Chapter 3, Misfortune or Blessing

Li Longji stared at him for a moment before saying: "You still remember to kneel, you are not completely muddled yet." The general stood up and said coldly: "I request that the Prince of Linzi dismount and walk, for this is the rule of the Daming Palace"

Upon waking, I realized that I had slept through the night in my clothes

She looked at me through the bronze mirror, seemingly hesitant, and said: "I still remember one thing." I looked at her, just about to ask when I suddenly recalled my uncle's words; today is the new moon and full moon day, the day for the Wu clan princes to pay their respects!

Yiping nodded in apparent understanding, hurriedly instructing the palace maid waiting outside not to enter, and rushed out.

I nodded in agreement, and she continued: "That day, both Princess Taiping and I were at the Penglai Hall, and we were startled to see the Duke of Linzi kneeling to plead for forgiveness. But can you guess what the Emperor said in response?"

This is precisely what I most want to know. I hurriedly asked, "Is Your Majesty in a fit of rage?"

The guarding attendant hurried forward to block the way: "Boldly, who dares to drive a carriage through the Fengyang Gate?"

"Shut up!" Li Longji's expression darkened as he shouted, "What business do you have in my Li family's court?!"

I suspect she intentionally came to help, hurriedly saying: "Did Miss Shangguan send you here?" She nodded eagerly and replied: "Indeed." I let out a quiet sigh and said: "I am about to escort the Prince of Linzi to the Penglai Palace, and this general seems to be worried that someone might falsely convey a decree, endangering the safety of the Prince of Linzi—" She immediately understood my meaning, quickly took out her waist token and handed it to the general, saying: "We are all palace maids by the Emperor's side, and we have the token as proof."

I looked at him helplessly and asked, "When did the prince realize that I was lying?" He thought for a moment and replied, "When you tugged at my sleeve, I did not believe that the palace maid serving beside the Empress Dowager had the audacity to do so." I smiled at him and pressed on, "Since the prince saw through it, why did you not expose me?" He looked at me helplessly as well and said, "You offered your help, so why would I expose you?"

Although the general was reluctant, he still knelt on one knee and raised his sleeve, saying: "I, the humble general Wu Yizong, pay my respects to the Prince of Linzi County." The guards behind him, seeing this, also hurriedly knelt and paid their respects

Wan'er did not pay much attention to me and continued: "The Prince of Linzi County was obstructed at the Fengyang Gate, and during the verbal conflict, he actually stood on the carriage and scolded, saying, 'What does my Li family dynasty have to do with you!'" I quickly interjected, saying, "Wasn't it the day when the uncles entered the palace to pay their respects when the prince entered?" She nodded and said, "Fortunately, the Emperor was in the Penglai Hall listening to the Prince of Linzi County plead for forgiveness, which is how he learned of this matter. If it had been during the audience, it would have certainly resulted in a significant punishment. Now, at this critical moment, in front of the various princes, the Emperor would definitely not cover for him."

Only after Yiping carefully explained everything did I finally understand it thoroughly

Li Longji? I paused my steps and hid beneath a stone pillar to observe closely

I have said enough, and then remarked: "To the northwest of Taiye Pool is Penglai Hall. At this moment, the Emperor is discussing matters with the princes of the Wu family. The prince may first enjoy the scenery of Taiye Pool, and when the time is right, proceed to Penglai Hall to meet the Emperor. I shall not accompany you any longer."

I found myself momentarily distracted, and after standing silently with him for a while, I said: "There are many eyes and ears in the palace, so I shall not stay longer." He called out to stop me, but after a moment's thought, he said: "Never mind, if I were to ask your name, you would probably fear that I might inadvertently let it slip. Thank you for your assistance today."

I listened attentively, without responding, and took a piece of flaky pastry from the golden plate, placing it in front of her

After Yiping attended to my grooming, she complained, "Princess Yongtai truly has a great interest; she has been in the Daming Palace for seven years yet still has not had her fill of the Taiye Pool." I turned my head to look at her and said, "After the heavy rain has just ceased, the waters of the Taiye Pool are particularly rich and vibrant, indeed more charming than usual."

