Becoming the Queen by Serving as Prime Minister | Chapter 41 | The Prince's Charms | Novela.app

Two days later, they arrived in Luoyang. Prince Shen Tingjiao set out for the government offices to attend to official business, accompanied by Xiao He and Zhang Qing. Yin Zhuli dispatched Lian Kang and Tan Yue to follow and protect them. Luoyang was a bustling city where the Wealthy City held many properties; intending to inspect her businesses, she naturally did not travel with the Prince. Shen Tingjiao did not object. Over the past two days, he had not attempted to get close to her again. He feigned ignorance and did not force the issue, which prevented any further disputes between them. At this moment, he simply nodded. "Then this Prince shall head out." Yin Zhuli wiped the thin sheen of sweat from his forehead. "The sun is quite fierce; be careful not to suffer a heatstroke." Shen Tingjiao boarded the carriage. As he departed, he looked back to see her walking side-by-side with Tang Yin. He let the curtain fall and sat back quietly inside the carriage. "Master, the Yin family has many properties in Luoyang. Where shall we go first?" Yin Zhuli linked her arm through Tang Yin’s, her posture intimate. Tang Yin had grown accustomed to her clinginess. Hearing this, he merely gave a faint smile. "Since the Great Boss Yin is the host here, this Master shall follow your lead today." Yin Zhuli clapped her hands and laughed. "Then let us go to Guangling Pavilion first. People say that all famous scholars are romantic and unrestrained. Master is known as a famous scholar of Chang'an, yet you live like an ascetic. You truly fail to live up to such a reputation." "Impudent!" Tang Yin lightly tapped her head with his short flute. She giggled but continued to pull him forward. As Shen Tingjiao accompanied the provincial officials to inspect Luoyang’s military, administration, and livelihoods, he remained distracted. He kept wondering what Yin Zhuli and Tang Yin were doing at that very moment. He hadn't brought many people on this trip, and most of those around him were Yin Zhuli’s subordinates, so he had no way of knowing their current situation. He secretly mused that he could not allow the two of them to spend too much time together. If Tang Yin gave Yin Zhuli even the slightest opening, there was no guarantee she wouldn't do something as scandalous as betraying her master. Consequently, he didn't make things difficult during the inspection, thinking only of finishing quickly. The current inspection was merely a pretext for his Imperial Brother to eliminate dissidents; since his own foundation was weak, it would be beneficial to have the support of these provincial officials should the situation change in the future. Therefore, at this juncture, he could not afford to nitpick their faults. By the afternoon, just as he intended to return, Tan Yue spoke softly: "Lord Nine, the Princess Consort has instructed that if Your Highness has finished your business at the government office, you may pay a visit to General Guan Zhenting at the Luoyang garrison." Guan Zhenting, the commander of the Luoyang garrison, was a disciple of the Grand General of Tiance, Fu Chaoying. Both Fu Chaoying and Qu Tianji were veteran officials of two reigns who had jointly assisted the late Emperor Shen Wanyan in his uprising. However, while Qu Tianji excelled in offense, Fu Chaoying specialized in defense. Thus, after the establishment of the Daxing regime, Qu Tianji had spent his years campaigning across the north and south, while Fu Chaoying guarded the capital and oversaw the security of key military strongholds. Guan Zhenting shared a bond with Fu Chaoying akin to father and son, which was why he had been stationed in Luoyang for so long. Although his rank was not exceptionally prominent, the power he held was immense. After weighing his options, Shen Tingjiao finally nodded in agreement. Zhang Qing turned the carriage and headed toward the Luoyang garrison. *** White Horse Temple, Qiyun Pagoda. Yin Zhuli stood at the top of the pagoda. She loved the feeling of standing high up and looking down upon the city. Tang Yin had given up on lecturing this person who used the excuse of an inspection to sneak out and play—rotten wood could not be carved. It was a summer afternoon, and there was almost no one else at the top of the tower. Outside, the parasol trees were lush with leaves, and the summer cicadas chirped incessantly in a noisy chorus. Tang Yin stood by the window looking down. The intense glare of the setting sun slanted across his resolute face; a gentle breeze blew past, ruffling his black hair and making his features appear as beautiful as a painting. Tang Yin turned his head and caught her staring blankly. He smiled warmly. "You were the one who insisted on climbing the tower to see the view, yet now you are staring at your Master in a daze. For what?" Yin Zhuli gave a dry laugh, maintaining her teasing tone. "The flowers and willows of Luoyang are beautiful, but they cannot compare to a single smile from my Master." Tang Yin was slightly taken aback. Just as he was about to respond, someone ascended the tower. "Great Boss, the eldest young master of the Qu family, Qu Liushang, went to Gansu with his brother Qu Huaishang a few days ago to escort official silver. Unexpectedly, on the return journey through the Qilian Mountains, his horse suddenly went mad. Eldest Young Master Qu fell from his horse and died. Manager Hao ordered me to come and inform the Great Boss." The messenger was clearly out of breath, having rushed the entire way. Yin Zhuli’s expression remained flat upon hearing the news. "Died from a fall? Pitiful. What is the situation at the Qu Manor?" The messenger replied respectfully, "The entire Qu Manor is in deep mourning. Madam Qu has already fallen ill from grief, and the Second Young Master is also said to be sick. General Qu has personally rushed to Gansu, intending to bring the Eldest Young Master’s coffin back to Chang'an for burial." Yin Zhuli nodded slightly. "Understood. You may go back." "Yes." The man complied and turned to descend the