Chapter 613 - 613: Farewell
Shen Zhuo hurriedly said, “Father, don’t say that. I’m still young. I still have to rely on Father to make decisions for many things.” The old emperor sighed. “I’m tired.”
Shen Zhuo tactfully shut his mouth and left obediently.
Wei Huai’en walked him to the door of the bedroom. “Take care, Your
Highness.”
Shen Zhuo glanced at him. “Take good care of Father. I’ll visit him tomorrow.”
Wei Huai’en said, “Yes.”
Shen Zhuo took two steps before suddenly stopping. “By the way, how’s the
Empress Dowager’s health?”
Wei Huai’en answered truthfully, “The Empress Dowager’s condition isn’t too good now. The imperial physician has already tried his best to treat her. Whether she can survive this, in the end, depends on fate. The Empress is currently taking turns with the concubines to take care of her in the Biquan Palace. I hope the Empress Dowager can be safe.”
Shen Zhuo said, “I see. Then I’ll go to the Biquan Palace to take a look.” He got into the sedan and rode the night to the Biquan Palace.
In fact, Wei Huai’en’s words were more optimistic. Empress Dowager Deng’s current situation was already very weak. She could not even say a word. From the heavy expressions of the imperial physicians, it could be seen that Empress Dowager Deng would probably not last long.
Shen Zhuo looked at Empress Wen’s red eyes and his heart ached.
“Mother, go back and rest first. There are others here to watch. Nothing will happen.”
Empress Wen took a sip of strong tea and said, “I’m fine. You came at the right time. I have something to ask you.”
The mother and son went to the side hall.
When there was no one else around, Empress Wen asked solemnly. “Junzhi, are you hiding something from me?”
Shen Zhuo lowered his head. “I don’t know what Mother is talking about.”
Empress Wen’s gaze was sharp. “You don’t have to pretend to be stupid. For today’s birthday banquet, you secretly brought Yu Niaoniao into the palace. Do you really think no one knows about this?”
Shen Zhuo immediately stopped talking.
Empress Wen reprimanded in a low voice, “Junzhi, you’re muddle-headed! Now that the emperor and Empress Deng are sick, no one will notice your cheap shots for a while. That’s why you managed to get away with it. However, there are many spies in the palace. This matter might be exposed soon.” Shen Zhuo said, “Mother, don’t worry. This matter will pass quickly.”
Empress Wen frowned. “Why are you so confident?”
Shen Zhuo said, “You’ll know soon.”
Empress Wen looked at the calm Shen Zhuo and suddenly realized that this child had really grown up.
He was no longer the young child he had been.
He was becoming more and more like a real king.
She could not even tell what he was thinking.
The next morning.
Yu Niaoniao and Xiao Juan prepared to leave. Pan Dafu insisted on sending them out of the city personally.
They could not refuse and could only agree.
Pan Dafu drove the carriage, with Yu Niaoniao and Xiao Juan sitting in it.
When she passed by the city gate, Yu Niaoniao saw that there were many people gathered around the noticeboard. She looked over and immediately saw the notice stuck in the middle of the noticeboard.
The notice said that Feng Lianghan and the descendants of the Xie family had rebelled and were unforgivable. The emperor ordered to dig them out and whip their corpses, before burning their bones and scattering their ashes as an example!
Yu Niaoniao’s heart tightened.
The wretched emperor did not even let the dead off!
She wanted to jump out of the carriage and tear up the notice, but she was stopped by Xiao Juan.
“Calm down. It’s useless even if you tear up the notice.”
Yu Niaoniao was angry and hateful. “Isn’t he afraid of retribution?!”
Xiao Juan hugged her and comforted her in a low voice. “He’ll have retribution soon. ”
Yu Niaoniao’s eyes were filled with tears. “I can’t let them disturb my parents’ rest. I want to go to Bashu. I want to hide my parents’ bones before they do anything.”
Xiao Juan said, “Alright, leave everything to me.”
The carriage successfully drove out of the city gate.
No matter how reluctant he was, there would always be a farewell. Pan Dafu could only send him off here.
He jumped out of the carriage and waved his arm at the departing carriage.
“Have a safe trip, Teacher!”
The carriage pulled into the official road and moved steadily forward.
For some reason, Yu Niaoniao suddenly felt dizzy and her vision became blurry.
She did not want to delay their journey, so she endured it and did not say anything. However, Xiao Juan quickly sensed it.
Fortunately, there was a guest house beside the official road.
Xiao Juan stopped the carriage and helped Niaoniao into the guest house. He let Niaoniao lie down on the bed and covered her with a blanket.
“Rest well. I’ll get you a doctor now.”
Yu Niaoniao took his hand. “I’m fine. There’s no need to see a doctor. Let’s continue our journey.”
She had to rush to Bashu quickly. She had to move the corpses of Madam Xie and Feng Lianghan and hide them in a place no one knew.
She could not let the wretched emperor disturb her parents’ rest.
Xiao Juan touched her cheek. “I know what you’re worried about. Don’t be anxious. I’m here. I won’t let anyone disturb my parents-in-law. I’ll help you continue what you want to do but can’t finish.”
Yu Niaoniao felt that something was wrong with his words.
But she couldn’t think carefully because her mind was getting groggy.
Her thoughts were falling uncontrollably, and her eyelids closed bit by bit.
Xiao Juan bent down and kissed her forehead gently.
“Have a good sleep. I’m leaving.”
As soon as Xiao Juan left the guest house, the people from the Crown Prince’s residence surrounded the entire guest house.
A luxurious carriage stopped in front of the guest house. The emblem representing the crown prince’s residence hung on the carriage.
The curtain was lifted, and Shen Zhuo stepped out of the car on a low stool. A guard knelt on one knee. “Your Highness, Duke Lang has already left. I sent someone to follow him and confirm that he has returned to the Imperial Capital.”
Shen Zhuo smiled. “Continue following him. No matter what he does, there’s no need to stop him.”
‘Yes.”
Shen Zhuo walked into this inconspicuous guest house.
Everyone in the guest house had been gathered and watched.
Shen Zhuo walked in unimpeded. The guard was in charge of leading the way. Finally, they stopped in front of a guest room. The guard said ingratiatingly, “It’s here.”
Shen Zhuo glanced at him. “Are you sure she’s here?”
The guard hurriedly said, “I saw Duke Lang bring the princess into this guest room with my own eyes. Duke Lang left on his own just now. The princess must still be in this room.”
Shen Zhuo raised his chin slightly. “Open the door.”
The guards immediately pushed them away.
Shen Zhuo crossed the threshold and walked in unhurriedly.
The blanket on the bed bulged slightly. Niaoniao should be lying on the bed.
From the way she didn’t move, she must be asleep.
Shen Zhuo raised his hand, indicating for the others to leave. He walked gently to the bed and reached out to lift the blanket.
“Niaoniao, good to see you again…”
Before he could finish, he stopped.
Because he realized that there was a pillow stuffed under the blanket. From afar, it looked like someone was lying under the blanket, but there was actually no one on the bed!
He had been tricked!