Chapter 473
Before Ling Jingxuan set out from Ling Village, the whole yard’s women would have never thought that the first time they came to the mansion, what was waiting for them was such kind of situation. Although they knew what Yan Shengrui said was true—he really had never seen any of them, it was an indisputable fact that their existence was like an eyesore to him. Today, if he couldn’t solve all of them, he even couldn’t fall asleep tonight.
Everyone in the mansion was as cunning as a fox. Although their crown princess only came today and people described him with all nasty words, a lot of editions, the thing was His Highness liked him, even Qin Yu who always poised as His Highness’ woman ended like that, who else dare say a word before him? Seeing them, the servants hurriedly moved two big chairs over.
Without standing on ceremony, Ling Jingxuan directly walked over and sat down, with his eyes slowly sweeping over at everyone there, suddenly a creepy smile crawled onto his face, "Steward Zhu, is everyone here?"
He was not quite loud, but it was as still as still because of their arrival, so, Steward Zhu could still hear it clearly, then he hurriedly trotted over and made a bow, "My crown princess, they are all here. Including all servants and maids of each yard, it’s 413. 78 girls in the backyard, plus their maids, it’s 312.”
The more he said, the more trembling his voice became, for Yan Shengrui’s face grew darker and darker. He also didn’t expect that there would be so many of them. And the smile on Ling Jingxuan’s face turned brighter, “When they were sent over, have you gotten them registered?”
"Yes, both the outer and inner yard, who sent them, how many, all recorded in details.”
Unlike those common places, anyone who came in and went out had to register. Then, if something happened, they could track things down faster and more accurately. Like now, he’d answer Ling Jingxuan’s question so accurately.
"Show me the booklet."
Ling Jingxuan stretched out a hand. Steward Zhu who had long been prepared took out a booklet and placed it in his palm. After receiving it, Ling Jingxuan casually leafed through. Except from His Majesty and the empress dowager, there were Zheng family, Xiao family, Chu family, Yan Shengrui’s imperial brothers and those officials, everyone had a title. But what Ling Jingxuan was not clear was, except those from the palace, those officials should send their daughters into the palace. But they sent those women to Yan Shengrui, only to let them enchant him, then he would stand on their side. So, it was not only trying to kiss his a*s, some other factors like the throne and some political things also got involved.
“Pa~”
Suddenly, Ling Jingxuan closed it, and the smile on the face was replaced by a bloodthirsty fierce expression, which gave Yan Shengrui and Steward Zhu a shudder. The former really wanted to defend himself, but seeing his wife’s horrible side face, he shrank his neck and dare not say a single word, while the latter tried his best to minimize his own presence. Who said their crown princess is a stupid farmer and a shameless monster? He was totally another His Highness! But more horrible! Anyone who pissed off His Highness, His Highness would directly kill him or what, but their crown princess gave one that kind of unfathomable feeling. No one knew what he would do the next second.
“Someone!”
"Prince Seven is here! Duke Zeng is here!”
Ling Jingxuan’s voice almost sounded at the same time with the shouting outside. With a slight frown, he looked outside and saw that the crowd made way for Zeng Shaoqing who was wearing total red clothes and Yan Xiaoming who had grown a lot, behind them were people from the palace carrying boxes.
"Greetings, Prince Seven, long live!:
Except Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan, everyone on spot knelt down. Yan Xiaoming held back the thought of throwing himself at Ling Jingxuan and waved his hand with the other behind his back, “Save it!”
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Then everyone stood up and it became even quieter. Yan Xiaoming then walked towards Yan Shengrui and Ling Jinxuan, “My greetings, imperial uncle and imperial aunt-in-law!”
Those peach blossom eyes were filled with excitement, even trace of tears. In a short year, he felt like it was like a lifetime already. Those teary eyes stared at Ling Jingxuan greedily.
"Hmm, it’s been a long time, and you grow up a lot.”
Rarely Yan Shengrui said some complimenting words, which made Yan Xiaoming nearly cry, “All thanks to your blessing.”
"What brings you here today?"
After checking him with his eyes, Ling Jingxuan asked with not so intimate tone, after all, there were so many outsiders here, and those women were the spies of those families. Here was not their Ling village. Whatever others said, he was the Crown Princess Sheng. Every word and every move of him represented His Highness Sheng. Before making clear the current situation in the capital, he would never reveal the fact that they were close with the empress and the seventh prince.
Yan Xiaoming looked a bit disappointed, but he knew he had his reason, so he braced himself up and tried to sound like an adult, “Imperial aunt-in-law, I am here to send you the greeting gifts on behalf of my father empress, and my father emperor slows me to stay here for a few days and bond with my younger brothers.”
Deliberately stressing the words father emperor sounded meaningfully. No one there was a fool. They understood what he meant almost in an instant. After exchanging an eye contact with Yan Shengrui, Ling Jingxuan beckoned Steward Zhu, “Let them carry those things off and record it and put them in the warehouse. Ling Yun, you take the seventh prince and Lord Zeng to take a seat in the hall. I will go over right after I finish things here.”
“Got it!”
Steward Zhu and Ling Yun both went forward. Yan Xiaoming looked around and said with obvious disappointment, "Why don’t I see Ling Wen and Ling Wu?”
He missed them a lot and brought them a lot of gifts, especially those snacks only the palace had. Wu would like them!