Chapter 432 - 426_1
The lives of young girls are the most playful, and that’s exactly the case with the Fifth Princess. Although Lin Yue still had her worries, since the Third Princess had said as much, it wasn’t appropriate to keep fretting over the Fourth Princess’s troubles. Instead, she went ahead and taught the Third and Fifth Princesses how to play mahjong, and since they were short one player, she even pulled in the Third Princess’s personal palace maid to join them.
Mahjong isn’t difficult to learn. After Lin Yue explained the rules and taught them for a few rounds, both the Third and Fifth Princesses caught on. It was their first time playing such a novel game, and the sound of mahjong tiles being shuffled resonated in the hall all afternoon.
"I heard that Princess Yongle brought a peasant woman back to the palace as a guest. What’s this all about? A couple of days ago, the Princess mentioned going out of the palace for a banquet. Could it be that she went to this peasant’s home?" Huangfu Jing asked with a furrowed brow.
While Yongle Palace was immersed in joyous play, the Emperor was concerned about Princess Yongle’s affairs and had placed someone inside Yongle Palace to keep watch. Naturally, the day’s events at Yongle Palace were reported to Huangfu Jing.
Huangfu Jing was both curious and cautious of Lin Yue, and also somewhat uneasy, fearing that just as the Fourth Princess had said, the peasant woman might really have beguiled Princess Yongle. Huangfu Jing knew his sister well; protected by himself and the Empress Dowager over the years, she was clever but somewhat naive and tended to act on her feelings, particularly with friends made outside the palace, lacking a certain degree of wariness.
"The peasant woman met the Princess at the Princess Residence. Indeed, the Princess did visit this peasant woman’s home last time."
"Despite the Fourth Princess’s malicious intentions—likely seeking to provoke the Third Princess by troubling that peasant woman—this peasant woman nonetheless appears to be somewhat improper. The Princess has only recently made her acquaintance, meeting no more than twice, and yet she’s already considered a good friend by the Princess. That surely indicates crafty methods. Have you thoroughly investigated this peasant woman’s background?" Huangfu Jing, connecting the dots with what he knew, felt that the peasant woman was rather scheming.
"Yes, Your Majesty, we have looked into it. The peasant woman’s last name is Lin and her first name is Yue. She originally married a hunter from a small village in Xin’an City. When her husband was injured and fell unconscious, it was Lin Yue who requested Mr. Jiang to come and treat him. Afterward, Mr. Jiang became acquainted with their family. Subsequently, they started a food business and even partnered with the Jiang Family for some ventures. Her visit to the Capital City this time was also for business purposes. Speaking of which, the new delicacies recently introduced in the palace use ingredients supplied by their family."
As the Emperor’s personal eunuch, it’s essential to be capable and preemptive. Knowing that the Emperor cares about Princess Yongle, he was naturally well-informed about those close to the Princess. After learning about the person Lin Yue, he immediately had her investigated so he could report directly to the Emperor when asked.