Although Prince Yong was absurd, he knew propriety and shame, especially when it came to the face of the royal family. In addition, he had not had much contact with the Empress in the past. Apart from some important occasions where the Emperor and Empress Dowager were present, they had never had any contact in private.
After weighing her options, she said, "Eunuch Lu, if my sister-in-law has something to say, you can speak frankly." The next sentence was supposed to be, "There's no need to be so secretive," but she was too embarrassed to say it.
Lu Fushou was in a dilemma. Knowing that Zhao Shu cared a lot about her reputation, he had a sudden idea and said, "Your Highness, how would this servant know what the Empress wants to see you about? Your Highness should hurry up and go. Who knows if someone will pass by later, and then the Empress and Your Highness will be unable to explain yourselves."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shu's anger flared up, and she said sharply, "Eunuch Lu, what nonsense are you spouting? Do you want to kill my father and the Empress?"
After saying that, she grabbed Prince Yong's sleeve and said coldly, "Father, let's take a detour so that no one sees us and goesssips."
Lu Fushou's expression changed. His provocation had failed. He knew that the princess had a bad temper, but she had always been very respectful to the Empress. But today she was so rude. Could it be that she knew that His Highness the Crown Prince was in trouble?
It's no wonder he thought that way. People in the palace are used to flattering the powerful and belittling the weak. In the entire palace, the only people who can earn the respect of the princess are the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Empress, and the Crown Prince. Other concubines, princesses, and princes would all keep their distance from her.
Prince Yong felt a pang of pity and asked again, "Eunuch Lu, what does my sister-in-law want with me? Just tell me." He truly didn't believe that Lu Fushou didn't know.
However, Lu Fushou was truly unaware of this. At this moment, he was extremely anxious. The Empress was really something, why did she have to seek out Prince Yong for everything? Of all the princes in Dayong, which one wasn't more reliable than Prince Yong?
“Your Highness, please don’t make things difficult for me. I’ll stay here and guard this place. You just need to go for a moment. No one will see you. I’m kneeling down before you.” He said, kneeling down in front of Prince Yong with a thud.
Zhao Shu felt sorry for his knees. "Your Highness, the Empress really has something important to discuss with you. Please go."
The Empress stood in the pavilion and looked over. Seeing that Prince Yong was not going over for a long time, and that Lu Fushou was kneeling down, she felt a pang of sorrow. The Emperor was indifferent, the Empress Dowager was unaware of the situation, and her father's men were dying one after another. There was no news of the Crown Prince. Now, the only person she could ask for help from was the Empress Dowager's most beloved son. As long as Prince Yong went to find the Crown Prince, the Empress Dowager would definitely do everything in her power to help him. This was her only hope.
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind as she lifted her skirt and walked towards Prince Yong.
"Father, A-Jun will accompany you." Zhao Shu saw that the Empress was coming over and was determined to have a word with her. Since she had already made arrangements, she certainly wouldn't push herself to the brink of death. The Crown Prince hadn't returned yet, and if something happened now, she would be completely doomed.
Prince Yong had a very good impression of the Empress. This sister-in-law was virtuous and deserved the title of "Empress of the Nation." He trusted her greatly, and they were family. She didn't treat him with the same contempt as others, at least she didn't show it. He couldn't bear to refuse, so he agreed to Zhao Shu's suggestion.
Lu Fushou breathed a sigh of relief. Not only had the princess become cunning, but the prince was also not as easy to deal with as before.
The road wasn't far; it only took a few steps to get there. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May I ask what business Your Majesty has with me?"
"Ah Jun greets Your Majesty." In the past, Zhao Shu would usually call her Imperial Aunt, but today the Empress's actions made her instinctively feel danger.
The Empress noticed Zhao Shu's subtle change, but didn't mind. She tried to force a smile, but couldn't manage it. She intervened, saying, "Nineteenth Brother, there's no need for such formalities." She had been holding back the words she wanted to say to Prince Yong for a long time, and forgot to ask Zhao Shu to get up.
Prince Yong pulled Zhao Shu behind him and then asked with clasped hands, "Sister-in-law, please speak frankly."
As if she had made a decision, the Empress said, "Nineteenth Brother, you must save the Crown Prince, you must save him, I beg you, Your Majesty." After she finished speaking, she was about to kneel down, which startled Prince Yong and Zhao Shu. Prince Yong hurriedly stepped aside and wanted to reach out to help her up. If it were in the past, he would have done so, but when he thought of the day when Zhao Shu led people into the Ningguo Marquis's mansion and beat up the young masters, his outstretched hand stopped.
He has a family and daughters; he can no longer act as recklessly as before.
Seeing that her father was not helping her up, Zhao Shu had no choice but to step forward and stop the Empress. "Your Majesty, this is not right. You should speak to my father properly. You must not perform the kneeling ceremony, as it will shorten his lifespan."
The Empress choked up, tears streaming down her face. With Zhao Shu's help, she stood up. "Nineteenth brother, your sister-in-law has no other choice but to beg you to save the Crown Prince. You must save him."
Prince Yong was unaware of the Crown Prince's predicament and was completely bewildered upon hearing the news. "What happened to the Crown Prince?"
"The Crown Prince was ordered to go to the north of Qingzhou for disaster relief. He fell off Lema Cliff and was swept away by the Canglan River. His whereabouts are unknown. Several groups of people have been sent to search for him, but there has been no news to this day. Nineteenth brother, your sister-in-law has no other choice but to ask you to help me find the Crown Prince. Your sister-in-law knows that you don't lack anything, and your sister-in-law has nothing to repay you with. Please help your sister-in-law for the sake of the Crown Prince's close relationship with A-Jun. In the future, the Crown Prince will definitely remember your kindness. Nineteenth brother, you must help me."
She was completely flustered and couldn't utter a single word of the speech she had prepared before meeting Prince Yong. She could only repeat those few words in a choked voice.
"The Crown Prince has disappeared?" Prince Yong asked in shock. "Does Your Majesty know?"
"His Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, and has been dealing with the Wang and Yang families recently, which has left him overwhelmed." He glanced at Zhao Shu and Prince Yong and continued, "His Majesty has also sent people to secretly search for the Crown Prince, but my sister-in-law is afraid. Nineteenth brother, please help my sister-in-law and bring the Crown Prince back."
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