Back at the Prince's residence, they entered through the side gate as before. Xiao Zhuzi was already waiting there. As soon as Zhao Shu got off the carriage, he immediately came up to her and said in a low voice, "Princess, General Wei has massacred all the gangs involved in instigating the trouble. Not a single one was spared. Within two days, Prefect Hu of the Capital Prefecture solved all the unsolved cases since the founding of Dayong. It was all done by those gangs. His Majesty is furious and has fallen ill."
He briefly recounted the events, and Zhao Shu asked as she walked, "What's the matter with Father's return?"
Xiao Zhu secretly observed Zhao Shu's expression. Seeing that she had a cold face and little expression, he replied, "When His Highness heard that something had happened to you, he rushed back day and night. I don't know who got the news, but Consort Hao is leading people to block His Highness."
Zhao Shu sneered, "Let's go take a look."
Green Ivy had already received the news. After Zhao Shu entered the Prince's Mansion, she brought her a dress to change into. They found an empty room, and the maids hurriedly changed her disguised dress and styled her hair in a single sideburn before rushing to the backyard.
On the way, Green Ivy said indignantly, "Princess, that Consort Hao is too arrogant. Miss Sun clearly told her not to enter your courtyard, but she insisted on going in."
"Yes, Princess, Consort Hao is too arrogant. She said that if the Prince returns to the manor without permission and disregards the people of Chu County, she will make sure our Prince rots in jail. Who does she think she is? How dare she come to the manor and point fingers?" Wan Dong is usually much more composed than Green Luo, but she said such things at this time, which shows that Consort Hao is indeed very arrogant.
As they spoke, they arrived at Qionghua Courtyard, where they saw Consort Hao walking out. Upon seeing Zhao Shu, she smiled alluringly and said, "Your Highness is back. Weren't you said you were dying? I heard that Your Highness isn't of royal blood, so becoming a concubine for the Crown Prince wouldn't be out of the question."
“Not everyone is like the Imperial Concubine, who enjoys being someone’s concubine.” Zhao Shu approached her, the two standing very close. “Isn’t the Imperial Concubine afraid of being unable to leave once she’s in?”
Hao Shumei was taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered, still smiling charmingly and seductively, "This is the capital, not Guanzhou. Who do you think you can keep?"
Zhao Shu took a step forward, sneering, and Hao Shumei had no choice but to take a step back. "You think you can control everything with just the little bit of kindness left by your predecessors? You're too naive, Consort."
“Even if it’s just a little bit, it’s still something you can’t match.” She said smugly, “Does the princess think she can win with just those brutes like Wei Tingsi? That’s underestimating me. Even without the power to control the six palaces, I still have the Emperor’s favor. Who will win is still uncertain.”
"Who knows? Well said. Just for your provocation today, I will drop everything and bring you down. How about we set a deadline? Within three months, Hao Shumei will cease to exist in this world."
After saying that, he said to Xiao Zhuzi, "From now on, send someone to count down for the Imperial Concubine every day."
He glanced at Hao Shumei one last time, as if looking at a dead person, then walked past her and went inside.
Hao Shumei was left standing there, sneering, "Three months? You couldn't do that even in thirty years. The hatred for killing your father is irreconcilable. I will make sure you die without a burial place!"
After passing the wisteria trellis, they arrived at the courtyard and saw Bi Qiao and Chu Chun leading a large group of maids and servants blocking the doorway. Presumably, they had been blocking Hao Shumei earlier. Upon seeing her, they all bowed and greeted, "Greetings, Princess."
"Go down." She waved for them all to leave, leaving only a few head maids. Bi Qiao opened the door but did not go in. After Zhao Shu entered the room, she closed the door again.
Upon entering the room, Zhao Shu saw that Prince Yong was indeed inside, sitting and standing with Sun Yun. This combination made Zhao Shu feel that something was amiss.
"Ah Jun, I'm so glad you're alright. I was so worried about you." Upon seeing his daughter, Prince Yong breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhao Shu smiled gently, "I'm sorry to have worried Father. I'm fine. How did Father find out about what happened in the capital?" She had been unconscious for two days for no reason. This was definitely not an accident, but a premeditated act. However, looking back on these days, she had not found anything unusual. She couldn't figure out where things went wrong.
"I've heard the rumors," he said truthfully.
“So, the rumor spread outside the capital first, and was first told to the Prince, deliberately to lure you back to the capital, and then spread inside the capital. In just two days, you were able to make such an arrangement. I admire Hao Shumei a bit.” Sun Yun stood up and continued, “Now the most important thing is to send the Prince out of the capital.”
The slight change in address was so subtle that it would be completely unnoticed by anyone unfamiliar with her. Zhao Shuwei glanced at her almost imperceptibly.
"I'm afraid there are already people watching the major city gates, making it very difficult to get out," Zhao Shu said. Hao Shumei was able to block the Prince's residence so quickly because she must know that Prince Yong has entered the capital and is determined to find evidence that he is not doing his job of flood control so that she can report him to Emperor Mingde.
Then, by fanning the flames, public anger will rise suddenly, and Emperor Mingde, in order to appease public anger, may have to punish the Prince Yong's Mansion.
That's a brilliant plan.
Just when they were at their wits' end, Xiao Guozi reported, "Princess, Lord Huo has arrived."
"Please come in quickly." The three of them left the house and came to the front hall, where Huo Baichuan was already waiting. Green Luo served tea, but he did not drink it.
"Lord Huo." Prince Yong walked ahead, with Zhao Shu and Sun Yun following behind, bowing in greeting.
Huo Baichuan was originally looking at a painting of pine and bamboo hanging on the wall of the front hall. Upon hearing this, he turned around and saw that Prince Yong had indeed returned to the capital. He sighed and said, "Your Highness, please make preparations quickly. I will see you off from the capital."
After he finished speaking, he turned to Sun Yun and said, "Miss Sun, I will lead the way to attract attention, and you will escort the Prince out of the capital."
In this way, the group understood. Sun Yun's mother had just passed away, and now he was the head of the Sun family, with a notorious reputation. No one dared to stop him from going to pay respects to his deceased mother. Moreover, Prince Yong was riding in Sun Yun's carriage out of the capital. No one could imagine that Sun Yun would dare to do anything outrageous during the mourning period. Even if they did, Huo Baichuan was there to protect him.
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