Zhao Shu hurriedly came to the small study, bringing only Xiao Zhu and Xiao Guo, without even bringing Green Ivy.
"Little Zhu, you speak."
"Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince has fallen off Lema Cliff and his fate is unknown." As soon as the words were spoken, both of them knelt down, not daring to breathe. They both knew that the princess was close to His Highness the Crown Prince but not to the other princes. If the Crown Prince were to die, and a new emperor were to ascend the throne, their princess would certainly not have a good life.
Zhao Shu slammed her hand on the table, but felt no pain. "Didn't I tell you to send people to protect the Crown Prince? How could this happen? What kind of place is Lema Cliff? Where are the Crown Prince's people?" In her rage, she almost shouted, and her throat burned afterward.
No, no, the Crown Prince won't die, he definitely won't!
She dared not imagine that in her previous life, the crown prince was deposed, but at least he had tried, and although he failed, at least he had tried.
But if in this life, because of her, she, like a butterfly, knocked him away, she would feel guilty, guilty for the rest of her life.
"Princess, several groups of people have been trying to assassinate the Crown Prince one after another. The Borrowing Knife Pavilion has suffered heavy losses. The second and third leaders are both dead. Lema Cliff is the highest cliff in Qingzhou, and the Canglan River is below the cliff. The Crown Prince's men also jumped into the Canglan River." Xiao Zhu Zi had just received the news.
After learning that Zhao Bi's men had gone to Qingzhou, Zhao Shu instructed him to send someone to invite the Borrowing Knife Pavilion, a group that specialized in handling nefarious matters, and to pay them a large sum of money to protect the Crown Prince.
However, he did not expect that so many people wanted to kill the Crown Prince. The Borrowing Knife Pavilion mobilized almost all of its members, but only the Second Leader returned seriously injured and eventually died.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shu slumped into her chair, her senses numb with shock. The Cao Gang was the number one force on the waterways, backed by the government, while the Borrowing Knife Pavilion was the number one force on the land routes, a gang that had suddenly risen to prominence in the last decade.
Even the second and third leaders of the Borrowed Knife Pavilion died, which shows how dangerous it was.
"His fate is unknown?" she murmured, constantly telling herself that he was just missing, that her brother, the Crown Prince, must still be alive, he must be!
"yes."
"Then go find them!" Zhao Shu said calmly, but she couldn't control her emotions. She knew that Xiao Guozi and Xiao Zhuzi hadn't done anything wrong, but she still couldn't help but shout.
After shouting, she closed her eyes. After a long while, she slowly opened them. Once she opened her eyes, she was much more rational. "Secretly search for the Crown Prince. Also, keep a close watch on the First Prince, the Fourth Prince, no, find a way to make all the adult princes sick, preferably bedridden for ten days to half a month. It must be an external injury. If you can't do that, you can ask Lord Wang to lend you someone. Yes, yes, and what else?" She was too anxious, her mind was in a mess. Something flashed through her mind, but she couldn't grasp it no matter what.
Xiao Zhu and his companion dared not utter a sound, kneeling on the ground with their heads bowed. Although they had seen their share of storms, they trembled instinctively at this moment. The princess was angry, extremely angry, and they wondered who was going to be in trouble.
"What else? What else is there?" Zhao Shu paced back and forth, fidgeting with her hands. "Yes, there is more. Xiao Guozi, come closer."
Xiao Guozi quickly got up and leaned in to listen.
Zhao Shu whispered a few words in his ear, and Xiao Guozi's heart pounded like a drum. The princess was too bold.
"Little Zhu, you will handle the matters concerning the princes personally. Little Guo, I expect results for the matters I have assigned you by tomorrow. Alright, go and carry them out."
"Yes, we take our leave." The two bowed and retreated, making sure to close the door behind them as they left.
Zhao Shu stared blankly at the closed door. Despite all the precautions, it was impossible to guard against everything. So, she could only advance as a form of retreat.
