Chapter 921: Chapter 919: Faded Beauty
Yin Xiaocheng’s rush to Yuanzhou didn’t stir much reaction. A group of robust figures thundered out of the city on horseback, and everyone thought it was another nobleman going out hunting or something.
It wasn’t until the next day that the Ministry of Revenue received orders from the Cabinet and began scrambling to organize military supplies and provisions to be dispatched all over Yuanzhou.
The Crown Prince watched as things that could have been converted into Silver were allocated away, feeling thoroughly displeased. Even the three officials dispatched by the Cabinet to oversee the Ministry of Revenue were not worth engaging with, so he just greeted Yu Shiqing and returned to the Crown Prince’s Mansion.
Nowadays, the beauties in the Crown Prince’s Mansion were not like in the past, only piling on seductive smiles, speaking coyly, coquettishly posing. Now, if the beauties of the mansion couldn’t show at least one tael’s worth of talent, they were embarrassed to go out, let alone wander around before him.
It’s still more relaxing to return to the mansion and watch the beauties with their gentle songs and graceful dances.
Especially the few beauties he recently favored, who were very understanding. The promised pair of bracelets were forgotten by them as if they never existed; they just focused on serving him diligently.
How could such beauties not make his heart happy?
Upon entering the gates of the Crown Prince’s Mansion, the Crown Prince’s originally gloomy mood gradually brightened.
But this brightness didn’t last long. Soon, his good mood was dispelled by the noise outside the Second Gate.
Who is crying so miserably, so downhearted?
The Crown Prince always had an excellent eye for beauties. Amidst the noisy crowd, he immediately recognized the one crying sadly as Hongyu, whom he had favored not long ago.
There’s no denying that matters of the heart are incredibly subtle. Just days ago, when he still favored Hongyu, she seemed lovely in every way, everything was right and good.
Now with a new love, the same person, the same matter, his perception was entirely different.
The Crown Prince frowned. Hongyu, perfectly fine, not staying in the mansion, why did she come out of the Second Gate and start making a scene? Here, in a place with so many people, is it appropriate for her to cry and cause a scene? Is there any decorum?
A bustling crowd had gathered outside the Second Gate, oblivious to the Crown Prince and his attendants’ approach. The servants observing the commotion from afar saw the Crown Prince and swiftly slipped away; none dared to warn either the involved parties or the spectators.
Hongyu cried prettily among the crowd, beside her, were the two maidservants who usually attended her.
One maidservant comforted her, persistently using a handkerchief to wipe away her tear stains.
The other maidservant held Hongyu’s arm with one hand, pointing and scolding the people in front of them with the other.
Beside them stood a carriage, with two guards and a driver standing next to it, all at a loss of what to do. They dared not intervene, yet standing idly seemed improper.
The ones being scolded by the maid were several other guards, with the target of the scolding being the flushed-faced guard leader Xu Hu.
Before the Crown Prince got closer, the chief eunuch of the Crown Prince’s Mansion, Eunuch Li, hurried over with two little eunuchs. As Eunuch Li approached, he loudly reprimanded the maid: "Is this a place for you to cause a commotion? Do you not need any rules? This is the Crown Prince’s Mansion, how dare you create havoc here?"
Although Hongyu had been ignored by the Crown Prince lately, the chief eunuch dared not directly reprimand Hongyu.
Hongyu was a rare beauty; who knows when the Crown Prince might remember this pretty beauty again. By then, as long as the beauty murmurs sweet nothings to the Crown Prince in bed, no one would be able to withstand the Crown Prince’s wrath.
Upon seeing someone with authority arrive, Hongyu cried even more bitterly. The little maid’s demeanor diminished but she was not intimidated. Joking aside, when her mistress was favored, who in the entire mansion didn’t have to defer to her mistress by three points?
It’s only been a few days; her mistress was still a charming beauty; once those lowly singing and dancing concubines lose their novelty, the Crown Prince will surely favor her mistress again.
So, why should she be afraid?
"Eunuch Li, you arrived just in time, you must stand up for our lady. Even if our lady doesn’t please the Crown Prince now, she is still his. How can we allow others to insult her?"
Eunuch Li frowned at the words, glanced at Xu Hu, and didn’t entirely believe the maid’s words.
Xu Hu indeed at times liked women, but that was when he was conducting affairs outside; when on duty he was never unprofessional, always diligent and responsible. Once inside the Crown Prince’s Mansion, Xu Hu adhered to the rules meticulously.
But the little maid wasn’t entirely wrong either. With the situation being unclear, even if Hongyu entirely lost the Crown Prince’s favor, she was still his. Unless the Crown Prince clearly commanded to send her out of the mansion or grant her to others, no one could lay any thoughts on her.
Xu Hu had served at the Crown Prince’s Mansion for many years, knowing very well the Crown Prince’s temper. He was now seen by Eunuch Li, his knees weakened, and he quickly explained: "Eunuch Li, please see clearly. There’s really no such thing, look, the brothers are all here. I haven’t done anything."
Hongyu continued to cry bitterly; the maid angrily said: "You are so rude, what are you trying to do? You say, what are you trying to do! With your lecherous eyes, it’s as if you’re trying to look into our mistress’ bones, isn’t this overly excessive? Do you really intend to do something?"
Upon hearing this, Hongyu raised her eyes amidst her crying to look at Eunuch Li, choked up, and said: "Eunuch, you must support this maid’s case. Even if the Crown Prince truly never uses this maid to serve him again, this maid has bet her life on His Highness; alive, I am His Highness’ person; dead, I am His Highness’ ghost, absolutely not tolerating another’s insult and humiliation."
Listening to Hongyu’s genuineness and sincerity, the Crown Prince’s originally furrowed brow and unpleasant expression softened, filled with genuine pity.
"Make way, make way! What’s all this commotion? Is there no decorum?" Zhixin led two attendants to clear the crowd, presenting the scene outside the Second Gate before the Crown Prince.
People finally noticed the Crown Prince coming.
Although Xu Hu believed he hadn’t done anything wrong, his complexion paled slightly. In this mansion, dealing with the Crown Prince’s women was never favorable.
Seeing the Crown Prince approach, Hongyu did not rush forward to cry but hastily wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, trying to suppress her sobs, weakly performing a curtsy, most understanding and considerate.
The Crown Prince looked at Hongyu’s pitiable demeanor, his heart itching, his gaze changed. Indeed, such a beauty had a distinct charm.
He stepped forward hurriedly, lifting Hongyu by the arm, asking gently, "What’s wrong? Why are you crying like this? Whatever the matter, speak to me, I’ll stand up for you."
As he spoke, the Crown Prince coldly glanced at Xu Hu.
Xu Hu originally intended to step forward to salute and perhaps explain a bit, but halted immediately under the Crown Prince’s gaze, his heart growing cold.
Hongyu gently sobbed twice, then softly spoke: "The other day, Satin Village sent word that the shop had a batch of materials. This maid agreed to check them out. Today, with the Crown Princess Consort’s permission, I planned to go out but, but..."
Hongyu hesitated for a moment before continuing, "This maid just stepped out the Second Gate and encountered Xu Hu and a few others. Xu Hu surprisingly lacked his previous respect and stared at this maid with brazen eyes. This maid, this maid serves His Highness..."
Reaching that embarrassing point, Hongyu truly stopped, unable to continue.
Despised for these days, Hongyu was already indignant. It was tolerable to be mocked by her sister concubines, but for these crude guards to dare belittle her, how could she endure?