A Good Country Wife
Chapter 438 - 432_1

Chapter 438: Chapter 432_1

After Princess Yongle left, the expression on the Fourth Princess’s face changed instantly, gone was the smile from before, she exuded an icy coldness and a chilling gloom that made one shiver involuntarily, just like a venomous snake lying in wait, ready to deliver a fatal strike at any moment.

The Fourth Princess’s personal Palace Maid, who had served her for so long, was very familiar with her mistress’s temperament and had long grown accustomed to such a demeanor. Regardless of her own thoughts, her face showed a righteous indignation on behalf of the Fourth Princess, "Princess, the Third Princess is going too far, how dare she threaten you like that, I really can’t stand to see it."

"What does it matter if it’s excessive? Isn’t that how things are in this palace? In that initial struggle for the throne, my brother lost to the current Emperor. It’s the victor who becomes king and the vanquished who becomes the underdog. With the Empress Dowager’s favor and the Emperor’s protection, the Third Princess has the capital to be arrogant. But I would like to see how long they can be pleased with themselves. ’Thirty years for the east of the river, thirty years for the west,’ who knows what the future will bring? It all depends on whether my brother can take back that position; only then can I wash away the humiliation I’ve endured and return the grievances and insults I’ve received over these years." The Fourth Princess cared about her brother, not only because of their blood relation but more importantly because he was her only chance for a turnaround in this lifetime. Only if her brother regained the throne could she live a life that wasn’t so demeaning. Although she was nominally a princess, in reality, she was even less than a favored Palace Maid.

"Don’t worry, Princess, the Prince is very talented. If it hadn’t been for those despicable tactics used by the two above, that position would have been his long ago. The Prince has been carefully planning all these years and will surely succeed. When that time comes, you will be a hundred times more honorable than the current Third Princess." Speaking of the Prince, the Fourth Princess’s personal Palace Maid showed a bit more sincerity, and her face betrayed a hint of infatuation. If it weren’t for the Prince, how would she have given up her previous favorable position and humbled herself to stay by the side of the less favored Fourth Princess, serving her so devotedly?

"Yes, my brother will surely succeed. I know you have been very devoted in your service on regular days. When that day comes, and my brother’s great undertaking is accomplished, I will certainly report to him and have the Prince take you in. There are good days ahead for you." The Fourth Princess did not overlook the expression of her personal Palace Maid and promised her benefits and rewards on the surface, but inwardly, she scorned the idea of such a lowly Palace Maid daring to dream about her brother, deeming it absurd. If it were not for her lack of support in the palace, she would have dealt with this overly ambitious Palace Maid long ago. Now, she had no choice but to lower herself to appease her, enduring everything until the day her brother removed the obstacles and reached the pinnacle.

Having left the Fourth Princess, Princess Yongle was now certain that Lin Yue had indeed fallen into the Fourth Princess’s hands, so she first returned to her palace to wait for news. However, she didn’t call back the people she had sent out; she still had them search all over the palace. She decided to wait for the Fourth Princess’s move—if the Fourth Princess was sensible enough to release Lin Yue and send her back, she would let it go. Otherwise, she would have to seek her brother’s help.

Meanwhile, Lin Yue, after escaping from the Palace Maid’s hands, had been running for so long that she was truly exhausted. Fortunately, she had shaken off her pursuers. Walking aimlessly for a while, she saw a stone bench ahead and didn’t care about her image at all as she plopped down. Although she was safe for the moment, her heart was still filled with lingering fear.

Dammit, the palace really is rife with schemes and plots. I better not come back in the future. Out of nowhere, I’ve drawn such trouble upon myself. Had I not been lucky, I might have lost my life. When I get back, I’ll talk to Princess Yongle and suggest it’s time for her to return. What I’m longing for right now is to see Zhao Erhu again—to return to my husband’s side. Thinking back on the days since arriving in Capital City, I find myself missing the days in Zhao Family Village when I diligently toiled for my family. Those days were hard but fulfilling and reassuring, far better than these days of cutthroat intrigue in Capital City. Once the matters here are settled, I’ll return to Zhao Family Village sooner. Thinking of the children back home, Lin Yue’s urge to return grew even more urgent, just waiting to leave the palace and discuss it with Zhao Erhu.

Huangfu Jing, with only his close attendant Abao by his side, strolled in the Royal Garden. Wandering to a secluded spot, he saw a woman in emerald clothing sitting on a stone bench, lost in thought with her head bowed. Abao was just about to move forward to announce their presence but was stopped by Huangfu Jing.

Huangfu Jing gazed at the woman and the vivid green that he’d been unable to forget these days emerged in his mind. He acted out of the ordinary by not instructing Abao to clear the path; instead, he silently approached the woman, who seemed so lost in thought that she failed to notice someone drawing near.

Abao observed his master’s unusual behavior with some surprise. As for the identity of the woman, Abao figured from her attire that she wasn’t a palace maid but rather a minor consort from the harem, less favored and of low status. That she had encountered his master today, and even caught his master’s eye, seemed a stroke of great luck.

"What are you thinking about?" Huangfu Jing asked on a whim, lacking much patience. After occupying himself for a moment, seeing that the woman remained in a daze, he decided to speak.

Lin Yue was also lost in thoughts of the days she had lived in Zhao Family Village with Zhao Erhu. She was so absorbed that the sudden male voice startled her from her reverie. She jumped in shock, stood up abruptly, and accidentally bumped Huangfu Jing’s chin, hurting herself quite a bit in the process.

Huangfu Jing didn’t fare much better either. He hadn’t expected a simple question to frighten her so terribly that her careless action nearly knocked his chin askew. Displeased, he furrowed his brows.

Knowing his master’s temperament well and understanding his every word and action, Abao took the situation into his own hands by scolding the woman, "How dare you! With such reckless behavior, you’ve collided with the Emperor’s august person. What kind of manners have you been taught?"

Lin Yue had yet to grasp what was happening when she heard a shrill voice. Hearing that she had collided with His Majesty made her silently curse her bad luck. She moved quickly, immediately kneeling down to apologize, "This humble woman did not realize His Majesty was present. In my panic, I collided with Your Majesty’s dragon body. Please grant me your forgiveness."

"Rise. There is fault on my side as well; my sudden outburst startled you, and it’s not your fault alone," Huangfu Jing said generously. He had initially thought this woman was one of his lesser consorts, entertaining the idea of showing her favor during his idle time, especially since she was dressed in green, which suited his current tastes.

Hearing the woman call herself a humble woman, Huangfu Jing realized he had been mistaken. Yet, it was uncommon for outsiders to enter the harem, and for someone of such status, it had to be the farmer that his sister, Princess Yongle, had brought into the palace. He wondered why she would be sitting here alone, which was indeed strange, and noted that she also appeared quite young.