IDWBE -Chapter 475 Early Court

Jiao Zhong lowered his head and cupped his hands. “I dare not, Miss—you misunderstand. Your skills are unparalleled; everyone in Ankang City knows it. But because of your status, for them to have polluted your senses, I am fully to blame.”

Most importantly, this Miss Mingyue was already the Prince’s companion and carrying his child!
No one could guarantee that a ninth-rank officer wouldn’t disturb the fetus, right?

Even Hu Shilu and Chen Xilian had repeatedly warned that no matter how strong one’s skills were, extreme caution was necessary. So, if Mingyue had to go out, she absolutely could not be careless.

If anything happened, he had every reason to believe that Lord He Jixiang or Lord Chen Desheng would have no mercy—torture him limb by limb. Having had a daughter with the Princess already disappointed the court and the populace.

Now, no matter Mingyue’s status or qualifications, those senior officials secretly hoped she would give birth to a boy!

With an heir, everything the Prince did would be fully legitimate!

Only then would these ministers have true “security.”

Otherwise, as Lord Xie Zan said, even if the Prince ascended the throne, he would be rootless and drifting.

A Prince Regent with an heir is the “normal” Prince Regent!

As for whether the heir could inherit the Prince’s legacy? Who knows!

To speak irreverently, these old officials didn’t have much time left; they cared little for floods and chaos after death.

What mattered to them was the present.

Jiao Zhong understood them very well.

According to the new math taught in classrooms, giving one grain of rice the first day, two grains the second, four grains the third, eight grains the fourth, patience would bring good returns.

But the fear was dying of hunger before reaching that point.

So sometimes, too far-sighted a vision isn’t always good!

“Commander Jiao,” Mingyue took a handkerchief and wiped the corner of Lin Yi’s mouth as he chewed, then said, “You know me—I’m not that delicate.”

Jiao Zhong cupped his hands. “Miss, rest assured. I will take care of this matter; after all, it is not a big deal.”

“Thank you very much, Commander Jiao.”

Mingyue glanced at Lin Yi and said no more.

Since they were returning under the pretext of visiting her family, if things looked shabby, it would ultimately embarrass the Prince’s mansion.

The Prince’s face was the mansion’s face!

No matter what, they could not let the Prince lose face.

“Good that you understand,” Lin Yi cleaned the crumbs from his pastry, smiled, and said, “Life is too short to wrong yourself. The one who can bend and stretch is a turtle, not a person.”

Mingyue couldn’t help but smile. “Prince, your humble servant is honored.”

A woman was always pleased to receive a man’s care, especially one so esteemed, so witty, and so charming.

“You’ve followed me for so many years; this is all what you deserve,” Lin Yi said lightly. “No need to feel embarrassed.”

In his past life, he hadn’t done anything significant, nor held leadership, and didn’t understand much about social etiquette.

But luckily, he wasn’t naive—he had read plenty of web novels!

Sometimes following a web novel protagonist taught many lessons!

He remembered a saying from a “child of fortune”: third-rate leaders are whips, second-rate leaders are commanders, first-rate leaders are mentors.

He agreed wholeheartedly.

Now he was eager to be someone’s life mentor, planting his thoughts into others’ minds.

If they didn’t like it, that was considered sacrilege!

In the current Liang Kingdom, sacrilege was tantamount to plotting against Lin Yi himself.

Of course, the most important skill was painting visions of success!

A mentor couldn’t do without it.

No one nowadays was foolish—you couldn’t only give sticks without carrots.

But Lin Yi, being stingy, hated giving too much. Occasionally, he would talk, painting a vision for others.

If he played it well, people were pleased—the effect was like drinking nourishing soup!

“To receive the Prince’s favor is a blessing I earned in a previous life,” Mingyue said with a smile.

“Alright, go prepare yourself,” Lin Yi waved his hand. “With so many people here, you need not serve.”

“Yes.”

Mingyue bowed slightly and, after exchanging a glance with Zixia, left the hall.

Lin Yi looked toward the snow-laden Gao’s courtyard on the hill, frowning. “Is the snow thick on the mountain?”

Jiao Zhong quickly replied, “Prince, it’s too cold. If you want wild game, it’s better to wait a few days.”

Lin Yi shook his head. “I’m not going into the mountains in this cold. I just want some wild game. Have Su Yin check the morning market for hunters selling rabbits or wild boar. Let’s stew some pork with vermicelli at noon.”

Wild boar meat was tough and dry—not tasty at all.

But he hadn’t eaten it in so long that he suddenly craved it.

“Yes,” Jiao Zhong exhaled in relief. As long as he didn’t have to go to the mountains, it was fine. “I’ll go ask immediately.”

He walked to the door, whispered to a nearby guard, and the guard left.

After eating two fried dough sticks, one pastry, and a piece of taro, Lin Yi was full. He stood, stretched, and rubbed his hands at the entrance.

Zixia bowed. “Prince, it’s still early before dawn. Perhaps you should return to your room for a while.”

“No more sleep,” Lin Yi smiled. “Eat until full, sleep until rested—what’s the difference from a pig?”

“You jest, Prince,” Zixia covered her mouth, smiling. “You work so hard for the state every day. Resting is only proper.”

“Speaking of state affairs,” Lin Yi frowned. “A few days ago, didn’t Lord He say he wanted me to attend court?”

Getting up at three or four in the morning would be fine, but in such cold weather, and with several miles to the palace, he certainly wouldn’t seek unnecessary hardship.

“Lord He did intend that, but Your Highness was too fatigued and excused yourself,” Zixia lowered her head.

Lin Yi smiled. “What hour is it now? Is it still possible to attend the early court?”

Zixia said, “Prince, the Mao hour has already passed.”

“Then the court must be ending now,”

Lin Yi shook his head. “Too late for this time. We’ll go next time.”

Jiao Zhong quickly said, “Prince, I can dispatch a fast horse and inform the lords to wait a bit longer.”

“No need,” Lin Yi said casually. “Everyone has their own matters. Why should they wait early in the morning?”

If he entered the palace now, by past custom, he would surely stop by his mother’s place.

But because of Xue Yiner and Xue Dawu, he hadn’t yet dealt with the matter. He wanted to avoid his mother—out of sight, out of mind.

“Yes,” Jiao Zhong cupped his hands. “Prince, you are wise.”