"My son, I once said that you acted on impulse and failed to appoint the right people to the right positions. I know you are dissatisfied. What do you think of this matter now?"
Alone facing the man who was both his father and the emperor, Song Ruiyang opened his mouth but was speechless for a moment.
The court officials had all dispersed, and the palace servants had also been sent away. The empty hall was left with only the emperor and the crown prince.
The late autumn sunshine shone through the palace gate and covered the ground with golden light. The emperor looked at his young son, slowly walked down the dragon throne on the golden light, and slowly stood in front of the prince.
"Tell me what you think, let me see if my guess is correct." The emperor had a faint smile on his lips. Song Ruiyang glanced quickly at the emperor's eyes, and he felt that there was no smile in them.
“Your son…” Song Ruiyang felt it difficult to continue after just starting, so he took a few deep breaths before continuing.
"It is hateful that Zhou Zhiyuan took advantage of my trust to do evil, but if I had not been able to judge people, how could he have had such an opportunity?"
Song Ruiyang finished speaking in one breath, but he lowered his head and did not look at the emperor. He clenched his hands into fists at his sides and just stared at the emperor's boots.
The emperor took Song Ruiyang's reaction in full view, a smile flashed in his eyes, and his face looked relaxed.
"Well, now that you haven't even gotten married yet, you, the Zhou surname, dare to act so recklessly. This is not like the family tradition of Lord Zhou. Fortunately, the matter was discovered in time and can still be salvaged. How do you plan to end this, my son?"
"Father?..."
He thought there would be a storm, or at least a reprimand, but the emperor's indifferent reaction was beyond Song Ruiyang's expectations.
Moreover, the emperor did not mention this matter at all in the morning court session just now. Song Ruiyang thought that this was just out of consideration for the royal family's reputation. Now it seems that there must be other hidden stories.
"Father, please understand. I plan not to touch Zhou Zhiyuan for now, but I will have people secretly investigate what he has done, collect evidence, and then capture him in one fell swoop. By then, no one will be able to excuse themselves."
While Song Ruiyang was considering his reply, he quickly reviewed in his mind every event that had occurred since the canal was dug and the water transport system was regulated.
"Okay, stop guessing. I know everything from beginning to end. I even know more and more clearly than you do."
The emperor spoke slowly, motioning Song Ruiyang to follow his pace and walk towards the tall palace gate together.
"What are you looking at? Don't stare at me like that," the emperor turned around and saw Song Ruiyang's expression, and smiled as if he was pleased.
"You are my prince, and this is the first time you are in charge of a department alone. I will let you go and gain experience, but you still have to watch over me, right?"
"Whether it's the imperial court or the martial arts world, what you see and hear may not be true. The Zhou family kid is just a small figure and can't cause any big waves, so I just watched. When did the prince start to doubt him?"
Far outside the palace wall, the sky was filled with quiet clouds. Song Ruiyang stood half a step behind the emperor, squinting at the motionless and lazy clouds.
"I once reprimanded the people in the Ministry of Works, saying that they were just sitting there doing nothing and never personally went deep into the works under their jurisdiction. Afterwards, I suddenly thought that I was the same as those ministers in the grain transport matter. Zhou Zhiyuan's report on the affairs seemed detailed and orderly, and I actually believed it all."
"Your Highness really didn't disappoint me. The Cao Gang used to belong to the Feilong Sect. Before the Feilong Sect was abolished, it had an unusual relationship with the royal family. Your Highness should learn more about the Cao Gang yourself."
The conversation between father and son and between the ruler and his subject ended here.
Looking at his son's back which seemed to be coated with a layer of golden light in the midday sun, the emperor suddenly said, "You can make the decision on the marriage contract yourself."
Song Ruiyang paused when he heard this, turned around, stood still, bowed respectfully to the emperor, and then strode away.
(End of this chapter)