Chapter 88
In the luxuriously decorated hall with carved beams and painted rafters, the prime minister sat at the head of the table, his expression stern and his eyes like cold stars, slowly sweeping over Sun Xing and Xu Jiang.
Sun Xing was dressed in brocade clothes, with a complicated expression on his face, revealing a bit of nervousness and anticipation; Xu Jiang was a burly man, and his face was also full of curiosity. Both of them held their breath and waited for the prime minister to speak.
"Do you know the identity of the eunuch who disappeared inexplicably beside the prince?" The prime minister's voice was low and echoed in the silent hall.
Upon hearing this, Sun Xing's expression froze, his eyes filled with shock. After a long pause, he stammered, "Sir, you... you're saying that the eunuch who disappeared from the Crown Prince's side was actually Hong Jingxiu's daughter, Hong Luo'er?"
Xu Jiang was also in disbelief, his mouth hanging open. After a long while, he sighed, "Oh my God! How could there be a woman in this world disguised as a palace maid? And in such a heavily guarded palace! Could it be that the Hongfeng Society has planted a spy beside the Crown Prince?"
Sun Xing hurriedly looked at the prime minister, a fierce look flashing in his eyes, and asked tentatively: "Sir, should we send someone to capture her immediately? To avoid future troubles!"
Xu Jiang sighed and continued, "I'm afraid it's too late. By now, that woman must have already run away without a trace."
Sun Xing slapped his thigh and suddenly realized, "No wonder the prince's face turned as pale as paper when I mentioned that Hong Jingxiu's daughter was called Hong Luo'er that day..."
Finally, the Prime Minister spoke again, his voice as flat as a pool of stagnant water: "So what if he escapes? We can just catch him back."
So the Prime Minister straightened his clothes and walked into the palace with steady steps to ask to see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Inside the magnificent palace, Li Yin, dressed in gorgeous attire, sat upright on the dragon throne, a look of impatience on his face. Upon seeing the prime minister enter, he said, "Sir, are you here to plead for Sun Xing? However, there must be a perfectly reasonable explanation for this matter of gold!"
The Prime Minister was well prepared. His expression was calm as water. He bowed slightly and said, "Your Highness, do you know how important the news was that Lord Sun exchanged that gold for?"
Li Yin raised an eyebrow and asked, "Oh? What kind of news is it that's worth all this trouble?"
The Prime Minister's lips curled slightly, revealing a meaningful smile. He said, "Hong Jingxiu's daughter, Hong Luo'er, is actually the Red Maple Society's carefully arranged spy by your side. She was even implicated in the last thrilling assassination attempt."
Li Yin's expression suddenly changed, and he pressed on, "Do you have any evidence? Don't make up stories like that!"
The Prime Minister bowed again, speaking with neither arrogance nor servility, "That woman is irrefutable evidence! Once I capture Hong Luozhen, the truth will be revealed to the world."
Seeing Li Yin's slightly flustered and bewildered look, the Prime Minister's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible cunning, and he asked tentatively, "Your Highness, judging by your expression, could it be that you have known about this for a long time?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yin's expression froze. He opened his mouth, but ultimately, no words came out. The hall instantly fell into a dead silence...
——
The Purple Palace was filled with the elegant fragrance of lilies, and bright yellow gauze curtains hung down, vaguely obscuring His Majesty and the Queen on the throne.
The hall was paved with blue bricks. Twelve beautiful ladies were dressed in various types of skirts, with pearl flowers pinned in their hair. When they stood with their heads bowed, their skirts moved slightly, giving them a somewhat delicate look of spring.
"What kind of Crown Princess do you want to be?" His Majesty's voice came through the gauze curtain, gentle but with unquestionable majesty.
When it was Zhao Yan'er's turn, she raised her eyes, her raven-feather eyelashes trembling slightly. She didn't reply immediately, but instead lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment. The hall was so quiet that the crackling of the burning candle could be heard. When everyone was getting a little impatient, she spoke softly, "Your servant only needs your admiration."
Behind the gauze curtain, Queen Ji Zelan paused while holding the round fan, a hint of disdain appeared at the corner of her lips. The lotus pattern on the fan swayed gently with her movements, but she did not make a sound in the end.
His Majesty was actually interested and leaned forward slightly: "Why do you say that?"
Zhao Yan'er immediately knelt in greeting, her skirt making a soft rustling sound as it brushed the ground. Her voice was clear yet respectful, "Your Majesty, I believe that only with love and admiration can I tolerate Your Highness's temper, put aside my own selfish desires, and sacrifice everything for Your Highness when He needs me."
There was silence behind the gauze curtain for a moment, and then the emperor's chuckle could be heard: "Well said." As soon as the words fell, the eunuchs sang loudly, and Zhao Yan'er was appointed as the Crown Princess. The other beauties, either envious or disappointed, all knelt down to bid farewell.
In the following days, Zhao Yan'er learned etiquette from Nanny Zhang in the other palace.
Nanny Zhang was extremely strict with the rules, and it took her a whole hour to practice just the gesture of greeting.
