Chapter 62 062 ...He's coming.
As Lin Wanxin's mind wandered, a sharp gaze, like a blade, pierced through the guards and palace servants and landed on her.
Dressed in a purple official robe, Xie Huaiyuan walked over step by step in the sunlight, his bright and handsome face stunning everyone.
But what Lin Wan saw was shock!
A sudden explosion went through her mind, and the fear she had felt when he had confined her to the courtyard earlier crept back in, causing her heart to stop abruptly.
That night, amidst the clash of swords, Xie Huaiyuan was wounded in the arm by the man in black while protecting himself, but he resolutely broke free and escaped under the cover of darkness.
After many days, when she encountered Xie Huaiyuan again, she had only one thought in her mind: she couldn't let him see her.
The eunuch beside her, oblivious to Lin Wan's subtle change in expression, bowed and whispered, "Miss Lin, please follow me this way."
Lin Wan looked around and, apart from the Crown Prince's magnificent carriage, seemed to have nowhere else to hide.
Almost instantly, when Xie Huaiyuan looked up, all he saw was that graceful and bright figure flashing into the magnificent carriage. The curtain was lifted and then fell heavily, and he seemed to smell the sweet fragrance again.
Green Bamboo followed behind, observing every single reaction of her master. First, he suddenly changed his mind, mentioning at the last minute that he would also accompany them to Cibei Temple, leaving all the matters originally planned in the palace to Shen Rongshi. Furthermore, even when traveling, he had never cared so much about those accompanying him, much less scrutinize every palace servant. Now, he was paying attention to every carriage along the way, taking care of every single detail.
Lin Wan regretted it the moment she stepped into the prince's carriage.
The prince's carriage was spacious, with a soft couch at the back for resting and a small, exquisite low table at the front. On the table were neatly stacked documents and a pot of water that was boiling and steaming.
Even in the most spacious carriage, once the curtains were drawn, it was clear that they were alone together, a man and a woman. Lin Wan's heart skipped a beat. What kind of status did she have? How could she be so impolite and offend the Crown Prince? She immediately felt the urge to leave.
Crown Prince: "Miss Lin."
"Your Highness, may I ask what brings you here?" The words that were already on the tip of her tongue were cut short when Lin Wan heard the question. She knew that her identity as a palace maid was no longer a secret from the Crown Prince, and that Princess Zhaoyi might have informed him beforehand.
The Crown Prince looked at her, dressed in the uniform of a palace maid, with only a light touch of powder and rouge, yet among the uniform group of palace women, she was still the most dazzling and radiant Zhang Yan.
As she emerged alongside Princess Zhaoyi, one couldn't help but follow her gaze.
Even the crown prince, who was used to seeing beautiful women, had to admit that this woman was indeed a beauty.
Perhaps, he simply wanted to appreciate beautiful things.
Thinking about it carefully, she was dressed as a palace maid. On her way to Cibei Temple, she would inevitably be mistaken for a real palace servant and ordered around by others. Others might not know her identity, but he did. Just thinking about Su Xuanhuai of the Su family, if he knew that someone in his household was being used like this, he would be very angry with him behind his back.
That's all.
The Crown Prince lowered his eyes, concealing the secret and unspeakable expression in them. He met Lin Wan's gaze with a faint smile, and was about to speak when he was interrupted.
"Your Highness." Xie Huaiyuan stood on the outside of the carriage, his clear voice ringing out.
He gazed wistfully at the lowered carriage curtain, the warmth of the bright sunlight unable to dispel the chill overflowing in his eyes.
...
The carriage fell silent instantly, with only the sound of breathing remaining.
Lin Wan froze, afraid to move, lest she accidentally invite Xie Huaiyuan outside the carriage to lift the curtain and come in. She was so nervous that she didn't dare to breathe.
The Crown Prince looked at Lin Wan, who was bowing her head and looking down as if she wanted to shrink into herself, and secretly wanted to laugh.
They're so timid.
Xie Huaiyuan standing outside isn't some kind of monster, so why does he look so fearful and timid?
The crown prince replied calmly, "What is it?"
"Your Highness, the Prince of Jin just sent someone to ask if it would be possible to add two more imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau to take turns at night. Considering that the elderly Physician Liu has not rested for many days, it may affect his daily practice of taking the pulse and examining the Emperor."
The Crown Prince understood. Although it was Prince Jin who was staying in the palace this time, he had carefully planned ahead. As long as Prince Jin made any move, he could have a legitimate reason to attack and completely defeat Prince Jin, leaving him with no chance of recovery.
The Crown Prince said, “This suggestion is indeed good. Send someone to deliver a message that now that he is in the palace, everything should be done with His Majesty’s recovery in mind.”
Xie Huaiyuan asked again, "When we arrive at Cibei Temple, the sun will probably be a little late. Tomorrow is the auspicious day. Why don't we have the abbot of the temple prepare for tomorrow's prayers? Your Highness, what do you think of this arrangement?"
The Crown Prince seemed to sigh, "What Huaiyuan said must be very good. I will inform the Empress Dowager later."
Then, silence returned. Xie Huaiyuan's calm voice made no mention of her, as if he had only come to report to the Crown Prince and then left without lingering.
Lin Wan, who was staring at the hem of her skirt with her head down, was momentarily stunned. She even forgot to conceal the expression on her face, which was all seen by the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince suddenly changed his mind and gave Lin Wan a mischievous smile: "I've heard that Miss Lin's family is from Jiangnan. I wonder if the way tea is brewed in Jiangnan is different from that in the capital?"
