Chapter 163 Poisoning Again
Madam Zuo also followed Zuo Dongrou to the emperor's study.
Xiao Ze was still in court at this time, and Ling Chan was sitting in the imperial study waiting.
"Marquis Zhenbei." Zuo Dongrou walked in, and Ling Chan simply stood up and bowed. "Shouldn't you and Prince Rui set off for Youzhou?"
Ling Chan sat down and said, "Prince Rui has already left. I just found out I'm pregnant, so it's not suitable for me to travel such a long distance. I've come here to apologize to the emperor."
Zuo Dongrou lowered her head in surprise and looked at her belly, "Are you pregnant?"
Ling Chan subconsciously protected her stomach.
When she woke up early this morning, the servants in the palace were staring at her belly with smiles on their faces, which made her nervous.
Zuo Dongrou gnashed her teeth and stared at Ling Chan with eyes that looked as if they could spit fire and kill the seed in Ling Chan's belly.
She is jealous.
She was jealous that Ling Chan was Xiao Jin's exclusive favor and that she got pregnant so quickly.
Thinking back, I put a lot of effort into conceiving a dragon.
Later, she wanted to have another child, but she didn't get her wish.
"Marquis Zhenbei, you are pregnant now. When Prince Rui returns from suppressing the bandits, I will have to carefully select a few concubines for him." Zuo Dongrou deliberately annoyed Ling Chan.
Zuo Dongrou looked at Ling Chan with a smug look, waiting for her to lose her temper.
She guessed that Ling Chan was someone who could not tolerate other women around Prince Rui.
Ling Chan really wouldn't tolerate other women around Xiao Jin, but she wouldn't show anything unusual in front of Zuo Dongrou who was deliberately trying to annoy her.
"Then I would like to thank the Queen Mother on behalf of Prince Rui first."
Zuo Dongrou's punch hit cotton, which was really boring.
It happened that the emperor had just returned from court, looking unhappy.
"My prince, what's wrong with you?" Zuo Dongrou asked.
The emperor walked past Ling Chan and kicked the desk angrily, "My uncle didn't attend court today, so there's no one to help me make a decision."
This caused him to be very confused in the hall, and he was speechless and embarrassed by the officials' questions.
He walked to the desk, sat down unhappily, and kicked the desk again.
Seeing Ling Chan, he asked directly, "Zhenbei Hou, what are you doing here?"
Before Ling Chan could say anything, he started complaining to Zuo Dongrou again, not paying any attention to Madam Zuo the whole time.
Zuo Dongrou did not discipline him and let him ignore Ling Chan and Madam Zuo. She was even a little complacent, as if the emperor had slapped Ling Chan in the face for her.
Ling Chan felt that it was okay for Xiao Ze to have a grudge against her because of what happened before, but Madam Zuo was his aunt after all, so why was he ignoring her like this?
Xiao Ze swept the memorial on the desk to the ground in dissatisfaction, "I'm so annoyed, so annoyed."
"Mother, I do not wish to approve these memorials."
"Call my uncle to the palace and ask him to approve it for me."
Ling Chan took a deep breath. Damn, is it the tradition of the Xiao family to let the emperor's uncle help review memorials?
That was how Xiao Heng was back then, and Xiao Ze is still like this now.
Focus on a heritage...
Madam Zuo spoke up, "Your Majesty, your uncle can't come. He just left this morning..."
"Shut up!" Zuo Dongrou shouted angrily, "Why are you talking nonsense in front of the emperor?"
Mrs. Zuo was startled and shrank back.
Xiao Ze also cast a contemptuous look at Madam Zuo...
"My son, Marquis Zhenbei has been here for such a long time...Quickly ask Marquis Zhenbei what business has brought him to the palace." Zuo Dongrou reminded Xiao Ze.
Xiao Ze then asked, "Marquis Zhenbei, what do you want to say? Please tell me."
"I have come to the palace to inform the Emperor that Prince Rui has already departed for Youzhou, and because I am pregnant, I will remain in the capital to care for the baby..."
Xiao Ze ran out from the desk in surprise, came to Ling Chan, and stared at her belly curiously and cautiously.
"Is there a baby in the belly of the Marquis of Zhenbei?" His expression at this moment was like that of a curious child.
Ling Chan nodded, "Yes, that's why I can't travel long distances."
Xiao Ze nodded, "Yes, yes, no bumps."
"It's just to suppress bandits. Uncle Rui can do it alone."
"If it weren't for my uncle insisting that you two had just gotten married and wanted to stay together, I wouldn't have let you go to Youzhou together."
Zuo Dongrou coughed lightly, but Xiao Ze did not stop.
"In fact, the bandits in Youzhou are nothing to be afraid of. There is no need for Uncle Rui and Aunt Huang to go there in person."
Ling Chan raised her eyes and gave a playful look at Zuo Dongrou, who was disappointed with her.
After Ling Chan left, Zuo Dongrou slammed the desk, shocking Xiao Ze so much that he fell to his knees.
