SAME OLD RECIPE

'I shouldn't have cared even if I knew that Empress Dowager would bully him as usual if he went to visit her alone. I shouldn't have cared even if Empress Dowager would roast him if he visited her alone unaccompanied. Well, I shouldn't have cared about all that because this ungrateful bastard really couldn't see through my intentions at all!'

Previously Wu Jingguo had admitted that he was the type of person who would hold grudges, but actually, Yu Ming was the same. After hearing how Wu Jingguo showed no gratitude at all, he was furious, and he continued to glare at the younger man as he gasped for breath.

What he said was indeed different from what he felt. When he suddenly said that he would just visit the Empress Dowager with Wu Jingguo instead of waiting for Wu Jinhai, he told the younger Prince that the reason behind the decision was that he needed to do something else after this. But, that wasn't actually the truth because the real reason was that he knew how Empress Dowager usually treated the younger Prince, and that was why he had a bit of worry in his heart that prompted him to step forward so he could help the Prince even just a little.

But now Yu Ming realized that the worry was unnecessary, and he should just let the younger man go alone to visit the Empress Dowager.

'I even argued with the Empress Dowager before, but this bastard really doesn't want to respect me!' Yu Ming felt even more vexed in his heart when he remembered how he had offended the Empress Dowager just because he wanted to defend the ungrateful man.

At this time, he kept scowling at Wu Jingguo, and Wu Jingguo also looked at him with clueless eyes. Now, Yu Ming really wanted to kick Wu Jingguo's balls. How could Wu Jingguo not know anything? Or maybe the guy was just too heartless?

There was tension between Yu Ming and Wu Jingguo even if they didn't verbally bicker with harsh words, and it seemed that Wu Jinhai noticed the tension as he finally broke the silence, "So, did Empress Dowager really bully the Second Prince?"

After hearing Wu Jinhai's question, Yu Ming and Wu Jingguo turned to the Crown Prince, and Yu Ming could see how calm Wu Jinhai looked when he voiced the question.

It seemed that Wu Jinhai didn't really care about whether his half-brother was being bullied by Empress Dowager or not, and Yu Ming thought that he should act like one too. Instead of helping the ungrateful brat named Wu Jingguo, he should just pretend he didn't care.

"The same old recipe but with extra seasoning," Yu Ming answered carelessly. "Empress Dowager still can't move on from Empress Luo's death, but today she was also annoyed that I suddenly accepted the new position as Second Prince's attendant. She thought I decided to betray you by coming to Second Prince's side."

It seemed like Yu Ming was pretending as if there was only Wu Jinhai standing in front of him as he didn't even glance at the younger man standing beside him. He was indeed still irritated by Wu Jingguo's ingratitude, and that was why he didn't even want to let the younger Prince join in on his conversation with Wu Jinhai.

And it seemed that Wu Jingguo also didn't intend to say anything at this time, probably thinking that just Yu Ming explaining the situation to the Crown Prince would be enough.

"So, the Empress Dowager has heard the news about how you are now the Second Prince's attendant?" Wu Jinhai asked again.

"Mhm," carelessly, Yu Ming nodded in response to the question. "I reckon that there are so many flies in the Pingheng Hall, and one of them probably flew into the Empress Dowager's residence. That's why it's no wonder she heard the news so quickly even when she wasn't feeling well."

Yu Ming was not innocent, and that was why he knew very well that the palace was full of tricks played by almost everyone living there. Even if Empress Dowager was old and not active in imperial politics, she wanted to know everything as soon as possible, and that was why she set her sights on every corner of the Xinyang Imperial Palace. Thus, it was no wonder that she had heard the outcomes of today's meeting so quickly.

"I will pay her a visit now, and I will try to make her understand your new position," Wu Jinhai replied. "My mother became my father's wife when she was only sixteen years old, and that's why she did not immediately enter the wedding chamber with my father. She also did not immediately start living with my father at that time, instead, she lived with the Empress Dowager. For three years, my mother lived in the Empress Dowager's quarter, and that was when the bond between them began to form. The Empress Dowager loved my mother very much, and she even considered my mother as her daughter. That's why I hope you can understand that she still can't move on from the past accident."

This time, Wu Jinhai didn't just direct his reply to Yu Ming, but it could be said that the explanation was also for Wu Jingguo. His brown eyes swept across the blue-robed man, and the blue-robed man also looked at him intently after hearing his explanation.

"I can understand, Your Highness," Wu Jingguo replied. "The Empress Dowager was only rude to me with her words, and she had never really tried to hurt me, so it was fine even if she continued to treat me as a criminal. I don't care about people who don't trust me, and I will only care about those who trust me."

Wu Jingguo directed his statement at Wu Jinhai, but Yu Ming suddenly turned to the blue-clad Prince after hearing the Prince's statement. 'Is he being sarcastic just now? Does he think I still can't trust him to this day?'