Hong'an Xiangzhuang - 6

Hong'an Xiangzhuang - 6

At dawn, rustling sounds came from outside, and the maids tiptoed in to help the young master wash up.

Breakfast was served: rice porridge, crystal shrimp dumplings, and delicate cakes. Zhao Yuankai took a couple of sips of the porridge and then put down his spoon.

"Your Highness, please have some more!" Feng Cha gently advised, "You must be tired from the journey to the palace today..."

"I'm full! Get the car ready!"

Zhao Yuankai wiped his mouth, jumped off the chair, straightened his clothes, and went out.

The red-wheeled carriage drove out of the side gate of the Kang Prince's Mansion. Zhao Yuankai sat inside the carriage, his small hands tightly gripping the hem of his clothes, pondering in his mind what he should say when he saw his grandmother.

As the wheels rolled over the bluestone road, he lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked out at the majestic imperial city. The rising sun gilded the vermilion palace walls with a golden edge, so dazzling it was unsettling.

"Your Highness, we have arrived."

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage came to a stop.

The carriage curtain was lifted by the nanny, and Zhao Yuankai used the momentum to step down from the footstool, his black brocade boots landing on the palace bricks with a "thud".

"Your Highness, be careful your feet don't hurt!"

Feng Cha bent over to protect the young master, and casually smoothed out the wrinkles he had made.

"Your Highness, please change to a palanquin!"

The eunuch bowed in greeting, and behind him was a palanquin carried by four men.

The sedan chair, made of nanmu wood, is carved with lotus scrolls, and the soft apricot-yellow curtains are embroidered with flowers and birds in silver thread.

Zhao Yunkai didn't need to be carried; he skillfully climbed onto the palanquin on his own.

The morning breeze tinkled the copper bells on the eaves as the palanquin moved smoothly along the palace road. On both sides, vermilion walls rose high, with latticed windows, and occasionally a palace servant would flash past behind one of them.

The palanquin passed through a long covered walkway, with white marble railings on both sides. Below, flowing water gurgled along the palace foundation, with cherry blossom petals floating on the surface.

Through the latticed window on the right, one can see the glazed roof of the distant palace, which glows with peacock blue, emerald green, and pale yellow light under the morning sun, layer upon layer, a breathtaking sight.

"We have arrived at Baoci Palace."

The eunuchs were waiting on the side. When they saw the prince jump down before he had even come to a complete stop, they instinctively spread their arms to protect him on both sides.

"Grandmother, Grandmother, your grandson greets you!"

Zhao Yuankai jogged into Cining Palace. His grandmother, with her hair in a simple bun and a white jade ruyi hairpin, sat on a high seat and looked at him with a smile.

"My dear grandson, come quickly to your grandmother!"

Shi Anwan cupped Zhao Yuankai's chubby face and quickly realized something was wrong.

"Why are your eyes so dark?" she asked, gently stroking them. "Have you been sleeping poorly lately?"

"Grandmother, your grandson really can't take it anymore!"

"Ever since Granny Chen left, I haven't been able to sleep a wink!" He tugged at his grandmother's sleeve. "Every time I close my eyes, I see her dying face..."

Shi Anwan's expression hardened slightly. She had some recollection of the several nannies who often accompanied her grandson.

Granny Chen had a rosy complexion and a robust physique, so she didn't seem destined to die young.

"It's her duty to treat you well!" Shi Anwan said gently but firmly. "You don't need to degrade yourself like this!"

"Zheng An, go and summon the imperial physician!"

"promise!"

Zheng An stepped outside and asked the eunuch to summon the imperial physician. He returned and continued to attend to him.

"Grandmother, what if... Chen Mama's death wasn't an accident?"

Zhao Yuankai's tears fell in a steady stream, his little face turning red from crying, making him look incredibly pitiful.

The air inside the hall suddenly froze. Shi Anwan waved away her attendants, and Zheng An walked at the back, standing guard outside with his back to the door.

"Grandson, you can't say things like that!"

The emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people.

If Lady Yun commits murder, the royal family will not protect her!

