Yun Yichen concealed his doubts and ordered his men to rush to the royal villa.
As soon as he arrived at the gate of the villa, he was surprised to find a team of guards standing there, and Xiao Lang was one of the two leading men.
"We pay our respects to the Queen Mother and greet the Crown Prince." The two people said in unison.
"What are you doing here?" Queen Mother Han spoke with some displeasure. She felt that her trip was not going well at all, and she met people everywhere who wanted to ruin her plans.
"I am here to escort the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince back to the capital on the orders of the Emperor." The older man spoke again, and it was obvious that his rank was higher than Xiao Lang's.
Hearing this, Yun Yichen felt relieved. He knew the Empress Dowager too well. She had been out for seven or eight days and still hadn't sold the girl from the Han family to him. How could she let it go if she didn't take this last chance to do something?
Kong Xuzhe and he had been taking detoxification pills after meals for the past few days. Divine Doctor Lin's medicine was definitely not ordinary, which meant that the Empress Dowager's plan was likely to fail. In her anger, she might take it out on others, such as the escort, the palace maids, and the maids around her.
He could ignore others, but no matter what Xiao Lang said, he would not let him be punished because of him. He must protect him and keep him safe. Otherwise, how could he have the face to appear in front of the old man and the little girl?
"Did you see that young man in front? We must not let anything happen to him today." Yun Yichen pretended to be chatting, but his words revealed a lot of information.
Who was this guy? Kong Xuzhe could count the number of Xiao family members he knew on one hand, which was one of the reasons he'd become attached to Yun Yichen. It was said that he'd been personally taught kung fu by the old man of the Xiao family. This guy was truly foresighted!
This villa was modest in scale, and its facilities were relatively simple, giving the impression of a temporary stopover on the way in and out of Kyoto. Compared to the official mansions, it had a more solemn and imposing quality, but its architectural style couldn't compare to the one Xiao Jingkang had supervised.
As soon as they entered the gate, Yun Yichen asked the newly arrived guards to divide into two groups and surround the female family's courtyard tightly.
With so many people watching, even if the Empress Dowager wanted to do something, she would have to think carefully before doing it! Yun Yichen stood on the veranda, watching the rain fall harder and harder, lost in thought. The Empress Dowager would still be cautious in the imperial temple, and the Han family's usual tricks would be difficult to use. She had chosen this weather specifically to return to the capital, just to have an excuse to stay here for one night!
Is he trying to give himself medicine or create some kind of accident? No matter which one it is, he has to be careful and on guard. Now there is another Xiao Lang. It is really difficult to protect him while doing my own things!
I wonder if it's raining in Kyoto, and if it's raining this hard? I also wonder what the little girl is doing right now, embroidering her wedding dress or just being lazy.
Thinking of the news from the secret guards two days ago, Yun Yichen was so angry that he gritted his teeth. This girl actually gave the wedding dress to the embroiderer in order to embroider a portrait for the old man, and completely forgot the agreement between the two.
After returning to Beijing, I will find an opportunity to teach her a lesson. If she dares to break the contract, she must be prepared to pay the price. I will keep a record of every penny she owes me, and after we get married, I will get it all back with interest.
Because the rain continued, after lunch, Queen Mother Han called her grandson and granddaughter to her side and told them that the roads were slippery in the rain, and for everyone's safety, they should stay in the villa tonight and continue their journey tomorrow.
"I will listen to grandma. Prince Min and I will take our leave first." Yun Yichen said calmly without any abnormality on his face. He put on his straw raincoat and disappeared into the rain.
Queen Dowager Han gazed at her grandson's tall figure, a pang of guilt welling up in her heart. If she were a grandmother who cared deeply for her grandson, she shouldn't have forced her niece, whose family had already fallen on hard times, into Prince Jing's mansion. Her grandson's status would have qualified him for a princess from another kingdom, but she couldn't think of a better way to save her family. Was she simply going to watch the Han family decline? She simply couldn't do it!
What's more, what I want now is just to hope that Yue Ting can enter the Prince Jing's Mansion. As for my grandson's wife, I will help find one with a status and position that matches his. That should be fine, right?
Suppressing her guilt, Empress Dowager Han began to arrange the following matters. Han Yueting's next task was to dress herself beautifully and wait for the night to come. Yun Ruoxing struggled and hesitated all the way, but finally gave up. She convinced herself that she didn't want to live like her own mother anymore. Living with a man who didn't care about her at all, there was no happiness at all.
However, she hoped that Han Yueting could succeed. After all, her entering Prince Jing's Mansion would only benefit her and her mother and not cause any harm.
Yun Yichen was not idle either. He wrote two notes and put them in a bamboo tube, and asked Zhao Hai to send them out personally. Through the window, he saw Xiao Lang standing at the moon gate between the outer courtyard and the inner courtyard, which showed that it was his time to stand guard.
Yun Yichen silently calculated in his mind that he could rest at midnight. If something were to come out tomorrow, would he tell the Xiao family? Should he let him be a witness to what he had done? Or should he stay out of it and protect himself first? After a moment's hesitation, Yun Yichen chose the latter.
