Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1406: Crown Prince and Prince

Chapter 1406: Chapter 1406: Crown Prince and Prince

Shangguan Li had a similar reaction, which showed that both little girls refused to stay in the palace for another minute, huddling together not just out of affection, but fear as well.

This pained both Zhulan and the Shangguan family’s old matriarch deeply.

The Crown Prince’s entourage arrived at Li Family Village and decided to stay due to the overcast weather and the potential of heavy rainfall, planning to rest here for the night.

Most of the houses in the mountain village were made of earth, with the best being the green brick house of the Lizheng.

Unable to accommodate such a large party in the Lizheng’s house and with others unwilling to stay in carriages in case of rain, they decided to lodge with the villagers.

Li Family Village was not large, with just over fifty families. Although named after the Li family, it was actually a village of mixed surnames. The Lizheng had chosen this place to settle during a time of refuge because it was suitable for hiding, and over time, dozens of families moved in and formed a village. It was named Li Family Village simply because the Li family arrived there first.

The Lizheng’s house became highly sought after. Those who followed the Crown Prince on his journey were either favored children at home or the future pillars of their families, all accustomed to the best resources and disliking earthen houses.

Ming Rui wasn’t interested in competing. It didn’t matter to him where he stayed, as he could endure any hardship just as his father could.

Shangguan Liu came over and asked, "Shall we lodge together?"

Ming Rui replied, "I’m not staying at the Lizheng’s house."

"I know, I’ve already picked out a house. Want to come with me?"

Ming Rui and Shangguan Liu got along quite well, and besides, there was an unspoken exclusion of the two, cough, could they not be excluded? The Crown Prince always liked to take them along, and frequent inclusion would naturally breed jealousy.

As Ming Rui followed Shangguan Liu, they met a Little boy about seven or eight years old waiting for them, holding the hand of a girl around five years old. The little boy was very anxious, "Young Master, my big brother has already run back to inform Grandma."

Shangguan Liu patted the little boy’s head, "Okay, we’ll head there. You lead the way."

The little boy was delighted at the prospect of earning some Silver, which would ease their family’s financial hardships.

Ming Rui observed the boy’s worn but clean clothes, deducing that the household must value cleanliness.

Shangguan Liu whispered, "This Zhao family is not large but very diligent, and their house is one of the few nicer ones besides the Lizheng’s."

"You seem to have done your homework," Ming Rui remarked.

Shangguan Liu pointed to his face, "Kids like me because I look nice, they tell me everything once I ask."

The departure of Ming Rui and Shangguan Liu was known to the Crown Prince. Prince Qi said with a smile, "I thought Your Highness would keep them here."

The Crown Prince replied, "I am more interested in seeing who can endure hardships. If I asked them to stay, I would miss the chance to observe."

Prince Qi’s eyes grew deeper, he had to admit his royal brother was indeed skilled in nurturing heirs. The Crown Prince had his own thoughts and considerations; he should be happy about it!

In the capital, Zhulan left the Palace with her granddaughter, boarding their private carriage. Yu Jiao flung herself into her grandmother’s arms, "Grandma, today all the palace maids who were with me and Shangguan Li disappeared. I didn’t dare ask where they went. It’s lucky I didn’t take Cloud out with me, or would she have disappeared too?"

Zhulan gently stroked her granddaughter’s head, asking softly, "What happened today?"

Yu Jiao, feeling dejected, said, "Today, the Second Prince and Miss Xue from the Xue Family were talking in the garden, holding hands. Shangguan Li and I were terrified. Our palace maids exclaimed in shock, and we were found out."

She was bewildered by the events that followed; she was genuinely frightened.

Zhulan hugged her granddaughter tightly. The palace maids weren’t just dealt with for seeing what they shouldn’t have, but also for scheming against the Zhou and Shangguan families. The two young girls wouldn’t have witnessed such a scene if not deliberately led there, which was certainly a plot by Consort Liu. Zhulan wasn’t sure if Consort Liu would get her way, though.

