Chapter 267 Lockdown
Xuanyuan Ze: "But that doesn't mean you'll treat me like an older brother for the rest of your life."
"In other words, as long as I stay with you long enough, what does it matter if I'm just an older brother?"
He released her hand, his gaze devout and earnest. "I am willing to respect your current choice, but my patience is limited, Xiao Ye. Don't keep me waiting too long."
"..."
Xuan Yuanze had been gone for a long time, but Qi Yuxuan stood there, struggling until her whole body was shivering.
"girl?!"
Bi Sui even forgot to call her "Princess," and was so startled by her still-shaken appearance that she stumbled.
"What's wrong? Who was that person? What did they say to you? Why are you so distracted?!"
Despite the sweltering heat, Qi Yuxuan's face was covered in cold sweat. As if suddenly jolted back to reality, she immediately grasped Bi Sui's hand, which was about to wipe her sweat, and said in a trembling voice, filled with fear and trepidation:
"I need to return home immediately to see my mother! Quickly!"
She had figured it out: she had to capture Xuan Yuanze before he left the capital!
There will be plenty of opportunities to repay a life-saving debt, but she cannot let so many innocent people be plunged into the flames of war because of a moment of soft-heartedness.
Xuanyuan Ze, like her, was a reborn person. In his previous life, he had personally fought on the frontier and knew the Qi Kingdom's defenses and military equipment better than she did. If he wanted to, it would be easy for him to break through the border between the two countries!
I'm afraid that within ten days to half a month, the flames of war will spread all the way to the capital!
By then, how many people will be displaced and how many lives will be lost? Xuan Yuanze clearly doesn't care about those lives. His claims of caring about her are just that—caring about his own feelings, not genuinely considering her well-being.
Perhaps in her past life, Ren Ze, who had fought and trained on the battlefield for more than ten years, had already changed. She was still deceiving herself, thinking that he was still the same as before, the gentle and humorous Brother Ze she used to know!
The clouds had cleared and the rain had stopped, and the sky had returned to its usual clear state. Under the scorching sun, the water on the ground quickly dried up, leaving only a shallow layer of marks.
Chen Liao was on duty at the gate today. He was startled when he saw the princess stumbling down from the carriage.
He hurriedly stepped forward to welcome the person inside, and when Bi Sui asked if the Princess was still in the manor, he looked troubled:
"Half an hour ago, news came from the palace that the Empress Dowager was unwell, so the Eldest Princess rushed into the palace to attend to her."
"His Highness also said that if the Princess returns, there is no need to go to the palace to greet her. She can just stay at home and send a message back immediately if there is any news."
Qi Yuxuan was extremely anxious at the thought of the Yue army that could break through the border at any moment.
But now that the Empress Dowager is unwell, the eldest princess and the crown prince are probably busy inquiring about her health and may not have time. Others either cannot trust her unconditionally or have limited power to help her seal off the capital.
"We're going to the palace; I'm going to visit the Empress Dowager."
The horse turned around without stopping and galloped towards the palace with Qi Yuxuan on its back.
She dressed simply and plainly today, which was just right for visiting the Empress Dowager. Before getting off the carriage, she removed a hair ornament from her head and then led Bi Sui to the Empress Dowager's palace.
Several palanquins were already parked at the entrance of the Empress Dowager's palace. Qi Yuxuan glanced over and saw that even the Emperor and Empress's palanquins were there, so it seemed that the Eldest Princess and the Crown Prince were also unable to leave.
The Empress Dowager treated her fairly well. Although they weren't as close as a real grandmother and granddaughter, it was all because of the Princess that she extended her affection to her. Qi Yuxuan was already very content.
The Empress Dowager is ill, and as her nominal granddaughter, she should come to visit her.
"Princess Chang Le, what brings you here?"
The palace servants waiting at the door were quite surprised to see her.
The Eldest Princess has been here for half an hour. Why is Princess Chang Le here now, instead of being with her?
However, the palace servant was kind and led the person to wait in the front hall. Without asking any questions, he went to the back to report.
Another palace maid brought over tea and explained, "This morning, the Empress Dowager felt unwell, so she summoned the imperial physician to examine her. However, the news was leaked by some ignorant palace maid, which led to this whole commotion."
The implication was that the Empress Dowager's illness was not serious.
Qi Yuxuan's heart was still pounding with anxiety, and she was just waiting anxiously for the palace servant who delivered the message to return soon.
However, it took almost the time it takes to drink a cup of tea for the palace maid to return. She said that the Empress Dowager was fine, just a bit cold from being out in the summer heat, and had already gone to bed. She told the younger generation to go back first and not to bother visiting and taking care of her.
Qi Yuxuan: "Then..."
The palace maid continued, "But the eldest princess insisted on staying and serving the Empress Dowager, so the Empress Dowager let her go. Does the princess have something to discuss with the eldest princess?"
Qi Yuxuan stopped talking, "No... Since the Empress Dowager is alright, I'm relieved. Thank you for your help, Auntie."
Since the eldest princess couldn't find the time, she had no choice but to go to the crown prince...
She really didn't want to face the Crown Prince right now, but this matter couldn't wait much longer.
The reason she was able to reject Xuan Yuanze so decisively just now was not only because she had never had any romantic feelings for him, but also because when others questioned whether the Crown Prince might harm her, her heart was filled with nothing but protection for the Crown Prince...
It's not just the kind of defense that thinks he's a good crown prince... that's not a good sign.
Even if she was slow to realize it, she eventually understood.
She might actually have some affection for the Crown Prince.
Qi Yuxuan took a slightly longer route and arrived at the East Palace just as the Crown Prince was about to reach it.
Sun Miao had just been dispatched when he looked up and saw the person he was supposed to meet on this mission at the palace gate, which was quite unexpected.
"Princess Chang Le? What brings you here?"
"What a coincidence! You must have been to the Empress Dowager's palace, right? The Crown Prince just instructed me to deliver a message to you, so you don't need to worry!"
Sun Miao spoke cheerfully, and Qi Yuxuan replied absentmindedly with a few perfunctory words before being ushered inside.
The layout and decoration of the East Palace were exactly the same as when she last visited; nothing had changed.
She waited anxiously for the summons, mentally rehearsing how to explain the situation.
At that moment, the Crown Prince himself came out.
Two furrowed brows still lingered between his eyebrows, making him look very serious, but the moment he saw her, a gentle smile immediately spread across his face, and his coldness melted away in an instant.
"You've arrived."
His voice was slow and gentle, as if he would be happy as long as she came to the East Palace.
Qi Yuxuan immediately stood up and looked at the Crown Prince, whose exhaustion was still evident even as he smiled.
"Cousin, have you been very busy these past few days?"
She realized she had asked a pointless question after she finished asking. According to the previous plan, they were to set off for Beiyuan tomorrow. The emperor and empress were both neglecting their duties, and all the burdens had fallen on the crown prince's shoulders. How could he not be busy?
"No, what do you want with me?"
Qi Yuxuan took a deep breath before beginning her explanation.
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