Chapter 61: That Secret Thrill—Who Gets It?

"Why was he worried I’d come and snatch away his aunt? Why did he just leave like that?"

Xiao Huaizheng asked, looking utterly baffled.

Lin Yue replied, "Never mind him. Go attend to your business first. I’ll send someone to notify you as soon as I have any news."

Xiao Huaizheng said, "It’s no trouble at all. I can just wait here in the Prince’s Manor. I’ll come every day from now on; as long as I make it back to the palace by nightfall, it's fine."

"Seeing my cousin acting like this, I simply cannot rest easy leaving."

Was he being sarcastic? Who couldn't do that?

Su Yingyue secretly clicked her tongue in amazement. How had Lin Yue managed to win over the Fourth Prince after entering the palace for only two days? No wonder Xiao Huaizheng had previously returned from the palace claiming that Lin Yue was exceptionally skilled at putting on a front and had fooled everyone.

If things continued this way, wouldn't she truly become the legitimate Princess of Ding?

Su Yingyue felt a rising sense of urgency, yet she maintained a submissive and dutiful expression on the surface as she spoke. "The Fourth Prince has misunderstood. The Heir Apparent has always held Her Ladyship in high regard; it's just that he has been rather busy these past few days. He mentioned something about helping the Fourth Prince with a matter? And then there is the charitable hall Her Ladyship wishes to establish—the Heir Apparent went out to select the site for that as well."

"Your Ladyship, the Heir Apparent simply acts too impulsively sometimes, but he has no malicious intent. In a moment, this daughter-in-law will go speak with him and have him come present a formal apology to Your Ladyship."

Lin Yue said, "There is no need. Whatever he does concerning the manor is his duty. As for helping Huaizheng, let the brothers discuss it themselves."

"Since I was away from the manor, managing the household affairs has also been hard on you. Return to your quarters and rest."

*[To avoid bumping into each other later and forcing me to give explanations, what a tiring chore.]*

Xiao Huaizheng quickly chimed in, "Sister-in-law should go rest. Having me here to keep His Imperial Aunt company is quite enough."

Seeing them both so keen on shutting her out, Su Yingyue felt a deep wave of displeasure. In particular, when she cast a furtive glance at Lin Yue and saw not the slightest desire on the latter's part to avoid suspicion, she thought to herself that Lin Yue was clearly planning to use the Fourth Prince to provoke Xiao Huaizheng.

No wonder the two of them were getting so close—it was a deliberate attempt to cause a misunderstanding.

Such petty, low-handed tactics, as cheap as ever!

"Very well then."

She curtsied and briskly took her leave. Just before departing, however, the corners of her mouth hooked up into a knowing, all-too-comprehending smile.

"Why do that husband and wife feel so strange?" Xiao Huaizheng remarked.

Lin Yue replied, "The fact that you can spot it now proves you've made progress. Back then, your mother's affair—was there not also an undercurrent of deceit hidden in the shadows?"

"You go find Xiao Huaizheng—ah, go find Xiao Huaiqing and inquire about the situation first. I need to coordinate some matters regarding the manor here."

Xiao Huaizheng was deeply shaken inside. Many of the details they had glossed over in the past might very well have been the critical turning point of the tragedy.

He nodded solemnly and quickly departed to find Xiao Huaiqing.

Meanwhile, Lin Yue summoned Head Steward Bai to bring over the map of the prospective sites. Head Steward Bai reported, "On the west side, along Chengfang Street, our manor owns a very spacious courtyard. It would be highly suitable for a charitable hall, and it is located close to our estate."

"Alternatively, there is Dafangjia Hutong near the South Gate. We took into consideration that it would be more convenient there for setting up awnings to distribute porridge and settling the common folk, as that area is populated mostly by people from other regions—workers who spend year after year looking for odd jobs."

Lin Yue stated, "Then let us place the charitable hall on Chengfang Street; it won't require much adjustment there. As for the sanctuary for the destitute, put it by the South Gate, and assign a few guards to keep watch so no one dares to smash the place up."

Head Steward Bai assured her, "Your Ladyship need not worry. With His Highness still away fighting on the front lines, even the most blind and reckless troublemakers would be biting off more than they can chew if they dared to cause a disturbance."

Lin Yue nodded and inquired, "And the barren land—where was it purchased?"

Head Steward Bai hurriedly answered, "In Daxing. There are two tracts of mountains, which, together with the surrounding farmland, total six hundred and twenty mu."

Lin Yue instructed, "Plant fruit trees all over the mountains. Go find a few experienced orchardists to inspect the terrain and determine what would be best to grow."

"As for the barren fields, let the laborers begin work immediately. Additionally, wherever the mountain slopes have a decent layer of topsoil, those areas can also be reclaimed; such land is somewhat cheaper. Look into purchasing around two hundred mu of that as well."

"It doesn't necessarily have to be bought solely in our manor's name. Give a share to the Empress and the Empress Dowager as well—a portion for each of them. When the project succeeds, we will claim it was His Highness's heartfelt gesture. That way, we can avoid standing out too prominently and drawing envy. And should it fail, no one will pay it any mind, leaving us entirely free of future worries."

