Chapter 95 Planning
Not long after the Nanchu delegation left, the southern tour team also set off.
The occasion was important, and the emperor did show up, but he was only sitting on a sedan chair and could not be seen clearly through the curtain.
Seeing the emperor appear, many old ministers breathed a sigh of relief.
Unexpectedly, when it came to the morning court, the emperor still didn't come for three or four days in a row.
The emperor has always been diligent in his work and has never missed the morning court for such a long time. All the ministers in the court were worried.
From time to time, old ministers would ask to see the emperor, but they were all turned away by Concubine Ru.
But she couldn't hide it forever.
One day, three elders of the three dynasties knelt outside the imperial study until they fainted, but the emperor did not show up. The court was in an uproar and many people were confused.
On the second day, an oral order was issued that the emperor was ill and ordered the empress to go to Hanshan Temple immediately to pray for him.
"It's almost winter now. Sending the Queen to such a cold place is truly cruel."
Lu Zhaoyang complained a few words, but his hands did not stop sewing a fox fur hat. It was thick and warm, and it was perfect for keeping out the wind and snow.
"Will the prince escort him personally?" Jiang Ran took a look and knew that the hat was prepared for the prince, so he asked casually.
"Of course. Who knows what Concubine Ru is planning? The terrain along the way is steep and difficult to protect. Who knows what might happen."
After all, it was a palace secret, Lu Zhaoyang whispered to her.
Jiang Ran understood, although he didn't say it explicitly. He heard that the emperor never believed in ghosts and gods, and since he was so seriously ill, he probably had no time to ask the queen to pray for blessings.
This was most likely Concubine Ru's idea.
Although many people criticized her behind her back, she was the only one who could see the emperor. Who could have evidence to accuse Concubine Ru of falsely conveying the emperor's will?
But why did Concubine Ru take such a risk and drive the queen out of the palace?
Jiang Ran thought about it and could only think that it was probably to get the prince away.
After all, the third prince is not in Chang'an. She must be afraid of the crown prince and does not want him to win over the people's hearts at this time.
She comforted Zhaoyang, and the two of them went to the East Market together to buy some daily necessities, preparing to have the prince take them to Hanshan Temple.
Strangely, when she sent someone to invite Princess Le'an to go with her, she learned that she was not in the mansion.
They thought that Le An had probably gone to the palace to visit the queen, and did not investigate further.
After a busy period, it was time for dinner.
Lu Weiqing came back early, which was rare, but he brought back bad news.
"Jingyang County is suffering from floods, and refugees are causing trouble. I was asked to bring two hundred light cavalry to provide reinforcements."
"The refugees are causing trouble? Why should we ask you to go? You are not a military commander."
Jiang Ran's heart skipped a beat, and he felt a little uneasy.
"I am not the one leading the troops. The Prince of Pingjin has been granted the title of General of the Guards. He will lead the troops, and he will need one person from the Ministry of Revenue to accompany him."
"Lu Yu took on this task, but His Majesty appointed me to do it."
Jiang Ran frowned, but before he could say anything, Lu Zhaoyang, who was outspoken, started cursing out loud.
"That idiot Lu Yu has no idea how to judge the situation and only knows how to cause trouble. Bah, a jinx."
Things have come to this point. No matter how much favor Lu Weiqing has received from the emperor, it is impossible for him to disobey the emperor's order at this critical juncture and allow others to catch him.
"That Xiaowei General is the Third Prince's man, and he doesn't look like someone you'd be happy to deal with. Be careful on your journey."
Jiang Ran stood up and poured him a bowl of hot soup, his eyes filled with worry.
Lu Weiqing shook her slightly cold hand and promised: "Don't worry, I will be back as soon as possible."
On the other side, the Queen and the Crown Prince were also having dinner.
Hanshan Temple is located in the mountains north of Chang'an. It is remote and the access is dangerous.
After traveling for a whole day, they finally found a small inn and had their first hot meal.
The Queen had not traveled far for a long time and felt carsick on the first day. She had been trying to hold on until this moment and her complexion looked very bad.
The prince was anxious when he saw that she still had no appetite and was only relying on the pills brought from the palace to sustain herself.
"Mother, it is all because of your incompetence that you have suffered this humiliation."
The Queen swallowed the pill and said sternly, "Youzhi, we all know how difficult it has been to get to this point. Don't let such a trivial matter affect your overall plan."
"Yes, I will follow my mother's instructions."
The prince gritted his teeth and agreed, secretly resolving in his heart that he would make Concubine Ru repay the humiliation today a thousandfold in the future.
In order to let the people who were secretly monitoring him clearly see that he was indeed in the escort team, the prince rode a horse all the way. Although he was wearing a hat, his face was still red from the cold.
There was only simple food on the table, but he ate it with big mouthfuls, not showing any disgust.
The queen glanced at the fox fur hat he placed beside her, and seeing how precious it was to her, she guessed who had given it to her.
"Zhaoyang is a good girl, please don't let her down."
When he heard Zhaoyang's name, the prince's tense expression relaxed instantly. He smiled foolishly and agreed repeatedly.
Seeing how deeply in love he was, the queen teased him a few times, but felt a little worried.
"I'm afraid that Concubine Ru will make a move soon. You should take more people back. I'm fine here."
Upon hearing this, the prince's expression became serious and he refused without hesitation.
"Mother, don't worry. The Master and I have made all the arrangements. These people are here to protect you. I will never take them away."
"All you have to do is protect yourself. If you have to worry about this, how can I concentrate on dealing with those bastards?"
Seeing that he insisted, the queen stopped trying to persuade him.
The road to succession has always been difficult and dangerous. All she can do is not to drag them down.
After a few more days of travel, the empress was sent to Hanshan Temple. The prince only brought two personal guards and rushed back to Chang'an overnight.
At the same time, Lu Weiqing also set off for Jingyang County.
Before leaving, he gave Jiang Ran a soft sword, which could be hidden at the waist and was very concealed.
Lu Zhaoyang was pretending to be jealous when he saw him hand over a dagger inlaid with emeralds. He tried it with surprise and found that it could cut iron like mud. It was indeed a good thing.
Lu Weiqing looked at them deeply and warned them, "Be careful and don't go out unless it's necessary."
"No matter what happens, your own safety comes first."
"Don't worry about getting into trouble. I'll hold up the sky if it falls, okay?"
Lu Weiqing was really worried. He didn't know why he had so many things to say, as if he couldn't finish saying them all.
If there was any other way, he would not make such a decision and put them in danger.
"I know, I know."
Lu Zhaoyang was completely oblivious to the impending danger. It was the first time she had heard her elder brother so nagging, so she mumbled a response, still playing with her new dagger.
Jiang Ran had already vaguely guessed what would happen, so she stepped forward to help Lu Weiqing tie his cloak and placed the newly embroidered sachet in his arms.
"I trust you."
"You have to trust me too. I will take good care of myself and protect Zhaoyang, okay?"
"Okay." Lu Weiqing hugged her in his arms, buried his head in her neck, and took a deep breath with affection.
Seeing him jump on the horse and his figure gradually disappear at the entrance of the alley, Jiang Ran ordered the guards in the courtyard to close the door and refuse visitors.
This move can stop others, but it can't stop that one.
After a few days of peace, bad news came.
The person responsible for delivering the message was Jiang Chuan, who had just recently become a member of the Jinwu Guard.
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