Chapter 169: Fanghua Garden (Part 2)
Sima Jun held the bracelet, feeling its warm touch between his fingers. He remembered her slightly raised face when they parted.
He knew that this was undoubtedly Lu's bracelet.
"I have already ordered that she is not allowed to enter the capital."
"Lu isn't one of your men," the prince scoffed. "Instead, your men now have to obey her orders in order to save you. What's the point of your orders?"
Sima Jun did not answer and put the bracelet aside.
"What did she say?"
"Of course, she's discussing with me a way to get you out of this predicament," the prince said. "The princess's idea is quite feasible. She asked me to lead the expedition myself, saying that the queen mother would be worried and would let me take you with me. That way, you can escape from this place."
Sima Jun looked at the prince: "Your Highness, are you willing?"
"Why not?" the prince asked. "Does the general think I'm unfit to fight?"
"I dare not," Sima Jun said, "but on the battlefield, swords are merciless. Why should the Crown Prince risk his life?"
"Stop being so hypocritical." The prince was disappointed. "Look carefully, how many people are risking their lives for you? I am, and so is the princess. She disobeyed the Queen Mother's order and went to the capital without permission. You know what the consequences would be if the Queen Mother knew about this."
Seeing that he still didn't answer, the prince continued, "During these days of your confinement, have you ever reflected on yourself? Do you know where you went wrong?"
Sima Jun was unconvinced: "Could it be that the Crown Prince also thinks that I should attack Jingzhou?"
"I certainly don't think you should attack Jingzhou, but why are you being so tough in front of the Queen Mother, embarrassing her?" the Prince said angrily. "Don't you understand? The Queen Mother is first the Queen Mother of the current dynasty, and then she is our grandmother!"
Sima Jun said coldly: "The Queen Mother was first the Queen Mother of the Wang family, and then she became our grandmother."
The Crown Prince glared at him. "Even so, with our current abilities, can we truly stand up to the Queen Mother? Even if you possess a thousand ambitions and command a large army, once you reach the palace, she'll give the order and you'll be trapped in Fanghua Garden. If you still can't figure it out, think more about why the Princess went to Xunyang in the first place! You must not act recklessly in front of the Queen Mother anymore and consider the consequences."
Sima Jun looked at the sunlight filtering through the window frame, his eyes unable to tell whether he was happy or angry.
"I understand," he said.
The words were spoken quickly and briefly, and the prince almost thought he had misheard.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing." Sima Jun said, "Your Highness, please tell the Queen Mother for me. I want to see her."
"Why are you meeting the Queen Mother?" the prince asked. "If you haven't figured it out, don't meet her. If you put her in a bad place, no one will end up well."
"Don't worry, Your Highness. I just want to apologize to her."
The prince was surprised, and after a while, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"If you had been so willing to bow your head earlier, you wouldn't have been in trouble today." He was both angry and amused, and couldn't help but remind her, "Remember, when you are in front of the Queen Mother, you must speak politely!"
"Your Highness, don't worry."
The prince knew that he would always do what he promised, so he stopped talking.
"In that case, I will go see the Queen Mother right away." He said, and was about to leave.
Sima Jun stopped him and asked, "What are your plans, Madam? When will she return to Xunyang?"
The prince glanced at him and said, "The princess is not returning to Xunyang. She is going to Wujun first."
Sima Jun suddenly understood and his face turned cold.
"Wang Zhi is in Wu County," he said. "What is she going to do there?"
"It's a deal," the prince said. "She will help Wang Zhi defend Wu Commandery, and the princess will let her go and return to Jiankang."
"Trading with the Wang family?"
"Exactly."
Sima Jun looked at the Crown Prince: "Was it Your Highness who proposed this?"
The prince showed no sign of annoyance: "That's right."
"How can the prince trust Wang?"
"You'd rather die than have anything to do with her just because you don't trust her?" the prince asked. "Can you avoid the Wang family? You'll have to deal with them for the rest of your life. Ziheng, it's time to wake up!"
"That's my business, no one else's business," Sima Jun said. "How could the Crown Prince allow Madam to put herself in danger?"
The prince looked at him and suddenly asked, "You still refuse to acknowledge her as your princess, yet you blame me for putting her in danger?"
Sima Juan was stunned for a moment, then said coldly: "I said, my father has only one princess. Your Highness has not yet answered."
"Since you refuse to acknowledge her, whether she is in danger or not is none of your business." The prince sneered, "I have already discussed this matter with the princess, and it is settled. You just stay here quietly, don't cause any more trouble, and wait for my news."
The prince said this, no longer paying attention and hurried away.
Sima Jun was left standing in the room, staring at the prince's back.
Soon, a eunuch came in and said, "Sir, it's time for dinner."
Sima Jun retracted his gaze and looked at him.
"No, I won't eat tonight." He said, and walked into the house. "If anyone comes, tell them I'm asleep."
The eunuch responded.
——
When Sun Wei returned from Tangyuan, it was almost dark.
Deng Lian breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her come back.
"The princess has been out all day, and there's been no news," he said. "I was just thinking it would be disastrous if someone recognized her. If she doesn't return in a moment, I'll go in while the city gates are still open and investigate."
"With me here, nothing can happen." Aju said, "Sima Deng is worrying too much."
Sun Wei asked Deng Lian, "Is there anything going on here?"
"Nothing." Deng Lian said, "Don't worry, Princess. This place is very safe and nothing will happen."
Sun Wei nodded and went into the house.
The food has been prepared and placed on the table.
Just as Sun Wei was about to walk over, Deng Lian suddenly stood in front of her and drew his sword with a clang.
"Who? Come out!" he said into the darkness.
A'ru was shocked and quickly protected Sun Wei behind her.
Soon, someone in the dark said, "Send away the strangers and close the door. You two should get out too."
Hearing that familiar voice, everyone showed an expression of disbelief.
Deng Lian and A Ru were surprised and happy, and hurried out and closed the door.
Sun Wei couldn't wait to go forward.
Sima Jun was standing next to a screen, looking at her.
Seeing that he was safe, Sun Wei breathed a sigh of relief and asked hurriedly, "Why is the prince here? Did the Queen Mother let him out?"
As soon as she said it, she felt something was wrong.
The prince just returned, it’s impossible for him to be back so quickly.
"Could it be that the prince escaped on his own?"
Sima Jun just stared at her for a moment, then said calmly, "I have people in the palace too. I've never been hindered in coming in and out."
Sun Wei knew that he was familiar with the palace restrictions since he was a child, but he didn't expect that he could get out so easily.
She looked at him and said, "So, even the Queen Mother can't trap the Prince?"
"I mean, Madam, you don't have to risk your life by coming to Jiankang for my safety."
Sun Wei: “…”
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