Drunk Bamboo

When Xie Yuzhu came out of the East Palace, she asked Bai Guo, "How did your Majesty's princes disappear?"

Just now the Crown Princess said something out of emotion, but she didn't go into details.

The palace has always been in chaos, with people using any means necessary to win favor and gain a position.

She was also reluctant to ask the Crown Princess too many questions. Firstly, she didn't want to get into trouble. Secondly, the Crown Princess was still the Crown Princess after all, the future Queen, so she should be more respectful to her.

Bai Guo had lived in the palace for five or six years and was lively and active. He was very familiar with the rumors in the palace and his information might be more in-depth than what Changfeng Tower had discovered.

"Your Majesty was supposed to have seven princes and one princess, but now there are only the Crown Prince, the Prince, the Prince Wen, and the Eighth Princess."

"Those who don't live long are all princes." Xie Yuzhu seemed to have some hidden meaning in her words.

"Yes. They are all princes, and they are all pitiful. The second and fourth princes died in Concubine Jing's belly before they were born. They were both full-term and about to be born, but they both died. It was said that they were stillborn. The sixth prince was born, but he was born weak and did not live for two months."

"The most unfortunate thing is that the Seventh Prince was very smart and could write poems at the age of five. He was very much loved by His Majesty. But who would have thought that he and the Eighth Princess would both fall into the pond while playing in the garden and die just like that."

"The eighth princess survived, but she never spoke again."

Bai Guo sighed repeatedly, and began to feel sorry for the Eighth Princess as she spoke. The childish face of the Seventh Prince appeared in front of her eyes. Thinking of the Seventh Prince who had rewarded her with cakes, she felt even more sad and her heart was filled with sourness.

"I have met the Eighth Princess once. She was very cute. It's pitiful that she has to endure this at such a young age."

Xie Yuzhu thought of the cute and clever little girl she met at the family dinner in the palace, but she just couldn't speak.

"Everyone says that the palace is good, but I think being born in the palace is a real pain. If the prince were an ordinary person, he could go to the battlefield to defend the territory, and he wouldn't have to worry about these intrigues and schemes."

Bai Guo pursed his lips, looked up at the majestic palace gate, his eyes full of disdain.

Xie Yuzhu thought of the palace fighting dramas she had watched in the past. Many princes could not be born smoothly or died young or died inexplicably. It was not as simple as it seemed on the surface. They were all killed by people with ulterior motives.

He had fine clothes and delicious food in the palace, and was taken care of by seventeen or eighteen palace maids. He was protected from the wind and rain, and never had to suffer from hunger or cold. How could he die so easily?

There were guards, palace maids and eunuchs inside and outside the gates of each palace, so how could so many princes and princesses fall into the water and die?

It’s all design!

Xie Yuzhu couldn't help but shiver all over when he thought about it, and felt very cold.

The people in the palace are really fragile. The emperor has a headache, the crown prince has asthma, and the imperial concubine and Prince Wen are both sickly. The more pampered they are, the sicker they become.

Hua Qinfeng went to the barren land of the western border at the age of thirteen, where he was exposed to strong winds, ate yellow sand, and had to train and fight with the enemy every day. However, he was in good health, much better than those people in the palace.

It was right for him to leave the palace that year, otherwise he would be alone and might not end up like the Seventh Prince.

Thinking of this, Xie Yuzhu was glad that Hua Qinfeng was only interested in the western frontier and was not greedy for the royal power and wealth of Zhongdu at all.

But so many princes have unfortunately died, and today I smelled a strange floral scent on Hua Jinlin. I should go to Qi Zhen in person one day to ask him about it.

As he walked out of the palace gate and was about to get on the carriage, an official in red slowly approached.

"I'm Chen Xin, the Minister of War. I've been waiting here for the princess for a long time, just to see her." Chen Xin bowed with a very respectful attitude.

"What's the matter, Master Chen?"

Xie Yuzhu was a little puzzled. She didn't know Chen Xin and had never had any contact with him. Why would he take the initiative to talk to her?

And waited for her at the palace gate?

Chen Xin saw Xie Yuzhu's confusion and didn't want to cause any misunderstanding, so he explained:

"I was about to leave the court and return home, but when the driver told me that he saw the princess entering the palace, I deliberately waited here. Thank you, princess, for saving my life."

A life-saving grace?

It should be Huaqin style.

Xie Yuzhu showed her princess's dignity and said seriously:

"Lord Chen, your words are too kind. The prince is leading the imperial edict to Loushan to investigate the case and suppress the mountain bandits. It is part of his job to find the official silver. Lord Chen is loyal to the emperor and loves the country. The prince is also serving the country. There is no need to thank him."

"Yes, Princess, you are absolutely right. The prince is selfless." Chen Xin paused, looked at Xie Yuzhu again, and then continued: "The prince was in danger because of the Loushan case, and everyone in the Chen family is grateful. But the princess's kindness will also be remembered in my heart."

"Why do you say that, Lord Chen?" Xie Yuzhu's eyes moved slightly.

"Lord Liu from the Ministry of Revenue was my classmate, so he knows his personality very well. Before escorting the second batch of official silver out of the city, he came to me and gave me some advice. Although he is smart, he only cares about money and has never had such a meticulous plan. And those days, he visited the princess..."

Chen Xin didn't say anything else, but looked up at Xie Yuzhu.

Xie Yuzhu didn't expect that what she discussed with Liu Shancai was still guessed by Chen Xin.

As expected, being able to sit in the position of Shangshu is not just about age. It is impossible for someone without some ability to sit in this position.

Some people have been in high positions for too long and have forgotten the original purpose of being an official, so they start to behave badly.

Seeing that Xie Yuzhu's expression was fine and had not changed much, Chen Xin dared to continue:

"The princess argued with all the officials on the Golden Steps Palace for the prince. She was not afraid of the emperor's power and turned the tide with her own strength to clear the prince's name. I was shocked and admired her very much at that time. Until today, I have this bold guess."

"Nothing else, I just want to thank you in person."

Chen Xin said this and bowed solemnly.

The prince's suppression of bandits and search for silver was a favor, but the princess's offering of advice and suggestions was also a favor.

Xie Yuzhu raised her hand and supported Chen Xin.

He no longer had a serious face, but smiled faintly:

"Mr. Chen was able to become the Minister of War because of his strength."

Chen Xin smiled back and said solemnly:

"Don't worry, Princess. I am satisfied to know the truth."

"Since the princess does not want outsiders to know about this, I will keep my mouth shut and express my gratitude. If the princess gives you any instructions in the future, I will do my best."

This kindness is for Xie Yuzhu and also for Fengwang Mansion.

Maybe it will come in handy someday.

But Xie Yuzhu hopes that there will be no chance to use this kindness.

"Lord Chen, just keep your heart and don't be like those fence-sitters in the court, making trouble out of nothing, framing loyal officials, and disrupting the court. Just be loyal to Your Majesty."

Chen Xin was slightly stunned, then immediately understood: "I understand."

They are all smart people, so there is no need to say more.

Chen Xin's carriage gradually disappeared outside the palace gate.

Xie Yuzhu walked to her own carriage and just as she stepped into it, Lao Liu whispered:

"Princess, I just received news that Prince Wen and Han Jian entered Daci Temple one after the other."

Xie Yuzhu nodded and walked into the carriage.

After thinking for a moment, he said to Lao Liu, "Let's go to Daci Temple."