Chapter 286

Chapter 286: Obedience or Not

He Jin took a deep breath, grabbed the teacup intending to drink, only to find it empty.

Frustrated, he slammed the cup back on the table, where it rolled around precariously close to falling off.

Yun Li waved everyone out and chuckled to herself.

He Jin glanced at her, took a deep breath again, and really couldn't be bothered to speak, almost at his wit's end.

Yun Li, amused, refilled his tea herself: "Your Majesty."

He Jin didn't take it.

Yun Li stomped her foot: "It's so hot..."

He Jin, resigned, took it but still ignored her.

It was then that the Ninth Prince came to pay his respects.

"Greetings, Father." After his childlike greeting, he snuggled up to He Jin: "Father, my aunts said after the New Year, I've grown up and can start studying."

"Yes, after the fifteenth, Father will arrange it. You and your Seventh Brother will study together," He Jin replied.

"Okay!" The Ninth Prince nodded happily.

"Little Nine must study hard and not be naughty," He Jin instructed.

"Mhm, Mother said Father is learned, can ride horses, and hunt. Father will teach all these to me, right?" the Ninth Prince inquired.

"Indeed, when you're a bit older, your father will teach you how to ride and shoot arrows," Emperor He Jingxin said.

"Father is the best," the Ninth Prince exclaimed with joy.

Emperor He Jingxin smiled, "Does Little Nine like studying?"

"I do, Mother teaches me poems. 'The river islands where mandarin ducks gather; Such grace and beauty in a lady, a fitting match for a gentleman.' Mother says Father is not the lady but the gentleman, yet she still asks," the Ninth Prince shared.

Emperor He Jingxin glared at Yun Li, "What are you teaching him?" But inwardly, he was pleased.

Yun Li ignored him.

"Don't be mean to Mother," the Ninth Prince pouted.

"Your mother is being silly," Emperor He Jingxin retorted.

"Mother is the best," the Ninth Prince insisted.

"Did you know about your Second Brother and Third Brother fighting?" Emperor He Jingxin inquired.

The Ninth Prince shook his head blankly, "I didn't know."

"Hmm, did the Third Brother bully the Second? The Third Brother likes to bully the Second. I once heard him calling the Second Brother stupid for only knowing how to study. Mother says studying is the best thing in the world, so why would the Third Brother mock him?" the Ninth Prince wondered.

"Your Third Brother doesn't like to study," Emperor He Jingxin explained.

"Hmm, then I will study hard," the Ninth Prince declared.

"Now, tell your father how your mother persuades you to study."

"Mother says books are the essence and wisdom of our ancestors, encompassing the vastness of lakes and seas and the expanse of the sun, moon, and stars. One cannot traverse the entire world or know all events from the beginning of time without reading extensively. But one shouldn't just read; it's important to think critically and reflect," the Ninth Prince relayed.

"Good. Your mother is doing well," Emperor He Jingxin said with a smile.

This child was born in the twelfth lunar month, so although he's technically seven this year, he's actually only six.

Being able to articulate that passage so clearly, Emperor He Jingxin found it commendable.

Even if it was specifically taught by his mother, that was also good.

Moreover, it's not likely he was taught to say just that passage alone.

The child's intelligence didn't just appear overnight.

Irritated by the Third Prince, Emperor He Jingxin naturally found the obedient and adorable Ninth Prince to be a breath of fresh air.

While father and son were conversing, Yun Li went to arrange the noon meal.

Stepping out of the main hall, Yun Li shared a smile with Zhi Fu in the corridor.

Zhi Fu smiled back, understanding that the Empress had intentionally had the Ninth Prince come over to greet them at this time.

After all, with the Third Prince behaving as he did, wouldn't the Emperor cherish the Ninth Prince even more now?

The Empress had spoken in favor of the Third Prince earlier, but what did it amount to?

The Emperor had already punished him. Perhaps there was some guilt, considering the father-son relationship.

But how much guilt could remain when comparing the Ninth Prince to the Third Prince now?

The Third Prince was devious, having instigated the innocent Ninth Prince to speak out of turn at a major banquet. Even if the Empress wouldn’t hold a grudge against a child, could she still support him?

With a smile playing on her lips, Yun Li thought how well her servants had come to understand her way of thinking over the years.

Especially Zhi Fu and Zhu Yu, in her eyes, these two maids were the most competent. They were the quickest to understand and the most satisfying in their work.

Zhu Yu was more compassionate but exceedingly meticulous. Zhi Fu was decisive, acting first on Yun Li’s commands without question, and only asking if she had doubts afterward.

Among the eunuchs, Zhu Xian was the most capable.

However, Zhu Ding, who had been with her from the start as her managing eunuch, was also not incompetent. Compared to Zhu Xian, he was more conservative but loyal, diligent, and attentive.

Bai Lu was smart and quick-witted, just needing time to mature due to his youth.

Yin Cha is reserved and reliable but sometimes too quiet, lacking presence and not keen on expressing herself.

Lu Wei is beautiful and understands discretion. She's also fiercely loyal and intelligent.

These are the people Yun Li values most, not to say others are useless. Those with lesser abilities can't get close to her.

Any circle is the same; without exceptional skills, one can only remain at the bottom.

He Jin stayed in the Yuqu Palace for a whole day and night, leaving early the next morning.

During the New Year period, guests were inevitable.

The womenfolk of the Qi family also came to the palace to visit.

This year, Yun Li received news.

Wu Shi from the second branch said: "It seems our eldest sister-in-law's condition is quite dire. The imperial physician suggests it might only be a matter of days."

Yun Li nodded: "I understand."

"I'll send some tonic medicines over," Yun Li offered.

Lin Shi sighed: "She has been ill for many years now. Your uncle suggests keeping things low-key no matter what."

After all, there's still a feud with the Xie family; in fact, Jiang Shi's passing might even be a relief.

"It's just the same with Qi Jieyu..." Wu Shi hesitated.

"There's no need for her to return at that time. As a concubine, she should not go back to her family to mourn. Just send her some plain clothes, that's all," Yun Li said.

Wu Shi and Lin Shi nodded in agreement, indeed, there's no need to call her back, making a fuss would bring no benefit.

"Also, regarding the Hua family matter, your uncle thinks it should not be dragged on," Lin Shi said.

"No one is dragging it. I'm not involved. Although it concerns me, there's nothing I can say now. After all, the Hua family are descendants of Grand Tutor Hua. It's only been a few years since his passing; it's not appropriate for His Majesty to be harsh on them," given the era's emphasis on respecting teachers and their teachings.

This matter is delicate to discuss.

"We were unaware of this before, but the Hua family is truly ruthless," Lin Shi said, still in shock.

Yun Li shook her head, "Uncle should not get involved in this matter."

Wu Shi and Lin Shi both nodded.

Yun Li did not mention that there might still be others behind the Hua family; Qi Tongxi surely knows.

There's no need to say it.

But now it seems, the person behind this will not be exposed anytime soon.

Yang Shi even went so far as to have her husband and sons tortured, showing she was determined.

After all, thinking logically, at this point, confessing is death, and not confessing is still death.

Saving Qi Jieyu is already a good outcome.

However, He Jingxi will definitely not execute the entire Hua family.