Chapter 325 Chirp's Atonement
With Old Madam Qiao's cover, Zhang Rongguang didn't suspect anything. That's how the common people of Huahua Lane are.
He embellished the story, describing Old Madam Qiao as a vulgar and disgusting neighbor, and reassured the Third Prince, "A dead old woman with a child, I don't know where she got the money to buy the dilapidated house next door, and she's repairing it!"
He had scouted out Huahua Lane beforehand when he chose it as his base. The house next door was mostly collapsed and looked big but was messy. It was nothing like the spacious and impressive house he had chosen!
The Third Prince took a sip of tea, then spat it out in disgust. "It's good that someone lives next door, so our place won't be too conspicuous. Are you sure there's no problem?"
Zhang Rongguang flattered, "Your Highness, rest assured. I took a quick look inside. It was filthy and messy, with only a poor grandfather and grandson, one hard of hearing and the other timid. Don't worry about it."
"That's good. I'll leave the negotiations with the Queyu clan to you." The Third Prince, recalling the task he had previously entrusted to him, added, "How's the deal with your wife's younger brother going?"
Mentioning this, Zhang Rongguang immediately frowned, "He Yao is like a rock in a latrine, stinking and stubborn!"
“However, he has a good relationship with Gao Xun. Gao Xun is His Majesty’s man, and I dare not say too much for fear that he might report it to Gao Xun and His Majesty would find out. Your Highness has failed to complete the task assigned to me, and I beg Your Highness to punish me.”
The Third Prince inwardly cursed Zhang Rongguang as a fool for not being able to handle such a small matter, but outwardly he remained amicable. He helped the man up, appearing to rely heavily on and trust Zhang Rongguang: "Lord Zhang has helped me a great deal, how could I blame you for such a trivial matter?"
"Lord Zhang, we'll need your help with the rest of the matters!"
Zhang Rongguang was very pleased with this, saying, "Your Highness, rest assured, I am willing to serve you to the death!"
While they were busy professing their loyalty, they were also busy eavesdropping.
The Crown Prince was exasperated as he watched Qiuqiu sticking her little bottom out and lying on the wall to eavesdrop. He didn't believe she could hear anything!
The crown prince casually raised his eyes, his words tinged with a hint of teasing: "What did you hear?"
Chiu Chiu puffed out her cheeks, looking a little angry, "Are you... going to die?!"
The crown prince didn't understand. "Who will die?"
Chiu Chiu described Zhang Rongguang, "He... died..."
How was he supposed to die?
Oh, by the way, liver, intestines, brain—everywhere is a potential death trap!
This method of death seems a bit too gruesome, doesn't it? Perhaps his liver was completely disemboweled?
However, the Crown Prince smiled knowingly. Zhang Rongguang truly deserved to die for embezzling public funds and disregarding human life. The way Qiuqiu chose to kill him was indeed suitable for him.
Then just execute him!
Qiuqiu knew someone was about to be in big trouble when she saw the Crown Prince's slightly upturned eyes narrow. Fu Ning said her brother was a cunning fox, the kind full of bad intentions, and she could only play with her second brother because he was easy to bully!
The crown prince turned around and saw Qiuqiu grinning mischievously. He frowned and asked, "What mischief are you up to?"
Chuchu stammered, "Hehe, bullying Erhuang... um!"
I can't tell!
The Crown Prince rolled his eyes at her and said irritably, "Second Brother has a good temper. You and Fu Ning shouldn't bully her."
Chirp: "Ah..."
"Lu Diandian is not acceptable either!"
Chuchu shrugged and said, "Fine, whatever you say!"
The prince picked up the chubby boy and said, "It's time to go home, or your mother will worry."
Upon hearing her mother's name, Qiuqiu froze. How terrifying!
She gripped the prince's neck tightly, her chubby legs kicked hard, and her buttocks sank down, hanging on the prince like a heavy weight.
[If I don't go back, I'll let Mom worry for a bit and then she won't chirp anymore!]
