As Prince Qi saw the indifferent expression on Emperor Jingming’s face, it was clear he didn’t believe his explanation. Prince Qi’s heart sank, and he struggled to say, “Father—”
Emperor Jingming furrowed his brow and asked, “Do you intend to stay and dine at Yuquan Palace?”
Unable to offer any further explanation, Prince Qi could only leave, feeling dejected.
“Your Majesty, would you like to stay for a meal?” Consort Xian asked. Although she was upset that the Emperor had misunderstood her son, she knew better than to try and explain further, as it would only make matters worse. She decided to let it go for now.
At least the Emperor’s return gave her some comfort. Could it be that His Majesty thought she had been upset by that unfilial son and came back specifically to accompany her for lunch?
Come to think of it, it had been a long time since His Majesty had shared a meal with her.
Before Consort Xian’s joy could fully blossom, she heard Emperor Jingming say, “My beloved consort, you should rest well. I have important matters to attend to, so I won’t be staying for the meal.”
Consort Xian was greatly disappointed, but she didn’t dare show it on her face. She forced a smile and began to escort Emperor Jingming out.
Emperor Jingming waved his hand to stop her. “My beloved consort, you are unwell. There’s no need to see me out.”
Consort Xian could only curtsy and watch as Emperor Jingming’s figure disappeared through the doorway. She collapsed back onto her chaise lounge, her face growing increasingly pale.
Today had been utterly unfortunate. Not only had she been aggravated half to death by that unfilial wretch, but she had also allowed Fourth Son to be misunderstood by His Majesty.
At this crucial moment, it would not bode well if His Majesty believed that Fourth Son was overly familiar with the happenings in the palace.
His Majesty was in his prime, and even if he was considering selecting an heir apparent, he wouldn’t want to see his sons displaying too much ambition.
The relationship between an emperor and his heir apparent was often fraught with contradictions. An emperor hoped for an excellent heir to ensure the continuity of his reign, yet he was reluctant to see the heir become too prominent, lest he experience the bitterness of being overshadowed while still on the throne.
The highest seat of power could only be occupied by one person. Even if others were his children, once the person on the throne sensed a threat, they would not hesitate to raise the executioner’s blade.
Consort Xian understood this clearly, which made her feel even more dejected. She turned to summon an attendant and asked, “Did His Majesty say anything when he left?”
Since His Majesty hadn’t come to share a meal with her, what was the purpose of his brief visit to Yuquan Palace? Surely he hadn’t come just to reprimand Fourth Son after hearing of his visit?
Instinctively, Consort Xian felt that Emperor Jingming wouldn’t go to such lengths.
The attendant hesitated for a moment before quietly saying, “Eunuch Pan, who accompanies His Majesty, asked if we had seen Jixiang…”
Consort Xian was stunned. Her face rapidly changed from white to red, then to black. Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, trembled with anger.
So His Majesty had come looking for that cat!
She wasn’t even as important as a cat.
Not even as good as a cat.
A cat!
The more Consort Xian thought about it, the angrier she became. Her chest heaved, and she felt a sweet, metallic taste rising in her throat.
Prince Qi, who had left Yuquan Palace, was feeling no better. He walked step by step towards the palace exit, each step feeling as if he were treading on cotton, his entire being light and dizzy.
He hadn’t done anything wrong, so why had he earned Father’s disapproval again?
What made it worse was that he couldn’t even explain himself.
At this moment, Prince Qi suddenly understood the predicament of the deposed Crown Prince.
It had taken the deposed Crown Prince years to muster the courage to defy his father, and that itself was a difficult feat.
Prince Qi stumbled out of the palace in a daze. The cold wind gradually brought him back to his senses, and determination returned to his eyes.
What did it matter if Father misunderstood him a little? It was because Father loved him deeply that he held him to such high standards. At a time when the position of heir apparent was vacant, it was precisely because Father considered him a worthy candidate that he was so strict with him.
Indeed, it was just like how Father had been critical of the deposed Crown Prince.
Take the Seventh Brother or Eighth Brother, for example. Naturally, Father was much more lenient with princes like them who had no chance of succession.
