Xiang Song took out a black face mask and put it on, then was the last to leap onto the wall.
They could have entered through the main gate tonight, but to avoid letting the people at the inn know they had been there, they had to enter through the back wall.
After entering the walled area, the group landed on the open ground in the courtyard.
To conceal themselves, the group quickly slipped under a large tree.
The post stations in the capital were specifically for receiving foreign guests, and their layout differed from that of ordinary buildings.
Each courtyard is located within high walls, and between the courtyards is a small garden, shaded by green trees, making it a good place to hide.
Xiang Song made a gesture, and the guards nodded. Then, like night hawks, they flew onto the roof and carried out their respective tasks.
Xiang Song himself wasn't idle either. He paused slightly, then leaped onto the roof of a pavilion not far away. He jumped up again and landed steadily on the second-floor veranda of a courtyard.
He crouched down, straining his ears to listen to what the people inside were saying.
The house was inhabited by envoys from the northern desert.
They were particularly vigilant, probably in Wanling's territory, and spoke in the northern Mongolian dialect.
From the tone of their conversation, Xiang Song could tell that they seemed to be arguing about something.
Knowing he couldn't understand anything, Xiang Song went to another courtyard.
"Could Emperor Wanling be just giving us the runaround? If His Highness is thousands of miles away, how would Emperor Wanling know that he is a prince of our Liang Kingdom?"
As soon as Xiang Song landed and stood firm, he heard a man inside the house questioning his companion.
At this moment, another envoy said, "You may not trust Emperor Wanling, but you cannot distrust our Emperor. If there were no evidence, His Majesty would not have sent us on this journey."
"Who knows if the jade pendant in that person's hand is real or fake? What if it's someone with ulterior motives impersonating royalty? You and I would be accomplices. If something goes wrong, we would be the first to die."
"That's not right. Before I left, the Empress summoned me to the palace and described the material and shape of the token very clearly. I can guarantee with my life that once I see the token, I will not mistake it for someone else."
The person who said this was clearly a confidant of the Liang Emperor.
"Even after all you've said, I still have my doubts. Since the Crown Prince isn't in the capital, why not write him a letter and have him return to Liang? Wouldn't it be easier for us to pick him up at the border? The Wanling army is currently stationed at the border, and we don't know what the Wanling Emperor is thinking."
Those who voice opposing opinions use harsh tones and sharp words.
Just as Xiang Song was about to turn around, he heard another person say, "Lord Mu, what you're saying is wrong. It was clearly a conflict between the Nanzhao Kingdom and Wanling that led to the establishment of military camps on the border. How can you bring up conspiracy theories?"
The man addressed as Lord Mou snorted coldly and said, "One should always be wary of others. Who knows what Wanling Emperor is up to? Lord Gongxi, you have been an official for many years, have you lost even this much vigilance?"
"Lord Mu, please be careful with your words. I, Gong Xishuo, speak with facts. There is a family recognition procedure when the Crown Prince is taken back. Even if there is a mistake, you will not be held responsible. You don't need to be so agitated."
"Hmph! I hope so, but I'm not at ease keeping us here waiting any longer. I'm afraid something else might happen."
The man surnamed Mou couldn't win the argument with Gong Xishuo, so his tone softened a bit.
Xiang Song looked up and saw the hidden guards under the eaves peering into the room from above the window lattice.
He gestured for his guards to retreat, then turned and leaped lightly, landing silently on the ground like a leaf.
After leaving the inn, the guards jumped over the wall one after another.
Everyone remained silent in tacit agreement. Once everyone had arrived, Xiang Song made another gesture, and the group vanished from the spot in an instant, like ghosts in the night.
After returning to the palace, Xiao Jingzhao took a bath and changed into his nightgown, but did not go to bed immediately.
On the dragon bed, Sui Sui was already asleep, clutching the corner of her nightgown in her hand.
Xiao Jingzhao stood beside the dragon bed, leaning down to look at Sui Sui's exquisitely beautiful face with eyes full of affection.
His adorable son was so cute that he felt he could never get enough of looking at him.
When Eunuch Ma brought in the late-night snack, Xiao Jingzhao waved his hand, signaling Eunuch Ma to leave.
She gently pulled up the thin blanket to cover her lotus-root-like arms, then turned and walked out of the inner hall.
"Your Majesty, the young master hasn't had his midnight snack yet," Eunuch Ma said, unwilling to give up.
Xiao Jingzhao glanced at the fish balls on the tray, "Try not to give him late-night snacks in the future, it affects him..."
Xiao Jingzhao didn't know how to describe it; he just couldn't bring himself to say that strange word.
He waved his hand and said, "In short, if I tell you not to prepare anything, then you don't need to. His mother knows medicine, so just listen to her."
Eunuch Ma bowed respectfully, "This servant understands. His Majesty didn't have a midnight snack tonight either, so perhaps you..."
"I won't eat either. Give the order: no more midnight snacks will be prepared from now on."
Eunuch Ma: "Your Majesty, you are an adult, it won't affect that..."
"Stop talking nonsense. I said it's not necessary, and that means it is." Xiao Jingzhao rarely scolded Eunuch Ma.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This servant will take his leave immediately."
Eunuch Ma carried the late-night snack out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and sat down outside the door, wondering why the Emperor was so anxious when he hadn't said anything wrong.
Was the emperor worried that he would be less attractive to women if he gained weight, or that it would affect his ability to produce heirs?
Thinking about this, Eunuch Ma felt that the Emperor's decision was correct, and that the young master was lovely and adorable.
The Emperor's health is of utmost importance; there will be many, many little princes and princesses in the palace in the future.
It would be such a waste to return these fragrant fish balls to the imperial kitchen. I might as well eat them myself. Anyway, I don't have any problems with them, so gaining a little weight won't matter.
Thinking of this, Grandpa Ma picked up the spoon from the tray, lifted the lid of the porcelain bowl, and was about to start eating when he heard footsteps approaching from afar.
“Master, you should go back to your room and rest. Fugui will take your place tonight.”
The words of wealth and warmth warmed Grandpa Ma's heart like a spring breeze.
She thought to herself that she hadn't spoiled this child for nothing.
Grandpa Ma picked up the porcelain bowl and said, "Fugui, eat it while it's hot. You're growing all the time."
Fugui politely declined, saying, "Master, please eat. I'm not hungry."
"Stop arguing, hurry up and take it. If you eat this meal tonight, you'll never have it again."
Fu Gui trembled all over, his legs went weak, and he knelt down with a "plop".
"Master, Fugui did nothing wrong today. Fugui still wants to serve the young master. Please, Master, plead for me. Fugui doesn't want to die."
As Fugui spoke, tears streamed down his face.
"Silly child, who said you did something wrong? What nonsense about life and death, ptooey! Children speak without thinking." Eunuch Ma lifted Fugui up with one hand.
Fugui wiped away his tears. "Master, you said we would never be able to eat this again. Did Fugui hear you wrong?"
Only then did Eunuch Ma realize that his slip of the tongue had frightened Fugui.
Smiling, she stuffed the porcelain bowl into Fugui's hands. "Eat quickly. It's because Master didn't explain clearly that the Emperor has ordered that no more midnight snacks will be prepared for him and the young master."
Why?
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