Mrs. Zuo was so frightened that she swallowed her saliva and knelt down as well.
Zuo Dongrou waved her hand, "You all go down."
Mrs. Zuo held up her skirt and retreated in panic.
After leaving the imperial study, she stroked her chest and exhaled two breaths of foul air.
"Both brother and sister are like this..." she muttered, her feet slipping away swiftly.
Zuo Lun was so anxious at home that he sent most of the guards out to investigate the theft of the silver.
However, the guards searched around Zuo Mansion and found no suspicious clues.
Logically speaking, in order to sneak into Zuo Mansion and take away the silver, there should at least be footprints, wheel tracks, etc.
There were no suspicious wheel tracks two kilometers away from Zuofu.
The night watchmen were also called in for questioning, and they testified that they had not seen anyone suspicious throughout the night.
Zuo Lun now had only one question in his mind: "Where did all the money go?"
No one could give him an answer.
Zuo Lun was in a very bad mood because the silver he had collected with great difficulty was gone just like that.
Madam Zuo did not dare to provoke him and served him carefully.
He went out to stay overnight at a brothel, and she didn't dare say anything.
After finally recovering his composure, Zuo Lun came out of the brothel, went back home, packed up simply, and went to court.
Zuo Lun had not attended court for many days, and Xiao Ze was at a loss and in a bad mood.
Only when he saw Zuo Lun appear did the little emperor smile.
However, Zuo Lun was in a bad mood. He confronted seven officials in one morning court session. Two of them were directly imprisoned, and the salaries of three others were deducted.
All of a sudden, all officials felt insecure.
Ling Chan closed the door and refused visitors, concentrating on taking care of her pregnancy, and Concubine Xi also wholeheartedly made soup for her.
They lived a peaceful life in the palace, unaware that there was chaos outside.
The only outside news Ling Chan received was news about Qingyi Tower and Xiao Jin.
The silver has been delivered to Qingyi Building and they have started distributing it.
Xiao Jin also arrived in Youzhou. The bandits there were indeed rampant and powerful. It was unknown when they had been entrenched there.
The martial arts sects in Youzhou were also deeply troubled by this.
The sisters from Qingyi Tower who followed Xiao Jin to Youzhou contacted the martial arts sects in Youzhou as soon as they arrived.
They did not stay in the official post station, but instead stayed in a local sect.
The largest sect in Youzhou is Chiyun Fort, whose leader is Old Qian. At the martial arts conference, it was the Bi family of Qingshan Sect who stood on the sidelines.
"Your Highness, it was you who was sent by the imperial court to suppress the bandits?" Old Qian stepped forward respectfully and saluted.
"Where is the princess?" He looked behind Xiao Jin.
Xiao Jin clasped his fists and said, "The princess stayed in the capital."
Qian Lao said, "Your Majesty, please."
Xiao Jin had been away for nearly a month and had missed Ling Chan for a month. When he arrived in Youzhou, he couldn't wait to suppress the bandits and return to Beijing as soon as possible.
"Mr. Qian, please tell me what makes these bandits so powerful."
Old Qian sighed, "Speaking of these flying bandits, they are quite strange."
"They only robbed silver and goods, and rarely killed people."
"If the robberies weren't happening more and more frequently, we could have endured it."
There are always people of all kinds in the world and among the people.
Take bandits for example, you can’t kill them all, so as long as you don’t go too far, you can just turn a blind eye.
However, this group of bandits robbed too frequently.
And... "They don't kill people, but they can make people lose consciousness or strength for a short period of time..."
Hearing this description, Xiao Jin thought of what Ling Chan had given him.
Ling Chan gave him a black umbrella and taught him how to use it. She said that the black umbrella was actually a weapon called a gun.
What is fired from a gun is called a bullet.
She also mentioned that a needle could be shot out from her little black box, which could make people lose consciousness or strength for a short period of time...
It’s the same as what Mr. Qian mentioned.
Although Ling Chan didn't say it explicitly, Xiao Jin still had some guesses based on those strange things.
Moreover, Ling Chan had been tortured in the backyard of the Ling Mansion. How could she suddenly become a different person?
"Their base is in Cuiyun Mountain, Youzhou."
At this point, Elder Qian sighed again, "This mountain is easy to defend but difficult to attack. We have sent many disciples there, but all returned empty-handed."
"Also, from what those bandits said, they were all subordinates. The real bandit leader never showed up."
Old Qian pushed open a door and said, "Your Majesty, there's no rush to suppress the bandits. You should take a good rest first."
Xiao Jin clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, Mr. Qian, for disturbing you."
"Your Highness is too kind. It is Qian who should be thanking Your Highness."
Elder Qian felt ashamed. "Logically speaking, we in Chiyun Fort should protect the people of Youzhou, but..."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Qian will have someone prepare hot water and meals right away."
Hongdou, Gong Lan and Gong Yu followed from Yangshanjian to Youzhou Prefecture, which was also Ling Chan's idea.
