This child is really too clever and thoughtful.
Song Jiyun’s heart felt warm as she vigorously rubbed the Eldest Imperial Son.
The Eldest Imperial Son bashfully buried his face in her body.
Song Jiyun asked Yuan Yunzhong, "Xiang Zhan and the others..."
Her eyes moistened, and she almost didn’t dare to continue asking.
Yuan Yunzhong hurriedly said, "They’re all fine. Prince Ning probably didn’t want to alarm the neighbors, so he used a Knockout Drug."
Song Jiyun’s hanging heart immediately settled down, and she wanted to ask for more details, but Xu Guangzeng walked in looking disheveled.
He bowed his head, not even daring to glance at Yuan Yunzhong with the corner of his eye, and said in a low voice, "Lord Yuan, someone from the palace has come. They have come to take the Eldest Imperial Son back to the palace."
Yuan Yunzhong didn’t even look at him and instead said to the Eldest Imperial Son with a gentle voice, "Don’t be afraid. This sudden incident might not necessarily be a bad thing for you. At least this time, the emperor has arranged for you to stay in Qianqing Palace, and you will see him more often from now on."
He paused after saying this and then continued, "The emperor is just a regular person, he has some difficulty speaking, so when you’re in front of him, be patient and wait for him to finish speaking before you speak."
This was guiding the Eldest Imperial Son on how to behave.
Song Jiyun suppressed the surprise in her heart and glanced at Yuan Yunzhong.
Yuan Yunzhong had already taken the Eldest Imperial Son’s hand and said, "I will take you back to the palace."
The Eldest Imperial Son nodded obediently and said his farewells to Song Jiyun.
Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong escorted him out through the back door of the residence, onto the carriage sent from the palace. Shao Qing and another burly man with a stranger face, along with men from the Feather Forest Guard, accompanied the Eldest Imperial Son as they left Pocket Alley.
Xu Guangzeng knelt "thump" in front of Yuan Yunzhong, refusing to let go of his leg.
"Lord Yuan, you must save me!" he cried, tears and snot mingling, "I really never dreamed that Prince Ning would leap here at this time. My brother won’t be able to protect me this time. Lord Yuan, considering we met in Jingde Town, please speak on my behalf to the emperor. I dare not hope for anything else, I just want to be spared my life, so I can linger on this wretched existence."
Yuan Yunzhong, however, said coldly, "When you came to Pocket Alley, didn’t the palace give you instructions? Where did you go just now?"
If he had been on duty as required by the palace, he would not have allowed Prince Ning’s men to slip in.
Xu Guangzeng didn’t dare to conceal the truth, but still tried to justify himself habitually, "We really didn’t go anywhere! We just went to a snack shop at the entrance of the alley for a couple of drinks."
Drinking alcohol while on duty was forbidden.
Yuan Yunzhong didn’t want to say another word to him and dismissed him, saying, "I will discuss this matter with your brother."
Xu Guangzeng felt his spirit settle and said repeatedly, "Okay, okay, okay. Then I will go back first."
Yuan Yunzhong nodded.
Xu Guangzeng couldn’t wait to run off.
In his mind, although Yuan Yunzhong was somewhat difficult to deal with, if Yuan Yunzhong promised to discuss with his brother, given his brother’s generosity, he would definitely find a way to persuade Yuan Yunzhong to speak for him. Perhaps Yuan Yunzhong’s mention of discussing with his brother was a hint of wanting something in exchange from his brother.
Song Jiyun was surprised and said, "You just let Xu Guangzeng go. What if the emperor really decides to investigate his negligence..."
Yuan Yunzhong, unconcerned, said, "He was never the decision-maker anyway, what’s the use of my talking to him."
Alright, as long as he doesn’t incur resentment because of Xu Guangzeng’s issue.
Yuan Yunzhong then urged her to quickly pack her things and move to Master Jinghu’s place, adding, "After all, there has been a tragic incident here, you must be very scared to stay. With your maternal grandfather as company, you will also feel more secure."
"But that’s not what you said just now." Song Jiyun looked at him with intense eyes, "What exactly happened? Why do you insist that I stay with Master Jinghu? Why did you suddenly come back?"