Her father might let her off easily, but her mother... well, she'll be in trouble!
The prince was strangled until his vision went black and he collapsed.
Chirp: "!!!"
Oh no, I've messed up!
"Your Highness!"
……………
Yun Jinglan felt relieved after learning that Qiuqiu had been taken away by the Crown Prince, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease in her chest.
She hired a family discipline expert to punish Qiuqiu when she returned, but she waited from day to night without seeing her.
It wasn't until after dinner that Eunuch Lin from the East Palace arrived.
Eunuch Lin: "My lord, my lady, I apologize for disturbing you."
Su Junyao: "Please come in, Eunuch Lin. What brings you here?"
"Your Excellency is too kind. Her Majesty the Empress sent me to inform you that Princess Roujia will not be returning for the time being and will remain in the Eastern Palace to atone for her sins."
"Atone...atone for my sins?!" Su Junyao stammered, "Has my daughter offended Your Highness?"
Eunuch Lin couldn't help but laugh whenever he thought of the Crown Prince's handsome face, which was as dark as the bottom of a pot. Princess Roujia was truly His Highness the Crown Prince's nemesis!
"When the county princess was playing with the crown prince, she accidentally strangled him until he fainted. The empress punished the county princess to apologize to the crown prince in the Eastern Palace. The county princess can come back when the crown prince relents."
The Su family members looked at each other in disbelief. Not only did Qiuqiu run away from home, but she also dared to plot against the Crown Prince?
"Nonsense!" Su Junyao waved his sleeves, pretending to rush to the East Palace to beat up Jiujiu, "Eunuch Lin, is there any serious problem with His Highness? I have no way to teach my daughter, so I will go to the East Palace to apologize."
Eunuch Lin stopped them. The county princess would probably burst into tears if she saw the Marquis arrive. His Highness the Crown Prince would likely be quite happy.
With Princess Fu Ning accompanying her, and the Eastern Palace having no mistress, she doesn't consider herself an outsider at all!
"My lord, there is no need to worry. The Crown Prince is fine. The Empress and His Highness keep the County Princess in the Eastern Palace because they like her. If you were to go, wouldn't you be letting down the Crown Prince? Besides, Princess Funing and County Princess Jingning are also here, so you can rest assured."
Su Junyao and Yun Jinglan could roughly guess that Qiuqiu had chosen to stay in the East Palace and didn't want to return. What else could it be? She was afraid of being beaten!
Eunuch Lin then brought up another matter: "Lord Marquis, Madam, Her Majesty the Empress asked me to pass on a message to you both, asking how you intend to deal with Yan Jiamu in your household. Are you really going to keep the Turkic holy son in your residence?"
With so many people around and so many eyes on the court, people's hearts are unsettled. Marquis Wenyang's decision to keep Lady Queyu's adopted son in his residence is bound to cause gossip; it would be best to make plans as soon as possible.
Su Junyao also felt it was inappropriate, but his wife had agreed to let Yan Jiamu stay temporarily. He stayed in his room all day and had no chance to get rid of him, making the situation truly difficult!
Before he could speak, Yun Jinglan said, "I will personally go to the palace another day to discuss the matter of Yan Jiamu with Her Majesty. Please also tell the Crown Prince that Yan Jiamu is not in any danger for the time being."
Eunuch Lin didn't say anything more, took some of Qiuqiu's usual items, and left.
After everyone left, Su Junyao looked at Yun Jinglan disapprovingly: "Why does Madam always favor Yan Jiamu?"
Yun Jinglan turned her face away, glanced at the others in the hall, and then gave a wink to the outside. Su Junyao understood, "Tell me when you're ready."
Yun Jinglan was waiting. She wouldn't really believe Yan Jiamu just because of a silver butterfly. After she verified the truth of what Yan Jiamu said, she would go to the Empress!
Yun Jinglan grasped Su Junyao's hand: "Trust me."
Su Junyao returned the handshake, their hands intertwined under the moonlight, just like before.
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