After they finish suppressing the bandits in Youzhou, they will return to Beijing with Xiao Jin.
"Your Highness, Gong Lan, Gong Yu and I are going to the vicinity of Cuiyun Mountain to gather some information." Hongdou learned from Xiao Jin that the young lady was pregnant. She was also eager to resolve the matter and return to Beijing to accompany the young lady.
Hongdou, Gonglan and Gongyu are wearing the equipment given to them by Lingchan.
"No rush." Xiao Jin said, "Let's settle down first and eat something."
"I'll go with you after nightfall."
At night, Xiao Jin and Hongdou Gonglan Gongyu changed into black night clothes and equipped themselves with the things Ling Chan gave them.
When Hongdou saw Xiao Jin's black umbrella, she looked at Xiao Jin twice more.
The young lady gave the black bone umbrella to the prince... Could it be that the young lady also told the prince her own origins?
The young lady and the prince are already married and are a real family, so it's normal to tell him.
Xiao Jin noticed Hongdou's eyes and guessed that she already knew Ling Chan's secret.
Thinking of Ling Chan's special feelings for Hongdou, Xiao Jin couldn't help feeling a little jealous.
Chan'er must have told Hongdou the secret, but she hasn't told him everything yet.
He guessed that after returning from the bandit suppression, Chan'er would definitely tell him everything.
"Set off."
Four figures flew towards Cuiyun Mountain...
They didn't know the way, so they just followed the direction given by Mr. Qian.
"Is Cuiyun Mountain in front?" Hongdou pointed ahead.
There was a bright fire on the top of a hill ahead, and the patrolling figures were very long.
The four of them hovered in the air, looking down...
"There are so many people." Hongdou sighed.
It seems there are at least a thousand people. A den of thieves, but there are so many people...
"Your Highness, shall we take action?" Hongdou asked.
Xiao Jin was silent for a while, then shook his head, "Go back first."
If they took action, at least half of the people below would die.
But Xiao Jin did not forget what Mr. Qian said, that they rarely killed people, and if they had not killed anyone, these people would not be guilty of the death penalty.
Ling Chan's appetite has improved a lot recently, she no longer has morning sickness, and she enjoys everything she eats.
That day, someone suddenly came to the palace and said that the emperor was thinking of her and sent her a reward.
There are a lot of rewards, including food, clothing, toys, and supplements... everything you can think of.
Ling Chan didn't believe that Xiao Ze would think of giving her a reward. This was definitely Zuo Dongrou's intention.
Zuo Dongrou doesn't have any good intentions...
Ling Chan pressed the small needle on the ring and prepared to test whether the things sent to her were poisonous.
Just as she was about to step forward, she was stopped by Xi Lingyue.
Xi Lingyue shook her head at her, "Don't go."
Then she called the servant over and said, "Move all these things to the backyard, open the boxes, and let the smell get rid of them."
The purpose of giving a gift to Chan'er at this time... is self-evident.
If you want to achieve their wishes, you have to use musk.
The smell of musk usually takes five to seven days to dissipate.
These things must not be given to Chan'er to use, but after the smell dissipates, they can still be taken out and exchanged for silver.
The clothes, fabrics, and toys coming out of the palace are all of the best quality.
Xi Lingyue held Ling Chan's hand and said, "Don't go to the backyard these days."
"Yeah." Ling Chan nodded.
Her belly was a little bulging. The doctor came to check her pulse twice and said she was in good health and the baby was also doing well.
"This Zuo Dongrou!" Concubine Xi gritted her teeth, "She's such a wicked villain."
"Mother, please don't be angry about her." Ling Chan gently stroked her back. "From now on, we just need to be more careful with everything sent from the palace."
Although she comforted Xi Lingyue in this way, Ling Chan didn't think so in her heart.
She is the kind of person who will definitely seek revenge if she has a grudge, so how could she possibly let it go?
They said they didn't go to Yuzhou because they were afraid of the long journey, but they didn't think they would just stay still.
At night, Ling Chan put on a flying backpack and flew out of the palace directly.
I am already familiar with the route to the Imperial Palace, and I can find Ningshou Palace even with my eyes closed.
However, when Ling Chan arrived at Ningshou Palace, she wanted to poke her eyes out.
In Ningshou Palace...the blushing and heart-pounding sounds were getting louder and louder.
Ling Chan's face flushed, but her hands lifted the bricks on the roof.
Looking down from the roof, there was only a faint candlelight in Ningshou Palace, and two white...
From the voice, I knew one of them was Zuo Dongrou, but as for the other one... I couldn't see clearly or hear it.
I just felt that the voice sounded vaguely familiar.
Ling Chan stretched out her palm and took out a bottle from the space with her mind.
This is a scent bottle. The scent inside is a specially blended herbal fragrance, very light, but once you get it on, it will take seven days to dissipate.
Ling Chan poured the scent bottle downwards, and the scent in the bottle drifted down and landed on the two tangled white flowers...
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