Magpie entered Linlang's room and said, "My lady, the people we sent to the Fujin's side said that someone came to the Prince's residence today."
It turned out that the conversation between the Fujin and Zeng had been overheard by Linlang's informant. When Putao went to pick up Ruan Meiying, he rushed to Linlang's courtyard and told Xique about what had happened that day.
Linlang asked nonchalantly, "Who is it that you came all the way here to tell me?"
"He said he was from the Jingzhao Prefecture, but he said he came today to see Ruan Meiying," Magpie said.
Linlang's voice instantly rose eight octaves as she asked, "Ruan Meiying! Why do the people from the Jingzhao Prefecture want to see Ruan Meiying? What did the Fujin say?"
"The Princess Consort has already sent someone to fetch Ruan Meiying," Magpie said.
Linlang sighed and said, "That fool, Fujin! If Ruan Meiying is taken to the Jingzhao Prefecture by that man, is there any hope for the Prince and the Eighth Prince?!"
The magpie was also anxious. She asked, "Then, Master, what should we do?"
Linlang thought for a moment and said, "We can't worry about that now. Magpie, let's go to the Fujin's place. We must stop that person and not let him take Ruan Meiying away."
Cui Jian looked at Ruan Meiying and asked, "Are you Ruan Meiying?" Ruan Meiying didn't know who he was or what he wanted to do to her, but since Shuzhen said he was from the Jingzhao Prefecture, she figured he wouldn't hurt her. So Ruan Meiying nodded in affirmation.
Seeing that she nodded, Cui Jian said, "In that case, you shall come with me. Prefect Li Wan of the Jingzhao Prefecture has sent me to fetch you to see the Emperor."
The Princess Consort was surprised that Cui Jian wanted to take Ruan Meiying away. She hurriedly stopped him, saying, "She is a person of my Prince's Mansion. Her whereabouts are to be decided by me. You cannot take her away so casually."
Cui Jian said, “Please forgive me, Madam. I am here today on the orders of Prefect Li Wan of the Capital Prefecture. Prefect Li wants to take her to see the Emperor. Ruan Meiying is an important witness in Prince’s case. If you do not allow me to take her away, then you are obstructing the investigation, which is not good for Prince. Moreover, if the Emperor finds out and becomes furious, Madam may not be able to stop him.”
The Fujin opened her mouth, not knowing what to say. Seeing that she couldn't stop him, she thought that Ruan Meiying might have a change of heart and plead for the Prince in front of the Emperor. So she had no choice but to agree to let Ruan Meiying go with him.
“Thank you, Madam Xie,” Cui Jian said.
Ruan Meiying was overjoyed. She could finally escape from here. No matter where she went, it would be much better for her than staying in the Prince's Mansion.
Just as Cui Jian was about to leave with Ruan Meiying, Lin Lang suddenly walked in and blocked their way.
“Wait, you can’t take her with you,” Linlang said.
Cui Jian frowned and looked at her, asking, "Who are you? The Princess Consort agreed to let me leave with her, so what right do you have to stop me?"
Linlang said, "I am Prince's concubine."
Then she turned to the Fujin and said, “Fujin, Ruan Meiying is a member of our Prince’s Mansion. How can she just leave with someone else? If word gets out, our Prince’s Mansion will lose all face.”
The Fujin (principal wife) already disliked Linlang, and seeing that Linlang dared to question her decision, she became even more displeased. She ordered Linlang, "Linlang, get out of my way. It's none of your business to interfere with my decisions."
Linlang said, "You can't let Ruan Meiying leave, Madam! Have you forgotten her...?"
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