Chapter 550: Chapter 505, Distinction_1
Taohua Village.
As Xiao Yeyang prepared to head down the mountain with Defu, Gu Jian glanced at the sky, “It’s still early. Even if Daohua left Ningmen Prefecture early in the morning and took a boat here, she wouldn’t arrive until almost noon. If you go down now, you won’t see anyone yet.”
Seeing Xiao Yeyang’s embarrassed look, Granny Gu laughed, “If he wants to go down, let him go. After all, it’s the same as waiting inside.” While speaking, she picked up a cloak and draped it over Xiao Yeyang herself, “The wind is strong by the docks. Be careful not to catch a cold.”
Looking at Granny Gu, who was trying hard to tie his cloak despite some difficulty, Xiao Yeyang’s heart swelled with emotions.
In the past, his visits to Taohua Village were solely for private moments with Daohua. Although he had respected and appreciated the elderly couple, to be honest, he had not invested much emotion in them.
But this time, he distinctly felt the affection of an elder for a younger generation from Granny Gu. Even Master Gu, beneath his stern and unsmiling face, hid a concern for him.
Since the night of the New Year’s Eve, he had sensed that the two seniors were always looking after his mood, accommodating his dietary preferences, and occasionally showing signs of affectionate concern in their conversations.
He thought, maybe this is how a grandmother shows her love to her grandson.
Now, after Granny Gu finished tying his cloak and straightened it out, she said, “Alright, you can go down the mountain now.”
Xiao Yeyang grinned, “Thank you, Granny!”
Granny Gu squinted at him with a smile, “Do I need thanks for tying a cloak for my own grandson?”
Xiao Yeyang’s eyes flashed slightly as he looked at the affection in Granny Gu’s eyes and cracked a smile, “Granny, then I’ll go down the mountain to meet Daohua.”
Granny Gu nodded with a smile.
Xiao Yeyang paid his respects to Gu Jian, and then he and Defu left the courtyard.
After they had left, Granny Gu happily turned to Gu Jian, “Just now when I said he is my grandson, he didn’t refute me.”
Seeing his sister’s happiness, Gu Jian couldn’t help but smile as well, “That young man knows gratitude.”
…
After descending the mountain, Xiao Yeyang didn’t go straight to the docks, but took a shortcut to the back of the village mountain.
At this moment, at the foot of the back mountain, several Hidden Guards were already waiting there. Seeing Xiao Yeyang approaching, they all knelt on one knee, “Greetings to our master.”
Xiao Yeyang stepped forward and asked in a calm voice, “Have you gathered the information I asked for?”
Hidden Guard, “Reporting to our master, we have investigated it all. The matter of Prince promoting Ma’s concubine to his principal wife was caused by the Guo Family’s rejection of the Jiang Family’s marriage proposal.”
Xiao Yeyang frowned, “The Jiang Family proposed marriage to the Guo Family?”
The Hidden Guard nodded, “Yes, the second son of the Jiang Princely Heir’s family, Jiang Jingrong, wanted to marry Governor’s daughter Xueming. However, Duke Dingguo directly refused, and the news reached the Empress Dowager’s ears in the palace. Furious, she claimed the Guo Family was ungrateful and then proposed the elevation of Ma’s concubine.”
Xiao Yeyang was slightly taken aback, “The Empress Dowager…”
So because the Guo Family disagreed to the marriage, she brought up promoting Ma’s concubine?
What was this, had he become a tool for the Empress Dowager to vent her frustration on the Guo Family?
Visions of his childhood in the Imperial Palace suddenly came to Xiao Yeyang’s mind.
The Empress Dowager was very kind to him. Every time he went to Cining Palace to pay his respects, she would pull him close, speaking kindly to him. In those moments, the surrounding palace maids and eunuchs would say, “The Empress Dowager dotes on him the most.”
Having heard this so often, he had come to believe it was true.
But now, thinking about it, did the Empress Dowager ever really dote on him?
When he had been ostracized by the Princes and Princesses, she had never spoken up for him;
Whenever he had disputes with other Princes or Ministers’ sons, regardless if it was just or not, she indulged him, leading everyone to regard him as arrogant and domineering, and he ended up isolated and disliked.
Once again, Xiao Yeyang found himself thinking of Granny Gu, real affection should be like hers, shouldn’t it?
