The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 343 - 311: A Casual Choice

In the Upper Garden, Su Yaoqi’s half of his face was covered in blood, and he was unconscious. Before being brought to the Duke Mansion, the Imperial Physician had already treated his wounds.

Lying on his bed in his room now, the just-revived Su Yaoqi looked at the people surrounding him with confused eyes.

Apart from his parents, quite a number of uncles, aunts, and grandmothers came, each with a somber face, their eyes fixed on him.

If it weren’t for Su Yaoqi still having some consciousness, he would have almost thought these people were here for his funeral.

"Father, Mother," Su Yaoqi weakly called out.

"Little Four, how are you?" The Duke, seeing his son awake, was full of tension, and his old face looked very worried.

Su Yaoqi recalled the scene of himself falling from the horse, pursed his lips, then shook his head, "I’m fine."

Duke Su slightly frowned, "With such a big bruise on your forehead and a fractured arm, you’re telling me you’re fine?" Thinking of the suffering his son endured, the Duke’s voice softened with all his might, "Little Four, don’t be afraid. Tell your father, was someone trying to hurt you on purpose?"

"Fourth Brother, if someone indeed set a trap for you, you must not hide it. Speak up early so we can avenge you," an uncle said indignantly.

Others nodded in agreement.

The room became lively.

Su Yaoqi glanced at his right hand fixed with planks and suddenly turned his head, "Father, I’m so tired and want to rest."

The Duke cast a glance backward, "All of you leave first!"

In the blink of an eye, the crowd dispersed like a receding tide. The air in the room seemed much fresher, and Su Yaoqi took a deep breath, then closed his eyes gently.

His head felt somewhat dizzy, and the wound was very painful.

Apparently, he had cried from pain before he fainted.

But even so, Su Yaoqi couldn’t blame anyone.

The Eldest Prince had already told him he didn’t need to ride the horse and just needed to run errands. It was his own insistence on being strong that got him accidentally falling off the horse.

The Duchess by the side wept out of distress, constantly complaining, "Fourth Brother has grown up so much. When has he ever suffered or worked hard? He gets up before the third hour, and by the time he comes back at night, he’s so tired he can’t even eat. At first, I told you not to send him, but you all insisted, and now that something’s happened, why don’t you step up and take responsibility?"

The Duke was also annoyed. He knew the Prince studied hard, but he didn’t expect even being a companion would be this tiring.

Now that something happened in the Royal Upper Garden, he had no place to seek justice.

——

Similarly seeing this as a conspiracy was Empress Su, who immediately concluded that Zhao Xi must have tampered with the horse, causing Su Yaoqi to accidentally fall.

However, after she had someone secretly investigate the horse, no abnormalities were found.

"Impossible!" Empress Su exclaimed, "The Eldest Prince agreed so readily to let Little Four be a companion precisely for a day like this. This event can’t be a coincidence. Investigate further; don’t miss any clues."

The secret person stood up. When about to leave, Empress Su suddenly squinted, "Wait!"

"Does the Empress have other instructions?" the secret person asked.

"I’ve changed my mind," Empress Su said, "There’s no need to continue investigating this matter. From now on, let’s pretend nothing happened."

The secret person paused but dared not defy the Empress’s wishes and quickly saluted and withdrew.

After the person left, the personal maid approached and asked Empress Su, "Why did the Empress suddenly stop the investigation?"

Empress Su said, "Whether or not it was the Emperor’s doing, this situation is exactly what he wants to see. Even if we find out it was him, what can I do against the Emperor?"

"Then what does the Empress intend...?"

Empress Su smiled without speaking, her smile carrying a hint of coldness.

——

After Su Yaoqi got injured, instead it was the Eldest Prince who became the one being visited and consoled.

Chuxiu Palace.

Zhao Xi, having just got a chance to visit his birth mother, Princess Consort Qi, was tightly surrounded at the door by other concubines who had gotten the news. They asked if he was scared, if he was all right, and if he couldn’t hold on, he must call an Imperial Physician early and shouldn’t bear it alone. They, as his stepmothers, were very concerned...

A group of gorgeously dressed concubines stood together, their rich fragrance causing Zhao Xi to sneeze several times.

Princess Consort Qi could hardly bear to watch but couldn’t openly drive them away. She gently suggested, "The Eldest Prince is hurrying to the training ground and cannot entertain you sisters. How about you let him go, and I’ll stay to chat with you?"

Zhao Xi seized the chance, turned to his mother, and saluted, "Son takes his leave."

——

Unlike students from the Imperial College and Hongwen Academy who had three days off each month, Zhao Xi had to stick to his schedule daily, except during festivals. He was now heading to the training ground to learn about various weapons.

Upon arrival, he unexpectedly found Empress Su there.

Zhao Xi had no choice but to approach and salute, "What’s brought Mother Empress to the training ground?"

