Chapter 432: Can’t Just Sit and Wait
The imperial edict to appoint a crown prince was read out by Feng Youcai during the court session.
Everything is finally settled.
Xiao Yanlin knelt down to receive the order, his still young face full of the triumphant feeling of having gotten what he wanted.
"I, your son, bow down to thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace! While I am delighted to receive the imperial decree today, I also feel a sense of treading on thin ice. I remember your Majesty's hard work, and I am willing to share your care and serve you. If there is anything I cannot do, I beg for your guidance."
All the court officials knelt down and congratulated the prince.
After returning to the palace, the princess and concubines came forward to congratulate him. Xiao Yanlin was in a good mood and ordered that everyone in the palace should be rewarded.
Prince Ning was named Crown Prince, and the Ministry of Rites immediately began to prepare for the enthronement ceremony.
In addition, he could not live in Prince Ning's Mansion and had to move to the Eastern Palace.
These things are tedious and complicated, but every link is indispensable.
Especially the enthronement ceremony, the Ministry of Rites took it very seriously and would not dare to make any mistakes.
The news quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys, and also reached Prince Jin's Mansion.
The entire palace was shrouded in a layer of low pressure.
Lu Zhiran also felt heavy in her heart.
They originally thought that once they had evidence of the Zhao family's crimes, they would be able to take advantage of the opportunity to turn the tables.
But unexpectedly, Xiao Yanlin directly cut off the source of the problem and attacked Gu Qishan.
Lu Zhiran wanted to find out about Gu Qishan's situation, but was powerless.
Emperor Defeng's declining health and the issuance of the imperial edict to appoint a crown prince made the situation even worse.
She couldn't continue to sit idly by.
She had to find a way to get out of here.
Originally, Emperor Defeng was in good health, so it would have been wisest for her to stay in Prince Jin's mansion.
Now, Xiao Yanlin has become the crown prince, and Emperor Defeng may fall at any time. It would be very dangerous for her to continue staying in the palace.
Not only might he lose his life, but he might also become a hostage to hold Xiao Yanci hostage.
But where would she be safest hiding?
Before she could think it through, a servant came to tell her that Xiao Baozhu had arrived.
Lu Zhiran's eyes lit up slightly, and she immediately went out to greet him.
Originally, Prince Jin's Mansion did not allow visitors, but Xiao Baozhu was so firm in her attitude that the imperial guards at the gate did not dare to stop her.
During this period, she became a frequent visitor to Prince Jin's Mansion.
Xiao Baozhu looked obviously much more haggard.
As soon as she saw Lu Zhiran, she closed the door and got straight to the point without even reminiscing about the past.
"Sister Ran, quickly change into your maid's clothes and come with me later. The weather outside is about to change, and you can't stay in the palace any longer."
Lu Zhiran originally wanted to ask Xiao Baozhu for help, to cover her escape and temporarily take her in.
But this matter would ultimately require Xiao Baozhu to bear the risk, and she was still considering how to start the conversation.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Baozhu took the initiative to bring up this matter.
The tension and worry in her eyes were genuine, not fake at all, and Lu Zhiran couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
Lu Zhiran held her hand tightly.
"Baozhu, thank you. I really need your help. I will try my best not to implicate you..."
Xiao Baozhu glared at her, "What are you talking about? If I was afraid of being implicated by you, I wouldn't have come here."
Lu Zhiran stopped being polite and kept all her gratitude in her heart.
Xiao Baozhu urged her to change her clothes quickly, but Lu Zhiran said, "No rush. In the past, you always stayed for most of the day when you came to see me. If you rush today, it will only arouse suspicion."
After hearing this, Xiao Baozhu stopped and was about to take off the clothes.
"I'm just panicking. I just want to get you away from here quickly. Otherwise, if Eighth Brother remembers you and sends someone to arrest you, I'll be powerless to save you."
Even though she was a princess, she had no way to get people out of jail.
Lu Zhiran calmed down at this time, "No, Prince Ning... The Crown Prince can't take care of me now. At least he won't be able to take care of me until the enthronement ceremony is completed."
Xiao Yanlin planned carefully for so long just to make his throne legitimate.
Right now, nothing is more important than the enthronement ceremony.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Baozhu's tense mood relaxed a little.
Lu Zhiran lowered his voice and asked about Gu Qishan's situation.
Xiao Baozhu was a little depressed. "General Gu is in prison. I don't know how she's doing. I wanted to go see her, but I held back. I can't help with this matter. It would be useless to get involved rashly."
Lu Zhiran patted her hands and said, "I shouldn't have asked this question."
Xiao Baozhu was indeed powerless to do anything about this matter, even though she was a princess.
Xiao Baozhu moved closer and spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
"I have something in my hand that was sent to me by General Gu."
Lu Zhiran's mind moved, and he immediately guessed what it was.
As expected, Xiao Baozhu continued, "Those are account books, evidence of the Zhao family's wealth accumulation in southern Fujian over the years! Eighth brother instigated father to order the raid on the general's residence and imprison General Gu, no doubt to find these things. I never imagined the Zhao family would be so worthless!"
At the end, Xiao Baozhu's tone was very gnashing of teeth.
If the Eighth Prince wanted to fight for power, he could have done so openly and honestly instead of using such dirty means.
It is not shameful for a person to be ambitious, but it is simply despicable for him to use any means to achieve his ambition.
Lu Zhiran has also been worried about the whereabouts of the evidence. If it was taken away by Xiao Yanlin, all their previous efforts would be in vain.
Now, she can finally relax.
Xiao Baozhu continued, "Originally, I planned to find an opportunity to deliver those things to the Emperor, but every time I went to the palace these days, my Eighth Prince was always attending to the Emperor. I was afraid he would notice something, so I didn't dare to show it too much."
"I originally wanted to wait until Father's health improved before handing the things over to him, but I didn't expect... Father's health deteriorated day by day. Sometimes when I went to see him, he was dazed, as if he didn't recognize me."
"Eighth Brother must have done something to Father, which is why Father's health collapsed so quickly. He might have spies around Father. I'm even more afraid to take out the things, fearing that they will be exposed and he will take the opportunity to snatch the evidence."
"Now my father's health still hasn't improved, and he even issued an edict to appoint the Eighth Prince as the Crown Prince. Did I do something wrong?"
Lu Zhiran comforted her, "You did nothing wrong, Baozhu, you did very well. At this critical moment, self-preservation is the most important thing. Only by protecting yourself first can you plan a counterattack."
After receiving the encouragement, Xiao Baozhu immediately regained her spirits.
"Sister Ran, what should I do next? When should I produce the evidence?"
Lu Zhiran pondered, "The time is not right now, so you should keep the things away. Remember, except for your most trusted confidants, no one else can know about this. Otherwise, the prince might do something bad to you."
Cold sweat broke out on Xiao Baozhu's back and she nodded vigorously.
Lu Zhiran added, "Also, to protect the Emperor's safety, the Eighth Prince must be named Crown Prince, and it is only natural for him to succeed the throne. I'm afraid he will do something bad to the Emperor."
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