It's the end of the meeting again. The time for the Emperor's rage.
As the one who could calm him down the best, you walk into the Hall of Mental Cultivation with everyone's expectations.
You put the ginseng tea on the table, and light up the incense. The incense was concocted by the imperial physician to calm one's mind.
Emperor: [Suddenly speaks] I'm starting to doubt myself.
The Emperor has always been majestic and composed. Now his words are filled with exhaustion and self-doubt. How to respond?
Xiu Ying: Your Majesty has always been able to deduce the truth right away. Could it be you've worked too hard lately? What about a shoulder massage?
Emperor: [Waves] If it's politics, I wouldn't be filled with self-doubt.
Xiu Ying: Is there anything I can do?
Emperor: I always thought the Crown Prince was the most like me. That's why I always smothered him. But now I know I was wrong. I was never as stupid as he is!
Xiu Ying: The Crown Prince has always been really meticulous...
Emperor: Meticulous? More like indecisive! A completely worthless boy that only makes me mad!
Seems that your half-true reports have taken effect. It worked a bit too well.
Xiu Ying: The Crown Prince is still young. Please, You Majesty, have some tea to calm down.
Emperor: [Takes tea] Young? My fourth, fifth and eighth sons, each one of them is more useful!
You know that the Emperor is talking out his anger. Still, you can imagine just how disappointed he has been lately. The Emperor called in every one of the princes, except the Crown Prince in the next few days. The princes have been ecstatic about this circumstance. They are now much more relax to the servants like you.
6th Prince: [Walks out the Hall of Mental Cultivation, stops, and looks at you] Did my father scold the Crown Prince a few days ago?
Xiu Ying: His Mjaesty has not called in the Crown Prince for several days.
6th Prince: [Smiles] What a brother of mine. Always such a klutz. No wonder my father gets mad.
You see the Crown Prince walking over and looking at you and the 6th Prince right away.
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Xiu Ying: (Bad news. The suspecting Crown Prince might think that I'm now working with 6th Prince.)
6th Prince: Hello, brother.
The Crown Prince ignores the greeting and goes straight to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. However the Emperor refuses to see him. He stands outside awkwardly and in shame. The 6th Prince cannot conceal his laughter. Looks like the Crown Prince will be made fun of over this for a long time.
The next day, you hear that the Crown Prince is less and less favored to the point that the Emperor scolded him harshly in court. After a good laugh in bed, you must now face the Crown Prince's questions. But you didn't think Crown Prince would be so impatient. The Crown Prince dashes in when you are preparing tea in the afternoon.
Xiu Ying: What brings you here, Your Highness? I just made tea...
Crown Prince: [Looks at you ominously] Do you know how badly you costed me?
Xiu Ying: [Stares] Did I do something wrong?
Crown Prince: Stop acting. You are with the 6th Prince, aren't you?
Xiu Ying: [Dumbfounded] What are you saying, Your Highness? I don't understand! What's going on with the 6th Prince?
Crown Prince: I saw you with the 6th Prince. Now you're denying that?
Xiu Ying: I have talked with him, yes, but I've talked with all the princes. If there's anything that might make you angry, then it might be that a lot of the other princes asked about you.
The Crown Prince is stunned, and his eyes turn furious.
Crown Prince: Hmph. That's expected. They've always wanted to see me make a fool of myself!
Xiu Ying: [Looking betrayed] I've always been grateful to you. Why would I ever harm you. This has to be a misunderstanding.
Crown Prince: [Suspicious] So you really didn't set me up?
