Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

Thinking about the escape plan, whether she and Chunmei went directly to the hunting ground or sent someone to the hunting ground to pick them up, both would be convenient.

However, if you choose to escape halfway, the risks along the way are self-evident. The possibility of being captured increases greatly, and once caught, the consequences are unpredictable.

She had to consider the child in her womb. Even if she managed to escape, returning to the capital or reaching the hunting grounds would be a difficult task. If these people took them somewhere else, she would be even more worried.

After weighing the pros and cons, she decided it might be safer to follow these men to the hunting grounds. This would be both convenient and convenient. At the same time, she also needed to find a way to get these men to relax their guard.

By this point, she was certain that these men would not act rashly against them until they reached the hunting grounds. Furthermore, the man who had left yesterday had returned, apparently checking to see if there were any pursuers.

However, things are unpredictable and plans often cannot keep up with changes, so she can only act according to circumstances.

After thinking about this, Zhang Tianai felt a little relieved.

"Master, why? Didn't you say you wanted to find a way to escape?" Chunmei looked confused, not understanding why her master suddenly changed his mind.

Zhang Tianai looked at her and motioned her to come closer. Chunmei stepped forward, her face full of confusion.

"Today is different from the past, the situation is different. You know very well the purpose of their trip..." Zhang Tianai whispered in Chunmei's ear.

Upon hearing this, Chunmei looked up at her master, her eyes full of confusion.

"Why are you being stupid again?" Zhang Tianai said lightly, reaching out to knock her forehead, but stopped in mid-air.

"Where can we, two weak women, escape to? How far can we run? Once we are caught, it will be extremely difficult to escape." Zhang Tianai explained patiently.

"Besides, these people are taking us to the hunting ground, so why don't we go with the flow?" Zhang Tianai continued.

Chunmei seemed to understand after hearing this and nodded.

"Even if we go to the hunting ground, so what, master?" Chunmei looked up and asked, with a hint of doubt in her eyes.

"Silly girl, when we get to the hunting ground, we will be able to see the emperor. Isn't it easy to find the emperor?" Zhang Tianai smiled slightly and said softly.

Chunmei's mind suddenly became clear when she heard this, and she thought of many things. Could it be that these men had kidnapped them and set their house on fire just to take them to the hunting grounds?

"I also want to know who wants to see me." Zhang Tianai murmured to himself.

If she could know the other party's identity, it would be much easier to retaliate. However, no matter who the other party is, as long as they have ill intentions towards her, she will not let them go.

At this moment, her biggest concern is her own safety.

"Master, who will be the person sent?" Chunmei couldn't help but ask.

Zhang Tianai pondered this question the entire way, as did Chunmei. They both wondered why the other party hadn't just killed them outright, but instead had captured them alive. Was he planning to torture them personally?

Thinking of this, Zhang Tianai couldn't help but sneer.

"Chunmei, no matter what we do, there will be danger. This is just my idea. The specific situation depends on the road." Zhang Tianai stroked Chunmei's head and said softly.

Chunmei looked at her master, her eyes full of grievance. Zhang Tianai withdrew his hand and looked at her, knowing that if they escaped on their own, the risk would be even greater.

After all, this is not the modern world. Without legal protection, they can only rely on their own wisdom and courage.

"I want to take a break." Zhang Tianai said softly.

"Master, medicine..." Chunmei thought of the pills she carried with her.

It was medicine prescribed by the doctor, and they boiled it down into pills for portability. Chunmei kept it carefully.

"Throw it away." Zhang Tianai said lightly.

"But what if those three men find out?" Chunmei was a little worried.

"Just don't let them find out. I asked them to make it into pills so that it would be easier to hide." Zhang Tianai said.

Chunmei nodded after hearing this.

Then, she thought of the doctor again. Zhang Tianai thought of him, too; after all, he had taken their pulses. When she left, she didn't know if he was okay.

"I hope he's alright," Zhang Tianai thought to herself. She had thought about asking a doctor for help, but unfortunately, there was nothing she could do now.

"We must thank the doctor when we have the chance." Zhang Tianai said softly.

Chunmei nodded upon hearing this. She softly asked her master if he needed help, but Zhang Tianai shook her head.

"You kid, I've been lying down for a night, and the little guy seems to be much quieter." Zhang Tianai said with a smile, as if the child in her belly was comforted.

"Master, we should ask the doctor to prescribe some medicine to protect the fetus." Chunmei suddenly said.

Zhang Tianai smiled faintly, saying nothing. The day passed in anxiety and anticipation.

-

In the capital, in Yuan’s garden.

Nanny Li hadn't eaten, drunk, or slept for two days and one night. She was still wearing the same clothes, wrinkled and tattered, but she didn't care.

She had a strange odor she had never smelled before, and her hair was disheveled, casually tied back, with strands of white streaked in. Her figure was growing thinner, and she and Yuan Shi stared at everyone in the mansion, hoping for news from their master.

However, the people sent out still found nothing and did not find any trace of their master.

The gossip in the garden was growing more and more serious. Li Ma knew that sooner or later these rumors would spread to the palace and even outside the garden.

Some people asserted that the master was in grave danger. These words were like a sharp knife, piercing Yuan's heart. Her face became increasingly pale, and she became weak and frail. She could not sleep at night and could not eat.

Nanny Yu carefully supported her from the side.

Nanny Li looked at Old Madam Yuan with mixed feelings.

At this time, outside Mulan Paddock.

A horse galloped towards them like an arrow, its rider gripping the reins tightly, his gaze determined. Meanwhile, a carrier pigeon soared deep into the paddock and instantly vanished into the horizon.

