Song Yue did not sleep that night.
My mind is filled with images of Zhao Zhiyan and Princess Lian'an together.
The next day, before dawn.
Granny Zhang knocked on the door: "Miss, Japanese pirates are invading from beyond the Great Wall. The Emperor has ordered the Eighth Prince to set off for the border immediately. You should go and take a look."
Song Yue was stunned.
“Miss, the Eighth Prince might be gone for a year or two, or even three to five years. You should go and see him.” Granny Zhang advised.
After hesitating for a moment, Song Yue stood up: "Yun Dong, wash up and prepare the carriage!"
"yes."
After quickly washing up and changing her clothes, Song Yue hurriedly went out. Just before leaving, she ran into Song Zhen, who knew she was going to see someone off, so he went with her: "Let's go."
The carriage headed towards the palace.
"How could Japanese pirates suddenly attack from beyond the Great Wall?" Song Yue frowned. It just so happened that something bad happened as soon as General Jiang returned.
Song Zhen shook his head: "General Jiang made a scene, and the Emperor could not persuade him otherwise, so he had to compromise and allow General Jiang to go to the border after the envoys from both countries left."
What's going on?
It's likely that General Jiang had already guessed some clues and deliberately stirred up trouble.
Otherwise, no sooner had General Jiang left than trouble broke out in the border region.
Even if a fast horse gallops all the way back to the capital from beyond the Great Wall, it would still take half a month, and General Jiang has only been back for a few days.
The carriage stopped, and the coachman said, "Your Highness, Miss, the Eighth Prince's carriage is coming out."
The curtain was lifted, and Song Zhen glanced outside. His expression suddenly changed slightly, and then he angrily pulled the carriage curtain down.
Song Yue had a rough idea of what was going on, and lifted the curtain again.
Not far away, Zhao Zhiyan was bowing his head and giving Princess Lian'an some instructions. Princess Lian'an's eyes reddened, and she sobbed softly, while her other hand carefully tugged at Zhao Zhiyan's sleeve.
They are inseparable.
"A-Yue," Song Zhen said worriedly.
Song Yue smiled and said, "Brother, you should go back first. I should go to the palace to pay my respects."
She didn't need to come and deliver it!
After getting off the carriage and seeing the setup at the palace gate, Zhao Zhiyan noticed her as soon as she appeared. He comforted Princess Lian'an for a few words and then walked up to Song Yue: "Little girl, I need to leave the capital for a while."
Song Yue narrowed her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the jade belt at Zhao Zhiyan's waist.
The ugly sachet was still hanging there, and next to it was another sachet shaped like an amulet, with the character "安" (peace) written in large characters.
Turning her gaze away, Song Yue smiled and said, "Eighth Imperial Uncle is wise and mighty; he will surely be able to wipe out the Japanese pirates and return in triumph."
Zhao Zhiyan raised his hand to ruffle her hair, but Princess Lian'an stopped him just as he did so: "Brother Zhiyan, why did the Emperor send you out alone? I just got back. What if someone bullies me?"
She choked up, and large tears streamed down her face.
Compared to Princess Lian'an, she appeared exceptionally calm, like an emotionless puppet, unable to utter a single word of concern.
Zhao Zhiyan said, "I have made all the arrangements. No one will bully you."
“But…” Princess Lian’an was still fearful and uneasy, her voice trembling, and she clung tightly to Zhao Zhiyan’s sleeve.
Song Yue chuckled softly and took two steps back: "It's getting late, I should pay my respects to the Emperor."
She walked forward without looking back.
"Little girl!"
Zhao Zhiyan bypassed Princess Lian'an and blocked Song Yue's path: "Considering that I helped you before, would you please take better care of Lian'an?"
Song Yue's body stiffened slightly.
“Brother Zhiyan…” Princess Lian’an broke down in tears again.
Song Yue was a little annoyed and frowned, saying, "It's not like you're not coming back, why are you crying like this?"
Princess Lian'an paused in her sobs, then stared at Song Yue with a pitiful expression, forcing back her tears. She then said, "The battlefield is dangerous, and Brother Zhiyan is not a god, but a mortal. Of course I'm worried."
Too lazy to argue, she said without turning her head, "I have a short temper. The only thing I can guarantee for the sake of the past is that I won't make things difficult for her. As for the rest, I'm willing but unable to do anything. Eighth Prince, you should ask someone else."
She disliked Princess Lian'an from the first moment she saw her.
Not to mention taking care of them.
As the footsteps faded into the distance, the crying gradually disappeared, and she finally had some peace and quiet. She had spent the morning in the Northern Chu Emperor's residence, and before leaving, the Empress Dowager summoned her.
Song Yue frowned.
"Third Miss, the Empress Dowager is still waiting for you," a palace maid urged.
Unable to refuse, Song Yue got up and followed. When they arrived at Ning'an Palace, she saw several familiar figures, including the eldest daughter of the Jiang family.
Empress Dowager Xu held the hand of the eldest daughter of the Jiang family and asked her many questions: "Good child, we sent you away from your homeland to marry a foreign ruler. Northern Chu will not forget your contribution."
Miss Jiang lowered her eyes, revealing her slender, fair neck, and said softly, "It is my blessing to be able to contribute to Northern Chu."
After saying this, Empress Dowager Xu looked at Song Yue again, her smile fading: "I heard that the Third Miss often comes to pay her respects to the Emperor, why doesn't she come to see me?"
People who like you will like everything you do; conversely, people who don't like you will find fault with everything you do.
"This humble woman dares not disturb the Empress Dowager's tranquility."
Empress Dowager Xu scoffed coldly.
The purpose of summoning her was simply to leave her aside and chat with the other girls. Song Yue lowered her eyes and sighed inwardly at how petty Empress Dowager Xu was.
After standing all morning, her calves ached. She moved slightly, which drew a glance from Empress Dowager Xu.
Perhaps because she didn't go back, Princess Jiahua actually went straight to Ning'an Palace to demand her return. All Princess Jiahua saw was that everyone else was sitting, except for Song Yue, who was standing.
Princess Jia Hua was furious.
"I had no idea Ning'an Palace was so lively."
Empress Dowager Xu looked at the furious Princess Jia Hua, and laughed in anger: "This is Ning'an Palace..."
"The position of Empress is vacant, and His Majesty has appointed me to temporarily assume the responsibility of holding the Phoenix Seal. The affairs of Ning'an Palace are also under my jurisdiction." Princess Jiahua's gaze swept over the group of girls.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