As long as he dismounts from the carriage first, he can avoid this disaster, and once they reach a deserted place, he can explain everything to him. When the Emperor returns from the Zicheng Hall to the Penglai Hall, he only needs to falsely claim that he arrived late, and the Emperor will certainly not blame a half-grown child. Just now, in a moment of thought, I could only make these calculations, but now, kneeling quietly on the ground, I feel that there are numerous flaws in my plan; if it is discovered, it would be a grave crime.

Upon seeing this situation, the general concluded that the people inside were frightened. He let out a cold laugh and said: "Today is the day for the princes of the Wu family to pay their respects, even Duke Zhou dismounted and walked outside the Fengyang Gate. How can the Prince of Linzi not lower himself to get off the carriage?" His words were laced with sarcasm, and he brought up Duke Zhou, Wu Chengzi, clearly implying that even Wu Chengzi, who was highly likely to become the crown prince, had dismounted. How could Li Longji, this powerless and insignificant prince, be an exception?

I couldn't help but gasp in shock, yet there was complete silence inside the carriage

At this moment, everything seemed normal. I stood still for a moment, then lowered my head and headed towards the Fengyang Gate. That gate is the necessary passage to enter the palace. If Li Longji were to enter the palace to meet with the Wu family princes, he would undoubtedly have to pass through this gate. Now that I see my uncles have entered the Zicheng Hall, I feel a bit more at ease, yet I still remain anxious about his words.

During dinner, I could no longer hold it in and told Wan'er about the matter, only to receive her muffled laughter in response: "I was wondering why you hadn't left the palace for several days; it turns out you have a case of drunkenness." She sighed in admiration and said, "Even the Princess Taiping has to consider the mood of Doctor Shen when seeking a diagnosis. You truly are fortunate; even a mere case of drunkenness requires the personal attention of a renowned physician's disciple to prescribe treatment.

He turned his head to glance at the vast water surface and murmured, "Last night, my elder brother mentioned taking a night stroll at Taiye Pool; today, I shall follow the same path once again." Upon hearing him mention 'elder brother,' I understood he was referring to Li Chengqi. ... Last night, after he left the palace with the Prince of Hengyang, he unexpectedly made a point to discuss this matter with Li Longji upon returning home ...

The princess broke into a cold sweat, wondering if there was something unpleasant to guess. He shook his head with a smile and said, "It's just a wine rash; if the little one goes back and prepares a prescription, it can be completely cured in no more than ten days. However, for these ten days, you must not wear any makeup." I was taken aback for a moment, but seeing him smiling so lightly, I didn't know what a wine rash was, yet I understood that it was not a serious issue. I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief and asked, "Does Doctor Shen not need to take my pulse?"

The chariots of the various kings were all waiting outside the palace gates. At this moment, a chariot slowly approached, accompanied by mounted guards for protection. Upon reaching the Fengyang Gate, the guards dismounted, yet the chariot showed no intention of stopping

Having known each other for nearly three years, I have grown from a nine-year-old child to who I am today. How could everything she has done be solely for herself, as she claims? Her candid exclamation today left me momentarily speechless. After quietly eating half a piece of flaky pastry, I finally smiled and said, "Sister, why must you turn nine parts of sincerity into ten parts of calculation?"

The attendants accompanying the carriage all had ashen faces, their swords pointed directly at the city defense commander

I pretended not to understand and asked, "What is it?"

I felt uneasy, so I asked Yiping to discreetly inquire about his background. This physician's surname is Shen, and his given name is Qiu. He has an elder brother working at the Imperial Pharmacy, named Shen Nanliao. The two brothers hold a prominent position at the Imperial Pharmacy; the elder brother is highly regarded by the Emperor, while he is renowned for having studied under the "Divine Physician" Sun Simiao during his youth

I sat in front of the dressing table and noticed a red spot on my right side. When I pressed it with my hand, it still hurt a little. I couldn't help but stare at Yiping and asked, "What is this?" Yiping leaned over to take a look, half surprised and half doubtful, and said, "It doesn't really look like a rash... I will have someone fetch the doctor to take a look." After she finished speaking, she hurriedly put down the jade comb.

