Without Eunuch Yu serving by the Emperor’s side, and having consumed the nerve calming prescription from Imperial Doctor Xu, no one roused him to report that Ziye, bearing Princess Sheng An’s token, had accompanied the city gate guard in barricading Capital City’s city gate.
Not long after Ziye and his men started guarding the city, a troop appeared at the city gate. Looking up, Ziye was surprised to see the Rui’an King.
Ziye expressed astonishment, "Your Highness? Are you planning to leave the city at this late hour?"
The Rui’an King nodded, "I intend to visit the Buddha Temple to investigate a case."
Ziye adhered to Zhou Gu’s orders strictly, but was acting under Princess Sheng An’s banner, "Can Your Highness wait until tomorrow? Our Princess Sheng An is also investigating a case. Today, she and the Empress almost fell victim to an assassination attempt in the palace. The Princess has a new lead. She ordered me to guard the city gate and, effective immediately, unless ordered by the Emperor, no one is allowed to leave the city."
He paused for a moment, "That includes you, Your Highness."
The Rui’an King was taken aback, "This..."
He wanted to say that he also has a crucial case to investigate, and that if he waits until tomorrow to go to the Buddha Temple, it might be too late. But considering that Ziye was carrying Princess Sheng An’s token, he must have a valid reason. He struggled for a moment, "What if I ask for the Crown Prince’s permission?"
Ziye thought the Crown Prince hadn’t instructed him about this, but if it was the consent of the Crown Prince, it should be alright, considering the Crown Prince stood with the Duke Residence. If he really let the Rui’an King out of the city, he had his own judgment. He nodded, "That can be arranged."
Not wanting to inconvenience Ziye, the Rui’an King promptly turned and left. "Very well, I will pay a visit to the Eastern Palace."
Once the Rui’an King arrived at the Eastern Palace, he was led to the Crown Prince’s study.
Yan Shen had lost several games of chess, defeated thoroughly by Yan Huisheng. He felt utterly helpless, wondering if he was fortunate to personally witness the true nature of his third brother today?
He was almost regretting staying in the Eastern Palace to keep him company.
Upon hearing of the Rui’an King’s arrival, Yan Shen whispered, "Brother, should I step out?"
Yan Huisheng shook his head, "No need."
The Rui’an King was an intelligent man.
Upon arriving, the Rui’an King was surprised to see the Fourth Prince, Yan Shen, in the Crown Prince’s study. He thought Yan Shen was clever, seeking the Crown Prince’s protection. At present, only the Crown Prince, Yan Huisheng, could possibly save Miss Lipin and himself.
After paying respects, he informed Yan Huisheng about being stopped at the city gate.
Yan Huisheng was already aware of the situation. Zhou Gu didn’t consult him about this matter and acted on his own. Yet, due to their many years of mutual tacit understanding, Yan Huisheng understood Zhou Gu’s intentions. Even if the Emperor were to investigate this matter, it wouldn’t involve him, the Crown Prince. He felt that this was a good approach, to prevent every evildoer in Capital City from venturing outside.
He asked the Rui’an King, "Is Your Highness in a big hurry?"
The Rui’an King glanced at Yan Shen and replied, "In response to Your Highness’s query, I reviewed the Buddha Temple’s records when I returned to my residence, and found something to be amiss. I fear there may be inconsistencies. As for Miss Lipin’s case, I think there may be potential trouble if we conclude it this way."
Yan Huisheng nodded, "Your Highness is right."
He asked, "How many people are accompanying you? Your wound hasn’t fully healed, you must be cautious."
The Rui’an King understood that this was an implied consent.
The Rui’an King said, "I brought a hundred men."
Yan Huisheng contemplated for a moment, "That’s not enough. Go borrow half of the Duke Residence’s elite guards from Zhou Gu!"
He didn’t ask him to return to his residence to bring more men.
The Rui’an King recalled that Ziye was guarding the city gate with a large number of men, and hesitated to ask, "Does Your Highness anticipate danger on my journey?"
