“Your son understands,” Yu Jin replied, his face showing no trace of dissatisfaction.
Having already drawn the peony lot, there was no point in showing discontent and needlessly incurring the Emperor’s displeasure. He wasn’t that foolish.
Seeing Yu Jin’s lack of resentment, Emperor Jingming indeed showed a smile: “That’s good. You may leave now.”
As soon as Yu Jin and the Crown Prince stepped out of the door, the Crown Prince reached out to pat Yu Jin’s shoulder.
Yu Jin instinctively dodged, leaving the Crown Prince grasping at the air. The Crown Prince gave an awkward smile: “Seventh Brother, I’m quite happy you’ll be accompanying me.”
Yu Jin chuckled.
He wasn’t happy!
The Crown Prince, unaware of being disliked, spoke warmly: “That day when Seventh Brother saved young Chun, I knew you were a good person. With Seventh Brother accompanying me, I feel at ease…”
Inexplicably labeled as a good person, Yu Jin twitched the corner of his mouth. He didn’t respond, listening to the Crown Prince ramble on for a while before pausing his steps and saying, “Second Brother, no need to see me off. We’re not going the same way.”
He cupped his hands towards the Crown Prince and quickly left.
The Crown Prince stood there, rubbing his nose.
The Seventh Brother was still so cold.
But he could see that although Seventh Brother appeared cold, he was warm-hearted, much better than those honey-mouthed, dagger-hearted ones.
The Crown Prince returned to the Eastern Palace and told the Crown Princess about going to Qianhe County, instructing, “No need for too many sets of bedding, three sets will do… Oh, and bring my usual pillow, I’m afraid I won’t sleep well with others…”
When the Crown Princess heard that the Crown Prince wanted to bring even his spittoon, she couldn’t bear it any longer and said, “Your Highness is going for disaster relief, not for pleasure. It’s inappropriate to bring all these things.”
“Inappropriate?” The Crown Prince jumped up as if his tail had been stepped on. “I just want to bring some familiar items, how is that inappropriate? It’s already miserable and unlucky enough to risk my life for disaster relief, can’t I make myself a bit more comfortable?”
The Crown Princess solemnly said, “Your Highness, the people of Qianhe County are in dire straits. You’re going on the Emperor’s orders to comfort the victims. If you bring several carts of personal items, how will it look in the eyes of officials and commoners? Won’t it ruin your reputation?”
She had originally thought it was best to be a quiet, idle prince, but fate had other plans. An earthquake during the sacrifice ceremony had turned this man’s fortunes around, making her and young Chun’s futures unpredictable.
If the imperial family could divorce, she truly wanted to take young Chun and leave this mess far behind!
“Ruin my reputation?” The Crown Prince hesitated at the Crown Princess’s words.
He had just regained his position as Crown Prince and couldn’t afford to damage his reputation.
“Alright then, you can pack as you see fit…” The Crown Prince said dejectedly, no longer wanting to look at the Crown Princess’s cold face of righteousness. He left to chat with some young palace maids in the garden.
Yu Jin returned to his manor and headed straight for Yuhe Garden.
Early May was the season when flowers and trees were lush. In a quiet corner of Yuhe Garden, clusters of orchids had bloomed, and the tall silk trees had burst into countless fluffy pink fans.
Jiang Si’s belly was already quite large. She was slowly walking in the courtyard, accompanied by Dou Shuwang.
Er Niu lazily followed behind, occasionally sweeping his fluffy big tail across the orchid-embroidered hem of Jiang Si’s skirt, trying to attract his mistress’s attention.
Sensing Yu Jin’s return, Er Niu bounced over to greet him.
Yu Jin, preoccupied with how to tell Jiang Si about going to Qianhe County, completely ignored the enthusiasm of the large dog and walked past with a somber face.
Er Niu: “…”