There were rumbling thunder and lightning, the rain was getting heavier and the sky was getting darker.
Just as the hearts of the ministers were becoming increasingly heavy, just like the sky, footsteps were finally heard. Duke Dingguo felt relieved, but when the people gradually came into sight, the relief on his face suddenly dropped before he could even hold on.
"The Emperor has verbally ordered the Imperial Guard Commander Fu Gang to investigate the remnants of Chao Li. I am not feeling well and should not take a break. You may all disperse now."
Duke Dingguo stood up and looked at the eunuch Chang who came to announce the order with burning eyes, "This eunuch looks very unfamiliar."
Eunuch Chang subconsciously clenched his fist and unclenched it. This action was seen by Duke Anguo who had been staring at him closely. "I was recently summoned by the emperor to serve. Duke Dingguo doesn't often attend court, so it's not surprising that he hasn't seen me."
"I see." Duke Dingguo nodded slightly, "But I have some concerns about the royal heir. This matter is of great importance and cannot be delayed. Please inform the eunuch Chang that the emperor should not be informed. I will go to see him."
"this… "
"Hmm?" Duke Dingguo raised his eyebrows, dragging out the word "hmm" with a rhythmic meaning.
Eunuch Chang took a step back and bowed in a somewhat flustered manner, "I'll go and pass the message on right away."
As the footsteps faded away, Duke Dingguo snorted, "This is so unstable, it's far worse than Lai Fu."
Duke Anguo bowed to him and said, "Duke Dingguo is right."
Duke Dingguo ignored him, put his hands in his folds, closed his eyes and waited quietly. The others looked at each other. The Fourth Prince winked at someone, and that person said, "Should we obey the emperor's order and leave?"
Logically speaking, this was indeed the case. Since the emperor had given his instructions, there was no reason for them to stay any longer. Someone bowed to everyone and said, "The government office still has important matters to deal with. I will leave first."
Someone took the lead and people left one after another, but the emperor still did not show up. However, a strange eunuch who they did not trust spread this message, and most people were still confused and hesitated to leave.
The third prince looked around the fourth and youngest princes, then left with his hands behind his back.
The fourth prince approached Xiaoliu and asked, "Would you like to go together?"
Xiao Liu'er's expression remained unchanged. "It's raining too hard. I'll wait here for a while before leaving."
"The spring rain won't stop for a while. I have extra rain gear for you to use."
"Thank you, Fourth Brother. I'm not in a hurry."
The fourth prince chuckled and nodded, "I know you are worried about our father. Well, you just wait here. I will go and ask to see our mother to see if I can get in. Don't worry, if I find out anything about our father, I will let you know."
"Thank you very much, Fourth Brother."
After saying goodbye to each other in a friendly and respectful manner, they turned their backs and smiled. Xiao Liu carefully recalled what his fourth brother had said and done just now, while the fourth prince frowned. Could it be that there were really remnants of Chao Li in the palace? Or was it made up by someone? No, he had to go to the palace.
Another half hour passed before Eunuch Chang came over again. "Master Zongzheng, our family has informed the emperor that he does not want to deal with these matters at this time. Master Zongzheng will have full authority over the affairs of the ancestral hall."
"Please ask Eunuch Chang to make another trip. This matter involves the prince, and I cannot make the decision. I need the Emperor's instructions."
Eunuch Chang looked at him, bowed and left.
It was dark and the palace maids came in to light the lamps.
There were fewer people in the side hall, and most of the remaining ones were people who were related to Duke Anguo, Duke Dingguo or the Sixth Prince. Among this group of people, Wei Rongwen from the Wei family was particularly eye-catching.
As if he felt the eyes falling on him, Wei Jing straightened his sleeves and walked out the door. The Sixth Prince was standing very close to the palace door at this time, and he bowed as he passed by him.
Xiao Liu was stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted and reached out to hold his hand, "The steps are a little wet from the rain, Lord Wei, be careful."
"I don't deserve it." Although he said he didn't deserve it, Wei Rongwen didn't show any sign of not worthy. He let him cross the threshold, then he took his hand back and bowed, "Sixth Prince, you are kind and righteous."
Xiaoliu clasped his hands in greeting, and the two of them said goodbye, just as people from two factions should be distant. However, Xiaoliu's help made these older ministers feel very happy. Although it was not them who were helped, it at least showed that the Sixth Prince respected his elders.
However, the ministers were still concerned about the situation in the palace and soon turned their attention away. Xiao Liu watched the people nearby out of the corner of his eye and touched his waist belt with his left hand as if unintentionally.
No one spoke, only the sound of rain.
Everyone was in a state of panic, wondering what the situation was like in the palace, thinking about where they should stand, and worrying about the future of Daqing.
"It would be nice if the prince was here."
Someone murmured, but he spoke out everyone's thoughts. Yes, if the prince was at the palace gate, how could he be stopped, and how could things develop to this point
The footsteps sounded again. After listening for a while, Duke Dingguo closed his eyes. How could the footsteps of one person be the emperor
"Duke Dingguo, the emperor said that he will not see anyone today, and this matter will be discussed later." Eunuch Chang lowered his head, as if he was afraid of being caught and told to pass on the message again. The word "discuss" was still on his lips, but he had already retreated.
Duke Dingguo ignored him. After a moment of silence, he looked at everyone and said, "Everyone, go back."
Duke Anguo was anxious, "But the emperor..."
"What do you think? Are you going to risk the lives of hundreds of people in your Anguo Mansion to disobey the order?"
The whole room was silent.
The Sixth Prince coughed lightly and said, "Duke Dingguo is right. Let's all go back."
Although the prince was young, his status was obvious. The ministers bowed and left one after another, with Xiaoliu leaving last.
On the corridor, he stared at the deep palace in the north for a long time before leaving. He didn't care about how his father was, he just wanted to know if his grandmother was safe.
After getting on the carriage, Xiaoliu took out a square piece of paper from his waistband. When Wei Congwen bowed, he deliberately lifted his palm towards him, revealing the paper in his palm. He took it when Wei Congwen reached out for him. Although he didn't know what he wanted to do, he also knew that it was too risky for him to do so given the standpoints of both parties. But the master once said that when things are at a dead end, you can trust your intuition appropriately. He felt that Wei Congwen must want to tell him something.
There was only an address on the note, and no extra words.
West of the city
Xiaoliu lifted the curtain and said, "Let's go to the Prince's Mansion."
Hua Zhi was not surprised by his arrival. She thought he was obedient enough to wait until now.
"You haven't eaten yet, Nian Qiu, go and prepare it."
"yes."
Although the situation was still very critical, Xiaoliu felt relaxed both physically and mentally. He handed over the note and described in detail how Wei Congwen had handed over the note at that moment.
Hua Zhi nodded, "It's a bit risky, but the situation is not favorable for us right now, so it doesn't hurt to take a risk."
Looking at the address on the note, Hua Zhi called Chen Qing in and said, "Go check it out. Don't act rashly."
"yes."
PS: Arrived in Hangzhou.