IDWBE -Chapter 350 Closer Ties

“Mother is right,” Although Lin Ning didn’t entirely agree, she still complimented her, “Mother has worked hard and achieved so much. Without you, Brother wouldn’t be where he is today.”

She knew her mother’s temperament well. She had no scheming ways in dealing with others, and surviving in the palace until now was mostly due to her family background. After all, her father and brother were unparalleled generals of their time, and most people would give them some respect.

Such a temperament could never raise someone like her brother.

Even she herself had been influenced by him since childhood.

As for her mother’s so-called teachings, she, like her brother, would listen with one ear and let it out the other—she simply couldn’t take it in.

“I’ve worked hard all these years, and it’s finally paid off,” Consort Yuan said proudly. “From now on, I can enjoy my life in peace. The biggest pity is that that wretched Empress is dead. Otherwise, she would have had to taste my power firsthand.”

The greatest regret in life is rising to power only to find one’s enemies gone.

“Mother, be careful what you say,” Lin Ning made a shushing gesture and whispered, “All the civil and military officials are outside. Be careful not to let anyone overhear.”

Consort Yuan said coldly, “Your brother is not the same as before. What harm is it if they hear? Who could they even complain to?”

“That may be so,” Lin Ning carefully advised, “Brother has only just taken charge of the court. The empire is not yet stable. If someone with ill intent picks up on your words, it could be used against you and harm your reputation for wisdom.”

“You’re right,” Consort Yuan nodded. “In the future, I’ll be the paragon of the empire. It wouldn’t do for people to paint me as petty and small-minded—it must be proper.”

Seeing no movement inside the carriage, Lin Yi called out loudly, “Mother, please enter the city.”

“Long live Her Highness!”

Everyone shouted in unison.

“Let’s go.”

After Lin Ning’s reminder, Consort Yuan no longer intended to leave the carriage.

The coachman, Sun Chengde, flicked the reins, and the carriage slowly moved into the city.

Along the way, Consort Yuan couldn’t resist lifting the curtain slightly and peeking at the empty street. She raised the curtain higher, revealing her bejeweled head, and asked, “Where are we going?”

Liu Kan, who accompanied her, said, “Your Highness, the Prince has instructed this servant to escort you to the Prince Mansion.”

He didn’t look at her face—he already knew it wasn’t good.

At this moment, it was best to clarify responsibility first!

This was the Prince’s intention, not his!

That’s the art of language!

“To the Prince Mansion?”

Consort Yuan said irritably, “Who told you to go to the Prince Mansion?”

Liu Kan looked embarrassed. He had already explained! It was the Prince’s order! Now he didn’t know what to say.

Luckily, he heard the Princess of Huaiyang speak.

The Princess said, “Mother, it has been a long time since we’ve seen Brother. Naturally, we enter the Prince Mansion to share some family happiness.”

“Who wants to share happiness with him,” Consort Yuan said, displeased. “Turn toward the Yuan Mansion!”

Sun Chengde, in front of the carriage, knew this was directed at him.

The Prince’s order was to escort her to the Prince Mansion, but she wanted to go to the Yuan Mansion!

He didn’t dare disobey her, but he certainly couldn’t defy the Prince!

He was at a loss.

At that moment, he saw the Prince had turned his donkey around and approached, finally letting out a long sigh of relief.

Lin Yi laughed, “Since Mother wants to see the Elder Lady and Grandmother, then let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Sun Chengde received the order, exited the main road, and turned into a small alley.

Lin Yi didn’t follow, only telling Mingyue beside him, “You follow closely and stay alert. Otherwise, you might miss any instructions Mother gives.”

“Yes, servant understands,” Mingyue said with a smile. “My ears are sharp.”

She was clever—just one word from the Prince, and she immediately understood the hidden meaning.

The Prince wanted her to eavesdrop on Mother’s conversation with the Yuan Mansion.

After speaking, she and Zixia followed closely behind Mother’s carriage.

Lin Yi sighed, “Truly, not a moment of rest.”

He glanced at Ma He, the secretary of Qingyuan City, and smiled, “Ma Shiye, thank you for your hard work along the way.”

Ma He bowed, “Your Highness is joking. These are merely duties I must perform.”

He had started as a mere secretary, neither official nor clerk—just following the magistrate for influence. He never expected to hold office himself, much less as the governor of Ankang City, overseeing the capital region!

When he received the transfer order, he could hardly believe it, thinking it was a mistake.

He even confirmed repeatedly with the Southern Province Administration. It was correct!

A common secretary promoted directly to the third rank—rare in history!

Ma He had brought honor to his family.

On the way to take office in the capital, he coincidentally met Consort Yuan traveling north, so they entered Ankang City together.

“Do you know why I had you come to Ankang City?”

Lin Yi asked with a smile.

“Your servant is dull-witted,” Ma He knelt.

“Because you’re shameless enough,” Lin Yi said calmly. “In this capital region, those who care about face can’t handle things properly.”

Ma He was indeed capable—he could get things done, not just wasted by scholarly pretensions.

Most importantly, his background was “clean”—no tangled connections.

“Thank you for your praise, Your Highness!” Ma He smiled wryly.

In terms of shamelessness, he truly could not compare to the Prince.

Lin Yi said, “Enough. Now that we’ve entered the city, find a place to stay. Familiarize yourself with Ankang City before taking office. Deal with criminals as needed—no leniency for anyone. Princes who break the law are treated the same as commoners.”

He had too many relatives in Ankang City.

If he worried about every one of them, there would be no law at all.

“Yes, Your Highness understands.” Ma He quickly understood the Prince’s meaning.

He was here to play the ‘bad cop’.

Only someone like him, with no background, was suitable—no family, no obligations, no favors to consider.

Lin Yi said, “If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”

“Your Highness, one more thing,” Ma He hesitated. “On the way here, I saw Hu Zhen, Prince of He Shun, traveling with his family to the capital as well.”

Lin Yi asked, “Does Mother know?”

Ma He said, “She knows. She even sent Lady Hu Miaoyi to advise him to return.”

Seeing him hesitate, Lin Yi snapped, “Speak quickly. Don’t make me ask again.”

Ma He thought for a moment, then said, “In my opinion, Madam seems to want to strengthen ties with the Yuan family. I heard Yuan Ziqin, the daughter of General Yuan Qing, is stunningly beautiful and talented in both arts and martial skills—a rare woman of our age.”

Marriage between close families?

The first thought in Lin Yi’s mind were those four words.

His cousin is beautiful, yes—but too familiar!

How could he proceed?

Thinking of this, his head immediately shook like a rattle.