Imperial Husband Chapter 114

Chapter 114

In truth, the people and matters Ying Yuan spoke of were already known to Gu Rushuang through Tao Yichu. Yet, Gu Rushuang still wished to hear it from Ying Yuan and Li Jin themselves, for it gave him a feeling of being truly alive.

Li Jin looked at Gu Rushuang and asked, "Has Your Majesty the Empress been well these years in the palace?"

Whether it was Li Jin's misconception or not, since returning to the palace and seeing Gu Rushuang again, Li Jin always felt there was something amiss in Gu Rushuang's expression.

"Much the same as ever," Gu Rushuang shook his head slightly. "Let us not speak of that for now. Having traveled such a long journey, you must be weary. Therefore, This Palace specially ordered medicinal dishes to be prepared for you."

With that, Gu Rushuang clapped his hands.

In an instant, medicinal dishes, prepared earlier, were brought out one plate after another from the small kitchen by palace maids and placed upon the table.

Most of the medicinal dishes Gu Rushuang ordered were mild in nature. After all, Li Jin and the others had been stationed in Zhuzhou for three years, where living conditions were average, even somewhat arduous. Using overly potent tonics all at once would surely cause their weak constitutions to be unable to bear the supplementation.

"As you wish."

Faced with Gu Rushuang's kindness, Li Jin and Ying Yuan did not refuse. Just as they did before leaving the palace, they sat down according to their former habits and dined with Gu Rushuang.

In that moment, a faint warmth began to silently permeate the air.

Seizing the opportunity, Gu Rushuang looked at Li Jin with a smiling face, "Jin'er, This Palace has only heard from Yuan'er since a moment ago. Now, I would also like to hear if any interesting events happened during your time in Zhuzhou. You will tell This Palace, won't you?"

"Very well, it would be disrespectful to decline..."

With a smile, Li Jin began recounting some amusing experiences from Zhuzhou, directly amusing Gu Rushuang.

Soon, Ying Yuan joined in, "Mother Empress, there's more than just that..."

...

The Shen Residence.

Shen Ningyu anxiously sought confirmation from He Danyan, "Mother, is what you said true? Has Heir Li... has he really returned? Truly returned? You're not deceiving me?"

He Danyan replied with slight annoyance, "It is true."

"This girl, really... I should have teased her properly earlier, to avoid her disbelieving even the truth now."

"Wonderful! I knew Heir Li would return to the capital sooner or later."

Upon confirming the news of Li Jin's return to the capital, Shen Ningyu's expression instantly became ecstatic, nearly jumping for joy.

"Ningyu, calm down."

Seeing her daughter so agitated over a man unseen for three years, He Danyan felt a wave of helplessness in her heart.

"No, I must go see Heir Li. He will surely be delighted to see me." Shen Ningyu completely ignored He Danyan's words and sprang to her feet, swept up in her own impatience. "Mother, I need to dress up to see Heir Li. Wait, where is that new outfit I had made yesterday? I want to wear it to see Heir Li."

"Heir Li is still in the palace. What is your hurry?"

He Danyan pressed on Shen Ningyu's shoulders, signaling her not to be so hasty.

"Oh, right..."

Reminded by He Danyan, Shen Ningyu instantly deflated.

Indeed, Li Jin was surely in the palace meeting with the Emperor first. Going now would be futile.

"Alright now," He Danyan, unable to bear seeing Shen Ningyu so dispirited, shook her head with a sigh. "Regarding visiting Heir Li, Mother has already made arrangements. Tomorrow, you will accompany me to the Prince of Dingbei's Mansion. Mother will help you propose marriage to the Prince of Dingbei's Mansion. Is that satisfactory?"

Generally speaking, it was somewhat improper for He Danyan to bring Shen Ningyu along for a marriage proposal. However, He Danyan understood clearly that Shen Ningyu could no longer wait to see Li Jin. If she were to stop her now, without a doubt, given Shen Ningyu's temperament, she would inevitably sneak out on her own to find Li Jin.

Therefore, He Danyan opted for the lesser alternative, simply taking Shen Ningyu along to prevent her from acting recklessly in places unknown to her.

Hearing this rare piece of good news suddenly, Shen Ningyu's heart tightened, not daring to breathe heavily. "Mother, you... what you just said, is it true? You're not tricking me?"

He Danyan glared at Shen Ningyu. "I am your mother. How could I jest with you about such matters?"

"Heavens... That's wonderful! Thank you, Mother!"

Shen Ningyu hadn't expected matters between her and Li Jin to progress so swiftly. Overjoyed, she immediately began to jump.

"Ningyu, stop that at once!" He Danyan swiftly grasped her daughter's shoulders. "If your father were to see you behaving this way, where would the propriety be? You'd best mind yourself, or he will surely discipline you."

"Yes, Mother."

At the mere mention of her father, Shen Ningyu immediately fell silent, not daring to fool around as before.

He Danyan spoke with reluctance, "Ningyu, must you marry Heir Li so quickly?"

If possible, He Danyan also did not wish for Shen Ningyu to marry so soon.

However, her daughter could wait no longer. The moment Li Jin returned, she eagerly wanted to seek him out. He Danyan, unable to dissuade her, had no choice but to concede.

There was one point on which the thoughts of Shen Ningyu and her mother were surprisingly aligned:

Neither considered the possibility that Li Jin would refuse.

Shen Ningyu said firmly, "Yes. If we don't hurry, it will be 'too late'."

