Chapter 1101
Princess Yongcheng's Backup Plan
Chapter 1101 Princess Yongcheng's Backup Plan
As night fell,
The candlelight, casting shadows on the green tiles and blue bricks, swayed from side to side, much like the two people at that moment, each lost in their own thoughts. In the distance, the street was sparsely populated, almost deserted, with a unique sense of tranquility.
The bronze ring held in the mouth of the bronze lion gleamed coldly, coated with a layer of silver frost by the moonlight. The night wind swept across the empty street, stirring up half a withered leaf from the corner of the wall, rustling past the vermilion threshold, making a faint sound in the silence.
Zhang Jinyu looked somewhat surprised. He gripped the sword at his waist, wearing a black outfit over a suit of soft gold armor. He deliberately glanced at the moonlight. Only the gatekeeper stood around with a lantern; the rest of his personal guards were present.
"So it is Princess Yongcheng who has graced us with her presence. I have failed to greet you properly. I wonder if Your Highness has come here so late at night on important business?"
In the dead of night, as the saying goes, a woman coming to your door is either a gift or a death sentence, especially since the person before you is a princess. Who knows what might happen?
Zhou Ying smiled gracefully, lifted the carriage curtain, and slowly stepped down from the carriage. She was dressed in a dark robe, with a wooden token hanging at her waist. Only a few jade-colored gold hairpins were inserted in her hair, appearing and disappearing. A touch of vermilion at the corner of her eye added to her charm, but also concealed a hint of sharpness.
Looking at the gate of the Marquis's mansion,
A line of golden-armored guards stood in formation within the gates. The Marquis's attire, standing beneath the mansion gates, exuded a unique and imposing aura.
"Where is your lord going? It's so late. Are you going to have a secret rendezvous with someone you love?"
He let out a sigh of grievance, which, to the uninitiated, might have been the lament of his own wife or concubine. Seeing that his robe was still hanging on the carriage frame, he reached out and tugged at it, causing the hem of his skirt to fall, carrying with it a faint scent of ambergris that mingled with the damp, mossy smell of the night. The maid Zou Xiao, dressed in a close-fitting outfit, followed behind him, a sharp blade at her waist, her eyes remaining calm and composed.
Seeing this, Zhang Jinyu was not in a hurry to go. He noticed that there was still some fresh mud on the princess's skirt, which meant that she had just rushed over from somewhere. He took the jade token given to him by the palace from his waist, handed it to Ning Bian, gave him a look, and gave him instructions.
"Go and make arrangements in the south first, and be sure to be careful,"
"Yes, Lord Marquis."
Ning Bian quickly accepted the jade token, but given the current situation, Princess Yongcheng's arrival at this hour to block the gate was clearly abnormal. He wanted to offer a warning, but swallowed his words, and could only clasp his hands in obeisance, gather his personal guards, mount his horse, and leave the Marquis's residence, heading straight for the south gate.
Zhou Ying ignored this scene, her eyes fixed silently on Luo Yunhou's figure.
"Your Highness is too kind. I have important matters to attend to today, how could I possibly go to such a brothel? Besides, I have wives and concubines at home, and while they may be pleasant, I have no interest in courtesans."
No sooner had he finished speaking than his gaze fell upon another person, a female historian named Ge Qing, who was carrying a package and also came downstairs. He wondered if she was there to deliver something.
"I heard that the Marquis has been working hard these past few days. He has been back for several days but has not come to my residence to chat. However, at noon today, someone said that the Marquis's residence has received a new batch of Yunwu tea from Jinling, and the Jinghu water from Jiangnan has also arrived. I have come here specifically to ask for a cup of tea."
His fingertips traced Zhang Jinyu's brocade robes, then he suddenly leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear, his eyes holding a half-smile.
"However, judging from the Marquis's attire today, and the golden-armored guards behind him, it doesn't seem like he's inviting someone for tea."
The air around them suddenly seemed to freeze. The guards behind him unconsciously placed their hands on the hilts of their swords, but were stopped by Luo Yunhou's eyes. On the streets and in the alleys, the sound of the night watchman's clapper rang out again, mixed with the sound of the gong, startling the stray cats on the street corners. With a "meow," the cats darted into the alleys, their meows particularly abrupt in the quiet night.
"Your Highness is too kind. I have official duties to attend to and must inspect the city. The day after tomorrow is the Emperor Emeritus's birthday banquet. There are too many people from all over the country, and I am afraid that some villains might take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble. Furthermore, it is probably against etiquette for the princess to go to a man's residence for tea in the middle of the night."
