Chapter 423: Yin Qing Being Urged to Marry

“Third Young Master…”

Ji Yuan mumbled to himself, looking at the departing figures of Yin Zhaoxian and Yin Qing. He recalled hearing that address for the first time at Scholar's Ferry, across the Tongtian River, just outside the imperial capital.

“The emperor certainly has some sentiment!”

At the front gate of the Yin Residence, Yin Zhaoxian, his wife, and son, accompanied by several household servants, quickly made their way to the entrance. After straightening their attire, they stepped outside. The guards and carriages had not moved, nor had the people inside the carriages dismounted; they were waiting for Yin Zhaoxian to arrive.

Yin Zhaoxian led his family, quickly exiting the residence gate, descending the steps, and then approaching the carriages. The group then bowed together.

“Your humble servant, Yin Zhaoxian, along with all my household, greets Your Majesty!”

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

The group behind him repeated in unison.

It was then that the curtain of the carriage was lifted again. Simultaneously, guards set up a footstool. A eunuch descended from the carriage first, then helped the person inside disembark. It was Emperor Hongwu of the Dazhen Dynasty, Yang Hao.

“Everyone, quickly rise and dispense with the formalities!”

Emperor Hongwu took a few steps closer to Yin Zhaoxian and personally helped him up.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“Hahahaha, my dear Minister Yin, I came out of the palace today unannounced, visiting your residence privately, and I even brought my family. You all may come down now!”

Emperor Hongwu addressed Yin Zhaoxian in the first part of his sentence, then spoke to the other carriage behind him. The curtain of that carriage was then lifted from within, and two women emerged: one older but elegant and noble, the other younger, graceful and poised.

“Greetings to Imperial Consort De and Princess Changping!”

Yin Zhaoxian and his family behind him bowed respectfully once more.

“There’s no need for such formality. The Emperor and I are visiting your residence today; I hope we haven't disturbed you?”

Imperial Consort De, accompanied by the Princess, approached the Emperor, smiling as she inquired of Yin Zhaoxian and Yin’s mother, especially the latter, who held an imperial title and occasionally entered the palace for conversations.

“Not at all, Your Majesty, Imperial Consort, and Your Royal Highness. It's getting dark, and the weather outside is freezing. Please, come inside the residence to warm yourselves. I have already instructed the kitchen to prepare a lavish dinner.”

Regardless of the Emperor's purpose, they could not stand outside to discuss matters. Yin Zhaoxian invited the Emperor into the residence, having already instructed the household staff and kitchen to prepare beforehand.

“Good, today I shall taste the dishes from Minister Yin's residence!”

“Coincidentally, we have special cured meats from my hometown, Ning'an County, which Your Majesty can sample. Please, Your Majesty!”

Yin Zhaoxian gestured for them to enter, and the group slowly proceeded into the residence. Yin Qing remained mostly silent throughout, accompanying his father and keeping an eye on Yin Chong. However, he noticed that Imperial Consort De and Princess Changping frequently glanced at him.

This made Yin Qing frown, and after a moment's thought, a preposterous possibility suddenly occurred to him.

Several braziers had already been lit in the guest hall of the Yin Residence, and servants had prepared tea and pastries. The group, passing through doors and corridors, arrived here, feeling a wave of warmth upon entering.

The large living room was adorned with calligraphy and paintings; most of the calligraphy was by Yin Zhaoxian, while the paintings were mostly by Yin Qing. The Yin father and son were renowned for their artistic talents throughout the court and beyond.

After everyone was seated, Emperor Hongwu's gaze lingered on the calligraphy and paintings in the room. After a long look, he sincerely praised them.

“They all say that Minister Yin is incorruptible, but in fact, you are not lacking in wealth at all. Your home is full of treasures! Just the calligraphy and paintings in this living room alone, how many wealthy households and influential figures have sought to acquire them with large sums of money but found no way!”

Yin Zhaoxian smiled, taking a sip of tea.

“Your Majesty is too kind. People only say that because I, your humble servant Yin Zhaoxian, hold a high position, and they are merely flattering me!”

“Minister Yin is too modest. Even I, a woman in the imperial harem, have heard it many times and know that Minister Yin is a master calligrapher of this era, and your son Yin Qing's exquisite painting skills are also highly renowned. Every character and every painting is priceless. You, father and son, are both extraordinary talents!”

Imperial Consort De spoke very tactfully and was well aware of Yin Zhaoxian's standing in the Emperor's heart. Emperor Hongwu had often spoken to her about Yin Zhaoxian in private, mostly with praise and even admiration.

Yin Zhaoxian would become the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. From another perspective, if Yin Zhaoxian genuinely believed that a certain prince lacked talent or virtue and was unfit for the great responsibility, then no matter how much that prince was favored, he would not be chosen as the Crown Prince.

Moreover, among common folk and civil and military officials alike, a rumor had long circulated that Yin Zhaoxian was a virtuous and wise scholar of his time, possessing great righteousness, discerning worldly affairs, and eradicating evil, just as demonstrated by the outcome of the Blood Silk Case.

To this day, people in Lishun Prefecture, Yunbo Prefecture, and even the entire Wanzhou still pray for Yin Zhaoxian every year, and many places have erected shrines to him, adding a touch of mystical color.

“Indeed, Minister Yin, who in the court and throughout the land doesn't know of your profound scholarship? And Minister Yin's exquisite paintings are equally renowned.”

Princess Changping echoed, looking at Yin Qing. The latter, seated at the edge, merely gave a slight bow of thanks, without saying much.

