Chapter 41 Chapter 41 Discovered
The next morning, since all the people he usually worked with had been sent out, Wu Tianyue asked Lan Ye to go back to the palace to find someone to clarify the matter for him. He also wrote a letter, asking Princess Zhongshun to set up a female household for the courtesan and ask her to find a husband as soon as possible without involving him.
Princess Zhongshun was speechless after reading his letter. She thought her son had become stupid from practicing martial arts. How could a boy cry and make a fuss, saying that his innocence had been tarnished?
Although she despised him, she also wanted to get the matter over with quickly, so she ordered someone to call the courtesan over and asked, "What are your plans for the future?"
After spending the past few days, the courtesan understood that the princess disapproved of her status, so she said respectfully, "I'll leave it to your majesty."
"I have a nanny by my side. She's originally from Jinling. She recently resigned and is about to return home. She lost her husband young and has no children. If you're willing, you can take her as your godmother. I'll set up a household for you. You can marry or marry off in the future, it's up to you. Just don't come to the capital again." Princess Zhongshun said as she sipped her tea. "Don't worry about money. She's served me for many years. I've already had an embroidery workshop set up for her in Jinling."
At first, the courtesan thought her best outcome would be slavery as a maid in the palace. She never imagined she could escape slavery and become a good citizen, with family to support her. She was so overjoyed that she kowtowed repeatedly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Get up." Princess Zhongshun put down her teacup and pointed at a maid at random, "Take her to see Aunt Zhang."
After the courtesan left, Princess Zhongshun told Xia Jin, "Most of the rumors in the city were spread by the Queen. Have someone clean them up."
After Xia Jin agreed, Princess Zhongshun said, "I heard that Yue'er caused a scene in the Jia family's treasure house a few days ago. Let him apologize to me."
"Your Highness is not wrong about this. The rumor was indeed spread by the servants around that young master." Xia Jin said with a smile, "Why did Your Highness ask Your Highness to apologize?"
"He's already grown up, and he still doesn't know how to solve the problem? He'll only make others laugh at him if he doesn't apologize. He'll never learn how to be respectable."
After hearing this, Xia Jin quickly said, "Yes."
Wu Tianyue didn't know that he was about to be forced to understand the decency. After he hurriedly urged Lan Ye to leave, Chang Jian came to reply.
Because he was only asked to inquire about the Xue family's business affairs, and Xue Pan was not ambitious, the Xue family's business had been shrinking, so Chang Jian found out everything yesterday.
"The Xue family now has only three direct descendants: Xue Pan, Xue Baochai, and their mother, Lady Wang. The rest of the side branches are all in Jinling. Xue Pan's ancestor was a Ziwei Sheren, and it was during that time that the Xue family secured the status of imperial merchant. When Xue Pan's grandfather was still alive, the Xue family was still at its peak. After his death, his son, although not as capable and courageous as him, was able to maintain the family business. Unfortunately, he died young, leaving behind a few orphans and a widow, and a huge family fortune."
Wu Tianyue listened, nodded, and asked, "How is the Xue family doing now?"
Chang Jian replied, "Xue Pan is uneducated and unskilled. He only holds a nominal position in the Ministry of Revenue thanks to his ancestors' connections. The family business is run by the clerks left behind by his ancestors, who receive monthly monies from the Imperial Household Department. He indulges himself in leisurely travels. Even the supplies that were originally supplied to the Imperial Household Department were taken away by other merchants two years ago. Now they only supply spices, silks, and the like. Among these, only feather satin is still considered top quality, but that's not a special supply."
If Xue Pan doesn't do any real work, it's not easy for me to use him. I have to find a way to make him willingly go out to sell goods, otherwise I won't be able to find a reason to go out and save people.
Wu Tianyue thought about it and told Chang Jian, "For the next period of time, you will follow Xue Pan. You don't have to do anything else. Just keep him in the store and show the outside world that he is doing business seriously. Don't restrict him too much at other times."
