"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince really can't get up. The imperial physician said he has a high fever." The eunuch whispered.
The Empress Dowager took a look at him, and Emperor Mingcheng sighed and said, "Then let him have a good rest and recover his health first."
The eunuch hurriedly bowed and left. The ministers present all knew what was going on when they saw the vacant position left by the crown prince.
Emperor Mingcheng sighed and said, "The Crown Prince has caught a cold and is unable to get up and come. Please enjoy yourselves."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince has always been in poor health and should rest well," a member of the imperial clan said with a bow. "Your Majesty, do not worry."
"The Crown Prince is ill. As the future Crown Princess, shouldn't I go and visit him?" Princess Anping said, standing up. "That would be fulfilling my wifely duties."
The queen looked at Lin Ting'er. That day she had only asked the palace maid to take a look. She still didn't believe what her personal maid described when she returned. Now that she had seen her, she realized that there really were women in this world who looked more rugged than men.
"Miss Lin is not married yet, so it would be inappropriate to meet her rashly. Anping should not act recklessly." said the queen.
"What's wrong with her? She looks safer than men. Could it be that she is afraid that the prince will touch her?" Someone laughed softly.
People who practice martial arts have better senses than ordinary people. Lin Su looked at the concubine who spoke, stood up and said, "According to what Concubine Chang said, you often see other men alone in your boudoir. After all, you look safer than my sister."
As soon as he said this, the concubine who was laughing secretly changed her expression. Naturally, someone heard this gossip, and Emperor Ming Cheng also listened to it. However, he did not expect Lin Su to bring this matter to light directly. The atmosphere became a little awkward for a while.
Father Lin snorted, "It seems that His Majesty's concubines don't welcome us. Otherwise, how dare a mere concubine mock the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Protectorate? I wonder who instigated this."
No matter how high the concubine's rank is, she is still a concubine. But Lin's father is a first-rank duke of the state, and not everyone can laugh at his legitimate daughter.
Emperor Mingcheng felt threatened, but at this time it was indeed the concubine's fault: "Concubine Chang spoke disrespectfully and is demoted to a beauty and expelled from the palace."
The concubine was demoted several levels and knelt down to beg for mercy, but she was not allowed to cry and was sent out of the palace directly.
The atmosphere was somewhat tense. Lin Su bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is ill, and my sister should indeed go to visit him. It would be inconvenient for her to go alone, so I am willing to accompany him. Please grant your permission."
"Go," Emperor Mingcheng said as he came down the steps, "and take good care of the Crown Prince for me."
Lin Su gestured, and Lin Ting'er stood up and followed. When they reached outside the hall, she pulled Lin Su's sleeve. Lin Su gestured, and the eunuch who led the way stood not far ahead and waited.
"What's wrong?" Lin Su asked.
Lin Ting'er looked at him and said, "Brother, I... I hate the capital, I hate the palace, I don't want to marry the prince anymore, brother..."
"Because of what they said?" Lin Su asked, "They have nothing to do in the palace all day long, just scheming and gossiping. This is their job, you don't have to take it to heart."
"It's related to this, but not entirely." Lin Ting'er looked around and squatted on the ground in a somewhat unpresentable manner. "I feel like this place is like a cage. It locks everyone in. Everyone is like wearing a mask, saying things that go against their will. The emperor has so many women. Being his woman can be demoted or punished at will. If you want to stay here, you have to learn so many rules. I don't think I can do it. I just want my future man to be like Dad, with only me as his woman. Brother, I regret it..."
The wind was freezing cold, and she rarely spoke in a careless manner, but her words were filled with deep sighs.
The palace walls are high and look extremely prosperous and prestigious. Countless people want to come in, but no one knows how many people who stay here want to leave.
Lin Su squatted beside her, pressed her head and said, "Have you really made up your mind this time? You're not acting impulsively?"
Lin Ting'er nodded gloomily: "I don't want to stay here. I don't like... the prince."
She didn't like the prince as much as she had imagined. Although he was very handsome, she was unwilling to stay here for the rest of her life for him. She was extremely unwilling.
"How about I help you settle your marriage and you help me maintain my engagement temporarily?" Lin Su asked.
In the original world line, many people arranged marriages for Xiao Tang, including Empress Yuan's mother's family, people who intended to curry favor with him, and people who were attracted to Prince Xiao Tang's appearance. He was not yet at the stage where he could fully fight back, so he would inevitably have to place someone in the position of the main wife. With the engagement with Southwest, at least some people had to give up their thoughts.
"Ah?" Lin Ting'er turned her head to look at him, her face full of surprise, "You, you, you!"
"Me what? Do you remember I told you that I have a sweetheart?" Lin Su said.
Lin Ting'er looked constipated and said, "Could it be... the prince?"
Lin Su nodded.
"Why didn't you say so earlier..." Lin Ting'er was about to shout, but she lowered her voice when she saw the eunuch beside her. "But that's not right, brother. You haven't left Southwest City since you were born. How could you regard the prince as your lover?"
"We have been communicating in our dreams for a long time." Lin Su said with a smile.
"Can't you think of a better reason when discussing marriage with your sister?" Lin Ting'er looked at him with disgust.
"I've seen his portrait," Lin Su said. "I wanted to tell you earlier, but you said it faster than I did. How could I, as your brother, argue with you?"
Lin Ting'er smiled wryly: "Hehe, thank you. I was wondering why you've been so malicious towards me these past few days. Tell me, did you plan this?"
"Yes." Lin Su stood up and said, "What do you think?"
Lin Ting'er: "..."
My brother is worthy of being my brother. He is strong even when he is right.
"No problem, how could I have any objection? I just want to escape this sea of suffering and start a new life," Lin Ting'er said, patting his shoulder. "What are you going to do now?"
She was not angry, but felt a little guilty. After all, it was her brother who had taken a fancy to her in Southwest City, but because she said it first, her brother had no choice but to endure it. Thinking about it, it was really a tragic love story, and she almost became a sinner.
But when she learned that her brother liked the prince, she felt relieved. It was okay if her sister-in-law was pretty.
"The prince is a man." Lin Ting'er said, "Brother, you are a man too. You two... are exciting."
"Go see him first." Lin Su said, "You also saw his physical condition that day."
"Yes, I was extremely worried that I might end up a widow that day." Lin Ting'er blurted out, then slapped her lips and said, "Hey, the prince will live a long life, a long life, let's go."
After getting Lin Su's assurance, she relaxed and returned to her usual carefree self. She went all the way to the East Palace. Other places were decorated with big red lanterns, but this place was completely dark. Only the main hall was lit. She could smell a very strong smell of medicine before she even entered the room.
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