Yuan Yunzhong had initially wanted to dodge the question, but when he looked into her bright eyes, which shone like the summer sun and held only his reflection, the comforting words suddenly seemed hard for him to articulate.
Song Jiyun was composed and astute, especially stable in light of difficult situations. Although she was someone he should protect, she was also someone who could stand by his side as an equal.
His gaze upon her grew even more tender.
"His Majesty wanted to teach Prince Ning a lesson, so he confined him within the Siyi Pavilion," he whispered into her ear, "But Prince Ning panicked immediately, thinking that the Emperor either wished to confine him until death or was plotting his murder. Particularly after he heard that the Prince of Ruichang was due to arrive at the Capital, he risked everything, led refugees into the city, and escaped from the Siyi Pavilion, hoping to flee from Capital City amidst the chaos."
Song Jiyun was dumbfounded.
She had heard from Yuan Yunzhong before about wanting to replace Prince Ning, but had received no further news, and thought that Yuan Yunzhong had yet to find a suitable opportunity to do so. She had not realized that Prince Ning had already been detained.
Yuan Yunzhong continued, "At first, no one realized the incident had anything to do with Prince Ning. The Emperor even sent people to appease the refugees. It was only after the staff at the Siyi Pavilion noticed his absence that people began to suspect him."
"It’s rather coincidental," he said. "When I was arranging the house for you, it was recommended by a senior brother of mine who holds a position at the Ministry of War. He lives nearby. Today, as I was leaving, I ran into him hurrying to the Ministry of War. He said there had been an incident with the refugees, one where they killed an official sent by the Emperor to mediate. The Emperor was calling on the troops of the Imperial Guard Twelve Guard, and he was summoned back to the Ministry of War to be on duty at short notice. He advised me to be cautious over the next few days and to avoid going out unnecessarily in case idle gangs took the opportunity to cause trouble."
Song Jiyun looked increasingly solemn.
Yuan Yunzhong coughed slightly with discomfort and said, "My maternal grandfather knows I’ve decided to go to Jingde Town, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to move in with him, which is why I turned back."
The result was spotting Prince Ning and his men kicking at her door from a distance.
He still felt a shiver of fear thinking about it now.
If he had been just a step later...
He couldn’t help but look her over from head to toe, "Are you feeling alright anywhere? You need to see a doctor."
He persuaded her, "My maternal grandfather is also quite skilled in medicine. Once you’re there, it’ll be a good opportunity for him to examine you."
She couldn’t stay in Pocket Alley anymore.
But to move into Master Jinghu’s place, without any clear reason, was not something she was willing to do either.
"Is there any other safe place to stay?" Song Jiyun thought for a moment and said, "I know this isn’t the time to be picky, but if I could be picky, I’d prefer to indulge this whim of mine."
She smiled at him with pursed lips.
Her bright eyes sparkled brilliantly.
Yuan Yunzhong felt a stir in his heart and said, "Then you’ll have to stay at my place."
Song Jiyun was surprised, "You have another residence?"
Yuan Yunzhong nodded, "It’s not as nice as the ones here, located at Straw Hat Hutong near the Metropolitan Censorate. When I was a Temporary Imperial Scholar at the Metropolitan Censorate, my maternal grandfather sold the house in Dafang Hutong near Xuanwu Gate that my grandmother left for me and exchanged it for the current one. I always wanted to take you there to have a look, but never had the chance. Today is a good day for you to drop by."
Song Jiyun sighed with relief.
Zheng Quan rushed over in a flurry, stuttering with excitement, "Owner, I’m relieved to see you’re unharmed."
Song Jiyun asked, "What about Xiang Zhan and the others?"
Zheng Quan glanced at Yuan Yunzhong before saying, "The young master has instructed us to pack up and move to another place. He’s entrusting someone to sell this house."
Song Jiyun also disliked living in a house where something unpleasant had happened, always feeling a slight chill.
She agreed, "We will move to Lord Yuan’s residence and stay there for a while."
If possible, she felt it wouldn’t be bad to buy a house in the Capital City.
Zheng Quan answered respectfully with a "Yes" and hurried off to carry out the task.
Song Jiyun then tugged at Yuan Yunzhong’s sleeve and said, "You haven’t told me, after you thought of sending me to Master Jinghu’s place, what were you planning to do?"
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