Chapter 75 Protecting
Although Lin Yanzhou was not officially engaged to Chi Zhao, he would visit the Prime Minister's residence every day.
The servants in the Prime Minister's residence had long regarded him as their second master and were at his beck and call.
On this day, which happened to be Chi Zhao's birthday, officials of all ranks came to offer their congratulations. Lin Yanzhou, having received an order from his mother, the Empress, was able to leave the palace openly and legitimately to represent the royal family at the Prime Minister's residence.
He was accompanied by the Third Prince and the Fifth and Sixth Princesses.
Lin Yanzhou rarely appeared, and the two princesses were not very familiar with him, so they only spoke to Lin Wenxuan.
However, he didn't care. In his previous life, these two princesses had refused to accept male regency and caused trouble, and both died at his hands.
Who wants to chat with their defeated opponent?
snort.
The young prince arrogantly raised his chin.
The Third Prince frowned slightly as he recalled his younger brother's intimacy with Chi Zhao that day. He wanted to advise his brother not to get too close to Chi Zhao, as associating with such a treacherous official would not end well, and their mother had already become wary of her.
But he also felt that his brother wouldn't listen to him.
He wasn't familiar with this younger brother, so it was really difficult for him to give him any advice.
I could only remain silent and not look at him.
The Prime Minister's residence was soon reached. The two princesses jumped off the carriage first and then reached out to help Lin Wenxuan out of the carriage. However, when Lin Yanzhou got out of the carriage, neither of the two princesses, who were not familiar with him, reached out to him.
He didn't care, and lifted his clothes to jump down. Just then, the servants who were greeting guests at the entrance of the Prime Minister's residence saw him from afar. Their eyes lit up, and seeing that he was about to jump off the carriage, they quickly called out, "Young master, be careful."
He then quickly went to meet them.
When she reached Lin Yanzhou, she spoke very respectfully, bowing and saying, "This servant greets young master. You've finally arrived. Please help me down, and be careful not to twist your ankle."
This is the future male master of the Prime Minister's mansion. Who wouldn't want to leave some impression on him?
Lin Yanzhou, accustomed to ordering around the servants of the Prime Minister's residence, pursed his lips upon hearing this. He didn't take his half-sister's hand, but instead took the hands of the two attendants, slowly alighted from the carriage, and asked them gently, "Is the master inside?"
"Yes, sir. He's in his study and will come out to greet the guests in a little while."
"Okay, you guys go ahead and get busy. I'll go in by myself."
"Oh, should I inform you that you have arrived, sir?"
Lin Yanzhou shook his head shyly, "No need, I'll go find her myself."
"yes."
The two princesses and Lin Wenxuan were all stunned. They rarely came to the Prime Minister's residence, so it was normal that the servants did not recognize them.
However, the Seventh Prince rarely leaves the palace, so how come these people are so familiar with him?
The Third Prince looked extremely worried. "Yanzhou, you and the Prime Minister..."
"Brother, let's go inside."
Lin Yanzhou suddenly interrupted them, showing no intention of saying anything more.
The two princesses exchanged a glance, silently calculating their options, and found themselves inexplicably closer to Lin Yanzhou.
They handed the birthday gifts they brought to the gatekeeper and went inside together.
They came representing the Emperor, so naturally they attracted a lot of attention as soon as they appeared.
but……
Several more princesses emerged from the crowd, smiling and waving at them.
The faces of the five and six princesses who had come on orders darkened.
The prime minister wields immense power, and any princess who gains his support would be a tremendous asset.
The princess who wasn't called on was unwilling to accept this, fearing that the prime minister would help her other sisters, so she came over herself, not only bringing a generous birthday gift, but also wanting to chat with Chi Zhao after the guests had left.
Ignoring their elaborate schemes, Lin Yanzhou made a brief appearance before heading off to find Chi Zhao.
Unexpectedly, his meddlesome elder brother came to stop him again.
With a feigned expression of concern, he said, "Where are you going? This place isn't like the palace; it's best not to wander around."
Not as grand as the imperial palace?
He knew far more about the Prime Minister's residence than the imperial palace.
He was just an unfavored prince without a father. He didn't even dare to leave the palace on weekdays, for fear of offending someone. He had grown up in the vast palace since childhood, but he dared not say that he had been to every place.
The Prime Minister's birthday banquet was not only attended by ministers; many sons were also brought by their elders, hoping to be seen by Prime Minister Chi Zhao.
Among them was Xu Yixing, the young prince of the First Prince's residence.
