In early November, Yanbei welcomed the first snow of the year.
Although the first snow wasn't heavy, it lingered for several days. From above, the entire city of Yunyang was a blanket of white. The bluestone pavements within were incredibly slippery, causing pedestrians to slip and several carriages to crash. Perhaps because more people were traveling through Yunyang City these days, the snow had melted before it could even compact. Even though the City Defense Department, responsible for inner city security, sent personnel to clean the main thoroughfares daily, a layer of icy debris remained on the ground.
The people from the imperial court came to Yanbei in mid-November. It was said that they encountered continuous snowstorms on the road, and their car overturned, which delayed them for several days. Therefore, they did not arrive on the old princess' birthday.
Although it came late, everything that was supposed to come still came.
The Queen Mother and the Emperor rewarded the old princess with many rare treasures as birthday gifts as in previous years, and then expressed their regret over the death of the Crown Prince.
After the Crown Prince's death, the Yanbei Palace dispatched representatives to the capital to both handle the aftermath and retrieve the Crown Prince's remains, while also seeking an explanation from the court. However, the Crown Prince was unexpectedly assassinated that day. Although several suspected assassins were later apprehended, they had committed suicide on the spot, ultimately serving as a testament to their own mortality. The court naturally wouldn't allow the Yanbei Palace to place the blame on itself, so when the Yanbei Palace sought accountability, they were unable to produce convincing evidence, and the case ultimately fell through. However, the rift between the Yanbei Palace and the court persisted.
Besides the two officials from the Ministry of Rites, several eunuchs and maids from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor also came to Yanbei this time. When the business was almost over, a eunuch said to the King of Yanbei, "Eunuch Lu, who serves the Empress Dowager, has been in Yanbei for some time. Before we came, the Empress Dowager asked Eunuch Lu to return to the capital after his business was done. She couldn't do without Eunuch Lu's services."
Eunuch Lu had long been handed over to Xiao Shun by Xiao Jingxi, and it was unknown whether he was still alive. If he was dead, it would be fine, but if he was alive, he would probably be living a life worse than death.
When the Yanbei Palace sent a document to the court, it had previously mentioned lightly that Eunuch Lu had been held accountable for deceiving the emperor. The court did not immediately respond at the time. Now that the Queen Mother's people have brought up this matter in front of the Yanbei Prince, it is clear whether the Queen Mother is still unaware of it, or if she is aware of it and is deliberately trying to find fault.
Upon hearing this, King Yanbei raised his eyebrows and thought for a moment, then calmly asked the princess sitting beside him: "Which eunuch Lu is he talking about? Why don't I have any impression of him?" When it comes to playing tricks and making trouble, King Yanbei, who has been in the army for many years, has no pressure to do it.
Eunuch: “…”
The princess thought about it. She reminded the prince gently, "I heard Jingxi mention it before. A while ago, it seems that the palace dealt with several eunuchs who deceived the emperor for the court. However, I never ask about external affairs, so I don't know the specific situation." The princess also practiced Tai Chi.
King Yanbei nodded with his chin raised, then said to the eunuch: "I am rarely in the palace all year round. I never ask about trivial matters. You should ask my son about this matter." He completely denied all responsibility.
The eunuch's mouth twitched, and he was speechless.
Instead, an old maid who had come with the eunuch and remained silent said, "I wonder where the Second Young Master is now? I have an imperial decree concerning him. If he is in the mansion, could he come out to receive it?"
The King of Yanbei and the Princess exchanged a glance, and it was the Princess who instructed Nanny Xin, "Send someone to the villa to retrieve the Second Young Master. Tell them that the Queen Mother's decree has arrived, and have him return to receive it."
Xiao Jingxi returned to the mansion an hour later. During this time, the eunuchs and maids were taken away to rest. They were not informed of the decree given to Xiao Jingxi and his absence because the prince and princess did not specifically inquire about it.
After Xiao Jingxi returned home, the nanny who came with the empress dowager's decree was invited over again.
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