Chapter 536: Chapter 537: Deep Calculations
The Commandery Princess was her senior, and if she said to sit, the Emperor could not object.
After seating themselves in order, a palace maid brought tea. The Commandery Princess picked up her teacup, sipped briefly, and after setting it down, she spoke, "I came to the palace today to ask His Majesty for a favor!"
The Emperor hurriedly said, "Aunt, whatever you command, please say it without hesitation!"
The Commandery Princess had not entered the palace for quite some time, and her sudden visit now to ask for a favor must be for Prince Yanjun.
Speaking of which, he was a few years older than Prince Yanjun, and now he even had grandchildren, but Prince Yanjun had no progeny of his own.
It was indeed pitiful.
"Since the Emperor has said so, I won’t beat around the bush. I have purchased two five-section residences on White Tiger Street, and I wish to include the mountain behind them to give to Jinnian as a token of gratitude for her providing the antidote to Yanyan!"
Two five-section residences plus a mountain seemed a rather hefty reward.
But Prince Yanjun had been born with a severe poison, suffering unbearable pain daily for over forty years.
Now that he had finally seen the light again, it was reasonable for the Commandery Princess to want to offer a substantial reward.
"Since Aunt has made the request, I will immediately instruct the Ministry of Revenue to prepare the deed for the mountain. In a few days, it will be delivered, and once Aunt has presented it to the Yun Family girl, it shall belong to her!"
Upon hearing this, the Commandery Princess smiled.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your fulfillment!"
"Aunt speaks in such a way, you flatter me too much!"
Prince Zhongqin was somewhat curious; the strange poison that no one else could resolve, how did this fourth miss of the Yun Family, a mere girl, manage to do so?
But it was not the right moment to ask.
Chu Yu was mostly silent, while the Emperor earnestly inquired about the Commandery Princess’s health, showing great concern.
"I’m well!"
"Then I am relieved!"
The Commandery Princess nodded, "The Emperor is preoccupied with the affairs of state, I am quite well here, there’s no need for you to worry!"
Whether true or false, at this point, it was necessary to maintain an appearance of peace without breaking the facade.
"To be able to serve my Aunt is my good fortune!"
Chu Yu watched the Emperor’s insincere expression and sneered inwardly.
Heaven knows how much he wished for the early demise of the Commandery Princess, so no one would be left to control him.
"Then let it be so, I will also take my leave. I am growing old, and it’s quite taxing on my body to come out and about!"
"Then allow me to see Aunt out!"
"No need, just let Yu’er escort me, that will suffice!"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s expression stiffened briefly.
As he stood to see the Commandery Princess and Chu Yu out, he glanced at Prince Zhongqin beside him, "Uncle, what do you make of this matter?"
"It’s just a mountain after all; if the Emperor has given it, then it is given!"
The Emperor sneered inwardly.
Indeed, it was just a mountain, fencing it off for Yun Jinnian was not significant. But with the Commandery Princess granting such a high reward beforehand, how would he reward Yun Jinnian when she entered the palace to cure his poison? If he rewarded too much, surpassing the Commandery Princess, or too little, as a ruler, he would struggle to save face.
"It really is just about the mountain, but..."
Seeing the Emperor halt, Prince Zhongqin immediately grasped the implication, "A mountain in the Capital can be bought with some silver and connections, but a title like Commandery Princess or County Princess, bestowed by the Emperor, cannot be bought for all the gold and silver in the world!"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor felt there was sense in the words.
"Uncle, you have indeed reminded me!"
Prince Zhongqin shook his head with a smile.
Yet, it was not his place to say more. After all, this concerned the Emperor’s private matters, and it would not do well to offend the Commandery Princess. Should his elder sister become angry, he too would not be spared.
The Emperor, understanding Prince Zhongqin’s thoughts, knew well that the Commandery Princess – the legitimate elder sister of the late emperor, born with the title of Commandery, having lived a prominent life, and one who could command authority – was not someone to be trifled with indeed!