The old Chief Steward had just sat down when he heard Yu Jin’s words and immediately felt a sense of foreboding. The chair seemed to have needles on it, making him uncomfortable.

Yu Jin was in no hurry to speak, considerately giving the Chief Steward time to compose himself. After all, it wouldn’t do to frighten an old man like him too much.

The old Chief Steward grew even more alarmed: if even the unpredictable prince knew to be considerate of him, how frightening must the upcoming words be?

“May I ask what Your Highness wishes to say?”

Yu Jin poured a cup of tea and handed it to the old Chief Steward, smiling lightly, “Don’t be nervous, Chief Steward. What I’m about to say is somewhat related to today’s events.”

Upon hearing this, the old Chief Steward’s heart finally descended from his throat.

Today was a day of great fortune. Since the prince’s words were related to today’s events, they surely couldn’t be too terrible.

At this moment, the old Chief Steward felt a bit ashamed: he had been overly cautious and misunderstood the prince. The prince was now the Empress’s son; he couldn’t keep viewing him with the same old perspective.

Yu Jin held his teacup, speaking in a calm tone, “I never expected to become the Empress’s son. After much thought, I feel I can’t idly bear this empty title—”

The old Chief Steward became excited: “Does Your Highness mean—”

That now that he’s the Empress’s son, he can’t act recklessly anymore and must consider the Empress’s face?

He thought he had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel, that the prince was going to mend his ways!

Just as the old Chief Steward was getting excited, he heard Yu Jin say leisurely, “I think it’s only fitting for the Empress’s son to become the Crown Prince—”

The tea in the old Chief Steward’s hand spilled out, drenching him.

“Your Highness, you must be joking?”

Yu Jin frowned slightly, “Joking is the most boring thing. I never joke.”

He had so many things to do; where would he find time to joke with an old man?

Revealing his ambitions to the Chief Steward was something Yu Jin had long considered.

The Chief Steward of a prince’s mansion was responsible for managing the household affairs. If they weren’t working towards the same goal, it would be too troublesome.

Yu Jin wasn’t afraid of the Chief Steward having second thoughts.

Officials like the Chief Steward were different from other officials. Once branded with a prince’s household, it was impossible to gain significant trust if they switched allegiances.

Moreover, the Chief Steward’s entire family lived within the prince’s mansion grounds. It could be said that Yu Jin held their safety in his hands.

The two were truly in a situation where they would rise or fall together.

Just look at what happened to the officials of the former Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace – some were executed, some had their families confiscated, and losing their positions was considered a good outcome.

Yu Jin hadn’t mentioned this before for fear of scaring the old Chief Steward to death. Now that he had become the Empress’s son, it was the perfect opportunity to reveal his intentions.

However, Yu Jin had still overestimated the Chief Steward’s ability to handle such news.

The old Chief Steward collapsed back into his chair, his eyes unfocused and staring blankly, muttering, “It’s over, we won’t have a peaceful end…”

A cold snort sounded.

Yu Jin’s face was like ice as he said displeased, “Does the Chief Steward not have faith in me?”

The old Chief Steward snapped back to his senses with a start, crying with tears streaming down his face, “Your Highness, please don’t act recklessly!”

Wasn’t it good enough to be a prince? Why did he have to do something that could cost him his head?

Yu Jin tapped his fingers on the table impatiently, “I’ve given this deep consideration. Others are princes, and I am a prince too. Moreover, my nominal mother is the Empress. Tell me, Chief Steward, why should I hand over the position of heir apparent to someone else?”

The old Chief Steward was stunned for a moment.

Suddenly, he felt the prince’s words made some sense.

“But competing for the position of heir apparent is too risky—”

Yu Jin sneered, “Even eating carries the risk of choking. The former Crown Prince was in that position for so many years, and no one expected such an outcome for him. The future is unpredictable. Does the Chief Steward think I can surely live peacefully as an idle prince if I don’t compete?”

The old Chief Steward fell silent.