"The night is deep, and the dew is heavy. Your safety is of utmost importance," Yan Huisheng said, then instructed Little Quanzi, "You accompany the Rui’an King to speak with Zhou Gu. If Zhou Gu agrees, you too accompany the King to the Buddha Temple. If you encounter our people at the Buddha Temple, tell them that His Highness the Rui’an King’s visit to the Buddha Temple is with my approval."
Little Quanzi blinked his eyes, "Yes."
The Rui’an King also felt that the assassins he had previously encountered were incredibly formidable, and given the late hour, there was a potential for more attempts on his life. Regarding meeting ’our people’, could it be that Su Rong and Ye Guixue were also heading to the Buddha Temple? This was highly possible. However, since the Crown Prince suggested it, borrowing half of Zhou Gu’s elite guards was a good idea. If there were to be trouble, at least the Eastern Palace and Duke Residence would share the responsibility with him. It was certainly better than him venturing out of the Capital City with a large entourage from the Rui’an King’s Residence alone.
Hence, the Rui’an King took his leave, departing from the Eastern Palace to the Duke Residence.
Zhou Gu, unable to sleep, lay in bed with the lights extinguished.
Hearing of the Rui’an King’s arrival, and his request to borrow half of the guards at the front gate, along with the presence of Eunuch Xiao Quanzi from the Eastern Palace, Zhou Gu sat upright and, without a word, waved his hand, "Have a messenger relay to Ziye. Send half of the guards to accompany the Rui’an King out of the city."
With the approval of Yan Huisheng, he readily agreed.
Consequently, the Rui’an King returned to the city gate once again, and Ziye came back with half of the guards. The Rui’an King then successfully exited the city.
After the Rui’an King’s departure, the city gate was silent. No one left the city.
While withstanding the cold wind, Ziye pondered whether the Rui’ an King had truly been granted permission from the Crown Prince. There should be an alliance with the Eastern Palace. As for the others who didn’t leave the city, either he, along with his men, guarding like statues, deterred them, or it was his master overthinking it. Maybe everyone was behaving themselves now?
At the very least, the Crown Prince’s faction seemed to be behaving. The Crown Princess was detained in the dungeon of the Rui’an King’s residence. The Crown Prince was imprisoned in his residence by the Imperial Guards; he was effectively in check. The Second Prince, although only implicated with the Duchess, probably wouldn’t dare to act recklessly. The Fourth Prince had sought the Crown Prince’s protection. As for the others, no one attempted to forcefully leave the city, hence saving him from any conflict. This was always a good thing.
Su Rong didn’t know that after she left Capital City, Zhou Gu had sent all his men to accompany the city guard in guarding the city gate.
After leaving the city, the carriage headed towards the Buddha Temple because Yingzui Cliff was ten miles behind the Buddha Temple.
Su Rong said, "Today, I had a chat with Qin Luan, the daughter of Qin Yuan, the vice-minister. I was told that before the Qin family encountered trouble, Madam Qin had been to the Buddha Temple. Therefore, I suspect the Rui’an King hasn’t fully uncovered what the Buddha Temple is concealing. Yingzui Cliff is just ten miles from the Buddha Temple, not too far away in the continuous range of mountains behind the Temple. I’m afraid it might have some connection to the Temple."
Ye Guixue appeared thoughtful, "If the location of the hidden gold at Yingzui Cliff is indeed connected to the Buddha Temple, then I’m afraid everyone at the Temple might have some involvement, especially the head monk."
"Correct," Su Rong nodded, "Therefore, we need to send a troop to seal off the Buddha Temple first."
Ye Guixue agreed, "Select a hundred men from those who accompanied us today, and have them carry the token of the Crown Prince."
This had been Su Rong’s intention as well. She looked at Fen Ling and immediately, Fen Ling, along with Yun Ze, Yin Yue, and the Fourth Prince’s secret guard, Dawn, each selected a team of twenty-five secret guards who then set off for the Buddha Temple.
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