Chapter 269 Aren't you afraid I'll poison your tea?

After returning to Kyoto, Xiao Xuanyou and Lu Yuan were extremely busy.

The assassins Xiao Xuanyou encountered while rewarding and comforting the disaster-stricken people of Yaocheng, the altar deliberately destroyed by the Provincial Administration Commission during the Frost Festival, the ambush on the way back to the capital, and most importantly—the secret collusion between Prince Xiang's heir Xiao Yunheng and the Helan tribe.

Emperor Xuanzhao listened to the reports from the two men below him and the evidence presented, his stern face filled with anger.

"Outrageous! How dare he lay a hand on the crown prince of a nation! Lin Lide is utterly audacious!" He was furious.

An imperial edict was immediately issued, summoning Lin Lide back to the capital for a thorough interrogation by the Ministry of Justice. If the evidence was conclusive, he was to be imprisoned in the imperial prison to await further judgment.

Xiao Xuanyou only briefly mentioned the assassin incident; the most important matter now is the case of Xiao Yunheng's collusion with the Di people.

Emperor Xuanzhao sat on the dragon throne, his sharp eyes fixed on his most favored son. "Crown Prince, the Prince of Xiang's heir is your cousin. He has always been respectful and gentle to you, and he is not a wolf in sheep's clothing. There must be some misunderstanding. I will send people to thoroughly investigate this case and give you and the people of Yaocheng justice."

Xiao Xuanyou frowned. “Father, the seal on this secret letter cannot be faked, and the people of Yaocheng were all present at the time. If the case cannot be closed as soon as possible, it may discourage the people and the soldiers guarding the city.”

Emperor Xuanzhao remained silent for a long while, his dignified face revealing neither joy nor anger. "Oh? Why is the Crown Prince in such a hurry to convict the Prince of Xiang's heir?"

Xiao Xuanyou knew Emperor Xuanzhao's temperament well and knew that he was angry at the moment, but he couldn't show it.

“Your Majesty misunderstands. This matter has already spread from Yaocheng to the capital, and it’s causing quite a stir. I’m afraid that the Prince of Xiang’s heir will be falsely accused and misunderstood as a traitor. If the Princess Consort of Xiang knew about this, I don’t know how heartbroken she would be. Only by closing the case as soon as possible can we put the Princess Consort’s mind at ease.”

Emperor Xuanzhao's scrutinizing gaze lingered on Xiao Xuanyou for a long time before he chuckled softly, "The Crown Prince's concerns are not without merit; I have misunderstood you."

"Father is busy with countless affairs of state, and I am unable to share your burdens. It is my fault."

Emperor Xuanzhao paused, then asked Lu Yuan, who was standing beside him, "By the way, what's the story with that Princess Qinghe?"

Lu Yuan knew that Emperor Xuanzhao would ask this question, and he had already prepared his answer.

"It was in Yaocheng that I met Princess Qinghe and learned that after she was kidnapped from the banquet, she went to many places and finally ended up in Yaocheng, where she was recognized by me and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"It turns out that she had been living in anonymity in Yaocheng for a long time. Back then, when the plague struck Yaocheng, it was she who helped General Xie transport medicinal herbs in, which curbed the spread and eradicated the plague."

"However, Princess Qinghe was afraid of damaging her reputation, so she asked me not to publicize this matter. Therefore, I only announced that she had been recuperating at the General Xie's mansion after being rescued by him, and has only now returned to the capital."

Lu Yuan did not deceive Emperor Xuanzhao; he simply chose what he could say.

Emperor Xuanzhao asked casually and didn't take it seriously.

Xiao Xuanyou spoke up again, "Father, I was fortunate to have Princess Qinghe take an arrow for me on my return to the capital. The situation was dangerous, and I almost did not see you again."

"Oh? Is that so? Then I shall reward Princess Qinghe properly."

Xiao Xuanyou said, "When the county princess returns to the capital this time, there will probably be a lot of rumors and gossip against her. If the emperor can issue an edict to reward her, that would be the best reward for the county princess."

Emperor Xuanzhao had just refuted the Crown Prince because he favored Xiao Yunheng, and now he couldn't embarrass him again, so he nodded in agreement.