The man on horseback reached the edge of the enclosure and saw someone blocking his way. He suddenly tightened the reins, and the horse raised its front hooves and neighed. He quickly dismounted, and after a brief conversation with the person blocking his way, he hurried towards the dragon tent.

After arriving at the Dragon Tent, he learned that the Emperor was not there, so he could only wait anxiously. He clutched the news from the capital tightly in his hand, feeling uneasy and unsure what to do.

Just then, a young eunuch emerged from the dragon tent and glanced at him curiously. Upon learning he was a messenger from the capital, the young eunuch gave him no further thought, merely wondering what news had come from the capital to make this man so anxious. He told him to wait a moment longer.

"When will Your Majesty return?" the visitor asked softly.

"I'll be back after hunting. What's the hurry?" There was a hint of impatience in his voice.

This young eunuch had been appreciated and promoted by chance in the enclosure, and he still had many doubts in his mind, and the visitor was just about to answer them.

At this moment, a gust of wind accompanied by flying dust interrupted their conversation. They both looked up at the same time.

It’s the emperor, Murong Shuo.

"The emperor is back." The little eunuch's voice was filled with unconcealable joy.

Not far away, amidst a cloud of dust, a group of people rode back. At their head was none other than Murong Shuo, followed by princes, ministers, and several women. Further behind them were attendants dragging their prey, and their voices could be faintly heard, complimenting the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness is truly brave and unparalleled."

"It is indeed amazing, just like the emperor."

"He's a replica of the emperor when he was young."

"As expected of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"My horse archery skills are improving day by day!"

"No one can match it. I guess it's because the Emperor and the Empress Dowager gave it to the palace maids."

It seems that the prince has caught a lot of prey today.

Murong Shuo thought to himself that the prince's performance in the past two days was quite good, and he hoped he could continue to maintain it.

Could it be that the palace maids he bestowed cheered him up?

If so, it should have been done long ago.

He gestured for the Crown Prince to withdraw first. After he left, he gazed into the distance, secretly thinking that if the Queen Mother knew about this, she would surely be pleased. With this thought in mind, he gave a few instructions to the people behind him, and then they each dispersed.

He walked towards the dragon tent.

The young eunuch witnessed this scene and couldn't help but say to the person next to him, "Did you hear it? Did you see it? Look, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has received so much praise, and the Emperor is very happy. It is enough to show how much the Emperor values His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Those past rumors have long been gone with the wind."

"If not, why would the Emperor grant His Royal Highness the Crown Prince a concubine? Don't believe the rumors from the outside world."

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been here frequently these past two days to accompany the Emperor, converse with him, and even accompany him in meetings with court officials."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is still Your Highness the Crown Prince after all!" His shrill voice was full of praise for His Highness the Crown Prince. After all, he had received many benefits from His Highness the Crown Prince.

The visitor was a little stunned by his series of words, wondering why he was talking so endlessly.

The young eunuch noticed the visitor's silence and thought to himself, could this person be here to report something about the Crown Princess?

He quietly heard the news that the Crown Princess had recently given birth prematurely.

"You..." he was about to ask.

However, the person who came had already walked towards the emperor.

Seeing this, the young eunuch hurriedly stopped him in a shrill voice: "Stop! No matter what it is, wait a moment before reporting. The emperor has just returned from hunting and may need to take a bath and change clothes later." After saying that, he stared at the person who came.

The visitor paused slightly, as if he wanted to speak.

But the young eunuch had no intention of talking to him anymore. Seeing the emperor getting closer, he took the lead and stepped forward, respectfully bowing to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, may you rest in peace. Your Majesty has returned from hunting with great success. I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..."

The young eunuch had not yet finished his words.

The visitor was about to salute, but was ignored by Murong Shuo. He glanced at the two of them, said nothing, and walked straight into the dragon tent, also driving out several attendants.

Eunuch An also noticed the two men. The young eunuch remained silent, but he took a second look at the newcomers. He took a few steps back, whispered a few words to the others, and then stepped into the dragon tent.

"Your Majesty." Eunuch An called softly.

"What's the matter?" Murong Shuo's voice was a little cold.

Murong Shuo wasn't in a good mood. It wouldn't be a bad mood, but more accurately, he was irritable and easily angered. This mood had been going on for the past two days, coming on suddenly and making him hard to grasp.

A sense of uneasiness surged deep in his heart, and his eyebrows twitched slightly, as if foreshadowing that something was about to happen.

But what exactly will happen?

He doesn't know.

Was there something unexpected happening in the capital? Or was there something wrong with the woman in the garden? He thought his arrangements were flawless.

Maybe I'm just overthinking it, and it's all just nonsense.

Eunuch An also noticed his master's displeasure and worry, but he had not yet asked. At this moment, he looked at His Majesty and said softly, "It seems that someone is coming from outside, as if they are from the capital."

"Hmm." Murong Shuo replied calmly, thinking to himself, what could it be? It was nothing more than that the Crown Princess's affair had been clarified, but he didn't expect it to be so quick, after all, they had only been back in Beijing for a few days.

He thought for a moment and asked if the bathing water was ready, planning to take a bath first before making any plans.

Eunuch An looked at the emperor's expression and had no choice but to send someone in to inquire. When he learned that the water was ready, he helped the emperor bathe and change clothes.

Murong Shuo took off his hunting suit and immersed himself in the bathtub. Only then did he relax, alone.

He rubbed his forehead gently, but still felt an unbearable headache.

At the same time, Eunuch An walked to the door of the dragon tent.

As soon as he reached the door, he heard the news that the Concubine Xian had arrived. Why was the Concubine Xian coming again? And she was coming so frequently, could she have some other plan? He thought to himself, perhaps the Concubine Xian had learned of the Emperor's return and was looking for him?