IDWBE -Chapter 18 Departing for the Fief

Lin Yi got up very early today. After finishing his soy milk and stretching lazily, he suddenly turned around and saw Hong Ying behind him, which startled him so badly that he patted his chest.

With a helpless expression he said, “How many times have I told you—can you at least make some noise when you walk? Why don’t you ever listen? Are you trying to scare this prince to death?”

Still shaken, he had just raised his eyelids when he happened to notice the rat hanging in Hong Ying’s hand, which frightened him so much that he stepped back several paces.

He pointed at Hong Ying, too angry to speak.

Who would believe it wasn’t intentional?

“Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare,” Hong Ying said.

With a flick of his finger, the rat flew straight over the courtyard wall. He paid no attention to the scream coming from the street outside and simply smiled ingratiatingly at Lin Yi.

“If I made too much noise, I might startle the rat. Then it wouldn’t be easy to catch.”

“If you weren’t resting and recovering properly, why did you come back?”

Lin Yi snorted, apparently somewhat satisfied with the explanation, but still asked, “If the Shadow Guards discover your injuries, it’ll be hard to explain. Whether you live or die is none of my concern—just don’t cause trouble for me.”

“Your Highness, don’t worry. I’ve already fully recovered,” Hong Ying said with a smile. “Otherwise I wouldn’t dare enter the city.”

“Really?”

Lin Yi naturally didn’t believe him. Yesterday he had been coughing up blood—how could he be fine today?

What kind of medical miracle was that?

It sounded like pure fantasy.

“I’m really fine,” Hong Ying insisted.

“No illness?” Lin Yi asked doubtfully.

“No illness,” Hong Ying nodded firmly.

“If you’re fine, then jump a few times,” Lin Yi said.

At that moment, Mingyue and Zixia happened to walk over. Seeing Hong Ying hopping and jumping on the spot, they couldn’t help covering their mouths and laughing.

“Your Highness, I really am fine,” Hong Ying said awkwardly, coughing twice. Mingyue and Zixia immediately stopped laughing.

Lin Yi circled around him, observing from all sides. Seeing his ruddy complexion, he didn’t pursue the matter further and only said: “We set out tomorrow. Even if knives fall from the sky, we’re leaving.”

“Yes,” Hong Ying and the two maids answered in unison.

Zixia said softly, “Her Highness sent word, summoning you to the palace.”

Lin Yi frowned. “Any news from the morning court today?”

Zixia replied, “The Duke Pillar of State again requested permission to retire and return home. His Majesty was very angry—he threw the memorial and scolded the Duke.”

“Life is like a play; it all depends on acting,”

Lin Yi turned to Hong Ying and said, “Prepare the carriage. I’m going to the palace. If it’s fortune, it isn’t disaster; if it’s disaster, it can’t be avoided.”

Consort Yuan reclined lazily on a couch, pretending not to see Lin Yi as he entered.

“Who upset Mother so early in the morning, making you so gloomy?”

Seeing that she made no move to let him rise, Lin Yi simply stood up on his own, found a chair, sat down, and calmly drank tea.

Consort Yuan rolled her eyes at him, sat up straight, and sighed. “If you were more promising, I might live a few more years.”

“Mother is mistaken,” Lin Yi said with a smile. “Where there are people riding in sedan chairs, there must be people carrying them. If everyone rode, who would carry? Your son simply knows how to be content.”

“Be content then. Let’s see how long that lasts.”

Consort Yuan waved away the maidservants fanning her. After they withdrew, she rubbed her temples and said, “You’ve heard about your grandfather’s matter?”

Lin Yi replied casually, “I heard he wants to retire and return home. I think that’s quite good. Grandfather is old, and state affairs are exhausting. Better to enjoy his later years and play with his grandchildren.”

“Ah, my head…”

Her slender fingers pressed against her forehead again.

She felt that every time she spoke with her son, her head began to ache. “Are you trying to anger me to death?”

“That would never happen!”

Lin Yi practically swore an oath. “There may be many consorts in the palace, but none love me as much as my own mother.”

“Ah…”

Consort Yuan couldn’t find fault with the words, yet they sounded strangely off. She could only sigh. “You’re already so old. You should have married long ago. I originally planned to wait for your father to be in a good mood and ask him to grant a marriage. I’ve met the daughter of the Yuwen family. But unfortunately…”

“Do you mean the legitimate daughter or the concubine-born one? Which is it?”

Lin Yi’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Could a concubine-born daughter be worthy of you?” Consort Yuan said irritably. “Of course it’s their Third Miss. They say she’s as skilled in both civil and military arts as any man.”

“I’m marrying a wife, not recruiting a general. What do I need civil and military talents for?”

Lin Yi immediately lost interest. He actually preferred the Yuwen family’s Fifth Miss. Though she was concubine-born, she was beautiful.

Beauty was justice!

“Ridiculous!”

Consort Yuan snapped angrily. “You’re already like this—I can’t place much hope in you. Naturally I must find you a capable wife to keep you from doing foolish things. But now, forget it. When there’s a chance, I’ll find you someone suitable.”

“Mother thinks far ahead,” Lin Yi replied weakly.

Consort Yuan waved her hand impatiently. “You’re going to your fief, aren’t you? Then hurry and go. I won’t see you off.”

Lin Yi cupped his hands. “Yes, your son takes his leave.”

He couldn’t figure out what had happened to make his mother so eager to send him away from Ankang City.

“Come back.”

Consort Yuan stopped him as he stepped over the threshold. “Take the chest outside the door. It’s the private savings I’ve accumulated over the years. When you reach Sanhe, spend what you must. Don’t let yourself suffer.”

“Your son doesn’t lack money. Mother should keep it for my younger sister.”

Lin Yi didn’t dare turn back, afraid he might start crying.

In the end, he strode out of the palace without looking back.

The bronze rings on the palace gates bore twin beast faces—Who knew when he would see them again?

Servants of Prince He’s residence bustled about busily. Everyone in the neighborhood knew that the prince was about to depart for his fief.

“In the future, I wonder if I’ll still be able to set up my stall here,”

Zhu Ruorong muttered weakly, waving a flyswatter made of bamboo strips.

“So what if he leaves?” his wife said loudly. “The Prince already approved it. Even if he’s gone, would the military office dare oppose his orders?”

“What do you know? Be quiet.”

Zhu Ruorong curled his lip dismissively, his eyes frequently glancing toward the prince’s residence.

People from the residence were constantly coming and going. Countless chests had already been carried out and loaded onto a long line of carriages parked at the gate.

“Oh, Doctor Hu,”

Zhu Ruorong stood and greeted Hulu, who had just stepped down from a carriage.

Hulu returned the greeting. Looking at the carriages crowding the entrance to the residence, he sighed. “It seems the Prince truly intends to depart tomorrow.”

“Of course,” Zhu Ruorong said. “Even the Director of the Imperial Clan Court has personally come.”

“Many thanks.”

Hulu did not enter the residence. Instead, he turned back, got into his carriage, and left.