After leaving the flower room, Yun Xiaoran immediately sent a letter to the palace.
They intended to go directly to the palace, but at the palace gate they received a message from the Empress Dowager.
"Tonight, His Highness the Ninth Prince will return to the capital from his garrison duty in Xishan and will enter the palace. The Empress Dowager will host a banquet to keep him there."
Yun Xiaoran was immediately overjoyed.
Mo Yunhan has a great fondness for rare flower species, and he would be delighted to see that vibrant, colorful plant.
She immediately returned to the mansion, waiting for nightfall.
In the greenhouse area
After seeing Yun Xiaoran off, Fu An'an entertained the guests for a while before pulling Jiang Qingwan, who was admiring the flowers, back to the backyard.
"Sister, those flowers..."
Jiang Qingwan knew what she wanted to ask, and explained calmly,
"Forcibly infusing it with my talisman may bring fleeting beauty, but it won't last until tonight."
Fu An'an choked for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.
"Girl, you're really wicked. You deliberately lured her into the trap, swindled her out of six thousand taels of silver, and then displayed the myriad flowers in public, making everyone a witness. Even if the flowers die, it has nothing to do with the flower shop. That Princess Xiaoran is probably going to be furious."
As she spoke, she took out the banknotes and was about to hand them to Jiang Qingwan.
Jiang Qingwan raised her hand to stop her.
"You also lost a valuable flower. If it is carefully cared for, it should not die."
Fu An'an's eyes flickered, and she suddenly turned around and went to the flower stand not far away. She took down a pot of flowers that only had one branch growing from it and stuffed it, along with six thousand taels of silver, into Jiang Qingwan's hands.
"Since you feel indebted to me, then give me another 'Thousand Purple Flowers' plant as compensation."
This time, Jiang Qingwan was dumbfounded.
"You have more than one?"
Fu An'an laughed and said, "When did I say there was only one?"
Jiang Qingwan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, "Boss Fu is just as bad."
The two looked at each other and burst out laughing at the same time.
...
Mo Yunhan concealed the injury on his shoulder and rushed back to the capital from Xishan.
Before he could return to his residence, he was summoned to the palace.
After reporting the military situation and submitting the briefing, he prepared to return home.
But Mo Yunzhao called out to him.
"Look at all the dirt you're covered in. Come on, let's go to the hot spring with your brother. I remember when we were little, your brother used to scrub your back."
Mo Yunhan was worried that the injury on his shoulder would be discovered, and was about to refuse when Mo Yunzhao stepped down from the dragon throne and, without saying a word, grabbed his arm and led him outside.
“Since I ascended the throne, Xiao Jiu has become increasingly distant from me. I often feel lonely. If I had to choose between imperial power and my brother, I would rather that Father had let you sit in that position back then.”
Mo Yunhan's body suddenly stiffened.
My steps also stopped subconsciously.
"Brother..."
Mo Yunzhao turned around, his refined and gentle eyes looking at him.
"Little Ninth, I'm speaking from the heart. Don't even you believe your imperial brother anymore?"
From birth, Mo Yunhan was burdened with the misfortune of certain death.
He desperately curled himself up like a hedgehog, treating everyone with indifference.
The emperor was despondent because of the disappearance of his mother, and the court officials submitted memorials one after another demanding that he be burned as a sacrifice.
The huge palace was pitch black, and he was very hungry and scared.
Later, Mo Yunzhao pushed open the door and brought in a basket of steamed buns, placing them far away at the entrance.
He said, "Xiao Jiu, I'm your brother."
Past memories vanish like clouds and mist.
Mo Yunhan felt as if a huge rock was pressing down on his chest, causing him great discomfort, and his voice became hoarse and deep.
"You will always be my royal brother."
Mo Yunzhao smiled and tightened his grip on his arm.
"Then I'll keep my brother company."
...
Yun Xiaoran's carriage, led by Granny Gui, traveled all the way to the gate of Kunning Palace.
Several eunuchs carefully carried Wan Ziqianhong, who was covered with a red cloth, inside.
The fragrance of the flowers couldn't be concealed; it wafted into my nose, bringing a sense of peace and joy.
Granny Gui couldn't help but exclaim, "The Empress Dowager said today that she was getting tired of the flowers in this courtyard, so Princess Xiaoran sent new varieties to the palace. She's so thoughtful."
Yun Xiaoran changed into the palace dress of a county princess, wearing a golden crown and pearl tassels hanging on both sides of her hair bun, her face beautiful and charming.
"My grandmother, the Empress Dowager, has been kind to me. Recently, she has been worried about the health of the Emperor Emeritus. There is so little I can do. If I can make my grandmother smile, then it will be worth it for me."
She spoke sweet words obediently, but her eyes couldn't help but dart around.
Knowing what she was thinking, Granny Gui whispered a reminder.
"His Majesty will bring the Ninth Prince to dinner. The Empress Dowager has specially prepared the finest wine. As for the marriage decree, Princess, please remember to be patient."
Upon hearing the words "fine wine," Yun Xiaoran was overjoyed and quickly nodded.
"Xiaoran has noted it down."
...
Steam rises from the hot spring.
Mo Yunhan, dressed in a single garment, leaned lazily against the jade-stone-built pool wall, his black hair concealing the injury on his shoulder, hidden in the steam.
He looked at the incessantly chattering Mo Yunzhao from a few steps away, occasionally responding with a few words, but he always felt something was off.
Mo Yunhan only slowly frowned when the sedan chair that was originally going to the Hall of Mental Cultivation stopped outside the Kunning Palace.
Mo Yunzhao spoke first.
"I know your concerns, so I will not force you. Today is truly an important matter."
"Didn't you mention to me before you went to Xishan that the Emperor Emeritus was unwell? I had the people from the Imperial Hospital take good care of him, but with little effect. Father Emperor is unwilling to see me, and Empress Dowager is also worried about him. Today, she specially invited a Taoist priest to the palace to pray for his well-being. Father Emperor dotes on you the most, so I thought it would be most appropriate for you to inscribe the prayer banner."
"Xiao Jiu, everything is for the sake of Father's health."
Mo Yunhan stared coldly at the palace gate in front of him.
Kunning Palace was not always called Kunning Palace.
It was the Jiaofang Palace, where the Empress resided.
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