Rebirth: Pampered by the Lord-Chapter 1943: Iron Cage
"Fourth Prince, Prime Minister, please have breakfast."
At this moment, the steward came in with several maids, each carrying a tray laden with various breakfast foods.
The maids lined up neatly, walking into the room with practiced grace, placing the food on the table, filling it completely.
The Fourth Prince sat at the table, took a bite of Hibiscus Cake, then turned to the restless Prime Minister and said, "Grandfather, stop pacing around, it’s making me dizzy. Come and have breakfast!"
"Ah! I can’t eat." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
The Prime Minister was feeling anxious and couldn’t focus on breakfast. There was still no news from Yinhua Pavilion, and in another two hours, they were due in court. He was truly afraid The Petition of the People might appear in the Imperial Court, and The Emperor, considering his face, would surely hold him accountable.
The Fourth Prince stood up, walked over to him, and pulled him to sit by the stool, saying, "Grandfather, at your age, after a sleepless night, you’re already exhausted. If you don’t eat breakfast, you’ll be drained, and later, how will you contend with the War Prince in the court?"
"But... but... but I have no appetite, I can’t eat."
The Prime Minister admitted he wanted to eat something to regain his strength, but his mood was so poor that he had no appetite and simply couldn’t eat.
"Even if you can’t eat, you should. Have a bowl of porridge." The Fourth Prince nodded to a nearby maid to serve the Prime Minister a bowl of Bird’s Nest Porridge.
The maid stepped forward with a large ladle, serving two small bowls of Bird’s Nest Porridge, placing one in front of the Prime Minister, respectfully saying, "Prime Minister, please enjoy."
The other was placed in front of the Fourth Prince: "Fourth Prince, please enjoy."
After this, the maids retreated to the side, waiting for their master’s call.
The Prime Minister picked up the small spoon, eating absentmindedly.
The two ate breakfast absent-mindedly.
Time slowly passed.
"Dong, dong, dong, dong."
Outside, the sound of the watchman and his calls rang out: "Dry wind and material caution, beware of fire, lock doors and windows, be wary of thieves."
Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister jumped up, nerves frayed, knocking the bowl on the table...
"Bang!"
Porridge mixed with ceramic shards spilled all over the floor, dirtying the Prime Minister’s court attire.
The Fourth Prince promptly stood up, frowned at the disheveled Prime Minister, and said, "Oh dear! Grandfather, how can you be so careless!"
"It’s the fourth of the night watch periods, the fourth! Why hasn’t there been any news from Yinhua Pavilion yet? I’m so anxious, what to do? What to do?" The Prime Minister, ignoring his messy state, was only thinking about The Petition of the People. He paced in circles, stepping on the puddle of porridge without noticing.
The steward observed this, frowning, but as a servant, he dared say nothing.
The Fourth Prince looked up at the sky outside; though it was still dark, it was indeed the fourth watch period, and time for the Prime Minister to proceed to the palace.
"Grandfather, the time has come. Hurry to the palace! If you’re late, the Imperial Father will blame you."
"But, The Petition of the People hasn’t been retrieved yet."
"We’ll adapt to circumstances then!"
"Well... well..."
"You’ve thought so much about it, hurry and change into court attire to go to the palace. If you hesitate any longer, it will be too late."
Having no alternative, the Prime Minister had to change into official robes in a state of anxiousness and hurriedly departed with the Fourth Prince by carriage to the palace.
Since the Fourth Prince lost an eye, The Emperor decreed he need not attend morning court, ostensibly for his health’s sake. But the Fourth Prince knew that his father was ashamed of his appearance and preferred he stay hidden in his mansion, which suited The Emperor’s wishes.