A warmth filled my heart as Wan'er said earnestly, "Thank you, sister, for your constant care." Wan'er raised an eyebrow, shook her head, and smiled, saying, "Perhaps it is because I have a connection with you, or perhaps it is because your surname is Wu. In any case, my intention in offering you guidance is also for my own benefit. I entered the inner court from the Prime Minister's residence, and then from the inner court to the Penglai Palace, all relying solely on a word from the Emperor. But what comes after the Emperor? You share a blood relationship with the Emperor, and if you can remember what I have done, it may one day become a lifeline."

He said, "There is no need; this is a common ailment, prevalent in autumn, and the princess need not be so anxious." After he finished speaking, he quietly advised a few more things, all of which were to avoid makeup and spicy foods. Ping diligently noted these in her mind and respectfully saw him out.

Whenever I consume alcohol, I always break out in a rash, a condition I have had since childhood. However, I have not touched any alcoholic beverages tonight, so how could this happen? I took another careful look and felt a chill run through me; could it be smallpox? My aunt's daughter contracted smallpox and died within a few days. Although my aunt was fortunate enough to escape the disease, she was expelled from the house and spent her life in solitude in my father's old residence.

If relief is not provided at this moment, there will be no opportunity left

In the late autumn, the white sun shines brightly, with not a single cloud in sight

Yesterday, I originally intended to forget this matter, but after a few brief words exchanged between the Emperor and Prince Yongping at the banquet, I found myself wavering. It is well known that Li Longji has been proud since childhood and has never been favored by the military families. He is merely a child of seven or eight years old, and if he were to encounter someone like his uncle, he would surely not fare well. ... Moreover, the bond between the brothers is deep; if it is indeed Li Longji who is being troubled, he is aware of this matter, yet one cannot predict how he would respond ...

How could I have anticipated such a joyous outcome? Remembering that youthful and spirited boy, I cannot help but feel happy for him: "In this case, it seems that Grandmother Huang is truly fond of this grandson."

Yiping heard a noise from outside and hurriedly asked, "Is the princess awake?" I replied, "What time is it?" She said, "The princess has been sleeping a lot these past two days; it is already noon." I responded again, got out of bed, and tucked the book under my pillow.

With a determined bite of my teeth, I rushed out from behind the stone pillar, pretending to hurry as I took a few quick steps. Before anyone could react, I suddenly knelt down at the foot of the Fengyang Gate, lowering my head and saying: "This servant has been commanded to guide the Prince of Linzi." No one expected this sudden turn of events, and all eyes were fixed on me with intense scrutiny, but I only focused on the ground and continued: "By the Emperor's decree, after dismounting, the Prince of Linzi will follow this servant to the Penglai Hall to meet the Emperor."

By the time I returned to the palace, most of the dark clouds had dissipated, and faint starlight was beginning to appear.

After two or three days had passed, there were no private discussions in the palace, which could be considered a close call without any real danger

Wan'er suddenly recalled something and smiled at me, saying: "Would you like to hear some matters related to him?" I paused slightly, and seeing her three parts teasing smile, I immediately understood what she was referring to, and just smiled, saying: "Did you not advise me to let go? Why bring it up intentionally?" Wan'er replied: "In my eyes, you are all still children, your youthful and naive feelings are pure and easily forgotten. Sharing some matters about the Crown Prince with you may be beneficial for you to avoid troubles in the future"

That night, I instructed Yiping to find a young one, but merely someone who could maintain order, to prevent any inappropriate discussions in the palace. At that moment, I realized that the accidental encounter that night had led me to someone with exceptional medical skills and a prestigious status. No wonder, even in our occasional conversations, he did not seem to regard my identity with much importance

"Princess." Suddenly, a man's voice came from behind me, startling me so much that I dropped my comb and quickly turned around to look.

