The next day.
The removal of Ying Ziheng's position as Crown Prince, the demotion of the Princess Consort of Dingbei to a Secondary Consort, and the matter of her two children soon to be married off to Ying Ziheng exploded through the court. The news shocked everyone in the capital, from the highest officials to the common people.
Leaving aside the events at the Prince of Dingbei's mansion, deposing the Crown Prince was a major event, one that affected the very foundations of Da Xia. How could Ying Zhengjing make such a decision arbitrarily?
Unfortunately.
Ying Zhengjing's word was imperial decree. During the morning court session, no matter how much the ministers tried to persuade him, he showed no intention of reversing the deposition of the Crown Prince. What was even more perplexing was that Shen Chaoyang actually echoed Ying Zhengjing's words and agreed to depose his own nephew.
After the morning court session, a minister familiar with Shen Chaoyan couldn't help but approach him and ask, "Minister Shen, the Second Prince is closely related to you. How could you agree to His Majesty deposing the Crown Prince? If you had joined us in persuading His Majesty earlier, there might have been a chance for a turnaround."
Shen Chaoyan heard this and shook his head helplessly, "What's done is done. Let's not speak of it anymore."
Shen Chaoyang supported the Ying the Emperor decision for two reasons: first, to show his loyalty, and second, to protect himself while waiting for the right moment. The Crown Prince had already angered the Emperor with the Zhuzhou incident, and then yesterday he fell into a trap without even realizing it. How could the Emperor possibly go easy on him? The reason this wasn't mentioned during the morning court was simply to protect the royal family's reputation.
"Minister Shen…"
"Enough, I still have to arrange matters for the Seventh Prince and Heir Li's departure to Zhuzhou. I cannot linger." Shen Chaoyan bid a cold farewell to that minister and turned to leave.
Involving Li Jin and the others, the inquiring minister dared not stop him and could only watch as Shen Chaoyan left.
At the entrance of the Prince of Dingbei's mansion.
Wei Shiwan was bidding a reluctant farewell to Li Jin. Anyone who didn't know would think Li Jin was Wei Shiwan's biological son. "Jin'er, on this journey, you must be careful in all matters. Do not act impulsively."
Li Jin smiled and replied, "Yes, I will remember the words of the Secondary Consort."
If Wei Shiwan wanted to put on an act, Li Jin would naturally play along.
Hearing the term 'Secondary Consort', a flash of anger passed through Wei Shiwan's eyes. She forced a smile and said, "That's good then. It's getting late now, Jin'er, you should set off now. It wouldn't be good to be delayed."
Li Ruoyan smiled mockingly, "Mother is right, Li Jin, you should hurry up and leave."
Only Wei Shiwan and Li Ruoyan came to see Li Jin off this time. Li Siyuan wanted to come, but unfortunately, Wei Shiwan had locked him in his room, so he couldn't get out. Wei Rong claimed illness and simply didn't want to see Li Jin.
"Mm." Li Jin ignored Li Ruoyan's petty provocation, nodded towards Wei Shiwan, then boarded the carriage and headed towards the imperial palace.
Li Ruoyan watched the departing carriage with a venomous glare, her voice dripping with bitterness. "Mother, why show kindness to such a wicked person? He doesn't deserve you treating him so well."
"Now is not the time to move against Li Jin," Wei Shiwan shook her head. "Besides, Li Jin is going to Zhuzhou this time. Whether he can return is uncertain."
As for why Wei Shiwan came out to see Li Jin off, it was merely for show.
"Mother, Li Siyuan betrayed us and sided with Li Jin. Before I marry, I want to have a good talk with him, to make him 'abandon the darkness for the light'." Li Ruoyan squeezed out these words.
Since she couldn't deal with Li Jin, she would go and deal with Li Siyuan.
Wei Shiwan, intending to cultivate Li Ruoyan, agreed. "Good, I'll leave Siyuan to you. Remember, explain the stakes clearly to him. After all, you will both marry the Second Prince in the future. Being of one mind can prevent outsiders from finding an opportunity."
