She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 541 - 539: Just Youthful Passion

Chapter 541: Chapter 539: Just Youthful Passion

Jinrong frowned at the characters on the wall and didn’t shift his gaze until Hu Jing entered the room. He then silently turned to look at Hu Jing.

Hu Jing first paid his respects to Jinrong and then waved to Hongzhi standing behind, "Come and serve tea to the Sixth Master."

Jinrong waved his hand and pointed to a spot nearby, "No need for formalities, Mister. Please, have a seat."

Hongzhi, who had accompanied Jinrong back from court, had been barred from entering the study and had no chance to step foot inside. The tea he prepared earlier could finally be served now.

Hu Jing took the tea tray, placed the teacup beside Jinrong, and asked, "Has the Sixth Master encountered some troubles? Why not share it with me? Perhaps I could offer some consolation."

Jinrong cast an expressionless glance at Hongzhi, causing him to shudder. He quickly bowed and retreated, closing the door behind him and shrugged at Hong Wu who was peering from the outside. The Sixth Master and the Duke An had come out together, probably facing some setbacks regarding Miss Ye’s affair.

Those who served by Jinrong’s side generally knew where his weakness lay. After Jinrong appeared to calmly drink a couple of sips of tea, Hu Jing cautiously ventured, "Is it because of Miss Ye’s matter?"

After Miss Ye had left the capital for a considerable time, the Sixth Master didn’t speak of it, but in his daily actions, something always seemed to be missing. Although he was still in contact with Jiang Yifan and the guards left in Clear Water Village, receiving news about Miss Ye now and then, it wasn’t the same as before when she was close by, and he could visit her whenever the whim struck him.

Spending time in such an aimless manner, the Sixth Master’s thoughts finally settled, and he focused on the court’s railway project running through the towns. As Lord Jiang had entrusted, since the responsibility for the railway project had been passed on by Prince Yu’s Mansion, it was time to concentrate on planning for the other benefits the railway would bring.

As the end of the year approached, however, the Sixth Master seemed to grow restless again. Especially after receiving the threaded fasteners and the hand-pulled hoist, the Sixth Master became even more unsettled. The items were delivered, but not the person; this indicated that Miss Ye definitely planned to stay in Clear Water Village for the New Year.

To tell the truth, Hu Jing himself felt somewhat anxious. It wasn’t that he worried about the Sixth Master’s inability to marry Miss Ye—that was just wishful thinking on the Sixth Master’s part and utterly impossible. He was worried about the outcome the Sixth Master was about to face.

Lord Jiang was very clear about Miss Ye’s feelings, and she had never made attempts to hide it. Moreover, in the matter of seeking Miss Ye’s hand in marriage, Lord Jiang had a unique advantage—after all, he was Miss Ye’s former husband. The reunion of a once broken mirror has always been a tale of beauty.

Jinrong had never concealed his feelings for Ye Xinyan in front of Hu Jing and Hongzhi. Hearing Hu Jing directly broach the subject, Jinrong showed no trace of emotion.

He slowly took a couple more sips of tea, feeling somewhat more at ease, but without looking at Hu Jing, he just stared at the shallow porcelain teacup in his hand. In a light tone, he said, "The Imperial Father urged me to remarry a princess consort yesterday."

"Oh," Hu Jing acknowledged, waiting for Jinrong to continue.

Shifting his gaze from the teacup to Hu Jing, Jinrong said, "You all actually don’t think highly of my chances of marrying Ye Xinyan, do you?"

Hu Jing sighed and said, "It’s my fault. If I had realized earlier that Sixth Master was infatuated with Miss Ye, I would have advised him against it, and perhaps he could have withdrawn in time."

Hu Jing almost turned green with regret. At that time, he hadn’t thought the Miss Ye would be able to return to the capital. Considering her situation back then, not only was she a divorced woman struggling to make a living, but she also had a dangerous and despised secret identity. Becoming Sixth Master’s concubine would have been her greatest protection. With her extraordinary talents and willingness to serve Sixth Master, she would be beneficial in every way and not harmful at all to his great cause. Why wouldn’t he accept her?

Little did he know that things would develop to this extent.

Hu Jing had been Jinrong’s teacher since his youth and knew him very well. He changed the angle of his question and asked, "Since when did Sixth Master start to plot for the position of the Crown Prince? Since you’ve chosen this path and have been on it for so many years, you must continue on it. Looking at the current situation, Miss Ye is a stumbling block in Sixth Master’s path—do you really intend to give up the ambition you’ve had since you were young for a woman? And abandon those officials who are willing to follow your Highness?"

Jinrong replied coldly, "If I am fortunate enough to ascend to the throne, can’t I have whatever woman I want?"

Hu Jing looked at Jinrong and gave a bitter smile, unsure of how to answer his question. After all, what couldn’t an emperor do once he was prepared to make that leap?

Jinrong pressed on with his questioning, becoming quite aggressive, "Even so, wouldn’t it be possible then?"

"Of course, it’s possible, as long as your Highness doesn’t fear being labeled licentious and immoral," Hu Jing looked straight at Jinrong.

With a cold laugh, Jinrong said, "Ye Xinyan is a maiden awaiting marriage, both intelligent and straightforward, possessing virtue and talent. Even when she stands out, all her actions benefit the state and the people. What is so disgraceful about my heart being delighted by such an admirable woman? If I am to be branded licentious and immoral merely because Ye Zi was once divorced, then I am willing to shoulder that infamy."

Listenting to Jinrong’s defiant words, Hu Jing shook his head with a smile and said, "Has Sixth Master considered that your plans can only be put into action after you ascend the throne? Even if Miss Ye can wait until you are crowned, will you still be in love with a woman whose best years are behind her? I ask you this now, and you must be utterly unwilling to believe that your love for the Miss Ye won’t last forever, right?"

Then Hu Jing laughed self-mockingly, "Forever and ever, such a fascinating phrase. Only heaven and earth can last forever and ever."

Jinrong frowned deeply, staring at Hu Jing. He disagreed with what Hu Jing said—so what if her prime was past? Ye Zi had never been the type to delight others just with her appearance. Didn’t Master Hu know that?

Hu Jing continued, "Let’s take a step back. Even if Miss Ye also has affection for Sixth Master and is willing to wait until you are emperor, can Sixth Master really avoid taking a princess consort, concubines, even palace attendants during the long wait before your accession? How could Prince Yu, leading such a solitary life, inspire loyalty in those following you, willing to risk their lives and fortunes to support your ascension?

Hu Jing chuckled, "Moreover, generally, young princes, even if they have someone they’re fond of, tend to forget her by the time they ascend the throne and begin to favor the young and beautiful consorts who enter the palace. When Sixth Master reaches his prime, are you really going to ignore young and beautiful women to continue favoring an older woman whose beauty has faded? Even if at that time Sixth Master still holds affection, wouldn’t it be more about respect than love?"

Upon hearing this, Jinrong finally came up with a retort, his voice filled with a touch of annoyance, "Master speaks erroneously. Are you unaware that Ye Xinyan is extremely intelligent, not to be compared with ordinary, mediocre women?"

"Sixth Master, it’s just youthful passion," Hu Jing narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard. For a man, it was natural to feel passionately in youth, but as one ages, especially when one becomes the ruler of the land, with all the beauties of the world at one’s disposal, who’d continue to dwell on an old love whose prime is gone?