“By the way, Minister Yin, Minister Yin Qing is already in his thirties, yet he has not yet married. Is it because he has a pre-arranged marriage contract?”

Yin Zhaoxian looked at Yin Qing, who was lowering his head and drinking tea, and replied.

“He has no marriage contract.”

“Oh, then perhaps Minister Yin has a beloved in mind?”

This time, Emperor Hongwu directed the question to Yin Qing, who could only respectfully reply.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, I, your humble servant Yin Qing, have no one in particular in mind. It's just that state affairs keep me busy, and I also need to make time for reading and studying, so I have no thoughts of romance.”

Emperor Hongwu nodded.

“Truly worthy of Minister Yin's son, a pillar of the nation himself. But when one reaches a certain age, marriage is necessary. The Yin family's lineage must continue, must it not, Minister Yin?”

Yin Zhaoxian smiled and nodded in agreement.

“Your Majesty speaks truly. Qing'er, it is time for you to marry.”

Yin Qing had remained unmarried partly because he was simply too busy, with too many responsibilities to attend to, and partly due to certain concerns that had deterred him from considering marriage.

Firstly, the Yin family's current position in the court was prominent yet somewhat awkward; their foundation was actually insufficient, and they could not afford to make a single misstep.

Secondly, the Yin family itself was unique and might come into contact with arcane matters, so choosing a daughter-in-law also required extreme caution.

Others might not think so deeply, but Yin Qing pondered it profoundly. He knew that he could not marry an ordinary woman now, and marrying a lady from a prominent family would mean entanglement with that family, making him reconsider repeatedly due to the circumstances involving the previous emperor.

However, in the current situation, there was no escaping it. Yin Qing could only smile without saying anything.

Imperial Consort De was speaking in hushed tones with Yin's mother and then gave her a meaningful look, which the latter understood immediately.

“Oh, by the way, Qing'er, Princess Changping is visiting my Yin Residence for the first time. Why don't you show her around the estate?”

Yin Chong mumbled beside Yin Qing.

“What's there to explore in this cold weather?”

Yin Qing, helpless, could only look at Princess Changping.

“Would Your Royal Highness like to take a stroll?”

The latter nodded with a graceful smile.

“Thank you, Minister Yin. I am very curious about the Yin Residence, both inside and out.”

With words spoken to this extent, Yin Qing could not refuse. After Princess Changping donned a fur-lined cloak, he led her out.

Yin Chong looked at his elder brother, then at the situation inside the room, and whispered to his mother.

“Mother, can I go with elder brother?”

“What are you going to do? No, you can't!”

Hearing his mother's words, Yin Chong frowned. His elder brother was gone, and with the Emperor and Imperial Consort still in the room, the atmosphere was oppressive and no fun.

“Then, I'll go find Mr. Ji...”

Muttering softly, Yin Chong tiptoed to Yin Zhaoxian's side and respectfully bowed to the Emperor, the Imperial Consort, and his father in turn.

“Your Majesty, Imperial Consort, Father, Huer feels warm in here and wants to go out for a walk too.”

“Hahahaha, Huer is truly robust. None of my princes can compare.”

Emperor Hongwu also liked this child who studied with his princes. Yin Zhaoxian offered a humble, “Your Majesty exaggerates,” then turned to Yin Chong and said,

“What's there to walk around for? Don't tell me you're going to cause trouble for your brother?”

“No, I'm not! I'm going to find Mr. Ji...”

Yin Chong, in his haste, spoke too quickly, only lowering his voice halfway through. Yin Zhaoxian, however, showed no unusual reaction. He shook his head and waved his hand dismissively.

“Go on, go on.”

The Emperor didn't know Ji Yuan, so it was fine to treat him as an ordinary friend from their hometown. Yin Zhaoxian also didn't know that Ji Yuan knew Yan Chang, because Yan Chang never mentioned it publicly; when he presented mooncakes to the late emperor, he only referred to him as “a celestial being.”

After Yin Chong excitedly left, Emperor Hongwu and Yin Zhaoxian exchanged a smile, giving a strong impression of harmony between monarch and minister.

“Does Minister Yin have a guest at home?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, there is indeed a guest. He is a close friend from my hometown, Ning'an County; we were neighbors back then.”

“Close friend?”

Emperor Hongwu's interest was piqued. His main purpose today was for his daughter, Princess Changping. Since she had already gone out with Yin Qing, he naturally felt free to discuss anything else.

“Is Minister Yin's close friend also a scholar?”

Yin Zhaoxian thought for a moment.

“He certainly reads, but he is not a scholar in the usual sense, one who studies diligently for official recognition.”

“Oh, to be friends with Minister Yin, his learning must be considerable?”

Yin Zhaoxian listened and sensed something in the Emperor's words. He merely smiled and said to the Emperor,

“Mr. Ji's scholarship is indeed excellent, but he has stated beforehand that he has no intention of entering officialdom. Instead, he prefers to travel the world, drink tea, listen to stories, and play chess.”

Emperor Hongwu mused for a moment, then said to Yin Zhaoxian,

“He sounds like a leisurely and refined gentleman. At the banquet later, please invite him to dine with us.”

Yin Zhaoxian was momentarily stunned.

“This… my friend is, after all, a commoner, and he dislikes the formalities of the powerful. I fear he might offend Your Majesty, so perhaps...”

“Ah, Minister Yin, do you truly think me so petty?”

Emperor Hongwu also laughed. Heaven had granted him favorable conditions, and he considered himself a ruler who wished to be remembered as a wise emperor throughout history. Of course, he would not concern himself with such minor matters.