As autumn arrived, it grew colder day by day.
As the saying goes, each autumn rain brings a chill...
On the way to Xiqiu, because they were traveling by horse-drawn carriage and had hand warmers and blankets, Yuan Yao didn't feel cold at all.
On the way back to Beijing, I rode a horse the whole way, and the cool wind whistled against my body like knives.
After two light rains, we were only ten miles from the capital...
In the misty rain, Xie Zhi rode forward and stood in front of Po Yue's horse, saying, "Xiao Yao'er."
The horse stopped in the moonlight.
"What's wrong?"
Yuan Yao opened the tattered moon cloak and peeked out from inside.
Xie Zhi was damp from the autumn rain.
He glanced in the direction of the capital and said, "The situation in the palace is unclear. We haven't received any further news from the capital along the way..."
I'll go back to Beijing first. You stay outside the city and find a safe place to rest.
Once I return to the capital, if there is no danger, I will immediately send someone out of the city to fetch you.
Stay outside the city?
Yuan Yao immediately shook her head: "No! I have to go back to Qianhua Palace right away!"
She had not received any news from the palace along the way.
Even the messages Po Yue sent out several times went unanswered...
She couldn't wait to see the Ninth Prince and find out news about him...
Because of her anxiety and stress, her tongue tip was covered with small blisters, making it difficult to even swallow.
However, she never uttered a sound of pain.
“Little Yao’er, listen to me…” Xie Zhi took a deep breath, his tone becoming somewhat firm: “Over the years, although His Majesty has removed many treacherous officials from the court, it is difficult to guarantee that there will be some who escape the net.”
These people have probably been waiting for this day.
If you go, it will be tantamount to walking into a trap...
"My mind is made up!" Yuan Yao interrupted Xie Zhi: "No one can stop me from seeing my father!"
I will not let any of those who hurt or harmed him get away with it!
Seeing Yuan Yao's insistence, Xie Zhi hesitated for a moment, then said in a cheerful voice, "Alright! Let's go back together!"
In the morning mist, Yuan Yao turned around and looked at the official road shrouded in fog.
The official road was wet after the rain, with only two sets of hoofprints remaining.
The glutinous rice balls haven't arrived yet...
Yuan Yao sighed with worry.
Po Yue coldly comforted her, "Qian Sui had Tang Yuan tamed, don't worry, it will be fine."
“But what if it encounters a hunter?” Yuan Yao said, pursing her lips.
"Don't worry." Xie Zhi glanced at the official road that was swallowed by the morning mist and could not be seen from the end, and said to Yuan Yao, "After we return to the capital, I will immediately send people to post notices along the official road."
At that time, no one dared to touch the glutinous rice balls.
That's the only way.
Hopefully, the glutinous rice ball won't get lost...
Yuan Yao hardened her heart and said to Po Yue, "Let's go!"
Poyue pulled down her veil to cover her face and kicked her horse hard in the flank: "Giddy up!"
The horse reared up and galloped toward the city gate.
Xie Zhi followed on horseback.
Before they even reached the city gate, Xie Zhi abruptly stopped his horse.
Po Yue's chest trembled slightly: "Someone's here."
Yuan Yao quickly lifted the black veil on her hat and looked outside.
White silk ribbons were hanging all over the west gate.
Imperial guards were already waiting at the city gate.
Upon seeing Xie Zhi, the leader dismounted and knelt on one knee: "This humble general greets His Highness the Second Prince!"
"This humble general has come on the orders of the Crown Prince and His Highness to welcome His Highness the Second Prince back to the palace!"
Broken Moon Horse stood a little further away, and with her veil covering her face, she was not recognized.
Yuan Yao had Po Yue ride her horse alongside Xie Zhi's, then turned to look at him: "Xie Zhi, who... is he calling?"
Her eyes were clear and bright, yet tinged with a hint of confusion.
Only then did the Imperial Guard general recognize her, and he quickly bowed: "This humble general is Zhao Sen, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards in the capital. Greetings, Princess!"