I felt a moment of boredom, so I reached under my pillow and took out the book "On the Release of Personal Desires," casually flipping open a page to read it closely. At first glance, his ink strokes struck me as remarkably spirited; now, they seem to bear a hint of Ouyang Xun's influence, yet infused with a certain carefree and unrestrained essence reminiscent of the Wei and Jin dynasties, mingling with the scent of incense and the aroma of ink.

"What plans do you have for today, Your Highness?" Yiping saw me place the bowl on the table and immediately pulled me to sit in front of the dressing table, saying, "You can only comb your hair and cannot apply makeup. It would be best for Your Highness to feign illness in advance over these ten days, to avoid startling His Majesty when summoned." I helplessly looked at the bronze mirror and replied, "There shouldn't be anything going on; it's cold, and I am too lazy to move around."

The young physician surnamed Shen asked, "Has the princess caught a chill? Besides the headache, where else is she feeling unwell?"

At this moment, the carriage door was finally opened, and a young boy, around seven or eight years old, emerged from within. Dressed in a purple robe with a jade belt, and wearing a black silk headscarf, he truly matched the rumors of his proud and unrestrained demeanor. He stood silently on the carriage, coldly observing the city’s military commander.

Could it be that he truly intends to stop me from meeting Li Longji and has sent someone to verify? I took a deep breath, forcing myself to remain calm; as long as the audience in the Zichan Hall had not concluded, no one here would recognize me. However, Li Longji beside me had already furrowed his brows tightly, clearly impatient, and was about to reprimand him again when I preemptively tugged at his sleeve.

The city defense general was taken aback for a moment, and the eunuch beside the carriage shouted, "Boldly, do you dare not pay your respects to the Prince of Linzi County!"

I truly do not understand this time, and I am closely watching her, waiting for her to continue. She took a sip of tea and said: "Although I intended to scold him a bit, I immediately laughed and praised him, commending the young Prince of Linzi for his high aspirations and royal demeanor." Wan'er also appeared to be astonished, as she likely did not expect the Emperor to react in such a manner

At this thought, a shiver ran through me, my palms were already drenched in sweat, and deep red marks were left by my nails digging in.

Li Longji furrowed his brows and shook his head, saying: "What you are doing is not just audacious; it is simply reckless to the point of endangering your life"

She continued, saying: "This person is much more experienced than Xue Huaiyi. Xue Huaiyi is arrogant in front of others, yet his thoughts are shallow, while he—" She paused for a moment and then said, "entered the palace in the same year as I did, and has managed to navigate step by step to reach his current position. Just thinking about this makes me feel that something is amiss."

"Princess," Yiping said with a soft laugh, "You should rest soon. Doctor Shen also mentioned that going to bed early will help you recover faster." I replied with a sound of agreement, allowing her to light the incense and set up the curtains. Just as she was about to extinguish the candles, I said, "Let me read for a while first; you may go down now."

The general examined closely and indeed found it to be a specially made waist badge, leaving no excuse to obstruct and could only bow and make way

As I was also in doubt, the maid had already risen and looked up. Upon seeing her appearance, I felt a surge of joy in my heart; she was the palace maid whom I had called out to fetch tea during the banquet that day. She too gazed at me intently and said, "I have come to look for my sister." Her words were ambiguous, suggesting that she was observing the standoff from a distance but was unaware of the circumstances.

Doctor Shen came for a follow-up consultation again. Seeing that I was more or less following his medical advice, he smiled and gave me a few words of instruction, then wrote out a prescription and handed it to me. For some reason, ever since our first meeting, I have found this person to be quite peculiar. He never shies away from addressing me as a princess, and his words always carry a hint of jest. Even Yiping privately remarked whether this doctor is particularly unusual.

This statement struck like thunder, startling everyone, including the general, who suddenly fell silent. When he regained his composure, he realized he had lost his demeanor and took two steps back, holding his sword and saying: "The Fengyang Gate has always been restricted to carriages and horses—" Li Longji interrupted once more, saying: "Today, I intend to break this rule. What do you intend to do about it?"