After saying that, he took the long spear to the martial arts training ground. Xue Pan had arrived early and was sitting in the corridor dozing off.
Wu Tianyue had someone wake him up, and said with a half-smile, "Don't you want to come and accompany me?"
Xue Pan hurriedly stood up and saluted: "I dare not."
"I don't think you have the guts to do that." Wu Tianyue snorted coldly, "Get up and practice with me."
Xue Pan felt extremely regretful for offending this ancestor, but there was nothing he could do. He quickly got up and walked forward tremblingly to be beaten.
Since Wu Tianyue had the intention of using him in the future, he didn't beat him too hard, and mostly stopped when he had enough.
After about half an hour, Wu Tianyue stopped fighting and said with a smile, "Thank you for troubling me today."
"It is my honor to practice martial arts with the prince." When Xue Pan heard this, he knew that the day was over. He sat down on the ground and couldn't get up. He could only answer while panting.
"Chang Jian, help Master Xue go down and rest." Wu Tianyue said to Chang Jian, "Master Xue is so tired because he practiced martial arts with me. After he has rested, you can personally take him back to the shop."
After hearing this, Xue Pan felt that the good days of the past were gone. However, no matter how hard doing business was, it was better than practicing martial arts with Wu Tianyue, so he nodded repeatedly after hearing this.
Wu Tianyue left his long sword behind and took his men back to wash up and go to class.
After lunch, he learned from Lan Ye that the palace had refuted the rumor, and he felt relieved. He was about to go out to find the prince to maintain their relationship so that he could talk to him in the future when he had something to do, when he saw Xia Jin come in with a smile.
Wu Tianyue got goosebumps from her gaze and said bluntly, "Sister, if you have something to say, just say it. Why are you looking at me like that?"
Xia Jin covered her mouth and laughed, "I'm here on the orders of the princess to come and see what the prince who shouts and screams about fighting and killing in other people's houses looks like."
"How did mother know?" Wu Tianyue asked in surprise and turned to look at Lan Ye.
"Sir, don't look at me. I didn't say anything." Lan Ye waved her hands hurriedly. "You made such a big fuss that day. Rongguo Mansion is not like a prince's mansion. We can't control the people below. The news would have spread everywhere long ago."
Xia Jin also smiled and said, "Don't worry about who said it, my lord. The Queen asked you to quickly apologize to the Second Young Master of the Jia family. The gifts are ready."
As she spoke, she pointed to the little palace maid holding something behind her and said, "Don't even think about getting away with it. I have to go with you."
"You look at me apologizing?" Wu Tianyue jumped up. "Then the news of my apology will spread throughout the capital. I won't agree to it."
"Then what do you think we should do?" Xia Jin asked, "If Miss Lin hadn't sent a letter to the Empress earlier to explain for you, you would probably be scolded in the mansion right now."
Wu Tianyue knew that although he was wronged, if he caused a scene in the Duke's Mansion and questioned the master of the mansion, even the Crown Prince would be scolded. So he hesitated for a long time and muttered, "I will go and apologize first, and you can send the gifts later."
This matter wasn't serious to begin with. Princess Zhongshun had sent Xia Jin here to teach him a lesson, so Xia Jin pretended to hesitate and sighed, "Since the prince doesn't want to, I won't force him to follow."
After saying that, he urged Wu Tianyue with his eyes. Seeing this, Wu Tianyue had no choice but to move forward step by step towards Qingxi Garden.
After entering the courtyard, I heard complete silence. I walked along the corridor into the house and saw the maids serving outside lying in all directions and sleeping.
Wu Tianyue breathed a sigh of relief, as if no one had heard his apology. So he walked lightly around the lattice, and before he entered the inner room, he saw Baoyu sleeping on the bed from the door, with Baochai sitting beside him doing needlework.
It would be embarrassing if this was discovered, Wu Tianyue thought, and turned to leave when he heard Baoyu shout, "How can you believe what monks and Taoist priests say? What's this about a golden marriage..."
