Chapter 19: The Prince is a Woman 19

Chapter 19: The Heir is a Woman (19)

*Sigh!*

Ye Hong walked out of the great hall with a heavy sigh. Just by seeing the dark, grim expression on His Majesty's face when Ning Zhen was mentioned, he didn't even need the Emperor to say a word to understand that the Prince of Ning's manor could no longer be associated with Ning Zhen.

What a pity.

If only one could blame the Prince of Ning; had he been more honest and upright, the two families would have been the most perfect in-laws.

Ye Hong shook his head and walked slowly out of the palace, pondering in his mind how he would comfort his daughter upon his return.

Inside the great hall, it was so quiet that one could clearly hear a needle drop.

Hou Rongfa stood to the side with a bowed waist, but he was secretly observing the Emperor, who sat upon the dragon throne flipping through memorials. Fearing a scene that might spiral out of control, he had just secretly dismissed everyone else from the hall so that His Majesty could vent freely.

He knew all too well that His Majesty must be furious right now.

*Thud—*

There it was.

Hearing the sound of a teacup smashing against the floor, Hou Rongfa’s heart finally settled. Rather than having His Majesty suppress his anger within, he preferred to see him vent it, lest it damage his health.

In truth, why must His Majesty suffer such grievances?

Whether one likes men or women is not something one can control. His Majesty is the Son of Heaven; if he likes someone, why must he be so restrained? Why not simply bring the person to his side? Since ancient times, one has never seen an Emperor so self-sacrificing. Even if the other party were truly unwilling, no one would dare speak ill of the Emperor.

His Majesty was enduring a bitter life here, while that person knew nothing of it. Hou Rongfa let out a soft sigh.

Previously, His Majesty had warned him not to seek out the Ning Heir privately, so he had not gone.

However, he collected news regarding the Ning Heir every single day, so that if His Majesty ever asked, he would have details to provide.

As he learned more and more about the Ning Heir, he felt even more that His Majesty was being treated unfairly.

While His Majesty struggled with restraint here, the beauties on the Ning Heir's side never ceased; he basically accepted anyone who came his way. Thinking of this, Hou Rongfa felt increasingly indignant.

"The Ning Heir is not worth His Majesty's distress. Please do not let it ruin your health."

Ye Ji's brush paused for a moment before moving again. He ignored Hou Rongfa, but the chill emanating from his seemingly emotionless face grew heavier.

News of that person always reached him in different ways. He hadn't expected the other party to be quite so popular.

Even his Twelfth Uncle had been moved, wanting that person as a son-in-law.

He didn't know what was so special about Ning Zhen; after all, they had only met a few times. He only knew that the person was indeed intelligent and protective of the young ladies of the Prince of Ning's manor. As for the rest, he did not know. It wasn't that he couldn't know, or that he couldn't find out, but rather that he deliberately avoided investigating.

Yet, it was this very person, whom he knew so little about, who haunted his thoughts day and night, driving him to the brink of madness.

He didn't know how much longer he could maintain his restraint.

His patience was gradually approaching its limit. He did not know what would happen on the day he could no longer hold back.

His well-defined fingers gripped the brush tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand. Ye Ji closed his eyes, tossed the brush aside carelessly, and let it splash a willful ink flower onto the desk.

"You are being talkative again," he said.

His voice was cold and indifferent, showing no outward sign of irregularity.

But Hou Rongfa could feel that this was merely a layer of calm covering the surface; if the fire were slightly disturbed, it would immediately spread or even explode.

"Your Majesty, this old servant dares to report something," Hou Rongfa prostrated himself on the ground. "The Ning Heir truly is not worth this to Your Majesty. While Your Majesty endures here, the other party is taking beauties to his side one after another..."

An icy gaze fell upon his head, making Hou Rongfa break into a cold sweat.

He simply could not bear to see His Majesty in such pain. As the Son of Heaven, there was absolutely no need to suffer for the sake of another.

