Chapter 207 Entering the Palace
On the day of the ceremony to worship the heaven, Qu Ling got up early and washed up.
As agreed, Zhao Yuanrong came to the Marquis' Mansion to pick up Qu Ling as soon as the palace gate opened.
She was led to Shuofeng Courtyard and saw most of the boxes and boxes packed up, and porcelain wrapped in soft cloth. She asked, "Are we moving?"
Qu Ling nodded and said, "Prepare to move to the princess's mansion."
As she spoke, her eyes unconsciously glanced towards the study, where Chi Yuan was tidying up books.
Zhao Yuanrong followed her gaze and a knowing smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
She said to Qu Ling, "It's better to do it today than to wait for a day. Today is a good day. Why don't you let the prince consort move in? You can come with me to the palace. After the ceremony is over, I will take you back to the princess's residence."
Chi Yuan just happened to come in. Upon hearing this, he bowed and then smiled gently, saying, "That's a good idea."
Zhao Yuanrong had breakfast at the Marquis' Mansion before taking Qu Ling into the palace.
Chi Yuan walked them to the door and watched them get on the carriage with his own eyes.
As soon as he returned to Shuofeng Courtyard, he ordered, "Move the things to the Princess's Mansion today, and be quick and efficient."
Nanny Yin came and stood beside him, seeming to say something but stopping herself several times.
Chi Yuan pretended not to see it and had no intention of asking.
"My lord, I have a few words to say." Nanny Yin finally couldn't help it.
"Mammy, tell me."
Nanny Yin stepped forward and asked tentatively, "Does the prince really intend to live under the princess's control for the rest of his life?"
Pain flashed in her eyes, "I think you seem a little..."
"Succumbing to self-destruction?"
Chi Yuan finished for her, but there was no anger on his face. Instead, he smiled softly, "Mammy, you worry too much."
Nanny Yin's eyes were red with anxiety. "You studied hard for many years and finally got the position of Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple. Why are you giving it up so easily? Let the princess go to His Majesty and plead a few words."
"It was my idea to stay in mourning. Nanny also said that studying hard is not easy, and being in the Dali Temple is even more difficult. I am tired and want to rest."
"But the old marquis and the old lady will be disappointed!"
Nanny Yin almost cried.
"They have been waiting for you to bring honor to their family for so many years."
Chi Yuan looked at the old man who had taken care of him since he was a child, "Grandpa and grandma, if they knew that I have someone who truly loves me, they would only be happy for me."
Nanny Yin was stunned.
After a long while, she sighed, "In that case, I will not go to the Princess's Mansion."
She was indeed old, and the prince had grown up.
The young people gathered together and were happy, but she didn't like it. So she decided to ignore it and not be like an annoying old woman.
The prince treats her with respect, and she cannot take advantage of her seniority and put the prince in an awkward position between her and the princess, which would ultimately ruin the relationship between the couple.
Chi Yuan nodded slightly, "Then the Marquis' Mansion will be handed over to Madam."
A tear ran down Nanny Yin's cheek.
She raised her hand to wipe it away, "Don't worry, my lord. I will be watching over the two imprisoned people here and will never let them disturb your life again."
Qu Ling followed Zhao Yuanrong into the palace.
"It's still early, I'll take you to the East Palace." Zhao Yuanrong said.
Qu Ling has not been to the East Palace yet.
She couldn't help but feel excited when she thought about Zhao Yuanrong moving into the East Palace.
My sister is the first female protagonist to live in the East Palace.
There was a lot of discussion in the court and among the royal family, but she still moved in.
In front of the East Palace gate, a familiar figure made Qu Ling's pupils shrink slightly.
Hou Xu saw the two of them and stepped forward to greet them.
"you......"
Qu Ling was surprised.
The last time I met Zhao Chongxian of the Jinwu Guard, I asked him where General Hou was now. Zhao Chongxian said he was in the Forbidden Army camp. I didn't expect that he had entered the palace.
Zhao Yuanrong said, "He is now the commander of the guards of my Eastern Palace."
"Today's ceremony will issue an order for me to take over the position of commander of the Imperial Guards."
She will also be officially appointed as the crown prince.
Stepping into the main hall of the East Palace, Qu Ling looked around with curiosity in his eyes.
