First Gentleman

"Of course, it's about you nourishing the baby. Jiaying, do you remember what I said on the carriage earlier about going back to Su Province to nourish the baby?"

Li Jiaying secretly breathed a sigh of relief. But then, she hesitated before saying, "As a married woman, it seems inappropriate for me to make a sudden visit to my hometown to nourish the baby."

Li Baojia said, "But by the time the child is born, it will be less likely for you to do so because the newborn needs good care. You'd have to wait another year."

Li Baojia continued, "Think about how long you have left your hometown. Uncle and aunt must miss you a lot. Su Province is a good place to look after the baby. Why don't you take this opportunity to go back and stay there for some time? I'll also be there with you."

Li Baojia tried her utmost to convince her sister. As ridiculous as her proposal sounded, Li Jiaying was actually somewhat convinced due to what had happened between Zhang Jian and his mistress.

But she was still a little worried. "Then... how about I discuss it with my husband when he's back."

Li Baojia said, "Pregnant women are sentimental by nature, and it's not a big deal to miss your hometown when you're pregnant. It's all human nature. He won't be against this. I assure you."

It was a win-win result for both of them. On the one hand, she could protect her baby and go back to Su Province earlier. On the other hand, she could have a good reason to go to Su Province with her sister.

This time, she wanted to try and see if she could handle the disaster a year later on her own.

Li Jiaying finally agreed with her. Li Baojia patted her chest and promised to take good care of her sister and then, went back with a full stomach.

When she arrived home, Nanny Lin was already waiting at the door.

When she saw her get off the carriage, she greeted her and said, "Miss, madam would like to know if the handkerchief for the Lantern Festival is ready?"

When she saw Nanny Lin at the door, Li Baojia immediately had a strange feeling. Once Nanny Lin opened up, she knew she guessed it right.

She stammered, "Well... it's almost ready."

Nanny Lin beamed. She said with a smile, "Sir and madam said that they'd ask the emperor to grant the marriage between you and the prince after you build your relationship with the prince during the Lantern Festival."

Li Baojia was shocked. "Is this true?"

It didn't occur to her that it came even faster than in her previous life. She wondered if it was the purse that changed the trajectory of the event in her previous life.

Nanny Lin smiled and said, "I won't have the heart to lie to you, Miss. Madam is very pleased today. I heard that Madam Qin smashed quite a few lanterns in her yard."

Li Baojia, who had just been happy since she had succeeded in persuading Li Jiaying to go back to Su Province, was suddenly put in a low mood.

She wondered if it was inevitable.

Then, she tried to comfort herself, "It's okay. His Highness will definitely not have any interaction with me during the Lantern Festival. Father will understand."

In her previous life, she handed a handkerchief to the prince during the Lantern Festival, and he accepted it.

But she guessed that he should not be so reluctant.

After all, he had to maintain his persona as a gentleman and also had to take his teacher, who was her father, into consideration.

In fact, she indeed forced him into accepting her at that time.

Back at that time, he didn't look so happy after taking the handkerchief and did not give her the beaded flower to reciprocate.

She thought it would be okay as long as she stayed out of his way.

Li Baojia thought a lot in her head and finally, she plastered on a smile and said, "I know. Nanny Lin, you have come all the way here to tell me this. You must be tired. Why don't you go back now and rest early?"

Nanny Lin kept saying yes and waited with a smile until Li Baojia was far away before she turned around and went back.

On the way, Taotao chattered, "Oh, I almost forgot. The Lantern Festival is coming up, and you haven't even started making your handkerchief yet!"

Li Baojia said, "We don't need to prepare it this year."

Taotao froze. "But what about His Highness's gift?"

Li Baojia turned her head and said to Taotao rather seriously, "Don't mention His Highness before me again. I don't like him and he doesn't like me. It won't be good for both of us to be together."

Taotao saw her determination and said, somewhat bewildered, "But if you don't marry His Highness, then whom will you marry?"

Li Baojia thought about it and finally decided to make up something about the prince. "Do you still remember the last time I went to the East Palace?"

Taotao nodded.

Li Baojia continued, "At that time, His Highness told me that Su Ruhui was the kind of woman he liked and hoped that I would not make a fool of myself."

Taotao was an innocent girl. In her heart, Li Baojia was the best lady in the entire Imperial City. Li Baojia's side of the story about how the prince treated Li Baojia pissed her off. "I can't believe His Highness is such a man! How could he ignore your status as a noble lady and humiliate you?"

Li Baojia was afraid that she would say something over the line, so she had to cover her mouth and said, "It's not really His Highness's fault. He just doesn't like me."

Su Ruhui was quite a talented woman among the noble ladies in the capital. Except for the fact that her family was a relatively ordinary one, she was almost perfect.

She told Taotao that she wanted her to stop trying to set her up with the prince and wanted her to take her side.

When the two of them entered the inner room, Taotao was still indignant. Li Baojia pulled a wry face when she ordered Taotao to have hot water ready.

Due to the tiring trip to the assistant minister's residence, she quickly fell asleep on the bed after a shower.

It was at night.

It was now at the East Palace.

When Mr. Huang heard the sound outside, he hurriedly asked his man to prepare hot water and went in with the basin himself.

After going in, Zhao Yi was sitting, his lapels wide open, his firm chest glistening with sweat stains, and the corners of his eyes slightly red. His whole body exuded an evil aura.

Huang Gao did not dare to see some more, so he put the golden basin on the wash rack, soaked towels, and then lowered his head.

He realized why the prince would be hailed as the first authentic gentleman in the entire Imperial City because the scene at the moment would simply drive countless women crazy.

The literati in the Imperial City had the folly to select the first gentleman or the second gentleman from the young talents or young men of the noble families.

In fact, they were ranked by their appearances. The rankings were popular in all kinds of scripts. Many people believed that the prince was the first gentleman in the Imperial City, but the discussion was only limited to themselves because of the nobility of the prince.