"Nothing to do today, so I came out for a walk." Empress Su smiled at him, "Rare for me to come here. Might I have the honor of witnessing your skills?"

Zhao Xi nodded, "Then, I will make a humble display."

With that, he casually picked up the gilded bow beside him, notched three arrows, adjusted the angle, and with a whoosh, shot them out, each arrow striking the center of the target perfectly.

Under the admiring gaze of Empress Su, he picked up another three arrows, aiming directly at the middle target this time.

The three arrows ended up in the same bull’s eye, even splitting the previous arrow in two.

At thirteen, such archery skills were enough to astonish countless onlookers.

Su Yaoqi had already witnessed this, so Zhao Xi had no need to hide his prowess in front of the Empress.

Under the stunning surface of Empress Su, there was more horror.

If not for the predetermined intention to pass the throne to this Prince, Emperor Guangxi would not have cultivated him so well.

But now, let alone seizing the throne, she hadn’t even given birth to a son who could participate.

Zhao Xi had finished the drill and turned to Empress Su, "It’s hot outside, Mother Empress should go back early to avoid the heat, or you might get dizzy."

As if his words had comforted her, Empress Su smiled, "So young yet you know how to care for people, Xixi really is a good child."

She didn’t notice that the term "Xixi" made the coldness in Zhao Xi’s eyes deepen.

——

The suggestion to find Zhao Xi a companion was brought up again during the morning court several days later.

It was a few ministers from the Su Family faction who spoke up.

Emperor Guangxi immediately knew it was because the Empress couldn’t ask a second time herself, so she contacted these ministers to speak on her behalf.

Despite already losing the Su Family’s precious member, do they still refuse to give up?

Emperor Guangxi raised his eyebrows slightly, looking at the ones speaking, "Whom do you esteemed ministers think would be suitable?"

"The companion of the Prince should naturally be selected from the Imperial College."

"I second the motion."

"I also second the motion."

"..."

Emperor Guangxi understood.

Besides Su Yaoqi, there were people from the Su Family faction studying at the Imperial College.

Before the ministers could name anyone specifically, Emperor Guangxi instructed Mr. Cui, "Invite the Eldest Prince, and also have someone present the current roster of three hundred students from the Imperial College."

One stick of incense time later, Zhao Xi and the roster both appeared in the Political Discussion Hall.

Emperor Guangxi spoke directly to him, "The officials have been worrying all morning about finding you a companion, you shouldn’t just sit idly by. Here is the roster of students from the Imperial College, take a look and see if there’s anyone you like."

One of the ministers said, "Emperor, how can a good candidate be chosen based purely on a roster, this matter should not be taken lightly."

Emperor Guangxi squinted at him, "Listening to this, does the Minister of Rites already have a candidate prepared?"

"... Your servant does not dare."

"Or are you suggesting that to choose a companion, you plan to stage several competitions? So if I don’t agree to your plans, this issue cannot proceed, is that it?"

"... Your servant is anxious."

The Minister of Rites fell to his knees with a thud.

Emperor Guangxi retracted his gaze and handed the roster to Zhao Xi, telling him to choose carefully.

Zhao Xi didn’t really want a companion, as he was used to being alone all these years, and having another person around always felt inexplicably awkward.

He flipped through it, randomly pointing, "How about him!"

Emperor Guangxi turned his head to take a look.

Song Hao.

Zhao Xi had pointed to this name.

Who is Song Hao?

Emperor Guangxi couldn’t recall for a moment, but Mr. Cui whispered in his ear, "It’s the son of Song Wei, Mr. Song."

"Oh?"

This was interesting.

Emperor Guangxi looked at Zhao Xi, "Are you sure you want him?"

Zhao Xi replied, "I am not familiar with the students from the Imperial College, it doesn’t matter who I choose." Whoever it was, it made no difference to him.

"Then it’s decided." Emperor Guangxi concluded, then looked at the civil and military officials below, "The companion is chosen from the Imperial College and personally selected by the Eldest Prince, does any esteemed minister still find this inappropriate? Stand up and speak if so."

Since it was already decided, who would dare stand up and seek trouble?

Does anyone really think the Emperor intends to accept sound advice? He was just holding in his anger, planning to find someone to vent it on, that’s all.

A strong sense of self-preservation made the ministers mute.

The Political Discussion Hall fell silent.

——

With the choice made, half an hour later, Mr. Cui, who was delivering the decree, appeared at the Imperial College in a carriage.

Song Yuanbao, who was in class, was summoned out to receive the decree, feeling a bit confused.

He glanced at the classmate who delivered the message, confirming repeatedly, "You heard correctly, it’s me who is to go out and receive the decree?"

The classmate smiled and asked back, "Could there be two Song Haos among us students?"

Song Yuanbao shivered, stood up from his seat, and sprinted outside.