Anning was on her way back from the early morning audience with Prince Jin when she learned that the Xie family had co to Yang City.
Indeed, Anning had recently been given the privilege of attending the morning audience with Prince Jin.
She tentatively suggested to Prince Jin that she wanted to see what the early morning audience was like, thinking it might be quite fun.
Then, Prince Jin really did take her to the audience.
During the early morning audience, Anning sat beside Prince Jin and saw dissatisfaction in the eyes of the civil and military officials as they gazed upon her.
The ministers of Jin Country must have regarded her as an Evil Concubine who brought disaster to the nation.
After all, Prince Jin had broken too many precedents for her.
Prince Jin had never conferred a title on anyone before, but he nad her Noble Consort, and for her sake, he even showed concern for the disaster victims. Now he went further and actually took a woman from the harem to the early morning audience.
So ministers tentatively raised objections, saying it was inappropriate for a woman like Anning to attend the morning audience.
But as soon as this suggestion was voiced, it was t with a cold stare from Prince Jin.
If Prince Jin didn’t say Anning shouldn’t co, then those ministers had no say.
For several days afterwards, Prince Jin continued to bring Anning to the morning audience.
Anning thought that Prince Jin must have found it amusing.
She discovered that Prince Jin enjoyed observing people.
Sitting on the throne, looking down on those ministers, watching them enter the scene one by one, performing act after act in the court—it really was quite entertaining.
Especially when Anning sat by his side, the constipated expressions of those ministers were even more amusing.
After attending the early morning audience for several days, Anning realized that Prince Jin must really dislike Grandmaster Geng.
His face would darken at the sight of Grandmaster Geng, and no matter what Grandmaster Geng said, he would oppose it.
It wasn’t that Grandmaster Geng was wrong; it was purely opposition for the sake of opposition.
After the audience, Anning quietly inquired and understood the reason, finding it particularly amusing.
She now thought that Prince Jin was rather adorable.
Grandmaster Geng was Prince Jin’s teacher, who had guided him since he was a child, and could be said to have looked after him as he grew. Grandmaster Geng had invested a lot of effort in Prince Jin and cherished him even more than his own son.
The problem was that Grandmaster Geng, like his surna suggested, was too blunt and sowhat pedantic.
It was easy to imagine that during Prince Jin’s most annoying and mischievous phase in childhood, he loved to frolic, but had to listen to that pedantic elder’s restraint, being told not to do this and that, to love his subjects, and to behave in certain ways. Consequently, Prince Jin rebelled.
His rebellious phase still hadn’t ended, even now.
After figuring out the reason, Anning paid special attention to the interactions between Prince Jin and Grandmaster Geng.
She also noticed that Grandmaster Geng knew Prince Jin was deliberately opposing him, so when he spoke in court, he often used reverse psychology.
For instance, if he wanted to promote a particular minister, he would vehently criticize that minister, urging Prince Jin to demote him far away, but Prince Jin would do the exact opposite. If you said to demote him, he would promote him instead.
Then, Anning thought that Grandmaster Geng was quite adorable too.
That day, Grandmaster Geng had another disagreent with Prince Jin, and after the audience, Prince Jin’s face was grim.
Following beside him, Anning involuntarily thought of Grandmaster Geng’s fate.
In her previous life, Feng Chengxi knew that Grandmaster Geng had a great influence on Prince Jin and also knew that he was a pillar of Jin Country. So, he had Xie Anning persuade the court multiple tis to fra Grandmaster Geng. Eventually, Grandmaster Geng was demoted, and his family was exiled far away.
Later, when Jin Country was breached by Lu Country, it was this straightforward elder who ca to take care of Prince Jin’s remains, finding only a handful of ashes. He then embraced those ashes and died by colliding into the walls of the Royal Palace.
Thinking of Grandmaster Geng’s loyalty and uprightness, Anning softly said to Prince Jin: "Your Majesty, Grandmaster is quite good, loyal to your cause and all-heart for the people..."
Prince Jin held Anning’s hand: "I know."
Anning was stunned for a mont.
Then she laughed: "Your Majesty is astute."
Her praise made Prince Jin’s mood improve significantly.
Just at that mont, an Attendant hurried over and whispered to Prince Jin: "Your Majesty, the people from the Xie Family of Lu Country have arrived in Yang City."
Anning also heard these words.
A cold laugh rose in her heart; it was just as she had thought, Feng Chengxi was still using the Xie family. However, she put on an expression of pleasant surprise: "Your Majesty, has my mother co?"