Zhang Jinyu took a half step back without making a sound. The jade pendant at her waist clashed with the sword tassel, making a crisp tinkling sound. The faint sound eased the tension between the two of them.
Zhou Ying covered her mouth and chuckled softly, the gold bell on her wrist jingling gently with her movement, as she brushed her hair back from her forehead with her hand.
"My lord is indeed very diligent, patrolling the streets so late at night. However, I heard that a distinguished guest is visiting the south gate tonight? This message has already been sent to me. My lord, can you guess who this distinguished guest is?"
Zhou Ying's visit today wasn't a whim; she had another purpose. She initially thought it was false intelligence, but her timing was perfect. Suddenly, she reached out and grasped Zhang Jinyu's wrist, her fingertips icy cold, like winter ice.
"Just like three days ago, when my elder sister left the palace late at night, she also went out through the south gate. I am worried. If she left the city gate in the middle of the night, could she be thinking of returning to the Beishan Palace? What do you think, my lord?"
With a slight pressure, the smooth nails dug into Zhang Jinyu's skin, her eyes filled with worry.
A night breeze ruffled a strand of Zhou Ying's hair, brushing against their faces. Zhang Jinyu suppressed her excitement; everyone said the two princesses were beautiful, but such alluring figures were truly rare, especially their magnificent breasts, which constantly drew her gaze. But what was the Princess doing leaving the capital so late at night?
"Your Highness is joking. Entering and exiting the capital city gates requires the permission of both the Military Command and the Imperial City Guard. The Princess has always adhered to palace rules and prefers tranquility; how could she possibly..."
Before he could finish his attempt to exonerate himself, Zhou Ying interrupted him.
"is it?"
Zhou Ying let go of his hand, turned around and walked to the carriage. She took out a roll of bright yellow silk from the bundle Ge Qing was holding. The edges of the silk were slightly wrinkled, indicating that it had been frequently handled.
"Perhaps the Marquis likes this secret letter,"
Walking under the lantern, they unfolded the silk. Under the moonlight, the name of Princess Zhou Xiangxue was clearly visible on the silk. It was a secret message, but there were a few drops of dark red blood at the end. The handwriting was messy, indicating that the situation was urgent, but those few drops of blood were particularly glaring.
Zhang Jinyu's eyes flashed like lightning as she quickly scanned the contents of the silk cloth. It contained a lot of information, but it was all encrypted and incomprehensible. However, the signature "Old Place South of the Capital" was legible. But where exactly was "Old Place South of the Capital"?
However, upon closer inspection, the edges of the silk fabric were slightly curled up, and there were faint water stains where the ink was not yet dry, clearly indicating that it had been forged recently. The handwriting was messy, suggesting that it was written in a state of panic.
"Where did Your Highness obtain this letter?"
Zhang Jinyu didn't ask about what was written on the brocade cloth, but rather about its origin. If it belonged to the Eldest Princess, given her cunning, she wouldn't have lost the secret letter; she would have copied it directly, or rather, this person in front of her had altered it.
Princess Yongcheng tucked the silk cloth into her sleeve, her smile growing even sweeter:
"My lord, there's no need to ask further. As for how I obtained the rubbings I brought, there's no need to tell you. The secret is difficult to decipher, but I've seen many of them, so I'll explain it to you, is that alright?"
Suddenly he moved closer again, lowering his voice:
"The old place in the south of the capital mentioned in the letter is Linshan County. Moreover, it was sent by the Su family. Over the years, the body of that eldest son of the Su family has long since turned to dust. The fact that someone sent a letter to my sister at this time means that perhaps that person has been found."
The voice was as soft as a whisper, yet every word struck Zhang Jinyu's heart like a heavy hammer. The Su family member was none other than Su Kui, a marquis whose master was the Crown Prince and Prince Zhongyi. At this moment, the letter seemed innocuous on the surface, but if it fell into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, even the slightest clue could be revealed.
Fortunately, none of this concerned him. Even if everyone knew, it was a matter for the palace. The Emperor Emeritus was the most anxious. Only he knew how the former Crown Prince had "died." He smiled.
"Your Highness, I am foolish and do not understand what Your Highness is referring to."
Zhang Jinyu looked puzzled, as if she knew nothing about these things. As for acting skills, having lived two lives, Zhang Jinyu was naturally a master. Suddenly, she pretended to suddenly understand.