After a long silence, Xiao Yeyang expressionlessly inquired, “What else?” He did not believe the situation was this simple, nor did he believe that the imperial uncle would agree to his father promoting Ma’s concubine because of this reason.
Hidden Guard, “Last December, Concubine Ma gave birth to a Prince, who is now being raised in the Empress’s palace.”
Xiao Yeyang’s eyes flashed briefly. “The imperial uncle agreed?”
The Hidden Guard replied, “The position of the right Governor in the five-army governors’ residence has been changed. General He Guangyao has taken the place.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s face showed sudden realization. This was the imperial uncle’s game of chess with the Jiang Family. He Guangyao was the imperial uncle’s man. With this change, the five-army governors’ residence was now entirely under the imperial uncle’s control.
The Jiang Family got a Prince; the imperial uncle thoroughly controlled the five-army governors’ residence; the Ma Family climbed up by allying with the Jiang Family, and even got a legitimate Prince consort. Everyone benefited. His father, the Prince, also got a spouse and an increased number of legitimate sons, while he alone became the most awkward person…
Caught in the midst of it all, Xiao Yeyang keenly felt the helplessness and resignation before the absolute power and interests of the imperial authority.
Xiao Yeyang’s eyes slightly narrowed as he gazed into the distance. Such powerlessness, once was enough!
Seeing Xiao Yeyang silent, the Hidden Guard and De Fu both bowed their heads lower, not daring to make a sound.
After a while, Xiao Yeyang spoke again, “From now on, you don’t need to stay in Zhongzhou anymore. Return to Beijing, and keep a close watch on the Ma Family and Prince Ping’s residence. Inform me immediately if there’s any news.”
Daohua was right. Whether or not he wanted the title from Prince Ping’s residence, it was for him to decide, not waiting on others’ charity.
The Hidden Guard said, “Your subordinate obeys.”
Xiao Yeyang: “… And as for the Imperial Palace and the Jiang Family, keep an eye on them too. I want to be informed of any and every change in the winds within the capital.”
After the Hidden Guard left, Xiao Yeyang stood for a while longer before walking towards the dock with De Fu.
…
As they neared Taohua Village, Daohua emerged from the cabin and stood on the deck. From afar, she could already see Xiao Yeyang.
“Miss, the Little Prince is actually here!”
Daohua glanced at Wang Manman. “From now on, don’t call Xiao Yeyang ‘Little Prince’ anymore.”
A teenage boy’s self-esteem is at its strongest, and no longer using this title could be seen as Xiao Yeyang’s venting and resistance to the elevation of Ma’s concubine. For him, it also served to assert the pride in his heart.
Didn’t Prince Ping legitimize Ma’s concubine and have a new legitimate eldest son? Then he no longer needed this ‘Little Prince’ title.
Wang Manman asked, “Then what should this servant call him?”
Daohua furrowed her brows in thought. “How about calling him Lord Xiao? Or maybe, Elder Xiao?” As she spoke, Daohua couldn’t help but laugh herself.
Xiao Yeyang stood on the shore, seeing Daohua’s joyful laughter, his mood also lightened. As the boat docked, he immediately extended his hand to help her disembark. “What’s so funny?”
Daohua chuckled, “We were talking about you, Elder Xiao!”
Xiao Yeyang glared at Daohua without amusement and adjusted her cloak for her. Then he took her hand, “Let’s go, Granny and Master Gu have been looking forward to your arrival since early morning.”
Daohua looked at Xiao Yeyang. “When did you come here?”
Xiao Yeyang replied with a smile, “On New Year’s Eve.”
Daohua was curious. “What made you think of coming here?”
Xiao Yeyang’s lips curled into a smile, “Granny sent someone to invite me over.”
Daohua pouted. “Hey, even though I am Master Gu’s disciple, it feels like Granny favors you over me.”
Xiao Yeyang responded jokingly, “Of course, that’s because I’m more lovable.”
Daohua looked at Xiao Yeyang in amazement and couldn’t resist stretching out her hand to pinch his face.
Xiao Yeyang quickly caught Daohua’s hand. “What are you doing, taking liberties with me?”
Daohua glared back, “Who’s taking liberties with you? I just wanted to see how thick your skin is?”
Xiao Yeyang placed Daohua’s hand on his face. “Then you better feel carefully.”
Daohua shook off his hand and huffed, walking towards the mountain on her own.
Xiao Yeyang quickly followed her with a laugh.
Source: NovelFull.com, updated on N𝘰vgo.co