Composing himself, he hurried to the palace.
The Borrowing Knife Pavilion suffered heavy losses. If Xiao Zhuzi got the news, then everyone else must have gotten it too. The most important thing now is to act quickly! Seize the initiative and strike first to win.
Then, she stopped in front of the palace gate. She was still young and the situation was too chaotic. If she went to Fengqi Palace to find the Empress rashly, she would definitely be exposed.
What to do? She hesitated. Going to the Empress was the safest option. In this world, the Empress was the one who most wanted the Crown Prince to be safe. Only the Empress would spare no effort to protect the Crown Prince.
She can't go to the Empress now, at least not in person. She can't go to the Emperor or the Empress Dowager either, because if they ask where the news came from, she can't answer.
Moreover, someone would naturally spread the news to the palace. The secrets in the court were nothing more than open secrets. Besides, the Crown Prince had been the focus of everyone's attention since the day he became the Crown Prince.
She couldn't even understand such a simple question; it's true that concern makes one confused.
After thinking for a while, she instructed, "Go to the Marquis of Yiguang's residence."
"Yes." The coachman knew nothing at all. It was common for Zhao Shu to go to the palace, so it was not surprising that she suddenly changed her mind.
They hurriedly arrived at the Marquis of Yiguang's residence. Jiang Suiji, the maternal grandfather, had already gone to Jiaolan Academy for classes. Only the uncle Jiang Zuo and the aunt Jiang Yangshi were at home. The cousin was naturally studying at Jiaolan Academy with his maternal grandfather. The cousin Jiang Jiaoling wanted to talk to Zhao Shu, but Zhao Shu said directly, "Uncle, I have something I want to say to you alone."
Jiang Zuo and Jiang Yangshi exchanged a glance. Jiang Zuo nodded, and Jiang Yangshi led Jiang Jiaoling and the servants away.
After everyone left, only Zhao Shu and Jiang Zuo remained in the room. Seeing her serious expression, Jiang Zuo asked, "A-Jun, is there anything you want to say? Can you say it now?"
Zhao Shu struggled internally for a long time before tentatively asking, "Uncle, you haven't sided with any prince or nobleman, have you?"
Jiang Zuo stiffened and immediately took it seriously. "But what did someone say?"
"Uncle, tell me the truth, is it true or not?" Zhao Shu didn't answer, but asked firmly. The question was very straightforward and silly, but she had no other choice at the moment.
Jiang Zuo shook his head, "Your uncle has lost even his nominal position. How can I rely on anyone? Whatever people outside say is just a rumor. Don't believe it."
Zhao Shu forced a smile, but it looked more like a grimace. "What happened?" Jiang Zuo asked.
"Uncle, the Crown Prince is in trouble. Are you willing to help A-Jun rescue him?" Zhao Shu stood up, preparing to kneel before Jiang Zuo. This journey would surely be extremely dangerous, and she might lose her life.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Zuo was about to kneel down, realizing the situation must be very serious. He hurriedly stopped Zhao Shu, asking, "How did you know the Crown Prince was in trouble?"
As expected, Zhao Shu was already mentally prepared. "Uncle, please don't ask. Uncle, you only need to know that the Crown Prince needs us to save him. If you agree to save the Crown Prince, I will tell you the whole story."
Jiang Zuo thought for a while, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Shu's face. The worry on her face was genuine. It seemed that the Crown Prince was really in trouble, and his niece had always been close to the Crown Prince.
If something really happens to the Crown Prince, the Marquis of Yiguang's residence and the Prince of Yong's residence will inevitably be implicated. The Marquis of Yiguang's residence is not involved in worldly affairs, so it doesn't matter much. But it's different for the Prince of Yong's residence. Many members of the imperial clan are eyeing the Prince of Yong's residence with covetous eyes.
However, my father has strictly forbidden the Marquis of Yiguang's family from participating in court politics. What should we do?
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