I just want to be a princess, no, you want to be a queen

Lu Mingyuan had also heard about this and was filled with suspicion. "I specifically inquired about it and found out that the Dali Temple Minister was a member of Concubine Song's staff. But not only did he not interfere, he even helped Prince Ningyuan close the case."

"So, Concubine Song specifically asked Chu Mingzheng to investigate the case just to reward him?"

This sounded so ridiculous. Lu Mingyang frowned and asked, "Do they want Prince Ningyuan to close the case so they can find the murderer and accuse him of dereliction of duty? But they don't have the real murderer."

"Yes! If we really find out the truth layer by layer, it will be even more disadvantageous to them." They are the culprits of all this. Lu Mingyuan's eyes darkened: "Unless there is a bigger conspiracy."

Lu Mingyang continued his speculation: "Moreover, this conspiracy will be even more detrimental to Prince Ningyuan after the case is solved."

"Yes!" Lu Mingyuan remembered the night when the crime happened.

"Your Majesty advocated for a marriage alliance, and this important matter has just been concluded. If word spread that the Marquis of Zhongxin was murdered by a Xiongnu spy, how could Your Majesty lose face? Therefore, if Captain Pei had not arrived and claimed that the murderer was a Xiongnu expert who could capture and kill wolves, hiding in the capital, I'm afraid there would be a major move. Either to assassinate Your Majesty or to steal secrets. Your Majesty would never allow a secret investigation."

Assassinating His Majesty and stealing secrets. This is a much more serious matter. "If the case hadn't been solved, Prince Ningyuan would have been forgiven for this. But if the case had been solved, he would be held fully responsible."

The more Lu Mingyang thought about it, the more horrified he felt: "But how did Concubine Song know what the Huns were doing?"

"Unless, she collaborates with the enemy!"

As soon as the words fell, the two sisters broke out in cold sweats.

The mother of the emperor's only biological child collaborated with the enemy just to deal with a dying stepson. This is too ridiculous. But if not, what did Song Wei want to do?

"What's wrong with you these days? You've been sitting there in a daze."

Inside Xunyang Pavilion, Yang Nian'er picked up a string of copper coins and waved them in front of Lu Mingyang's eyes. "Second sister, today is the Lantern Festival. Let's go see the lanterns. People say that the lanterns in the capital are so beautiful."

In her twelve years of life, she had only seen lanterns in the town once, and that was during the day.

"It's the Lantern Festival already." Lu Mingyang looked out the window and said with emotion, "Let's go and take a look."

As he said this, he put his sister's string of copper coins into his arms.

"Hey, that's the money I used to buy the lanterns,"

"I'll use it."

"No, you have so much money, and you still use mine."

"That's my dowry. I can't use it."

The two of them walked to the front yard, playing and joking, and met Qin Miao, who came to visit. To be more precise, she came to show off.

Qin Miaogao wore her hair in a flying moon bun, her hair covered with pearls and jade, and she was dressed in a luxurious golden satin with cloud patterns, which was full of brilliance.

"Sister!" Qin Miao, supported by her maid Mudan, bowed gracefully and raised her head, her face full of surprise and confusion: "Sister, it's the annual Lantern Festival, a big day, how can you dress so casually?"

"What Lantern Festival?" Yang Nian'er was surprised.

Qin Miao stroked her hair gently and said with a smile, "Today, His Majesty will hold a banquet in the palace to celebrate the Lantern Festival with the royal family and important officials. I came here just to accompany my sister to the palace."

Having said that, she asked in a sarcastic tone, with a faint scornful laugh in her voice.

"Didn't the palace send anyone to inform my sister?"

"I really don't know." Lu Mingyang put on a fake smile and laughed twice in agreement, "Miss Qin, go quickly. It will be bad if you're late."

"That's such a shame," Qin Miao said, her tone drawn out, a look of regret. Then, she offered a thoughtful suggestion, "However, His Majesty will ascend Chengtian Gate at 11:00 PM to celebrate with the people and enjoy the lanterns. Sister, you can go there and join in the fun."

Yang Nian'er rolled her eyes in anger. "What a pity! Our Fourth Miss can go every year in the future anyway. But Miss Qin, you are not sitting with His Royal Highness Prince Ningyuan, are you?"

At this point, Yang Nian'er also deliberately lengthened her tone to infuriate Qin Miao: "You must cherish this last time."

"you put……"

Qin Miao stopped Mudan's words with her eyes. She came here to warn Lu Mingyang to put himself in the right position. If she got angry first, wouldn't she be in a bad position?

"Brother Zheng is still waiting for me in the palace, so I won't talk to my sister. As for whether this is the last time, we'll have to wait and see." Qin Miao turned around and left proudly.

Lu Mingyang turned his head to look at his sister and poked her forehead, "Look at what you can do."

"Look at how cowardly you are." Yang Nian'er retorted bluntly.

"I'm a coward?" She just didn't want to engage in intrigue and verbal battles over such a trivial matter. It was boring, too boring.

"Yes!" Yang Nian'er took Lu Mingyang's hand and walked out, saying proudly, "How about you take me to the palace? I promise I won't let you be bullied."

"Impossible." Lu Mingyang refused firmly and didn't allow her sister to say anything more because she felt that she was really moved.

Even before dark, the streets are already bustling with activity. The hawking of vendors rises in waves. Shops and taverns hang lanterns overhead. Fish, birds, and flowers—everything is on display. When the lights are lit at dusk, what a magnificent spectacle it will be!

"Second sister, shall we buy two lanterns?"

"No!" Lu Mingyang shook his head. "There's a lantern riddle game tonight, I'll give it to you."

"how do you know?"

"It's from a TV show."

Yang Nian'er was completely confused: "What is a TV series?"

"That's right, it's similar to shadow puppetry, telling a story. Let's go." Lu Mingyang didn't know how to explain it and pushed her forward.

A group of soldiers came forward, long swords at their hips, trotting past in neat steps. Not long after, another group passed by.

Lu Mingyang was surprised: "Why are there so many soldiers?"

The uncle selling glutinous rice balls on the roadside said, "Today the Emperor will ascend Chengtian Gate and celebrate with the people. The Emperor's safety is of paramount importance, so a heavy guard must be deployed. If anything goes wrong, it will be disastrous."

"What did you say?"

But Lu Mingyang couldn't hear the old man's reply anymore; his head was buzzing. No wonder the Dali Temple was trying to help Chu Mingzheng close the case quickly. Everything indicated that if there was to be action, tonight would be the best time to do it.

"Nian'er, go back home quickly and don't go out to play at night."

"What's wrong……"

Before Yang Nian'er could finish her words, her second sister was no longer visible. Lu Mingyang rushed all the way to the Chengtian Gate of the Imperial City. By then, many people had gathered at the gate, waiting to see the emperor.

Dense numbers of Yulin guards were stationed at Chengtian Gate, keeping an eye on any movement.

Lu Mingyang walked up to a Yulin Guard who looked like the leader and saluted, "I am Princess Ningyuan. I would like to ask, has His Royal Highness Prince Ningyuan entered?"

The guard froze, his hand on the sword trembling. Lu Mingyang was a little frightened and took a step back. Just as he was about to speak, the guard excitedly confirmed again, "Are you the sister of the General of the Household?"

Who is the General of the Central Army?