Outside the Donghua Gate of the Imperial Palace, most of the residents were noble families. The houses were grand and spacious, with wide and empty streets lined with high walls.
The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is located on this street.
The carriage traveled slowly for about half an hour before stopping in front of an imposing mansion with two stone lions guarding the entrance.
The vermilion gate was ajar. Lin Zhongquan went up and knocked on the door. A servant opened the door and spoke with Lin Zhongquan.
"Let's go down first," Ye Jingchen said.
“Your Highness, given your noble status, you should be greeted by the matriarch of the Duke’s mansion, who will come to your carriage to receive you,” Fangfei said in a measured tone.
"The Dowager Lady of the Duke's Mansion is a first-rank imperial consort. She is old and senior. Even the Emperor would have to show her some respect. I am just a child. Are you sure?" Ye Jingchen asked sternly.
"This servant knows her mistake!" Fangfei said, immediately getting up and getting off the carriage with Fangrong. The coachman quickly set up the horse stools, and after the old imperial physician Zhang also got off the carriage, they helped Ye Jingchen and Ye Jinghe off the carriage.
After getting out of the car, Ye Jingchen first straightened Ye Jinghe's sleeves, then straightened his own sleeves, and led Ye Jinghe up the steps to the vermilion gate.
Fangfei and Fangrong followed closely behind him, while Imperial Physician Zhang and Chenxi followed behind them, with four Eastern Palace Guards at the very back.
Upon hearing that His Highness the Crown Prince was coming to visit, one of the servants rushed to inform the master of the house. The other servant, seeing that the distinguished guest had personally alighted from the carriage, hurriedly opened the gate.
The mansion gates were wide open, and Ye Jingchen was waiting in front of them, while Lin Zhongquan stepped back to his side and stood respectfully behind him.
After waiting for about fifteen minutes, four simply dressed women walked briskly out from behind the screen wall, followed by several maids and servants.
"Your Highness, we pay our respects!" They walked up to Ye Jingchen and immediately performed a deep bow, so fast that Ye Jingchen didn't even have time to stop them.
Women from military families are straightforward in their bowing, unlike in the palace where, whether they are concubines or palace maids, they have to consider the angle and posture before bowing.
Ye Jingchen stepped aside to avoid their deep bow.
"Ladies, please rise!" Ye Jingchen said, then directly stated his purpose: "I heard that the young master of the manor has been ill and has not recovered, so I brought the imperial physician from the palace to visit him."
"Your Highness is so kind. On behalf of Chang'an, I thank Your Highness for your concern!" said the middle-aged woman at the head of the group, the Duchess of Zhenguo, with tears in her eyes.
"Imperial Physician Zhang, please go with the young master's wife to examine him first," Ye Jingchen said, turning to Imperial Physician Zhang.
"It's actually Physician Zhang, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy!" The young woman standing behind the Duchess showed a hint of joy upon seeing Physician Zhang. "Thank you, Your Highness!"
She curtsied to Ye Jingchen again, then looked at Physician Zhang with eager eyes, "Please come with me, sir."
Judging from her appearance, Xie Chang'an's illness must be quite serious. Could it be that his arrival really changed the plot?
Will Xie Chang'an be alright?
"Please come to the main hall, Your Highness. The Dowager Madam was very pleased to hear of Your Highness's visit and is waiting for you there!" The Duchess said to Ye Jingchen with a smile, her smile becoming more genuine.
"I was just about to pay my respects to the Dowager Madam, please!" Ye Jingchen said politely, regaining his composure.
The Duchess also holds an imperial title, and a first-rank one at that, so she is fully qualified to walk with Ye Jingchen.
She walked beside Ye Jingchen, personally leading the way, while the other two young ladies followed behind her.
The women of the Duke's mansion also had fragrances on them, but the scents were very pure and subtle. Ye Jingchen observed Ye Jinghe closely and found that he did not show any discomfort. Moreover, when he noticed Ye Jingchen looking at him, he gave him a sweet smile.
Ye Jingchen felt much relieved.
The only people left behind at the Duke's mansion were women. Before he came, he was worried that the strong fragrance on the women's bodies would upset Ye Jinghe.
In hindsight, he had been overthinking it.
"I wonder how the old lady is doing lately, and whether her appetite is good?" Ye Jingchen asked as he walked.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The Old Madam is in good health and everything is fine!" the Duchess replied, then, as if only now noticing Ye Jinghe, asked curiously, "I wonder who the child Your Highness is holding is—"
“He is my fifth brother, Ye Jinghe. He is currently residing in the Eastern Palace, so I brought him along to visit the young prince. They are about the same age, so they might hit it off immediately!” Ye Jingchen said with a smile.
In the novel, Xie Chang'an and Ye Jinghe are allies.
Although they were only superficial allies, their alliance remained relatively stable until the death of the deposed crown prince.
"Jinghe, my younger brother, quickly greet the Duchess."
Ye Jinghe didn't speak, but he smiled at the Duchess.
The Duchess was stunned for a moment before realizing who the Fifth Prince was.
Immediately, the way they looked at Ye Jingchen and Ye Jinghe became somewhat subtle.
But it was only for a moment; she quickly regained her composure and her expression returned to normal.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Fifth Prince!" She curtsied to Ye Jinghe, and her two daughters-in-law behind her quickly followed suit.
This was the first time in Ye Jinghe's life that someone had formally bowed to him. Although it was just a curtsy, they addressed him as "Your Highness," just like they would address their brother. Ye Jinghe was very happy, especially happy, and he smiled at them again.
"The Fifth Prince is so adorable, much more obedient than our stone monkey!" the Duchess praised.
Does "Stone Monkey" refer to Xie Chang'an?
Ye Jingchen's expression immediately became somewhat subtle.
It turns out Xie Chang'an was quite mischievous as a child!
As they were talking, they arrived at the main hall.
An elderly woman with a full head of silver hair stood in front of the hall, leaning on a golden dragon-headed cane.
Although she was old and her face was full of wrinkles, she stood very straight, without the slightest hunchback.
The novel mentions that when Xie Chang'an was six years old, in the dead of winter, after the news of all the men of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion dying on the battlefield reached the capital, the old lady's back instantly hunched over.
Less than a year later, the old lady passed away due to excessive worry, and Xie Chang'an lost another relative, while the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion lost its greatest pillar of support.
"Jingchen greets the Old Madam!" Ye Jingchen stepped forward quickly and bowed to the Old Madam.
He's here to abduct their family's precious child, so naturally he has to be as sincere as possible.
The old lady was taken aback for a moment, seemingly not expecting Ye Jingchen to bow to her first, but she quickly reached out and took Ye Jingchen's hand, "Your Highness is too kind to this old woman!"
Although the hand was covered with age spots, it was a strong hand.
As for the old lady's voice, although it wasn't particularly strong, her pronunciation was clear.
This shows that although the old lady was advanced in years, she was still in relatively good health. She wouldn't have passed away so young if all her descendants hadn't died in battle.
"This old woman greets Your Highness the Crown Prince!" The old lady bowed slightly to Ye Jingchen.
"Greetings, Madam!" Ye Jingchen quickly bowed in return.
“Mother, this is the Fifth Prince,” the Duchess said to the Dowager, pointing to Ye Jinghe.
"Your Highness, Fifth Prince." The old lady nodded to Ye Jinghe.
"It's windy outside, Madam, let's go inside and talk!" Ye Jingchen said quickly.
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