Chapter 401: Little Pitiful

The attendant advised, "Your Highness, this is your first time dealing with political affairs. If you can solve it on your own without relying on the Crown Prince, it might earn you a higher regard from Father."

Bei Jingyu paused.

He knew he couldn’t compare to his elder sister, who was the most dazzling sun in Dayue, overshadowing everyone else from the moment she arrived in this world.

The dim light of stars and the moon could only show their splendor in the night sky, in the intervals when the sun had set.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t felt jealousy; going from defiance to resignation was quick but agonizing.

If it weren’t for the fact that the Hongwen Academy wasn’t just for royal descendants, and there were many normal people to compare with, Bei Jingyu would have thought himself a failure.

Unconsciously, he absentmindedly crumpled the embroidery on his robe.

Even if he couldn’t match his elder sister or his younger brother, he still wanted to prove that he was at least useful, to hear his father say he was proud of him.

Seeing his hesitation, the attendant pressed on, "The Chang clan, one of the leading families, has offered to assist Your Highness by providing their private residences to accommodate the guests."

Bei Jingyu nodded slowly.

He thought, borrowing a mansion shouldn’t be a problem.

The Prince of Xinluo was arranged to stay in the Chang clan’s mansion.

The new capital, a water town with carved beams, painted rafters, and elegant pavilions.

The awe-inspiring legacy of the great families lay in the fact that even when weakened, their wealth and influence remained vast.

They only deferred to the royal family of Dayue.

For a moment, the Prince of Xinluo felt as though he’d stepped into a legendary fairyland.

The Chang clan’s servants, seeing their reactions, swelled with pride.

Look, even foreign princes are awestruck by the mansions of our Dynasty Yue, so in a way, living here makes one feel nobler than a prince.

The group was unaware that their awestruck reactions were being watched, and they were too mesmerized by the beauty to worry about appearances.

They wished they had more eyes to soak in the view.

The Prince of Xinluo let out a string of awestruck exclamations.

The protocol officer accompanying him translated, "Is this the palace of Dayue? Only a wealthy nation could build something so magnificent."

The servant tried to suppress a smile, maintaining a polite expression, and replied, "You shouldn’t say such things. This is merely the residence of a minister, not nearly as grand or solemn as the imperial palace."

"Didn’t the Prince visit the palace when he met the Third Prince? How could he ask such a question?"

The Prince of Xinluo, of course, knew he had left the palace, which was as majestic as a temple.

Here, it was as elegant and delicate as a misty water town, with a completely different style.

He’d assumed only the emperor could afford such a refined mansion.

Was it really just the residence of a minister...

The young prince bowed his head in shame, feeling like an ignorant, arrogant frog in a well.

The matter of the post house not being able to accommodate everyone certainly didn't escape Bei Jingchu's notice. She was about to contact nearby inns and several estates to house the envoys when she heard that the Prince of Xinluo and his entourage had moved into the Chang family's residence.

After a brief pause, she chuckled, "Well, why not take advantage of the free offer?"

Lei Nian'er cautiously observed her expression.

"Princess, don't be upset."

Bei Jingchu: ...?

"What makes you think I'm upset?"

Lei Nian'er said with certainty, "You are so fond of your younger siblings, yet the Third Prince is trying to win over the noble families, attempting to challenge you."

"Even though he's bound to lose, his actions must have been a real letdown."

"I know you don't show it, but you're hiding all your sadness."

Lei Nian'er looked at her as if she had imagined her as some kind of long-suffering soul, forced to endure for the sake of family and righteousness.