"Yes, Mother."
Li Ruoyan responded obediently, but the lingering malice in her eyes betrayed her true thoughts.
Explain the stakes? No, it's more than that. I will also make him understand the consequences of crossing me.
___
"Your Highness, you've finally arrived! Come with me quickly, the time is almost upon us." Zhiqiu, who had been waiting at the palace gate for Li Jin's arrival, hurried forward to greet him as soon as he saw Li Jin's carriage.
"My apologies for the trouble."
Li Jin stepped down from the carriage with ease. His two attendants, Ping'an and Zhou Yunting, followed closely behind him.
For this trip to Zhuzhou, Li Jin was only taking the two of them. When Wei Shiwan found out, she had suggested Li Jin take more people, but Li Jin refused on the grounds that the Seventh Prince was also going.
It was obvious that Wei Shiwan's initiative in mentioning this was born from a desire to plant spies beside Li Jin.
Li Jin inquired subconsciously, "By the way, why isn't the Seventh Prince here?"
Every time Li Jin entered the palace, if Ying Yuan knew, he would wait for Li Jin outside the palace gate beforehand. So, Ying Yuan's absence this time made Li Jin somewhat unaccustomed, and he inadvertently asked about it.
And as soon as the question left his mouth—
Before Zhiqiu could even answer, Li Jin himself was startled, seemingly not having expected that he would care so much about Ying Yuan not coming.
What's wrong with me...
"In reply, Your Highness, the Seventh Prince originally intended to come with this servant, but on the way, he encountered Minister Shen. Minister Shen wanted to discuss matters with the Seventh Prince and detained him."
Recalling Ying Yuan's helpless expression earlier, Zhiqiu couldn't help but smile slightly.
In the scheming and deceitful palace, aside from the interactions between Li Jin and Ying Yuan, the mere fact that Ying Yuan could wait for Li Jin at the palace gate consistently for seven years was truly rare and precious. It was precisely because of this that Gu Rushuang truly accepted Ying Yuan.
"So that's the case. Then let us also walk faster."
Li Jin subconsciously quickened his pace.
"Yes."
Zhiqiu hurried to keep up.
After a short while.
Under Zhiqiu's guidance, Li Jin found Shen Chaoyan, who was conducting a final inspection, and Ying Yuan, who stood by looking somewhat anxious.
"Li Jin, you're here." Seeing Li Jin arrive, Ying Yuan immediately went to meet him. The worry on his face instantly replaced by relief.
Li Jin responded with a smile, "My apologies, I am a little late."
Ying Yuan shook his head, "Not at all. Your timing is perfect. Minister Shen over there hasn't finished the inspection yet."
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Shen Chaoyan, who was supervising the eunuchs inspecting the carriages, saw Li Jin arrive and gave a polite nod.
"Minister Shen."
Li Jin also nodded towards Shen Chaoyan.
"Your Highness, please wait a little longer with the Seventh Prince. Your journey is long and arduous. This subject believes it is essential to inspect the carriages a few more times to be completely at ease." The reason Shen Chaoyan had detained Ying Yuan earlier was precisely to discuss the matter of inspecting the carriages.
"Thank you, Minister Shen."
Li Jin accepted Shen Chaoyan's thoughtful gesture without hesitation.
"His Majesty the Empress arrives!"
Suddenly, a eunuch's loud cry rang out. Li Jin and the others hurriedly bowed to Gu Rushuang. "We pay respects to His Majesty the Empress. May the Empress live a thousand years!"
"You may rise." After allowing them to rise, Gu Rushuang signaled for a certain imperial physician who had come with him to step forward. "Jin'er, Yuan'er, for your journey to Zhuzhou, This Palace has selected Imperial Physician Shi for you."
Shi Weixu bowed to the three present. "Shi Weixu pays his respects to the Seventh Prince, Heir Li, and Minister Shen."
