Chapter 51: Pitiful

Prince Jing raised his hand and patted his son’s shoulder. “Still too young,” he thought to himself.

“The Xiao family is united and harmonious. In the capital, there isn’t a single day without some scandal. If it’s not a young master or lady in trouble, then it’s quarrels between mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, or even siblings turning against each other. But such things have never happened in the Xiao family. Truly, your father envies them deeply.”

Prince Jing fell into thought. The more prestigious the family, the more dark secrets it held. He didn’t have to look far; even his own princely residence was fraught with endless turmoil and shameful incidents.

When he came back to his senses, he noticed his son was already engrossed in a book. He wasn’t sure if his son had listened to him or, if he had, how much had actually sunk in. Many people are skilled at handling others but find themselves helpless with their own children.

“Better to entrust him to General Xiao for training,” Prince Jing thought. Recalling their parting conversation, he silently urged his son, “You must persevere.”

He wished for his son to grow quickly into a strong and independent man. After all, the princely residence would one day be his to manage. Only when his son was truly capable could Prince Jing feel reassured and at peace.

The carriage traveled for about a quarter of an hour before arriving at the gates of the princely residence. As soon as father and son got off, a matron from the Jin Xiu Pavilion came to greet them. Bowing respectfully, she said, “County Princess Baozhu is ill. She refuses to take her medicine or eat and insists on seeing you.”

“Where is Consort Han? Is she just letting her act out? Deliver this message for me: if Ruoxing continues her tantrums and Consort Han fails to discipline her properly, I will separate them. They will not see each other again in the future.” Prince Jing said this while walking briskly, his steps unyielding.

Yun Yichen felt no goodwill toward the people of Jin Xiu Pavilion. Previously, he merely disliked them; now, it was a mix of dislike and resentment. When he grew up, he vowed he would never bring someone like Consort Han into his household to create chaos. If women were all this foolish and troublesome, he thought, he’d rather live alone.

The matron from Jin Xiu Pavilion was stunned. She knew the prince did not favor her mistress or care much for the two county princesses. In the past, he would at least occasionally visit Jin Xiu Pavilion out of respect for the Empress Dowager. Ever since that meddling physician had come, however, the prince had avoided the pavilion more and more, now not even bothering to make excuses.

Failing to fulfill her mistress’s orders would lead to dire consequences. The matron involuntarily shivered, looking pleadingly at Prince Jing.

“Go back. Send someone to summon an imperial physician. I have other matters to attend to,” Prince Jing said before disappearing at a speed much faster than usual.

After dealing with some matters in his study, Prince Jing turned to the shelves. He felt around the intricate carvings until a small, man-sized hidden door appeared in the wall. Standing still for a moment to ensure all was quiet, he slipped inside.

A dark passageway stretched ahead. Prince Jing retrieved a glowing pearl from his pocket to light his way. After a series of twists and turns, he stopped at another small door and lightly tapped on it. After a moment, the sound of the door opening came from within.

Sudden light flooded the space, and Prince Jing shielded his eyes with his hand until they adjusted.

“You’ve not used this secret passage in ages. I wasn’t sure you’d still remember the way,” teased Yin Qianhua.

“You,” Prince Jing said, taking his wife’s hand and playfully tickling her palm. Startled by this rare daytime gesture, Yin Qianhua’s cheeks turned as red as rouge. She shyly turned away, refusing to look at him.

Prince Jing stopped teasing her. They had been married for many years and had both a son and a daughter, yet her skin was still so thin.

Once the flush in her cheeks subsided, Yin Qianhua poured them each a cup of tea and inquired about their son.

“That boy,” Prince Jing sighed. “I thought he might come to you, but who knows where he’s wandered off to now? I can’t quite figure him out these days.”

Yin Qianhua smiled but said nothing. Matters concerning their son were best left to her husband. Her role was to care for their daughter and manage Jin Hua Pavilion so neither father nor son would have additional worries.

“Jin Xiu Pavilion…” Yin Qianhua hesitated. The uproar about County Princess Baozhu’s illness had spread throughout the residence. Even the gatekeeper likely knew. Consort Han had never been one for subtlety.

“I’m not an imperial physician,” Prince Jing replied impassively, sipping his tea.

“Regardless, she is still your daughter,” Yin Qianhua reminded him.

“Daughter…” Prince Jing rotated the teacup in his hand. “Ruonan is my daughter. As for those two in Jin Xiu Pavilion—they are the Empress Dowager’s personally conferred County Princesses, granddaughters of the Duke of Qing. That is all.”

“Even so, you are still their father,” Yin Qianhua said. She was one of the few who knew the true identities of the two county princesses in Jin Xiu Pavilion.

Had it not been for the misunderstanding caused by Consort Han, nearly leading her to a grave mistake; or her daughter’s illness almost robbing her of reason, Prince Jing would never have revealed such an enormous secret to her.

Prince Jing remained silent, only winking at his wife to convey his thoughts. Yin Qianhua wisely changed the subject. She had once hated Consort Han for her cruelty and arrogance, for the lengths she went to harm her and her children. Now, she could only pity her.

It was true what they said: pitiful people often had something contemptible about them.

“How is Ruonan doing? Has Lin You’s medicine worked? He assured me it would be better than before.”

“She’s taken two doses so far. It’s hard to tell, but Ruonan is much better this year compared to last,” Yin Qianhua said, her eyes alight with hope. Ever since learning the cause of her daughter’s condition, she had blamed herself endlessly. Why had the poison been absorbed by her daughter instead of herself? Watching her frail and timid daughter, all Yin Qianhua could do was care for her with unwavering dedication.

Her son was in her husband’s capable hands, whether in life or academics. With the Empress Dowager and Emperor’s protection, his future was undoubtedly bright. It was almost comical how much the Empress Dowager disliked her as a daughter-in-law yet doted endlessly on her grandson.

That evening, Imperial Physician Sun was sent from the palace to examine County Princess Yun Ruoxing.

Knowing the Empress Dowager was awaiting a report, Physician Sun was particularly thorough. In the end, his diagnosis was bloating caused by overeating and indigestion.

How was he to explain this to the Empress Dowager? Physician Sun, frustrated, could barely restrain himself from cursing. Treating patients like this could sour anyone’s mood.

Prince Jing sent a trusted aide to escort Physician Sun back to the palace and explain the situation to the Empress Dowager. The physician, deeply moved, expressed his gratitude repeatedly while silently lamenting how such a fine prince could have such a gluttonous daughter.

Meanwhile, Xiao An animatedly recounted the drama at Jin Xiu Pavilion to his master, laughing so hard he crouched on the ground clutching his stomach.

Yun Yichen gave him a sharp knock on the head. “No wonder you disappeared for half the afternoon. Watching fools perform is entertaining, huh? You even forgot that your master will begin martial arts training at the Imperial Academy the day after tomorrow. You’re asking for a beating, aren’t you?”

Still, the thought of Jin Xiu Pavilion’s embarrassment lightened Yun Yichen’s mood a little. Outwardly expressionless, he couldn’t help but sneer inwardly: Like mother, like daughter. They couldn’t go a day without causing trouble. Their antics, however, were so amateurish that one couldn’t help but associate them with the word “fool.”

“Oh no, I forgot to fetch your training attire! Please forgive me; I’ll get them right away!” Xiao An exclaimed, smacking his forehead in regret as he dashed off.

Yun Yichen muttered to himself, “You finally remembered you have a master. Should I be moved to tears of gratitude?”

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