Chapter 1086: Chapter 1076: Crown Prince (2)
He, with a mind as gray and chaotic as ash, hurriedly packed a bundle and rushed out the door.
For so many years, he never dared to open the bundle, only kept it in the trunk with the key on him.
Suddenly, he felt somewhat puzzled why Grandmother suddenly handed him some of Uncle’s clothes? If it were just for remembrance, many things could suffice, like a jade pendant, a fan, or even a painting and calligraphy. Why clothes?
Thinking of this, he seemed to realize something and hurriedly took out the key from his body, went to the bedroom, and tightly closed the door. He dragged the trunk out from under the bed, it was very big and he struggled to drag it with one hand. Soon his back was sweating, he gritted his teeth and dragged it out, used his shoulder to brace the lock while struggling to unlock it with one hand.
He finally managed to open the bundle, inside were indeed neatly folded clothes, one in dark green, one in bamboo color, and one in light blue, all colors Uncle often wore during his lifetime...
He was frustrated again!
Inside, besides clothes, there was nothing else. Did he misunderstand Grandmother’s intention?
He sat on the ground, exhaled a breath in annoyance, and laughed self-mockingly. Even if Grandmother gave him some hint, what use would it be? Unless he held the Tiger Talisman in his hand, even an immortal could not change his situation.
Min quickly wrote a letter and gave it to Chief Su, instructing, "Deliver one personally to the Great Governor, and send the other to the Imperial Awakening Temple for the Imperial Concubine." The Imperial Concubine had presided over the Six Palaces for many years, some matters as a Prince he couldn’t handle, but as a noble concubine, she could do so easily.
Outside, someone came knocking, Chief Su opened the door, a face unfamiliar little eunuch looked up, upon seeing Min, he knelt and greeted, hurriedly reporting, "The Director of the Imperial Hospital just went to Jiaotai Palace and came out a quarter-hour later, Chief Chang is brewing medicine in Jiaotai Palace’s small kitchen, several cabinet ministers are still waiting outside, Lord Shi went out twice, once outside the palace, but the servant lost him, and the other time he went to Caisi Palace to meet Consort Wen."
Min nodded, acknowledging, "Understood." The eunuch got up and silently retreated.
"You may go." Min nodded to Chief Su, who put the letter close to himself and swiftly exited.
Min looked at the sky, extinguished the light in the study, sitting alone inside.
After about two quarters of an hour, there were faint footsteps outside, someone knocked on the door, Min responded with a sound, someone pushed the door and entered, it was dark except for the weak moonlight projected from the window. That person didn’t look inside, quickly replied, "Your Highness, the Second Prince has gone to Jiaotai Palace."
Opposite was a moment of rigidity before responding, "Alone? How did he look?"
"Alone, before leaving he changed clothes, wore the hair crown somewhat askew, walked quickly with his head down."
Min nodded slightly, then remembered the opposite person couldn’t see, spoke out, "Follow him." That person responded and retreated out, closing the door.
Min suddenly stood up, clenching his fists, revealing a trace of anxious emotion.
What does old Second want to do? It’s impossible he doesn’t know the palace is under martial law, or that without the Emperor’s summons, no one can enter Jiaotai Palace.
What is he planning to do?
During this period, he has been walking around the palace with his tail between his legs, even when meeting Chief Chang he was courteous and polite, wishing he could become a servant himself. Yet, even such an old Second, in such circumstances, dared to take the risk to go to Jiaotai Palace.
What exactly is he wanting to do?
He can’t enter Jiaotai Palace, Shi Shengjie won’t allow him inside, why did he still go?
Was it just to check? But if it were just to inquire, why would he personally go?
His thoughts paused, as if recalling something, his eyes narrowed with a sharp light rising within, silently for a long time, he opened the door and went out.
Fourth Master Xiao did not alert anyone else, since he had submitted his resignation, he no longer interfered with the court affairs, especially at this time should even more avoid suspicion. But thinking of Min alone in the palace, if he is not there, Min will certainly feel uneasy. After some thought he still entered the palace gate but did not enter the inner palace, sitting in a secluded inner hall at Zhongzhi Gate. Here, no one moved, even those who saw him would pretend not to see.
The Emperor’s body is gradually coming to oil exhaustion and lamp extinction, but whether it can withstand tonight he is not worried.
Sitting alone in the unlit hall for a long time, suddenly the door creaked and someone shouted at the door, "Great Governor."
It was Su Lianhui’s voice.
"Chief." Fourth Master Xiao responded, Chief Su followed the voice inside, spoke lowly, "His Highness instructed the servant to deliver a letter to the Great Governor." Discovering there was no light here caused a moment of hesitation, handed the letter to Fourth Master Xiao, then softly explained the content, "His Highness is waiting in the sleeping palace, also dispatched people as per your instructions to inquire outside Jiaotai Palace." Pausing, continued, "His Highness also wrote another letter sent to the Imperial Awakening Temple for Consort Le."
Fourth Master Xiao took the letter and nodded, "Hmm, tell him to stay calm, and until there is news from the Imperial Hospital, until the Emperor summons, do not take any action."
Chief Su responded, retreated out.
He went out the door, walking through the traversing corridor, saw someone coming from afar, startled, hastened forward, "Your Highness?"
Min waved his hand at him, then gestured towards the hall where Fourth Master Xiao was, Chief Su stored away his surprise and silently followed him back.
Pushing the door entering, Fourth Master Xiao didn’t appear surprised at Min’s arrival as if he expected him, the hall was already lit, Fourth Master Xiao stood tall beside the lamp, gazing deeply at him. Min’s eyes grew warm, the word father caught in his throat.
Chief Su exited and closed the door.
Fourth Master Xiao asked, "Is there any movement from the Second Prince’s side?" Otherwise Min wouldn’t come personally.
Min wasn’t surprised he knew about this matter, so said, "He has recently been more restrained, but the child doesn’t understand why he went to Jiaotai Palace at this moment." That equals to inciting the Emperor’s suspicion of him.
Looking at Fourth Master Xiao’s calm face, Min’s previous emotional fluctuation settled down, Fourth Master Xiao gestured to him, they sat facing each other, Fourth Master Xiao asked, "What did you think of?" If Min hadn’t speculated on something, he wouldn’t risk coming to him.
They weren’t sure if the Emperor was critically ill. At this juncture, the palace was quiet everywhere, but they knew not seeing people didn’t mean they weren’t there, moreover, it didn’t exclude the emperor might just be feigning sickness to test them, so their actions must be even more cautious.
Min risking coming must be due to some uncertain matter.
"Father." Min, as usual, didn’t change his address, "The child suspects if Second Brother is holding the late Emperor’s testament."
Fourth Master Xiao frowned, pondered for a moment, then replied, "This cannot be excluded." Instead, he hoped the Second Prince would take it out, if the Emperor truly was just testing, taking the testament out would equivalent to threatening the Emperor, results would be self-evident, even if the Emperor was genuinely ill and angered by the testament in his hand...
Comments