The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law-Chapter 937 - 931: Investigated Lotus Village

The residence where His Majesty used to live, although not necessarily reserved for the Crown Prince and not very large, held special significance.

Generally speaking, it either rewarded a Minister who had achieved great merit or was passed to a favored Prince. Similarly, King Jin had asked for it before leaving the palace but was refused by His Majesty.

King Jin’s face turned pale, his eyes filled with bitterness as he stared at this suddenly emerged older brother. As soon as he returned, he had obtained something he had always wanted but never received. Was he now being called the First Prince, a title people had referred to him by for many years?

Why would he ignore the readily available position of State Preceptor and meddle in the court affairs instead?

Prince Qin’s expression was much calmer, as if having one more or one less brother made no difference to him. Being illegitimate, it didn’t matter much whether there was one legitimate brother above him or two.

Jin Zijin glanced at Ducal Residence’s face, which was changing unpredictably, and said lightly with cupped hands, "Thank you for Father Emperor’s grace!"

...

The people the Empress sent to Lotus Village returned, and upon hearing the news, her mood could not calm down for a long time.

She asked for King Jin to come to the palace to discuss matters.

"Mother Empress, what is so urgent that you summoned your son?"

These days, King Jin felt his consort was much more lively, and his mood had been good, even the bad feelings from the sudden appearance of an older brother, who took all the blessings, had disappeared.

But seeing his mother’s somewhat neurotic expression, he felt down again.

"Mother Empress, has something happened?"

The Empress motioned for him to come closer, saying, "Come here."

King Jin sat down next to the Empress on a stool, looking puzzled.

"Everyone leave." Afterward, the Empress waved her hand to clear the room of people.

She was in Kunning Palace, her own bedroom, where King Jin was summoned. The underfloor heating was very warm, and the Empress, dressed only in light spring clothing, found it just right.

King Jin, despite the snow, entered the palace and soon felt hot.

He took off his coat and, since there were no palace maids left in the hall, stood up to hang it on the dragon hook himself.

"I don’t know why, but the snow is particularly heavy this year. I thought it was turning to spring, but it snowed again," said King Jin.

The Empress’s face was stern as she said softly, "There are unusual signs in the sky, hence many troubles. My son, this year is a season full of troubles."

"Mother Empress, what exactly happened?" King Jin felt increasingly that something was not right with the Empress.

The Empress twirled a sharp hairpin in her hand, her gaze cold, "I feel that the Lin Family, or at least Lin Xingyi, might not truly be on our side."

"How could that be?" King Jin scoffed, "Qianqing is his most beloved daughter, the only legitimate lady of their family. If he is not with me, would he side with Jin Zijin and Jin Tingyu?"

The Empress was truly as sharp as a veteran, gently shaking her head, "No, Lin Xingyi is only loyal to His Majesty, he does not favor anyone. I thought with the connection of the Ducal Residence and your marriage to Qianqing, he would lean towards us. I was wrong."

Seeing the serious expression on the Empress’s face, King Jin also put away his smile, his expression becoming solemn.

"Mother Empress, why would you suddenly think this way?"

The Empress said, "It’s not sudden, but rather... I had someone visit Lin Xingyi’s hometown a few days ago, to check on the Lin Family and the Gu Family. Lin Xingyi’s branch had severed ties with the other members of the family in the older generation. It was Madam Lin who brought Lin Xingyi to the capital on her own. Their family doesn’t have anything special. But that Gu Family... I discovered some interesting things..."