After finally getting rid of Xiao Qin'er, Gu Jiu felt like he had fought a tough battle and was sweating all over.
The weather was so hot that Xiao Qin'er managed to keep crying for half an hour.
Tell her that Xiao Qin'er is just idle.
When you are too quiet, you want to do something. When you have nothing to do, you want to do something.
For people who are used to being busy, they always feel uncomfortable when they suddenly have nothing to do.
Gu Jiu wiped his body with hot water and changed into a light cotton home outfit which was very comfortable.
Put the ice basin next to you, and fan yourself with a round fan, and the day will be quite comfortable.
Early the next morning, before the weather got hot, Gu Jiu took a carriage to Zongzheng Temple.
She was received by a clerk who was unfamiliar to her.
The clerk was quite polite to her, "Excuse me, Madam, but the higher-ups have issued an order not to allow anyone to visit."
Gu Jiu asked, "Is this an order from the palace?"
"I don't know. I was just following the orders from above. I didn't mean to embarrass Madam."
"I know you're having difficulties too. I brought some changes of clothes for Gongzi Zhao. Could you please pass them on to him?"
The clerk looked at the clothes and food in Gu Jiu's hands, and said with embarrassment, "To be honest with you, Madam, these things cannot be given to Gongzi Zhao."
Gu Jiu frowned, "Don't the higher-ups allow you to deliver it on my behalf? Or is it that something happened to Gongzi Zhao and he can't receive the gift I sent?"
"Please don't embarrass me, madam. I am only following orders."
Gu Jiu understood, nodded, turned around and prepared to leave.
The clerk immediately breathed a sigh of relief, finally getting rid of the man.
Unexpectedly, Gu Jiu suddenly turned around and caught him off guard, "When did Gongzi Zhao leave?"
"This month..."
As soon as the words came out, the clerk immediately came to his senses, quickly covered his mouth and refused to say anything.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Thank you."
The clerk said nervously, "I didn't say anything."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
The clerk breathed a sigh of relief and watched Gu Jiu leave nervously.
After getting on the carriage, Qingmei hurriedly asked, "Has the young master really left Zongzheng Temple? Why didn't he return home?"
Gu Jiu lifted the curtain and looked outside.
"Yesterday, Bai Zhong and his companions came to deliver something, but were rudely driven away by the people from the Zongzheng Temple. I vaguely guessed that the young master might no longer be there. I came here today just to verify this suspicion. Sure enough, the young master had already left the Zongzheng Temple."
"Young Master, after leaving Zongzheng Temple, why don't you return to the palace?" Qingmei was very confused.
Gu Jiu casually said, "Perhaps the young master has no choice. Although he has left the Zongzheng Temple, he still has to obey the orders of the palace. I would guess that he is most likely in the temporary palace, taking orders from His Majesty."
"Since you are obeying His Majesty's orders, why didn't you bring a message to Madam, or send someone to deliver a letter? Has Madam forgotten?"
Gu Jiu shook his head and said yes, but didn't respond.
She couldn't tell what Liu Zhao's current situation was, and could only guess.
Guessing is not accurate.
I just hope Liu Zhao can be safe on this trip.
…
Ganquan Palace, one of the imperial palaces.
The emperor was relaxing in the water with his beloved concubine.
Recently, the emperor got a new beauty, her surname was Li, and she was given the title of Zhaoyi. People called her Li Zhaoyi.
Li Zhaoyi was only eighteen or nineteen years old, with a very beautiful appearance and a well-proportioned body. If she gained an inch, she would be considered fat, and if she lost an inch, she would be considered thin.
The emperor summoned her to sleep with him every day. In just one month, Li Zhaoyi became the most favored concubine in the harem, and even the concubines had to give her some respect.
Li Zhaoyi's father and brother also rose to prominence.
Her father had been awarded a third-rank sinecure, a very respectable position, while her brother held a real position in the Ministry of Finance, holding financial power and acting with arrogance.
Li Zhaoyi is beautiful, smart and clear-headed.
