Chapter 213 Travel
Prince Yi's Palace, inner chamber.
The curtains were hung low, and the air was filled with the decadent atmosphere after the joy, which was intertwined with the violence in the owner's heart, making it suffocating.
Xue Minglan was only wearing a loose nightgown, with ambiguous scratches on his chest.
Shen Yan, who was beside him, was disheveled, and her usually timid face was now flushed. She curled up like a frightened rabbit, but her eyes were glued to the man.
This kind of private meeting is not the first time.
She went from being terrified at first to being used to it now, and even... a little addicted.
"Bang!"
A white jade wine glass was thrown hard to the ground and shattered into pieces.
There was an unfinished sinister look in Xue Minglan's eyes.
“It’s Jamel Xiao again!”
He gritted his teeth, his handsome face twisted in anger.
"How exactly am I inferior to Xiao Jingyan?"
Shen Yan shuddered with fear, but still mustered up the courage, stretched out her soft, boneless hand, and gently stroked his tense back.
"Your Highness..."
Her voice was as thin as a mosquito and flattering.
"In Yan'er's heart, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince...is far inferior to you."
"He is merely the eldest son. In terms of talent and courage, who in the capital can compare with you, Your Highness?"
These words hit Xue Minglan's sore spot precisely.
The anger in his chest subsided a little, and he turned around and hugged Shen Yan into his arms, with such strength that he almost crushed her.
"Well said."
He sneered, his tone full of contempt.
"He, Xiao Jingyan, is just relying on the Queen Mother to support him from behind!"
"Without the Queen Mother, he would be nothing!"
Shen Yan leaned obediently in his arms, her dark eyes rolled around, as if she remembered something.
"Your Highness, Yan'er remembered something."
"Um?"
"Many years ago, I returned to my hometown with my mother, and it just so happened that... we also encountered a flood."
Her voice lowered, as if she were sharing a secret.
"I saw with my own eyes that there was a conflict between the relief workers and the victims. It was a very chaotic scene."
She paused, as if recalling the horrific scene.
"People are crowded together, swords and knives have no eyes..."
"It's not uncommon for several officials sent by the imperial court to die in the chaos."
"Later, when the government investigated, they simply said it was the work of a mob, and they couldn't find out who the murderer was."
As soon as the words fell, the inner room fell into silence.
Xue Minglan held her arms tightly, tightening them inch by inch.
He slowly lowered his head and looked at the woman in his arms who had always been weak and timid.
She lowered her head so low that her expression could not be seen.
But those few words were like a bolt of lightning, splitting open all the haze in his heart.
riot……
conflict……
Several officials died in the chaos...
There's no way... to find the murderer.
The corners of Xue Minglan's mouth slowly curled up into a cruel and ecstatic arc.
He understood.
He understood it completely.
This seemingly insignificant woman gave him the most vicious and perfect advice in the most gentle tone.
Let Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan die on the way to disaster relief!
Died in an "accidental" riot!
"Yan'er..."
He lifted her chin and stared at her intently.
"You are truly my good daughter."
A hint of panic flashed across Shen Yan's eyes, but was quickly replaced by fascination.
"Your Highness..."
"Hahaha!"
Xue Minglan laughed out loud, and the depression in his chest was swept away.
"You are my true female Zhuge!"
He kissed her fiercely, with a mixture of aggression and reward, swallowing up all his conspiracies and desires in the embrace of their necks.
***
The next day, the Golden Palace.
The sky brightened, dispelling all the darkness.
The emperor sat high on the dragon throne with a solemn expression.
"The floods in Jiangnan are a matter of national importance. Although the 'work-in-lieu-of-relief' approach is a good one, I am still concerned."
"I have decided to send another imperial envoy to the disaster area to oversee disaster relief efforts and ensure that every grain of food reaches the victims!"
All the ministers stood in silence, praising the emperor's wisdom.
The emperor glanced down and spoke slowly.
"This matter will be led by Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan."
The prince immediately stepped out and bowed to receive the order, "Your son obeys!"
The emperor nodded and turned his gaze to the other side.
"This strategy was proposed by Prince Ning, which shows that Prince Ning has considerable insight into this matter."
The emperor's voice rang out again, with an unquestionable majesty.
"I order that Prince Ning, Xiao Jingchi, accompany the Crown Prince."
"Assist the Crown Prince and comfort the victims!"
As soon as these words came out, a hint of joy flashed in the eyes of Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan.
Everyone knows that although it says that Prince Ning will accompany him, in fact it means that Princess Ning will accompany him. With this intelligent sister-in-law around, he suddenly feels more confident.
Xue Minglan, who was standing among the generals, slowly raised his head.
He looked at the prince who was about to go on a long journey, and the sinister look in his eyes was replaced by a hint of enthusiasm for success.
His prey are taking the initiative to walk out of their cages and step into the hunting grounds he has carefully arranged.
Things are about to change in Jiangnan.
***
The imperial decree must not be delayed.
After returning to Prince Ning's Mansion, Shen He didn't even have time to drink a sip of tea.
"Guyu, pack your bags, prepare some wound medicine and clean cloth, and follow me out of the capital."
Her voice was calm and without a trace of emotion, as if what she was about to face was not a dangerous disaster area, but an ordinary journey.
"Yes, Miss!"
Guyu didn't dare to ask more questions and immediately started to prepare quickly.
On the other side, Xiao Quanzi was coaxing and tricking Xiao Jingchi into changing into a set of tight clothes that would make it easier for him to move around.
After a stick of incense, the four of them had gathered in front of the carriage at the gate of the palace.
Crown Prince Xiao Jingyan's carriage was an extremely luxurious eight-treasure glazed carriage, pulled by eight majestic white horses, and it looked very majestic.
What they were riding in was just an ordinary green-covered carriage, following in the middle of the team, inconspicuous.
There were also several officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works accompanying them, each riding in a car. The entire team was heading towards the south of the Yangtze River in a mighty manner.
Inside the car.
Xiao Jingchi was like a child who had got a new toy. He touched the car window, lifted the curtain to look out, and asked questions all the time.
"Sister He, where are we going?"
"Sister He, is it fun there?"
Chen He leaned back on the cushion, closed his eyes and rested, only responding faintly.
"Your Highness, we are here to do business, not to have fun."
Xiao Quanzi was rubbing his hands anxiously, "My Lord, please be quiet and don't disturb the princess's rest."
Xiao Jingchi then pursed his lips, sat down with a wronged look, and began to count ants on his fingers.
After two days of travel, the convoy gradually moved away from the bustling capital and drove into a remote winding mountain road.
The weather changes at any time.
The sky was clear just now, but in an instant it was covered with dark clouds and thunder rumbled.
“Clatter—”
The raindrops as big as beans hit the car roof, making a dull sound.
The loess road under my feet was soon washed into mud by the rain, and the wheels were deeply stuck in it, making a creaking sound.
The carriage was moving more and more difficultly.
“Boom!”
A dull thud, as if coming from underground, shook the entire carriage.
The guards' panicked shouts were heard outside.
"The mountain collapsed!"
"There's a rolling stone! Quick! Protect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
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