Chapter 1421 - 771: A More Assertive Husband (Double-Length) (Part 2)

"She is sleeping," Yin Weiyin said.

"Just wake her up then."

"Let her sleep a bit more. Children should sleep more," Yin Weiyin shook his head and said.

Lin Wanxiao, having a child now, seemed to stand taller in front of Qin Qingluo.

Qin Qingluo frowned. In recent days, she either received New Year's visits and gifts from local officials, tribal leaders, and prestigious families in the Prince Mansion's main hall, rewarded border soldiers, reviewed military exercises to stabilize military morale, or handled the document accumulation or new governmental matters due to the holiday, and coordinated local affairs. Not a moment was free, perhaps due to the busy time right after the New Year, she seemed more solemn than usual.

"My daughter from the Qin Family must not be so lazy. Wake her up after a rest," she said.

Since it wasn't his own child, Yin Weiyin couldn't argue with this Princess, so he nodded.

Qin Qingluo entered the hall and sat down. Though she wouldn't stay for long, Yin Weiyin still courteously prepared tea for her. The Princess gazed at her for a moment, then spoke peacefully:

"He is going to Western Jin this trip, passing through Sichuan. I heard that Sichuan is a place full of supernatural and strange tales, you being a Taoist, please take extra care on the road, and in doing so, you may win his favor."

Yin Weiyin's hand paused while preparing the tea. What Qin Qingluo said wasn't much of a surprise to her because she would have done it even without the reminder.

However, did Qin Qingluo's instructions mean she was considering herself the First Lady?

Therefore, Yin Weiyin said indifferently:

"These things can be discussed on the road. We have encountered all kinds of dangers since coming from Dragon and Tiger Mountain. Speaking of which, it's fortunate that I urged him to hurry, otherwise, he wouldn't have made it back to see you before the New Year."

The female Prince raised an eyebrow slightly, as if not hearing clearly, and asked blandly:

"What, what did you say?"

Yin Weiyin was about to repeat himself, to let Qin Qingluo know who was more significant, but unfortunately, Qin Yue had just woken up.

"Uh... where's Auntie... Ah... Father, Father, hold me."

Qin Yue rubbed her eyes as she emerged from the side room and ran towards the tall lady upon seeing her.

Qin Qingluo picked her up and rose as if she did not want to stay any longer.

......

Zhu E was also busy these days.

As the hostess of the Prince Mansion, she needed to manage internal affairs, arrange rewards for the Prince Mansion's officials and servants during the holiday, instruct people to send gifts and handle social interactions, host gatherings for the key women of the city, donate porridge to the city's poor, and further assist Qin Qingluo with more secretive matters.

She was still gentle and comprehensive in demeanor, her smile appropriate, her work meticulous, making arrangements within her duties orderly, showcasing the temperament of the Prince Mansion and the hostess's skills everywhere.

Lantern Festival approached, and the Prince Mansion began preparing for the final wave of festive climax.

The hanging lanterns needed inspection and replacement, banquet menus were to be finalized... the air was filled with a sense of orderly busyness.

As the date of departure for the Western Jin approached with the Lantern Festival, Chen Yi was not in a hurry. As he walked through the corridor, he saw Zhu E climbing a small stool to personally change the eaves' lanterns. Her long skirt with smoke and haze patterns wrapped around her elegant figure; her slightly bent waist and lowered head revealed beautiful contours under daylight.

Chen Yi took a deep breath, enduring slightly.

He knew well that unlike Qin Qingluo's passionate and wild impact, Zhu E's beauty was like a ripe fruit, juicy and full, with a lazy charm and silent invite. Every inadvertent action was just right, every inch of skin exposed was like casting a stone in the lake, rippling circles that swayed the heart.

"You're here, Sir?" Zhu E turned to see him, stepping down from the stool. "If I had known you were coming, I would have asked you to help replace them."

"Where are the maids?"

"Busy elsewhere, couldn't find them for a moment, so I decided to do it myself."

Chen Yi nodded, ready to continue expressing concern and gradually lead into a topic, but after thinking about it, it wasn't necessary with Zhu E.

Thus, he suddenly asked, "Would you like one as well?"

"Ah?"

Zhu E was stunned.

Not long after, her ears turned a deep red.

"Why say such a thing suddenly..."

"Of course I like you, I like my Princess."

"… If the Prince hears this, she might get angry again."

"So I won't say it in front of her," Chen Yi paused, continuing to explain, "The thought came because Lin Zhenlan has one now, and I see the Prince feeling stifled, not quite willing to accept it. If you, as her aunt, have one as well, even if she is displeased, she can only give it up."

"Sir, you are so devious," Zhu E coquettishly scolded, yet still shook her head, saying, "Let's leave it be, not to mention the world is changing, and in a few years' time, having another one might be too much to handle. Besides, the Prince isn't such a narrow-minded person, she won't treat that lady unfairly."

Chen Yi couldn't help but chuckle bitterly, continuing, "I know she won't mind Lin Zhenlan, but I don't want to leave a knot in her heart, making her hold a grudge. As the saying goes, 'It's not worth more than three times.' If you have one too, maybe she can let it go."

Zhu E couldn't help but laugh, her eyes twinkling with understanding allure. She shook her head lightly, her dark red sleeves swaying with the motion.

"Oh Sir, what kind of sneaky plan are you plotting?" Her voice was soft, accompanied by a laugh, "Thinking that having another child can dilute the unease in the Prince's heart? This isn't business, where more goods can drive down the price. The thoughts of the Prince… are not like that?"

Chen Yi was left slightly embarrassed, touching his nose, and asked, "What do you think should be done? She's been growing cold towards me these days."

As the time to part drew near, Qin Qingluo seemed increasingly displeased with him, though he did not know why.

Zhu E carefully placed the replaced old lantern aside, patting the dust off her hands.

"Sir, you are worried and tend to overthink. The Prince's nature is proud and forceful, yet she dislikes scheming. The more cautiously you act, sometimes it can be pleasing, yet sometimes it's too much. From her perspective, she might see you as apprehensive, calculating, or even lacking in assertiveness."

She paused, observing Chen Yi's thoughtful expression, before continuing gently, "Between you and Lady Lin, even if the Prince is displeased, she won't make things difficult publicly. Her real concern is not having one more child, but…"

Zhu E considered her words, speaking more softly, hinting, "It's your attitude towards her, your intention. It was right to find her on New Year's Eve. But in the following days, when she ignored you, and you didn't take the initiative, only circling around Lady Lin, from the Prince's view, she might think you're... afraid of her? Or perhaps that she doesn't need your company as much as Lady Lin does?"

Chen Yi furrowed his brow, "I am not afraid of her."

Zhu E followed up, laughing knowingly, "But Sir, don't forget what kind of person the Prince is. If she truly turned cold towards you, she'd probably be too lazy to be angry at you. If she's cold towards you now, it means she still cares inside.

So, Sir, there's no need to be conflicted or hope for other matters to divert her attention. Sometimes, being more assertive can indeed be effective."

Chen Yi was slightly startled, lowering his gaze, "More assertive?"

Zhu E's eyes lit with laughter, slowly speaking:

"Indeed, maybe the Prince occasionally prefers a more assertive gentleman."

Chen Yi's lowered eyes slowly lifted,

this he was all too familiar with.