IDWBE -Chapter 384 Returning Home to Visit Family

Her tearful eyes were hazy, a sight that would stir pity in anyone who saw her.

Lin Yi remained unmoved. There was not the slightest hint of comfort in his expression. He said calmly, “If you have something to say, say it all at once. Don’t stammer.”

There was even a trace of impatience in his tone.

He had already guessed what she wanted to say but chose not to expose it.

Some things needed to be spoken by her own mouth. He was destined not to be that kind of “soulmate” lover.

They had not been together long enough for him to know her limits. If she grew arrogant from favor, it would only harm her in the end.

After all, she was not his mother.

He could tolerate his mother’s mistakes, but he might not be able to tolerate hers. And if she made one, he would be in a difficult position deciding how to deal with it.

So to avoid putting himself in that position, it was best not to indulge her too easily. Otherwise, it would be killing her with kindness.

As for whether she was satisfied or happy, he did not particularly care.

From the moment he marched his troops to the gates of Ankang City and stood in confrontation with the court—and with his own father—he had understood one truth.

As long as his force was strong enough and his status high enough, even if his emotional intelligence were zero and his temper foul, others would adapt to him—not the other way around.

He couldn’t be Sheldon, but that didn’t stop him from being a domineering CEO.

Right now, every word he spoke was truth.

“Your Highness,” Hu Miaoyi sobbed, “this concubine wishes to return home to visit my family. I humbly ask for Your Highness’s permission.”

Through these days of interaction, she found the man before her increasingly incomprehensible—at times childish, at times overbearing. Everything about him felt shrouded in mist, leaving her at a loss.

“Go home?” Lin Yi smiled. “How simple. The gate is open. No one’s stopping you. Just go home if you want. Why make a production of asking me?”

“Your Highness…” Hu Miaoyi glanced at him resentfully. “I understand.”

Though she had been unwilling to marry into the Prince He’s residence, the fact remained that she was now Princess Consort.

It was no longer like when she was unmarried, roaming freely and returning home whenever she pleased.

The Prince’s gates were open—but not for casual comings and goings. She needed her proper retinue.

Without the Prince’s word, who would dare prepare it for her?

If she rode home alone like before, her proud father would lose face.

Rather than embarrass him, it would be better not to return at all.

But if she returned, it must be done in grand style.

“And what exactly have you understood?”

Lin Yi asked knowingly.

“The wind is strong and the weather cold. This concubine will not return for now. When it grows warmer, I shall go back.”

She lowered her head.

She was deeply worried her father might be starving at home.

Lin Yi said generously, “If you want to go back, then go. I never said you couldn’t. Why the dramatics? Xiao Yingzi.”

“Your Highness,” Hong Ying hurried forward. “I am here.”

“Later, bring the gift list to the Princess Consort for review. See what should be prepared tomorrow for the Commandery Prince. We can’t have her return empty-handed.”

Spending money to support his father-in-law made him a little unhappy.

But he had no choice. If the old man starved to death, it would reflect poorly on him as well.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Hu Miaoyi began crying again.

“Stop crying,” Lin Yi said, shaking his head. “If you cry again, I’ll change my mind.”

“Yes.”

Her tears now flowed from joy.

For a moment, Lin Yi stared at her in a daze.

He only hoped the woman would have some conscience and repay kindness in kind.

The Next Day

The wind and snow had ceased.

“This is colder than when it was snowing,”

Hu Zhen muttered from under his blanket, his head sticking out like a bird’s nest. He truly did not want to get up.

But he had received word yesterday that his daughter would return home today. If a crowd arrived and found him still in bed, it would be disgraceful.

Shivering, he climbed down from the creaking bed and pulled on his padded jacket. While tying the sash, he leaned toward the stove and grumbled, “No wonder it’s so cold—the fire must’ve gone out ages ago.”

After jamming a worn, shedding cap onto his head, he clasped his hands and trudged through the thick snow to the kitchen. He dumped yesterday’s cold rice into the pot and began boiling porridge.

“Your Highness the Commandery Prince?”

Jiao Zhong entered with a smile. “You haven’t eaten yet? I’ve been looking everywhere.”

Seeing the old prince tending the fire with practiced ease was almost painful.

This man had been born into the highest privilege, served hand and foot. Who could have imagined he would end up like this?

