"Prime Minister, wait, Prime Minister, wait!"
After the morning court, Nan Chaoyin walked out of the great hall. Just as he stepped off the steps in front of the hall, Ji Hong's head eunuch hurried over from behind. He caught up to Nan Chaoyin, panting slightly. Once his breathing stabilized, he made a gesture to the stopped Nan Chaoyin, "Prime Minister, His Majesty requests your presence in the Imperial Study."
His Majesty?
Was it about the banquet?
He nodded and followed the eunuch to the Imperial Study.
"Your humble servant greets His Majesty. May His Majesty be blessed with ten thousand years of peace and well-being." As Nan Chaoyin stepped into the Imperial Study, he bowed and offered his greetings. Ji Hong was engrossed in something, his gaze somewhat distant. Upon hearing Nan Chaoyin's greeting, he finally looked up, waved his hand at him, and gestured for him to rise and speak seated.
Nan Chaoyin thanked him and stood by the desk with his hands at his sides.
After a long while, Ji Hong finally raised his head. Seeing Nan Chaoyin still standing, he pointed to a chair nearby and said, "Sit there!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Nan Chaoyin thanked him again but remained standing. Ji Hong finally focused all his attention on him. "What, Prime Minister, are you blaming Us?"
"Your humble servant dares not!"
"Then you are blaming Us?" Ji Hong beckoned him forward. Nan Chaoyin stepped closer, and Ji Hong pointed to the memorial on the table, saying, "Take it and read it yourself!"
Nan Chaoyin bent over, picked up the memorial with both hands, held it in his palms, and slowly retreated until he was about a meter away. Only then did he lower his head to read the contents of the memorial.
As he read, beads of sweat gradually appeared on Nan Chaoyin's forehead.
"Your humble servant..."
Ji Hong's throat felt dry. He felt as if the sweat in his palms had already formed a small puddle. The contents of the memorial were exactly what Yu Jin had spoken of last night.
The content itself was not important. What was important was that after learning these things from Yu Jin, he had not immediately entered the palace to report to the Emperor. While last night he could claim that it was late and he did not dare to disturb His Majesty's rest, his failure to proactively request an audience after the morning court to inform His Majesty of everything, and instead being summoned by His Majesty, left him with no room for explanation.
Ji Hong raised his hand, his expression gentle, as if he harbored no displeasure or suspicion due to Nan Chaoyin's concealment. "Prime Minister, do not overthink it. We merely wish to inform the Prime Minister that even without Ji Jinmo's words, We intended for you to manage the banquet for the marriage alliance between the two countries."
"Do you understand the reason for this?"
"Your Majesty wishes for your humble servant to..."
"Prime Minister, it is enough that you understand!" Ji Hong raised his hand, cutting off his words.
"Your humble servant... understands!"
Nan Chaoyin said no more. It wasn't that he didn't want to speak, but rather that Ji Hong did not wish for him to. In the past six months, he had become increasingly unable to fathom the other's thoughts. He felt that Ji Hong had, without his awareness, matured into a true emperor.
Nan Chaoyin clenched his fist hidden within his wide sleeves, the veins on the back of his hand clearly visible.
"Good. Among all the civil and military officials, only the Prime Minister truly understands Us. With you, We are at ease."
"Your humble servant is unworthy of such praise!"
Emerging from the Imperial Study, Nan Chaoyin immediately returned to the Nan Residence. He summoned Nan Yujin into his study.
"Father!"
Nan Yujin knocked on the door. After receiving a response, he pushed the door open, bowed in greeting, and stood respectfully before the study desk, awaiting Nan Chaoyin's instructions.
Nan Chaoyin clapped his hands, and a person dressed as a servant walked in.
"Master! Young Master!"
Upon entering, he bowed respectfully to Nan Chaoyin and Nan Yujin.
Nan Yujin recognized the person who had entered, and his pupils dilated, trembling violently. He looked at Nan Chaoyin with a questioning expression.
"You need not ask further. Just remember, he is trustworthy!" Nan Chaoyin did not wish to reveal too much to Nan Yujin, merely stating that this person was reliable.
Nan Yujin understood the deeper meaning behind his father's words.
If he was trustworthy, then this servant was not the original servant!
"This son understands!" Nan Yujin did not ask further, nodding to indicate his understanding. Nan Chaoyin nodded with satisfaction, then waved his hand, dismissing the servant. After the servant left the study, Nan Chaoyin spoke again, "This morning, His Majesty decreed that a suitable husband be sought for Princess Hui'an of Da Li."
"Father, I..."
Hearing his father mention this, Nan Yujin's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that His Majesty intended for him to marry the princess of Da Li?
Seeing Nan Yujin's lack of composure, Nan Chaoyin frowned slightly and reprimanded him with mild anger, "Why are you so impatient? If you are like this, how can you be of great use?"
Nan Yujin trembled and lowered his head to admit his mistake, "This son knows his error!"
Nan Chaoyin couldn't help but sigh. Nan Yujin and Nan Yuan'er, whom he had personally taught with great care, were not as capable as Qing Yuan, the hidden guard. He wondered if they were too dull-witted, or if Qing Yuan was too outstanding!
The fact that none of his children had surpassed him left Nan Chaoyin feeling quite helpless and regretful.
"Never mind!"
Nan Chaoyin waved his hand, unwilling to dwell on the matter any longer. He continued, "His Majesty intends to hold a banquet for the marriage alliance, and the venue for the banquet has been set at our residence."
"I only had your mother resume control of household affairs last night, and today we received such a decree. Go and ask your mother whether she will manage household affairs now or after the banquet."
"I must state one thing in advance: no banquet is without its complexities. This banquet is bound to encounter trouble, so have your mother think carefully."
Nan Yujin opened his mouth. He actually wanted to ask if his father had already known that His Majesty would issue such a decree, which was why he had so smoothly passed this hot potato from Liu Shi back to his mother last night. He did not shy away from speculating on the intentions behind his father's every move with the greatest malice, but on second thought, he felt that asking the question would make no difference.
Once the seed of doubt is sown, it cannot be easily uprooted by words!
"This son understands. This son will explain the pros and cons of the entire matter to Mother."
"Good, you may leave!"
"This son takes his leave!"
After Nan Yujin left the study, the servant waiting outside the study followed him closely. Nan Yujin turned to him and said, "You go back first. I'm going to visit Mother."
"Yes!"
The servant did not show the reluctance to leave that Nan Yujin had expected. He readily agreed and turned away. Only when his figure disappeared from sight did Nan Yujin turn and head towards his mother's courtyard.
The sun was warm today, and there was no cold wind. As Nan Yujin stepped into the courtyard, he saw Wang Shi planting flowers.
"Mother!" Nan Yujin approached Wang Shi. Upon seeing Nan Yujin, Wang Shi's face lit up with joy. She stopped planting flowers, handed the trowel to a nearby maid, took a handkerchief from the maid, wiped her hands, and then took Nan Yujin's arm.
"My son, why have you come to see your mother?"
"Mother, it seems as if you haven't seen me in a long time!" Nan Yujin naturally lowered his hand and changed Wang Shi's embrace to a support. Wang Shi smiled and said, "My health has greatly improved, and I don't need to be helped anymore!"
Nan Yujin did not reply and helped her into the house.
Wang Shi smiled and said nothing more, busying herself by asking the maids to prepare refreshments.
"Mother..."
Nan Yujin hesitated to speak.
Wang Shi was slightly taken aback, then dismissed the maids around her.