Chapter 154 Preparing for the Wedding Banquet
This was exactly what Su Leran wanted.
The reason she waited until now to dig up the grave was to ensure that Wen Kehao would die of poisoning, just as the emperor had predicted.
"Great minds think alike. Then I'll have to trouble Prince Wen."
Wen Zhiming looked at Wen Kehao, whose complexion was gradually regaining some vitality, and said gently.
"The capital is not safe. Take him as far as you can. I will have my guards escort you for a while and prepare some travel expenses for you. The rest of the journey is up to you."
Wen Kehao needs to recuperate for a year, and there is no telling what unpredictable aftereffects may occur later. This is definitely not an easy task, and Su Leran will face many problems and challenges.
Su Leran smiled easily, "I used to wander around alone, but now I finally have someone by my side. As long as he wakes up and doesn't resent me, that's fine."
Wen Zhiming said gently.
"Of course not. My third brother once asked me to tell you that no matter what, he will always be your man. So I think he would be happy to leave with you."
Su Leran's eyes brightened. "He's talking so sweetly now? It seems he's changed a lot in the month I was gone. But even if he resents me, I'm still going to take him with me."
Wen Zhiming finally understood why the quiet and reserved Wen Kehao had fallen for the lively and talkative Su Leyan; their personalities were truly complementary.
"This place is not safe to stay any longer. I will send someone to take you away first."
Wen Zhiming beckoned to his bodyguards and ordered them to escort Wen Kehao and Su Leyan to a safe place.
He stayed behind alone, covered the coffin, and then slowly filled in the soil, restoring the grave to its previous state.
After Wen Kehao left, Wen Zhiming was the only apparent master in the mansion. Many servants took advantage of his mental instability, and slacking off and stealing were common occurrences.
Although the steward was dutiful and loyal, he couldn't control everyone. Seeing the entire mansion becoming increasingly chaotic and disorderly, Li Yan'er became anxious and began to manage things as the mistress of the house.
These are all her and her unborn child's things. If they are allowed to be ruined like this day after day, her child will have nothing left to eat.
But she had no real ability and no official title. The servants were respectful to her on the surface, but secretly they disobeyed her. Despite her attempts to manage things, the situation not only did not improve but worsened, and she even made a lot of foolish mistakes.
On this day, the Emperor summoned Wen Zhiming to the palace. The servants did not even change him into proper clothes, and let him enter the palace dressed in a disheveled manner.
When the Emperor saw Wen Zhiming bowing, his strange attire and bruises on his face caused him to sneer inwardly, but outwardly he showed great concern and went to greet him, personally helping him to his feet.
"I specially left you a family fortune, how did these people take care of you? How did they end up like this? My good nephew, let your imperial uncle take a good look at this face, who injured you?"
He asked a series of questions, speaking words of concern, but his eyes were cold.
Wen Zhiming touched his head and said aggrievedly, "I don't know. My third brother is gone, and there's no one in the manor to take care of me. I miss my father and mother so much."
The Emperor chuckled twice, observing Wen Zhiming's expression.
"I heard that when I sealed up the Prince of Anshun's mansion and imprisoned your father and mother, you wished you could kill me to avenge your parents. Now that I am right in front of you, I am giving you this opportunity. Eunuch Zhao, get the knife for Prince Wen."
For a moment, Eunuch Zhao was shocked, but he still respectfully ordered someone to bring up a knife and hand it to Wen Zhiming.
The knife was a dull knife, the kind that was difficult to use even for chopping wood.
This damned emperor is so afraid of death. There are no fewer than twenty secret guards inside and outside the Hall of Diligent Governance, but the damned emperor is only testing him and doesn't dare to take out a good knife.
Wen Zhiming took two steps back, shaking his head in panic: "I don't want to kill my royal uncle. My royal uncle is a good person. My third brother told me that my father and mother did something wrong, and my royal uncle had no choice but to punish them. My royal uncle is a good emperor, and only my royal uncle can protect me."
"Oh?" The emperor smiled smugly, quite pleased with his reaction.
Wen Kehao is truly a remarkable person.
Before he died, he still knew how to persuade Wen Zhiming to stay calm. It's a good thing he's dead, otherwise he would have been a real threat.
“Your third brother was a clever man. That’s why he died. You’re not as clever as him, so of course your royal uncle will protect you. Your royal uncle will ensure you live a long and peaceful life.”
Otherwise, how could his kindness and magnanimity be demonstrated?
The premise is that Wen Zhiming has to continue to be obedient.
He waved for Eunuch Zhao to remove the knife, and like a gentle elder, he straightened Wen Zhiming's clothes and spoke earnestly.
"I have heard that the palace maid I sent to take care of you has fallen in love with you and is now pregnant. I originally intended to arrange a marriage for you with a girl from a better family, but you are impatient, and now that things have come to this, there is nothing else I can do. Your father and mother are imprisoned, and apart from your uncle, no one will care about you."
"I'm planning to have you marry that palace maid as soon as possible, with a grand banquet in the palace. It will make your father and mother happy and let others know how much I love you. What do you think?"
Wen Zhiming understood immediately. Just as he had expected, this dog emperor wanted to prove his benevolence to the officials while also trying to stab his father and mother in the heart.
Seeing the confusion and unease on Wen Zhiming's face, the Emperor raised his voice slightly and said authoritatively, "What, you disagree?"
Wen Zhiming lowered his head and whispered, "Will Father and Mother appear? Will I be able to see them?"
"Hahaha..." The Emperor's eyes flashed with mockery as he continued to laugh, "You want them to come? You mean you want your father and mother to attend your wedding banquet with the palace maid? Prince Wen is truly a filial son."
He originally did not intend to involve Prince Anshun and his wife, since Dongling Pavilion was the most heavily guarded, and it would be safer to keep them inside than to bring them out.
He didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble.
He will send someone to deliver this message to Prince Anshun and his wife, and Dongling Pavilion will be able to experience some of the lively atmosphere that day.
His main purpose in handling this matter was to inform all the civil and military officials that although Prince Anshun had made a mistake, he was benevolent and wise, and did not take his anger out on their foolish son. Instead, he treated him as his own son and held a celebratory banquet for him in the palace.
But when Wen Zhiming suggested that the Prince of Anshun and his wife participate, he changed his mind while clapping and laughing.
Wen Zhiming divorced the prime minister's eldest daughter and married a lowly palace maid as his heir. The Prince of Anshun and his wife were already furious. If they were to witness Wen Zhiming's further folly and his daughter-in-law's shameful behavior, it would be an extremely entertaining affair.
How could he miss such a good show?
Besides those imprisoned in Dongling Pavilion, the only other person left in the Prince of Anshun's mansion is this foolish Prince Wen. How could he possibly have the ability to cause any further trouble?
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