Yu Jin returned to Prince Yan’s mansion with a light spring in his step, coincidentally encountering the mansion’s chancellor on his way out.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Chancellor, are you heading out?”
“The Ministry of Rites summoned this old servant,” the chancellor replied, his heart pounding.
The New Year had just passed, why would the Ministry of Rites summon him? Could it be that the Prince had caused trouble again?
Yu Jin quickly understood the situation, but eager to share the good news with Jiang Si, he didn’t bother to say much to the old chancellor: “Then you may go, Chancellor. By the way, is the Princess Consort in the mansion?”
The old chancellor, who had been on edge, heard this and became angry. He shook his beard and said, “Has Your Highness not been to the office for a long time?”
“Hm?”
The old chancellor bowed slightly towards the direction of the Imperial City and advised with restrained frustration, “His Majesty sent Your Highness to observe government affairs at the office to train you. Your Highness should be more diligent and not disappoint His Majesty’s expectations.”
What kind of example was it for a grown man to stay cooped up in the mansion all day coddling his wife? It was simply outrageous!
Just thinking about how the Prince and Princess Consort were always so lovey-dovey made the old chancellor want to stamp his feet and sigh deeply.
How did he end up with such unruly masters?
And then there was Nanny Ji. She should have been working with him to persuade the Prince and Princess Consort to mend their ways, but lately, this old woman not only neglected her duties but also inexplicably gave him attitude.
Could it be that she had been corrupted by the Prince and Princess Consort, learning bad habits?
Thinking this way, the old chancellor felt a sense of despair about his prospects.
Never mind, he couldn’t rely on others. He could only do his best to advise the Prince, at least to have a clear conscience.
As for the future—the old chancellor shook his head secretly.
It would be good enough just to stay alive, why think about the future?
“So, the Princess Consort hasn’t gone out?” Yu Jin completely ignored the old chancellor’s nagging.
This old fellow was becoming increasingly talkative. It was only because his temper had become as mild as water now; in the past, he would have already set Er Niu on him.
The old chancellor’s words came to an abrupt halt, his beard quivering with anger.
So after all his advice, the Prince hadn’t listened to a single word, his mind entirely on the Princess’s Consort?
Rotten wood cannot be carved, indeed!
The old chancellor left with a black face, his sleeves swishing.
Yu Jin shook his head, thinking to himself that perhaps his good temper had led to the chancellor’s growing impudence.
Yu Jin quickly put the old chancellor out of his mind and headed straight for Yuhe Garden.
The weather was still quite nice. Jiang Si was sunbathing in the courtyard with A Huan. Nearby, a large dog with a smooth coat was busily entertaining its little master, now bringing a flower ball, now a rattle drum, seeming even busier than the maids and old women.
Hearing footsteps, Jiang Si looked up to see Yu Jin standing at the entrance of the courtyard.
“Court is dismissed?”
The couple had speculated last night about what Yu Jin might encounter at court today, but they had kept their thoughts to themselves.
“Mm.” Yu Jin took A Huan and kissed her, coddled his daughter for a while before handing her to the wet nurse. “Let’s talk inside.”
Jiang Si nodded, allowing Yu Jin to lead her into the room.
Er Niu, seeing the master return at this time and head inside with the mistress, knew from experience that there must be good food. He quickly wagged his tail and followed.
Yu Jin, without looking back, reached out and rubbed the big dog’s face, coldly snorting, “You’re not allowed to join in.”
This was too much. The dog was already more familiar with his daughter than he was, making him want to slaughter and stew the beast. Now it was even pushing its luck, wanting to intrude on his private conversation with his wife.
If this continued, would he have any status left in the mansion?
Er Niu shook his sore dog face and let out a pitiful whine.
At least the little master had also been left behind, which gave the big dog some consolation.
Once inside and after dismissing the attending servants, Yu Jin’s entire demeanor relaxed. He smiled lazily, “It’s done.”
“I didn’t expect it to be so quick.”
“I didn’t expect it either. I thought Father Emperor would need to consult with the Imperial Clan Court for a while.” Speaking of this, Yu Jin’s dissatisfaction with Emperor Jingming diminished slightly.
Although the old man’s judgment was a bit off, he was quite efficient in handling matters.
“The Empress wants us to go to the palace together for a meal.”
Jiang Si smiled, “You’ve become the Empress’s son. I should go to the palace soon to pay my respects to the Empress.”
“Then let’s go early tomorrow morning.”
After the couple agreed on this, Jiang Si remembered something: “Yesterday, Father Emperor summoned you and the Prince of Xiang to the palace, and today he announced this matter. I’m afraid the Prince of Xiang will hate you now.”
Yu Jin smiled dismissively, “He was already in cahoots with the Fourth Prince before. What does it matter if he hates me now? There’s still a beauty waiting for him in the abandoned well of the Xiang Prince’s Mansion. If he behaves himself, that’s fine. I’m not one to eliminate everyone. But if he harbors any schemes, perhaps it’s time for that beauty to come out for some fresh air.”
Jiang Si laughed, “I had completely forgotten about that matter.”
Yu Jin affectionately pinched Jiang Si’s cheek, “They say women become foolish after having children. It seems it’s true—”
He was different, of course. He quietly kept track of any leverage he had on troublesome people, occasionally reviewing and updating his knowledge, always ready to deal with those who didn’t know their place.
“Who are you calling foolish?” Jiang Si angrily reached out, aiming for Yu Jin’s ear.
The couple quickly dissolved into playful laughter.
Outside in the courtyard, hearing her parents’ laughter, A Huan’s lips trembled, and she began to cry.
She wanted her mother’s embrace, her father’s arms, feeling left out again—
Er Niu raised his paw and patted A Huan’s shoulder, offering a couple of comforting woofs.
The old chancellor came running back, nearly colliding with Nanny Ji as he rushed in.
“Oh, if it isn’t the chancellor. Why are you running so fast?” Nanny Ji barely avoided him, speaking irritably.
This old fool complained about her uselessness all day but look at him now. What happened to his vaunted steadiness?
“Where… where is the Prince?” the old chancellor panted, out of breath from running.
“If the Prince is in the mansion, of course, he’s with the Princess Consort. Where else would he be, the study?”
The old chancellor blinked.
That’s right, he was still the same Prince who only knew how to be lovey-dovey with the Princess Consort. How did he end up registered under the Empress’s name, becoming half a legitimate prince?
He must be too desperate, having a daydream.
Thinking this, the old chancellor suddenly tugged at his beard, and facing Nanny Ji’s shocked expression, he grinned foolishly, “It hurts!”
With that, he ran inside.
Nanny Ji was dumbfounded for a moment, muttering, “Oh no, the chancellor has gone mad.”
Nanny Ji quickly chased after him to stop him: “Any further in is the inner court. It’s not appropriate for you to enter.”
“Please trouble Nanny Ji to ask the Prince to come out.”
“What on earth happened?”
“The Prince has been adopted by the Empress. The Ministry of Rites just called me over to discuss the relevant matters—”
“What?” Nanny Ji exclaimed, her face full of shock.
The chancellor caught his breath: “The Prince didn’t say anything when he returned?”
“No, he just went to be with the Princess Consort as soon as he came back.”
The chancellor couldn’t help but tug at his beard again.
How could such an unreliable Prince have such good fortune?
Shortly after, Yu Jin and the chancellor stood in the study.
“Please sit, Chancellor,” Yu Jin smiled, pointing to a chair.
The chancellor sat down and was about to speak when the young man across from him proactively asked, “Has the chancellor heard about my matter?”
The chancellor nodded.
Yu Jin smiled slightly: “Then let me tell the chancellor one more thing.”