The harsh climate of Youzhou and the rampant bandits caused a stir in the capital when news broke that Prince Rui was to be made King of Youzhou.
Prince Rui has always been on good terms with everyone, and his colleagues in the court have come to offer their condolences. What kind of grudge could have driven Prince Rui to go back and beat up the Emperor?
Ling Yunzhou also arrived and was puzzled to see the Prince Rui's residence tidying up its belongings.
"Xiao Yi, what exactly happened? Why would the Emperor issue such an imperial edict?"
"You should ask the Emperor about this, not me." Xiao Yi was quite calm. He could roughly understand Zhao Zhe's letter. Even if Zhao Zhe could restrain himself now, what about later?
Therefore, he will stay away from the capital and will not give Zhao Zhe another excuse to harm his family.
Ling Yunzhou was somewhat puzzled by Xiao Yi's attitude. He couldn't understand it at all. The Emperor had both brotherly affection and a sense of duty to his subject as ruler and subject. Why had everything changed overnight?
"Xiao Yi, we're brothers, what's wrong with you that you don't want to talk about?" Ling Yunzhou asked, puzzled. "Is it related to the person who harmed you?"
“Lingyunzhou, we’re brothers, so there are some things you shouldn’t ask anymore.” Xiao Yi smiled. “My whole family is going to Youzhou, but we still have many businesses in the capital, especially Zhaixing Tower. Lingyunzhou, you’ll have to take good care of us in the future.”
Tao Wanniang and her son are in the Star-Picking Tower, so it goes without saying that Ling Yunzhou would not stand idly by if something happened at the Star-Picking Tower.
“But Youzhou is far from the capital, and it’s not a safe place there,” Ling Yunzhou said worriedly.
"Heh, it's nothing. I'm no weak scholar either. My guards finally have a chance to prove themselves," Xiao Yi said casually. "If you have time someday, you can come and visit us in Youzhou."
"What do you mean? You can't come back?" Ling Yunzhou frowned; this was more serious than he had thought.
"I won't return until Youzhou is settled!" Xiao Yi said simply. "With only three days to prepare, I'm afraid I won't be able to have a meal with my friends." He feared that even a gathering with friends would be considered inappropriate in that person's eyes!
Ling Yunzhou still had many questions he wanted to ask, but judging from Xiao Yi's expression, he clearly wasn't going to answer them.
"Then... keep in touch!" Ling Yunzhou said helplessly at the end, feeling like he didn't know many things.
Xiao Yi nodded and had Cheng Feng escort Ling Yunzhou out.
Ling Yunzhou was still a little confused after leaving the Prince Rui's mansion. He didn't want to go back to the General's mansion. As he walked, he arrived in front of the Star-Picking Tower. Right, Tao Wanniang knows about it, right?
With a thought, Ling Yunzhou immediately entered the Star-Picking Tower to find Tao Wanniang.
Since Lu Neng wasn't present today, and with such a major upheaval at the Prince Rui's residence, he was summoned to explain matters as a member of the Prince Rui's household. Just then, Ling Dapeng saw Ling Yunzhou and immediately stepped forward to ask, "Father, are you coming for dinner?"
“No, find your mother,” Ling Yunzhou said directly. “Tell her I’m looking for her about the Rui Prince’s Mansion.”
Ling Dahu said "Oh," asked Ling Yunzhou to wait a moment, and then went to find Tao Wanniang.
Tao Wanniang wasn't very busy. Since it was a matter concerning the Prince Rui's residence, she decided to go and meet with him.
That day, Xiao Yi told her that once she left the Prince Rui's mansion, she should pretend she had forgotten everything and never go there again. She knew that something would happen at the Prince Rui's mansion, but she didn't expect it to happen so quickly.
"I'm here, speak now." Tao Wanniang asked as she led Ling Yunzhou into the empty room.
"I also want to ask you, what did you and Xiao Yi find out before?" Ling Yunzhou asked, "Why did such a thing happen at the Prince Rui's residence? Who exactly did the Prince Rui's residence offend?"
"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?" Tao Wanniang retorted. "Aren't you on good terms with the Prince Rui's household? Why would I know things you don't know?"
“Tao Wanniang, I’m asking you seriously. I know what you and Xiao Yi are investigating. I don’t know why a woman like you can get involved, but if you can tell me, perhaps I can help the Prince Rui’s mansion.”
"Help? What help? The imperial decree has already been issued. Besides, didn't you ask Xiao Yi?" Tao Wanniang looked at Ling Yunzhou, feeling that he was being rather tactless. "What Xiao Yi doesn't want to tell you is what you shouldn't know. Understand?"
"You...don't you want the Prince Rui's mansion to return to what it used to be?" Ling Yunzhou was speechless for a moment after being rebuked by Tao Wanniang's words, and then continued.
"I don't want to!" Tao Wanniang said directly. The matter had blown up; going to Youzhou was fine, at least Xiao Yi wouldn't be cursed with bringing misfortune to his wives anymore. In the capital, there was such a powerful figure eyeing him covetously; she even suspected that Xiao Yi might be devoured one day!
"You!" Ling Yunzhou glared angrily at Tao Wanniang, "Without the protection of Prince Rui's mansion, Zhaixing Tower would also be suppressed by others."
"I'll just do things properly and suppress the retaliation!" Tao Wanniang said. "The capital is under the emperor's nose; how could anyone possibly control everything?"
Ling Yunzhou was so angry by Tao Wanniang's words that he didn't ask her anything. But intuitively, the only person who could keep Tao Wanniang from talking and Xiao Yi from discussing it was that person. But he just couldn't figure it out!
"Ling Yunzhou, if there's nothing else, I have to go now. Luneng isn't here today, so I'll be busy with everything." Tao Wanniang said, preparing to leave.
Ling Yunzhou, having been rebuffed, had no choice but to leave. Back at the General's Mansion, he was told that Hailan was looking for him!
"What do you want from me?" Although he was in a bad mood, Hailan was his savior, and Lingyunzhou couldn't refuse to see her.
"Hey, what are you going to do with me? I've met your grandson, I didn't expect him to be so grown up." Hailan stared intently at Lingyunzhou.
Lingyunzhou was troubled about how to settle them.
“Tell me then, what do you want to do?” Ling Yunzhou retorted.
"You should be asking me that. You're the one who asked someone to bring me to the capital. I'm just a fisherwoman; I'm not cut out for those servant jobs," Hailan said directly, without the slightest bit of discomfort.
He thought Hailan was a young man! Ling Yunzhou felt bitter. It seemed unreasonable to have his savior working as a maid in the manor, but... Ling Yunzhou looked at Hailan's thin appearance and tentatively asked, "How about I take you in as my goddaughter?"
Hailan's expression changed instantly. She was an orphan fisherwoman. When she heard that the general had fallen into the water, she immediately jumped in without hesitation and searched for a long time before rescuing the general who was about to sink to the bottom. She wasn't trying to find a father for herself.
"No!" Hailan said directly, "I haven't decided yet, but take me to the capital to have some fun first. I want to broaden my horizons."
"That's easy," Ling Yunzhou nodded and immediately called Qian Feng over.
"Qian Feng, take Hailan to the capital and have some fun," Ling Yunzhou said, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver note. "Here, spend it!"
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