Ever since he discovered that Chi Zhao treated Lin Yanzhou differently that day, he had been thinking about it day and night, and the more he thought about it, the more he hated her. Chi Zhao was the one who took a liking to her first, so why should Lin Yanzhou? Just because he could put on a pitiful act to gain a woman's sympathy?!
You despicable person.
Upon seeing Lin Yanzhou today, he couldn't contain his resentment and anger. He strode over, his face harsh, and questioned him, "Why are you here? Did you sneak out again? Lin Yanzhou, have you no shame? A prince is not allowed to leave the palace without a valid reason, yet you still ran out to find Lord Chi. Do you believe I'll tell your aunt!"
After a moment of shock, the Fifth and Sixth Princesses looked at their spoiled cousin with eyes that seemed to think he was an idiot.
After all, he was her younger brother who had come with her, and there was no reason for her to stand by and watch him be mocked. So she took the initiative to speak up, "Cousin, it was Mother Empress who sent Seventh Brother with us. We are outside, so please be careful what you say."
The two had already made their movements noticed by others.
The image of Duanhui County's rudeness became even more deeply ingrained in people's minds.
The Third Prince also tugged at Xu Yixing, "Don't talk about Yanzhou like that. It was the Empress who sent Yanzhou to come with us."
"Why would Auntie let him out for no reason? You must have lied to Auntie. Did you bring up Lord Chi to talk to her?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Wenxuan's expression turned serious. "Cousin!"
The others seemed indifferent to the children's squabbles, but in reality, they were all listening intently. Lord Chi?
Could it be that the Seventh Prince, without making a sound, has a connection with Chi Zhao?
The commotion was so great that the eldest prince quickly heard the commotion and rushed over, accompanied by the host of the birthday banquet, Chi Zhao, who had also heard the commotion.
Chi Zhao saw from afar that Yan Zhou was being blocked by a group of menacing people, and knew that the situation was not good.
I got bullied again.
Poor thing, you get bullied no matter where you go.
The prime minister and the eldest prince, one holding a high position and the other of noble status, attracted everyone's attention as soon as they appeared.
The eldest prince knew from his son's expression that he was the one who had caused the trouble.
But the father could only cover for his son.
Lin Chuan smiled and waved to Xu Yixing. Xu Yixing's eyes lit up when he saw Chi Zhao, and he then walked away sulking.
But Chi Zhao didn't even glance at him, instead smiling at Lin Yanzhou.
Lin Yanzhou, that shameless fellow, immediately ran towards her.
Xu Yixing is about to faint from anger!
"You've been bullied again after I haven't seen you for a while?"
Her bias was obvious from the moment she opened her mouth.
Lin Chuan's expression stiffened slightly as he spoke, "It was just a little boy playing around. What were you talking about just now?"
Even if Xu Yixing was impulsive, he calmed down after seeing his father and Chi Zhao. He still wanted to leave a good impression on Chi Zhao!
The man bit his lip, his expression somewhat resentful, and spoke first, "Last time, I caught my cousin sneaking out of the palace. Today, I saw my cousin, an unmarried man, appear at Lord Chi's residence again. I thought he had sneaked out again, so I asked him a few more questions. I wasn't bullying anyone. It's Xing'er's fault for causing Lord Chi to misunderstand."
After he finished speaking in a deliberately coquettish tone, Lin Yanzhou stepped forward and blocked his gaze from looking at Chi Zhao, and said without hesitation, "If I remember correctly, you are also an unmarried man. What's wrong with an unmarried man appearing at Chi Zhao's residence?"
Xu Yixing, who had intended to subtly criticize him for shamelessly clinging to women: ...
You slut, you slut!
His eyes reddened with anger, but his father pulled him back, and he could only endure it, silently retreating behind his father.
The eldest prince had just secretly observed the two of them and noticed that their behavior was somewhat intimate and their relationship was unusual. He was slightly surprised, but ignored their bickering and said with a light smile, "So it was just a misunderstanding. Xing'er, quickly apologize to Zhou'er and this matter will be over. Zhou'er is always magnanimous and won't be angry with you."
At his father's prompting, Xu Yixing awkwardly apologized to Lin Yanzhou, but Lin Yanzhou lowered his eyes and ignored him. Chi Zhao pulled the sulking little prince and asked him with a smile, "Are you magnanimous?"
This uncle had also died at his hands. Lin Yanzhou did not respect him. He only snorted softly when his wife asked him a question, "You said I was the most petty."
“Isn’t he stingy? Listen to the First Prince, he’s not as magnanimous as you say.”
Lin Chuan's face stiffened, and his smile finally became somewhat awkward. "Lord Chi and Zhou'er are you on good terms? When did you two meet? I remember you two seem to rarely have the chance to meet?"
