A few days later, three beggars appeared at the gate of the Crown Prince's residence.
"Hey! What's wrong with you three? This is the Crown Prince's residence. If you really have nowhere to go, the Crown Princess owns an estate where you can stay. As long as you work, you'll have food."
The guard at the door spoke to the three dirty-looking people whose appearances were indistinguishable.
What kind of day is this? Encountering three beggars so early in the morning?
It smells so bad!
These three people are Zhang Jie and his group.
It's all so heartbreaking to talk about!
That day, the three of them disguised themselves as men and set off for the capital. As expected, they encountered several groups of people searching the city along the way, and the three of them dared not relax for a moment.
In the end, all the money was stolen, and the carriage was sold.
Having endured countless hardships along the way, they finally arrived at the Crown Prince's residence. Zhang Jie burst into tears on the spot. Zhao Ruyue hugged Zhang Jie, excitedly calling out...
"We're here! We're back alive! Waaah..."
Bai Lan stood awkwardly to the side. She was excited too, but no one hugged her, so she could only stand there dumbly watching the two of them.
The guard who had just spoken also looked at the three of them, thinking: Are these guys idiots?
Zhang Jie shouted to the guards, "I want to see His Highness the Crown Prince! Go and inform him immediately!"
Ruyue chimed in, "Yes! Go quickly and announce our arrival! We want to see His Highness the Crown Prince!"
The guards were speechless: "What's wrong with you three? Do you think you can just see His Highness the Crown Prince whenever you want? If you're really hungry, just wait at the door. I'll go into the kitchen and get you some steamed buns. Once you've eaten, we'll go to the estate. It's under the Crown Princess's name, and the treatment there is very good. You can rest assured."
Before Zhang Jie could speak, Mingyue got angry. Was he treating them like beggars?
"How dare you! This gentleman beside me is Zhang Jie, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and I am Princess Mingyue, personally bestowed by the Emperor. We have returned from investigating a case in another region and have brought an important witness with us. We have important matters to report. Go and inform them immediately, or you will be punished if anything goes wrong..."
The guard was completely terrified.
He didn't believe that these two men looked like officials.
But seeing that the other person spoke clearly and logically, and didn't seem to be faking it, he couldn't be sure.
He secretly thought to himself that he should just inform them; it would only take a few minutes, and he wouldn't have to make a wasted trip.
Since the Crown Princess came into the picture, His Highness the Crown Prince's temper has improved considerably, and even if it's fake, he won't be punished.
After thinking it through, the guard quickly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Please wait a moment, gentlemen. I will go and inform them. Wait for my news."
Bai Lan stood to the side watching the two of them: "I didn't expect that you two would have such extraordinary identities. I've been a burden to you all along the way."
Ruyue turned her head and took Bailan's hand to comfort her: "Bailan, you're being too polite. We've been through thick and thin together these past few days, so we're practically friends. Don't say things like that."
Bai Lan smiled at her without saying a word.
Back then, everyone was just trying to survive; it was different for her—she wouldn't take it seriously.
She's seen so much over the years, and all she wants now is to avenge her sister; she doesn't want any of that superficial stuff.
Chu Tianling and Shen Jiaojiao were having breakfast when Chunhua told them that the guards at the door had something to report.
"Let him in." We're almost done eating anyway.
The guard entered, bowed, and replied, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess. I have something to report."
"explain!"
"Three people have arrived at the gate: one man and two women, dressed in rags. They claim to be Lord Zhang, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Princess Mingyue. The other woman is an important witness and is currently waiting at the gate to request an audience."
Upon hearing this, Chu Tianling immediately said, "Bring them in!"
"Yes!" The guard went out, relieved to have come and report that His Highness the Crown Prince had granted him an audience.
He thought back and realized that he hadn't gone too far in the whole process.
Who would have thought that these three people dressed like this would be important figures?
He jogged out, a smile on his face: "You three have been waiting long. His Highness the Crown Prince summons you. Please come with me."
Bai Lan followed behind, never expecting to see the Crown Prince again in this lifetime.
She looked around curiously.
Shen Jiaojiao and Chu Tianling were already waiting in the hall. She hadn't seen Ruyue for a long time and was looking forward to it.
Zhou Tianqi was standing at the door. He had seen Zhang Jie and Zhao Ruyue before. Now, seeing three disheveled beggars walking towards him from afar, he was dumbfounded.
However, he didn't say anything, but just stared at the three of them with wide eyes, his eyes full of curiosity.
What happened? You've all turned into beggars after not seeing you for a while.
The guard stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, the person has been brought. I will now return."
After saying that, he left. The whole way there had been really smelly, and he had finally finished holding his breath. His steps were a little lighter.
The three beggars knelt down: "Your subject Zhang Jie, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, greets the Crown Prince and Crown Princess."
"Your subject, Zhao Ruyue, greets the Crown Prince and Crown Princess."
"The renowned Bai Lan greets the Crown Prince and Crown Princess."
Chu Tianling's brows were so furrowed they could practically crush a mosquito; it really stank!
He forced himself to speak: "No need for formalities, please rise!"
The three thanked him and stood up.
Shen Jiaojiao looked at Zhao Ruyue with heartache: "Ruyue! How did you become like this? You must have suffered a lot. I'll have someone prepare water. The three of you go and wash up first, then have something to eat, and then we can sit down and talk properly."
Zhao Ruyue felt her concern and was moved to tears. Yes, yes, she was hungry and smelly right now.
It really needs a good wash.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I'm so hungry I could eat a whole cow. Wait until I've washed up and eaten my fill, then I'll tell you everything."
"Okay, go quickly, I'll have Chunhua take you."
Chunhua came in and led the three of them downstairs to wash up.
Zhao Ruyue lay comfortably in the bathtub, ah~ the feeling of being alive again.
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