Zhao Yuanrong smiled and said, "I haven't touched a single blade of grass or tree here."
After a pause, he said, "It's still the same as when Zhao Xuanyi was back then."
Qu Ling's heart tightened.
It had not been long since he abdicated, but the name of the deposed crown prince seemed like a lifetime ago.
"Sister, have you visited him?" Qu Ling asked.
"Yes, he was detained in the inner prison. His injuries were not serious."
Zhao Yuanrong said suddenly, "I wanted to kill him, but I didn't do it."
She doesn't hide her thoughts.
Last night, Zhao Yuanrong also went to see Zhao Xuanyi.
The once handsome and noble prince was curled up in a dark corner, looking lifeless.
She said, "Song Ying is dead. I killed her."
Zhao Yuanrong told Zhao Xuanyi what she had done, and she was not afraid that Zhao Xuanyi would hate her.
"For the past ten years, I've been constantly searching for an opportunity to kill you. You've been wary of me, but I never expected that when your life was within my grasp, I would hesitate."
"If you can't get out of this prison, you'll be trapped here for eternity. You don't have to count on others to rescue you. Even if you were rescued, you wouldn't be able to shake anyone."
"This kind of life is hopeless, so just commit suicide."
There was no resentment in Zhao Xuanyi's eyes. He smiled and said, "If it were you, would you commit suicide?"
"No," Zhao Yuanrong said, "I'm different from you. You're too soft-hearted. You're always soft on me."
Zhao Xuanyi seemed to have tears in his eyes. "I won't commit suicide. I'll wait for you to kill me. I want you to prove to me that you are different from me. You will not be soft-hearted towards me."
"Okay," Zhao Yuanrong turned around, "you will wait until that day."
Qu Ling actually felt that it would be better if Zhao Xuanyi didn't die.
"My aunt has just ascended the throne, and the eyes of the people are fixed on her. If she dies now, it will cause instability in the court."
"You're right," Zhao Yuanrong considered, "I need a suitable time."
There is no benefit for her to kill Zhao Xuanyi.
It would be better to find someone else to kill.
Qu Ling calmly changed the subject, "Prince Yi will also enter the palace today, right?"
She turned to the guards outside the palace and said, "If Prince Yi comes to the palace, please invite him to the East Palace, and his two sons as well."
Zhao Yuanrong raised his eyebrows, "What do you want to do?"
Qu Ling kept it a secret and didn't tell her.
He called Su Shang over and whispered a few words in her ear.
Su Shang took the order and left.
About half an hour later, there was a commotion outside the East Palace.
Prince Yi's resounding voice came in, "Let me go! What are you trying to do in broad daylight? Let me go!"
There was another slightly younger voice.
"My father is a prince. It's against the rules for a princess to live in the Eastern Palace before she is canonized. Her rank is lower than my father's. How dare you hold my father hostage? Is there any law or discipline?"
"Do you really think the Censorate no longer exists? Are you going to let you do whatever you want?"
Then, another voice came, "Father, Second Brother, don't be angry. Princess Jiaping wants to see us, maybe she has something to say. These guards are just following orders, don't blame them."
Qu Ling and Zhao Yuanrong looked at each other and saw smiles in each other's eyes.
The guard was neither humble nor arrogant, "Your Majesty, Crown Prince, Second Young Master, please come in."
Prince Yi was pushed in and almost tripped over the threshold when he stumbled.
"That's too much!"
After finally standing steady, he looked up and saw Qu Ling and Zhao Yuanrong sitting side by side in the main seat, looking at him with interest.
Prince Yi had a furious look on his face.
"Oh, Chongli is back?" Zhao Yuanrong looked past Prince Yi and at the two young men behind him.
She pointed to Qu Ling, "Crown Prince Zhao Chongli, and Concubine Zhao Chongren."
Qu Ling really didn't know him very well.
"Princess, I haven't seen you for a long time. How have you been?" Zhao Chongli said softly, his eyes fixed on Zhao Yuanrong.
He deliberately moved a step to the side so that Qingzhuruyu's figure could be fully revealed in front of Zhao Yuanrong.
"I came back from Jiangnan and brought some little things for the princess. I hope the princess won't dislike them."
His expression was just right: three parts sigh, three parts affection, and four parts melancholy.
Qu Ling looked at Zhao Yuanrong with a teasing look on his face.
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