Chapter 113 Entering the palace to ask for help?

"Become a concubine?"

In the Mingde Hall of the Eastern Palace, behind a large ebony table piled high with memorials, the Crown Prince, dressed in brocade robes and jade crowns, held a red brush in hand. After hearing Xuanfeng's report, he pondered for a moment and chuckled indifferently, "She's getting bolder."

Feng Tong, who was standing beside him, bowed his body and cautiously glanced at His Royal Highness behind the table. He said softly, "Ignorance is bliss. Your Royal Highness, there is no need to bother with Miss Song."

Ever since the prince supported Miss Song at the engagement banquet and punished the Wang, Zhao and Lin families, Feng Tong knew that the prince had always been thinking about the engaged Miss Song.

It is said that the royal family is heartless, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who is currently the regent and holds great power, still misses his old lover from the past. He does not hold a beauty contest or appoint a Crown Princess, and is very indulgent towards his old lover.

"Changing the law", "polyandry", "the prince taking a concubine", if such outrageous words were uttered by anyone else, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would have executed them long ago.

Xiao Mingyi raised his eyelids, glanced at Feng Tongyi indifferently, and snorted coldly: "Ignorant? I think she knows everything." He just wanted to irritate him.

Feng Tong was startled by that look, and he quickly put on a smile and said, "Your Highness is right. Miss Song is really too bold. So how do you plan to punish her?"

Xiao Mingyi did not say anything. He reviewed the memorials on the table in the warm light of the candlestick. He did not raise his eyes until the last stroke was made. He glanced at Xuanfeng.

"How's the case going?"

"Your Highness, after investigation, the spices sold by Chufang Pavilion before were not mixed with Xunxiang. This batch of spices are semi-finished products. I checked the supplier and found that there was no Xunxiang in them when they arrived at Yunhe Ferry. The young master has offended someone and has been set up." Xuanfeng said seriously.

Xiao Mingyi was not at all surprised and put down the wolf-hair brush.

"Have you found the source of the Xianxiang?"

"The imperial court has long banned the sale of Xian incense. It's impossible to buy it anywhere except in the northern ghost market. I've been following the clues for a long time, but I haven't found the buyer of the Xian incense."

After hesitating for two breaths, Xuanfeng added, "Your Highness, it's strange to say, if the person behind this plot really wanted to kill the young master, then this case would be too easy to verify."

First, there was no falsification in the account books of Chufangguan, and the spices were backed up after being put into storage; second, the spices sold before did not contain Xunxiang, and after checking the suppliers, the case would be clear at a glance.

Could it be that the person who set up the scheme just wanted the young master to "enjoy" a few days in jail?

Xuan Feng looked at the Crown Prince, who remained silent at the top, and asked cautiously, "When does His Highness plan to release the young master?"

I thought I could use this case to force Miss Ali to come to the palace to see His Highness. But Miss Ali was as stubborn as a donkey, and quite smart, and she decided not to fall for it.

Xiao Mingyi slowly stroked the eagle-head jade ring and said calmly, "Don't worry, just keep dragging it out and don't let any news leak out."

He didn't believe that Ali could sit still when she had gone to the Pacification Office twice to visit her sick aunt.

…

For three consecutive days, there was still no news from the Pacification Office.

Not only were the Duke and his wife anxious, but Song Lingyi was also extremely worried.

This case is not difficult to investigate. I'm just afraid that the words "let the prince be a concubine" from last time will reach Xiao Mingyi's ears. This bastard will get angry and deliberately drag out the case and not release the person.

"Girl, please stop biting your nails. It's so ugly to have bare nails."

Hongju hurriedly put down the teacup, reached out to save the thumb that was almost bitten off by Song Lingyi, and used scissors to trim it for her, her movements gentle and meticulous.

The winter wind rustled the branches in the courtyard. Song Lingyi sat on the soft couch behind the carved lattice window, supporting her snow-white cheek with one hand, quietly looking at the teacup in front of her.

"Has my uncle been asking people about the case these days?" she said slowly.

