Chapter 975: Chapter 975: A Rival in Chess_1 Chapter 975: Chapter 975: A Rival in Chess_1 Jiang Ning was the first to spot Jiang Ruobai and quickly waved him over. “Daddy, quick! Look! I caught a fish!” she exclaimed.

“Look at you, so mischievous! Everyone else stays inside to keep warm in such cold weather but you insist on standing in the breeze fishing. Don’t complain about your legs hurting later and run off crying in front of your mom!”

Despite Jiang Ruobai’s reproach, his tone was full of indulgence, he even went over to help his daughter catch a fish. Jiang Ning was jubilant, plopping the fish into a little bucket, and offered to grill the fish for him later.

Li Hongyuan and Lin Shimo both rose and greeted him with a bow.

“Your Highness and Mr. Lin have quite the leisurely hobbies.” Jiang Ruobai laid down his fishing rod, went over to the brazier to warm his hands, and glanced at the chessboard with an amused smile.

The black and white pieces were evenly matched, the game as yet unresolved.

It was too early yet to determine a winner.

Jiang Ruobai chuckled, “It seems Your Highness and Mr. Lin have finally met your match.”

Lin Shimo also laughed, “Without modesty, I’ve yet to meet a worthy opponent in the Spring Autumn Academy. It’s unexpected indeed, for the young Crown Prince to show such a mastery in chess.”

Jiang Ruobai replied with a smile, “It’s all about perception, being older doesn’t necessarily make one better.”

“Prime Minister Jiang speaks the truth.”

Lin Shimo glanced outside at the snowy landscape and sighed, “This snowfall is quite beautiful.”

“And what makes it so?” asked Li Hongyuan.

“What makes it beautiful… Everyone seems to enjoy it.”

“Ha ha.” Jiang Ruobai laughed.

“Where does Prime Minister Jiang come from?” Li Hongyuan asked.

“Crystal Frost Hall.” Jiang Ruobai’s smile slightly faded, he unconsciously sighed, “For the past couple of years, the Emperor has been absorbed in asceticism. Are you aware of this?”

Lin Shimo furrowed his eyebrows, Jiang Ning looked faintly surprised, but Li Hongyuan appeared to already know.

“And why is this, out of nowhere?” Jiang Ning offered a cup of hot tea to Jiang Ruobai, as she wondered about the Emperor’s sudden change of heart.

Always looking for something new every few days.

“The Emperor’s health has been deteriorating. After his fifteenth birthday, he plans to move to the Little Spirit Mountain,” Jiang Ruobai didn’t respond to Jiang Ning’s question.

“The Taoist temple on Little Spirit Mountain?”

“Yes.” Jiang Ruobai nodded, “Once the Emperor has decided, no one can change his mind.”

“Is he preparing to abdicate the throne?” Jiang Ning asked.

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Jiang Ruobai shot her a look, then sighed, “I’ve been worried about the Emperor’s health these past few years. If he wishes to retire, it wouldn’t be unreasonable. But…it’s he took these so-called ‘immortal pills’, instead of the Imperial Physician’s remedies, that really has me worried!”

“Dad, can’t you just persuade the Emperor?”

“Don’t assume that just because the Emperor treats you kindly, it means he is easy to sway.” Jiang Ruobai replied grumpily.

After Li Changgeng has been the Emperor for decades, he’d become accustomed to making decisions single-handedly in his youth.

Why would he easily heed the advice of a court official?

Upon returning to the East Palace, Jiang Ning had a private conversation with Li Hongyuan.

“Regardless of whether he retires, he should definitely not consume these ‘immortal pills’.” Jiang Ning said seriously to Li Hongyuan, “You are his son, if you don’t advise him, then no one else will.”

“If there’s anyone else he might listen to, there’s probably only one person.”

“Who?” Jiang Ning looked startled as Li Hongyuan’s gaze met hers. “Are you saying… my mom?”

“It concerns the health of Emperor Father.”

“Oh my!”

Jiang Ning waved her hand with a mildly agitated expression, “My mother lives a quiet and peaceful life, I don’t want her involved in these matters. It’s decided!”

Li Hongyuan looked at her.

Jiang Ning rose to her feet, “I want to visit Serene Phoenix Palace, to see the Empress. I need to talk with her seriously.”