Lin Wan was taken aback, but quickly composed herself and replied respectfully, "Your Highness, I am not skilled in the art of tea, so please forgive me for not being able to answer your questions well. If Your Highness has no other instructions..."
"Oh?" The Crown Prince glanced at her with a faint smile. "I wonder if Miss Lin knows how to brew tea?"
Then, as if talking to himself, he said, "With so many documents to approve, there's simply no time to make tea..."
Although the sound was very soft, it was all in the same carriage, and even the faintest sound could not be ignored. Lin Wan reluctantly agreed: "If Your Highness does not mind my crude skills, I can make you some tea to ease your worries."
For a fleeting moment, a mischievous smile appeared on the prince's lips, only to vanish just as quickly.
The hot water on the low table was now boiling and steaming.
The Crown Prince lowered his head and reviewed and approved the documents on the low table one by one, just like Lin Wanru, an ordinary palace servant in the carriage. He did not make any other demands.
Lin Wan took a deep breath, stepped forward to get a teacup, added tea leaves, and brewed tea for him. After a while, the quiet carriage was filled with the aroma of tea, which was refreshing and pleasant.
The prince picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and smiled, "Hmm, not bad."
She was only allowed to disembark when the swaying carriage finally stopped again.
It was already dusk, and we finally arrived at Cibei Temple after a long and difficult journey.
Cibei Temple is the largest and most popular temple near the capital. It is built on the shore of Ming Lake and surrounded by towering ancient trees. In springtime, the trees are lush and green, and countless wildflowers dot the winding bluestone path around the temple buildings.
The military carriage stopped outside the gate of Cibei Temple. Lin Wan had already disembarked and returned to the ranks of the palace servants, standing with the palace maid Yue'er.
Through the numerous palace guards, she saw Xie Huaiyuan following behind the Crown Prince, with the Empress and Princess Zhaoyi also present, being led inside by the abbot and eminent monks of the temple.
A large, densely packed group of people disturbed the tranquility of the ancient temple deep in the mountains.
Princess Zhaoyi slowed her pace and gradually walked to Xie Huaiyuan's side. The sky gradually darkened, and the bright candlelight in the temple illuminated the handsome young man beside her. Princess Zhaoyi felt extremely happy.
As the temple bells rang out, the Crown Prince and Empress were seen discussing the prayer for blessings with the abbot.
Princess Zhaoyi asked shyly in a soft voice, "Brother Crown Prince, you've lost weight again after all this time."
An occasional breeze blew by, causing the towering pines and cypresses of the temple to tremble slightly. A voice devoid of warmth carried on the wind: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Please make yourself at home. We have some matters to attend to and will take our leave now."
Ignoring the calls from behind, Xie Huaiyuan resolutely turned around and walked to the other side. The monks from the temple who were following closely behind also quickly caught up. The two talked as they walked, gradually disappearing into the distance.
Princess Zhaoyi's heart turned cold. Looking back at Lin Wan, who was slowly walking behind her, hatred began to rise.
Earlier, she had watched from inside the carriage, through the curtained window, as Xie Huaiyuan followed closely behind Lin Wan to the Crown Prince's carriage.
It was indeed she who suggested to the Crown Prince that he help look after Lin Wan to prevent the Su family from finding out and criticizing Lin Wan, but she did not expect that her unintentional act would attract Xie Huaiyuan.
Princess Zhaoyi noticed the changes in Xie Huaiyuan's expression. She understood that Xie Huaiyuan did know Lin Wan was there and had seen her, but for some reason, he didn't point it out directly. Instead, he seemed to be testing her like he was teasing a cat.
The chanting of Buddhist prayers in the temple could not quell her growing hatred.
Seeing the Crown Prince already inside the Great Ming Palace in the distance, a shadow of gloom flashed in Princess Zhaoyi's eyes, and a wicked plan took root in her mind. Wasn't her mother using this opportunity to urge the Crown Prince to take a concubine? Then she could use this opportunity to completely sever their relationship.
As night fell, the temple became quiet.
After bathing, Princess Zhaoyi rested on the daybed, idly flipping through the Buddhist scriptures in her hands.
Lin Wan had something on her mind, so she stepped forward and asked respectfully, "Your Highness, where in this temple is the item you mentioned belonging to Li Yunzhou?"
Princess Zhaoyi frowned deeply, showing no inclination to give a sincere answer. "It's in this temple. You're already here, so what, are you afraid it'll run away?"
Perhaps it was because she had seen Xie Huaiyuan chasing after her to the Crown Prince's carriage today that her hatred surged like wildfire. Her fingertips twitched slightly, fearing that she would not be able to resist disposing of her immediately. She clenched her fists and said, "I will take you to find her after I finish the prayer ceremony. I need to rest. You may go out first."
The temple is surrounded by lush trees, and the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves can be heard from time to time.
Just after she left the guesthouse where Princess Zhaoyi was resting, a guard asked her if she was Lin Wan, and said that someone was looking for her in the front hall.
Lin Wan followed the guards out, occasionally seeing monks from the temple or palace servants who had come with them, but as she walked, she found that the number of people she encountered along the way gradually decreased, and the place became increasingly quiet and eerie.
A cool breeze coming from the corridor stirred the hem of her dress.
wrong.
She was dressed as an ordinary palace maid and had only been at the temple for less than half a day. How could anyone know her and invite her to this increasingly quiet place at this late hour?
Just as the guard who was a step ahead of her turned into the moon gate, his figure disappeared from sight.
Lin Wan made a quick decision and turned to run back the way she came...
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