"The young master is the only child of the Duke's Mansion. How can the Duke not be worried? Even the Second Master and the Second Mistress sent a letter from Lizhou to Kyoto to inquire about him." Hongju said.

“…” Song Lingyi sighed.

How about going to the palace?

As soon as this thought came to her mind, Xiao Mingyi's cold and jade-like face appeared in front of her. She frowned and closed her eyes in pain.

This person was clearly forcing her. Once she entered the palace, there was no guarantee that he would make some unreasonable demands, such as breaking off the engagement.

After Hongqi finished trimming her nails, she looked up and saw her daughter's face was pale. She asked worriedly, "Is the girl feeling unwell?"

"No, I just thought of something and felt very upset." Song Lingyi shook her head.

Hong Qi pursed her lips and said soothingly, "Miss, would you like to try some peach cakes from the pastry shop in the west of the city? I'll send someone to buy some for you."

"I don't want to eat." I was too worried to eat.

Song Lingyi was lying on the table when she suddenly heard voices coming from the courtyard. It was Lianxin, the maidservant beside Lu Yu, who said that the second young lady wanted to go to the Chu Mansion in the south of the city and asked her cousin if she wanted to go with her.

…

The clouds in the sky are heavy, as if covered with a layer of dark gray cloth.

A carriage with a red tassel and a canopy rumbled towards the south of the city.

"Three days have passed, and there is still no news from the Pacification Office. Wenxuan is the Crown Prince's cousin and is deeply favored by the Queen. We can ask Wenxuan to enter the palace and let her sound out the Crown Prince's attitude." Lu Yu felt that she had come up with a good idea.

"But this is a matter of state affairs, I'm afraid Wenxuan can't ask about it." Song Lingyi frowned.

Isn't that how it's portrayed in movies and TV dramas? The harem isn't allowed to interfere in politics, women can't be officials, there are so many rules, even if Huo Wenxuan is deeply favored by the Queen, she has to follow them.

"Hey, don't be so rigid. Wenxuan can hint at it or speak up for brother. We can't let brother stay in the imperial prison forever."

When the carriage arrived at the Chu residence, the maid led the two women to the flower hall and served them tea.

After waiting for a while, the maids escorted Huo Wenxuan in. After not seeing her for a few months, the girl who had always seemed so heroic had become more graceful. Whether it was her clothes or her makeup and hair, she exuded the demeanor of a mistress of the house.

After Lu Yu explained her purpose, she thought Huo Wenxuan would feel embarrassed, but unexpectedly she agreed very readily and immediately ordered someone to prepare the carriage.

The three sisters hadn't seen each other for a long time, so they took this opportunity to have a good chat.

While chatting and laughing, Song Lingyi secretly looked at Huo Wenxuan. Her complexion was rosy and her brows were relaxed. It was obvious at a glance that she was a person who had been blessed by marriage.

It's sad to say that before the two got married, Huo Wenxuan always looked down on the literary Chu Ruiheng. But after the marriage, the couple loved each other and lived in harmony. Maybe in two months, there will be good news.

From this we can see that it is useless to have an ideal type before marriage, as the most suitable marriage partner is most likely not the ideal type.

After chatting for half an hour, the two cousins ​​stood at the gate, watching the Chu Mansion's carriage leave for the Imperial City. Lu Yu sighed with her hands behind her back, "Alas, I really owe you a big favor this time."

Song Lingyi's eyes were gloomy, and she lowered her head as if she was lost in thought. She didn't even hear her cousin calling her several times. It was not until she was patted on the shoulder twice that she came back to her senses.

"Hmm? What did you say?"

"Cousin, why are you so absent-minded... I just said that the accounts in the shop have not been checked yet, so I won't go back home with you later." Lu Yu frowned slightly.

A cold wind blew up. Song Lingyi gathered her thick cloak and nodded in agreement, "Okay, then don't check too late. I think the weather is bad and it might rain."

The carriage first took Lu Yu to the shop, stopped on the street for a while, and then set off towards the Duke's Mansion.

There was incense burning in the carriage, and it was quiet. Song Lingyi leaned against the wall and fell asleep unknowingly.