The "too late" Shen Ningyu spoke of referred precisely to Ying Xichen.

In Shen Ningyu's view, Ying Xichen was merely an ugly wretch with a princess title—she had no right to compete with her for Li Jin.

"Fine, fine. But such... immodest words, you must not let your father hear them." He Danyan didn't catch the implied meaning in Shen Ningyu's words, only thinking her daughter couldn't wait a moment longer.

Shen Ningyu laughed, "Mother, rest assured. Your daughter is clever; how could I possibly let Father hear?"

"You..."

Looking at the lively Shen Ningyu, He Danyan shook her head helplessly and gave in.

The Prince of Dingbei's Mansion.

Having learned of Li Jin's return to the capital, Wei Rong had long been waiting in her courtyard for Li Jin to come pay his respects. She then thought to take the opportunity to give Li Jin a bit of a warning.

After all, she was his grandmother. Even as the heir, Li Jin had to lower his head to her and address her as Grandmother.

Only, Wei Rong's scheme was destined to fail.

The reason was simple: After returning to the capital, Li Jin went straight to the palace to report to Ying Zhengjing and had no time to return to the Prince of Dingbei's Mansion.

Having waited for a long half-day without seeing Li Jin, Wei Rong grew furious and said sharply, "Shiwan, wasn't it said that young brat Li Jin has returned? Why hasn't he come to pay respects to me, his grandmother? Utterly preposterous."

"Perhaps matters have delayed him," Wei Shiwan said with a gentle smile.

Times had changed. Wei Shiwan's current situation was awkward. She wasn't the Princess Consort yet managing the mansion's affairs. If she hadn't clung tightly to Wei Rong, the legitimate Dowager Lady of the Prince of Dingbei's Mansion, and hadn't had one daughter and one shuang'er both married to the Prince An, who knows what even more unpleasant things outsiders might say. Not to mention commanding the mansion's guards who had followed Li Shiyun through life and death—they simply didn't regard Wei Shiwan as their mistress.

Yet ironically, the one who plunged Wei Shiwan into this awkward position was her once most beloved daughter, Li Ruoyan, causing Wei Shiwan to grit her teeth in hatred whenever she recalled it.

Since Li Ruoyan lost her child three years ago, Wei Shiwan had completely given up on her and instead sought to mend relations with Li Siyuan, attempting to repair their bond.

However, the harm Wei Shiwan inflicted upon Li Siyuan in the past was too great, to the extent that Li Siyuan still paid her little heed.

Wei Rong said through gritted teeth, "Matters? Could Li Jin have matters more important than me, his grandmother? Unacceptable! For such filial impiety, I cannot simply let him be. Shiwan, prepare my formal court attire. I am going to the palace."

Wei Shiwan advised, "Mother, Jin'er has only just returned. For us to lodge a complaint now is truly improper."

Hearing this, Wei Rong's anger flared. She said fiercely, "What impropriety? Li Jin returning without paying respects to me is unfilial!"

Li Yanchen timely entered, "Grandmother, please do not be anxious. I inquired a moment ago. It turns out Third Brother, upon returning to the capital, was summoned by His Majesty. He is likely still in the palace at present."

"In the palace? Why didn't he send someone back to inform us?"

Hearing that Li Jin was in the palace, Wei Rong immediately quieted, though complaints still filled her mouth.

"Perhaps Jin'er was too busy and forgot for a moment."

Wei Shiwan gave Li Yanchen a look of praise, inwardly sighing in relief.

Fortunately, Li Yanchen had come. If Wei Rong really went to the palace over such a matter, the Prince of Dingbei's Mansion would become a laughingstock.

"Hmph, I say he did it on purpose," Wei Rong snorted disdainfully, slowly rising to her feet. "I am tired and will rest for a while. When Li Jin returns, have him come see me immediately."

"Yes, Mother."

Wei Shiwan performed a bow towards the gradually departing Wei Rong.

Li Yanchen spoke again, "Greetings, Secondary Consort."

Propriety could not be neglected. Since Wei Shiwan was no longer the Princess Consort, both Li Jin and Li Yanchen addressed her only as Secondary Consort.

Wei Shiwan turned and smiled at Li Yanchen, "Yanchen, thanks to you this time for persuading your grandmother so quickly. But speaking of which, why are you at the mansion at this hour?"

Li Yanchen replied, "Reporting to Secondary Consort, the friend I had an appointment with had urgent business, so I returned."

"So that's how it is." Wei Shiwan nodded upon hearing this, then extended an invitation, "Yanchen, since you are here, would you like to accompany me to see Yanshen? He has been missing you lately."

"Very well, I have been missing Second Brother as well."

Having said that, Li Yanchen made a gesture of 'please.'

Wei Shiwan nodded with satisfaction and walked ahead first.

As for Li Yanshen, who was constantly confined to his sickbed, his prospects were negligible. In contrast, Li Yanchen's standing was now viewed quite favorably by Wei Shiwan. To ensure a secure future for herself and to bolster Li Yanchen's position, she had even begun quietly maneuvering to support his rise within the household.

After all, Li Yanshen, due to his chronic illness and status as a concubine-born son, had long been disqualified from the heir position. Therefore, having Li Yanchen become the Prince of Dingbei was, in Wei Shiwan's view, the best choice.

Thinking of this, Wei Shiwan couldn't help but admire her own foresight in taking Li Yanchen from Zhou Xiaoru to raise early on. Otherwise, given Li Yanshen's current condition, her situation might have been very passive, perhaps even irrecoverable.