The heavy rain continued for another half an hour before gradually turning into light rain. Yun Yichen asked Xiao Anzi to find two people to help clean up the broken branches and leaves in front of the door. At the signal of his master, Xiao Anzi called a few people over, including Xiao Lang.
"Are you going to rest tonight?" While Xiao Anzi attracted the attention of several other people, Yun Yichen leaned against the door and asked Xiao Lang in a low voice.
"Yes." Xiao Lang continued with his work. Of course, he knew the prince. There was hardly anyone in Kyoto who didn't know him. Xiao Lang's gentleness didn't mean he was dull. Everyone understood what it meant that the Queen Mother was traveling with only Miss Han and Prince Jing. However, judging by Yun Yichen's lukewarm attitude towards Miss Han, the Han family's conspiracy was unlikely to succeed.
"Stay in your own yard tonight. Don't come out no matter what happens. If necessary, you can drink some wine and pretend to be drunk. Remember my words." After saying these words, Yun Yichen slipped back to the room, leaving Xiao Lang alone with his head down and his waist bent. He seemed to be doing something, but in fact he was already motionless.
"I think the atmosphere today is a little weird." Kong Xuzhe ran to Yun Yichen's room after the rain stopped. He was very nervous for a long time and felt that something was going to happen.
"You're not that slow." Yun Yichen rarely asked him to sit down. Xiao Anzi then brought three cups of tea, placed them on the table, and walked out. He closed the door with his own hands, stood in the corridor, and called a few young palace maids to play with them.
The palace maids who stayed in the villa all year round were a little shy and restrained at first, but they soon became friends with Xiao Anzi. Later, the only sound in the yard was the giggling of a group of girls.
Kong Xuzhe gave Yun Yichen a thumbs up. This master and servant were worthy of having been together in Kyoto for so many years. When it comes to the degree of scheming, he really couldn't compare to them.
Yun Yichen took the unoccupied cup of tea and dipped his right index finger in water, writing on the table, "Something might happen tonight. Remember to take the detoxification pill before dinner."
Is something going to happen? This guy's way of communicating with others is quite unique. I can learn from him.
Prince Min, you should be thinking about how to get through this night safely, okay? Can you put all that nonsense aside for now? Did you know this way of communicating is hereditary? That's how Prince Jing communicated with his wife back then. As they say, those who keep company with vermilion become red, and those who keep company with ink become black. Could it be that Xiao Yuan has infected you with a naiveté?
"Ahem." Yun Yichen was also impressed by the person in front of him. Now it has come to the critical moment, can you think of something useful?
"By the way, who is the person you asked me to take good care of?" Kong Xuzhe wiped the water stains on the table and wrote a few words.
"He might be your future uncle."
"The eldest young master of the Xiao family." Kong Xuzhe blurted out, and then shut his mouth belatedly. Fortunately, Xiao Anzi was covering outside, and the chattering of the palace maids drowned out Kong Xuzhe's voice.
Yun Yichen was so angry that he didn't want to continue the conversation. But when he thought about how this person had gotten involved in this mess because of his connections, he had to patiently start a conversation with him again. After "going over" the things he needed to pay attention to and the subsequent arrangements, he breathed a sigh of relief, then leaned back in his chair and called out, "Xiao Anzi."
"Ladies, let's continue this conversation tomorrow. Xiao Anzi, I have to go back and wait for your orders." After chatting with these silly ladies for a long time, Xiao An's throat was about to smoke. The ears suffered the most. I don't know where all the funny things came from. These people can laugh non-stop, but why don't I find anything funny?
"Prince, what do you want to talk to me about?" Xiao Anzi stared greedily at the teapot on the table. He wished the prince could reward him with a cup of tea.
"Eunuch An, let me pour you a cup of tea. You've worked hard for so long, but it must feel nice to chat with a group of girls!" Kong Xuzhe teased, filling the cup in his hand and handing it to little Anzi personally.
"How dare I trouble you! I'll do it myself." Xiao Anzi did not take the cup immediately, but turned to look at Yun Yichen. He really didn't dare to drink the tea without his master's permission.
"Drink it! There are not many people who can have Prince Min pour tea for them personally. You must cherish this opportunity." The problems were almost dealt with, and Yun Yichen relaxed. Although he was serious on weekdays, he would occasionally make a joke when he was happy.
"Your Highness, the Queen Mother of Prince Min wants you to have dinner with her or in your own room." The sharp voice of the eunuch delivering the decree came from outside the door.
Yun Yichen and Kong Xuzhe looked at each other. Is it about to begin?
"Let's go have dinner with the Empress Dowager. You should go back and report first! Prince Min and I will change our clothes and come over."
"Yes." The eunuch who delivered the order turned around and listened to the message. The sound of his footsteps gradually faded away.
Yun Yichen and Kong Xuzhe changed their clothes and walked towards Empress Dowager Han's residence, one in front and the other behind. Yun Yichen glanced at the roof in the darkening sky. He wished he was just being too suspicious and that the Empress Dowager was still the old lady who loved and cared for him.
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