If he spoke the truth and His Majesty completely stopped caring about Ning Zhen, that would be for the best. He had never seen anyone affect His Majesty this much. If no one could affect His Majesty, that would naturally be a good thing.

Even if he couldn't forget, as long as His Majesty stopped making himself suffer, that was what he wished to see.

In Hou Rongfa's heart, His Majesty was the most important. For His Majesty, he would walk through fire and water without hesitation.

"What did you say?" After a long silence, Ye Ji's voice rang out, devoid of any fluctuation.

Yet, beneath the surface, violent waves were churning.

Hou Rongfa recounted the news he had recently obtained, not daring to look up, quietly waiting for the Emperor's reaction.

"Heh!"

Hou Rongfa's body trembled uncontrollably. Gritting his teeth, he added, "Therefore, there is no need for Your Majesty to keep this person in your heart."

"The Ning Heir is surrounded by countless beauties; he is simply not worth it."

Ye Ji's deep gaze drifted toward the doors of the great hall, as if trying to pierce through layers of obstacles to see directly into the Prince of Ning's manor. Even without seeing inside, he imagined a scene where various courtyards were filled with beauties.

And both men and women, no less!

Ning Zhen was quite something.

He had been enduring this because he was worried his thoughts might frighten the person; he didn't dare reveal his intentions for fear of hurting them.

And the result?

Ning Zhen didn't refuse the beauties sent to him, and behind his back, who knew how much debauchery and pleasure he was enjoying?

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. There are plenty of people in this world better than the Ning Heir," Hou Rongfa said hurriedly. "With just one command from Your Majesty, there are many who would be willing to stay by your side."

Ye Ji let out another cold laugh, his eyes filled with indifference.

"Go and summon Ning Zhen in."

Since the other party did not discriminate between men and women, why should he continue to restrain himself?

If the other party could take those beautiful men, why couldn't they stay obediently by his side?

As long as Ning Zhen was obedient, he would not mistreat him.

Hou Rongfa froze for a moment, then quickly responded. This was not the outcome he most hoped for, but His Majesty was the Emperor; it was only right for him to have his own way. It was better than keeping it bottled up.

"Where did that person go today?" Ye Ji asked almost as if possessed.

He rarely inquired about Ning Zhen's news, but he knew the person was usually quite busy, so he asked—it was just a casual question with no other intention.

Hou Rongfa surely knew.

As expected, Hou Rongfa said, "This morning, the Ning Heir went to the Duke of An's manor, to the home of the eldest daughter of the Prince of Ning's manor."

Ye Ji knew this. Ning Yulan had married Yuan Bingjun, the youngest son of the Duke of An. This Yuan Bingjun was the Duke's late-born son and was extremely pampered. He also remembered another matter: Ning Yulan had been married into the Duke of An's manor for nearly ten years and had remained childless.

Originally, he wouldn't have known these things, but it was all because of that person. Back then, he had taken an interest in the ladies of the Prince of Ning's manor and had briefly looked into their superficial circumstances.

"Summon him in once Ning Zhen leaves the Duke of An's manor," Ye Ji left the instruction and continued reading the memorials.

Hou Rongfa could only obey.

His Majesty's current state of mind was indeed not suitable to be brought before others.

***

The Duke of An's Manor.

A-Zhen saw Ning Yulan.

While she was chatting with Ning Yulan, a maid brought in a bowl of dark, murky medicine. "Fifth Young Mistress, the medicine is here. The Madam said this is a prescription the Third Young Lady helped obtain. Whether it works or not, you will see the results after drinking it for a month."

"Hurry and drink it while it's hot; it will be very bitter once it cools. The candied fruits are right here; take one after the medicine and you'll feel better quickly." The maid respectfully placed the medicine bowl in front of Ning Yulan.

Ning Yulan smiled at A-Zhen and took the bowl. Despite her gentle and graceful appearance, she downed the medicine in one gulp, displaying a touch of boldness and straightforwardness.