Once the scribes had left, Jinrong signaled Hong Wu to continue.
Hong Wu recounted everything he had just heard: "Just now, the people who accompanied the princess consort to the banquet reported back..."
After listening to Hong Wu, Jinrong couldn’t help but sigh. The plan that was originally set seemed about to break the stalemate, but who knew such an error would occur.
And it was all because of Han Yufang; he could already imagine the look Ye Xinyan would give him next.
He looked at Han Yanhui and said, "In the future, if there are any more banquets or anyone interested in Ye Xinyan’s makeup skills, they might refrain from inviting her out of respect for the princess consort’s face. This path seems unworkable now."
Han Yanhui’s face turned even more unpleasant. He knew about Jinrong’s plan since Hu Jing had reported it to him after Prince Yu’s Mansion set it. Who could have expected his unruly granddaughter to meddle and create such an incident?
Jinrong also had no mood to wait for Huang Rui to come out. He stood up and said to Han Yanhui, "I will return first. Please have Mother-in-law go to the Mansion quickly and persuade the princess consort. Originally, I could persuade her myself, but ultimately it’s easier for her to accept if her mother intervenes. And also, when Huang Rui comes out, please have someone tell him I had to leave early due to urgent matters."
Han Yanhui hastily rose to see him off.
As Jinrong stepped out of the room, he paused momentarily and said to Han Yanhui, "Also, ask about how much Ye Xinyi was involved with the Dongze Construction Firm. ...Don’t speak too harshly, just let her understand that the princess consort needs to have the composure of one."
Ye Xinyi? Han Yanhui was startled and quickly agreed, seeing Jinrong out.
As he watched Jinrong leave, recalling what Jinrong had said about Ye Xinyi and the Dongze Construction Firm, Han Yanhui frowned.
He knew his granddaughter’s petty temperament, so he had his daughter-in-law advise her on her behavior at the banquet. Though he didn’t tell her directly not to provoke Ye Xinyan, he did mention that she was now a princess consort and should have the dignity of one, avoiding unnecessary troubles.
He just hadn’t expected that she hadn’t listened at all.
If she acted out of jealousy, seizing the opportunity to vent, it would be understandable as an impulsive behavior. However, if she truly conspired with Ye Xinyi to scheme against Ye Xinyan, then it was a deliberate plot and a direct attack on Ye Xinyan, which was a matter of character.
His Highness must have known about this long ago, just tolerating it in silence. Is he truly enraged now?
Han Yanhui sighed inwardly, once again feeling he had spoiled this granddaughter too much. He regretted agreeing to her marriage into Prince Yu’s Mansion initially. With such a disposition, even if His Highness ascends the throne in the future and she becomes empress, she might not bring honor to the family but cause trouble instead.
Jinrong turned and left the Cabinet, ultimately saying nothing more to Han Yanhui.
In his youth, he never showed much ambition, and when he studied alongside his fellow imperial brothers in the Imperial Library, he mostly just went through the motions.
Once, the emperor brought several close ministers to the Imperial Library to see the teacher evaluate their studies. The other princes eagerly showcased their knowledge before the emperor, while he sat quietly on the side, showing no desire to express himself.
From that time, Han Yanhui, who was then Minister of Rites, began to take notice of him, often offering help and guidance. As he grew older, Han Yanhui expressed his willingness to support him in competing with the Crown Prince.
Later, he asked Han Yanhui why he had favored him. Han Yanhui said that at the time, while observing the other princes, he seemed like a calm observer, exuding hidden depth.
He secretly gathered power, with Han Yanhui’s participation being limited but significantly impactful. Thɪs chapter is updated by NoveI[F]ire.net
Just like now, Han Yanhui didn’t instruct him on what to do or not do, but always strongly supported the decisions he made. Faced with such a powerful supporter and elder, he was at a loss for words too harsh. He could only hope this elder knew what he should do.
Jiang Yifan received the news no later than Jinrong did. He sent away the attendant who delivered the message and stood outside the public office, thinking.
The Prince of An Ping’s Mansion held a lively flower appreciation banquet, and almost all the notable family members in the capital were invited. When the Flower Hall was filled with people, it wouldn’t take long for the news to spread through the backyards of the entire capital.
Of course, his superiors and colleagues would soon know too.
With the prince consort speaking so excessively and his wife having suffered such great injustice, he should be able to take a leave from his superior to go comfort his wife, right?
So, he didn’t hesitate to put it into action. His superior was always lenient with Jiang Yifan’s leave requests. Despite not knowing what happened at the Prince’s Mansion, he approved the leave without questioning.
Just as he left the office, he bumped into Jinrong, who grabbed him by the shoulder and walked arm in arm.
"Your Highness, if you have something to say, just say it. No need for the physical gestures." Jiang Yifan immediately tried to shake him off.
Your wife has lost her mind, picking a fight out of nowhere and humiliating my Ah Yan in front of a crowd, yet you still have the nerve to act chummy with me?
Jinrong tightened his grip on his shoulder and gestured around, "Yuanfan, don’t be distant. Look around, so many people are watching. I’m at least a prince, and we’re brothers. You should give me some face, right?"
Jiang Yifan looked around, seeing that there were indeed quite a few passersby and people at the windows, each slowing their steps and actions, casually glancing over.
Under so many watchful eyes, he truly couldn’t bring himself to embarrass His Highness Prince Yu.
In a small teahouse not far away, the two sat down.
Jinrong immediately asked Jiang Yifan, "Have you already requested leave from your superior?"
Jiang Yifan replied irritably, "The princess consort, for no reason, had Ah Yan kneel and bow in front of everyone and spoke those excessive words. I must go see Ah Yan."
Imagining the scene where female relatives of all ages surrounded and witnessed Ah Yan being humiliated, he became even angrier.
"Your Highness, you should manage your princess consort better. She is supposed to come from a noble family, and yet can casually speak of the Chu Pavilion brothel?
If it weren’t for Princess Fu being present, Ah Yan, considering the bigger picture and not wanting more trouble, might have embarrassed the princess consort right there. Even if this matter reached His Majesty, while Ah Yan would surely be reprimanded, the princess consort’s words and actions would have lost royal dignity, right?"
This time, Jinrong didn’t laugh it off. He pinched the bridge of his nose and said, "Don’t blame me. If I had a way, I wouldn’t want things either. You’ve got it good; if I weren’t a prince, you wouldn’t have been able to marry Ye Zi smoothly. And where would this matter have come from?"
Jiang Yifan was at a loss for words, unable to continue with further complaints.
His Highness was also in a difficult position. Whether it was the imperial decree of marriage or the Prime Minister Han’s favoritism toward his granddaughter and his ambitions for the throne, His Highness couldn’t ignore them.
"Why did Your Highness call me here?" Jiang Yifan changed the topic and asked.
Even though there were guards from the Prince’s Mansion and several of his own servants nearby, this wasn’t a place to speak freely. Could it be that His Highness had called him because these plans were thwarted and sought his counsel to salvage the situation?