Seeing someone coming, she hurriedly hid in the bay and winked at the emperor mischievously.
The emperor loved her innocence and intelligence.
The emperor walked out of the pool and the eunuchs came forward to help him dress.
The emperor waved his hand, casually put on an outer robe, and asked the visitor, "What's the matter?"
"Your Majesty, this is a memorial from the Imperial Inspector of Hebei Province. It is a matter of great importance. Please review it."
The emperor hummed.
The eunuch took the memorial from the visitor and placed it before the emperor.
The emperor flipped through it casually, his face gradually turning ashen.
After reading the last word on the memorial, the emperor threw it to the ground and said, "Prince, do you want to die?"
All the palace servants knelt down around the pool.
Only Li Zhaoyi was hiding in the bay, stretching her head to peek.
The emperor said sternly, "Change your clothes. Summon the crown prince to the audience."
Several palace maids came forward to change the emperor's clothes.
Chen Dachang, the supervisor, picked up the memorial from the ground, dusted it off, and exchanged a glance with the person who had delivered the memorial without moving his head.
So many people have put in so much effort and worked hard for nearly ten years, and the results will be revealed today.
We must kill him in one stroke and never let the prince have another chance to turn things around.
Either the prince dies or they die.
If the prince takes the throne, these people will surely die.
Of course they don't want to die.
Then the prince can only die.
After years of hard work, there was finally no one around the emperor who would speak for the prince.
Today is the day to witness the results of our hard work.
There is no room for error.
Chen Jianzheng inadvertently met Li Zhaoyi's gaze.
He had a blank expression on his face and was about to look away, but unexpectedly Li Zhaoyi suddenly smiled at him kindly.
Chen Jianzheng remained calm, but was quickly thinking about Li Zhaoyi's intentions in his heart.
Li Zhaoyi showed kindness to him, what did she want to do?
After the emperor changed his clothes, he didn't care about Li Zhaoyi and went straight to Zhengyang Palace.
In a side hall of one of the palace complexes, the Crown Prince had a solemn expression.
He dismissed his attendants and sat opposite the Crown Princess Sun.
"I'm afraid the Emperor has summoned me this time, but I'm afraid it's more dangerous than good. I don't know if I'll ever come back. You, please take care of yourself. If the time comes, I won't hesitate to sacrifice my life to protect you. From now on, the entire Eastern Palace is in your care. You've always been intelligent and independent, and I believe you can protect everyone."
Crown Princess Sun's cheeks trembled and her lips opened and closed before she finally managed to speak.
"Your Highness, why is this happening? Your Highness, perhaps your father summoned you for something else."
The Crown Prince shook his head. "I heard that Minister Wu went to the palace to meet with my father, and then my father summoned me to an audience. I have a feeling that this time, I will have a hard time escaping."
Crown Princess Sun's face turned pale as she clutched the Crown Prince's hand tightly. "That's not the case. Your Highness, there must be another way, right? I'll call over Junior Supervisor Fang. Queen Mother must have a backup plan."
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince hesitated for a moment, "Go call Fang Shaojian, I have a few words to ask him."
Crown Princess Sun nodded, "I will go and fetch him myself. Your Highness, don't panic. There must be another way."
She hurriedly got up and went to the humble room to see Fang Shaojian.
"Something happened!"
After the meeting, Crown Princess Sun's expression was solemn. "Minister Wu has entered the palace, I'm afraid he has ill intentions. Your Highness has already made plans for the worst. Junior Supervisor Fang, isn't it time for you to take action as well?"
Minister Wu was against the crown prince from the beginning to the end.
It can be said that they are the backbone of the anti-Prince party.
Two years ago, Minister Wu was sent to Hebei Province as prefect and was given the title of Minister.
This sudden return to Beijing and visit to the palace to see the emperor is probably not a good thing.
Just like His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, when he heard the name of Minister Wu, he immediately felt like he was facing a formidable enemy.
