CHAPTER 890: CHAPTER 888: JUST GENUINE CHARACTER

Listening to the melodious tunes in the wind, the Crown Prince could not help but be moved. He had indulged in pleasure for so many years, and knew and experienced plenty of things in places of entertainment.

Yet the faintly audible zither and bamboo flute music and singing were so pure and hauntingly beautiful, as if a stream meandering through distant mountains, standing out amidst the bustling world, and even shaking his corrupted mood.

The Crown Prince even forgot to ask the little eunuch where Yaya’s courtyard was and hastened towards the source of the sound.

......

Jinrong did not attend to affairs at the Ministry of Personnel that day either. He left the main hall, took a turn at the Ministry, greeted the Minister of Personnel, and went out to find a few idle friends before riding out of the city.

The group made a circle around the still-unformed Creekview Garden. Jinrong had an air of commanding the landscape, explaining the lucrative scenes to appear in the garden, making Huang Rui and others deeply envied.

It was a pity they didn’t have His Highness’s luck. If Miss Ye had met them during her difficult times, wouldn’t those profit-making businesses belong to them now?

This wasn’t mere nonsense; their influence in a small county town in a remote area wasn’t insignificant, and as proper aristocrats of the capital, they could have supported Miss Ye.

Collaborating with Miss Ye meant continuously planting money trees, and harvesting a constant flow of Silver.

Judging by Guangsha Construction’s proficiency in laying tracks, they suspected His Highness joined two sections at Miss Ye’s suggestion, allowing him to share the rich profits of the railway carriage now.

Jinrong and his childhood friends imagined the lucrative enterprise of Creekview Garden and reluctantly took care of Official Tang’s business, visiting the poorly-trading, deserted Four Seasons Scenery.

Four Seasons Scenery hadn’t had visitors for quite a few days, even Official Tang preferred not to look upon this depressing garden compared to the scenic pictures painted on Creekview Garden’s outer wall. He usually didn’t come.

It had almost been deserted, save for a few gatekeepers.

When Jinrong and his entourage reported their names, it frightened the gatekeepers. Even in the garden’s prosperous months, few aristocrats rented the garden, never having seen a prince here.

One main gatekeeper quickly sent a nimble-footed attendant back, fetching the steward, and bringing over ingredients and cooks.

Official Tang knew His Highness Prince Yu was building Creekview Garden to deal with him, so he wisely did not appear but went all out in hosting Jinrong for the day.

Huang Rui and the others toured Four Seasons Scenery, casting scorn upon Jinrong. It wasn’t disdain for the garden’s beauty, but for Jinrong’s unprincipled nature.

A civilian labors to build a garden, and though its beauty cannot match Creekview Garden’s design, it is still a leader among gardens, yet Jinrong forcibly spoiled the business.

Their envy, jealousy, and resentment in their words were unabashed.

Such disdain pleased Jinrong greatly; far from feeling ashamed or displeased, he was instead boastful, vexing his childhood friends.

Returning to Prince Yu’s Mansion in the evening as usual, Hu Jing was already cheerfully waiting in the courtyard.

Jinrong tossed his whip and reins to Hong Wu, smilingly asking Hu Jing, "Mr. Hu looks in good spirits, is there anything delightful?"

Hu Jing replied cheerfully, "I’ve received a fine jar of tea and brought it to enjoy with His Highness. I have been waiting for the entire day."

He even took the lead, gesturing invitingly, directing Jinrong towards the study.

It seemed there was good news, Jinrong was also in a good mood, told Hongzhi: "Inform the kitchen, dinner will be in the study, and Mr. Hu will join us."

Hu Jing’s steps paused hearing this, as he followed Jinrong, lowered his voice, and said, "It’s been some days, His Highness constantly holding a grudge against the Prince Consort isn’t ideal, is it? The Prince Consort is still young, His Highness and the Chancellor should guide her more. She has already acknowledged her faults, when she hosted Yuanfan and his wife, and Young Master Qi, she was quite diligent."

Jinrong glanced at him sideways, "Mr. Hu is versatile, can even weigh in on these matters?"

"Well..." Hu Jing’s tone paused, then said no more.

Though His Highness’s relationship with Han Mansion could be considered official affairs, His Highness likely has his own thoughts; outsiders should not interfere too much. Simply reminding His Highness is enough; more is unnecessary.

In the study, Jinrong first changed out of his outer garments in the partition, wiped his hands and face over the copper basin brought by the attendant, before sitting beside a small desk and watching Hu Jing busy brewing tea.

Jinrong asked with a smile, "Is there news from the Crown Prince’s Mansion?"

Yesterday, news had already arrived; a concubine they sent to the Crown Prince’s Mansion had captured the Crown Prince’s attention and was directly brought into his chamber, spending the night.

Given the Crown Prince’s lascivious nature, today he should go looking for Yaya. In that case, the song and dance arranged a few days earlier should have already been seen by the Crown Prince, proving useful.

Hu Jing nodded with a smile, "The two dancing girls and the singer Xiang Xiu have been taken by the Crown Prince and placed in a courtyard near his residence, Yaya has moved there as well."

Hu Jing sat at the lower seat, placed the tea cup by Jinrong’s side, unable to restrain his smile. After more than a year, they finally made progress in the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

He continued, "It’s said that the Crown Prince spent most of the day lost in the revelry of music and dance, completely enthralled. Luckily, we prepared several songs and dances, otherwise we really couldn’t satisfy the Crown Prince’s cravings. The two dancing girls are quite capable, if given the chance, a major achievement can be attained."

Hu Jing paused, laughed, "In this matter, Yuanfan and Grandma Jiang should be credited first. His Highness was fortunate before to have Yuanfan’s acquaintance and assistance, and later met Grandma Jiang in her time of crisis a thousand miles away. Such luck could be considered heaven-sent."

Jinrong frowned in disagreement, disdainfully remarked, "Mr. Hu, words of caution, let Ye Xinyan not hear this. That girl’s craving for Silver is almost maddening, if she knew the importance of their roles, I’d have to lose a fortune again."

"Not to that extent, Your Highness, not to that extent." Hu Jing laughed, waving his hand repeatedly, then considering Jinrong’s mood, continued, "Crazy as it might seem, but not missing any opportunity is true. It’s genuine nature, just genuine nature."

Hu Jing really liked Ye Xinyan’s style, straightforward and direct, yet smart and generous, a rare woman. More suitable for the position of the Prince’s consort than the Prince Consort Wife.

It’s a pity His Highness was a step too late, had he married the ill-reputed Miss Ye earlier, even if trouble followed, it could have been resolved. But alas...

Jinrong did not respond, hummed discontentedly, then asked, "Is there news from Prince Fu’s side as well?"

The progress at the Crown Prince’s Mansion brought joy, but the effectiveness of their makeup techniques and the song and dance had been anticipated earlier. Hu Jing’s elation indicated the good news was not limited to this.