That afternoon, Nanny Zhang was invited by the imperial concubine to talk. Zhao Yan'er couldn't bear it any longer, so she took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and slipped out along the corridor with her skirt lifted up.
Next to the Chenxiang Pavilion deep in the Imperial Garden stands a weeping willow tree, with its tender green branches hanging down to the surface of the lake, creating ripples.
Zhao Yan'er was watching intently when she saw a man in a moon-white brocade robe sitting in the pavilion. His black hair was tied up with a jade crown, and the lines of his profile were cold and hard. It was Crown Prince Li Yin.
He supported himself on the stone table with one hand, his eyes fixed on the lake. He was not sure what he was thinking, and he didn't even notice someone approaching.
"Your Highness." Zhao Yan'er stepped forward quickly, knelt down and saluted, with a hint of excitement in her voice.
Li Yin suddenly came back to his senses, his body stiffening slightly, like a disturbed lone wolf. Zhao Yaner saw this and couldn't help laughing: "Your Highness, why do you look scared?"
Li Yin looked up at her, his eyes devoid of warmth, his tone as cold as ice: "Why are you here? According to the rules, you should be learning etiquette in another palace right now."
Zhao Yan'er stuck out her tongue and didn't answer his question. Instead, she took a step forward and asked, "Your Highness, have you heard?"
Li Yin looked away and back at the lake, his tone calm, "I've heard about your selection as the Crown Princess."
Seeing this, Zhao Yan'er put away her joking expression and said seriously, "I will assist Your Highness wholeheartedly in the future and live up to His Majesty's trust."
Li Yin suddenly stood up, his moon-white brocade robe sweeping across the stone bench, stirring up a breeze. He looked down at her, his tone full of sarcasm, "It's just a transaction for family interests. There's no need to be so serious."
The smile on Zhao Yan'er's face paused, then she raised the corners of her lips again, but her eyes were more determined. "If it is a deal, then I also hope that this deal will be a good one. If Your Highness becomes a wise king in the future, it will be a good thing for the Zhaoguo Mansion and even better for the people of the world."
Li Yin looked at the light in her eyes, was silent for a moment, and then slowly said: "I will do what a prince should do. However, you have to promise me one thing."
Zhao Yan'er's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, "Your Highness, please tell me. I will do as you say."
Li Yin's eyes fell on her face, and his tone suddenly turned cold, with a warning that brooked no room for argument: "From now on, don't set foot in this place again, not even a single step."
The wind blew through the weeping willows, and the branches gently brushed Zhao Yan'er's hair. The smile on her face froze. Looking at Li Yin's indifferent back, a sense of inexplicable loss suddenly surged in her heart.
——
Three days later, Luo Sanrong sat alone by the river, the autumn wind ruffling her hair.
She gazed at the gurgling water, her mind filled with scenes of her past interactions with His Highness. The longing in her heart surged like a tide, but was suppressed by her reason, and her expression was full of loneliness and melancholy.
Just at this moment, a familiar figure came into her sight.
Ji Zeming, dressed in a moon-white robe, stood tall and straight, and hurried towards her. Luo Sanrong lowered her eyes slightly, and her voice was cold, as if carrying the chill of autumn: "Didn't I tell you not to come again?"
Ji Zeming acted as if he didn't hear her. He walked quickly forward, reached out and gently pulled her arm. His action was full of concern, and he said in a warm voice: "Have you not eaten for another day? Get up, I'll take you to eat!" His palm was warm, as if to dispel the coldness in Luo Sanrong's heart.
Luo Sanrong did not struggle, but obediently stood up with the help of Ji Zeming.
She raised her head and looked straight into Ji Zeming's eyes, with complex emotions surging in her eyes, and said slowly: "Actually, I feel very sad when I see you, sir."
After a pause, she continued, her voice adding a touch of helplessness and self-mockery, "Whenever I see you, sir, I can't help but want to ask about His Highness. My mind tells me I should forget, but my heart won't obey. Whenever I see you, sir, I want to know how His Highness is doing recently? Is he eating well? Is he sleeping well? Is he in a good mood?"
She smiled bitterly, tears welling up in her eyes. "I kind of hate myself. I knew you were willing to help me, but I always used you to find out about His Highness's affairs. I took advantage of your kindness. I really..." At this point, her tone changed, and she said in an almost pleading tone, "So, my lord, please don't come to see me anymore."
Ji Zeming's expression was calm, but a subtle tenderness lingered in his eyes. He whispered, "It's okay. I actually have my own selfish motives." He tilted his head slightly, gazing into the distance, as if yearning for something. "Sometimes I think, if these painful days can finally pass, when you're willing to look up at the world again, I hope you'll see me first!"
Seeing Luo Sanrong trying hard to suppress her sadness and hold back her tears, Ji Zeming felt a pang in his heart and said softly, "Just cry! Holding it back like this will only make you feel worse."
Luo Sanrong could no longer hold back, tears welled up in her eyes, and she said in a sobbing voice: "I don't want to cry, but my heart hurts so much..." The cry echoed in the autumn wind, full of endless sorrow and pain.
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