After bowing, he took a deep look at Yuan Yao, lowered his head, and shed two tears, which he quickly wiped away in fright.
However, Yuan Yao didn't notice at all.
Her attention was completely taken aback by the title "Second Prince".
This title has not appeared since Jiang Chengyan was made crown prince.
Many years later, when people talk about it again, the person has changed.
Yuan Yao murmured, "Xie Zhi, so you're not the heir of the Prince of Pingnan..."
She should have thought of that long ago.
Xie Zhi's appearance is completely unlike that of the Prince of Pingnan!
The Prince of Pingnan was rather short, with an ordinary appearance, naturally dark skin, a square face, a full beard, sparse hair, and even a high hairline.
She is also rather quiet by nature.
However, Xie Zhi was tall, very handsome, with a well-defined face, three-dimensional features, and thick hair.
Moreover, Xie Zhi has an excellent personality and talks a lot...
They are clearly father and son, but they don't look alike at all.
Today, it finally makes sense...
Upon closer inspection, Xie Zhi's appearance was shockingly familiar!
Yuan Yao raised her eyes: "You are Consort Lin's son."
Xie Zhi's eyes flickered: "Yes."
Yuan Yao remained silent.
Xie Zhi panicked a little.
He said, "I'm sorry, Xiao Yao'er, I didn't mean to hide it from you."
"Because of my position, I have no choice in many things..."
“You don’t need to apologize!” Yuan Yao interrupted him, saying softly, “I understand.”
Despite being a prince, he was sent out of the palace to be raised.
I imagine the Emperor and my father must have their own plans...
Looking at the tall and handsome Xie Zhi, Yuan Yao smiled and said, "Although this news surprised me, I am still very happy."
I liked you the moment I saw you.
I suppose it's because of blood ties?
Cousin, congratulations!
Cousin...cousin?
Xie Zhi suddenly opened his eyes wide.
He couldn't tell whether he was happy or sad...
Little Yao'er actually called him cousin!
A phrase suddenly popped into Xie Zhi's mind: "Those who are near the water get the moon first."
The blood, cooled by the morning breeze, suddenly warmed up and began to boil...
Xie Zhi reached out, intending to pat Yuan Yao's head like he did when they were children. However, just as his fingertips were about to touch Yuan Yao's face, he flicked his fingers up and pulled a strand of hair from Yuan Yao's shoulder behind her back.
After finishing, Xie Zhi announced loudly, "Return to the palace!"
After speaking, he spurred his horse and galloped toward the city gate.
Deputy Commander Zhao waved his hand and gave the order: "Enter the city!"
Yuan Yao turned and glanced at the direction of the official road again, then said to Po Yue, "Let's go."
"Hmm." Po Yue's chest moved slightly.
The horse started running...
In the capital, all the red lanterns and colorful silks had been taken down, and white silk and white lanterns had been hung up instead...
All the shops kept their doors tightly shut.
The once bustling streets were now deserted, except for the imperial guards and carriages carrying officials from the capital entering and leaving the palace.
The sky was overcast.
A mournful cry drifted from the direction of the palace.
The entire capital was immersed in grief and solemnity.
The closer they got to the palace gate, the stronger the smell of paper money and other fragrances became in the wind, and the cries and chanting grew louder.
White silk and white lanterns were hung on both sides of the palace gate, and the number of imperial guards guarding the gate was more than three times that of usual.
The imperial guards wore white silk ribbons around their waists, while the palace maids all changed into white...
Yuan Yao felt a lump in her throat.
As soon as she dismounted, a voice trembling with sobs called out: "Princess..."
Yuan Yao looked up.
The one who called her was a young eunuch from Qianhua Palace named Afu.
Yuan Yao stumbled over, asking, "Afu, where's my father? Where is he?"
The young eunuch wiped away his tears and said in a sobbing voice, "Princess, you've finally returned!"
"Quickly! Please come with me to the Haoran Hall..."
Haoran Hall?
Is Father in the Haoran Hall?
He's still alive!
Yuan Yao wiped away her tears: "Go quickly!"
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