“Heh, forgive the poor hospitality,” Hu Zhen stuffed more firewood into the stove and smiled apologetically. “Please be understanding.”

By rights, he was the Regent’s father-in-law—

A position of untold honor.

Yet reduced to this sorry state?

Who would take him seriously?

He knew his own place. Even a small guard like Jiao Zhong was someone he dared not offend.

“Your Highness, please don’t say that,” Jiao Zhong replied, though he stood straight-backed and smiling. “You’d better hurry. The Princess Consort will arrive soon. Shouldn’t you tidy up?”

“Ah!”

Hu Zhen startled. “And Prince He—?”

If the Regent saw him in such a mess, it would be terribly improper. His daughter would lose face.

“The Prince isn’t coming,” Jiao Zhong said. “But the Princess Consort’s status is lofty. You can’t neglect appearances.”

“Yes, yes,” Hu Zhen ladled porridge into a bowl. “Let me eat something first. I’m starving—no strength otherwise.”

The porridge was scalding hot; he stirred it with chopsticks and sipped cautiously.

“Your Highness,” Jiao Zhong asked knowingly, “weren’t several servants assigned to you? Where are they? Such lazy wretches—dare neglect their duties? I’ll break their legs.”

He truly couldn’t understand how a dignified Commandery Prince had gone from comfort to near destitution.

The Prince had given him three hundred taels of silver—enough to sustain a dozen people comfortably for years. More than enough to hire two or three servants.

Yet somehow the old man couldn’t even afford wages.

“I have hands and feet,” Hu Zhen chuckled awkwardly. “I can manage myself. No need to trouble yourself.”

Jiao Zhong sighed. “I noticed the front courtyard is occupied. Renting spare rooms is one thing, but the Princess returns today. What if there’s a disturbance?”

The residence had once belonged to Qin Tong. After his confiscation, it was given to Hu Zhen.

But after the Princess married into Prince He’s household, Hu Zhen had rented out most of the estate, keeping only a side room and kitchen.

Now over thirty households lived there. The once dignified residence had become a chaotic compound.

And if word got out, wouldn’t it embarrass the Prince?

“Ah!”

Hu Zhen slapped his thigh. “How could I forget!”

“I’ll clear them out,” Jiao Zhong said.

“No need!”

Hu Zhen grabbed him. “I’ll speak to them. Just ask them to step out temporarily.”

He had found these tenants through a broker. Soon he would collect the first rent payment.

If they were scared off and never returned, who would pay him?

So he hurried off to negotiate.

Soon, noise erupted—arguments, chickens squawking, dogs barking.

“Raising chickens in a Commandery Prince’s residence?” Jiang Chou muttered incredulously.

Jiao Zhong snorted. “Pitiable people must have something detestable about them. Not our concern.”

A group of tenants filed out through the side gate. Hu Zhen ran after them apologetically, promising to waive three days’ rent.

After they left, Jiao Zhong muttered darkly.

He recognized two of them—local loafers from South City who had no need to rent rooms.

Jiang Chou understood at once. “They’re probably using the Commandery Prince’s name for scams. He’s too careless.”

“Go inform the Prefect’s Office,” Jiao Zhong said. “Have them check everyone’s background. Cao Xiaohuan will know what to do.”

Better to avoid scandal harming the Princess’s reputation.

As they spoke, a bearded man holding a Sanhe tiger-striped dog approached.

“I’m Liu San,” he introduced himself.

Recognition dawned—once a henchman of salt smuggler Tian Shiyou. Now prosperous.

They exchanged pleasantries. Liu San explained he was temporarily staying due to snow-blocked roads.

Jiao Zhong waved him off. “The Princess returns today. We’ll drink another time.”

Soon after, Hu Miaoyi’s carriage arrived.

“Father…”

Her voice trembled with emotion.

Whether she cried from pity—or from the smell of her father’s month-old unwashed clothes—was unclear.

The once grand residence had been pawned piece by piece: clothes, furniture, vases—nearly everything of value.

Jiao Zhong waited outside until noon. Mingyue emerged and tossed him some silver to fetch wine and dishes from a nearby restaurant.

For safety, he went to Jinfú Restaurant—owned by trusted associates.

It looked like they wouldn’t be leaving before nightfall.