After all, who would have high expectations for an idle prince? As long as they didn’t forcibly take commoners’ daughters or seize their land, it was considered good enough.
Prince Qi comforted himself with these thoughts. He hadn’t gone far when he spotted Yu Jin ahead.
“Seventh Brother, wait a moment—” Prince Qi spurred his horse to catch up.
Yu Jin reined in his horse and watched silently as Prince Qi approached.
Prince Qi sighed, “Seventh Brother, have you reached the point where you won’t even call me ‘Elder Brother’ when you see me?”
His face showed a pained expression, but inwardly he was pleased with the other’s behavior.
The more inconsiderate Seventh Brother was, the more His Majesty would see his magnanimity and tolerance.
“What do you want?” Yu Jin asked expressionlessly, his heart already full of disgust.
Consort Xian and Prince Qi truly were mother and son, both so fond of putting on an act.
“Seventh Brother, I went to the palace today to visit Mother, and I heard from her that—” Before Prince Qi could finish, he was interrupted by a cold laugh.
Yu Jin asked with a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, “Didn’t Father praise Fourth Brother for his filial piety?”
The Emperor had been in a hurry to dismiss him, obviously returning to Yuquan Palace to look for the white cat. Calculating the timing, he must have run into Fourth Brother at Consort Xian’s quarters.
Imagining the scene, Yu Jin’s smile deepened.
Even someone as composed as Prince Qi couldn’t help but blurt out, “How did you know?” when he heard Yu Jin’s words.
Prince Qi couldn’t be blamed for his surprise. Emperor Jingming had indeed said he was “filially pious,” but it wasn’t praise—it was a warning.
How did Seventh Brother know about Father’s warning?
While Prince Qi was filled with doubt, Yu Jin smiled faintly, appearing even more at ease. “Everyone knows about Fourth Brother’s filial piety. How could I not know?”
Prince Qi temporarily suppressed his suspicions and advised earnestly, “Seventh Brother, I know you have grievances against Mother, but you should at least consider the hardships she endured carrying you for ten months. When you were taken out of the palace as an infant, it wasn’t Mother’s wish—”
“Oh, so you’re saying it was Father’s fault that I was separated from Consort Xian?” Yu Jin interjected.
Prince Qi’s face changed abruptly, and he wished he could cover Yu Jin’s mouth. “Seventh Brother, don’t speak nonsense. That’s not what I meant.”
He had been prepared to lecture his younger brother from a position of moral high ground about filial piety, but how had Yu Jin managed to drag Father into this?
No matter whose fault it was, it could never be Father’s fault.
Prince Qi suddenly felt unable to continue speaking.
At this moment, he deeply realized how difficult his opponent was to deal with.
Seventh Brother gave the impression of being unrestrained and reckless, the type who could roll up his sleeves and start a fight at any moment. But while Fifth Brother’s impulsiveness only made him seem ridiculous, Seventh Brother was entirely different.
The reason was clear: Fifth Brother had lost his princely title due to one rash act, but every time Seventh Brother did something like this, it was usually the people he dealt with who suffered.
Where was the justice in that?
Perhaps his greatest rival wasn’t Sixth Brother, but Seventh Brother—as he looked at the smiling face before him, Prince Qi suddenly had this realization.
Seeing Prince Qi’s expression change unpredictably yet unable to utter a word, Yu Jin lost patience for this charade. He said coolly, “I have a request for Fourth Brother.”
“What is it?” Prince Qi couldn’t help but ask.
“In the future, stop coming to lecture me. You don’t have that right.” With these words, Yu Jin smiled slightly and rode away.
The dust kicked up by the horse’s hooves hit Prince Qi in the face, nearly causing him to fall from his mount.
Yu Jin didn’t return to Prince Yan’s mansion but headed straight for the East Peace Earl’s residence.
To celebrate Jiang Zhan’s safe return and let the world know that the second young master of the Jiang family wasn’t dead, the Earl’s residence was hosting three days of continuous banquets. Jiang Si had gone to the Earl’s residence early in the morning.
Yu Jin decided to make a brief appearance at the Earl’s residence, conveniently picking up his wife to return home.