Chapter 420 – Tutor Liao’s Anxiety

Chapter 420 - Tutor Liao's Anxiety

Yun Li knew that he didn't have the heart for it right now. How could she put it? Was it better or worse for a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy to have no interest in such matters?

She couldn't really say, but at least it was better than being obsessed with women, right?

After the New Year, someone would be sent to teach him about adult matters.

Actually, it should have happened long ago, but since Yun Li had seen that he didn't want it, she hadn't arranged it.

He Jinning had left it up to him as well.

But after they moved to the Eastern Palace, it would be necessary.

"The Eastern Palace is almost ready. We'll choose a good day after the New Year to move. If you have any requests, speak up now. Do you want me to send some people over?" Yun Li asked.

"Ah? You didn't plan on sending anyone?" The Crown Prince was surprised. "Sixth Brother lives in the Guanglong Palace with Aunt, and you didn't prepare anything for him?"

"I... Didn't I assign anyone to you?" Yun Li was speechless.

"Is it the same? What's given to me is mine. Now that I've just moved in, don't you think you should send someone to keep an eye on me?" The prince protested, wounded.

Yun Li took a deep breath. "If I send someone to watch over you, who will have authority over your household when you're married—the new princess or me? And who will be in charge of matters in the front courtyard—will it be you or me?"

"But...but you can't just leave me be, right? Don't you worry about my well-being?" the prince asked.

"Do I need to feed you or lull you to sleep? Isn't your wet nurse sufficient for you?" Yun Li rolled her eyes again.

"The feeling is that Mother just pushed me off to the Eastern Palace and forgot about me," the prince sighed. "I'm not asking for much, but I feel like you're too trusting of me."

Yun Li looked over, "Could it be that you feel... now that you've grown up, Mother doesn't love you anymore?"

"No, you must care about me. But why are you so at ease? Seventh Brother is older than I am, and yet Empress Min still sends someone to check on him every other day, worried that something might be amiss with him." The crown prince said, "You, on the other hand, don't. Is it your personality?"

"My mother is still the best mother," the crown prince said.

Yun Li shakes her head, aware that he's being playful.

" Matters of the backyard can be entrusted to your wet nurse for now. Sending my people over would only provide temporary oversight. In time, your princess consort will inevitably take charge. As for the rest, Mother does not wish to meddle excessively. You need only focus on fulfilling your duties as the crown prince," Yun Li said.

She only has this one child; how could she not dote on him?

It was just that her way of showing affection was different.

The crown prince chuckled. "I understand, Mother. You're truly kind. And beautiful too."

Yun Li smiled again. "Beautiful? "

"Yes, when I went to pay my respects to Empress Dowager the other day, I met Concubine Yun. People always praise her beauty and charm, but compared to you, she's far from it." The crown prince shook his head gently.

Yun Li said, "But you must consider the differences in our lives. Beauty fades with time."

"I don't entirely agree with that, Mother. While it's true, one's mindset also plays a role. Tutor once mentioned a peasant woman who was nearly fifty, living in poverty, yet still retained the traces of her youthful appearance..."

Midway through his sentence, he abruptly paused. "Cough, cough, that tutor wasn't neglecting his duties, he was just giving an example..."

"Let Mother guess which tutor this is. Does he have the surname Liao?" Yun Li raised an eyebrow.

The crown prince was surprised. "Mother, you know? You... won't do anything to him, will you?"

Yun Li merely smiled without comment.

The prince was anxious. "It's really not neglecting his duties. He was just telling our son about human circumstances and emotions."

"Alright, your former Tutor Liao has become much more restrained now, which is good. It's beneficial if it inspires you." Yun Li thought to herself, When you weren't around, Mother had already read your great works as a tutor.

But for the sake of her child respecting his teacher, she decided not to mention it.

The prince felt an itch in his heart but managed to hold back from asking further. He could tell that his mother wasn't willing to divulge more.

The next day, when he met the tutor, his gaze was peculiar.

He even probed, "Has Tutor ever met my mother?"

Liao Yan hurriedly replied, "During the Mid-Autumn Festival, I had the honor of meeting Empress Dowager."

"You've never seen her before?" The prince didn't believe it.

"Loyal subject replies to Your Highness, I was always in the provinces before and have indeed never met her," Liao Yan said, wondering what was going on. He was also feeling nervous.

The prince clicked his tongue. "Well, then, let's begin the lesson."

Liao Yan... You could at least say what it is! You're driving me crazy with suspense!

"Very well," Lord Liao smiled in reality.

When He Jinli had some free time, he summoned the Qin Prince to the Zhengyang Palace.

With the current state of the Empress, the Qin Prince naturally wouldn't leave the capital for the time being, and he would have to stay even after the New Year celebrations.

After paying respects, He Jinli first asked about the affairs of the prince's residence. Afterward, he said, "You're not young anymore. There will be a grand selection after the New Year. Shouldn't your marriage be arranged as well?"

"Father..."

The Qin Prince called out, then fell silent for a moment before continuing, "Father, I..."

He rose to his knees. "Please forgive me, Father, but I don't wish to marry..."

He Jinli looked at him, unsurprised by the revelation.

"Is it that you don't want to now, or never at all?" He Jinli asked again.

After another moment of silence, the Qin Wang lifted his head. "Father, this son...this son is not capable of sharing a bed with a woman. Marrying would only harm others. I beg of you, Father, let this son...let this son be spared from marriage in this lifetime..."

He Jinli sighed. "Do you understand what this entails?"

"I am ignorant, and I ask for Father's guidance," the Qin Wang replied.

"Never mind. If you truly don't wish to, I, as your father, won't force you into marriage for the sake of reputation. But even if you don't take a legal wife, you'll still be alone, and loneliness can be unbearable," He Jinli said.

"Father, rest assured. As the Qin Wang, there will always be attendants by my side. I do not desire concubines by my side either," the Qin Wang replied.

"Very well, you're still young. If you change your mind in the future, it won't be too late. Rise and answer me," He Jinli said.

The Qin Wang expressed his gratitude and stood up, genuinely relieved.

He had no intention of marrying in his entire life. That was the truth.

"Your mother's current condition, you are aware. She refuses to see anyone now. But her illness, you must prepare yourself—it might be difficult for her to recover," He Jinli said, looking at the Qin Wang.

"Yes, Your Highness, I understand. Mother's condition is indeed severe. I can only regret my inability to alleviate her suffering. Even visiting to pay my respects is impossible." The Qin Prince took a deep breath. "Father, is there truly no way for Mother to stand up again?"

He Jincheng shook his head.

The Qin Prince pressed his lips together. "I see, Your Highness."

"It's good that you understand. There's nothing more to be done now. Don't dwell on it too much," He Jincheng comforted.

"Yes, Your Highness, I understand. How has Father been recently? Has the court been busy these past few months?" the Qin Prince inquired.

"It has been quite busy, but His Majesty's health has always been excellent."

"The Crown Prince is insightful. I reckon within two or three years, he'll be able to alleviate his father's burdens. By then, he can take care of some less critical matters," the Qin Prince said with a smile.

"Honestly, you should see the expression on his face every time he learns too much; it's as if he wishes he weren't the Crown Prince," Helan Jilin chuckled.

"After all, he's still young. He'll grow out of it in a few years," the Qin Prince also laughed.

The two of them continued chatting about Little Jiu for quite a while.