Chapter 847: Public Appearance
The Emperor didn’t need to ask, he already knew that it was Princess Shoukang’s own issue; he was well aware of how virtuous the Empress was.
Probably, the matter wasn’t entirely as Princess Shoukang described.
The Emperor casually said, "I understand, you may leave for now. I still have many memorials to review."
Princess Shoukang, feeling aggrieved, bowed and retreated.
From a young age, she wasn’t very close to this imperial brother, and naturally did not dare to speak more.
The Emperor then sent someone to inquire about this matter from the Empress.
The eunuch returned to mimic the report to the Emperor, who listened and, feeling a bit annoyed, said, "This Huan Huan truly, she openly questioned the legitimacy of someone’s child; being slapped was really quite gentle."
"How could there be any semblance of princess-like manners?"
After the Emperor finished speaking, he put the matter aside, not considering punishing Madam Jiang or reprimanding the Empress.
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The next day, Jiang Youzhi was off duty, and happened to receive an invitation card from a family inviting him to a birthday banquet.
Normally, Jiang Youzhi never attended such gatherings.
He could not socialize excessively with court officials.
In his current position, even slight mingling with officials would raise suspicions of forming factions.
Their father-son duo wielded too much power. Though the Emperor currently harbored no suspicion, they themselves were aware of the need to avoid it.
However, Jiang Youzhi decided to attend the banquet today.
Not only would he go, but he would also take You Er with him.
Yesterday at Kunning Palace, when Princess Shoukang spoke those words, many ladies and misses from various households were present.
Needless to say, they would soon embellish and circulate Princess Shoukang’s words.
Jiang Youzhi also would not allow anyone to question You Er’s ancestry.
Close to noon, Jiang Youzhi instructed You Er’s maid to dress him in outfit suitable for meeting guests.
At home, Gu Yunjiao usually dressed the children in soft cotton clothes that were sweat-absorbent, breathable, and had some elasticity, conducive to their activities.
The maid quickly dressed You Er in an outfit, a silver-blue thin satin robe, with a jade belt around his waist.
With You Er’s hair still short, wearing a golden crown was impractical, so his hair was styled into two small puffs, adorned with two small golden tigers.
Jiang Youzhi reached out and hugged You Er, "Come, go out with Daddy."
Now being the Grand Secretary, he was extremely busy, except for spending evenings playing with the children; he had never taken them out for fun.
You Er was very excited, clinging tightly to Jiang Youzhi’s neck, "Daddy, where are we going?"
Jiang Youzhi had You Er sit on his arm and strode outward, "Daddy is taking you to a banquet."
You Er was immediately dispirited; what was good about a banquet? He thought Daddy would take him out riding a big horse.
His brother’s Daddy had taken him horseback riding before, which he really liked.
Well, but seeing Daddy so eager, he decided to go; he was a good child, he wouldn’t dampen Daddy’s spirit.
Jiang Youzhi carried You Er and took a sedan chair at the second gate, heading to the house of the Minister of Revenue, who was organizing a birthday banquet for the family’s elderly lady.
The sedan stopped at the Minister of Revenue’s house gate. The servants approached, quickly learning of the identity of the person in the sedan from the accompanying servant, then dashed inside to inform Minister Yu.
Minister Yu received the news and ran out to welcome Jiang Youzhi.
He never expected Lord Chief Minister to personally attend his mother’s seventieth birthday banquet.
He had sent the invitation card merely as a gesture of respect because Lord Chief Minister never attended any banquets.
As Minister Yu’s hat became askew from running, he reached the gate to see Jiang Youzhi entering with a child in his arms.