The red walls and yellow tiles of the imperial palace appeared exceptionally solemn and majestic under the sunlight.
Ye Xunyang pushed Lou Jin’s wheelchair as they walked slowly along the palace path, with attendants following at a distance behind them.
Although Ye Xunyang disliked these tedious formalities, he also knew that the imperial palace was forbidden ground, requiring cautious words and deeds.
He maintained a poker face, trying his best to appear steady.
Just as they were about to turn into the corridor leading to the Hall of Diligent Governance, a group of people coming from the opposite direction escorted a man dressed in the formal attire of a Prince of the First Rank.
The man was around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, his facial features somewhat similar to Lou Jin’s, yet appearing more clumsy, with a layer of undisguised arrogance between his brows.
It was the current fourth imperial prince, who held the most flourishing influence, Lou Shang.
A chill ran through Ye Xunyang’s heart as he realized they had run into a troublesome character. Subconsciously, he slowed his pace and wanted to step back to avoid an encounter as much as possible.
Lou Shang also saw them. A mocking curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he led his people straight toward them, blocking their path.
“Well, if it is not my third imperial older brother?”
Lou Shang’s voice was loud, carrying unreserved scrutiny.
“What brings you to the palace with such zest today? And you even brought along this newly bestowed Princess Consort?”
His gaze landed on Ye Xunyang, filled with contempt and playful amusement.
Lou Jin raised his eyes, his expression calm and undisturbed as if looking at an insignificant object, and simply replied indifferently, “Fourth imperial younger brother.”
Ye Xunyang suppressed his temper, and in accordance with etiquette, bowed slightly: “Greetings, Prince Shang.”
Yet Lou Shang acted as though he had not heard Ye Xunyang’s greeting, and continued speaking with sarcastic irony toward Lou Jin.
“Since Your Imperial Older Brother’s health is poor, you ought to recuperate properly in the manor. After all this tossing about with the grand wedding, and now entering the palace to express gratitude, what if you tire yourself out? Would that not make His Majesty worry? If warding off bad luck brings about problems, then that truly would be not worth the loss.”
Lou Jin still showed no expression, merely stating, “Thank you for your concern, Fourth Imperial Younger Brother. This Prince can still manage.”
Listening to these words, Ye Xunyang began to blaze with anger. This fool was clearly looking for trouble on purpose, every single sentence stabbing right at Lou Jin’s painful spots.
Seeing Lou Jin’s lukewarm reaction and appearing to find it uninteresting, Lou Shang shifted his target to Ye Xunyang, looking up and down at his specially tailored crown prince consort robes.
“Young General Ye, oh no, should I call you Third Imperial Sister-in-law now? Tsk tsk, it truly is a grievance for Young General Ye. As a proud son of a military family, to actually wear this attire and push around a sickly wretch while walking about in this palace. I wonder what thoughts Old General Ye holds in his heart if he sees this?”
Ye Xunyang could no longer tolerate it. These words not only insulted Lou Jin, but also trampled both his and the Ye family’s dignity into the dirt.
Lou Jin’s gaze dropped down sharply into coldness, but before he could speak, Ye Xunyang had already blown his top.
He was never one to swallow his anger quietly in the first place. Previously, he had held back out of consideration for the imperial palace and Lou Jin, but now that the other party had climbed onto his head to cause trouble, how could he possibly endure this?
Ye Xunyang parked Lou Jin’s wheelchair securely, pointed straight at Lou Shang’s face, and started chewing him out.
“I was wondering who was out here spewing nonsense from their mouth, and it turns out to be Prince Shang! What, did you forget to rinse your mouth when you woke up this morning, or did your head get caught in a door while sleeping last night, running over here to spout raving madness?”
“Our Prince is in poor health because of chronic injuries left behind from toiling for the country. His Majesty and the Empress Dowager both hold him dear and worry about him. Since when is it your turn to make irresponsible remarks here?”
“You temporarily manage a few affairs and you actually think you are the crown prince? The position of the heir apparent is the foundation of the state, and His Majesty has his own sacred judgment. What are you rushing to show off for here? Are you deathly afraid that others do not know you are coveting that position?”
“And as for my Ye family, my father is the Grand Commanding General who protects our country and whose contributions benefit the state! I, Ye Xunyang, walk upright and sit straight. Marrying the Prince was done under an imperial decree, open and above board!”
“As for you, Your Highness, aside from standing here blocking paths and acting like a long-tongued gossip spreading rumors, what else can you do? When the border soldiers were fighting bloody battles, why was there never a sight of you going up there to show off your might? Oh, that is right, I forgot. With your precious and noble self, you probably have never even warmed a horse saddle!”
This fierce, scolding torrent left Lou Shang and the swarm of attendants behind him completely dumbfounded.
Lou Shang widened his eyes, looking at Ye Xunyang in absolute disbelief.
