Looking at his seventh son, Emperor Jingming’s mood became complex.
Of course, he was angry. For a prince to go watch the Top Scholar’s procession was ridiculous enough, but to bring his fiancée along!
How could this boy be so impatient? Had he never seen a woman in eight lifetimes?
Emperor Jingming grumbled inwardly, suddenly feeling he should do something for his son.
Hmm, he’d better grant the Seventh Prince two instructing palace maids later. It was time to make up for the lessons he had missed all these years.
It was a royal tradition across dynasties for princes to be taught about bedroom matters by instructing palace maids when they turned fourteen.
Amidst his anger, there was also an indescribable relief.
Thanks to the Seventh Prince being there, he had saved the Great Zhou’s auspicious sign in time. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
Thinking about it this way, his son’s martial skills were quite impressive, even surpassing those of the hand-picked imperial guards.
Noticing Emperor Jingming’s scrutiny, Yu Jin smiled.
Emperor Jingming’s face hardened, and he looked away.
This brat becomes radiant with just a bit of sunshine. He still needs a good scolding later.
This interaction was caught by the sharp-eyed officials, who immediately exclaimed, “We are at fault, Your Majesty. It was fortunate that His Highness intervened to prevent a great calamity. This is all thanks to Your Majesty’s boundless fortune and brilliant leadership…”
The endless flattery pleased Emperor Jingming.
Hmm, at least they mentioned his son’s merit. These old fogies aren’t completely stupid after all.
“I don’t want to hear any more of this nonsense. Since the foreigner was captured alive by the Prince of Yan, it’s up to you to extract any information from him.”
The officials felt as if they’d been granted amnesty and hurriedly said, “We take our leave, Your Majesty.”
Yu Jin tried to slip out with them.
A deep voice called out, “Seventh, you stay behind.”
Yu Jin stopped in his tracks. “Does Father Emperor have any further instructions?”
With no outsiders left in the great hall, Emperor Jingming simply stood up and walked down the stone steps to stand before Yu Jin.
Yu Jin lowered his head slightly, waiting for Emperor Jingming to speak.
Emperor Jingming asked ominously, “Where did you go today?”
Yu Jin thought to himself, isn’t this just asking the obvious? Does he think I don’t know that the Eastern Depot has already summoned Third Miss Jiang?
“I’m asking you a question. Why aren’t you answering?”
Yu Jin smiled, appearing quite frank. “Your son is just a bit embarrassed.”
Emperor Jingming’s mouth twitched slightly.
Is this what embarrassment looks like? Does he think I’ve never been embarrassed in my youth?
“Your son had arranged to watch the Top Scholar’s procession with Fourth Miss Jiang,” Yu Jin confessed, looking honest and straightforward.
Emperor Jingming raised an eyebrow, thinking: At least this boy is honest. If only the Crown Prince could be this forthright, he’d have fewer worries.
Despite thinking this, Emperor Jingming maintained a stern face and reprimanded, “How improper!”
Yu Jin looked both wronged and puzzled. “How so, Father Emperor?”
“How so?” Emperor Jingming couldn’t help but tap Yu Jin’s shoulder with his fan. “You’re to be married in June, and now you’re arranging outings to watch the Top Scholar’s procession?”
“But Your son saw that all the young people around were doing the same. After getting engaged, they not only go out with their fiancées, some even hold hands!”
Emperor Jingming’s eyes widened. “Others are others. You are a prince. This is inappropriate!”
He had never dared to go out with his fiancée when he was young. What right did this boy have to do so?
“Your son was wrong. Your son should have stayed in the prince’s mansion and studied diligently.”
Emperor Jingming wanted to nod but felt something was off.
If the Seventh Prince hadn’t gone out, the Top Scholar might have been finished.
This left him conflicted. After much consideration, since the outcome was good, he decided not to pursue the matter further.
“You may leave.”
Yu Jin didn’t move immediately.
“What is it?”
“Father Emperor, Your son would like to send someone to the East Peace Earl’s Mansion to inquire if Fourth Miss Jiang was frightened. Her sisters were also present at the time, and one of them was pushed into the middle of the road in the crowd, which greatly scared Fourth Miss Jiang.”
Emperor Jingming said irritably, “Handle such trivial matters yourself.”
This son of his, so infatuated with his wife-to-be, truly lacks ambition!
After Yu Jin left, Emperor Jingming closed his eyes to rest. Pan Hai immediately came forward to massage his eyes.
Half-asleep, Emperor Jingming asked, “Have you found out anything? Is there any connection to the East Peace Earl’s Mansion?”
A young lady from the East Peace Earl’s Mansion had rushed into the middle of the road, immediately followed by the assassination attempt. The Prince of Yan happened to be watching from a nearby teahouse and intervened to save the Top Scholar.
It all seemed too coincidental.