Refugees fled in all directions, officials protected themselves, and the emperor turned a blind eye. It turned out that Tianzhong had fallen into such a state.
Shen Mingzhuang suddenly felt a tightness in his chest. He could hear Man Huan's concerned words, but a kind of emotion was surging within him that he couldn't ignore.
"Um."
She took two deep breaths, suppressing the indescribable emotions in her heart, turned around and got into the carriage. Behind her came the sound of horses' hooves and chaotic footsteps, along with shouts and cries.
Such commotion was unusual, especially in the heart of the capital. Several people turned around simultaneously and saw a group of ragged men, women, and children fleeing for their lives at the street corner ahead. They were crying and shouting, and some of the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled were unable to support themselves and fell to the ground. The soldiers behind them caught up, but how could two-legged people outrun four-legged horses? They were quickly surrounded by the soldiers.
"You troublemaker, you dare to run away!"
The leader, seated on a large brown horse, spoke in a condescending tone, then ordered his men, "Take them all away!"
Shen Mingzhuang watched, then closed his eyes tightly. He heard Man Huan's anxious voice again, "Miss, Miss, let's go back quickly!"
Then she helped Shen Mingzhuang to get into the carriage, but Shen Mingzhuang suddenly broke free from Manhuan's hand and ran forward.
"Who goes there?!" Seeing someone suddenly rushing towards them, the soldiers who were about to leave stopped in their tracks and asked warily.
The person asking the question sat next to the leader; judging from his attire, he was probably a junior adjutant. Shen Mingzhuang glanced at him, then feigned composure and looked at the leader, asking loudly, "Sir, where do you intend to send these refugees?"
The man in the lead looked to be in his early twenties, with striking features and a commanding presence. His riding attire accentuated his imposing stature, making him someone not to be underestimated.
This man is certainly no nobody.
The four dukes of Kyoto have formed a tripartite balance of power, and they have been neck and neck for years with no one being more powerful than the other. However, the Duke of Wei is more prominent among the four dukes because he is related to the Empress Dowager. Due to the Empress Dowager's influence, many of the Duke of Wei's sons serve in the Kyoto Imperial Guard, making it very convenient for them to move around the palace.
In the Duke of Wei's mansion, there was a young master named Yin Chen, who was only in his early twenties. He was very handsome and outstanding, and also had excellent martial arts skills. At a young age, he became the commander of the Jade Unicorn Cavalry. He was a famous and powerful figure in the capital, and no one dared to provoke him!
Few people dare to look him in the eye when they speak, so it's quite interesting that this pretty young lady is so bold!
"These troublemakers are going where they belong, what's it to you?"
Still speaking in a casual tone tinged with contempt, Shen Mingzhuang forced himself not to show any weakness and asked, "Should we send him out of the city or imprison him?"
This was the second sentence. Yin Chen looked at the beautiful woman in front of him and couldn't help but smile. If it weren't for the fact that this young lady was so beautiful, he wouldn't have bothered to say a word.
"Kyoto Nanshan Prison."
After saying that, he glanced at Shen Mingzhuang again, unable to hide his amusement: "I wonder which family this young lady comes from. When did such a beautiful young lady appear in the capital? I didn't even know."
Shen Mingzhuang was furious that this person would have the mind to flirt with others. Yin Chen saw a different expression on that pretty face, gave his horse a wicked spur, whistled, and left in a very flippant manner.
"Who is this person? How dare they speak so rudely!" Man Huan was both anxious and angry to see her young mistress being humiliated.
"Man Huan!" Shen Mingzhuang, not wanting to cause trouble, interrupted Man Huan.
The carriage wheels rolled and clattered on the cobblestone streets of Kyoto. No one spoke in the carriage, and this silence continued until the carriage came to a stop.
As soon as he stepped off the carriage, he noticed two black lacquered palace carriages with gold-painted flying horns parked in front of the gate, which startled Shen Mingzhuang. Had someone from the palace come?
She first ruled out the possibility that it was Shen Mingshu and her sister returning. Why would the two of them need such a grand procession? Moreover, judging from the regulations, they should be the chief eunuch or something similar. The carriage had several dragon claws painted on the front, so they should be the emperor's chief eunuch.
Why did Jiang Wang send his chief eunuch to the Shen residence?
Shen Mingzhuang was taken aback by the sudden sense of vigilance that arose spontaneously, but then smiled. Jiang Wang had now become the number one villain in her heart. Whenever she encountered Jiang Wang, she was like a mouse seeing a cat, on high alert as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Please take care, sir!"
As soon as Shen Mingzhuang stepped into the hall, he heard a series of orderly footsteps coming towards him. Judging from the sound, it should be the chief eunuch from the palace leaving.
She thought she should avoid the situation, but just as the thought crossed Shen Mingzhuang's mind, she heard someone call her name. Judging from the voice, it was undoubtedly Lin Shi.
"Ninth Sister, why did you leave without saying a word? Mother was just about to send someone out to look for you!"
As she spoke, Madam Lin turned to Tan Yonglin, the chief eunuch who was sizing up Shen Mingzhuang, with a look of shame on her face and said, "My daughter is unruly and young. Since she was born in Jiangzhou, I have never personally raised her, which is why she has developed this temperament. I hope... you will not take offense!"
It's as if Shen Mingzhuang is a real headache, and this loving mother can't bring herself to discipline him, which is why Shen Mingzhuang has become like this.
Having been instructed by the old lady to personally see Tan Yonglin off, Zhao wanted nothing more than to stuff a stinky sock into Lin's mouth. Did this woman even know what she was saying?
Even if one dislikes a concubine's daughter, one shouldn't criticize her in front of outsiders, especially since she is Shen Mingzhuang, who will soon be summoned to the palace. To say such things at this time shows a complete disregard for the honor and disgrace of the Shen family.
Faced with Lin's seemingly protective but actually trapping words, Shen Mingzhuang remained silent.
Tan Yonglin was incredibly shrewd. He smiled, his small, beady eyes narrowing. He cupped his hands in greeting to the two ladies and said with a smile, "Please wait, ladies." His gaze swept over Shen Mingzhuang, who stood respectfully with his head bowed, before he led his men away.
Once everyone left, Zhao didn't even glance at Lin. She smiled and called out to Shen Mingzhuang, then took her hand and said she would take her to Meishou Hall to pay her respects to the old lady.
Standing rooted to the spot, Madam Lin looked at Granny Jiang with a hint of mockery in her eyes and said, "A little hussy who weighs less than two ounces, does she think she can handle the position of Lady Fengmo? How laughable!"
Granny Jiang dared not say much. Her mind was in turmoil. She clearly felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. This feeling was very uncontrollable. She was wondering whether she should talk to Madam Lin and ask her to re-evaluate this Ninth Miss.
As the Third Madam said, if Shen Mingzhuang was really just a country girl living alone in Jiangzhou with no one to raise her, how could the Emperor in the palace know about her?
Inside Meishou Hall, Old Madam Shen's face was ashen, showing no sign of joy.
Granny Tian personally poured a cup of tea and offered it to the old lady, who looked worried and waved for her to put it on the table.
"Madam."
Granny Tian couldn't understand the treacherous situation at court, but thinking that the old lady must be concerned about the Lu family's affairs, she carefully said, "Now that all three of our young ladies are going to enter the palace, this is unprecedented. Ninth Miss is a sensible child. Following the Emperor, she might be able to put in a good word for the Lu family..."
Before she could finish speaking, the old lady sighed deeply and closed her eyes wearily. "It seems that His Majesty has already made his decision!"
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