Upon hearing this, Head Steward Bai was filled with admiration.

The very reason he had insisted on purchasing barren mountains alongside the farmland was out of concern that buying only arable fields would make people envious; by acquiring seemingly worthless, desolate mountain tracts instead, outsiders would simply assume the Prince's Manor had money to burn and would not pay it too much heed.

Head Steward Bai said, "The couriers traveling from the capital to the frontier move very swiftly. Calculating the days, His Highness should be receiving Your Ladyship's family letter quite soon."

"Though His Highness hasn't said it aloud over the past few years, this subordinate knows well in his heart that he misses Your Ladyship dearly."

Lin Yue quickly cut him off. "Stop right there. Attend to your own duties. Your master and I are husband and wife, not sweethearts; we don't need you acting as a bridge to cement our affections."

Head Steward Bai burst into hearty laughter. Ever since the Princess consort had cast off her old worries, her temperament had become truly brisk, straightforward, and sharp-witted—countless times better than before.

When His Highness found out, he would surely adore her all the more.

With these cheerful thoughts, he picked up the blueprints and strode away.

No sooner had Head Steward Bai departed than the small mirror resting in her bosom chimed in. "You want to set up a charitable hall in the capital? Chengfang Street is fine, but it's not as good as Xingsheng Street. There's a garrison stationed over there; though the troop isn't large, it's relatively much safer."

Lin Yue retorted, "But the Prince's Manor already owns a residence on Chengfang Street. It's much more convenient."

The small mirror continued, "I asked Xiao Jingyun about it. He said he also owns an expanded property on Chengfang Street. He told you to go to his study and retrieve the deed from the second drawer of the cabinet."

Lin Yue: "Oh ho, a secret stash of private money?"

Xiao Jingyun, on the other end of the mirror: "..."?!

After obtaining the deed and reading the stated floor area, Lin Yue was momentarily dazed.

A grand villa! Three mu of land! A tycoon, she was dealing with an absolute tycoon here.

"Hey, little mirror, are you certain this is what Xiao Jingyun told you?"

"What if I take possession of it and he comes back to settle scores with me later? This place is enormous. I suspect he must have intended to use it to keep a mistress hidden in a golden house."

Xiao Jingyun: "..."!!!

He reached up and rubbed his smooth chin—no beard at all, shaved meticulously clean. How on earth did he qualify as an "uncle"?

And "creepy" to boot?!

At that exact moment, Military Advisor Liang Xing walked in and happened to catch him staring into a mirror. Staring into a mirror was one thing, but he was also rubbing his chin, looking thoroughly displeased with his own appearance.

Liang Xing asked with a strange expression, "Your Highness, could you perhaps be... pining for love?"

With fluid grace, Xiao Jingyun tucked the small mirror away, stood up, and declared, "It seems the Military Advisor is burdened with such idle worries. Let's do this then: cut the daily rations by thirty percent, lest you all become too well-fed."

After Xiao Jingyun walked away, Liang Xing stood frozen in his tracks, blinking in a daze.

What is wrong with the Prince? Has he lost his mind?

He had just come here to lobby for winter welfare provisions for all the officers and men!

Liang Xing hurriedly chased after him, shouting, "Your Highness, you can't do that! If the soldiers don't conserve their strength and store up their energy, the upcoming battle this winter will be perilous."

Xiao Jingyun gazed down the route of the trade highway and stated, "The Tatars are plundering the merchant caravans. We cannot afford to sit idly by, but if our supplies are wasted without timely replenishment, that is the true danger."

Liang Xing said in shock, "But didn't the Emperor approve our budget?"

Xiao Jingyun replied, "Until the funds are actually in our hands, we must make our own contingency plans. If the soldiers truly want to eat well, tell them this: escort the trade caravans entering and leaving the mountain passes without collecting a silver fee, and have the merchants pay them in the form of three sheep apiece."

Liang Xing's eyes suddenly lit up with comprehension, and he cheerfully exclaimed, "His Highness should have done this long ago! Those little rascals have long since been itching to deal with those Tatars who have been ravaging the merchant caravans."

Xiao Jingyun added, "I recall we previously confiscated a batch of provisions. Among them was a rather fine fox-fur cloak, along with a collection of foreign jewelry and precious ornaments rarely seen in the Central Plains."

"Pack them all up first, and send them off via a reliable messenger."

Smiling broadly, Liang Xing remarked, "You haven't even met the Heir Apparent's wife yet, and you're already dispatching such a heavy gift?"

Xiao Jingyun frowned. "The Heir Apparent's wife? What does she have to do with this? If she wants gifts, won't the Heir Apparent send them?"

Perplexed, Liang Xing asked, "Could it be that these are meant for the Princess Consort?"

Displeased, Xiao Jingyun snapped, "Obviously!"

His little wife was missing him dearly. Who could possibly understand the secret, thrilling delight of this feeling?