Frost for a Thousand Years

"Zisheng, how are you?"

After returning to his palace last night, the Crown Prince remained serious and ignored everything she said. The Crown Princess initially showed concern for a while, but after he told her not to worry about him, she said nothing more. However, when she got up to use the restroom in the early morning and found him still sitting on the bed, she was startled and immediately asked him with concern.

"I'm waiting."

The Crown Prince remained solemn and calm, speaking in a composed manner.

"Wait?" The Crown Princess asked, puzzled. "Didn't you go out to see Song Shi'an today? Haven't you sorted things out yet?"

"Song Shi'an has already taken care of it."

The crown prince looked at the candlelight in the glass lamp in his bedchamber and said in a heavy tone, "I am waiting for the emperor."

These words left the Crown Princess completely baffled.

What does this have to do with the emperor?

But what he uttered was not 'Your Majesty' or 'Father,' but 'Emperor.' Such neutral terms coming from the mouth of a crown prince definitely sounded a bit strange.

Has the situation escalated again?

"Zisheng, what are you waiting for? Don't scare me."

When the Crown Princess was still the Princess of Wu, she was very excited and looking forward to her husband becoming the Crown Prince. After all, the Princess of Wu was nothing, but the Empress was the mother of the nation.

However, after Wu Wangzhen became the crown prince, her mental state was also affected.

I'm always living in fear.

In her view, with her father being so powerful, wouldn't it be natural for him to become emperor after he was a good son and sent the old emperor away?
Why be so opinionated and take on unknown risks?

"Wait until dawn."

The Crown Prince slowly turned his head towards her and said in an icy tone, "If I am still the Crown Prince, then I will always be the Crown Prince."

.........

"This prince has gone a bit crazy. This experience has not only failed to break him, but has actually changed him."

The golden stage qualitative change: prismatic color.

Song Shi'an spoke up from the side.

Xin Yue, who was packing her bags and putting her clothes in a box, paused for a moment and said with great confusion, "I know what you mean, but if the Crown Prince hadn't defended himself like that back then, how could he have convinced you?"

That incident, the Crown Prince can never clear his name, no matter what he does.

That fact is undeniable—he felt that Song Shi'an's value had been fully realized because the land reclamation project was about to succeed.

However, he was able to say those words with genuine feeling, perfectly concealing his original malicious intent.

“That makes sense,” Song Shi’an said, arms crossed. “But if the emperor from the previous year had heard this, he would never have been able to remain the crown prince.”

If it were the emperor a year ago, and his son had criticized him like this, even pinching him with his fingers to hit a sore spot, given his personality, he would definitely have said: "Fuck you, Wei Yiyun, take it or leave it."

“Indeed, that’s the emperor.” Xin Yue agreed, but still speculated, “But the emperor is old, so old that he has sent his son to oversee the country. At this point, no matter how angry he is, he is powerless to change anything. Faced with his son’s verbal attacks, no matter how angry he is, he has to endure it.”

“You’re right,” Song Shi’an affirmed first, then said, “If the Crown Prince can still retain his position as heir apparent, then the Emperor will be the one who suffers in humiliation.”

"What do you mean?" Xin Yue asked curiously, "The emperor will spare the crown prince, but not for this reason?"

"The Crown Prince has failed in his duty this time, almost ruining the important national matter of land reclamation, and he has also made such remarks. If the Emperor is dissatisfied, he can completely strip the Crown Prince and the position of Regent."

"In that case, when Prince Jin ascends the throne, the nobles and powerful families can naturally divide up the fruits of the land reclamation..." Xin Yue thought of this possibility and said with some lingering fear, "As a former member of the Crown Prince's faction, you will definitely have to give up your position. Wouldn't that make everyone happy?"

"Yes."

Without a doubt, a path to happiness for everyone has been achieved.

And the grain was also obtained.

"Then why doesn't he do that?" Xin Yue asked defiantly.

After a long silence, Song Shi'an uttered that one word:
"Love."

Xin Yue also fell silent on the spot.

A king who ascended the throne as a child, gradually consolidated power under the pressure of powerful ministers and brothers, and then personally killed two princes because of his son's usurpation.

An absolute powerhouse brings with him loneliness, but what teaches him to love is...

Prince!

"That's ridiculous."

Xin Yue, who already harbored a natural hostility towards the people of Dayu and disliked none of them except Song Shi'an, couldn't believe that such a major event could be decided by such a seasoned politician, with all the final decisions made by some 'love'. So, after giving a defiant retort, she sealed the box and prepared to leave.

