Chapter 317: City in Turmoil
There was a long silence in the carriage.
Zhu Lan had never thought that there would be something wrong with the prince's background, but now everything made sense.
The prince must have known something for a long time, which is why he has always doubted his identity. He was even so nervous that he did not hesitate to hide the handkerchief that Emperor Liang used when he was coughing up blood and did such a stupid thing as testing his paternity by dropping blood.
Of course, the blood on the handkerchief had dried, so it was impossible for him to test it. This was just a struggle made by a person in extreme anxiety, trying to find some hope.
As for the issue of the Crown Prince's background, Prince Qi must have known something, but he had no hard evidence, otherwise he would not have simply spread rumors.
So what is King Qi waiting for at this moment?
Are we waiting for the prince to lose his composure?
Or should we wait for the imperial court to send someone to investigate the prince’s background?
Qin Yuwei closed her eyes in annoyance. She had planned everything but had never expected something like this to happen.
Even if Yan Xiuyun is not the crown prince in line to inherit the throne, and even if his abilities are somewhat inferior, Qin Yuwei believes that with her own abilities and those of her partners, it would not be difficult to push him to the throne.
But the prerequisite is that he must be a real prince.
Who could have imagined that such a thing as a cat replacing a prince would happen?
If Yan Xiuyun is finally found out not to be the heir to the throne, then all his plans will be ruined.
Zhu Lan calmed down, patted the back of Qin Yuwei's hand, and told her not to panic.
"Regarding the prince's background, I think there is someone... perhaps no one knows better than her."
"who?"
"Chu Xiuning." Zhu Lan looked at her steadily and said.
Qin Yuwei immediately recalled that it was Zhu Lan who asked her to go to the Shangfu Bureau to inquire about this person a few days ago.
"Yes, she used to be Concubine Lan's personal maid. She must know something about the prince's life experience..." Qin Yuwei held Zhu Lan's hand tightly and looked at her earnestly.
Qin Yuwei couldn't stay outside for too long as it was already late, so Zhu Lan promised her to meet Chu Xiuning tomorrow to see if she could find out anything.
If there really is something fishy about the prince's background, then he and his friends must make plans early.
…
The moon climbed up to the willow branches little by little.
The capital city was clearly very quiet that night, but there was something like moonlight that spread overnight.
Those things reached every household through doors, windows, and small holes in the walls.
As the morning light brightened, the tea vendors set up their stalls as usual and entertained their familiar customers. It seemed that nothing had changed, but there seemed to be an indescribable excitement on everyone's face.
"Hey, have you heard about it?" The gaunt-faced scholar poured himself some tea and winked at the young man sitting next to him, as if he knew some earth-shattering secret.
The young man lowered his voice and said, "You mean - that nursery rhyme? I was talking about it. My daughter is only four years old. She sang that when she came home yesterday. I was almost scared to death!"
A plump, middle-aged man with a blessed face came closer and asked, "Do you think that's true?"
"I think it's nine out of ten." The scholar said seriously.
"That's right. They say that little kids have a keen mind and can sense things that we adults can't. Think about it, it seems like those kids started singing this overnight. If this isn't a warning from heaven, what could it be?"
"Hush, hush! You dare to discuss the affairs of the heavenly family? How many heads do you have?"
"I didn't mention any names! Besides, look, all the children in the capital are singing that nursery rhyme. How could anyone not know it? I'm afraid that the government will be in turmoil again!"
"Okay, okay, we are ordinary people. We don't care whether there is unrest or not. As long as it doesn't affect our eating, drinking, defecating, urinating and sleeping, that's enough."
"Yeah, let's just wait and see what happens and see the excitement!"
…
“What on earth is going on!!”
Yan Xiuyun stood up suddenly and paced quickly back and forth in the room, even the blue veins on his forehead bulged slightly.
Eunuch Zhao stood in front of him, bowing in fear. He was confused for a moment and said in a panic, "Your Highness, how about I catch those little kids who are talking nonsense and interrogate them one by one? I will definitely find out who is behind this!"
"You're just talking nonsense!" Yan Xiuyun waved his sleeves and glared at him, "As a prince, do you think you're going to embarrass those children?"
After he finished speaking, he forced out a cold smile, "The one who is behind this? Ha, who else would do such a thing except the third brother!"
"Your Highness." Dong Lanxin walked in with the help of the nanny, also with a worried look on her face.
The nursery rhyme became a sensation overnight, so naturally she had heard about it.
Yan Xiuyun's face was livid, but he suppressed his anger. He personally helped Dong Lanxin sit down and said stiffly, "You are not feeling well. If you have anything to say, just let me know. I will come to see you. Why did you come here in person?"
How could Dong Lanxin remain seated when such a big thing happened?
She dismissed all the servants, and then said to Yan Xiuyun: "Your Highness, I think we should go to the palace immediately to see my aunt and see what she thinks."
Yan Xiuyun nodded. If he went to ask for an audience with his father because of rumors, he would probably be scolded again. It would be better for him to go to his mother first to feel the waters.
"Your Highness, we must not lose our composure at this moment. I will accompany Your Highness to the palace now." Dong Lanxin was about to stand up, but was held down by Yan Xiuyun.
"The carriage is bumpy, so just rest and take care of your pregnancy. I will take care of this matter."
After Yan Xiuyun left, the worry on Dong Lanxin's face did not diminish at all.
During the years she had been married to Yan Xiuyun, she had naturally noticed that whenever Yan Xiuyun mentioned matters such as the heir to the throne, he would become extremely nervous.
It wasn't until the nursery rhyme spread throughout the capital overnight that she finally realized the problem.
Dong Lanxin touched her bulging belly, which was her and Xiao Yuan's child. For the future of the child, Yan Xiuyun must not get into any trouble.
At least not right now.
…
"Your Majesty, Prince Qi and Princess Qi are here to see you."
Princess Liang was holding a bamboo frame in one hand, doing some embroidery to pass the time. When she heard the servant's report, her face, which was already showing faint fine lines, did not show the slightest sign of surprise.
Yan Changwen and Murong Lin walked in, and the room was already filled with their favorite snacks.
"Knowing you were coming, I had people prepare food a long time ago." Concubine Liang looked at Murong Lan with a smile and patted the seat beside her, "Lan'er, come and sit next to me."
Yan Changwen shook his head and smiled bitterly, then sat down opposite the two of them.
"For a moment I couldn't tell who was my mother's biological child. Lin'er, I am jealous of you."
Concubine Liang raised her hand to wave away the people around her, then smiled and said, "It doesn't matter who is my mother's biological child. You are His Majesty's biological blood, and that is the important matter."
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