Chapter 197 Grandma, I’m here to take you out of the palace
Seeing Marquis Wenxin's face flickering between pale and blue, the Second Prince quickly said, "This matter really can't be blamed on Governor Xiao. You know my father's temper. He can tolerate a few arguments about state affairs, but Governor Xiao shouldn't interfere in these palace affairs, no matter how trusted he is. It would be a sign of impropriety."
Wu Huai also said: "Your Majesty looks rosy and does not seem to be ill. He just drank some wine, so he should be fine."
Marquis Wenxin thought about it and realized that Emperor An spoke with full energy and did not look ill.
He glanced at Xiao Yan and reflected that he had indeed been a little "unreasonable" just now. Xiao Yan was in his current situation because of the emperor's favor, so how could he do something that would displease the emperor?
Moreover, His Majesty's temper has become increasingly unpredictable in recent years, especially since the beginning of this year. He has been furious several times in court, and countless court officials have been punished.
Censor He, who was flogged ten times a day and forced to kneel before the Imperial Palace and recite the Five Classics, was so thin he was almost unrecognizable, yet Emperor An never even said a word to spare him...
When Marquis Wenxin thought of Censor He, he couldn't help but glance at Xiao Yan, but in terms of ruthlessness, the one in front of him was still more ruthless.
Censor He knelt for a few days and then claimed to be sick and lay in bed at home, unwilling to enter the palace. However, this person only sent someone to the He family and almost broke the He family's life. Even though Censor He had a broken leg, he still had people carry him into the palace every day regardless of rain or shine, and he lay in front of the Imperial Hall in a emaciated state to "recite."
Those officials from the noble families who had originally opposed Xiao Yan were beaten so hard that their faces were bruised.
Xiao Yan seemed unaware of Marquis Wenxin's scrutiny and simply changed the subject, "Thank you for your assistance tonight, Your Majesty. I will remember your kindness."
Marquis Wenxin quickly said, "No need. I'm just helping my wife."
His wife had been friends with Princess Cheng for many years. After learning about the affair between Princess Cheng and Prince Cheng, she begged him for help. He had received favors from the Rong family in the past, and saving Rong Yue was considered a repayment of the favor. Xiao Yan was just a by-product.
Marquis Wenxin didn't want to have anything to do with Xiao Yan, so he distanced himself decisively, "My wife is concerned about Princess Cheng's safety. Now that the matter is settled, I will return first to avoid worrying her."
Seeing Marquis Wenxin turned around and left without stopping, Xiao Yan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows: This Zhou Datou said he was a military general, but unexpectedly he was more perceptive than anyone else?
He suddenly missed the new "Uncle Qian".
Xiao Yan looked at Wu Huai without changing his expression: "Thank you, Lord Wu, too."
Wu Huai didn't dare to accept Xiao Yan's thanks, and since he had pledged his allegiance to Xiao Yan, he was naturally very understanding.
"It is my duty to handle murders in the capital. Lord Governor Xiao, there is no need to thank me. However, everyone in Prince Cheng's mansion insists that it was Princess Cheng who killed her. I'm afraid Prince Cheng and his men won't change their words."
"Even if Prince Cheng is convicted of treason and other matters have been uncovered, the matter of the murder of the old concubine...I'm afraid Princess Cheng won't be able to explain it clearly."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan said, "Let the coroner perform an autopsy first to see if the old concubine has any other injuries."
Wu Huai hesitated: "This autopsy requires taking off clothes..."
That old concubine was the late emperor's concubine, a noble lady in the palace. This...
Xiao Yan glanced at him and said, "Even Prince Cheng could use torture, and Xie Yin was stripped of his title as Crown Prince. Do you think His Majesty would care about a dead person?"
Wu Huai reacted after hearing what he said and said hurriedly, "It was my humble servant who was confused. I will ask someone to make arrangements when I get back."
…
After Wen Xinhou left, Wu Huai did not stay long. He said a few words to Xiao Yan, appointed a coroner to perform an autopsy, and then sent the results to Jiyun Lane before leaving as well.
Only after they left did Xiao Yan leave the Imperial Dragon Terrace. The Second Prince did not go with Marquis Wenxin and the others, but instead followed Xiao Yan closely.
Xiao Yan wasn't surprised. He led his men to a secluded place, and the Second Prince couldn't help but speak: "Tonight is all thanks to Governor Xiao."
"I had originally intended to say that what happened tonight was a coincidence, and to use the same excuse I had used to fool Prince Cheng to reply to my father. If it weren't for Governor Xiao's warning when he entered the palace, I'm afraid I would have gotten into great trouble."
Xiao Yan was indifferent when he heard this: "Your Majesty is not Prince Cheng, and Marquis Wenxin is not your highness's confidant."
He stretched out his hand to smooth the water stains on his sleeves and said to the Second Prince:
"Although I can silence Wu Huai, there's no guarantee that the news won't leak out to Marquis Wenxin in the future. Furthermore, if Your Highness wants to compete with the other princes, you can't remain hidden forever. Properly revealing your ambition won't only help His Majesty avoid displeasing you, but will actually encourage him to prioritize you for the position of Crown Prince."
"If you want to compete for the throne, you must show that you have the ability to fight for it. Keeping a low profile will only make you appear incompetent. His Majesty doesn't like those who are too stupid, nor does he like those who are too smart. Only those who are ambitious, easy to manipulate, and simple and straightforward can reassure him."
The Second Prince, as if hearing the voice of a fairy, complimented, "Lord Xiao is indeed the one who understands Father's intentions."
Xiao Yan shook the water off his hands and lowered his eyes to the Second Prince, "After tonight, Your Highness can approach the people in the court with confidence. Even if they cross the line in the slightest, His Majesty will not be angry."
