Chapter 511 Yuan Xiaonian knew that this person must have fallen into a trap
Not long after, Zuo Jiali was summoned into the palace and met Yuan Huaihong.
"Your humble servant Zuo Jiali...meets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." He wasn't quite sure why Yuan Huaihong summoned him at this time, but he felt a little uneasy.
"You're welcome, Brother Jiali." After all, it was their second meeting, and Yuan Huaihong had a better impression of this little man and felt a little more familiar with him.
Moreover, he knew that what he was going to do next might cause Zuo Jiali to misunderstand him or even hate him, but he had no choice.
"Your Highness, I dare not be your younger brother. You should..." Zuo Jiali looked very terrified.
"Brother Jiali, you really don't have to be so polite. The reason I asked you to come here this time is that I have something to ask you." Yuan Huaihong said with a smile.
Zuo Jiali nodded slightly, "Your Highness, please give your orders. I will do my best to fulfill them."
"This is what happened. This prince lost a jade pendant in Yingcui Residence," Yuan Huaihong said while observing Zuo Jiali's expression. "You know, this prince and my mother don't like the mother and son who live in Yingcui..."
Zuo Jiali didn't know much about the harem, so he frowned when he heard this. "May I ask which concubine and prince are living with Yingcui?"
"It's Jing Ying who just came out of the cold palace and the second prince." Yuan Huaihong said indifferently.
"I understand." Zuo Jiali couldn't help but wonder in his heart. That day, Yuan Huaihong and Li Suining came to Zuo Sixian's funeral together. He could see that Yuan Huaihong liked Li Suining very much.
However, a few days ago, it was Yuan Xiaonian who brought Li Suining to persuade him to give up the position of National Master, and he said harsh words to Li Suining at that time. It was Yuan Xiaonian who came out to stop him, scolded him, and took Li Suining away. It was obvious that Li Suining and Yuan Xiaonian had a good relationship.
So... is Yuan Huaihong and Yuan Xiaonian's relationship so bad? Is it because of the position of the Crown Prince?
Zuo Jiali knew that after Yuan Huaihong moved out of the Eastern Palace, there were actually many doubtful voices in the court, wondering if the Emperor of Jin wanted to change the owner of the Eastern Palace. Could it be... that the rumors were true?
Yuan Huaihong continued, "So, do you understand what this prince means? You have to take back the jade pendant and embarrass those two guys. I will send a few guards to accompany you. What should we do then? You should know, right?"
"I understand, but..." Zuo Jiali subconsciously felt that there was something fishy about this matter, and he didn't want to accept it. "Your Highness, I am just an ordinary citizen after all. Don't I have the right to investigate the residences of the concubine and the Second Prince? Why not leave this matter to..."
"It was the Queen Mother who recommended you to me, the Crown Prince," Yuan Huaihong said straight to the point. "I think you should understand what I mean. If you do this well, then from now on, you will be someone that I and the Queen Mother trust without a doubt. But if you don't do well..."
"I understand and will do my best." Zuo Jiali instantly understood Yuan Huaihong's meaning. He didn't expect Shangguan Jinglan to set up such a level to test himself.
It seems that whether I can become the national teacher depends on my performance today.
Soon, the guards Yuan Huaihong mentioned arrived. There were seven of them in total, and they were all handed over to Zuo Jiali for dispatch.
"Go, this prince is waiting for your good news." Yuan Huaihong said with a smile and a gentle voice.
Zuo Jiali nodded slightly, said nothing more, and left with seven guards. He did not rush to Yingcui Residence, but found a deserted place and wanted to think calmly first.
Yuan Huaihong has already placed the things in Yingcui Residence, but no one knows where the things are placed or whether they have been discovered and hidden. Therefore, if he brings people in to search directly and fails to find anything, it will be disadvantageous to him.
But if he doesn't bring anyone to search, how can he get into Yingcui Residence to find things?
Zuo Jiali thought about it and soon came up with a solution. He went to find the leader of the guards.
"We'll go to Yingcui Residence in a while. You guys wait a little further away. I'll go in alone."
The leading guard nodded, "Yes, everything will be subject to Master Zuo's arrangements!"
Soon, the group went to Yingcui Residence, and Zuo Jiali went in alone.
The courtyard was not big and did not look like the place where concubines and princes lived. Even servants were hardly seen.
Zuo Jiali entered the yard, walked to the door, raised his hand and knocked on it.
Soon, someone opened the door. It was Jing who agreed. She looked the person in front of her up and down and said, "You are..."
"Hello, Jing, I'm Zuo Jiali, and I'm... a friend of the Second Prince." Zuo Jiali said politely.
"Are you Xiaonian's friend?" Jing agreed and smiled, then turned around and shouted inside, "Xiaonian, your friend is here."
Seeing this, Zuo Jiali immediately said, "Jing promised, can I go in and find the Second Prince?"
"Of course." Jing agreed and moved aside. "But our Yingcui Residence is not like the other concubines' residences. It's really a bit shabby. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you."
"No, this place is very secluded and the environment is nice. It's a good place." Zuo Jiali said flatteringly. Seeing Yuan Xiaonian coming out, he immediately stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Second Prince!"
"Zuo Jiali?" Yuan Xiaonian raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Why are you here?"
Zuo Jiali quickly glanced at Jing Ying, then lowered his voice and said to Yuan Xiaonian, "Second Prince, can we talk for a moment? Can we go to your room?"
Yuan Xiaonian pondered for a moment and nodded, "Please!"
Then he nodded and agreed to Jing, indicating that the other party should not worry.
Zuo Jiali entered Yuan Xiaonian's room as he wished, and immediately looked around. He remembered that Yuan Huaihong said that it was a jade ring with a golden tassel tied on it, which looked very expensive.
He discovered the ring almost immediately. It was in a corner of Yuan Xiaonian's desk. It looked inconspicuous. He wondered if Yuan Xiaonian had noticed it.
He knew that what he had to do was to bring the Empress and the Crown Prince over to catch the criminals red-handed, making the Second Prince and Jing Ying feel ashamed. So, now that he had confirmed that the things were still there, he should go and call for help.
"What did you say you wanted to tell me just now?" Yuan Xiaonian asked.
"It's nothing, actually." Zuo Jiali quickly retracted his gaze, not wanting to arouse Yuan Xiaonian's suspicion. "It's actually because of what happened that night. My words were indeed a bit harsh, but please don't take them to heart, Second Prince."
Yuan Xiaonian sneered, "If you want to apologize for that incident, you should go to Li Suining, not me."
"The Second Prince is absolutely right. I'll be leaving first!" Zuo Jiali was about to leave immediately.
Yuan Xiaonian knew that this man had fallen into a trap. Zuo Jiali could never have imagined that this was a trap set by him and Yuan Huaihong. Of course, Shangguan Jinglan could not have imagined it either.
He smiled silently and walked Zuo Jiali to the door.
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