tower. Yin Zhuli rested her hand on the wooden window of the Qiyun Pagoda, her expression indifferent. Tang Yin, however, was somewhat surprised. "That Eldest Young Master Qu was no weakling and his horsemanship was excellent. Qu Tianji had always cultivated him with great care. How could he simply fall from a horse and die?" Yin Zhuli turned her gaze back to him. "Master, isn't this for the best?" Tang Yin’s voice took on a sharp edge. "Though you were raised in the Yin family from childhood, Qu Liushang was still your brother. When an elder brother passes away, how can a sister of the same clan feel secret joy?" Yin Zhuli hit a snag. Knowing his upright character, she didn't dare make any more sarcastic remarks. "Master’s lecture is correct. This disciple will go to the Qu Manor to offer condolences once we return to Chang'an." Tang Yin hummed in response. Yin Zhuli was still curious. "But I thought Master and Qu Tianji shared an irreconcilable enmity." Tang Yin said gently, "I have a grudge against him, but what grudge do I have against his children? A gentleman seeks revenge openly and honorably. To lose a son in middle age is one of life's greatest sorrows. I can kill him with a blade, but I cannot disparage him behind his back." Yin Zhuli’s expression turned solemn. She performed a very serious and formal bow to Tang Yin. "Master’s lecture is correct. This disciple has learned." *But Master and I are, in the end, different.* "Master, what do you think is most important for a general?" A young novice monk came up behind them with tea. Knowing the visitor was the Princess Consort of Fulu, the monks of White Horse Temple did not dare be negligent. Yin Zhuli handed a teacup to Tang Yin, who took it casually. "Reputation. Since ancient times, which general does not wish to leave his name in the history books and have future generations praise him as loyal and heroic?" Yin Zhuli smiled faintly. "Indeed... loyal and heroic." *** In the evening, just as Shen Tingjiao returned to the guest house, the Governor of Henan sent someone to invite him to a banquet. Although he was unwilling to go, he knew such opportunities could not be missed. He could only ask Yin Zhuli, "Will you come with this Prince?" Yin Zhuli figured that since he had been busy all day and it wasn't good for her to constantly cling to Tang Yin, she nodded and agreed. As he went inside to bathe and change, Lian Kang looked on with confusion. "Great Boss, Xiao He is clearly a spy planted by the King at Lord Nine's side. He has intercepted messages to Chang'an several times along the way, all of which were caught by our people. Why do you still keep him?" Yin Zhuli smiled thinly. "A spy is more useful than a hundred of one's own people. Do you think a man as shrewd as He Jian would allow a spy to stay by Lord Nine's side for over a decade without noticing a thing? It is only because Xiao He is there that the King feels at ease. From today onward, do not intercept his messages anymore. The King will soon know that Lord Nine is making many connections with local officials in Luoyang to flesh out his own wings." Lian Kang nodded. "That makes sense, but we still have to guard against him stabbing us in the back. Speaking of which, it was strange today. When Lord Nine visited Guan Zhenting, Guan Zhenting was actually extremely hospitable. It would be one thing if local officials didn't know about the affairs in the capital, but as Fu Chaoying’s disciple, he should have heard something. Why would he dare to be so close to our Lord Nine?" Yin Zhuli smiled slightly. "The deep meaning within can only be sensed, not explained in words." Lian Kang frowned and thought for a while, then he truly did "sense" it. "Could it be that Guan Zhenting also lusts after our Lord Nine's beauty?" His response was a kick to the chest from Yin Zhuli. "Pah!" The social engagement lasted until the second watch. Even with Yin Zhuli shielding him, the young Prince was urged to drink quite a bit. He returned with a slight intoxication. He didn't pester Yin Zhuli; after drinking the sobering soup, he obediently went to bed to rest. When Yin Zhuli climbed onto the bed, she felt he had been particularly well-behaved these past few days. She couldn't help but pull him into her arms, her voice softening considerably. "Does your head still hurt?" He shook his head slightly and burrowed out of her arms, lying face down on the bed. The sensation of his soft, smooth skin beneath the silk still lingered in Yin Zhuli’s hands. He was like a figure carved from jade or porcelain. Yin Zhuli couldn't help but feel a surge of tenderness. "Why are you unhappy again?" His face was pressed into the pillow as he muttered gloomily, "I am but an idle Prince, unskilled in both letters and martial arts. What does it matter? You just go and stay with your Master; why bother about whether I am happy or not?" This speech left Yin Zhuli caught between laughter and tears. "This jealousy... the whole room smells of vinegar." She pulled him over and lightly kissed his forehead. "My good Lord Nine, my heart and soul, don't be angry, don't be angry..." The young Prince’s act of acting spoiled and jealous was perfectly timed. At this moment, he obediently snuggled into her arms without further fuss. The two of them fell asleep, held in each other's embrace. *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation ---|---|--- 广陵阁 | Guangling Pavilion | A place of interest/entertainment in Luoyang. 白马寺 | White Horse Temple | A famous Buddhist temple in Luoyang. 齐云塔 | Qiyun Pagoda | A pagoda located within the White Horse Temple. 曲流觞 | Qu Liushang | Eldest son of Qu Tianji; Yin Zhuli's biological half-brother. 曲怀觞 | Qu Huaishang | Second son of Qu Tianji. 傅朝英 | Fu Chaoying | Grand General of Tiance; a powerful veteran military official. 关镇亭 | Guan Zhenting | General of the Luoyang garrison and disciple of Fu Chaoying. 河南尹 | Governor of Henan | The high-ranking official in charge of the Henan region (where Luoyang is located). 心肝肉儿 | Heart and soul / Darling | A very intimate, doting term of endearment (literally "heart, liver, and flesh").