Fang Shaojian gestured for Crown Princess Sun to sit down and talk. "Are you sure Minister Wu has returned?"
"This is absolutely true. Do you think I'm lying to you?"
Fang Shaojian shook his head, frowning slightly. "This happened so suddenly that we can't prepare for it right away. You need to give us at least a day or two."
Crown Princess Sun snorted coldly, "By this time tomorrow, the situation might have changed. By then, you and I will both be condemned to hell."
Fang Shaojian stared at the Crown Princess Sun and said, "Don't worry, we will buy time. I have a few words to tell His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Please allow me, Your Majesty."
"It just so happens that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has a few questions for you. Please pack up and follow me."
Crown Princess Sun led Shaojian Fang to the side hall to meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince saw Fang Shaojian, he looked slightly excited.
The Crown Princess naturally wanted to stay and listen, but unexpectedly, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said to her, "Please step aside for a moment. I have a few words to say."
Crown Princess Sun's expression changed slightly, and she asked, "Your Highness, what is it that I cannot ask?"
"It's about some things concerning the Queen Mother." His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looked at the Crown Princess Sun calmly.
She was a little embarrassed. "In that case, I'll take my leave."
As soon as she left, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince sighed first.
"I've anticipated this day, but I'm worried about the lives of the thousands of people in the Eastern Palace. I can't bear to see them buried with me. I just want to ask you, does your mother have any words for me?"
"Your Highness, please forgive me."
Fang Shaojian suddenly knelt down and kowtowed, "This old slave is guilty of death, of death."
"Get up soon. I never blame you. On the contrary, I have failed you."
Fang Shaojian was still kneeling on the ground. He looked up at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and said, "Your Highness, I have an important matter to report. If handled properly, Your Highness may be able to save his life."
His Royal Highness's expression changed. "What are you talking about? What nonsense are you talking about?"
"I'm not talking nonsense. Before Empress Ruizhen passed away, she repeatedly urged me to save Your Highness's life. Even if he couldn't become the crown prince, as long as he could still survive, there was still a chance to turn the tables. I've thought about it over and over again, and finally came up with a way to remove the root cause and save Your Highness's life."
The prince's face was solemn. "What method? Mother really told you."
Fang Shaojian lowered his voice and said solemnly, "I dare not deceive Your Highness. My plan is to have Your Highness report that the Crown Princess is plotting to poison Your Majesty, and I have all the physical evidence. As long as Your Highness hands me and the Crown Princess over, we will be able to escape this time."
"Absurd! Absurd! What nonsense are you talking about? Stop your nonsense."
His Royal Highness's face was filled with shock, his eyes were panicked, and his hands were trembling slightly. He was obviously frightened.
Fang Shaojian said in a resounding voice: "I am not talking nonsense. Everything I said is true. The Crown Princess asked me to plan and plot to poison the Emperor.
Once the emperor dies, Your Highness, as the crown prince, will be able to succeed to the throne smoothly. However, the emperor is heavily guarded, and how could this old slave have the ability to poison him?
But ninety-nine steps out of a hundred have already been taken in this matter. The manpower and poison are all ready, and we are just waiting to take action.
If Your Highness reports this matter now and carefully plans, you will definitely be able to escape and save your life. Please make a quick decision, Your Highness."
“You, you guys…”
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was horrified, his whole body trembling. "How dare you to plot such a heinous act. You, you want to kill me?"
Fang Shaojian said sternly, "Even if this old servant and the Crown Princess do nothing, can Your Highness escape safely?
Minister Wu suddenly returned to the capital to meet the emperor. This was a signal, a very bad signal.
Your Highness has sensed this, but the Emperor's patience has clearly run out. At this point, the only option is to risk one's life. Your Highness, make a quick decision."
The Crown Prince lowered his voice and angrily shouted, "You are all traitors. You betrayed the Crown Princess. Does she know? If she knew, she would definitely peel off your skin and cut you into pieces."
