GTB Chapter 83

Chapter 83: Will she be unhappy if I return late?

Chapter 83: Will she be unhappy if I return late?

The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.

The Emperor looked at the inauspicious son, born after he accidentally favored a palace maid while drunk, a son he had only seen once since birth.

“I heard that your six fingers miraculously disappeared?”

“Reporting to Father Emperor, this son has been praying devoutly for you in the Ling Shan Temple for many years. Perhaps Heaven sensed this son’s filial piety, and this son’s extra finger slowly degenerated until it disappeared.”

The Empress had already told the Emperor this, but hearing it again, he was still slightly surprised. “Come forward and let me see.”

“Yes.” Shí Xiu respectfully walked forward and held out his right hand.

Only five fingers could be seen, no different from ordinary people. The extra finger from birth was nowhere to be found, as if it had never existed.

Amazement appeared in the Yue’an Emperor’s eyes, and his voice softened a lot.

He nodded, “Well, it seems that the Immortal Venerable of Ling Shan Temple was moved by you and bestowed auspiciousness upon you to remove evil. Then I shall bestow upon you the title of Prince Rui.”

After he finished speaking, he instructed Eunuch De beside him, “Choose a better mansion for Prince Rui to be his Prince Rui’s residence.”

Shí Xiu knelt down to thank him, “This son thanks Father Emperor for the reward.”

The Yue’an Emperor raised his hand slightly, “Rise. If there is nothing else, you may go down and settle in first.”

“Yes, this son takes his leave.” Shí Xiu rose and respectfully retreated.

Watching Shí Xiu’s departing figure, a sharp glint flashed in the Yue’an Emperor’s eyes. The Empress spoke kindly for him, probably not just because of her mistress-servant relationship with his mother.

But it didn’t matter. No matter how much he disliked this son, he was still his seed. He hadn’t given him the treatment of a prince for the past twenty years, so he would just make up for it now.

He only hoped that he would understand the depths and know how to advance and retreat in this treacherous imperial palace. Otherwise, whether it would be the abyss or the clouds, was still unknown.

Shí Xiu looked at the towering and magnificent palace walls and tiles before him. On his harmless, elegant, and gentle face, the shallow smile in his eyes looked more like mockery.

Twenty years. If the Crown Prince hadn’t been crippled and the Empress hadn’t wanted to use him, he probably wouldn’t have seen this Son of Heaven, his… Father Emperor, in this lifetime.

It seemed that his master was right. After twenty years, his opportunity would turn, and the wheel of fortune would turn.

The Seventh Prince’s Residence.

After looking at account books for three or four days in a row, Jiang Jiuchu finally waited for her savior.

In the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard, Ji Shutíng didn’t see Shí Yan and quietly asked Jiang Jiuchu, “Jiuchu, can we go out and play?”

“Of course. Just because I married into this Seventh Prince’s Residence doesn’t mean I can’t go out shopping with my best friend, right?”

Although Jiang Jiuchu spoke with confidence, she deliberately lowered her voice a little, thinking that Governess Li was still in the courtyard, so she had to be careful when she spoke.

“Okay, then let’s go now. We won’t be back for lunch.”

“Okay, today I’ll treat you to the most expensive restaurant.” After Jiang Jiuchu finished speaking, she instructed Green Luo, “Go and get my purse.”

Ji Shutíng happily said, “Great, our Jiuchu is now the Seventh Princess Consort. I really have vision. I also have someone to rely on now. When we go out now, which princess or county magistrate’s daughter will dare to make us greet them?”

Ji Shutíng could never forget the arrogant and condescending appearance of Shí Jiaojiao, a county magistrate’s daughter, who made things difficult for her last summer.

Jiang Jiuchu looked at Ji Shutíng in confusion, “Isn’t your brother the commander of the Imperial Guards? How many people dare to disrespect you?”

“There are many! Let’s go, let’s go!” Seeing Green Luo bring the purse, Ji Shutíng quickly pulled Jiang Jiuchu up.

“Princess Consort, are you going out? Will you be back for lunch?” Governess Li saw this and hurried over to ask.

“Governess Li, it’s almost noon. We won’t be back for lunch.”

“Yes.” Governess Li didn’t say much. Thinking that the Princess Consort had been bored in the residence for quite a few days, it would be good for her to go out for a walk. Besides, she still had some things to do.