Zhulan noted this carefully. How old was Yu Jiao? She had underestimated Consort Liu’s audacity. But, Zhulan was speechless, how old was the Second Prince? The children in the Palace were maturing way too early.

In the Shangguan family’s carriage, the elderly Lady didn’t inquire about her granddaughter; she had been frightened. Instead, asking the palace maid who had accompanied her into the Palace, she came to know of the Zhou family’s care for the granddaughter. The elderly Lady patted her granddaughter’s hair, "In the future, maintain close relations with the ladies of the Zhou family."

Shangguan Li perked up a bit, "Grandma, Yu Jiao also has an elder sister, and Yu Jiao’s sister is also quite formidable."

The elderly Lady showed interest. She had frequently heard praises of the Zhou family’s young ladies, but she wasn’t genuinely attentive—there were too many young ladies in the capital.

Inside the Palace, the Emperor was discussing state affairs with the ministers. Only after finishing did he learn of the happenings in the harem; Zhulan had already taken her granddaughter back home.

The Emperor fingered his String of Pearls, thinking that no single family should dominate the harem. As for Empress Liu causing trouble, he turned a blind eye because the previous dynasty needed the Liu family. With regards to his second son, the Emperor grew silent. He himself had ascended to the throne from the Crown Prince’s position and was fully aware of the gap between the Crown Prince and his brothers; now, his eldest son was going through the same ordeal.

The Xue family came to mind, and he silently noted that allowing several girls from notable families to enter the Palace indeed held the intention of finding a match for the Second Prince. All the families were good candidates, yet the Xue family was not one the Emperor favored.

Eunuch Zhang dared not breathe too loudly; he had followed the Emperor since a young age and was well aware of the Emperor’s temper. He had thought the Emperor would be furious, but instead, the Emperor did not show anger, which meant the Emperor was calculating something.

The Emperor spoke up to inquire, "How is the Empress’s situation?"

Eunuch Zhang, "The Female Officer reported that Empress is doing well in all aspects."

At this moment, a eunuch came in to report, "The Second Prince requests an audience."

The Emperor closed his eyes and remained silent. Eunuch Zhang, understanding the implication, stood up and went outside, telling the Second Prince, "The Emperor is resting, please return, Your Highness."

The Second Prince wanted to say he would wait for his father the Emperor to wake up, yet he didn’t dare. The Emperor disliked such actions the most, and the Emperor was unwilling to see him, "Thank you for your efforts, Eunuch."

Eunuch Zhang smiled, "It was nothing."

At the Zhou Residence, Zhulan sat guard while Yu Jiao slept. Qing Xue came in, "A steward from the Ning Duke Residence has arrived."

"Is there any matter?"

Qing Xue spoke softly, "Marquis Ning intends to send gifts to Prince Qin, and is inquiring if you wish to send anything along."

Zhulan counted the days and fell silent, "Our residence has nothing to send."

She vividly remembered that just five days ago, Ning Xu had sent a team out of the capital. Ever since the news of Xue Han’s pregnancy returned to the capital, Ning Xu no longer confined himself to his residence. Instead, figures from the Ningxu Residence’s stewardship, or even Ning Xu himself making purchases, could be seen from time to time on the streets of the capital.

Calculating carefully, this was already the third dispatch of gifts leaving the capital; Ning Xu’s expectations for the child in Xue Han’s womb were high.

Qing Xue stood to deliver a response, while Yu Yi let go of her sister’s hand, "Grandma, I will stay with Yu Jiao. Allow me to support you back to your quarters to rest first."

Zhulan was indeed tired, and she instructed Yu Yi, "She’s been a bit frightened. If anything seems amiss, come to the main courtyard."

Yu Yi, "I will keep a constant watch."

"Don’t wear yourself out either."

Yu Yi, "Understood."

At the Liu residence, Lady Gu personally saw Mrs. Zhao out of the residence. After the carriage had gone far away, she turned back only to see her second son, "You even followed us out."

Liu Yuanbo stubbornly retorted, "Your son needs to go out and make some purchases."

Lady Gu incredulously circled her son twice, "You’re actually willing to spend money?"