Li Jin smiled understandingly. "Imperial Physician Shi, we'll be troubling you on the journey."
That the person coming wasn't Wang Quande was already good enough for Li Jin. Moreover, although Shi Weixu had now pledged himself to Ying Zhengjing, he still shared some past rapport with them, and he himself was only interested in researching difficult and complicated illnesses. He would certainly be able to help when necessary.
"No trouble at all, no trouble at all. It is this minor official's honor to be able to accompany you to Zhuzhou." Shi Weixu gave a hearty laugh.
Having heard that an epidemic had broken out in Zhuzhou, Shi Weixu had long wanted to go. So when he learned that the Empress intended for him to go to Zhuzhou, he agreed without a second thought.
Shi Weixu? Why isn't it Wang Quande?
Shen Chaoyan, knowing that Li Jin was usually treated by Wang Quande, couldn't help but feel puzzled. "Your Majesty, why is it not Imperial Physician Wang Quande accompanying them to Zhuzhou, but rather this Imperial Physician Shi?"
Gu Rushuang replied unhurriedly, "Wang Quande has other matters. Shi Weixu has been assisting Wang Quande these past years and is not unfamiliar with Jin'er's condition. Having him go is more than suitable."
Just as Shen Chaoyan was about to inquire further, the eunuch assigned to inspect the carriages happened to finish and came over to report to Shen Chaoyan. "Minister, the inspection is complete. There are no issues."
"Mm, understood. You may withdraw." Shen Chaoyan waved his hand, dismissing the eunuch.
"Yes, Minister Shen."
The eunuch promptly assented and quickly withdrew with the other eunuchs who had been inspecting.
Perhaps because he knew the carriages were ready, and to avoid delay, Shen Chaoyan lost the desire to pursue the matter further. He said directly, "Your Majesty, since the carriages are without issue, it is time for the Seventh Prince and Heir Li to depart."
"Mm." Gu Rushuang reached out both hands, placing one each on Li Jin and Ying Yuan's shoulders. "Be careful on the road."
"Yes."
Li Jin and Ying Yuan responded in unison, then boarded the carriage.
Since Li Jin and the others' mission involved transporting disaster relief grain, Ying Zhengjing had not let many people know about it, only assigning Shen Chaoyan to handle the matter. The other court officials only knew that Li Jin and the others would be departing in the coming days, the specifics were unknown to them.
"Your Majesty, be careful!"
Zhiqiu, seeing Gu Rushuang's body sway unsteadily, hurried forward to support him.
"This Palace is fine, just a little tired. Resting for a moment will suffice." Gu Rushuang shook his head and asked nonchalantly, "Zhiqiu, before going to find Jin'er, did you inform His Majesty? Why hasn't His Majesty come?"
A prince transporting disaster relief grain was a significant matter, Ying Zhengjing ought to have come to see them off.
"In reply, Your Majesty, the Emperor is at Consort Chun's place and is unable to come."
"Alright, This Palace understands." Hearing that he was at Shen Qianxue's place, Gu Rushuang did not ask further. "Zhiqiu, help This Palace back."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"We respectfully send off Your Majesty." Shen Chaoyan bowed, though his expression darkened.
Just from Zhiqiu's brief mention, Shen Chaoyan had already guessed that Shen Qianxue had done it on purpose, to undermine Gu Rushuang. He couldn't help but feel a surge of angry frustration.
What is Qianxue doing? On a major occasion like a prince escorting grain supplies, she still deliberately vies for favor? Isn't that just giving others a handle against her?
As Zhiqiu supported Gu Rushuang away, he inadvertently caught sight of the trace of blood at the corner of Gu Rushuang's lips. His back immediately stiffened, and he said nervously, "Your Majesty... You... You..."
"It's nothing serious, a minor matter."
"But..."
Gu Rushuang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Zhiqiu, This Palace will be fine."
"Yes."
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