He had long heard that Ye Xunyang had a straightforward temperament and had assumed he was an easily manipulated soft persimmon, never expecting this mouth to be so tricky, venomous, and sharp, with every single word stabbing right into his vital heart and lungs.
Lou Jin was also stunned. He had not expected Ye Xunyang to fire back directly, and moreover, to curse with such liveliness, sharpness, and punchiness.
He watched Ye Xunyang’s flushed, emotional cheeks and his gaze locked straight onto Lou Shang, resembling a little leopard whose fur had been ruffled, radiating an unexpectedly extraordinary vitality.
Lou Shang finally snapped back to his senses, turning pale with fury. He pointed at Ye Xunyang, his finger trembling: “You are audacious, Ye Xunyang! What kind of thing are you, daring to speak to this Prince like this!”
“What kind of thing am I?”
Ye Xunyang sneered coldly, placing his hands on his hips.
“I am the Prince Consort openly and properly married by Prince Jin! I am the legitimate prince consort officially bestowed by His Majesty! According to ritual and system, when you see me, you still have to address me as Imperial Sister-in-law! Showing disrespect to your elders and letting loose abusive words—just who is the one being audacious?”
“You are talking nonsense!”
“A man who relies on some Grand Preceptor’s divination to marry into the royal family, yet actually takes himself seriously! You are merely something to be used on a bed.”
“Lou Shang!”
Lou Jin, who had remained silent all this while, suddenly spoke up. His voice was not loud, yet it carried an icy pressure, instantly cutting off Lou Shang’s words.
Lou Jin slowly lifted his eyes. Those eyes, half-closed from weariness moments before, were now fully open, their deep depths gleaming with a bone-chilling cold as they directed a direct stare at Lou Shang.
“This Prince’s consort is not someone for you to pass judgment on, much less permit you to hurl arbitrary insults at.”
He spoke word by word, his tone calm, yet carrying undeniable power.
Lou Shang was slightly intimidated by Lou Jin’s sudden aura, but immediately grew even more enraged: “Lou Jin! What act are you putting on? Do you think you are still that person you used to be?”
Lou Jin coldly interrupted him: “What I used to be is not worth troubling Your Fourth Imperial Younger Brother’s mind.”
“As for Your Fourth Imperial Younger Brother, blocking the way and provoking people within the palace prohibitions, insulting the Prince Consort and a noble family—if this reaches His Majesty’s ears, I wonder what His Majesty would think? Could it be that Your Fourth Imperial Younger Brother feels your influence in the court is higher now, and with more people bootlicking you, you can disregard palace regulations and protocol?”
Lou Jin was plagued by lingering illness and rarely argued with anyone. In the past, whenever he encountered Lou Shang’s provocations, he mostly endured or ignored them.
Yet today, he had completely broken away from his usual behavior, launching a sharp counterattack with pointed words.
The two princes—one seated in a wheelchair with a pale complexion yet an intimidating aura, the other standing opposite him with a livid, furious expression—traded remarks line by line along this palace path, refusing to yield an inch just like an ordinary street quarrel.
The surrounding eunuchs and palace maids had long since dropped to their knees in terror, trembling and not daring to raise their heads.
Ye Xunyang had been slightly dazed at first, but watching Lou Jin stand up for him warmed his heart inexplicably while also giving him a rush of satisfaction.
Seeing that the two of them were escalating their argument, he calmed down instead. If this blew up into a massive issue, it certainly would not benefit Lou Jin.
He quietly tugged at Lou Jin’s sleeve and murmured in a low voice, “Prince, forget it. It is not worth getting angry over such a person. We still need to go express our gratitude, so let us not miss the hour.”
Feeling the tug at his sleeve, Lou Jin took a deep breath, suppressing the coughing fit and rising anger churning within his chest.
He cast a cold glance at Lou Shang, his expression resembling that of someone looking at a pile of garbage. Refusing to say another word, he told Ye Xunyang, “Let us go.”
Ye Xunyang immediately pushed the wheelchair forward, bypassing Lou Shang who was trembling with fury, and headed straight toward the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Even after walking a long distance, the sounds of Lou Shang’s enraged roaring and smashing objects could still be heard echoing from behind.
Lowering his head to look at Lou Jin’s still-tensed profile, Ye Xunyang could not help asking softly, “Prince, are you alright? Just now… thank you.”
Lou Jin did not turn his head. He remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly, “In the future within the palace, try to steer clear of him. This person seeks revenge for the smallest grievance, and he will certainly not let today’s matter rest.”
His voice recovered its usual low and hoarse quality, carrying a hint of exhaustion.
Ye Xunyang curled his lip: “Why fear him? He was the one who started looking for trouble.”
Lou Jin turned his head slightly, casting a complex look at Ye Xunyang: “Open spears are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against. Be careful.”
A stir rippled through Ye Xunyang’s heart as he nodded, “Understood, Prince.”
Lou Jin felt somewhat speechless. This fellow was truly foolish; he would just have to keep him well-protected.