"Your Highness, could it be that the Princess has found a new love? But that doesn't make sense. I once asked the Princess if she had any male favorites to keep at her beck and call. She told me that it was useless. Just like when I asked Your Highness, you also said that you didn't have any of those, and that your relationship with your husband was still as stable as Mount Tai. Could it be that the Princess has lied to me?"
Still frowning and struggling with her thoughts, Zhang Jinyu herself was starting to believe it, let alone whether others believed it or not.
suddenly,
Zhou Ying threw her head back and laughed loudly. Her laughter startled the crows roosting under the eaves. The crows took flight and circled in the night sky, emitting piercing cries.
Almost instantly,
Princess Yongcheng lifted the hem of her dress, sat back down in the carriage, and as she lowered the curtain, half of her face was revealed:
"Tomorrow morning, I will prepare breakfast for you, my lord. Please come here for your meal. Let's go."
"Yes, Your Highness,"
As the coachman cracked his whip, the carriage slowly started moving, the sound of wheels rolling over the cobblestones fading into the distance, leaving only the pale moonlight and a faint scent of ambergris. Zhang Jinyu stared in the direction the carriage had disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time, muttering a curse under her breath.
"Damn it, they're all so shrewd. What good are women? Men, prepare the horses and wait at the street corner!"
"Yes, Lord Marquis."
Immediately, the sound of hooves rang out, and numerous cavalrymen galloped south.
Not long after,
As the princess's entourage departed, Zhou Ying squinted on the carriage, recalling her conversation with Marquis Luo Yun, especially his facial expressions. Aside from a flicker of emotion in his eyes upon seeing her, there was no further change. Was he genuinely unaware, or was he deliberately concealing something? The fact that her elder sister had personally left the palace indicated the urgency of the matter. It seemed only that short-lived man from the Su family could cause her elder sister such concern.
As for the secret letters in her possession, she wrote them herself, forging them into coded language to test Marquis Luo Yun. No one else knew anything about what was happening in Jingnan.
By sheer chance, Marquis Luoyun in the south of the capital should be unaware of this, but tonight, things are rather strange.
"Zou Xiao, we should still send people to keep an eye on the Princess and see where she went after leaving the city. Even her lovers should be investigated one by one."
A flicker of desire stirred within her. Could it be that she really was keeping a male concubine for pleasure? But given her elder sister's aloof nature, how could that be?
"Yes, Master, I will keep it in mind. I have also arranged for people to open a teahouse by the roadside outside the north city. If this happens again, I will not miss it. But today, when the Marquis leaves the mansion, should we follow him? Shi Tai is still behind."
“You, sometimes you just can’t tell the difference. You’re so alluring and charming, but you’re too straightforward. Who is Marquis Luo Yun? If you really follow him, you might end up dead. What he’s doing must be arranged by the palace. Since it’s the palace’s will, we women can’t interfere. Why should we wade into that mess?”
Zhou Ying took a deep breath. The most beautiful person beside her was certainly worthy of the Marquis's attention, but Marquis Luo Yun was truly capable of restraint, remaining unmoved even with a beauty in his arms. Such a person was destined for greatness. If she relied on him as a backer, she wondered if she could truly depend on him in the end.
Unfortunately, time waits for no one.
Especially with news coming from the western fiefdoms that the Western King's family's convoy heading to the capital had already turned back, accompanied by a large number of elite cavalry, and that in Qingyang County, before the new prefect even arrived, they had already begun breaching the dikes, meaning the ancient Han River channel would still be flooded.
Xi Wang Gongze hurriedly returned, probably sensing danger. He didn't even attend the Emperor Emeritus's birthday banquet, fearing that the suspicion between the court and the Xi Wang Mansion would grow. If the trade routes were cut off, how could his fiefdom remain secure? It would be better to live a wealthy life in the capital, find a powerful patron, and have nothing to worry about.
"Yes, my lady, I was just being anxious. But what if the Marquis doesn't come?"
"Hmph, then why don't you go and invite him?"
After a firm reprimand, this time, if anyone came, they would have nowhere to escape. The palace's secret aphrodisiac was already prepared; there would be no chance of a repeat of the last mistake.
"Yes, Master, this servant understands,"
"Tomorrow morning, you and Ge Qing will bathe and change, and serve in the inner hall. The rest of you need not come in."
