Interrupted by Emperor Jingming, Yu Jin looked somewhat bewildered. “Son was saying that I came to the palace today for two reasons—”
“One of which is to visit Noble Consort Xian?” Emperor Jingming asked.
“Yes,” Yu Jin replied, looking at Emperor Jingming with a hint of confusion.
Seeing his son’s innocent expression, Emperor Jingming was taken aback.
He had spent the entire night preparing, even deciding what to scold him about, but now that the seventh prince said he came to visit Noble Consort Xian, how could he scold him?
Although it was a father’s right to scold his son, as such an enlightened ruler, how could he scold someone without reason?
He absolutely couldn’t!
Emperor Jingming grudgingly picked up his teacup and took a sip, alleviating the frustration of having his plans thwarted.
“And the other matter?” he asked.
At the mention of the second matter, Yu Jin’s expression suddenly became solemn, with a touch of grievance. “Father, during my southern journey to find my cousin, I discovered that he was ambushed while engaging the enemy. The person who shot the arrow was one of our soldiers!”
“What?” Emperor Jingming’s face darkened immediately.
Compared to trivial matters, this was truly a serious issue that demanded attention.
On the battlefield, if there was a traitor among their ranks, it was unacceptable!
Yu Jin knelt on one knee, clasping his hands. “I beg Father to seek justice for Jiang Zhan!”
“Have you uncovered any other clues?” Emperor Jingming pressed.
“The person who shot the arrow is named Huang Qi.”
Emperor Jingming fell silent for a moment.
They had even identified the culprit?
“This Huang Qi—”
“He’s from Hedong. We couldn’t find out much more, but I’ve already ordered him to be brought back to the capital. I hope Father will handle this matter.”
Whether the mastermind was targeting Jiang Zhan specifically or aiming at him, Yu Jin felt it was best to report it to Emperor Jingming. If he were to investigate on his own, even if he uncovered the truth, taking revenge might still require the Emperor’s approval.
Emperor Jingming pondered for a moment, then nodded. “Very well, I’ll have the Jinlin Guard investigate this matter.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Looking at Yu Jin kneeling before him, Emperor Jingming thought to himself that the seventh prince was quite sensible, knowing to report such matters to him, unlike some unruly ones who liked to deceive their superiors and act on their own.
With this in mind, he felt more satisfied with this son and said gently, “You may go to Yuquan Palace now.”
Yu Jin remained kneeling.
Emperor Jingming slightly furrowed his brow.
Was there still something else to report?
“Is there anything else?” he asked.
Yu Jin raised his head and asked, “Father, if the reason behind Huang Qi’s attack on Jiang Zhan is discovered, could you inform me?”
Emperor Jingming’s mouth twitched, and under his son’s eager gaze, he reluctantly nodded. “Mm, you may leave now.”
“Thank you, Father.” Yu Jin made no effort to hide his bright smile, and his departing footsteps sounded light and cheerful.
Emperor Jingming shook his head and sighed.
The rascal had reported the troublesome matter to him and left happily. What a situation.
With friendly forces shooting arrows at their own during battle, this matter could be either major or minor, but Emperor Jingming couldn’t help but take it seriously.
His leisurely mood for reading stories was naturally gone. Emperor Jingming glanced at Pan Hai standing in the corner and said expressionlessly, “Go summon Han Ran.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Pan Hai bowed and left, feeling somewhat impressed.
Prince Yan appeared bold and spirited, but in reality, he was quite clever.
Yu Jin left Yangxin Hall and went directly to Yuquan Palace.
Hearing that Prince Yan was requesting an audience, Noble Consort Xian reclined on her chaise lounge and said lazily, “Let him in.”
Soon after, Yu Jin entered and greeted Noble Consort Xian. “I heard Your Highness was unwell. Are you feeling better now?”
Noble Consort Xian raised an eyebrow and looked at him, replying coolly, “Thanks to you, I’m not dead yet.”