Wan'er rested her chin on her hand and said, "If you speak ill of me first, you will instead remember my good qualities." She shook her head with a smile and continued, "Alright, let's get back to the matter at hand. That day, something happened when the Prince of Linzi entered the palace; have you heard about it?"

While I was still feeling frustrated, Li Longji unexpectedly trusted me first and spoke to the person beside him, saying: "You all wait outside Fengyang Gate." The crowd bowed in response, and only then did Li Longji say to me: "Get up."

He paused for a moment in silence, just as I was feeling anxious, when he suddenly smiled and said, "I can see, but it is difficult for a lowly person to discern the illness with the princess sitting behind the screen." I was taken aback by his smile, realizing how foolish I had been, and hurriedly got up to go outside to see him, saying, "Can it be observed closely here?"

He pondered for a moment, nodded, and said: "I understand this reasoning. If I personally speak of this matter, my grandmother will not send anyone to investigate it in detail, and this matter will not reach her ears."

I walked anxiously under the sun to a distance from the Zichan Hall, where I saw the princes chatting and laughing as they walked. In the distance, I noticed Duke Wu Chengsi of the Zhou state and Wu Sansi engaged in a quiet conversation, occasionally breaking into smiles, while my father smiled along without uttering a word. Since I had not been by my father's side before entering the palace, there were naturally many unfamiliar faces whose identities I did not know, but they were all members of the Wu family nobility.

I listened to his every word, feeling a chill run down my spine. If this confrontation continued for even a moment longer, it would surely reach the Zicheng Hall. By then, my uncles would embellish the story, and my imperial grandmother would undoubtedly impose punishment. Today, he was first insulted by others, yet he dared to publicly provoke the rules of the Ming Palace

She looked at me in confusion, then exited the curtain. In just half an hour, my heart was in turmoil. I let out a long breath, lay down on the bed, and stared blankly at the light-colored tassels on the bed canopy. Just a small wine prick had frightened me this much. Fortunately, my father always praises my calm demeanor, and I still believe I have learned to remain unperturbed by honor or disgrace in the palace.

Li Longji nodded and was about to follow me when he heard the general coldly ask: "Do you have a waist token?"

Yiping hurriedly helped me with my makeup, yet I became increasingly restless. I kept reassuring myself that during the audience with the Wu family princes, my uncle would certainly not have any thoughts of paying special attention to me; I just needed to avoid the Wu family members.

The Emperor is quite fond of the princesses and noble ladies residing in the palace, and whenever they fall ill, he insists that the senior physicians from the Imperial Pharmacy attend to them. If he were truly valued, during the high fever I experienced last year in the first month, why was this person not present among the many esteemed physicians who consulted on my case

Wan'er nodded and said, "This matter must have already reached the ears of your several uncles. The extent of the Emperor's genuine affection is difficult for anyone to discern, but at the very least, the status of these children and grandchildren in her heart is not so low."

I do possess a Yiping, but it is not the unique waist token of the palace maids beside the Emperor

He looked at me in surprise, and I quickly shook my head

He seemed to hesitate, and I bowed and said: "This servant obeys the orders of Miss Shangguan in the palace. If the general believes that this servant has acted improperly today, he may certainly bring it to Miss Shangguan for her decision in the future. Today, with the imperial decree in hand, I am afraid I cannot stay longer." No matter what, as a city guard general, he could easily move against me, so I decided to shift the responsibility onto Wan'er, as I figured he would not dare to truly seek verification.

I recalled the scene just now and stared at him with a smile, saying: "If the prince truly understood, he would not have acted that way, and I would not have had to risk my life to intervene." Li Longji snorted lightly and said: "Understanding or not, how can the illustrious Li family royal be humiliated by a mere gatekeeper? Moreover, he even dared to compare himself to Wu Chengzi."

I exchanged a glance with the young palace maid, who led the way ahead. We entered through the Fengyang Gate, avoiding the Zicheng Hall, and walked straight north until we finally reached the inner courtyard of the Daming Palace, allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief. To the northwest of the Taiye Pool is the Penglai Hall. I instinctively glanced back at the path we had taken; seeing no one paying attention, I signaled for the young palace maid to stand guard to the side and quietly said to Li Longji: "May I have a moment alone with the prince?"

