Chapter 146

C146 – Very Kind

“Who are you?” King of South Jin repeated the question and ordered, “Look up!”

“King, this old servant... Su Ying.”

“Su Ying?” King of South Jin was stunned for a moment and then his eyes widened. He rushed down from the dragon throne and walked in front of Su Ying. He grabbed her arm and pulled her up.

“Su Ying! It’s you!”

The officials were all dumbfounded. This old man from a small village was actually an old friend of the king. Crown Prince Zhao seemed to know about this matter beforehand.

“It’s this old servant. In the blink of an eye, we haven’t seen each other for twenty years. The king’s heroic bearing is not any less than in the past!”

King of South Jin’s excited expression only lasted for a while. He gradually let go of his tightly clenched hands, restrained all his emotions under his skin, turned around, and walked out of the hall. “Retreat. Su Ying, come with me.”

“Retreat...”

Crown Prince Zhao did not even raise his eyelids as he walked out of the hall. Behind him, State Duke Heng and the other ministers followed closely and asked, “Your Highness, who... who is this? How do you know that he is an old friend of the king?”

Crown Prince Zhao stopped and turned his head, “What old friend?”

“Just now...” If it wasn’t for King’s old friend, they wouldn’t believe it even if they were beaten to death.

“That is only the villagers of Yellow Flower Village. They are older. The reason Royal Father knows them is probably because of... his former subordinates.”

Ignoring everyone’s suspicions, Crown Prince Zhao continued to walk forward. After walking more than ten steps, he suddenly stopped. He turned around and said, “Lord Zhan, please have a chat with the prefecture.”

The person whose name was called trembled. His forehead was dripping with sweat. “Your... Your Highness, what do you mean by this? This official still has important matters to attend to, how about another day?”

“Important matters? I’m in a hurry to return. Should I report the outcome of today’s battle to Brother Three Kings?”

“Why do you say that, Your Highness? Are you framing me and Third Prince for conspiring against each other?”

“It turns out that Lord Zhan knows the word framing.” Crown Prince Zhao nodded. “If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”

When he was far away, the officials all avoided Lord Zhan. State Duke Heng even mocked him. “Young master Zhan is really mighty today. He does not put Crown Prince in his eyes. I wonder who else do you think?”

“State Duke Heng spoke up for His Highness. I wonder if he has already followed His Highness. Does State Duke still have a king in his eyes?”

“Tsk, this scholar has a glib tongue. I am willing to admit defeat.”

“State Duke really knows how to joke. You contradict me with every sentence. It is me who is willing to admit defeat.”

The two of them looked at each other. The corners of their mouths curled and they both walked away.

The official behind them sighed softly. “This Young Master’s Manor is really bold. What good would it do him to offend Crown Prince?”

Crown Prince Zhao thought for a moment and nodded. “Indeed. In the main hall today, all the ministers are also very curious.” They just didn’t dare to ask.

“Alright, don’t keep me in suspense. Hurry up and tell me.”

“Didn’t you say that you are going back to Yueyang Marquis’s Mansion today? It’s getting late now, do you still want to go?”

Tang Yue looked outside, “Aiya, it is already so late... Of course I have to go. Why don’t we go to Marquis’s Mansion for dinner?” He hadn’t gone back for a long time and actually missed her a little.

After spending half a year together, he had developed a kinship with his family in Yueyang Marquis’s Mansion. The old madam who doted on him, the cheap father who took care of him, all had different personalities but all of them were pretty and cute sisters. As for Marquis’s Wife, she was not included for the time being.

“That’s good. Let’s talk as we walk.” Crown Prince Zhao went into the house and changed into his usual clothes. He and Tang Yue got into the car and went to Yueyang Marquis’s Mansion together.

“That father-in-law is Su Ying. He was Royal Father’s butler when he was young. He was also a servant who took care of him when he was young. His relationship with him was extraordinary. Later on, he did not know what happened. That butler was exempted from his servant status and became a commoner. He was even chased out of the Imperial Residence...”

“Wait a minute...” Tang Yue interrupted, “Why was he expelled from the Imperial Residence? Is this a favor or a punishment?”

Crown Prince Zhao took a sip of water. “Royal Father was a kind young man at the time. Even if he found out that the housekeeper had made a mistake, he was exempted from his servitude before he was driven away. Otherwise, the housekeeper would only be sold again after he left the house.”

“He is very kind.” Tang Yue recalled the few times he had seen King of South Jin. He did not find any kindness in King of South Jin.

However, after the fight for the throne, and the fact that he had taken the throne in the end, he was afraid that his kindness had almost been wiped out.

“That housekeeper didn’t go far after leaving the manor. Instead, he used the money he accumulated to buy some fields in Yellow Flower Village and built a house. He spent 20 years in peace.”

“If that’s the case, why did the king leave him alone to talk to him and reminisce about old times?” A prince and a slave from twenty years ago. What was there to talk about?

“I don’t know. Perhaps there are other things that I haven’t found out. But as long as it has nothing to do with us, we don’t need to care about him.”

“That’s true.” Tang Yue was just curious. He did not intend to get to know more about the old grudges between the master and servant. As long as Crown Prince Zhao could get out of the swamp of rumors, it would be enough.

“Your Highness, Crown Princess, we have arrived in Marquis’s Mansion.” The carriage stopped. The driver’s voice came from outside.

Tang Yue jumped off the carriage first and looked at the familiar door with a smile on his face.

The big family of Marquis’s Mansion welcomed Tang Yue at the door. According to the etiquette, they had to bow to Tang Yue, who had married Crown Princess and became her son.

Tang Yue jumped in fright. He had no choice but to hide behind Crown Prince Zhao.

Crown Prince Zhao held his hand and said to Yueyang Marquis’s family, “We are all family. We don’t need to bow in the future.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Crown Prince.”

“Rise.”

Yueyang Marquis stood up and made way for Crown Prince Zhao. “Please, Your Highness.”

Crown Prince Zhao walked in front, followed by Tang Yue, and then Yueyang Marquis and the others.

Tang Yue sighed with emotion. This was the strict hierarchy of feudal society. Even if they were a family, it would be inevitable for them to split up after a long time.