Everyone in the capital was making their own plans and arrangements, but in this courtyard, there was unprecedented peace.
The guards stationed nearby would come to report three times a day, and it was obvious that no one was coming here to search.
This was Xiao Tuo's place. No one knew that Xiao Tuo owned a house here. Besides, the only people in the capital who were really looking for Murong Jie were Prince An and Murong Zhuangzhuang. Even the noble concubine just made a bluffing search and then left it at that.
Because she knew it, she saw Murong Jie die with her own eyes, and her guards also replied that Xia Zian died in a mass grave.
Naturally, she also thought that it was Xiao Tuo who took Murong Jie's body away. Xiao Tuo did this to create a mystery. He believed that as long as the civil and military officials had not seen Murong Jie's body, Murong Jie would not be considered dead.
"That young boy was too naive to think that if he took away Ajie's body, those people would stop plotting. Taifu Liang knew what was going on. Since he had someone go to the palace to ask the Queen Mother to take charge, he was sure that Ajie was dead."
The noble concubine sat on the armchair, with tears still on her face. Murong Jie was her son, and his death made her naturally heartbroken as a mother.
But what could she do? She had to do it.
Aunt Sizhu, the servant of the noble concubine, said softly, "Queen, Concubine Sun came today and asked about the prince. It seems that she already knows."
The noble concubine wiped away her tears and said, "Prince An thought he could block the news. But how can he block it when the mouth is on someone else's body? It's ridiculous. Tell Concubine Sun that Ajie is dead and let her prepare to be a widow. Tell her to go back to her parents' home and cry. That will also let Lord Sun know."
"I've already told her." said Aunt Sizhu.
The noble concubine sighed softly, "Sizhu, you blame me too, don't you?"
Aunt Sizhu's expression froze. "No, how could this servant blame the Concubine Dowager? The Concubine Dowager had no choice but to do this."
The noble concubine took a deep breath, and tears began to flow again. "If I hadn't had to, I wouldn't have done this. After he took power, I proposed to send the Eighth Prince back to the capital many times, but he disagreed. He is his own brother! Moreover, when I talked to him in the palace that day, I asked him to stay away from Xia Zian, but he asked me to go back home and enjoy the wealth and glory that I deserved. From that moment on, I knew I couldn't count on him."
Aunt Sizhu said softly, "Perhaps the prince just hopes that the concubine can live a more peaceful life."
The noble concubine sneered, "Really? If he doesn't fight for it, how can I live a peaceful life? If he really has this filial piety, why would he oppose it again and again when I told him that once the emperor passed away, he would seize power and ascend the throne? Now he still dislikes me for meddling in his affairs. Can I count on him? If he doesn't ascend the throne, I will only be the noble concubine until the day I die, and I will be inferior to her for the rest of my life. How am I worse than her? No, I am not willing to accept this. Since he doesn't understand my painstaking efforts and the humiliation I have suffered for so many years, I don't need to care about this mother-son relationship."
Aunt Sizhu refilled her tea, "Isn't the Concubine sad?"
The noble concubine continued to sneer, but she kept crying. That expression is something that people will never forget. It is a hideous distortion, but it is filled with unspeakable sadness. "Sad, how can I not be sad? He was born by me, my own son, but what can I do? As long as I have a way to live, I will not let him die. I will always remember that I almost lost my life in order to give birth to him, but it was worth it. After that, the late emperor stayed by my side for a month and made me a noble concubine. This child is the treasure of the late emperor and me. I gave him up, and my heart is broken!"
Aunt Sizhu shed tears quietly, "This servant understands the suffering of the Concubine Dowager."
The noble concubine grabbed Aunt Sizhu's hand and said, "Ever since I was against her, you have always supported me. Remember, I was forced to do this because she had no way out."
Aunt Sizhu comforted her and said insincerely, "Yes, I understand that the concubine has no way out."
"According to the pace, when should Old Eighth arrive?" The noble concubine suddenly changed the tone, her expression became somewhat gentle, and the previous grief on her face also disappeared.
Aunt Sizhu said, "Prince Nan Huai started his journey before the Concubine Dowager took action. Counting from that time, he has already arrived early. However, in order not to arouse suspicion, he will probably enter the city at the earliest tomorrow night."
"Yes, Lao Ba has always been cautious. If he enters the city too early, he will arouse suspicion. Although tomorrow night is a little early, it is also reasonable. After all, his brother passed away and he is sad. No one will suspect him if he travels day and night to come back."
Aunt Sizhu looked at the wound on her forehead and said, "The Concubine shouldn't have bumped into her that day. If something bad had happened, what would we have done?"
The noble concubine reached out and touched the wound on her forehead, then drank the tea in the cup in one gulp, and said coldly: "If she didn't do this, how could she have issued the decree? She looks peaceful, but she is cunning and treacherous. If there weren't so many officials outside the palace, she wouldn't have issued this decree."
Aunt Sizhu didn't comment, but just continued to refill her tea.
On the evening of the next day, Prince Nanhuai Murong Chuan came to the capital with only a few guards and went straight into the palace in a dusty state.
There were still ministers kneeling outside Shou'an Palace. They took turns kneeling for several days in a row. Taifu Liang was present for three or four hours every day, and the rest of the time he would go out of the palace.
When Prince Nan Huai entered the palace, Grand Tutor Liang was also there.
Taifu Liang stood at the foot of the stone steps, watching the tanned man walking towards him step by step. His back was straight and his face was full of sadness. The sharpness he had a few years ago was now completely gone. The black clothes he wore made his skin look even darker. Judging from his appearance alone, he was a calm and honest man.
Taifu Liang was slightly surprised. If Prince Nan Huai was still the same arrogant and domineering person as before, it would be easier to deal with him.
But obviously, several years of southern sunshine and typhoons have changed him.
"Master Grand Tutor!" King Nan Huai walked up to Grand Tutor Liang and bowed in greeting.
Taifu Liang quickly returned the greeting, "Your Highness, you have worked hard on the journey."
"It's okay, it's okay. After all the hard work, we've finally arrived." Nan Huai Wang's eyes were slightly red, and he humbly bowed again, "I'll pay my respects to my mother first, and we'll talk later."
Master Liang bowed and looked at his back, his eyes narrowed and a fierce light flashed in them.
"Master Taifu, I'm afraid that Murong Chuan will come back this time to get a piece of the pie." The Minister of Personnel, who was kneeling below, stepped forward and said.
Among the six ministries, only the Minister of Personnel is now used by Grand Tutor Liang. Lord Cui of the Secretariat has long been dissatisfied with the Minister of Personnel, so he defected to Grand Tutor Liang.
Taifu Liang said coldly: "Perhaps, he was the one who killed Murong Jie. How many days have passed since the Empress Dowager issued the decree? He has already returned to the capital from the South. Although he can travel day and night, I don't believe that he and Murong Jie have such a deep brotherly love."
(End of this chapter)