Hearing this, Wu Tianyue suddenly thought of the recent rumors about gold and jade in the Jia Mansion, and quickened his pace to go out. Just as he reached the door, he saw Xiren coming towards him.
Xiren was surprised to see him here, and hurriedly bowed and asked, "Are you looking for Baoyu, my lord?"
Wu Tianyue nodded: "I'll come back later."
As soon as he finished speaking, Baochai came out. Seeing that she looked calm, Wu Tianyue greeted her and turned to walk out.
Not long after walking out, Baochai came up to him and said, "Prince, please wait a minute..."
Wu Tianyue walked faster and faster, as if there was some ferocious beast behind him.
Daiyu was walking towards Yihong Courtyard when she saw this scene. Seeing Wu Tianyue rushing towards her, she hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"
"I just got here." Wu Tianyue said loudly, "I'm here to look for Baoyu."
Daiyu was startled: "Why are you making such a loud noise?"
After saying this, she turned slightly and saw Baochai stopped and looked at the two of them thoughtfully. Daiyu couldn't help blushing.
Seeing Daiyu like this, Baochai came up to her with a smile on her face and greeted her, then said, "You guys chat, I have something else to do."
Daiyu calmed herself down and said, "Sister, go and get busy first."
Baochai nodded and walked away leisurely. Daiyu glared at Wu Tianyue and said, "Are you going to make this known to everyone?"
"I'm afraid my sister will misunderstand." Wu Tianyue said aggrievedly, "I am now a loyal husband."
Daiyu was amused by him: "Why should a grown man observe the rules of a woman..."
Before he could finish his words, he suddenly realized what was happening and his face, which had just recovered, turned red again. He was so angry that he pinched Wu Tianyue and said, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Seeing Wu Tianyue about to open his mouth to explain, afraid that he would say something shocking again, he hurriedly asked, "What do you want to do with Baoyu?"
Now it was Wu Tianyue's turn to feel uncomfortable. He hesitated for a moment, not wanting to say anything, and simply said, "Go to Yihong Courtyard and wait for me. I'll tell you later."
Before Daiyu could answer, she saw him walk into Qingxi Garden with a look of readiness to die.
Baoyu had just woken up and was about to get dressed when he saw no one around. He heard footsteps and then saw Wu Tianyue running in. He said awkwardly, "I'm sorry."
Baoyu didn't react for a moment: "What?"
Seeing that he was confused and unable to speak, Wu Tianyue said, "I was wrong to scold you a few days ago without finding out the truth. Please be tolerant."
It turned out to be an apology. Baoyu quickly stood up and said, "Your Excellency, you are too kind. It was someone from my courtyard who said that. I should apologize to you."
"Then we're even." Wu Tianyue spoke faster, "Are you all right?"
Seeing Baoyu nod, Wu Tianyue felt that he had completed his mission and did not care about his expression. He walked past the maid who came in to serve Baoyu after hearing the sound and walked out.
Daiyu was still waiting outside in the shade. Wu Tianyue strode forward and asked, "Why are you still sunbathing here?"
"What did you do?"
"Don't worry, sister. I won't bully him now." Wu Tianyue stepped forward to hold Daiyu's hand, but Daiyu gave him a sidelong glance, so he had to settle for the next best thing and hold her sleeve.
Daiyu didn't refuse, but only asked, "When did you develop this bad habit?"
Wu Tianyue said happily: "Then sister, let me hold your hand?"
"You wish." Daiyu rolled her eyes at him.
Wu Tianyue sighed. Seeing that Daiyu didn't want to comfort him, he put away his pitiful look and asked again, "Sister, you went to Qingxi Garden just now. What were you going there for?"
"I have something to talk to you about. Sister Xia Jin told me that you came to Baoyu's place, so I came to see you."
The two of them returned to Yihongyuan while talking.
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The author has something to say: Thanks to the little angel "Zhao Moumou" for irrigating the nutrient solution~
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