“However, it is rare,” Emperor Xuanzhao looked at Lu Yuan with probing eyes. “Lu Yuan is always impartial and upright in handling affairs. I never expected that he would be so considerate and chivalrous as to cover up for others.”

Before Lu Yuan could speak, Xiao Xuanyou replied with a smile, "Lord Lu, perhaps you have someone you admire?"

Lu Yuan gave him a cold look, neither admitting nor denying it.

Emperor Xuanzhao, however, became interested. "Oh? Lu Yuan is so stubborn. I wonder which young lady he has taken a fancy to. I will arrange the marriage for you."

Xiao Xuanyou smiled but remained silent, enjoying the show.

Lu Yuan remained aloof, cupping his hands in greeting to Emperor Xuanzhao, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but Your Majesty cannot grant this marriage."

"Oh?" Emperor Xuanzhao raised an eyebrow.

Is there anyone who dares to defy the imperial decree?

"She is already married. Does Your Majesty still wish to grant me a marriage?" Lu Yuan lifted his robe, about to kneel down. "Then I thank Your Majesty in advance. She is..."

Emperor Xuanzhao stopped him repeatedly, saying, "This is utterly outrageous! You covet another man's wife. I will pretend I never heard you say this today, and never mention it to me again."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." Lu Yuan even showed a disappointed expression.

Emperor Xuanzhao breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, I stopped him in time. Otherwise, if Lu Yuan had said it, would my golden words have actually led to a marriage decree?

＊

Xiao Xuanyou and Lu Yuan were both preoccupied with many matters, and even Shen Ci'an was often kept in the palace for discussions.

Jiang Zhi was the most carefree of them all.

She quietly recuperated at the Shen residence, only occasionally taking walks in the garden with the help of Ruying and Anyue, and had not left the house for a long time.

During this time, the emperor issued a decree of reward, and the rumors in the capital about her being kidnapped finally subsided.

That day, she summoned Qingxing to her side and instructed her to deliver a message to the Prince of Xiang's residence.

My injuries have almost healed, it's time to go and meet Xiao Yunheng.

Qingxing knelt down in front of Jiang Zhi with a "plop" in surprise, "Miss, you don't blame me anymore?"

Since returning to the Shen residence, Jiang Zhi still had her serve her as before, but she mostly instructed Ru Ying and An Yue to do things and rarely asked her to do anything.

Qingxing was filled with anxiety because of this, feeling that she had lost her mistress's trust.

"Silly girl, how could I bear to blame you?" Jiang Zhi helped her up from the ground.

"I have been neglecting you these past few days because you almost injured His Highness the Crown Prince that day. If I don't make a move, the blame you will suffer will only be greater."

“Miss…” Qingxing almost burst into tears, “I thought you didn’t want me anymore.”

Jiang Zhi wiped away her tears, "Alright, if you mess things up today, I really won't want you anymore."

Qingxing immediately stood up. "Yes, this servant will go right away."

After Qingxing left, Jiang Zhi summoned Ruying and Anyue, saying, "When it's night and no one is around, go to Shuyu Tower to do something for me."

The next day, Shen Ci'an was kept in the palace for discussions as usual.

Jiang Zhi made an excuse to go to a rouge shop and took Ru Ying and An Yue out in a carriage.

After waiting for a while in a private room on the third floor of Shuyu Tower, Xiao Yunheng arrived as promised.

"Madam Shen, it's been a long time. I wonder how you've been?"

Xiao Yunheng still wore his gentle smile, dressed in a light blue brocade robe and a jade crown, his face handsome and gentle.

The only difference is that his leg has fully recovered and he no longer needs a wheelchair.

He hadn't noticed Jiang Zhi sitting there, but as he walked towards her, she noticed his tall and slender figure, and the noble aura he exuded was somewhat similar to that of Xiao Xuanyou.

Jiang Zhi chuckled, "Whether I'm good or not, does the Prince of Xiang not know? I thought the Prince wouldn't dare to come to the appointment today."

“How could I dare to disobey Madam Shen’s invitation?” Xiao Yunheng picked up the teacup that Jiang Zhi had poured for him and took a sip. “The tea at Shuyu Tower is indeed exceptional.”

Jiang Zhi stared at him, "Isn't Your Highness afraid I'll poison your tea?"