SWDnovel Chapter 12: The First Step to Easing Relations
Chapter 12: The First Step to Easing Relations
The next morning, before dawn, Yin'e opened his eyes.
I wasn't awakened by the night watchman's clapper, but by a flock of sparrows.
Those dusty little creatures somehow crawled under the eaves, chattering and making a ruckus.
Yin'e lay on the bed, staring blankly at the embroidered patterns on the ceiling for a long while.
He didn't sleep well on his first full night after transmigrating.
Fragments of memories from past and present lives were mixed together like a pot of porridge. When I woke up, my head felt heavy, as if it were filled with lead.
He sat up and clapped his hands vigorously.
The sound wasn't loud, but Fuquan, who was on night duty outside, had very sharp ears, and he pushed the door open and came in in less than two breaths.
The young eunuch was carrying a copper basin with a neatly folded cotton cloth draped over its rim. The water in the basin was warm and steaming.
"Master is awake."
Fu Quan deftly placed the copper basin on the shelf, then took down the copper kettle that had been kept warm from the charcoal stove next to him and added some hot water to the basin.
After testing the temperature with his hand, he stepped back and stood with his hands hanging down.
Yin'e walked to the copper basin, bent down and washed his face.
Fuquan handed him a handkerchief, which he took and wiped himself haphazardly a couple of times before casually draping it back over the edge of the basin.
"Master, where should we put breakfast today?" Fuquan asked carefully as he took the handkerchief and tidied up the food.
"The study," Yin'e replied casually. "Does the Fujin (princess's wife) have breakfast separately?"
"Your Majesty, the Fujin has always dined in her own courtyard. You have instructed that we should not eat at the same table as the Fujin, and it has been almost two years now."
"Two years." Yin'e repeated the number, his lips twitching involuntarily.
The original owner of this body really had a stubborn temper.
The couple had such a big fight that they ate at separate tables for two years, which was quite a strange story even in the princely mansions of the capital.
Anyone who didn't know better would think that the Tenth Prince's mansion was so poor that all he had was a single table, which the couple had to share.
He remained silent for a moment, his mind racing.
Fuquan didn't dare to say anything more, he just lowered his head and waited quietly.
"Go to the Fujin's quarters at noon today and tell her... I'd like to invite her to lunch in the main hall."
Fu Quan was stunned.
"Master...you mean, please invite the Princess Consort to the main hall?" He thought he had misheard.
"Didn't you hear me?" Yin'e glanced at him, his gaze neither warm nor cold.
"I heard you clearly, I heard you clearly!" Fuquan nodded quickly, and his hands moved quickly. He helped Yin'e tie his belt in a few moments, and then squatted down to straighten the hem of his robe.
His mind was in turmoil.
This man always tried to stay as far away from his wife as possible. Although they lived in the same mansion, neither of them paid any attention to the other.
What's going on today? Did the sun rise in the west?
But as a servant, Fuquan naturally didn't need to overanalyze his master's intentions.
He simply made a mental note of it.
Be careful when delivering messages today, lest you get caught up in the wife's temper.
When Yin'e arrived at the study, breakfast had already been laid out.
A small rosewood square table was set with several dishes: a steamer of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), a bowl of rice porridge, and a small dish of pickled vegetables.
It can be described as simple and unpretentious.
He sat down, picked up a small steamed bun, and took a bite.
The broth burst in his mouth, so delicious that he raised an eyebrow.
"Not bad," he mumbled a vague compliment.
While eating, my mind was also working.
What exactly happened to the Fujin (wife of the emperor)?
This is the question he most wants to figure out right now.
Prince Urjingalap was a powerful ruler on the Mongolian steppe, commanding several thousand cavalrymen of the Abaga tribe, and held considerable influence among the various tribes of southern Mongolia.
Even if such a family encounters difficulties, it shouldn't be to the point where the daughter has to steal money from her husband's family, right?
Unless... this matter cannot be handled openly.
Yin'e chewed on a steamed bun, repeatedly considering various possibilities in his mind.
Is there a power struggle within the tribe?
Power struggles on the grasslands have always been bloody. If someone wants to take his father-in-law's position, he will indeed need money to win people's hearts and recruit soldiers.
Or did they have some kind of conflict with the imperial court?
The relationship between Mongol princes and the Qing court was always a delicate balance. If one accidentally crossed the line, it was not impossible to need money to bribe those above and below.
Or perhaps they offended other Mongol princes and needed money to smooth things over and apologize?
Each possibility has its merits, but none of them are supported by evidence.
Yin'e took another sip of porridge, licked the bottom of the bowl clean, and then put down his chopsticks.
He knew that asking the princess directly would only make things worse.
That woman was proud and arrogant. He asked her that question, and she lost face. She was sure she would make a scene.
When the whole mansion knows, the news will spread that "the Tenth Prince and his wife are at odds, and the primary wife is embezzling from her post," which will be a disgrace to the entire Tenth Prince's mansion.
Therefore, he needs to ease the tension first.
He had no feelings for this Mongolian princess he had never met.
In the original owner's memories, the impression this wife left on him was that she had a cold face, a bad temper, and slammed the door and left countless times.
But in order to get the truth out of her, he had to get the princess to lower her guard.
"Has anyone been visiting the Fujin (wife's) side lately?" Yin'e asked Fuquan beside him while wiping his mouth.
Fuquan thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Your Highness, the Fujin (wife) has never liked to associate with the Fujins in the capital."
However, the old nanny who serves her seems to have had someone from outside the Great Wall come a few days ago. She said she was from the Fujin's family and stayed at the mansion for two days before leaving.
Outside the Great Wall? Her maternal home?
Yin'e's eyes narrowed slightly.
This information is important.
If it's someone from the bride's family coming, it's most likely they've brought some message or mission.
"Do you know who that person is?" he pressed.
The prince looked troubled: "Your Majesty, this servant...this servant dares not inquire about the princess's affairs, but only caught a glimpse from afar, she looked like a middle-aged woman."
Yin'e nodded and did not blame him.
"I understand, you can go now. Don't forget to pass on the message."
"Yes, sir." Fu Quan bowed and withdrew, gently closing the door behind him.
The study fell silent.
Yin'e stretched out his hand, palm facing up, and with a thought.
That familiar white light shone from the palm of my hand.
He turned the pages of the book, his gaze falling on yesterday's records.
Logically speaking, directly listening to the Princess Consort would be the fastest and most direct method.
The problem is that their relationship is terrible, with a favorability rating of 15.6 and a listening distance of only ten meters.
To enter this area, he would have to go to the vicinity of the Princess Consort's courtyard, which would be too conspicuous.
"So we can't force it." Yin'e closed the book, stood up, and paced around the study.
Lunch is a crucial meal.
He wanted to observe his wife's condition closely at the dinner table.
At the same time, he also wanted to test her reaction and see what her attitude was towards "easing tensions".
If she's willing to accept this opportunity, then things will be much easier for her later.
If she refuses to come for meals, or if she comes but gives him a cold shoulder, then he'll have to find another way.
"Fuquan," he called out towards the door.
Fuquan trotted in: "Sir, what are your orders?"
"For lunch, have the kitchen prepare two Mongolian-style dishes."
Roasted lamb leg, milk tea, and some dairy products commonly found on the grasslands.
Make it authentic, don't try to fool us.
Fuquan was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, sir! This servant will go and deliver the message right away!"
He turned to leave, but Yin'e called him back.
"Also," Yin'e said in a flat tone, "take out my everyday clothes, not my court robes, just that dark blue robe."