Chapter 356: Other Palaces (Part 1)

Sima Jun withdrew his gaze and looked at the wilderness beyond the small bridge.

Sun Wei knew that this was a tacit agreement.

"Your Highness, please go back to Xunyang." Sun Wei said in a gentle voice.

"Why?" Sima Jun asked, "Hasn't the Lady always urged me to try to enter the inner court?"

"I was wrong," Sun Wei said. "Your Highness is not allowed to enter the inner court. It has never been your fault, but the Crown Prince's inner demons. Your Highness does not need to stay in Jiankang and suffer such unnecessary grievances."

Sima Jun was a little surprised.

Her expression was sincere, gentle and firm.

He looked away again and asked, "Does my lady have anything else to say?"

"Yes," Sun Wei said, "Although the Crown Prince appointed Lü Qiuyan as the General Guarding the North, personnel appointments have always been in the hands of Wang Han. How did the Crown Prince convince Wang Han to agree?"

"I guess Wang Han hasn't agreed yet," Sima Jun said. "Lüqiu Yan is already on the verge of death. It will take some time for him to take office. The scene two days ago was probably a show for me. Killing an official of the imperial court is a serious crime. The prince wants me to not touch Lüqiu Yan again."

"Even if His Highness doesn't insist, the Crown Prince will eventually have to persuade Wang Han to agree."

"The Crown Prince has asked Bo You to begin investigating the case of Crown Prince Huai Xian. What does your Majesty think the Crown Prince is going to do?"

Sun Wei was stunned.

She had long known that Yu Yi had evidence in the Prince Huaixian case, which was also Yu Yi's original intention in entering the officialdom.

But bringing it up at this time was obviously directed at Wang Hao.

"Does the Crown Prince want to make a deal with Wang Han in exchange for his consent?"

"Um."

Sun Wei pondered for a moment and said, "In this case, Master Yu has become the object of a bargain. He has exposed the Wang family's scandal, and neither Wang Han nor the Queen Mother will let him go."

"I've said these things to Bo You," Sima Jun said, "but this is Bo You's true wish. He finally has the Crown Prince's support, and even if it's only for a short time, he's willing to give it his all."

Sun Wei was silent.

After living a new life, many people and things have changed, but Yu Yi is still the same person he was back then.

He looks gentle and weak, but he always has the courage to throw himself into the fire.

Sun Wei shook his head: "But now is not the time."

Seeing her worried expression, Sima Jun was silent for a moment before saying, "Your Highness, don't worry. If Bo You can make a concerted effort to thoroughly investigate the case of Crown Prince Huaixian and defeat Wang Han, this situation can be resolved."

"Easier said than done," Sun Wei said, "Your Highness, do you know how many people were involved in this case back then?"

"I'll help Boyou."

These words shocked Sun Wei even more.

"Your Highness, are you going to help Master Yu clear the name of the Crown Prince of Huai County?"

"Exactly."

"No." Sun Wei said anxiously, "This road is a life-or-death one. If Your Highness joins, you will be putting yourself in it as well. Your Highness cannot stay in Jiankang, you should return to Xunyang!"

Sima Jun fixed his gaze.

"Since you are leaving, why do you still care about these things?" he said indifferently.

Sun Wei opened his mouth, but was speechless for a moment.

Indeed, even though she kept saying that they were friends, she could no longer force Sima Jun to listen to her as she did before.

"Your Highness is right." Sun Wei calmed down, "I have overstepped my bounds."

Sima Jun's expression was calm: "What are your plans after leaving Liyang?"

"I'm going to find a place to stay and then bring my father, mother, and A-Qiao out." Sun Wei looked at Sima Jun, "Your Highness, please let me go then."

"Are you going back to An Ning?" Sima Jun asked.

Sun Wei shook her head: "Guangzhou is not peaceful either. I cannot bring my family to a place of war."

Sima Jun said, "Jiankang's political situation is increasingly unstable. Any change would shake the entire world. It will be difficult for your Majesty to find a completely peaceful place. I believe that Xunyang City may be the safest place in the world for your parents and your brother."

"I understand what Your Highness means," Sun Wei said, "but I cannot trouble Your Highness again."

"Aqiao is my disciple. It's only natural for me to take care of him and his family. It has nothing to do with the lady."

Sun Wei looked at him without answering.

Sima Jun continued to gaze at the trees in the distance and said, "This carriage will take the Lady to the dock. There will be a boat there that will take the Lady to Pencheng. The late king also had a separate palace in Pencheng, which was where I stayed when I was on patrol. As long as I'm not there, the palace will be uninhabited. I'll have Yin Wen accompany the Lady, and she'll stay there temporarily."

Sun Wei shook her head: "I will find a place to go myself, I don't need your help..."

Sima Jun interrupted, "I said I would take care of Aqiao's family, which naturally includes the lady. The lady has nowhere to stay right now, so it's best for her to follow my instructions."

Sun Wei still insisted: "I appreciate your kindness, my lord. But there is no need to do this. I can find a place to stay."

"I'm afraid this is beyond your control," Sima Jun said sternly. "Last time in Liyang, you were nearly arrested simply for going out to buy medicine. If Deng Lian hadn't followed you and brought Bo You to his aid, you would have lost your life. Don't forget, the court has a hefty bounty on your head, and those eager to claim it are everywhere."

He finally laid his cards on the table.

Sun Wei knew that what he said was not meant to scare her.

She took a deep breath and said, "I would like to ask Your Highness to explain what happened that day. Why did Your Highness let Deng Lian follow me?"

"It is quite right for the lady to leave without saying goodbye."

"Don't you know why I left without saying goodbye, Your Highness?"

"I know, but can't I even protect you?"

"I've already said that I don't trust Your Highness."

Sima Juan's face turned cold: "I was frightened by your words last time. Now it seems that even if you can't trust me, I am still better than you."

Sun Wei's eyes widened. "So, if I insist on leaving on my own, Your Highness, will you still detain me?"

Sima Jun said calmly, "I won't do anything to you, but A'ru is already in my hands. You, the lady, can only leave on your own."

Sun Wei was stunned, and then looked towards the carriage he was riding in.

A'ru was no longer there. Only Yin Wen had a forced smile on his face and bowed to her from a distance.

Sun Wei looked at Sima Jun in disbelief, feeling anxious and annoyed: "Your Highness, such behavior is unbecoming of a gentleman!"

"Your Highness once said, 'Treat villains as villains, and gentlemen as gentlemen.'" Sima Jun said, "Your Highness is not a gentleman, and neither am I. I don't want Qiao to lose her sister. It's an extraordinary move for you to stay in another palace temporarily. If you want to go out, remember to tell Yin Wen in advance so he can make the arrangements. I don't mean to constrain you. Once the storm has passed and no one is interested in the bounty, you can leave. I'll do whatever you wish."

Sun Wei knew that Sima Jun had made up his mind and there was no way he could escape.

She stared at her for a long moment, then asked, "How long do we have to wait?"

Sima Jun said slowly, "I will tell the lady myself."