Chapter Twelve: Admiration

He Ge’er shook his head. “Then I’ll wait for Mother to finish eating.”

Yang Yin smiled and agreed.

Zhou Shi, lacking money, didn’t dare to linger outside and prepared to leave alone.

Those sent out soon brought the person back.

Inspector Zhou found fault with him everywhere but still began to explain the matter.

“I’m not going! Yang’s relative—why should I go? Pretending to be affectionate with her? That would be unfair to Xin Niang!” Zhou Shi refused.

Inspector Zhou, furious at his attitude, nearly threw his teacup at him.

Yang Yin, who had just come in, overheard that sentence, and her heart sank deeply.

“If he won’t go, then fine. I was the only one invited anyway,” Yang Yin said coldly.

Zhou Shi sneered.

Inspector Zhou, unable to vent his anger on his daughter-in-law, snarled at Zhou Shi, “You bastard! If you don’t go, don’t ever expect another cent from the estate!”

Zhou Shi’s face stiffened—such a threat! He wanted to leave immediately, but when he thought of Xin Niang out there…

Yesterday, when he visited Xin Niang, he awkwardly told her about the monthly allowance issue. She didn’t get angry; instead, she comforted him.

Everyone in the manor said Xin Niang was after his money. But if she were truly the kind of person they claimed, how could she behave this way?

Clearly, these people were too narrow-minded to understand their true love!

The thought of Xin Niang possibly suffering outside made Zhou Shi increasingly hesitant.

Yang Yin looked at him with scorn, utterly disappointed in this man.

In the end, Zhou Shi turned around. “Fine, I’ll go! But only if we agree that the allowance will be restored once I do!”

Xin Niang should understand him—after all, this was all for their future!

“Hmph!” Inspector Zhou angrily threw off his sleeves and left.

On August 25th, the sky was clear, the breeze gentle and pleasant.

The vermilion gates of Prince Ning’s residence stood wide open, welcoming guests from all directions.

Lin Menghua changed into a brand-new crimson peony palace gown, her black hair styled into a high bun adorned with pearls and jade. She and Fu Cen stood in the center of Huiyue Hall, greeting the other princes.

Following closely was Pei Zhenzhen, dressed in a goose-yellow brocade palace gown.

Prince Cheng and Prince Rong arrived simultaneously.

“Third brother, third sister-in-law.”

“The fourth brother is ill and cannot come today,” Prince Cheng explained.

“Please, brothers,” they all proceeded together to the Floating Splendor Courtyard, not far from Huiyue Hall. The others had arrived earlier. Inside, the atmosphere was lively, even punctuated with bursts of laughter.

Upon seeing their arrival, the crowd quieted and stepped forward to bow.

“No need for formalities. Today is to honor our third brother’s rite, so everyone feel free,” Prince Cheng waved his hand, exuding warmth and acting the big brother.

Prince Rong glanced at him but said nothing.

Among those present were familiar faces—friends of Prince Ning and relatives from Lin Menghua and Pei Zhenzhen’s families.

It was Lin Menghua’s first time meeting Lin Qi’an.

He was brought by Lin Zheng.

“This boy is Lin Qi’an, thirteen years old. Our two branches aren’t that distant; his great-grandfather and ours were cousins…” Lin Zheng explained, pointing to the slender youth before Lin Menghua.

“Brother Qi’an,” Lin Menghua greeted him with a gentle smile.

She already knew of the feud between Lin Qi’an’s branch and Lin Jiang’s, mostly over inheritance. Family disputes over property were common, but outright occupying ancestral lands was rare.

Lin Qi’an looked at the noble and beautiful woman with her tender smile. Having grown up knowing the cold and warmth of people, he recognized she bore no ill will nor disdain.

Meeting her gaze, his back straightened, but his expression was somewhat shy.

Lin Menghua led Lin Qi’an forward to greet Fu Cen.

“Your Highness, this is my maternal cousin Lin Qi’an.”

Fu Cen was slightly surprised. He glanced at the young man, then at Lin Zheng chatting animatedly not far away with the Duke of England, raising an eyebrow.

“So he’s your brother. He should visit Prince Ning’s residence more often. If anyone in the capital dares to offend him, they can report my name…”

Prince Rong and Prince Cheng turned their heads and drank quietly.

Though the words seemed frivolous, they gave Lin Menghua face and made Lin Qi’an known among the capital’s influential circles.

Seeing her goal achieved, Lin Menghua smiled slightly.

At that moment, Yang Yin appeared with the reluctant Zhou Shi.

“Greetings, Your Highness, Your Highness’s Consort.”

When Zhou Shi bowed, he deliberately shifted aside, trying to keep his distance.

“No need for formalities.” Fu Cen was not familiar with these two and gave no further thought.

Only when Lin Menghua introduced them did he recall the recent political figure, Inspector Zhou.

This young man before him was the son who had embarrassed Inspector Zhou.

After exchanging a few polite words, Fu Cen intended to dismiss them.

Lin Menghua was about to lead Yang Yin away to introduce her to the wives of officials in the capital.

Yang Yin signaled the hesitant Zhou Shi to follow and leave, but he seemed to ignore her.

What nonsense is he playing at? Yang Yin’s face darkened instantly but restrained herself from making a scene to avoid becoming a laughingstock.

She clenched her teeth and followed Lin Menghua.

Fu Cen, standing nearby, was puzzled. Could this man be trying to ingratiate himself? The thought stirred disdain within him, though he maintained a friendly smile.

“Your Highness, student Zhou Shi has admired you for a long time.”

Fu Cen was taken aback. If he sought favor, shouldn’t he be subtler?

Prince Rong fanned himself nearby. “Big brother, it seems our third brother isn’t without supporters! Look, someone’s already pledging allegiance to him.”

With open supporters like this, who knew how many secret followers he had? The thought darkened Prince Rong’s eyes.

Prince Cheng also paused. “Do you know who that is, second brother?”

“No, probably a scholar. Since when does our third brother have prestige among scholars?”

They exchanged a glance and headed toward Fu Cen.

Frowning slightly, Fu Cen thought him a bit foolish but noticed the two elder brothers frequently glancing their way. He cast a cold look at Zhou Shi. “I am aware.”

Zhou Shi, unaware, babbled on, “Today’s meeting with the secondary consort truly reveals her heavenly grace—she suits Your Highness perfectly...”

Fu Cen felt a vague unease.

Sure enough, Zhou Shi continued, “I share Your Highness’s temperament and greatly admire your character.”

Fu Cen’s expression darkened immediately. “What do you mean?”

Zhou Shi was startled but replied, “As humans, we should bravely pursue those we love. Your Highness’s feelings for the secondary consort deeply moved me, and I aspire to such devotion. Your steadfastness and courage command my respect!”

At this, Zhou Shi’s face was earnest. Everyone opposed and condemned his relationship with Xin Niang. The whole world denied their love and deemed it wrong. But the man before him—this prince—would surely understand!