Chapter 20 Sin

There was another tense silence.

Just when Zhao Mingyue thought Yuzhao was going to refuse, Yuzhao turned to look at the two guards and ordered, "Open the door."

The guards were stunned for a moment, but did not dare to question. They went forward to open the door of the hall, but did not open it completely. Instead, they lifted the left door a little with their hands and moved it inward half an arm's width.

"Princess, just stand here and watch."

Zhao Mingyue opened her eyes wide and looked into the yard through the half-open door. She didn't see anyone, but the strange sound she had heard before became clearer.

Ah, ah, ah... wuwu... It sounded like some animal, slowly moving towards the door.

Zhao Mingyue felt a little numb on her scalp, but she still endured the discomfort and listened carefully. At this moment, a black figure suddenly appeared in her sight.

Inside the door, Zhao Chun, who heard Zhao Mingyue's voice, felt a great hope in his heart. The voice that usually disgusted him the most turned into a heavenly sound at this moment.

he yelled, lunging at her.

—Help! Help me!

However, his appearance with black hair all over his body and his mouth open roaring was extremely terrifying in Zhao Mingyue's eyes.

"Ah——!" Zhao Mingyue stepped back in fear, just like seeing a ghost in broad daylight.

Fortunately, the guards reacted quickly, yanked the knocker, and closed the door.

There was an immediate banging sound from the door, accompanied by howls of pain.

Zhao Mingyue stood at the door in shock. That thing, that hairy monkey-like thing, was Zhao Chun?

Did A Niang's bowl of medicine actually turn Zhao Chun into such a horrible state? This was beyond her imagination.

Also, was the strange sound Zhao Chun made just now asking her for help?

This thought made Zhao Mingyue shudder. She took a deep breath and managed to calm down.

Looking up at the tightly closed palace door, I suddenly heard a short scream, and then the knocking sound disappeared.

After a rustling sound, it was as if someone was dragging something slowly away, and then there was dead silence.

Thinking of what Zhao Chun might have experienced, Zhao Mingyue suddenly felt a surge of sympathy.

Is this punishment too cruel for him?

Even if she hated him, he was still her brother after all. How could she just sit back and watch him suffer?

Just as Zhao Mingyue's mind was wavering, Chi Li's words rang in her ears, "That's their position as men."

Thinking of the faces of those officials who forced Chi Lu, she was shocked. No, Zhao Chun must not be released.

If any word of this leaks out, she and her mother will be killed without a burial place.

Moreover, no one will be soft-hearted towards them at that time. They will just say that this is an unforgivable sin.

Zhao Mingyue bit her lip and silently apologized in her heart, "Zhao Chun, I'm sorry, I'm not a good sister. I can't save you. In the next life, if you are reincarnated as my daughter, I will definitely love and care for you just like my mother did!"

In this way, I feel that the guilt has disappeared a little.

She turned around and walked down the stone steps briskly, but found that Yuzhao had not caught up with her. She quickly turned around and called her, "Sister Yuzhao, let's go quickly. Don't keep my mother waiting for too long."

Yuzhao looked at her in surprise, as if she was very surprised by her reaction. She was stunned for a while before she raised her foot and followed.

Zhao Mingyue was a little depressed. Did she think I would yell at them to let Zhao Chun out?

She was no longer a child who acted on impulse, and she knew very well where she should stand as a princess.

Once you have chosen a path, you must stick to it unwaveringly. If you waver, you will be despised by everyone.

If imprisoning Zhao Chun is a sin, then this sin should not be borne by A Niang alone, she should also have her share.

Zhao Mingyue let out a light breath, looked up and looked forward, the clarity in her eyes was replaced by more complicated emotions.

Somewhere in my heart, it seemed to become cold and hard.

Is this good or bad?

————

In the afternoon, at the duty room of the Governor's Pacification Office.

Chi Qi sat in the armchair, looking at the jade photo standing in front of her with her head lowered, her eyebrows slightly raised.

"Didn't I tell you to send people to guard Mingde Hall and not let anyone in?"

Although these words were spoken gently, Yuzhao still felt an invisible pressure.

She did not defend herself. "I know I was wrong. But when the princess saw the prince, she did nothing and left."

Chi Qi was a little surprised.

Just now, Zhao Mingyue came to Qingning Palace for lunch, and her face did not reveal any emotion. Compared with before, this child seemed to know how to conceal his thoughts better.

Has her pure and innocent heart also begun to be tainted by darkness? It seems her plan is progressing smoothly.

Chi Qi was in a good mood, and was not so angry about Yu Zhao's self-willed behavior.

"Since this is your first offense, I'll let it go this time. It won't happen again."

Yuzhao breathed a sigh of relief and raised her head, "Yes!"

Only then did she realize that the person standing behind Chi Ling was not Dan Ying, but an extremely unfamiliar face.

She was familiar with all the palace maids in Qingning Palace, but she was sure that this person was not any of them.

Confused, she was about to take another closer look when the guard at the door came in and announced, "Your Majesty, Lingqiong, the maid from Mingde Palace, wishes to see you."

"Let her in." Chi Li raised her arms, placed them on the armrests, and leaned lazily against the back of the chair.

Ling Qiong walked in from outside, still with a warm and fragrant aura on her body, and walked up to Chi Li and bowed.

