hong will have no choice but to leave with regret."
The second prince was stunned for a while, and finally asked him to sit down and sighed: "I thought that the people in the mansion were all people who wanted to be popular. When they were in power, they all flattered them. Now that they have lost power, they don't care.
In my eyes, all those left behind are people with no ambitions who are just making ends meet. I didn’t expect there to be people like this gentleman. He really doesn’t care about things and doesn’t understand people’s hearts.”
Mr. Hong said calmly: "It is human nature. Your Highness knows that there is no need to waste your energy on them by focusing on them. Your biggest priority now is to get out of this house. Nothing else matters."
The second prince asked humbly: "Sir, do you have an idea?"
Mr. Hong shook his head: "I don't have any ideas at the moment, but I believe that opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared. Just because we haven't seen that opportunity yet, it doesn't mean it won't come. Only by being prepared can your Highness be ready when the opportunity comes."
When the time comes, hold on tight."
The second prince asked him again: "How do you think you are ready, sir?"
Mr. Hong stretched out his finger: "First, Your Highness must cheer up and live a decent life."
The second prince nodded and straightened his clothes: "I won't drink any more tomorrow."
Mr. Hong smiled and felt quite relieved.
"Secondly, His Highness must reflect deeply on himself. If he knows his mistakes and can correct them, there is no greater good."
The second prince thought for a while and continued to nod: "Okay."
Mr. Hong pressed his two fingers back together: "Yesterday, for example, you died yesterday. If Your Highness realizes that you were wrong, then you will throw the wrong self into the wastebasket and be reborn."
"How can I regain my life?"
Mr. Hong said: "When His Majesty sees you, it will be the day you are reborn."
The second prince was thoughtful.
"Only by studying can you learn etiquette. Your Highness will study with Hong from tomorrow."
The second prince said: "I have already studied those books, do I still want to read them again?"
Mr. Hong said with a smile: "There is no end to learning."
From that day on, the second prince devoted himself to studying with Mr. Hong.
March passed by in a flash, and the second prince finally had the opportunity to step out of the palace.
Now, he is back at home and can't wait to see Mr. Hong and talk about today's events.
Mr. Hong listened patiently to what he said, nodded and said with a smile, "Your Highness did a great job."
The second prince hurriedly asked: "Then what should we do next?"
Mr. Hong said: "Your Highness, it is not you who makes the decision now. You just need to continue to be yourself."
The second prince was anxious: "I heard that the third child has made great progress in studying recently. My father is very satisfied with him. Maybe he will be crown prince soon. Once the crown prince is crowned, I won't have a chance even if I leave here!"
Mr. Hong shook his head: "This prince will not be established so early."
"Why?"
"Because there is an example like the eldest prince." Mr. Hong persuaded carefully, "Besides, I won't keep His Highness waiting in vain."
The second prince's eyes lit up and he looked at him hopefully.
Mr. Hong did not disappoint him and said softly: "This matter will certainly hurt the brotherhood, but the most important thing is that it involves the imperial concubine. As long as your majesty loves the imperial concubine, you will never forget what your highness has done."
If the imperial concubine falls out of favor..."
"This is impossible!" the second prince said flatly, "Ever since he had her, my father's heart has never left her."
Mr. Hong said with a smile: "Your Highness, what you said is wrong. Didn't you know the secret and took advantage of it once? Your Majesty has never been worried about the imperial concubine."
The second prince was stunned for a moment, remembering Concubine Pei's true identity.
"How can we make use of this?"
Mr. Hong said: "Your Highness, don't worry too much. Just make a gesture of atonement. Hong traveled around the world in his early years and made some friends. If you feel at ease, please contact them."
How could the second prince not agree, he promised: "Okay, okay, how can I not believe you, sir? Sir, just do it." (To be continued)