Yu Jin didn’t show the slightest displeasure and respectfully said, “Your Highness, please don’t say such inauspicious things. It would worry those who care about you.”
“Hmph, as if you care about me,” Noble Consort Xian scoffed, looking at Yu Jin’s demeanor with increasing anger.
She knew this beast was just pretending.
Back when they held the plum blossom appreciation banquet to select brides for the two princes, this beast had put on the same respectful and proper act, causing her to lower her guard and easily allow that lowborn Jiang to become the Princess of Yan.
She had seen through this beast’s lack of filial affection for her and wouldn’t be fooled again.
Yu Jin smiled slightly, his face innocent. “How can Your Highness say that? Of course, I care about you.”
Noble Consort Xian raised her delicate eyebrows. “Care? If you cared about me, why didn’t you come to Yuquan Palace when you entered the palace yesterday? Why did you only remember after His Majesty mentioned it? I think you don’t care about me at all; you’re just afraid of displeasing your father, aren’t you?”
Yu Jin looked bewildered. “What are you talking about, Your Highness? Father didn’t say anything to me.”
“He didn’t?” Noble Consort Xian let out a cold laugh. “Are you saying His Majesty didn’t tell you to come here?”
Yu Jin looked even more surprised. “Your Highness has misunderstood. Father didn’t say anything to me. I came because I was concerned about you. As soon as I finished dealing with urgent matters, I came—”
“Enough! Do you take me for a fool?” Noble Consort Xian angrily interrupted Yu Jin.
Yu Jin lowered his gaze, his voice filled with confusion and grievance. “Your Highness has such a deep misunderstanding of me. How could I need Father’s reminder to come to pay my respects to you? It was truly because I had too many matters to attend to yesterday that I was delayed by a day. Of course, that was my fault. I should have come immediately…”
Yu Jin’s attitude was very humble, but Noble Consort Xian grew even more furious. Suddenly, she heard her trusted elderly maid cough lightly.
Noble Consort Xian glanced at her trusted maid from the corner of her eye and swallowed the words she was about to say.
The elderly maid sighed in relief.
Perhaps it was the illness wearing her down, but in the past, Her Highness had never been so impatient. Even if she was angry, she wouldn’t lose her temper in public so easily. Lately, however, she seemed to be losing control of her temper more frequently.
With Prince Yan showing such a good attitude, if Her Highness were to be unreasonable in front of so many palace maids, people might think she was being too harsh on Prince Yan. If word got out, it would be disadvantageous for Her Highness.
Noble Consort Xian, prompted by her trusted maid’s reminder, apparently realized this point as well. She regained her composure and said indifferently, “Regardless, the fact that you came to see me is comforting. At least it won’t give some ignorant people reason to laugh at our mother-son relationship for being weak.”
The atmosphere finally eased, and mother and son exchanged a few bland words. Suddenly, Yu Jin said seriously, “Your Highness, I encountered some issues during my southern journey that I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Go ahead.”
Yu Jin looked around uneasily.
“All of you, withdraw,” Noble Consort Xian ordered.
The palace maids, already nervous from the tense atmosphere earlier, hurriedly left.
“Can I speak now?” Yu Jin asked, looking at the only remaining trusted elderly maid.
Noble Consort Xian frowned.
“What I’m about to say is of utmost importance and shouldn’t be known by others,” Yu Jin explained.
Noble Consort Xian hesitated briefly, then nodded slightly to her trusted maid.
It didn’t matter if no one was with her; no matter how unfilial the seventh prince might be, he wouldn’t dare harm her.
The elderly maid curtsied slightly and withdrew.
“What matter is so mysterious?” Noble Consort Xian asked.
Yu Jin smiled faintly, his entire demeanor seeming to change from before. He said softly, “You were mistaken earlier when you spoke of our mother-son relationship being weak. How can there be any mother-son affection between us?”