Chapter 46: It's Over, He Was Led Astray by the Princess Consort!

Consort Tan gazed at the Crown Prince’s resolute back, burning with anxiety as she realized his mind was firmly set on heading to the frontier.

No, she had to get this news out.

Consort Tan quickly summoned her most trusted confidant for a clandestine discussion. The next morning, after the court assembly dismissed, an inconspicuous young eunuch tracked down Minister Tan in the administrative offices.

Following a brief whisper, Minister Tan’s eyes tightened, a long, slanting, and sinister light flashing within them.

Inside the Hall of Diligent Government, a secret agent came to report.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingxian’s expression turned cold and displeased.

"This Censor Tan deserves to die!"

"He must not be tolerated!"

"Zhou Dahai, has the Princess Consort of Prince Ding entered the palace yet?"

Could this Censor Tan be executed just like that? He had to go and inquire first! Otherwise, if killing him triggered some unforeseen chain reaction, it would be troublesome!

Zhou Dahai’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. *My good Emperor, could you please just rest for a moment?*

The Princess Consort of Prince Ding had only left the palace yesterday. To return so soon—could it be she was truly destined to become a consort of the inner palace?

"Not yet, but I heard the Fourth Imperial Prince went out of the palace to visit her."

The Emperor frowned: "The Fourth went?"

"That scoundrel, with no one to rein him in, he just wants to run outside all day long. It seems I need to assign him a proper duty. Where would be best?"

*Gloomy temperament, ruthless methods... That doesn't sound like a good person at all. Let's assign him to the Ministry of Rites, where he can study tedious rituals and formalities to his heart's content.*

What a brilliant idea, Xiao Jingxian thought, a satisfied smile blooming on his face.

Zhou Dahai, standing to the side: "..." *He smiles like that every time the Princess Consort of Prince Ding is mentioned. Oh, my master, you have fallen far too deep!*

"Has it been a long time since I last left the palace to visit my paternal aunt? Zhou Dahai, make arrangements."

*Are you really going to visit the Grand Princess? Clearly, you just want to see the object of your affection! This servant is too exhausted to expose you.*

Zhou Dahai offered a humble word of advice: "Your Majesty, the scent on this servant... hasn't fully worn off yet."

The implication was: *Couldn't Your Majesty just give it a rest for a while?*

Upon hearing this, the Emperor immediately said: "Right!"

***

Zhou Dahai’s expression lit up with joy; had the Emperor changed his mind?

Yet in the next instant, he heard the Emperor say: "You cannot go. Your stench will expose me."

"Call Liu Jian here."

Zhou Dahai’s face stiffened, as if he had accidentally soiled his trousers.

What kind of bad karma had he accumulated? He had merely wanted to gently advise the Emperor, only to end up sacrificing his own errand.

That bootlicker Liu Jian had long wanted to climb the ladder, and he would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. By the same token, he would go to any lengths to help his master fulfill his desires. Given the Emperor’s sudden, fickle taboos, he feared... this really might benefit that wretched Liu Jian.

Thinking of this, Zhou Dahai hastily said: "Your Majesty, this servant can still be of use after a wash!"

Xiao Jingxian wore a look of utter disgust: "Get lost!"

Zhou Dahai: "..."

***

"Your Highness, the Grand Princess has sent someone to invite you, saying she misses you and would like you to visit her."

Lin Yue was utterly confused: "Isn't the Grand Princess that person? Why on earth does she suddenly want to see me?"

Nanny Zhang explained with a smile: "She is our Prince’s paternal grand-aunt. She has always been quite amiable. She must have heard that you've been entering the palace frequently lately and is worried about you."

"You should go pay her a visit. When an elder extends an invitation, if the junior fails to show up, people outside will start talking again."

Lin Yue had originally planned to go out to the streets to check on the site being prepared for the charitable hospice, but upon hearing this, she said: "Then have Chief Steward Bai prepare some gifts, and let's go."

As Lin Yue was about to board the carriage, she noticed Xiao Huaiqing waiting outside.

Standing beside him, sword in hand, was Luo Qingyu. Although neither of them smiled, their expressions were composed; they must have made up.

Lin Yue asked curiously: "What are you two doing here?"

*[Wasn't last night Xiao Huaiqing’s wedding night? He's a young man in his prime—why isn't he going a few more rounds instead of getting up this early?]*

*[Could it be that he's impotent?]*

"Ahem!" Luo Qingyu choked on his own saliva, coughing until his cheeks turned crimson.

Lin Yue asked strangely: "I'm talking to the Heir, what are you coughing for?"

Luo Qingyu flushed red and stammered sheepishly, "This subordinate caught a cold last night."

***

Lin Yue was baffled: "You caught a cold in the dead of summer?"

Luo Qingyu insisted, "Yes."

Lin Yue: *[Could it be he was beaten too badly by Xiao Huaiqing yesterday and is too embarrassed to admit it? Ah, it must be so. This unlucky fellow is truly pitiful.]*

"Alright, you don't need to come out with me today. Just stay in the estate."

Luo Qingyu was stunned. He had been given the day off?

Seeing this, Xiao Huaiqing spoke up: "I heard my consort was going to the Grand Princess’s estate, so I thought I would accompany you."

Lin Yue flatly refused: "No need. If I truly need someone to accompany me, I'll call Chief Steward Bai."

"If you really have nothing to do, take Qingyu to see a doctor."

*[After all, you're the one who beat him up; if you don't care, who will?]*

Luo Qingyu looked up, staring silently at the sky. *He is not sick, not sick, not sick!*

But how was he supposed to explain? He could actually hear the Princess Consort’s inner voice, knowing full well that she was a deeply eccentric person who maintained a calm exterior while her mind ran wild with bizarre thoughts.

Fortunately, the Heir couldn't hear it; otherwise, wouldn't the Heir be driven completely mad right now?

Seeing that he couldn't tag along, Xiao Huaiqing could only watch helplessly as Lin Yue departed.

It wasn't until Lin Yue’s carriage had driven far away that he finally snapped out of his trance with a sense of loss.

Yet when he looked back at Luo Qingyu, a trace of blame inevitably surfaced in the depths of his eyes.

Luo Qingyu shrank his neck in guilty conscience and hurriedly said: "I'll go find a physician myself. Your Highness, you should return to your chambers first."

Xiao Huaiqing was baffled: "In broad daylight, why would I return to my chambers?"

That "what for" was profoundly suggestive!

Luo Qingyu’s face turned even redder, leaving him completely speechless for a moment.

It was over. He had been led astray by the Princess Consort!