Chapter 176.3

Xu Ji used very blunt words when he spoke today, an obvious sign that he had lost his patience. As for who it was that lost his patience, it naturally wasn’t himself, but Duke Xuguo behind him.

Actually, for Duke Xuguo to endure for such a long time was already beyond Jin Wang’s expectations. Last year, just before new year’s, Duke Xuguo had mentioned to him the matter of deposing Consort Jin and promoting Xu Yueru to be the new consort. Jin Wang had always ignored these people, yet who would’ve thought they would come looking for him so impatiently?

“Benwang thought benwang has already made it very clear to you. It is His Majesty’s intention not to depose the consort. Even if she is deposed, the position of the main consort won’t belong to a daughter of your Xu Family.”

Xu Ji probably did not expect Jin Wang to be so straightforward when speaking, so he felt quite embarrassed. But this embarrassment was only fleeting. He lowered his voice and threatened, “Your Highness Jin Wang, are you waiting for a better time or has someone else caught your eye? Being so ruthless, are you not afraid of offending my Duke Xuguo Manor?”

Jin Wang looked at him and just smiled coldly. Xu Ji probably knew there was no way to continue talking about this matter. He cupped his hands and said coldly, “I will pass this message to my master. I hope Your Highness will not regret it.”

Jin Wang ignored him and then proceeded to walk around him.

Xu Ji glanced at his back coldly, then hurried into an alley and disappeared.

As soon as Jin Wang stepped into Rongxi Courtyard, a fat cat entangled itself around him. It was Huahua.

Huahua’s hair was fluffy and smooth. It was already a big cat and it looked chubby, like a miniature leopard. It jumped up, and scrambled around Jin Wang’s feet in various ways, slipping back and forth between his legs, and Jin Wang struggled to move forward.

Yaoniang saw Jin Wang had returned through the window, but when she didn’t see him entering after a long time, she came out to take a look out of curiosity. When saw such a scene, she laughed and said, “Huahua, if you continue to pester him like this, be careful to not get grounded again. Even though you get punished every time, you never seem to remember it.”

It was unknown whether Huahua understood or not. It didn’t even look at Yaoniang and just walked around Jin Wang’s legs a few more times before sitting down by his feet.

“Xiaobao hasn’t come back yet?” Logically, Xiaobao should have returned from school by now.

“Did His Majesty invite him to stay behind to talk?”

This was Yaoniang’s guess, but her guess wasn’t groundless. These days, Emperor Hongjing was interested in Xiaobao’s progress and would call him over from time to time to test his knowledge. This child was also perceptive. After being invited over twice by Emperor Hongjing, he now knows to go to Qianqing Palace to find his Imperial Grandfather without being asked.

Given the little imperial grandson’s actions, the people below would naturally report them. Every now and then, the grandfather and grandson pair would meet to talk and nurture their relationship. Whenever Yaoniang thought of it, she wondered how she could have possibley given birth to such a clever kid.

As she spoke with Jin Wang, they walked to the inner rooms. Hong Chou and the others came in, carrying Jin Wang’s casual clothes, along with a towel and a copper basin of hot water. Although summer was over, the weather was still hot. Since he had walked the entire way back, there was a thin layer of sweat on Jin Wang’s forehead.

After Jin Wang washed up and changed into more comfortable clothes, the two came to sit on the big Kang.

Yaoniang hesitated then asked, “Do you think Xiaobao’s recent behaviour will attract other people’s attention?”

Jin Wang raised his eyebrows to look at her. It seemed that she wasn’t completely silly. He grabbed her soft hand to play with and said, “Don’t worry, benwang has already thought of this matter.”

“I’m just worried about those things that are impossible to guard against.” For Yaoniang to say such a thing showed how concerned she was. She rarely asked about outside matters, partly because Jin Wang didn’t want her to know too much. But now that it concerned her son Xiaobao, as a mother, she couldn’t help feeling worried.

Jin Wang patted her hand, “Sometimes being high profile can be a form of protection. Don’t underestimate Father Emperor. Daring to touch Xiaobao at this time would be seen as an obvious sign of provocation. No one would be so stupid to do such a thing. “

Yaoniang had an expression of disbelief. Although she hasn’t been in the capital for long, she has already seen a lot. In her heart, Emperor Hongjing really wasn’t that wise or mighty. He might be a little smarter and much more powerful than that Boss Mao whose sons were fighting over his family property. But if Emperor Hongjing was really as wise and powerful as Jin Wang said, why would all those things happen in the palace?

His Highness the crown prince had such an honourable status, yet he had suffered in such tragic ways. Yaoniang didn’t think her Xiaobao would hold more weight than the crown prince.

Yaoniang looked around and saw no one around, so she whispered her thoughts to Jin Wang.

Jin Wang laughed. He laughed because Yaoniang looked so cute whispering like that. The thing was sneaking around like that was useless. If whispering information can hide it from the eyes and ears of others, there would be no walls with ears in this world.

Although Rongxi Courtyard seemed ordinary, there were many layers of guards hidden in the dark. Not even a fly could fly in from outside. The servants in this courtyard were also carefully selected. This was why eavesdropping was unlikely to happen here. Even if it did, no one dares to spread it outside.

Besides, there was still An Shi.

“Has this kind of thing ever happened to Hui Wang Shizi?”

Hearing this, Yaoniang was stunned for a moment.

Jin Wang pulled her over, tapped her pink lips, and said with dark eyes, “Father Emperor does everything with his own thoughts and intentions in mind. Don’t worry too much. Even if something goes wrong on his side, there’s still benwang’s people.”

Yaoniang thought for a while. It was unknown what she was thinking of but her eyes flickered and she said, “You’re saying that His Majesty…to Xiaobao… this…”

She started feeling a little panicked. It wasn’t really a surprise to her, but she couldn’t help worrying.

Jin Wang patted her. “That’s why I told you not to think too much. Xiaobao is only so old. It’s too early to say these things now. You just need to know that no one is stupid enough to deal with our son in the open, Even…” Even if there were someone, they wouldn’t resort to such dark methods.

“Even what?”

Jin Wang’s eyes flashed. “It’s nothing.”