Chapter 30
In the flower hall, the prime minister sat in the first seat, with the Minister of Revenue Sun Xing and the Minister of Rites Xu Jiang sitting on both sides respectively.
"Last night...Last night, three important places in the capital were attacked by thieves!" The voice of Minister of Revenue Sun Xing was filled with unconcealable panic.
"The thieves rampant in the capital have been going on for more than a day or two. The envoy is still here, so don't make a fuss." Minister of Rites Xu Jiang stroked his beard indifferently.
"Yes, but I don't feel good about it. They only stole the granary of the wealthy merchants in Beijing, and they did it in such a high-profile manner. It's really unreasonable." Sun Xing continued.
Sitting in the main seat, Prime Minister Ji Ke had a solemn expression on his face, his eyes swept over the most trusted attendant beside him. The attendant understood what he meant, lowered his head and stepped forward, slowly taking out something wrapped in black silk from his sleeve.
"What is this?" Xu Jiang stepped forward.
The servant opened the black silk and inside was the mask left behind by the assassin last night.
Xu Jiang's expression was no longer calm, and his eyes were filled with shock.
"This is exactly the same mask worn by the assassins you encountered at the banquet you hosted. Could they be the same group of people?"
Ji Ke neither agreed nor refuted.
Sun Xing paused and said hesitantly, "Could it be the same as the rumor?"
"What rumors?"
"It is said that Hong Jingxiu's former subordinates have begun to regroup."
Ji Ke's hand, which was holding the teacup, trembled suddenly, and the scalding hot tea splashed out and landed on his precious brocade robe, but he was completely unaware.
"Seizing grain to help the poor and misleading the people, these actions are really like what Hong Jingxiu always does. But Hong Jingxiu has been sentenced to death. Do these thieves have any connection with Hong Jingxiu?" Minister of Rites Xu Jiang frowned and said to the prime minister with a worried look on his face.
Ji Ke concealed his expression, picked up the teacup and drank it all, "The envoys are in our court recently. This matter cannot be publicized. We can only investigate secretly."
"Yes," the two responded in unison.
*
Two sedan chairs were moving steadily along the corridor of the palace, one in front and one behind.
When they met eunuchs in the corridor, they would consciously give way to them.
A eunuch asked curiously, "Who is in the sedan chair?"
An eunuch who knew the situation replied, "Lord Zhao Wanyong from Lingnan has brought his daughter to the palace for an audience. If nothing unexpected happens, the Minister of War is likely to be this Lord Zhao."
When they were about to reach the outer gate of the Qianqing Palace, the prime minister and court officials came to greet them, and Zhao Wanyong got out of the sedan chair.
Zhao Yan'er in the sedan felt that the sedan had stopped, so she tidied her clothes, lifted the curtain, and got out with the help of her maid Chuntao.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, I'm truly sorry to trouble you to come in person." Zhao Wanyong clasped his fists.
"No way." said the Prime Minister.
The prime minister's eyes were as sharp as torches, and with a bit of scrutiny, they passed over Zhao Wanyong and then fell on Zhao Yan'er behind him.
Zhao Yan'er was seen wearing a moon-white brocade robe embroidered with pale pink crabapple flowers today, with a light gauze of the same color covering the outside. The gauze fluttered slightly with her body, making her figure more graceful, like a fairy descending to earth.
Her hair was tied up high into a bun, and a few strands of hair fell playfully on both sides of her cheeks, adding a bit of agility.
A jade hairpin wrapped in gold thread was inserted in her bun. When she walked, the jade pendant on the hairpin swayed gently, making a crisp and pleasant sound.
Her face is white and delicate, and her skin is as smooth as a baby's.
Her eyebrows are like a touch of dark green on the distant mountains, slender and gentle, with the tips slightly raised, giving her a natural charm.
Her eyes are like a clear spring, bright and clear, and her gaze is full of radiance as she moves. Her nose is small and straight, her lips are naturally red, and her slightly upturned mouth corners show a faint smile.
The Prime Minister nodded slightly and exclaimed in admiration, "Your daughter is truly a stunning beauty. Such beauty and grace are truly rare in this world."
"Thank you for the compliment." Although he was being modest, he couldn't stop smiling.
"How long has it been since your daughter-in-law entered the palace?" the prime minister asked.
"Probably..." Lord Zhao couldn't remember clearly and looked at Zhao Yan'er.
"Father, it's been about three years." Zhao Yan'er continued.