After seeing them leave, she quickly called Aunt Xing and had two large redwood boxes brought into the main room to collect all the winter clothes from another cabinet.

She had noticed that every time she came in to fold the bedding for the two of them, the two pillows were always far apart, clearly beyond the reach of one quilt.

She originally thought that the two of them had secretly hidden quilts, but when she opened the cabinet, she didn’t find any quilts, but she did find the cloak that had been casually stuffed away.

While Governess Li and Aunt Xing were organizing the winter clothes, she wondered why the two of them wouldn’t consummate their marriage. Could there really be something wrong with this Seventh Prince?

After all, even the Princess Consort, such a beautiful woman, wasn’t to the Prince’s liking. What kind of woman could he possibly like?

Oh well! She had done her best to do everything she could, and the rest was up to fate.

Since Governess Li had entered the residence, Aunt Xing had also known that the two of them had not yet consummated their marriage. She asked in confusion, “Governess Li, is it okay to put away His Highness’s clothes like this? Won’t His Highness be angry?”

She felt that the quilts had already been put away last time, and this time, even the cloak had been taken away. Even if His Highness respected them, these old governesses, he probably couldn’t help but be angry.

Governess Li didn’t think His Highness would be too angry and said nonchalantly, “Don’t worry! I am under the command of the Empress Dowager. His Highness will naturally understand this in his heart. If he is angry, he definitely won’t vent it on you and me.”

The sun was shining brightly, and a luxurious carriage drove into the bustling streets from the palace gate.

In the carriage, Shí Yuanchen asked with a curious expression, “Seventh Brother, what do you think the Crown Prince is up to, inviting us to gather at Xianpin Tower for no reason?”

Shí Yan stopped playing with the folding fan in his hand, “I heard that the man from the Ling Shan Temple has been brought back. I guess the Crown Prince wants to use his identity as an elder brother to have everyone get together!”

Shí Yuanchen had also heard of it, but he didn’t expect that even though the Crown Prince’s legs were crippled, he still maintained his identity as an elder brother so perfectly, just like in the old days.

“Does Seventh Brother know… why Fifth Brother was suddenly brought back?”

“I don’t know.” Shí Yan looked at Shí Yuanchen with an indifferent expression. He didn’t believe that his Eighth Brother couldn’t guess anything at all.

Shí Yuanchen had indeed guessed a little, but it was just a guess. Seeing that Shí Yan didn’t say anything, he changed the subject.

“Hey! It’s Chu Yifeng’s birthday today. We could have had a good day playing today, but the Crown Prince wasted our time for nothing.”

Speaking of this, Shí Yuanchen suddenly looked at Shí Yan with a gossipy expression, “Seventh Brother, we’re going to celebrate Chu Yifeng’s birthday tonight, so it’ll definitely be late. Will Seventh Sister-in-law be unhappy then?”

Shí Yan glanced at Shí Yuanchen without replying, but thought in his heart, she’s probably hoping that he won’t return all night, so that she can rightfully occupy his bedding.

He flung open the folding fan, bringing a gust of cool wind. It rained last night, and the temperature dropped sharply. That woman had actually snuggled into his quilt again.

Perhaps because that woman had slept on the couch for a few days, she had become less wary and actually hugged him to sleep until dawn, preventing him from getting a good night’s sleep.

He was a little annoyed. Why hadn’t he pushed her away? Why was he being affected by her? Could it be that he was really getting old and in need of a woman?

On the street, inside another carriage, Ji Shutíng asked with a gossipy expression, “Jiuchu, how do you feel after getting married? Is the Seventh Prince treating you well?”

Jiang Jiuchu hesitated for a moment and decided not to tell the truth, only replying, “It’s okay, I guess!”

“What do you mean by ‘it’s okay’? Can you tell me more about it?” Ji Shutíng leaned closer with a mysterious look, “It’s said that when a husband and wife sleep on the same bed, their feelings will naturally improve.”

“The Seventh Prince chose you, so he must have taken a fancy to your beautiful face. Since you’re newlyweds, the Seventh Prince must be very fond of you, right?”

Ji Shutíng couldn’t imagine what it would be like for the handsome and aloof Seventh Prince to dote on Jiuchu.