Chapter 245 Gathering at the Princess's Mansion 1
As the news of Prince Ning's rebellion and execution spread, an uproar broke out in the capital. While Prince Ning's relatives were in a state of panic, people with lesser ties were already figuring out the emperor's new intentions.
There was a constant stream of traffic in front of the Princess Zhenguo's mansion. The once quiet courtyard was now bustling with people. Officials and nobles who came to pay their respects, give gifts, and inquire about news were endless, almost breaking down the threshold.
Compared with the noise outside, the inner palace study was peaceful and even had a rare sense of leisure.
Xiao Yuluan wasn't wearing elaborate palace attire, only a casual brocade dress. She leaned against a soft couch by the window, her fingertips casually fiddling with the leaves of a pot of orchids. She watched the slowly approaching figure outside the window, a slight smile forming at the corners of her lips.
A moment later, the study door was gently pushed open, and Shen Yushan, dressed in the robes of a Shangshu Ling, slowly walked in. He was dressed very formally today, but his expression was unusually relaxed.
He walked to the bed, bowed slightly, and said with a smile and a hint of joking: "I am here to congratulate Your Highness."
Xiao Yuluan glanced at him, not caring about his rudeness, and snorted lightly: "It's just that the old fox couldn't hold on any longer, and didn't trust her son, so she pushed me out to shelter him from the wind and rain." Her tone was casual, as if she was just commenting on an ordinary matter, rather than on overwhelming power.
Shen Yushan naturally sat down on the chair beside the couch and said with a smile, "Those who are capable should do more work. Besides, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's better than the secret plans we made before, which were very inconvenient."
He was finally able to enter the princess's mansion in broad daylight, wearing his official uniform, and discuss important matters with her without having to communicate in secret all the time. This made him feel very good.
"Indeed." Xiao Yuluan withdrew her hand from fiddling with the orchid grass. "Since you've given me this opportunity, I won't let it go. By the way, how are your injuries?"
Yesterday, Prince Ning sent people to attack and kill Shen Yushan. It happened that Xiao Yuluan was still in the mansion and was surrounded by the Hidden Phoenix Guards. Otherwise, it would be hard to say what would happen. Xiao Yuluan knocked down the enemy in time, but Shen Yushan's arm was still scratched by the sharp blade.
"It's okay, the wound isn't deep and it's already scabbed over." Hearing her concern for him, Shen Yushan smiled.
"That's good." Xiao Yuluan said with concern and quickly changed the subject, "As for the Emperor, what did the imperial physician say?"
"The situation is not good." Shen Yushan's smile widened. "The stab wound caused bleeding, and the poison from the elixir has backfired. His mind has been exhausted and his vitality has been damaged. If something unexpected happens again, I'm afraid we really won't have much time left. We need to make plans early."
Xiao Yuluan nodded slightly, her gaze turning to the window again, becoming profound. "Since he's given us this opportunity, we can't miss it. You need to pay close attention to the defense of the capital and the movements of officials from various ministries, and try to plant our men as discreetly as possible."
"Oh, by the way, the King of England will probably be entering the capital in the next few days, and all the old, weak, and disabled soldiers under his command will be discharged. Send someone to oversee the distribution of the pensions, and by the way, help me add a group of people to the newly recruited soldiers."
The border invasion has been temporarily quelled. The King of England reported it back to the capital last month. It is indeed due in the next two days. There have been people who have retired and joined the army over the years. In order to prepare for the upcoming turmoil, the Hidden Phoenix Guard must stay in the capital.
Just as the two were discussing this, another maid came in the courtyard to announce, "Prince Zhao and his wife are here to see you."
Xiao Yuluan hesitated for a moment, but did not ask Shen Yushan to leave. Instead, she raised her voice and said, "Please let them in."
Shen Yushan understood, straightened his robe, sat down leisurely, and picked up the tea that the maid had just served him, as if he was just discussing ordinary official business with the princess.
The study door was pushed open again, and Xiao Ji and Qing Wu walked in one after another.