The several guards, upon hearing that it was the Prince of Linzi, seemed somewhat hesitant. Just as they were about to allow passage, a city guard commander shouted from a distance: "No one is allowed to enter the Fengyang Gate by carriage, regardless of who they are." The commander strode to the front of the gate and, with a sharp sound, half-drew his sword, saying: "Your Highness, please dismount and walk in."

Although I thought carefully, I felt increasingly uncertain in my heart. Just as I was about to urge again, a figure in light lotus color hurriedly approached from a distance. It was also a young palace maid. She lowered her head and hurriedly knelt down before me, saying: "This servant has seen His Royal Highness, the Prince of Linzi"

I suddenly stood up, deciding to take a look, as it is certainly better than making random guesses here

Wan'er observed me rather subtly, leaving me perplexed. After a while, she sighed and said, "I did not wish to tell you this, but it is better for you to know, lest you offend him in the future." She cast a glance outside the door and continued, "Shen Nanliao is the emperor's new favorite; currently, even the monk Xue Huaiyi cannot compare to his status."

I added some dishes for her and said, "Sister, please don't mock me. Is it true that her brother, that Shen Nanliao, is indeed quite favored by the Emperor? How come I have never seen him?"

When she came in to help me tidy up, I noticed that a bowl of medicine had already been placed on the table, still steaming: "How did you know I would wake up at this time?" Yiping looked at me helplessly and said, "I didn't know, so this bowl of medicine has been heated three or four times already." I stuck out my tongue, reached out to pick up the bowl of medicine, and drank it in one gulp. Hmm, the taste isn't too unpleasant.

At the Fengyang Gate, tensions were already running high, and the general seemed to be thinking along the same lines as I was, turning his head to summon a guard for a whispered instruction. Li Longji remained unafraid, standing on the carriage, staring at him.

Li Longji looked at me with confusion and said to her, "Get up, what is the matter?"

He squinted his eyes and scrutinized me after hearing this, suddenly turning his head to whisper something to the person beside him

"Yongan," Wan'er called out to me, saying, "This time when we go to Luoyang, several princes of the crown prince will accompany us, so you need to be cautious."

A young man carrying a wooden box bowed deeply, while Yiping, standing behind him, was slightly out of breath. I took a deep breath, sat down, and walked behind the screen, saying: "Thank you for your hard work, Doctor. Please take a seat." Through the screen, I saw the young doctor straighten up, and Yiping nervously moved a low stool in front of the screen, standing to one side.

I felt a sudden rush of anxiety in my heart, hurriedly reaching out to grab her, and said: "Go fetch someone younger, you go yourself, just say that I strolled around Taiye Pool after dinner and caught a bit of a headache from the wind"

I paused for a moment and said, "I have developed some faint red spots on my face, can you see them?" As he is the imperial physician, he must certainly understand my hint

Is the princess really going?" Yiping clearly understood my thoughts and bit her lip, saying, "The princess's face..." I glanced uneasily at the bronze mirror; there were only a few specks of red, so it should be nothing to be ashamed of: "I am going to find a simple outfit. I do not need to see the emperor, just going to take a look outside the Zicheng Hall."

I took a deep breath and looked up to see him getting off the carriage. He was already as tall as I was at just seven or eight years old. He smiled kindly at me and said, "Thank you for your trouble." I quickly bowed and replied, "I dare not, Your Highness, please."

His black eyes were filled with a triumphant smile

A eunuch jumped down from the carriage and took out his waist badge, saying: "The Prince of Linzi County is ordered to enter the palace"

Wan'er smiled gently and said, "There is not a trace of anger, but rather a great deal of joy"

New pet? I looked up at her and saw her nodding slightly again

I gazed directly at the general and calmly said, "General, what does this mean? Is it possible that even those around the Emperor require your supervision?"

