Yu Jin had been watching Zhen Heng closely. Seeing the other’s fists clench, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
Heh, did he still want to fight?
This kid really wouldn’t give up!
In terms of scholarship, he couldn’t compare to this prodigy; but in fighting, this kid wasn’t even fit to tie his shoes! When he was already wielding a knife and killing people, this kid was probably still crying.
“I remember Brother Zhen is working in the Imperial Cabinet now, right?” Yu Jin asked with a smile, ignoring the other’s tense emotions.
It wasn’t just the senior officials who worked in the Imperial Cabinet; there were also junior staff doing odd jobs.
Of course, in the eyes of the world, young people who could work in the Imperial Cabinet had limitless prospects and would eventually become cabinet ministers themselves.
Zhen Heng was considered one of the most promising.
But coming from Yu Jin’s mouth, these words somehow sounded unpleasant.
Zhen Heng took a deep breath, reminding himself to stay calm.
Fighting wasn’t a big deal; what young man didn’t get into fights? But losing a fight would be humiliating.
He could see that Prince Yan had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. He’d be a fool to give him the satisfaction.
Having thought it through, Zhen Heng regained his gentle and refined demeanor. He smiled and bowed to Yu Jin and Jiang Si, “Greetings, Your Highness, Your Highness. It’s truly an honor to chance upon such an esteemed couple here.”
“Brother Zhen is too kind,” Jiang Si nodded in acknowledgment.
Seeing the other’s composure, Yu Jin couldn’t find a reason to pick a fight. He said with disappointment, “Indeed, it’s quite a coincidence. Brother Zhen, this prince still needs to take the princess to browse some jewelry shops, so we’ll take our leave now.”
Zhen Heng nodded with a smile, “Your Highnesses, please go ahead.”
Watching Yu Jin and Jiang Si walk away hand in hand, Zhen Heng quietly looked back and let out an inaudible sigh.
This chance encounter today was truly melancholic.
Fortunately, Zhen Heng was not one to dwell on sorrows. He quickly put this hint of melancholy behind him and went inside to drink.
Yu Jin helped Jiang Si into the carriage and his face immediately darkened. He grumbled, “That brat still harbors ill intentions, and he’s as cunning as a fox. He’s truly old Zhen’s son.”
Jiang Si patted him helplessly, “Why are you getting jealous over nothing? That’s all in the past…”
Yu Jin’s eyes darkened as he leaned closer to Jiang Si, “What’s all in the past?”
Jiang Si was at a loss for words.
It seemed she had accidentally let something slip.
To the few who knew that the Zhen family had once proposed marriage to the Earl’s family, they only knew that Zhen Shicheng had favored her as a daughter-in-law, and perhaps Zhen Heng was also satisfied with her. But only the two of them knew about their first meeting.
Because of this, Jiang Si knew Zhen Heng’s true feelings.
Although Jiang Si had accidentally let something slip, she had a clear conscience. She glanced at Yu Jin and said, “What could it be? It’s just a matter of Uncle Zhen proposing marriage to my father back then. It’s been so long, and you’re still jealous over nothing. Aren’t you afraid that Young Master Zhen will laugh at you—”
Yu Jin leaned in closer, fiercely saying, “You keep calling him ‘Young Master Zhen’, ‘Brother Zhen’, say it one more time and I’ll poke you with my beard!”
As he spoke, he had already pounced on her, rubbing his chin roughly against her cheek.
Jiang Si felt both ticklish and pained. She quickly dodged to the side, skillfully grabbing his ear and twisting it.
Yu Jin sucked in a cold breath and immediately behaved.
Jiang Si tidied her slightly disheveled hair and glared at him.
Yu Jin reached for the teacup on the table, poured some tea, and took a couple of sips before putting it down. “A’si, let me tell you, that kid hasn’t given up on you. Do you think I’m just being jealous for no reason? That’s not it at all. Am I the kind of person who gets jealous over nothing?”