Zhao Wanyong waved to Zhao Yan'er to come forward and greet the prime minister.
"My humble daughter Zhao Yan'er pays her respects to the Prime Minister." Zhao Yan'er performed the etiquette of the capital city.
"I remember an old story - when your daughter was studying with Princess Ming'an in the Shanggong Bureau, she was a classmate with Princess Ming'an for three years?" the Prime Minister praised.
"Your Majesty has a good memory," Zhao Yan'er said, a faint smile playing on the corners of her lips as she looked up. Her moon-white skirt swayed slightly with her movements, and the pearl necklace around her waist made a small sound. "It's just some naughty things I did when I was little. Thank you for remembering them."
"At that time, she often quarreled with the princess and received a lot of scolding!" Lord Zhao said jokingly.
Zhao Yaner lowered her head shyly, seeming to feel very embarrassed.
At this time, a eunuch whispered a reminder: "Prime Minister, the time is up."
Lord Zhao turned to Zhao Yan'er and said, "Yan'er, I'll stay in the side hall. If you're turned away by the princess, come find me there!"
Zhao Yaner said coquettishly.
Afterwards, Zhao Fangyong followed the prime minister into the palace to pay a visit, while Zhao Yan'er took her maid Chuntao to pay a visit to Her Royal Highness the Princess.
"Miss, the scenery of this palace is so beautiful!" Chuntao exclaimed as she walked beside Zhao Yan'er.
Zhao Yan'er said nothing, but nodded slightly. A barely perceptible light flashed in her eyes, revealing her deep approval.
"Ah, my hairpin seems to have fallen off. It was the birthday gift my father gave me." Zhao Yan'er's heart suddenly tightened.
Chun Tao comforted her young lady, "Don't worry, we haven't walked far yet. I'll go back and look for her..."
"Thank you so much for your help." Zhao Yan'er said a little embarrassedly.
Chuntao turned back to look for a hairpin for Zhao Yaner. Zhao Yaner walked slowly, and when she came to her senses, she found that she seemed to have walked into a completely unfamiliar place.
She was already a little road-blind, and this situation made her even more panicked.
Li Yin was already upset, so he came to the training ground to practice archery.
"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh--" Three sharp sounds broke through the air, and almost at the same moment, three eagle feather arrows, like shooting stars chasing the moon, pierced through the red felt at the center of the target one after another!
When he was about to shoot the fourth arrow, Li Yin seemed to vaguely hear Luo Sanrong calling him, so he was distracted and the fourth arrow hit the flagpole, breaking it.
When Li Yin came to his senses, he found that there was no trace of Luo Sanrong, it was just his own imagination.
Just as he was about to leave, he found that the flagpole had broken and hit someone.
That person was Zhao Yaner, who accidentally walked here because she was lost.
At this time, Chun Tao just found the hairpin and returned, and found her young lady sitting on the ground. She hurried forward to help her up and questioned the man who came over: "How dare you! Do you know my young lady..."
Zhao Yaner's palm was bruised, and she subconsciously frowned and took a breath. Just as she was about to explode, she looked up and exclaimed, "It's you?"
Li Yin frowned, and from his expression it could be seen that he had completely forgotten it.
Zhao Yaner prompted: "Lanterns."
Li Yin's frown relaxed.
Zhao Yaner was about to ask, "Why are you here?", but before she could, she was interrupted by a shout from the distance, "Your Highness, Your Highness——"
Zhao Yaner was stunned for a moment. She could never have imagined that the man in front of her would be the Crown Prince Li Yin!
However, Zhao Yan'er's upbringing as a noble lady allowed her to quickly adjust her expression: "Your servant, Zhao Yan'er, the daughter of Lingnan Steward, pays respect to Your Highness."
Li Yin: "Get up! I didn't see you just now. I'm sorry."
Zhao Yaner: "It's okay."
Li Yin asked again: "Where are you going?"
Zhao Yan'er replied calmly, "Your Highness, my father has come to the palace to pay his respects. I had a close friendship with Princess Ming'an in my childhood, and I have come here today to pay my respects to Your Highness."
Li Yin: "If you don't know the way, let Eunuch Ma take you there!"
Zhao Yaner: "Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you for your help, Eunuch Ma."
Li Yin had already left. Zhao Yan'er looked at his back, not sure if it was out of courtesy or something else, but when Li Yin walked down the corridor and could no longer be seen, Zhao Yan'er withdrew her gaze.
He turned around and bowed to Eunuch Ma, "Thank you for your help, Eunuch."
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