If it is not about Li Longji, then what could it be about

I nodded and said, "Since the Prince is already aware of the severity of the situation, allow me to offer a piece of advice." I raised my chin and pointed to the young palace maid, saying, "That maid indeed belongs to the Emperor's palace. Shortly, I will have her take the Prince to the Penglai Hall. If the Emperor inquires, the Prince can simply say that he arrived a bit late and had a minor misunderstanding with the gatekeeper at the Fengyang Gate, which is why he did not have time to enter the Zitan Hall to meet the various Wang of the Wu family."

She just responded with a sound, but I changed my mind and said, "Bring me a palace maid's outfit." Yiping exclaimed softly, saying, "If the county lord is seen by others..." I gestured for her to lower her voice and said, "An ugly palace maid, no one will pay attention to her. With thousands of servants in the palace, not many will recognize me. Now, give me your waist token as well."

Since the divine decree has been falsely proclaimed, one cannot afford to be defeated at this moment

After she finished speaking, she no longer continued on that topic and instead mentioned matters related to going to the Fengxian Temple in Luoyang to offer incense

Li Longji gestured for the young eunuch following him to step aside, smiling as he said to me: "I have been waiting for you to say this for a long time."

Under the light, he narrowed his eyes and scrutinized my face. I had never been so openly stared at by someone, yet I could only stand there awkwardly, motionless, my palms dry one moment and then quickly dampened again.

In the palace over the past two years, thanks to Wan'er’s hints, I gradually came to understand that the tall man in monk's robes is Xue Huaiyi, a favored male consort privately kept by the Emperor outside the palace. However, she has never mentioned the imperial physician Shen Nanliao to me... Suddenly, a scene from a month ago by the Taiye Pool flashed in my mind. Could that man be Shen Nanliao?

As I pondered, I had already approached the Fengyang Gate

I shook my head and smiled, then quietly instructed the young palace maid a few words before bowing and taking my leave

There are also guards outside the Zichendian. If a conflict arises here, it will undoubtedly raise suspicions, and the situation will become increasingly difficult to manage. At this moment, we can only gamble on the courage of this general. Even if he has doubts, he cannot be completely certain; as long as he has even a slight hesitation, there is a chance to turn it into a fifty percent apprehension.

The matter of Fengyang Gate cannot be concealed; it is better for him to speak of it himself. There are not many of my uncles in the Penglai Palace, so naturally, no one will seek trouble with him. I estimate that my imperial grandmother will not say much after hearing it. A half-grown child, being a royal grandson, it is understandable for him to have some conflicts with the commoners

The sudden flash of cold light from the sword's edge momentarily stunned the several guards accompanying the carriage, who immediately drew their swords from their waists and exclaimed, "Bold!" In an instant, the crowd surrounded the carriage, their eyes filled with murderous intent as they looked at the commander, seemingly waiting for a command to draw their swords and charge.

I stood up, then dazedly sat back down, absentmindedly picking up a comb and holding it in my hand, brushing through my disheveled hair, while my mind was swirling with thoughts, yet I could not discern what I was thinking about

While waiting for Yiping to re-enter, I stood there foolishly, secretly cursing myself for being so contemplative

As I casually engaged in conversation, I pondered her seemingly ambiguous words. At present, the Li and Wu clans are vying for the position of Crown Prince. Perhaps the attitude of the Empress Dowager towards Li Longji in this matter is an implicit indication regarding the Crown Prince position

I was taken aback and stared at him in silence

In his striking features, there still lingered a hint of childishness, yet he insisted on maintaining the demeanor of a prince, which made it hard for me to suppress my laughter. When Li Longji noticed me smiling at him, he looked at me in confusion, prompting me to quickly compose myself and say: "The prince is not wrong in this regard. Regardless of whether I serve at the emperor's side or not, I am indeed here to assist the prince. Today is the day for the various princes of the Wu family to pay their respects, and the prince's commotion at the Fengyang Gate is bound to attract trouble. That is why I had the audacity to feign a decree to stop the prince."

Indeed, a person of understanding