Shangguan Yunting escorted the emperor and the empress dowager all the way back to the palace before he left with peace of mind. After all, the safety of the emperor and the empress dowager was related to the entire national situation.

The palace is heavily guarded, and their safety is guaranteed. Although everything seems calm outside the palace, there are actually undercurrents.

When Shen Rou returned to the front yard, many guests had already said goodbye and left.

Many ladies still wanted to inquire about Shen Nan's marriage, but Shangguan Yunting and Shen Rou left after the banquet started.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, she returned to the front yard. At this time, everyone left one after another, leaving them reluctantly leaving Prince Mu's Mansion.

Shen Rou smiled gently, greeted everyone softly, and was courteous, making every guest feel her warmth and respect.

At this time, the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince came side by side, bowed, and said in unison: "Auntie, take your leave."

"You two princes, please walk slowly."

"Thank you for your concern, Aunt Huang."

The two princes walked out of the palace and said goodbye. They went in different directions. The fourth prince was still a minor and still lived in the palace. He walked towards the palace with two guards.

Several people came towards him and separated the Fourth Prince. After everyone left, the Fourth Prince suddenly felt something in his hand. He opened the note in surprise and was shocked by the content on it.

I quickly looked around and found that everyone had disappeared in the vast crowd.

Guards Yuan Qing and Yuan Chen hurriedly asked with concern: "Master, what's wrong?"

He looked serious and said, "Let's talk about it when we get back."

The master and his servants returned to the palace. He handed the note to Yuan Qing and asked, "Take a look at what this means."

Yuan Qing took the note and was surprised by the contents. "Master, don't listen to this man's nonsense. Xue Fan killed someone in the street and has been on the run ever since. Later, the Xue family committed the crime of deceiving the emperor and was confiscated and exterminated. The Empress Shu was also banished to the cold palace by the emperor. This is known to the entire capital. You were young back then and may not know the truth. Don't let someone with influence take advantage of you."

"The note said that this matter was related to the Ninth Prince and Princess Mu. This prince doesn't think they are such a couple. Father is a wise ruler. If the Xue family had wronged him, how could he have ordered the annihilation of the entire Xue family?"

"Shufei is my biological mother. She gave me life. If there is something else going on, I have the right to know."

Yuan Chen said worriedly, "Master, you have to teach at the Imperial College tomorrow. How can you leave the palace to meet someone? We don't know who that person is. Even if he knows the inside story, he might be setting a trap to deceive you, Your Highness."

"Master, you must think twice before you act, and don't let yourself be taken advantage of by someone with ulterior motives."

The Fourth Prince pondered for a moment, his eyes firm. "Yuanchen, tomorrow you send someone to the Imperial College to ask for leave. I will leave the palace in disguise. If I don't get to the bottom of this matter, I won't be able to sleep or eat."

"Master, have you really thought it through?"

The Fourth Prince nodded gently, "I have made up my mind."

Yuan Qing and Yuan Chen exchanged a glance, "Master, your mind is made up. I will follow you."

The next day, the Fourth Prince changed into casual clothes and quietly left the palace with two guards. He arrived at the Fenghua Restaurant as agreed upon in the note.

Yuan Chen cautiously reminded him, "Master, you and Yuan Qing are in the private room next door. I will go in and investigate. Once you are sure it is safe, you can proceed."

The Fourth Prince nodded slightly.

Yuan Chen came to the private room on the second floor and pushed the door open. An old man was sitting inside. He stared at the calm old man with sharp eyes, and the other party looked back at him without fear.

Yuan Chen clasped his fists and asked, "Sir, who are you?"

The old man smiled lightly, his voice hoarse but revealing an unquestionable majesty: "I am worthy of the Fourth Prince's trust."

"I don't think so."

"I have no ill intentions. I just can't bear to see the truth of that year buried. I don't want the Fourth Prince's mother to die in depression in the cold palace. I also don't want the Fourth Prince to be deceived by evil people his whole life."

"Sir, my master is still young. Xiu has deceived him with conspiracy and trickery. If I learn the truth, I will hunt you down even if it means I have to go to the ends of the earth."

The old man nodded with satisfaction, "Yes, you are a loyal guard. At least you care about your master."

"Call your master in! The private room is safe, I won't hurt him."

Yuan Chen carefully looked at the old man sitting upright. Although his face was old, his hands on the table did not match his age.

He instantly drew his sword, pointed at the old man, and shouted: "You dare not show your true face to others and still want to see my master. If you don't explain clearly today, you will leave."

Yuan Chen pointed his sword at the other party, still calm and composed, "Yes, you discovered it all. You are quite a competent guard. I feel much more at ease with you by the Fourth Prince's side."

"who are you?"

"Call your master in and I'll tell him the truth. If you're worried I might be a danger to him, you can tie my hands and feet."

"I see that your martial arts skills are not weak, and the ropes may not be able to tie you up."

"I am willing to be tied up by you, so you can tie me up naturally."

Yuan Chen thought for a moment and decided to ask the Fourth Prince. After all, he had quietly left the palace today just to find out the truth of that year.

At this time, the Fourth Prince was extremely anxious in the private room next door, and he couldn't wait to hear the truth about his mother's family case.

Yuan Qing whispered to the side: "Master, please be patient and wait and see how Yuan Chen responds."

"Why don't you go over and see what's going on?"

"Yes."

Yuan Qing had just opened the door when Yuan Chen walked in. "Master, although there's no danger in the private room next door, the person's identity is mysterious and his face looks different, as if he's been disguised."

Yuan Qing's expression suddenly became solemn when he heard about the word "disguise". Back then, Xue Fan used a human skin mask to deceive the real thing and escaped until now and has not been brought to justice yet.

This person's disguise made him think of Xue Fan. Xue Fan's sudden appearance in front of his master meant something, which made him worried.

After all, Xue Fan had killed someone in the street and committed the crime of deceiving the emperor. He deserved to die. If the emperor knew that the master had met with him, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The thirteen-year-old Shangguan Yu was even more curious about this person's identity and intentions. "Such a mysterious person, this prince must meet him in person."

Yuan Qing wanted to dissuade him, but the Fourth Prince was like a newborn calf that was not afraid of a tiger. He walked straight to the door of the private room next door and pushed it open. The scene inside was completely different from what Yuan Chen described.

Sitting inside was a middle-aged man in his twenties or thirties, wearing a navy blue robe and with a calm temperament.

When the man saw the Fourth Prince coming, his eyes instantly fixed on him. His eyes, sharp as an eagle, looked at the young man in front of him with excitement and complicated feelings. After all, he was the only relative he had left in this world.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like