Chapter 230 In this life, I will never let her down.
Dou Wenyi remained calm; she couldn't possibly have brought the plague to the Eastern Palace, and she had long anticipated this day.
Who is coming?
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Eunuch Feng's shrill voice rang out, "The imperial edict has arrived—"
Dou Wenyi stepped out of the bedroom and knelt respectfully on the ground.
Eunuch Feng read out the imperial decree, which essentially ordered her to go to Cuifeng Nunnery to pray for the Emperor and the Crown Prince.
Dou Wenyi raised her head, revealing a face covered in red rashes. Eunuch Feng was so frightened that he took two steps back, and the eunuch beside him had no choice but to hand over the imperial edict with a stiff upper lip.
Eunuch Feng tried his best to maintain a smile: "Your Highness, although the Eastern Palace is an auspicious place, it is a time of great turmoil and unavoidable upheavals. In the future, you will serve before the Buddha and be protected by the Buddha, so you will be free from all taboos. You will surely be protected from evil spirits and everything will go smoothly."
Cuifeng Nunnery is located on Cuifeng Mountain near Tianning City. It was a place specifically for detaining concubines or female officials who had committed crimes.
He didn't specify when he would return with this imperial decree. He intended to keep her in the nunnery for the rest of her life, imprisoning her under the guise of serving the Buddha.
Dou Wenyi asked in a calm voice, "Eunuch Feng, it's just that I'm not feeling well and need to recuperate. If I go to Cuifeng Nunnery, I'm afraid I might infect others, which would be a terrible sin..."
With a forced smile, Eunuch Feng said, "Your Highness, you can rest assured. Cuifeng Nunnery will provide you with a separate courtyard to live in. Pack your things and please set off, so I can return and report back."
Dou Wenyi concealed the emotions in her eyes, "Okay."
Pei Siyan has not yet returned to the capital, and she cannot openly defy the imperial decree and leave them with a handle against her, so she can only act according to the circumstances.
A short while later, after Cuizhi packed her things, Dou Wenyi put on her veil and walked out of Wutong Garden.
A familiar figure suddenly came into view.
The man, dressed in a crimson official robe with flowing sleeves and a cold expression, was none other than Shen Yanzhou.
Dou Wenyi had mixed feelings, but the anxiety she had been feeling was finally relieved.
Shen Yanzhou met her gaze for a moment, then quickly looked away, as if they were strangers.
His position was extremely sensitive, and if he were to become involved with her at this critical juncture, he would likely immediately arouse the suspicion of Emperor Muzong.
The carriage traveled out of Tianning City and stopped after an unknown period of time.
Two knocking sounds came from outside the carriage window. "Wenyi, going east from here leads to Liaocheng, and going west leads to Jianghuai. The Crown Prince's army should be returning from the west. There are two fast horses here. You should leave quickly."
Shen Yanzhou's voice was as gentle, calm, and restrained as ever, as if he were talking about something extremely ordinary.
Dou Wenyi's eyes instantly welled up with tears. He had defied all conventions by letting her go without permission, and the entire Shen family would be implicated.
What merits or abilities does she possess that make him willing to risk his life to protect her so many times?
Dou Wenyi lifted the carriage curtain and looked around; the Imperial City Guards had all moved away.
Her voice trembled slightly, "Didn't His Majesty want me to go to Cuifeng Nunnery?"
Even through the thin veil, Shen Yanzhou seemed to see her tearful eyes, and his heart felt as if it had been struck by a heavy stone.
He looked anxious and shook his head. "That's just a smokescreen... If we go any further, someone else will take over. Then you won't be able to leave even if you want to. These people are all my trusted men. You'd better leave now."
Dou Wenyi's heart sank. Even though she had been prepared, she was still chilled by Emperor Muzong's actions.
The person who will take over next is most likely the eldest princess's person, and she will inevitably use her own life to threaten Pei Siyan.
She sighed softly, "Lord Shen, if I leave, what about you?"
Shen Yanzhou smiled calmly, "Isn't the Crown Prince going to be back soon?"
His words sounded like a surrender.
But upon closer examination, it's chilling; how could Emperor Muzong tolerate betrayal?
I'm afraid he'll be implicated as soon as he returns. Does he intend to atone with his death?
Dou Wenyi was overwhelmed with emotion, but her tone was firm, "Shen Yanzhou, I have guards protecting me. If we really encounter a crisis, I have the ability to protect myself. I... don't need you to take such a risk for me!"
Shen Yanzhou's expression was solemn, "But..."
Dou Wenyi looked at the man with sincere eyes and shook her head. "No buts. It's not a last resort yet."
Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from afar, growing closer and closer. Soon, the soldiers from the Five Cities Garrison arrived.
At the same time, the Imperial City Guard surrounded them from all sides.
The newcomer nimbly dismounted, cupped his hands to Shen Yanzhou, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Lord Shen, this humble general is Yang Shao, the commander of the Dragon Guard Army. I am here by order of His Majesty to escort the Crown Princess to Cuifeng Nunnery. Please leave the rest to me."
Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the Imperial City Guards changed slightly, and they all looked at Shen Yanzhou.
Shen Yanzhou's jaw tightened, a hint of ferocity flashing between his brows, and he remained silent.
According to the emperor's will, they should meet at another location. Has Emperor Muzong already realized his own selfish motives?
Dou Wenyi was clearly aware of this problem as well.
She said firmly, "Lord Shen, farewell. I will pray for His Majesty, Your Highness, and the Great Zhou Dynasty every day. I believe I will return soon."
——
Dusk fell, enveloping the entire city of Tianning.
Pei Siyan led the Xuanjia Army back in triumph. When they were still more than 30 kilometers away from Tianning City, he ordered the army to set up camp on the spot.
What's the situation inside the city right now?
Chi Yan stood respectfully with his hands at his sides. "The Zhang and Dou families have been detained by imperial decree. The Crown Princess seems to have contracted the plague, and the Eldest Princess also seems to have been infected."
Pei Siyan raised an eyebrow slightly and said that anyone could have contracted the epidemic, but how could Dou Wenyi?
She is the Little Fairy Doctor.
A light rain suddenly began to fall from the sky. Pei Siyan, his expression solemn, stood in his armor, gazing intently at Tianning City.
He hadn't seen her for almost four months.
They actually dared to push her to the point where they had to resort to 'plague'...
Chi Yan gazed at the figure in the rain, hesitated for a moment, then took an umbrella and walked to Pei Siyan's side to shield him. "Your Highness, His Majesty must have been misled and had thoughts he shouldn't have."
Emperor Muzong has issued an imperial edict, which means that someone will be sent to take over the tiger tally, and the army will be sent directly back to the Xishan camp near Tianning City.
If Pei Siyan complies with the order, he will face another massacre.
If he were to lead a large army to conquer Tianning City, he would be condemned as a traitor who "killed his father and murdered his ruler," and would be criticized by officials and future generations.
Pei Siyan chuckled, "Guess who will take over?"
Chi Yan frowned and replied, "Shen Yanzhou has always enjoyed the Emperor's favor, so it might be him who comes."
Pei Siyan narrowed his eyes, "If it were just him coming, things wouldn't be so difficult. There might be other surprises in store."
Chi Yan's eyes flickered slightly. Thinking of the unusual activity in Tianning City, she instantly realized that the people who came to negotiate might use Dou Wenyi's life as leverage.
He abruptly dropped his umbrella, knelt down, and said, "The Crown Princess is blessed by Heaven; fame is but an illusion. Your Highness should prioritize the greater good, consider the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and know what to do and what not to do..."
Pei Siyan turned around and looked directly at Chi Yan, "She risked her life to save me! How can you be at peace with yourself like this?"
Chi Yan raised her head and pleaded, "Your Highness has left enough people for the Crown Princess to protect her. She should have left Tianning City earlier and should not have become a hindrance to Your Highness."
"Tell me, why is she so determined not to leave?" Pei Siyan asked, trying to keep his tone restrained. His knuckles were turning slightly white as he held his hands behind his back.
Chi Yan shook his head blankly.
Because once Dou Wenyi leaves, the lives of everyone in the Dou and Zhang families will be in danger, and the eldest princess might even launch a large-scale operation to frame them for treason in Dou Wenyi's name.
Pei Siyan closed his eyes, letting the rain patter on his face, feeling a slight chill.
He held a sachet in his hand, his throat tightening. "Do you think I should accept a woman's protection without a care in the world? Are you afraid that I will be ruined because of a woman?"
"Let me tell you, I owe her a life..."
He will never betray her in this lifetime!
As he spoke, a familiar yet delicate figure vaguely appeared before his eyes, standing in the rain and mist, giving him a faint smile.
She was a lucky person who would eventually have a bright future, but he felt inexplicably uneasy.
He also hoped that Dou Wenyi would disregard everything and have the guards escort her away safely, leaving the rest to him.
However, from Yin Congjian's letter, it was learned that she had actually handed over the private seal and was even trying to buy him time to create an opportunity for a counterattack...
In this world, Pei Siyan truly desires very few things, except for her!
If he can't even protect her, what face does he have to live?
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