They weren't wearing elaborate court robes, but rather ordinary brocade robes. Xiao Ji wore an indigo robe that accentuated his handsome and upright figure, while Qing Wu wore a lilac-colored, wide-sleeved skirt, topped with a moon-white vest embroidered with orchids. They looked fresh and elegant, like an ordinary young couple visiting relatives.
A barely perceptible smile flashed across Shen Yushan's eyes. He thought this young couple was quite interesting. They came to visit the princess who had just come to power in such casual attire. Was this an attempt to get closer to her?
As soon as Qingwu entered the room, her eyes could not wait to cast towards Xiao Yuluan who was lying on the soft couch by the window. However, when she caught a glimpse of Shangshu Ling Shen Yushan sitting beside the couch, she immediately restrained all her outward emotions.
She quickly lowered her eyelids and politely bowed to her grandmother. Her voice was clear, gentle, and perfectly in line with the etiquette of a princess meeting an elder: "My nephew Xiao Ji/Qing Wu greets my great-aunt."
She nodded slightly to Shen Yushan, her posture was impeccably dignified.
Xiao Ji also bowed with a respectful look.
"No need to be so polite, get up." Xiao Yuluan's voice was calm. Her eyes swept over the two of them, lingering for a moment on Qingwu's small face, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes.
This kid...seems a little nervous.
Xiao Yuluan waved directly at Qingwu, "Qingwu, come here and sit next to grandma."
Grandma?
Shen Yushan paused slightly while holding the teacup, then suddenly looked up at Xiao Yuluan, his eyes filled with confusion, followed by a hint of unbelievable joy.
Could it be... Could it be Zhen'er... If that child was still alive, her daughter would be this age... Could it be... Could it be that Qingwu is actually... ?
However, Xiao Yuluan quickly broke Shen Yushan's fantasy and introduced him: "I mentioned it to you before. During my time away from home, I adopted a little apprentice, Qingwu. Of course, she is also a girl lost in the Xi family. Because of her age, I let her call me grandma."
So... it was his disciple! Shen Yushan felt a strange sense of loss, but it was soon replaced by a sudden realization. No wonder His Highness had lent a helping hand to Prince Zhao. The root of the problem was this! It was because of this precious disciple, whom he treated like his own son! He instantly understood many things that had previously puzzled him.
At the same time, Xiao Ji was as horrified as Shen Yushan! How could grandma reveal this relationship in front of Shen Yushan?
This Shangshu Ling, who had always been considered His Majesty's right-hand man and kept his distance from various factions in the court, was actually on Grandma's side?! This realization took him a while to react.
Qingwu, on the other hand, confirmed her previous guess. Her beautiful eyes swept back and forth between the two of them, and she could see the indescribable familiarity between them.
"Qingwu, Ji'er, I won't beat around the bush with you. Lord Shen is my confidant." Xiao Yuluan originally meant to say that Shen Yushan was trustworthy, but the next second Shen Yushan showed a happy expression, which was really eye-catching.
Xiao Yuluan glared at him and was about to continue speaking when another maid came to announce, "Your Highness, the Marquis of Zhenbei is here."
Xiao Yuluan had just said, "Please ask him to come over," and within a few breaths, she heard a voice, "Your Highness, I'm here."
Meeting Qing Wu and Xiao Ji's gazes, Xiao Yuluan blinked and simply admitted, "Marquis Zhenbei is also on our side."
Hearing this, Shen Yushan straightened his chest and felt that he was superior to Xue Chen.
Qing Wu and Xiao Ji exchanged a glance, and suddenly it dawned on them! It turned out that the seemingly fair support from the Marquis of Zhenbei was actually the real reason behind it!
Was this the Princess Mingyi who had nearly won the throne? At this moment, they realized more deeply the depth of Xiao Yuluan's schemes and the breadth of her influence, and understood the weight of her title.
Even though he had been away from Beijing for over twenty years, it wouldn't take much effort to overthrow the dynasty.
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