The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law-Chapter 997 - 992: He Will Not Enter the Palace to Request a Title

Gu Youyou sighed with relief before continuing her search for Jin Zijin.

She had managed to send Searcy away.

However, Searcy had shifted from working undercover to openly serving as a doctor at Jisheng Hall; suddenly not showing up would likely cause issues at Jisheng Hall again.

It seemed necessary to resolve the matter with King Jin as soon as possible.

...

In the Crown Prince Residence, the maids included spies for the Empress, and their every move quickly reached the Empress’ ears, including King Jin’s interest in a female doctor close to Gu Youyou.

"Bring King Jin to me," the Empress commanded furiously, often losing her composure since Jin Zijin’s return to court.

The Empress had risen early that day, expecting Gu Youyou to visit the palace to offer her greetings and tea. Instead, she learned that both of them had only gotten out of bed at noon. Greetings with tea? Nonsense, they did not regard her as their mother and had no intention of offering tea.

A running eunuch had already left the palace to find King Jin, as Lady Li whispered to the Empress.

"No way. The Crown Prince was supposed to come to the palace today to request his title, a matter of great importance. How could he sleep until the sun was high in the sky?"

"Hmph, request his title?" the Empress scoffed. "The Emperor has already honored King Jin and Prince Qin. What more can be bestowed upon him? As the legitimate eldest son, he cannot be given a title lower than his younger brothers. Aside from the title of Crown Prince, there isn’t likely anything else that would catch his eye."

Lady Li, startled, found the Empress’ reasoning sound.

Otherwise, why would he abandon his senior brother duties in the Tianzong and return to be a prince?

Of course, Lady Li was aware of matters unearthed in Lotus Village; it seemed Jin Zijin could no longer endure solitude and wanted to marry.

Thinking this, her aged face broke into a reminiscent smile, and she flattered the Empress: "Your Majesty, since he cannot bear the solitude and seeks common pleasures, why not cater to his preferences? There are so many young ladies in Beijing. As the nation’s mother, it is natural for you to take extra care in arranging marriages for the Imperial sons."

The Empress, remembering a report from a Palace Attendant that embarrassed her, agreed with Lady Li’s logic.

However, by tradition, a chief wife must be in the palace for a month before a consort can be married, and a consort must be in the palace for a month before taking concubines. Thus, within a month, she would have enough time to find a woman to trouble Gu Youyou.

Soon, King Jin arrived, still looking unwell from the previous night’s drinking.

"Mother, for what reason have you summoned your son?"

"Kneel," the Empress commanded sternly.

There were no outsiders in the hall, only the Empress, Lady Li, and King Jin.

King Jin sobered up considerably at the Empress’ shout.

"Mother, what has upset you?"

The Empress said, "I heard you’ve taken an interest in a female doctor who often visits Jisheng Hall. Is she one of Gu Youyou’s associates?"

King Jin’s expression darkened, his mind racing.

Who had told Mother? His own people were very loyal; it was unlikely this information had leaked from them.

Could it be that he had drunk too much yesterday at Jin Zijin’s residence, behaved inappropriately, and been spotted by a spy Mother had placed there?

"Is it true?" the Empress pressed, seeing his evasive look.

"No!" King Jin replied. "Recently, I fell ill, and the Imperial Physician was helpless; out of necessity, I visited Jisheng Hall. My multiple visits to Jisheng Hall were solely to seek treatment. I did not inform Mother to spare her worry."

The Empress’s demeanor softened somewhat, and she signaled to Lady Li with her eyes.

Understanding, Lady Li bowed and exited.