Song Shi'an was amused by her somewhat adorable appearance and teased, "You can't help but believe in love."

I don't believe it.

Xin Yue snorted and denied it.

The fate of a nation hangs in the balance in an instant, and the final decision is made by the ethereal concept of 'love,' which is not political at all.

Just then, Song Gan came in and said to him, "Young Master, the carriage is ready, and the Marquis has also arrived and is waiting outside."

“See, there can be love between father and son,” Song Shi’an said smugly.

"Hmm." But Xin Yue still didn't have a bad feeling about the atmosphere in the Song family.

"Let's call someone to move the boxes, then we can go."

After giving Song Gan a few instructions, Song Shi'an left her residence with Xin Yue.

Song Jing was waiting at the door.

As the hour of Yin (3-5 AM) drew to a close, the morning star emerged, its pale rays piercing through the clouds to illuminate a dim glow. Sheng'an in the early morning was no longer completely pitch black.

Upon seeing them, Song Jing waved.

So the two of them walked over together, and Song Shi'an spoke first: "Father."

"Lord Dudu," Xin Yue also performed a male greeting.

Seeing these two oddballs who fell in love before marriage, Song Jing didn't know what to say, so he went straight to the point and said, "I have sent several servants from the Song family, and Song Gan will escort you back to Sheng'an. Do not do things like riding back to Sheng'an by two people again. Please remember this."

“Xin Yue can protect me,” Song Shi’an retorted stubbornly.

"You have to protect them!" Song Jing was anxious.

But these words were unacceptable to the female guard, who was the main character. She immediately said, "Lord, it is my duty to protect him. As long as I am here, I will never let Shi An get hurt. If anything happens to him, I will protect him with my life."

"Alright, alright, I was just telling you to be careful..."

Song Jing was convinced by the two men and didn't dwell on it. He continued, "I've almost finished drafting the list of officials. Half of them are my people, and the other half are capable people. Of course, the people I recommend to you are all capable."

“Of course, putting Qinmei aside, Dad doesn’t raise good-for-nothings,” Song Shi’an said.

"Heh." Song Jing ignored his glib tongue and said, "Those people, I'll do as you said, the ones you recommended. I'll deal with the Crown Prince later. As for the outcome, you can rest assured."

The implication is: you will never be held back again.

"Father, thank you." Song Shi'an bowed.

Song Jing smiled faintly, placed his hand on his shoulder, and praised gently, "I told you before not to overestimate yourself. But now I say, who else but you can do it?"

Upon hearing this, Song Shi'an immediately covered his eyes with his hands, and the next moment he pulled Xin Yue away, choking back tears as he said, "Father, your son is leaving."

"..." Song Jing.

Is it really that touching?

Xin Yue was also stunned. She hadn't expected Song Shi'an to be so temperamental, and to have such an adorable personality of being genuinely happy after being affirmed by his father. However, after getting into the car and finding that the boy hadn't shed a single tear, she pursed her lips speechlessly.

This is Song Shi'an's Pure Demon Pill.

The carriage, carrying only a small amount of luggage, left Sheng'an.

After setting off, Song Shi'an lifted the carriage curtain, glanced back at Song Jing, and solemnly said, "Our decisive battle is about to begin."

.........

The sun rose. Last night was Christmas Eve.

The crown prince breathed a sigh of relief.

I survived under that old man's control.

This may be the first time that the Embroidered Uniform Guard did not personally arrest someone after hearing them insult the emperor.

Even though he didn't sleep all night, he still doesn't feel energetic at all.

Sitting in the Crown Prince's seat, he rested his hand on the armrest, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Dad, you've finally admitted you were wrong.

They finally realized that it had been unfair to us brothers.

The guilt in your heart compels you to make amends.

Thank you anyway.

You taught me how to be a good emperor.

"Your Highness, Shen Kang has been brought."

Eunuch Xi walked nervously to the front of the hall.

"Bring him in," the Crown Prince said.

"Yes."

As he spoke, Eunuch Xi brought Shen Kang in and placed him next to the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, this humble official pays his respects."

Upon entering, Shen Kang prostrated himself and kowtowed in greeting.

This action caused a glint to appear in the crown prince's eyes.

It's normal for other officials to pay their respects in this way, but it's quite different when it's the Embroidered Uniform Guard, especially when it's the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the 'Commander'.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was not subordinate to anyone except the emperor.