The princes in the palace are different from ordinary young masters. They cannot easily leave the palace. Lin Yanzhou's father was just a palace servant without a mother or father. He had no maternal family and had no reason to leave the palace on ordinary days. He could only meet Chi Zhao at banquets. However, as far as he knew, Lin Yanzhou did not attend any of the banquets, big or small, in the palace. He was not valued and was not fond of seeing people.
How did they meet, and why are they so inexplicably close?
Xu Yixing muttered under her breath, "It's all because Lin Yanzhou likes to seduce women, so he specially ran away from the palace to seduce her."
“Young Master Xu, please be careful with your words. My interactions with His Highness are in accordance with propriety, and His Highness is not that kind of person. I do not wish to hear such words again.”
Chi Zhao spoke more gently to the young prince, but when she turned to face Xu Yixing, her expression quickly turned cold, and her words carried a warning tone. Xu Yixing could hardly believe it. He looked at Chi Zhao, then at Lin Yanzhou, whom he hated, and gritted his teeth, "You're just taking his side? What's your relationship? You're not related at all. If Lin Yanzhou didn't seduce you, then what is it?!"
"Xing'er, don't talk nonsense!"
Chi Zhao almost laughed out of anger at him.
"No matter how much the princess dislikes His Highness, His Highness is still His Majesty's son, the seventh prince in the palace. Doesn't the princess feel that she is being disrespectful to her superiors? Is this behavior a result of Lord Xu's disrespect for the royal family and his poor upbringing, or is it that the eldest prince is arrogant and has failed in his parenting?"
She was already fed up. Today was her birthday, and she was hosting a banquet for guests according to the unwritten rules among local officials. She hadn't even taken a bite of the food when Xu Yixing started yelling and shouting incessantly.
The eldest prince, Lin Chuan, was both shocked and furious. "It's just children playing around. What are you saying!"
It's clearly just two children who don't get along, but after Chi Zhao said that, people might think that the First Prince's Mansion has some disloyal intentions!
“Your Highness is a lady from a respectable family. You should be well-read, polite, and know how to behave properly. But today, I saw you... You have no respect for others and your mouth is full of foul language.”
Chi Zhao gave him a disgusted look. Xu Yixing's breathing became heavier as he was criticized by his beloved.
Those eavesdropping were also astonished. Lin Wenxuan had previously thought his cousin had gone too far in speaking to the emperor, but now he felt that Chi Zhao had gone too far. He was indeed a treacherous minister who manipulated the court. His cousin clearly did not mean it that way, and what did it have to do with his uncle?
Countless subtle gazes were cast upon them from all around, and Lin Chuan's cheeks burned; he really couldn't stay in this place any longer.
"Lord Chi probably has some misunderstanding about Xing'er. He's not usually like this... Never mind, Lord Chi is close to Zhou'er, and it's just that he's worried about her."
As expected of the eldest prince, he quickly drew everyone's attention back to them with just a few words.
After he finished speaking, he took his son and left early. The others were sternly glanced at by Chi Zhao and dared not watch their eyes anymore. They were all invited to take their seats by the butler.
Only Lin Yanzhou remained on the side, head down, grinning foolishly; this scene had happened many times before.
He seemed to be born unlikable by others; they all hated him, except for his wife, who would stand in front of him and always protect him.
Speak up for him.
Lin Yanzhou felt increasingly sweet as he thought about it, and he tugged at Chi Zhao's sleeve, swaying it back and forth.
Just as Chi Zhao was about to take him to the backyard to rest, the Third Prince blocked his way, lowered his eyes and said, "Mother only told us to come and deliver congratulatory gifts to the Lord. Now that the gifts have been delivered, we should go back. Seventh Brother, don't linger outside for too long."
Since Bai Wanruo didn't come today, Lin Wenxuan was eager to go home.
Lin Yanzhou frowned, thinking to himself, "If you want to go back, go back yourself. Why are you calling me? Do you know how hard it is for me to come out here!"
The young prince looked at his beloved.
Chi Zhao glanced at him and said naturally, "Your Highness, please go ahead if you wish. I will invite Your Highness to have a cup of tea, and I will speak with His Majesty about it later."
If word gets out today, their engagement should be finalized.
Otherwise, there will be a lot of gossip. It's fine for her not to be engaged, but the little prince will be said very bad things.
Lin Wenxuan tried to wink at Lin Yanzhou, but Lin Yanzhou only glanced at him suspiciously before lowering his head to continue playing with Chi Zhao's sleeve.
The Third Prince felt that the boy was hopeless and left in a huff.
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