"Grandmother, I'm not making this up!" Zhao Yuankai wiped away his tears. "That woman didn't react at all to the mention of a 'dead person,' as if it were nothing out of the ordinary, like eating or drinking..."

His voice grew softer and softer until he finally rested his head on his grandmother's lap, unable to speak, and shed tears of grievance.

"Grandson, you have no evidence to prove that Granny Chen was killed by Madam Yun?"

Shi Anwan stroked the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist with her fingers, her voice calm, but her eyes were already filled with frost.

Children are the most sensitive!

She believed that her grandson's suspicions were not unfounded, and that the Yun family must have some secrets they were hiding.

"Grandson...Grandson, no!"

Zhao Yuankai cried so hard he could barely breathe, his voice barely audible.

Shi Anwan closed her eyes, and the prayer beads spun in her hand, the sandalwood beads making a soft sound that was particularly clear in the silent hall.

"Zheng An".

Zheng An, who was guarding the palace gate, bowed and stepped in. He was about fifty years old, with a fair complexion and no beard, fine lines around his eyes, and a faint smile on his face.

"Yes, sir."

"Go to the Kang Prince's residence and invite the Princess Consort to the palace!"

Shi Anwan stared at the outside of the main hall, where birds flew freely, and her grandson's cold, wet tears soaked her knees.

Whatever the truth may be, Yun Yixia must give her an explanation!

"Slave, I obey."

Zheng An bowed deeply, took a few steps back, and then turned and walked out of the main hall.

As he walked to the outer corridor of the palace, he slightly raised his hand, and four eunuchs with short swords at their waists gathered around him like ghosts.

"Prepare the car and head to Prince Kang's Mansion!"

"promise!"

Half an hour later, an inconspicuous blue-curtained carriage stopped at the west gate of the Kang Prince's Mansion.

Zheng An personally stepped forward and knocked on the door. The gatekeeper, seeing that it was the chief eunuch of the palace, dared not be negligent and hurriedly opened the door to welcome him.

"What brings you here, Eunuch Zheng? May I ask what brings you here?"

The chief steward of the Prince's mansion, Luo Yu, rushed over and greeted the guest with a smile.

"It is the Empress Dowager's decree!" Zheng An flicked his whisk, "I have been ordered to bring Princess Kang to the palace for a talk. Please inform her."

"Unfortunately, Her Majesty said she had a headache this morning and is resting in her room... May I inform Your Highness first?"

"No need!"

Zheng An interrupted him, and without stopping, walked straight into the inner courtyard.

"The Empress Dowager is eager to see Princess Kang. If the Princess is unwell, the imperial physicians will treat her."

If the prince asks, just say that the princess will return before sunset!

Luo Yu didn't dare to stop him directly. He gave the servant a look, signaling him to inform the prince, and then jogged to catch up with Zheng An.

The group walked through numerous corridors, and Du Fang, having received the news, rushed over to accompany them, arriving at Yun Yixia's residence, "Qinfang Garden."

The courtyard was lush with flowers and trees, and several maids were sitting under the eaves embroidering when they saw a group of eunuchs suddenly barge in. They all stood up in alarm.

Zheng An stopped in front of the main room and announced loudly, "By order of the Empress Dowager, Princess Consort Kang is invited to the palace for a talk!"

After a moment of silence, the door creaked open.

Yun Yixia wore a light purple casual dress, without any makeup. Her long hair was loosely tied up, her face was pale, her lips were light, and her features were delicate, but there was an inescapable melancholy between her brows.

He really did look sick!

Upon seeing Zheng An, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Thank you for making this trip in person, Eunuch Zheng!"

I am not feeling well today, and I fear that I may pass on my illness to the Empress Dowager. Could we please postpone our meeting for another day...?

"Princess Consort Kang!" Zheng An said without room for argument, "The Empress Dowager misses you dearly and has specially ordered me to bring you to the palace!"

The carriage is already waiting outside the gate; Your Highness, please change your clothes!

Four eunuchs stood on either side of the door, their demeanor assertive despite their silence.

Yun Yixia's gaze swept over the group of people, and after a moment of silence, she suddenly smiled softly.

"Since it is the Empress Dowager's kind invitation, who would dare to refuse?"