In extremely rare cases, even princes had to kneel and bow to the Imperial Guards.

Of course, that was when the Imperial Guards were relaying the emperor's edicts, and the princes were bowing to the supreme imperial authority.

Trying to breathe on the Crown Prince in one's own name is absolutely suicidal.

Shen Kang bowed to him as if he were an emperor, which was a very sensitive signal: the emperor has given him power!

"Rise," the crown prince said to him.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Shen Kang stood up.

"Shen Kang," the Crown Prince said, "this time, you will go to Huai County and thoroughly investigate these people."

After saying that, Xishan presented him with a sealed envelope.

He accepted it with both hands and said, "Yes."

"The guilt of most people is already clear, and you can find out the truth from them," the Crown Prince said. "But you must investigate the eunuch Lian Song thoroughly. The Huai County military farm is a major national project, and anyone who tries to destroy it is a sinner for all time."

Shen Kang understood everything the Crown Prince said.

The other officials will likely be dealt with leniently, either demoted or transferred. In the past, a mere label of 'dereliction of duty' would suffice, a mere formality.

But for Eunuch Lian, that would be the end of it.

He had to take the blame for the land reclamation efforts all by himself.

How to memorize it?
List out the crimes for which he could be sentenced to death.

With a single stroke, Eunuch Lian's head was gently lowered, and the great undertaking of land reclamation was quietly taken over by Song Shi'an.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Shen Kang, like a robot, clenched his fist and accepted the order.

"go a head."

"My lord, please retire."

And so, Shen Kang left.

Glancing at the very reserved Xi Shan, the Crown Prince said angrily, "This Lian Song, I thought he was practical and honest, which is why I sent him to Huai County. But I have said many times that only 20,000 men can be mobilized, yet he mobilized several times that number just to flatter and fawn, and even extorted money from merchants and threatened and colluded with officials!"

"Lian Song has betrayed Your Highness's trust by allowing Huai County to be used for military farming here. He truly deserves to die! Your Highness, please do not be too saddened and take care of your health!"

Xi Shan immediately bowed and loudly echoed.

Even from a perspective unseen by the other person, the corners of her mouth were still trembling.

Although he and Eunuch Lian were at odds, Eunuch Lian had still taken the blame and lost his head while working for the Crown Prince.

How could Xishan not feel a sense of shared fate and live in fear?

.........

Song Shi'an arrived in Sheng'an quietly.

When I left Sheng'an, it was still quiet.

However, this news reached the ears of important figures a day later.

Wu Qiong walked over to the Duke of Li with great disbelief and reported, "Father, Song Shi'an has left the city."

"Why do you think we left the city?" Duke Li asked with a smile.

This question put him in an extremely awkward position.

Wu Qiong had previously been certain that the Crown Prince did not have such a good temper that he would still shamelessly seek out others after becoming a laughing stock and being humiliated.

This is why he was so confident that he could succeed when he went to find Ye Changqing.

"Your Highness, why won't you accept us?" Wu Qiong asked, puzzled. "Would he rather be disciplined by Song Shi'an?"

This is a complete joke!

It's obvious that Song Shi'an wants to teach you a lesson in front of your father.

You're practically a stepping stone to the throne, and you're just going to put up with this?
Finally, the Duke of Li became serious and criticized, "The Crown Prince has matured, but you have not."

"Father," Wu Qiong lowered his head, his face flushed, and whispered, "I still don't understand."

"Since we're being asked to participate, what's the difference between this Crown Prince and the Prince of Jin?"

The Duke of Li's words left Wu Qiong speechless.

"Remember, don't argue about right or wrong."

The Duke of Li raised his hand, pointed at his son, and said profoundly, "On the surface, you must always go against the grain of your political enemies."

Simply put: whatever the enemy supports, you oppose; whatever the enemy opposes, you support.

This is what political parties are.

When those in power are unclear about their stance, those below will be hesitant to take sides.

“Father, I understand.” Wu Qiong finally grasped the meaning, but a question remained: “But if we do that, wouldn’t Song Shi’an be able to replace the core leadership of Huai County? Wouldn’t that make things more stable?”

"I ask you, is the relationship between the Crown Prince and Song Shi'an real?" asked the Duke of Li.

Wu Qiong was stunned: "..."

"If that's true, we have no chance at all."

The Duke of Li's lips curled into a smile as he said, "If it's not true, the opportunity will naturally come." (End of Chapter)