Fang Shaojian said with a firm expression, "For Your Highness's sake, this old servant has no choice but to betray the Crown Princess. I imagine the Crown Princess would also be willing to sacrifice herself to save Your Highness's life."
"Shut up! Do you know that if you do this, not only will you kill hundreds of people in the Eastern Palace, you will also destroy the Sun family, which has stood firm in the court for a hundred years. If the Sun family falls, how far will the Zhenguogong Mansion be from destruction? Can the orphaned children be saved?"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince kicked Fang Shaojian to the ground.
Fang Shaojian fell to the ground, but he did not change his mind. "This old slave only wants to save your Highness's life. As long as your Highness is alive, everything still has a chance."
"Ha ha……"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince laughed heartily, "My life is gone, and that's it. It's not worth it for so many people to be buried with me. Your loyalty is commendable, but you miscalculated one thing. You underestimated His Majesty, and you also underestimated me."
Fang Shaojian was horrified, "Your Highness, please think twice!"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince chuckled, "Get up. Don't worry, I won't sentence you to death. Come with me to see His Majesty, and from now on, you will be my constant companion."
Fang Shaojian couldn't believe it, "Your Highness, what do you want to do?"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince chuckled softly and said, "Everyone says I'm soft-hearted, easily manipulated, and have no opinion of my own. This time, I will make the decision alone, and no one can change my decision."
Then, he raised his voice and shouted outside the hall: "My beloved, come in."
Crown Princess Sun walked into the hall with a puzzled look on her face.
She did not hear the conversation between the Crown Prince and Fang Shaojian.
However, her consciousness told her that the situation was not good.
She glanced at Fang Shaojian, but Fang Shaojian avoided her gaze with a gloomy expression.
She hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, how did your conversation with Young Supervisor Fang go?"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said, "From now on, Junior Supervisor Fang will serve me. I know your good intentions. Please keep a good eye on the children for me."
No matter what happens next, they must not act recklessly. Especially the eldest brother. He has all the people and money at his disposal, and he's a bit out of control.
If necessary, send someone to lock him up and say it was my order. If he doesn't obey, I will not acknowledge him as my son."
"Your Highness!"
The Crown Princess Sun's voice trembled. Was she entrusting her funeral arrangements?
She pointed at Fang Shaojian and demanded, "You old slave, what did you say to His Highness? Tell the truth."
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince stopped her and said, "You don't have to embarrass Young Supervisor Fang. I've seen how loyal he is to me. I'm going to see my father now, and I'll leave everything here to you."
Crown Princess Sun suddenly grabbed the Crown Prince's hand and said, "Your Highness, tell me, what happened? Don't take any risks."
His Royal Highness laughed. "I will fight tooth and nail to save everyone. If it's impossible, I won't have any regrets."
He pried open the hands of the Crown Princess Sun and said to the other eunuch, "Let's go."
Then he was the first to walk out of the side hall.
"Your Highness!"
Crown Princess Sun stood at the door with tears in her eyes, watching His Royal Highness the Crown Prince leave.
Fang Shaojian also looked back and sighed.
It’s the time and the fate.
Can people really not fight against God for their lives?
He doesn't believe it!
He insisted on fighting for it.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince observed Fang Shaojian's actions out of the corner of his eye, and he indeed did not give up.
However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was no longer in the mood to persuade.
Because he also needs Fang Shaojian's desperate gamble.
The wind is whistling.
The prince walked alone in the palace with Fang Shaojian.
Everyone he met avoided him like the plague.
It was as if he was a plague, and anyone who came into contact with him would die.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince remained calm about the palace maids' reactions.
He has seen similar looks many times in the past two years.
After arriving at Zhengyang Palace and being informed, he was about to go inside to meet his next fate.
He turned around and looked at Fang Shaojian, "You wait here, don't move. I can't live without you."
Fang Shaojian's lips moved slightly, and his voice was as soft as a mosquito, "Your Highness still has a chance."
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince shook his head and pushed the door open and walked in.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
Tomorrow’s update should be after 10pm, and there will be additional updates, muah!
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