IDWBE -Chapter 460 Expectations

Tan Fei watched Jiao Zhong’s figure gradually disappear into the distance. After yawning, he led two guards straight into the residence.

They took up position outside the Princess Consort’s chamber, ready to await the Prince’s orders at any moment.

Night fell.

A sudden gust of cold wind rose, and the lamplight in the room flickered.

Seeing that the child in his arms had her eyes fixed entirely on the oil lamp, Lin Yi teased, “She’s getting smarter by the day. Her eyes are wide open now. The only problem is she fusses at night and refuses to sleep.”

Mingyue smiled. “The Princess has slept all day. She was just asleep, but the moment she heard your voice, her eyes popped open. Usually she’d cry a couple of times, but today she didn’t cry at all—she’s even smiling happily.”

Lin Yi sighed. “You stayed at the orphanage before. You should know that although children sleep seven or eight hours a day, each stretch never lasts more than two hours. As they grow older, their total sleep time gradually shortens.”

“Your Highness is wise,” Mingyue replied.

He continued, “For infants, there’s no concept of day or night. They lack the ability to fall asleep on their own. You must be patient—hold her and soothe her to sleep. If you let her cry herself into exhaustion and collapse from despair before sleeping, that’s truly cruel. Help her build an awareness of daytime. For example, when the sun rises in the morning, open the window and let her feel the sunlight.”

“Rest assured, Your Highness,” Mingyue said quickly. “This servant always soothes her carefully. I wouldn’t dare neglect her in the slightest.”

Hu Miaoyi couldn’t help adding, “Your Highness worries too much. Miss Mingyue and Miss Zixia have devoted themselves wholeheartedly. I cannot express enough gratitude.”

Ever since she entered Prince He’s residence, she had sensed Mingyue and Zixia were different.

She dared glare angrily at Prince He, but she had never once dared provoke Mingyue and Zixia—smiling on the surface, yet with coldness in their bones.

Those two were not as easy to speak with as Prince He.

Prince He talked about “women’s rights” and “female empowerment,” yet in practice he was softhearted toward women. No matter plump or slender, he treated them with gentleness.

Recently, she had noticed something in the brows of those two women—perhaps one day they might stand on equal footing with her.

Now that she had a child, she had to think not only for herself but for her daughter. She could no longer afford to offend people casually.

“Good,” Lin Yi said, giving Hu Miaoyi an approving glance. Has this woman suddenly changed her temperament?

She was actually acknowledging others’ merits?

Mingyue beamed at Hu Miaoyi’s praise, her usually furrowed brows relaxing. “To serve Your Ladyship is our blessing as maids. Your kindness shames us.”

If not for rank and propriety—and for Prince He—they would never have looked highly upon Hu Miaoyi.

Especially not someone once so arrogant and unlikable.

Her sudden enlightenment today surprised her.

Still, since the other party had changed, there was no need to cling to old grudges. If Prince He saw it, it would only make her seem petty.

Hu Miaoyi smiled. “I only speak the truth. You two have given your utmost. I am deeply grateful.”

Lin Yi waved his hand. “We’re all family. No need for such formalities. The sense of security a child develops from the womb can’t be fully replaced by others. At best, they can assist you. In the future, this child will depend mostly on you, her mother. If you’re happy, she’ll be happy. If you’re distressed, she won’t fare well either.”

Hu Miaoyi lowered her voice. “I understand. She is my child—I will cherish her more than anyone.”

After nodding, Lin Yi looked into the jewel-like eyes of the child in his arms and suddenly sighed, “Little beauty, I may have vast lands, lakes and spring scenery, glaciers and seas—but none of it compares to your smile.”

At last he understood why some people loved beauty more than the realm.

His own daughter—his own flesh and blood. For her, he could give up everything.

What were territory and power? Mere clouds drifting by.

As he gently rocked her, the child slowly closed her eyes. Lin Yi carefully laid her beside Hu Miaoyi, then quietly left the chamber.

Upon entering the main hall, he saw Liang Yuanzhi, first-class secretary of Prince He’s residence, kneeling on the ground.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Liang Yuanzhi called loudly.

“Get up,” Lin Yi said impatiently. “You’re one of my close aides. You should set an example. Don’t engage in so many mundane formalities—they increase communication costs and lower efficiency. There’s no point.”

“Your Highness is wise!”

After shouting this, Liang Yuanzhi respectfully knocked his head on the floor three times.

“Ah…” Lin Yi sat down heavily, accepted the teacup Zixia handed him, and said calmly, “You’ve been spoiled by Xie Zan and Chen Desheng.”

“I deserve punishment!” Liang Yuanzhi said, knocking his head again.

Lin Yi continued, “You studied in a modern-style school. My expectations for students from such schools are different from others. I hope you become a person. Do you know what that means? It means having self-respect, conscience, freedom—unrestrained—and not bending for five pecks of rice.”

Hearing this, Liang Yuanzhi’s eyes reddened. Slowly rising to his feet, he said, “Thank you, Your Highness. This student understands.”

“I don’t blame you,” Lin Yi said lightly. “It’s society’s fault—the environment’s fault. If you lower your brows and bow your head, some will praise you for being perceptive, flexible, good at handling things. Let me tell you clearly—that is dross. True young talents are supported and admired, not groveling and flattering others every day.”

Liang Yuanzhi pondered before replying, “Your Highness’s gracious teachings will remain engraved in my heart.”

“If you’re my student, then listen to me. Show your own spirit, and grant others more tolerance,” Lin Yi said with a smile. “Forcing others to bow and scrape isn’t respecting talent—it’s suppressing it. If this continues, Great Liang will make no progress.”

Whether Liang Yuanzhi, Han Jin, or Jiang Zhen—they were all personally taught by him. He still held certain expectations for them.

In this stifling feudal society, could they inject even a breath of fresh air?

“This student understands,” Liang Yuanzhi said shamefacedly.

Lin Yi took the propaganda pamphlet he handed over and shook his head. “When it comes to me, you shouldn’t offer only praise. There must also be criticism. Don’t deify me. It serves little purpose.”

He always remembered a saying: no one believes someone who is always right. If you are forever correct, then no one will truly believe you.

Even in shaping public opinion, a few subtle techniques were necessary.