Chi Li asked her, "How is the prince?"

Ling Qiong answered truthfully: "Still alive."

Yuzhao looked at her in surprise. This answer was really cold-blooded.

Chi Li couldn't help but chuckle, "Well, very well done."

Ling Qiong's personality, which is dull and wooden, yet sharp and vicious, is really interesting.

Ling Qiong looked delighted and asked directly, "Your Majesty, can I join the Golden Crow Guard now?"

Upon hearing this, Chi Qiong raised her eyes and glanced at Ling Qiong.

She was too thin and not tall, her frame was as thin as a bird's, her limbs were as slender as branches, and the clothes hanging on her were empty.

Compared with the tall figure next to her, she seemed to have shrunk by half.

The most basic requirement for those who can join the Jinwu Guard is that they are tall and have a strong physique.

In other words, someone like Ling Qiong won't work.

However, when she saw the hope flashing in Lingqiong's eyes, the words on her lips were stuck.

After all, Ling Qiong made great contributions in dealing with Zhao Chun.

If she hadn't tipped off, they wouldn't have been able to catch Zhao Chun by chance.

Chi Lan sighed lightly and waved at her. Ling Qiong approached with a puzzled look on her face. Chi Lan reached out and easily grasped her entire wrist.

It's too thin, as if it could break with a little force. This thought popped into my mind, and my fingers unconsciously exerted force.

Ling Qiong was a little surprised, but before she could show an even more uneasy expression, Chi Li was the first to let go of her hand and said in a light tone: "Remember to eat more in the future."

Does this mean you agree?

Ling Qiong smiled happily, "Yes, Your Highness!"

Chi Li nodded slightly and looked away from her overly bright smile, not thinking there was anything to be happy about.

The strength of the Jinwu Guards is still too weak. Their current number is just a drop in the bucket compared to the other eleven guards.

But if you want to control power, having your own armed forces is an indispensable part.

Otherwise, even if he could deal with the crown prince, he would not be able to deal with the ministers of the previous dynasty; even if he could deal with the ministers of the previous dynasty, he would not be able to deal with the local separatist forces.

And now her main opponent is the aristocratic family party headed by Li Mian.

She had already sent back the Ministry of Rites' memorial. How would they react to her assertive attitude? It was truly exciting to watch.

Unfortunately, no matter how they struggled, she would not allow anyone to ruin her plan.

Moreover, she already had an excellent helper.

Chi Li smiled and stood up from her chair. "Yuzhao, go gather the Golden Crow Guards. I want to introduce someone to you."

As she spoke, she stepped aside to allow the person standing behind her to come forward.

Now, Yuzhao and Lingqiong were finally able to see the man's appearance clearly. After looking at him for a while, they both showed the same look of surprise in their eyes.

This man doesn't look like someone from the Central Plains. His face is too cold and hard, and his features are too distinct.

And those deep eyes. At first, they seemed to see a strange red color. When they came to their senses, they found that it was an illusion caused by the sunlight.

But her pupil color is still lighter than that of ordinary people. Her gray-brown pupils seem to be covered with a layer of fog, lacking human emotions.

Chi Li introduced, "From now on, she will be the instructor of your Golden Crow Guard."

Then, the coach who came from nowhere raised his chin towards the two of them with a cold and arrogant attitude.

"Hello, I'm Liu Shen'ai." The voice was strangely dry.

Yuzhao and Lingqiong looked at each other, and there was a subtle dissatisfaction in each other's eyes. Who is this guy showing off to?

————

On the other side, inside the prison.

"If you have something to say, say it quickly. If the warden finds out I let you in, I'll be beaten!"

The jailer urged in a low voice as he stuffed the silver into his belt.

Liu Shanzhen hunched over and nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay, I'll just say a few words."

She staggered through the dimly lit corridor and came to the innermost cell.

The cell was surrounded by high walls on three sides, without even a window, and the gate was made of thick iron bars nailed firmly into the ground.

Sitting on a pile of grass in the corner, was a woman with dirty clothes and messy long hair.

As if she heard a noise at the door, the woman suddenly raised her head and saw that it was Liu Shanzhen. Her dull eyes immediately lit up.

"Mom Liu! Did my mother ask you to come see me?" She stood up and rushed to the railing, clasping her fingers tightly around the iron bar, and asked anxiously.

"Sister Ying." As soon as Liu Shanzhen opened her mouth, tears started to flow.

"What's wrong, Mom? Did something happen? Don't cry. Aren't you happy to see me?" Li Jiying stretched her hand through the gap between the iron bars and held her hand, which had loose skin and was covered with brown age spots, tightly in her palm.

"Happy, of course I'm happy." Liu Shanzhen said with tears in his eyes.

Li Jiying tried hard to raise the corners of his mouth and wanted to comfort her a few more words, but suddenly he saw a mourning cloth tied around her waist. A bad idea suddenly came to his mind and the blood drained from his face.

She grabbed the mourning cloth and asked in a trembling voice, "Mother Liu, who, who died?"

Liu Shanzhen looked at her silently, raised his hand to wipe his tearful eyes, and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Li Jiying panicked even more and kept asking, "Why aren't you talking? Madam Liu, who are you mourning for? Is it my mother?"