Since preparations have been made in advance, we should ensure everything goes smoothly. Now that the princess's residence has provided the silver and the grain has been transported beyond the Great Wall, the rest is simply a matter of negotiation. Trading beyond the Great Wall is extremely profitable; if we could monopolize some of it in the name of the Marquis's residence, we would surely enjoy inexhaustible wealth.
"Yes, Master,"
Zou Xiao blushed. The princess had already given her instructions, but even now, she felt a little shy. She wondered what the princess had prepared. Recalling the banquet she had hosted for Marquis Luo Yun, her expression turned somewhat strange. This time, should everything be foolproof?
Rongguo Mansion
At midnight, the first drumbeat sounded.
The summer wind, carrying heat, lashed against the mottled brick walls of Ningguo Mansion, rustling the weeds at the base of the walls.
Wang Xifeng leaned against the carved window, gazing at the swaying lanterns in the courtyard, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the gilded bronze incense burner.
The night is like ink,
The eaves and brackets of the Rongguo Mansion were imbued with an even deeper somber atmosphere, and the intermittent sound of clappers drifted from afar, sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet night.
"Grandma, the time has come,"
Ping'er returned from outside carrying a lantern. She entered the room and reminded Wang Xifeng, who was holding a black cloak. Wang Xifeng snapped out of her daze, her eyes instantly sharpening. She took the cloak, put it on, tidied her hair in front of the bronze mirror, and removed all the gold and jade bracelets from her wrists, placing them on the table. Only after confirming that there were no flaws did she turn around.
"Use the small gate and go through the backyard, without disturbing the people working in the front."
"Yes, grandma."
Ping'er responded, holding the ram's horn lantern, and quietly went to the backyard through the side gate. In the dim light, fallen leaves swirled and swept across the blue brick ground. At the hidden door on the east side of Pear Fragrance Courtyard, the door was opened, and the two left the mansion.
This time, Wang Xifeng didn't even bring the old women who served her, for fear of leaking the news. After leaving the mansion, she hurried along a secluded alley. The candlelight of the lanterns swayed from side to side, reflecting the moonlight. Some of the fragmented moonlight looked somewhat eerie.
And so, after crossing the open space between the two mansions, the two arrived at the backyard of the Ningguo Mansion. The walls here were already lush and green, covered with withered vines, and the weeds not far away had long been cleared away, making it look extremely refreshing.
After a short wait, a convoy of cars arrived from outside the courtyard.
"Who's there?"
Ping'er, wary of the lanterns, called out a question. Hearing the commotion, the two carriages in front stopped, and one of the men quickly came over, yawning.
"Grandma, it's me, Laiwang. Everyone's here, and everything's in the car."
Laiwang was also very nervous. He had been at Jia Yun's residence all day, and only now, together with Jia Yun and his trusted aides, did they move the silver onto the carriage and hide it in the backyard of the Ningguo Mansion. They were terrified, not to mention the fear of being seen and ruining their mistress's plans.
"Okay, Brother Yun is here?"
"Second Aunt, I'm here,"
When Jia Yun heard the Second Mistress call his name, he quickly stepped forward and responded. Only Ping'er was there, carrying a lantern; even in the dim light, she could see her surroundings clearly.
When Wang Xifeng saw that everyone had arrived, she nodded without saying much. She gave Ping'er a wink, and Ping'er, carrying a lantern, went to the side gate and knocked gently. Three soft knocks followed by two loud ones were the pre-arranged signal with the eldest mistress.
After a while,
The door hinges creaked softly, and Suyun, the personal maid of the eldest mistress, peeked out, glancing left and right. Seeing that it was the second mistress with her entourage, she opened the side door and welcomed them inside.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, Wang Xifeng gave the instructions.
"Quickly, bring the things in!"
"Yes, Grandma,"
They carried almost two people per small box, totaling six people, and quietly entered the backyard of the Ningguo Mansion.
The courtyard was completely silent, except for the brightly lit main hall in the backyard. Seeing Su Yun there with two maids, he asked;
"Which room?"
"Reporting to Second Madam, it's located in the west wing and has been used as a storage room."
Su Yun pointed to the west room not far away, a side room near the west side of the pond. It seemed more secure. Wang Xifeng nodded and waved her hand. Jia Yun and the others carried the small box into the west room, arranged the things, and put them down. Lai Wang, still worried, covered the box with a brocade cloth before carefully leaving the room.
But when they reached the outer room, they suddenly saw something out of the corner of their eye.
(End of this chapter)