Chapter 18: Compromise on Principles

Chapter 18: Compromise on Principles

In the tenth month, the capital city received its first light snowfall of the year. By the time the warm stoves in the inner chambers were lit, Chang Nian's injuries had fully healed, allowing her to finally enjoy a comfortable bath.

The gauze curtains fell, doors and windows were securely locked, and all the palace servants stood around the main hall with their backs turned, including Hong Ti.

A new servant, unfamiliar with the rules, tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Auntie, no one is needed inside to serve?"

Hong Ti nodded. "His Highness has always disliked physical contact. He bathes and dresses himself. Just stay here quietly and wait."

Ordinary princes would have at least seven or eight servants attending to them while bathing, for the sake of grandeur. But this prince was different; he seemed to be afraid of burdening his servants, wanting none of them around.

The servant sighed inwardly and returned to their position, standing silently with eyes lowered and mouth closed.

When Ye Jiangbai arrived at the Autumn Palace, Zhao Chang Nian had already changed and was kneeling on a low tea couch.

" Duke!" She greeted him with a gentle smile, her eyebrows arched and her eyes soft with warmth.

Seeing this, Ye Jiangbai thought that this was a genuine smile, born from true happiness, much more pleasing than the forced smiles bought with silver in the brothels.

On that day at the brothel, he failed to find the right person. Upon reflection, it seemed rather absurd how he had allowed himself such indulgence. With great ambitions yet to be fulfilled, how could he afford to be so whimsical?

However, as he gazed attentively at Seventh Prince's face, Ye Jiangbai understood that his recent abnormal behavior was not entirely unfounded. People were naturally drawn to beauty, and when that beauty was excessively captivating, one's principles might waver.

He was not gay; he merely found Seventh Prince pleasing to the eye.

"Have some tea!" Pulling him onto a tea couch, Chang Nian carefully placed the teacup in his hand. Then, with bright eyes, she said, "Vice Minister Li from the Ministry of Justice delivered an invitation to me. He mentioned that his parents are celebrating their eightieth birthdays and hopes for my presence."

Pausing with the teacup in his grip, Ye Jiangbai frowned. "Did you accept?"

"Certainly!" exclaimed Chang Nian with a sigh. "This is the first time someone has invited me, and Minister Li personally came to deliver it. He even brought some local delicacies from his hometown. See?"

She nodded her chin toward the pile of gift boxes against the opposite wall. "I received three, while you got seven."

Unable to continue drinking the tea, Ye Jiangbai placed the teacup down with a loud "slap" on the low table. "How could you accept?!"

Startled, Chang Nian looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "W-Why? Can't I accept?"

Of course not! Li Shiqing had been attempting to curry favor with him for a long time, repeatedly trying to send gifts to his residence. Ye Jiangbai had always denied him the opportunity. Now, he had finally found a loophole!

"Does Your Highness not understand the principle that one owes favors for taking gifts?" Ye Jiangbai's brows furrowed. "If he gives you something today, and asks for something in return tomorrow, will you give it to him?"

Chang Nian lowered her head and thought carefully before saying frankly, "It doesn't matter. I don't have anything anyway, so he can just take whatever he wants!"

"You might not have anything," Ye Jiangbai was furious. "But what about me?"

Li Shiqing had a son who acted like a demonic tyrant, constantly seeking an official position but being suppressed by him. Now, with this gift, should he accept it or not? If he accepted, the tyrant would cause trouble. But if he refused, Seventh Prince and Li Shiqing would be at odds.

Chang Nian blinked slowly, as if she finally understood, and her brows furrowed. "So that's how Lord Li sees it."

"What else could he think?"

"I thought..." She drooped her head, looking pitiful as she said, "I thought he wanted to be friends with me, so that's why he..."

Stupid to the point of death! Ye Jiangbai was fuming. If not for his status, he would have strangled her! She had no leverage now; he was her only apparent asset. Others would definitely come after him, not her.

In that moment, Ye Jiangbai regretted using such an incompetent shield. She hadn't protected him much, and he'd already suffered several setbacks. People were even trying to exploit her to get to him, which didn't bode well.

Seeing Duke's darkened expression, Chang Nian panicked and immediately jumped up, grabbing his arm. She spoke softly, "Please don't be angry. I'll find a way to return the gift, alright?"

"Can you retreat?"

"Certainly, there's no reason why not!" Chang Nian declared earnestly. "Just get me an identification token that allows me to leave the palace, and I'll go and make the return myself!"

Adult princes are indeed issued with permits to leave the palace, but this man didn't have one. Ye Jiangbai wasn't surprised, though. He reached into his sleeve, pulled out a permit, and tossed it into her arms. With a cold voice, he said, "Your Highness, let me make this clear. You'd better not think that returning a gift is an easy matter."

"I understand, I understand! I'll do my best!" Taking the token, Chang Nian gently rubbed it for a moment before carefully placing it in her bosom.

Access to the imperial palace is strictly controlled, requiring notification to both His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress, followed by a formal report to the office overseeing the concubine chambers. The entire process, at the very least, would take two months. Yet, a Duke of Regent is no ordinary noble; they can procure such passes effortlessly, as if bestowing trinkets.

Power and influence truly have their advantages, Chang Nian thought with envy.

Ye Jiangbai was still simmering with anger, but he couldn't vent it. Standing so close, he could distinctly smell the fragrance lingering on her from her recent bath.

He hadn't found this scent appealing before, but now, his heart skipped a beat at the scent.

It was a distinct, palpable thump, "thump," that left him feeling slightly stifled in his chest.

Muttering an oath under his breath, Ye Jiangbai took two steps back and watched coldly as the princess donned a new outer robe. Hong Ti and several palace attendants carried gift boxes, and they all hurriedly prepared to leave the palace.

"Would Duke like to accompany me?"

"No," he replied. "I have other matters to attend to."

He could already envision the embarrassing scene that was to come; there was no way he would join in on the commotion.

At most, he would hide and watch from a distance.

Chang Nian did not insist. They left the Locked Autumn Palace together, bidding each other farewell at the western gate before he cheerfully boarded his carriage.

Ye Jiangbai sat in his carriage, following at a distance without revealing any emotions. His strategist, Xu Zhi, accompanied him.

"Your Highness, what's your opinion on Prince Seven?" Xu Zhi inquired.

Ye Jiangbai sneered. "Idle and lazy, constantly causing trouble."

Xu Zhi nodded. "This subject has already had someone thoroughly investigate. Prince Seven is an ordinary man. He's either deliberately hiding his abilities or truly incompetent. Your Highness can rest assured."

In truth, Ye Jiangbai was never overly concerned. It was these strategists who found Prince Seven to be more than meets the eye and insisted on digging deeper. With Zhao Changnian's shallow background, one glance was enough to see through him. What was there left to uncover?

"However, I did come across a rumor," Xu Zhi said. "It's said that Seventh Prince has a fondness for men."

Clearing his throat, Ye Jiangbai commented, "I'm aware."

"Does Master know that Seventh Highness seems to have also been entangled with General Beithang?" Xu Zhi mused, stroking his chin. "One wonders what the true nature of their relationship is."