Jiang Si chuckled.
“If he had no feelings for you, why is he still unmarried?” As Yu Jin spoke, his internal jealousy flared up again. “Today’s encounter was orchestrated by him…”
Jiang Si sighed helplessly, “And then what? You want to beat him up?”
Yu Jin rubbed his nose and said sheepishly, “It’s just that he’s too cunning and didn’t give me the chance.”
If he hadn’t married A’si yet and discovered such a rival, he would have run to his father and suggested making that kid a prince consort. But now, forget it. He’d give that kid a chance to fall in love with another girl.
After the young couple had their playful banter, they arrived at Prince Yan’s mansion.
They entered Yuhe Courtyard, changed out of their outdoor clothes, washed their hands and faces, and enjoyed a hearty meat meal around a small brazier. Afterward, they rinsed their mouths and settled in the inner room to discuss their respective affairs.
Jiang Si held a cup of strong tea to cut the greasiness, gently blowing on the tea leaves floating on the surface. She spoke about what she had learned from Old Madam Feng: “I just found out that my maternal grandmother and the Empress Dowager were close friends. They probably also had a common friend who was a woman from the Southern Frontier. I’m thinking this Southern Frontier woman might be from the Wumiao people, possibly even A’sang’s maternal grandmother…”
Yu Jin was quite surprised, “There was such a history?”
Jiang Si nodded, “Isn’t it unexpected? I’m my maternal grandmother’s direct granddaughter, and in all these years, I’ve never seen my grandmother interact with the Empress Dowager. If I hadn’t specifically asked Grandmother today, I would never have imagined they used to have such a relationship.”
Yu Jin asked for more details, then pondered for a moment, tapping his finger on the table. “A’si, have you noticed that there’s one person who seems crucial in all this?”
Jiang Si’s eyes flickered, “You mean — the Empress Dowager?”
Yu Jin nodded, “That’s right, the Empress Dowager. The previous Nanny Duo came from Cining Palace, and A’sang’s maternal grandmother had connections with two people in Da Zhou: one is your maternal grandmother, and the other is the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager holds a great secret.”
When a mysterious past repeatedly involves one person, don’t be fooled by their identity. Even if they seem insignificant, breaking through the facade will reveal something important.
Yu Jin’s thinking was simple, yet perceptive.
“The reason for the deterioration of the relationship between the Empress Dowager and Old Madam Yining Marquis might be the key to unlocking this secret.”
Jiang Si rubbed her brow in frustration, “I thought so too, but my maternal grandmother avoids talking about the past—”
Yu Jin patted Jiang Si’s arm and said without hesitation, “A’si, the key to this still lies with your maternal grandmother.”
Seeing Jiang Si look at him, Yu Jin smiled, “It’s still easier to get information from Old Madam Yining Marquis than from the Empress Dowager.”
The Empress Dowager was deeply respected by Emperor Jingming. Not only would it be impossible to force information from her, but if she even slightly suspected their intentions, she could easily have the Emperor deal with them.
It wasn’t wise to alert the Empress Dowager at this point.
“So many years have passed, the truth isn’t urgent. In the future, we should visit the Yining Marquis’ mansion more often. You can use your skills of persistence to wear her down. After all, we’re the younger generation, it’s not shameful to act spoiled or unreasonable…” Yu Jin shared his experience with his wife.
Jiang Si glared at him, enunciating each word, “What do you mean by ‘my skills of persistence’?”
When did she ever act persistent?
Yu Jin knew he had misspoken and laughed dryly, changing the subject, “I also had some gains from my visit to the palace today.”
“What gains?”
“I officially fell out with Consort Xian, making her give up her dreams.”
Jiang Si’s mouth twitched slightly.
Was this a gain? This was causing trouble!
Then she saw Yu Jin rub his face vigorously and say seriously, “A’si, I don’t want to drag this out anymore. I want to become the Crown Prince as quickly as possible!”