"As for Marquis Wenxin, he's never been close to the prince, but he accidentally injured you tonight and will definitely feel guilty about you. This is also an opportunity for you to make friends with him. From now on, you can interact with him openly without worrying about suspicion."
The Second Prince didn't notice anything amiss. He was simply thinking that if he could subdue Marquis Wenxin, he would have a reliable support in the army. He said happily, "Thank you, Governor Xiao, for your advice."
As soon as Wen Xinhou walked to the palace gate, he suddenly sneezed and felt a chill on his back.
After Xiao Yan spoke a few words to the Second Prince, he paused and looked at the Second Prince who was following him closely. "It's past midnight, Your Highness, it's time to leave the palace."
The Second Prince quickly asked, "Are you going to the Empress Dowager's palace? I'll go with you and take a look..."
"Your Highness shouldn't focus on people you shouldn't be focusing on."
Xiao Yan's eyes were slightly cold, but no one noticed under the cover of night.
"You have meddled in Prince Cheng's affairs tonight, so your methods must be seen. Tomorrow morning, His Highness will have to speak on matters concerning Prince Cheng's mansion. You should return early to discuss countermeasures with your staff."
Seeing the Second Prince frown, he said, "I know Your Highness is kind and filial, but His Majesty would not want to see you get too close to the Grand Empress Dowager. Your Highness, please don't get the wrong idea."
The second prince was stunned. Father didn't want to see them getting close to the Empress Dowager?
He did not doubt Xiao Yan's words. When he thought about it carefully, although the Empress Dowager was of noble status, it seemed that his father only showed respect to her on the surface. He had never even held a grand celebration for her birthday in the past.
In recent years, I have only heard that the Empress Dowager was suffering from hysteria and talking nonsense. Although people from the Imperial Medical Bureau often looked after her, my father has never shown any concern.
The Second Prince still remembered the look on Emperor An's face when he heard in the palace just now that a concubine was "disturb" the Grand Empress Dowager's recuperation. He had originally just wanted to use the Grand Empress Dowager's status to earn a reputation for filial piety.
But if this action would anger his father and make him unhappy, then he would naturally not do such a stupid thing.
The Second Prince quickly retracted his thoughts: "I was mistaken. I will leave the palace first."
Xiao Yan hummed, "Your Highness, remember to spend more time with the Cui and Feng families, and also pay more attention to the head of the Li family. The rift between the aristocratic families is deepening. If the Lu family falls, they will definitely choose another master. Your Highness, don't miss this opportunity."
"Cui Lin is very wary of me, the governor, and only wants to use me to deal with the Lu family. You should be more careful around him. Your Highness, do you know how to explain to him about tonight's incident?"
The Second Prince quickly said in a serious tone, "Of course, I accidentally learned of Lord Xiao's intentions, and I took this opportunity to show my goodwill to you. Lord Xiao, rest assured, I will not do anything stupid."
He wants the Cui family and the Feng family, but he wants Xiao Yan more.
Compared to the aristocratic families with chaotic internal forces, Xiao Yan, who can enter and leave the emperor's presence at any time and has great power in the court, is his greatest helper. After all, only he can make him be valued by those families in such a short period of time, and even have a clear way in front of his father.
Others may not have such means.
The second prince left with great joy, thinking in his heart how to make friends with Marquis Wenxin and others and deal with the Cui family.
Xiao Yan waited quietly until he left, and then his face turned cold. He glanced in the direction where the second prince left with some disgust, and opened his thin lips slightly.
"Send someone to Fengxi Palace to tell Queen Lu about the incident at Prince Cheng's mansion."
Jinyun nodded: "Yes."
"Send someone to investigate what happened to the Lu family when Princess Cheng gave birth. See if they can find the midwife who delivered Rong Yue. Also, check if there were other women of childbearing age in the Lu family who were pregnant when Rong Yue became pregnant, and if any of the children were stillborn or died."
Jin Yun was stunned for a moment, then shocked: "The Governor said Xie Yin is from the Lu family..."
He was filled with astonishment. He did not think that the "Lu family" mentioned by the governor referred to anyone else. But if this was true, even if Xie Yin was only of the Lu family's bloodline, it would be considered a shocking news.
If this is really discovered, the Lu family will be in dire straits.
He quickly said, "I'll have someone investigate after I leave the palace."
Xiao Yan walked towards the Empress Dowager's palace. Compared with the Imperial Dragon Terrace and Fengxi Palace, it seemed much more remote and simple.
The outer palace door was old, with mottled and peeling red paint, which made people realize how much the palace neglected this elderly man who should have been the most respected and noble person under the surface respect.
After the palace door was pushed open with a "creak", Xiao Yan stepped into the palace. Compared with the old-fashioned outer room, the palace was exquisitely decorated everywhere, and the burning calming incense was better than the tribute in the palace.
When Xiao Yan walked to the partition door, he saw an old man with frosty white hair lying in the inner room with his eyes closed.
"Madam Qin gave her acupuncture when she passed away. The Empress Dowager slept the whole night, but she would occasionally talk in her sleep." The palace servant who followed in whispered.
Xiao Yan waved his hand and the man retreated.
Canglang and Jinyun also stopped outside the screen.
Xiao Yan stood in the shadows for a long time before he walked to the bedside with wet steps. He leaned over and squatted in front of the bed, reached out and held the old man's wrinkled hand on the bed, his pale and slender fingers almost holding her completely in his hand.
As the candlelight flickered, the old man on the bed murmured softly in his sleep, perhaps sensing something.
"Yuan Sheng..."
Xiao Yan's coldness and cruelty disappeared completely. He gently placed his face on the old man's hand, and his sword-like eyes were filled with indifference that made it difficult to tell what he was thinking.
"Grandma, I'm here to take you out of the palace."
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