“Think about Chief Steward Ma of Prince Qi’s mansion, Chief Steward Kou of Prince Lu’s mansion, Chief Steward Dou of Prince Shu’s mansion, Chief Steward Niu of Prince Xiang’s mansion, and even Chief Steward Liu of Prince Qin’s mansion. They’re all chief stewards like you, working hard for their princes, while you’re holding me back?”

The old Chief Steward felt a sense of shame, and while feeling ashamed, he couldn’t help but think: so many chief stewards and the prince remembers them all?

Yu Jin looked deeply at the Chief Steward and smiled, “I heard that Chief Steward Dou sent calligraphy and paintings to your wife when he was young?”

Upon hearing this, the old Chief Steward’s face turned purple.

His old woman and Chief Steward Dou had been childhood sweethearts. Later, she married him, but that scoundrel Dou still harbored intentions and even sent sentimental poems.

The clear voice sounded again, “If Prince Shu becomes the Crown Prince and advances further, who knows how Chief Steward Dou might rise to prominence—”

The old Chief Steward slammed the table and stood up, “Let’s do it!”

“Hmm?” Yu Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly, concealing the smile that was rising.

He didn’t expect the Chief Steward to still have such spirit. He thought he’d need to persuade him a bit more.

The old Chief Steward felt quite indignant at being underestimated.

Who hadn’t been young once? That missing tooth of Chief Steward Dou’s was knocked out by him.

But he had indeed overstepped just now.

The old Chief Steward cupped his hands, “This servant is willing to serve at Your Highness’s command, even unto death!”

After all, if that Dou fellow got ahead, he’d die of anger anyway. Might as well roll up his sleeves and work with the prince.

What if they succeeded?

Yu Jin picked up his tea and said warmly, “I’ll be troubling the Chief Steward in the future.”

The news of Prince Yan being registered under the Empress’s name spread like wildfire.

After hearing the news from his colleagues, Second Master Jiang stumbled back to Dong Ping Earl’s mansion.

“What’s wrong?” Old Madam Feng asked urgently, seeing Second Master Jiang’s anxious expression.

“Is my elder brother not in the mansion?”

Old Madam Feng snorted coldly, “Don’t you know your elder brother? He’s out gallivanting every day, never doing anything proper.”

Mentioning her eldest son made Old Madam Feng angry, but thinking of the inherited title that fell from the sky, thinking of Jiang Zhan who came back alive, and especially thinking of Jiang Si who became a princess consort, she couldn’t say anything too harsh.

“Mother, please have someone call elder brother back,” Second Master Jiang said, thinking of Jiang Ancheng with a belly full of envy.

How could it be that fools have all the luck? Why did all the good things happen to his elder brother?

“Has something happened to your elder brother again?”

“It’s not about the elder brother, it’s about the prince.”

Old Madam Feng’s grip on her teacup tightened, “The prince?”

Second Master Jiang nodded heavily, “The prince has been registered under the Empress’s name.”

Old Madam Feng’s hand shook, spilling tea, her voice changing pitch, “Registered, registered under the Empress’s name? Doesn’t that mean Prince Yan is—”

Old Madam Feng didn’t dare finish her sentence, and Second Master Jiang didn’t dare say it either, but mother and son were thinking the same thing: doesn’t this mean Prince Yan now has a chance to become the Crown Prince?

If Prince Yan becomes the Crown Prince and then ascends to that position, wouldn’t the Jiang family become the imperial clan…

Old Madam Feng was so excited her hands were shaking. She hissed, “Quickly find the Earl and bring him back!”

When Jiang Ancheng returned, he was confused, “What’s the big matter?”

After listening to Second Master Jiang’s explanation, Jiang Ancheng was unimpressed, “So it’s just this. Was it worth calling me back for?”

“Elder Brother, this is a great cause for celebration. Shouldn’t we go to the prince’s mansion to congratulate him?”

Jiang Ancheng frowned, “Does changing one’s mother require congratulations?”

Second Master Jiang was left speechless.

“Alright, the Earl’s household should carry on as usual. Second Brother, don’t think about unnecessary things.”