Prince Jin looked towards the Attendant.
The Attendant smiled: "Madam Xie also ca, together with young master Xie Anchang."
Anning grew even more excited: "Really? When will they enter the palace... No, it would be better for to leave the palace to et them."
She made as if to run, but Prince Jin grabbed her: "What’s the rush?"
Anning looked at Prince Jin with anticipation: "I miss my mother."
"Let soone bring them into the palace," said Prince Jin, "so that your mother can stay here for a few days and keep you company."
At this ti, Prince Jin was still quite empathetic.
But what Anning hoped for was that he wouldn’t be so understanding; she wished he would arrogantly refuse the visit from the Xie family.
"Okay."
Anning smiled, leaning next to Prince Jin: "Mother must have missed terribly to have rushed here from Lu Country."
Prince Jin, with his arm around Anning, headed towards Qifang Palace. While walking, he teased her, "You say one thing but an another."
Anning narrowed her eyes slightly.
She felt that Prince Jin had actually seen through her.
Just as she had seen through him.
In fact, Prince Jin was not so heartless. His feelings towards Grandmaster Geng were also quite complicated.
His anger at the morning court eting was not because he had quarreled with Grandmaster Geng again, but because of Grandmaster Geng’s distrust of him.
Grandmaster Geng, fearing that Prince Jin would neglect serious state affairs out of spite towards him, presumptuously made suggestions that went against his own will.
He thought doing so would achieve his goals.
Yet, how could Prince Jin, such an intelligent person, fail to see through his thoughts?
Every ti Prince Jin opposed Grandmaster Geng, it was intentional because he knew Geng’s intentions and understood what could and couldn’t be done.
Actually, if Grandmaster Geng spoke openly about his thoughts, as long as they benefited Jin Country, Prince Jin would also agree.
Grandmaster Geng had taught Prince Jin for so many years, yet he never truly understood him.
That was what angered Prince Jin.
"You too," Anning replied.
Prince Jin’s steps halted montarily, and then, acting as if nothing had happened, he continued leading Anning into Qifang Palace.
The next day, Anning t Madam Xie and Xie Anchang.
At that ti, Anning had just gotten up and was sitting in front of the dressing table.
When a palace maid reported that Madam Xie had entered the palace, Anning eagerly stood up, her hair scattered as she walked out from the bedroom.
"Mother."
Tears brimd in Anning’s eyes as she threw herself into Madam Xie’s embrace.
Madam Xie wrapped her arms around her: "My child, my dear child..."
Xie Anchang bowed respectfully.
Anning pulled Madam Xie to sit down and looked at Xie Anchang: "Little brother has grown thin recently."
Madam Xie smiled: "He has not rested well on the journey and naturally lost so weight."
While talking, Madam Xie inspected the furnishings of Qifang Palace, and seeing the various treasures scattered about, she deduced that Anning must be highly favored.
"My child, are you living well now?"
Anning lowered her head, speaking softly: "It’s fine. Your Majesty treats well."
"That’s good to hear," Madam Xie said with a smile and a relieved expression.
Xie Anchang coughed: "Little sister, what’s this about the Crown Prince staying in Jin Country as a hostage? How co I heard that you discussed this with Prince Jin?"
Anning’s smile disappeared imdiately: "The matter of the hostage?"
She lowered her head and whispered, clutching her dress: "I discussed it with Your Majesty. Being so far from ho, I can’t even et family. So, I... I thought of having my cousin stay in Jin Country. Then I have soone to talk to, and it feels more certain."
"Nonsense."
Madam Xie suddenly frowned, sternly reproaching Anning: "How dare you behave so recklessly. He is the Crown Prince of Lu Country, the future heir to the throne. By having him stay as a hostage in Jin Country, what if sothing happens in Lu Country? How could you manage? Your aunt treated you so well, is this how you repay your cousin? If sothing happens to your cousin, how can you face your aunt?"
"Yes indeed."
Xie Anchang nodded in agreent with Madam Xie’s words: "As the Noble Consort favored by Prince Jin, you should be speaking good words for Lu Country, and do things that benefit the Crown Prince. You can’t just do as you wish. Little sister, take our advice, and speak to Prince Jin so other day, let the Crown Prince return to his country."
Anning’s expression changed.
The joy on her fair face from the arrival of her relatives was gone.
She looked up at Madam Xie: "Mother did not co to see but to lobby for my cousin, didn’t you?"
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