"Please wait a moment, Eunuch Zheng, while I change and do my hair."

Mu Jin slammed the door shut with a cold expression, her voice filled with intense personal emotion.

On the carriage back to the palace, Zheng An and Yun Yixia sat as host and guest, respectively, and the carriage was completely silent.

Yun Yixia changed into her formal princess attire, with light makeup, her hands folded on her knees, her posture dignified.

"Eunuch Zheng, the Empress Dowager has suddenly summoned me. What is the matter?"

She lifted the carriage curtain, looked at the street scene rushing past the window, and suddenly spoke.

"I only know how to relay messages; I dare not speculate on anything else."

Zheng An lowered his eyes to answer, appearing respectful but actually arrogant.

"Four eunuchs with swords came together. This kind of lineup is not like a normal conversation."

Yun Yixia lowered her eyes and chuckled softly, her tone neither warm nor cold, yet it exuded an aura of overwhelming power.

"That's how it is in the palace, Your Majesty is overthinking it."

Zheng An avoided his sharp edge, and Yun Yixia remained silent, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the embroidered patterns on her sleeves.

It was a phoenix with outstretched wings, its golden threads shimmering faintly in the dimly lit carriage.

The carriage entered the palace gate, passed through a long alley, and finally stopped in front of Baoci Palace.

Zheng An got out of the car first and reached out to help Yun Yixia, but she smiled and avoided him, instead taking Mu Jin's arm to get out of the car.

Inside the main hall, Shi Wan sat upright in the main seat, while Zhao Yuankai had retreated behind the screen at some point, leaving only a shallow kneeling mark on the ground.

The incense burner was filled with the calming and soothing sandalwood, but it couldn't suppress the underlying tension in the air.

"This humble servant, Yun, greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, wishing you boundless blessings and peace!"

Yun Yixia walked into the hall and bowed. Shi Wan did not immediately tell her to get up. Instead, she picked up her teacup and gently stirred the floating leaves with the lid.

The crisp sound of porcelain clattering echoed in the hall, each sound striking a chord in people's hearts.

"Get up and take a seat!"

After a long while, Shi Wan put down her teacup and slowly spoke.

Yun Yixia thanked Shi Wan and stood up, sitting down on the embroidered stool below Shi Wan with a respectful and composed demeanor.

"I heard you are not feeling well today?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have just caught a cold, but I'm almost better."

"Then I can rest assured!"

Shi Anwan stared sharply at Yun Yixia, tapping her fingers on the table, successfully attracting the attention of the woman below.

With her head always down and eyes drooping, who knows what Yun is thinking?

"Do you remember Granny Chen who serves the young master?"

"Um?"

Yun Yixia's almond-shaped eyes were blank, then she remembered something and sighed silently.

"In order to allow the prince to sleep a little longer, I will exempt him from the custom of 'paying respects to the prince at dawn and dusk'."

The Crown Prince usually has to study, and I am often in Qinfang Garden... so I am not very familiar with the maids around him.

Some time ago, Granny Chen died unexpectedly in the Prince's Mansion.

The prince has already generously compensated her family, and I have also ordered a seven-day Buddhist ceremony, hoping she will soon ascend to the Pure Land.

Yun Yixia looked slightly regretful, but showed little fear or alarm; her composure bordered on coldness.

After all, it's a human life!

"Someone told me that Granny Chen's death was suspicious. What do you say?"

Shi Anwan's voice suddenly turned cold. Yun Yixia raised her eyes to meet her gaze, her eyes clear and calm.

"Who could have uttered such nonsense?"

If there are any doubts, why doesn't he report it to the authorities?

The Kang Prince's Mansion acts with integrity and is not afraid of anyone investigating.

Yun Yixia was calm and unashamed, while Shi Anwan leaned forward slightly, an invisible pressure spreading out. The two auras collided and were evenly matched.

"Are you not afraid of being investigated, or is it that the investigation won't find out?"

"Your Majesty, if you do not believe me, you may order the local government, the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review... anyone, or even all of them, to investigate."

Yun Yixia had a faint smile on her lips, showing no sign of timidity.

Anyone can investigate; it's not like she's the one who's embarrassed.