Chapter 4: Naive Seventh Prince

Chapter 4: Naive Seventh Prince

"Duke, have you just finished your court duties?" Zhao Chang Nian, walking ahead, was oblivious to the gaze behind her as she laughed and skipped along. "Despite your busy schedule, you still came personally to assist me."

Withdrawing his gaze from her hand, Ye Jiangbai smiled gently. "It's only right."

Before slaughtering cattle or pigs, one would fatten them up first. The same principle applied to people.

"Is there anything you desire?" Chang Nian turned back, her dark, lucid eyes looking at him. "I can't afford anything too expensive, but over the years, I've saved up around a thousand or eight hundred taels of silver from my monthly stipend. That should be enough for a suitable gift to show my gratitude."

Even an ordinary prince would have a fortune in the tens of thousands. Yet, this prince had managed to save a mere thousand or eight hundred taels, and still intended to give him a gift?

Ye Jiangbai genuinely chuckled, bowing his hands in greeting. "Your Highness is too courteous."

His expression seemed odd, as if he was mocking her at first glance. But upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a mere illusion. Chang Nian paused and hesitantly said, "I'm not accustomed to following rules, nor am I skilled in dealing with court officials. If I've done anything inappropriate, please point it out, Duke."

Touching his lips with his index finger, Ye Jiangbai adjusted his sleeves and said earnestly, "Your Highness has done nothing inappropriate. Compared to others' cunning, you are truly sincere and adorable."

One could call it sincerity and adorability, or naivety and foolishness. A normal person would have been wary of him by now. After all, excessive friendliness usually hid ulterior motives. Yet, the Seventh Prince was different; he openly shared his thoughts and feelings with Ye Jiangbai.

For a fleeting moment, Ye Jiangbai even recalled his long-forgotten conscience. Of course, that conscience was already in the belly of a dog, utterly useless. Raising his gaze to look at the palace road, Ye Jiangbai's smile remained gentle but didn't reach his eyes. "Has Your Highness decided how to explain this to the Crown Prince?"

"That's easy," Chang Nian replied with a relaxed expression. "I don't have the money to buy such precious pearls. It's clear that someone made a mistake. If His Highness the Crown Prince just calms down, he'll understand."

"What if the Crown Prince doesn't believe it and takes out his anger?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chang Nian's face crumpled. "He can't be that petty, can he?"

Oh, but he could. The current Crown Prince was a meticulous person who cared deeply about his reputation. Losing face at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was already infuriating enough for him. Now, if the main culprit were to personally apologize, it would only add fuel to the fire.

However, Ye Jiangbai had no intention of enlightening Zhao Chang Nian on these matters. He simply smiled and continued leading the way forward.

After a short while, a palace attendant suddenly dashed over from a distance.

"Duke!" The attendant was fraught with anxiety, approaching Ye Jiangbai to whisper urgently into his ear.

Ye Jiangbai's smile vanished, replaced by a grave expression as he listened attentively. Raising his head to look at Zhao Chang Nian, he said, "Your Highness might have to go to the Crown Prince's palace alone."

"Ahh?" Chang Nian was startled and immediately shrunk back. "I won't be able to meet my elder brother on my own, right?"

"Never mind, I've already informed the prince. He will receive you," Ye Jiangbai said apologetically. "Once His Majesty's affairs are taken care of, I'll come fetch you."

Chang Nian pondered for a moment before nodding. "That works too. Go tend to your duties first. As long as my elder brother is willing to see me, I can make my way back on my own later."

With that, he gave a wide grin and confidently headed for the Eastern Palace.

Ye Jiangbai stood rooted to the spot, watching the diminutive figure disappear.

If sending the Fourth Prince to his fiefdom wasn't enough to convince the emperor that the crown prince was overbearing, what about adding an innocent Seventh Prince to the mix? Perhaps it would give the emperor something more to consider.

The previously anxious eunuch now seemed calm as he lowered his head and softly spoke, "Everything is arranged."

"Mm." Ye Jiangbai stroked his chin in thought. "Then let's wait."

Once the Seventh Prince emerged from the Eastern Palace, there was no way he would still be eager to send a thank-you gift.

Recalling the earnest expression on the prince's face when he mentioned the gift, Ye Jiangbai couldn't help but chuckle. How could there be such a naive person in the palace? It was time for him to learn from experience.

Flapping his sleeves, Ye Jiangbai led the palace attendant to the annex of the audience hall, where he sat leisurely sipping tea and occasionally listened to updates.

"The Seventh Prince has entered the Eastern Palace."

"The Seventh Prince is kneeling outside the main hall of the Eastern Palace, but the Crown Prince hasn't allowed him to rise."

"The Seventh Prince kneeled for an hour and couldn't bear it anymore. He moved his legs, and the Crown Prince punished him with twenty bamboo strokes for 'disrespecting the heir apparent.'"

Blowing away the froth on his tea, Ye Jiangbai sighed, "Our Crown Prince is indeed very petty."

The palace attendant standing beside him nodded in agreement and then said, "After enduring the punishment, the Seventh Prince didn't return to his own palace. It seems he's heading this way."

Is he here to settle scores? Ye Jiangbai raised an eyebrow, elegantly adjusting his clothes before rising. With a warm smile, he walked towards the door.

He was never afraid of confrontation, especially after pulling off a scheme. He didn't like to hide either; instead, he enjoyed hearing people curse him for being two-faced and insincere. After they finished venting, he would bow politely, demonstrating perfect manners and grace, leaving them powerless despite their seething hatred.

Standing at the entrance of the audience hall, Ye Jiangbai saw the Seventh Prince being carried over in a sedan chair from afar. He was already prepared with what to say.

However, when the sedan chair stopped at the door, Zhao Changnian, with a pale face and gritted teeth, looked up at him and said something unexpected—

"I'm sorry, Duke, I've brought disgrace upon you."

Huh? Ye Jiangbai froze, the first time he felt like he didn't understand human language. He looked down at her half-alive state and pondered for a while. "Disgrace upon me?"

"Yes."

How had she disgraced him? Beaten up like this, and still not understand what had happened today?

Ye Jiangbai fell silent for a long time, unsure of what to say.

Zhao Changnian muttered to herself, "You introduced me, but I couldn't convince my imperial brother to trust me. Instead, I angered him so much that he ignored your favor and struck me directly. How embarrassing for you if word got out. It wasn't intentional... I just couldn't resist moving."

"Sigh, it's not all my fault. The stone outside his palace door was uneven, and he made me kneel there for so long. Anyone would have struggled to stay still, my knees hurt."

"..."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Ye Jiangbai gave her a deep look. "Your Highness, there's no need to blame yourself. You've just been punished, so return and rest."

Looking at him with a troubled expression, Changnian said, "I came over because I have another matter to trouble the Duke with."

"What?"

"In my current state, if I were to return to the palace, Hong Ti would be terrified." With a pout, Chang Nian glanced at her own bottom and, with both hands supporting herself on the sedan chair's armrests, she struggled to say, "Could you perhaps find some medicine for me? I'd like to rest here a while before going back."

So foolish were they that Ye Jiangbai couldn't help but feel a twinge of compassion. "I do carry remedies for bruises and injuries with me," he offered. "Please, Your Highness, step inside."