c57 (2/2)

A anxious cry of filled with affection called from behind. The Empress Dowager had arrived, Xiao Lian gave a sigh in relief as she gently let her hand go.

When her feet were freed, Yan Ru Xuan immediately ran towards Empress Dowager and tugged on Yang Zhi Lan’s hand while speaking incoherently, “Imperial Mother, Imperial Mother, tell me, is Older Brother Yan locked up in prison? Why did Imperial Elder Brother imprison him? Older Did Brother Yan’s illness has erupted again? What did the Imperial Physician say? Imperial Mother, please speak?”

“Who told you these?” Yang Zhi Lan face turn gloomy as her eyes looked at the servants kneeling on the floor and could not wait to tear all these people apart.

“Imperial Mother, accompany me to see Imperial Elder Brother all right? How can he imprison older brother Yan? We will go and plead to him all right?” Imperial Mother’s expression changed, this must be true. Yan Ru Xuan’s heart felt more anxious as she pulled Yang Zhi Lan and wanted to run to Zheng Yang Palace.

The afternoon sun in early autumn was hot and dry and too add on running all the way emotionally, Yan Ru Xuan’s face was red, there was panic in her eyes and the heat made that previously dull eyes to sparkle. Comparing to the ashen look for the past few days, she was more agile and alive but all this was because of Lou Xi Yan. The hate in Yang Zhi Lan’s heart of Lou Xi Yan increased but her face remained clam and collected. Gently patting Yan Ru Xuan’s hand, Yang Zhi Lan smiled and consoled, “Xuan-er must have listen to all the nonsense talk. The Emperor is a wise and enlighten ruler, how would he imprison a nation’s Prime Minister?”

Yan Ru Xuan was somewhat taken aback and she stopped her steps to think about Imperial Brothers usual actions. He would not just put anyone in jail but this was related to Lou Xi Yan. She was still not a.s.sured and asked, “Older brother Yan was really not imprisoned?”

Yang Zhi Lan only smiled and nodded but did not answer her. Instead she softly asked, “Where did you heard it from?” Xuan-er stayed at her own place and she had already ordered the people in Qing Xuan Hall not to mentioned anything about Lou Xi Yan. How did Xuan-er know about it? This was really strange.

Yan Ru Xuan thought about it and shook her head, “I heard it when two palace maids were talking about it. I do not remember who were they.”

There were so many palace maid in the Palace so it was not surprising for Xuan-er not to remember. But these two palace maid dare to talk about Lou Xi Yan infront of the Princess and also able to recount so clearly which was very strange. Yang Zhi Lan gave a look to the old mama and the old mama quietly withdraw.

Yan Ru Xuan grabbed Yang Zhi Lan’s hands but her heart still beating hard, “Imperial Mother really did not lie to me right?”

Yang Zhi Lan smiled as she coaxed her, “Would Imperial Mother lie to you about it?”

“Then… I want to go to the Prime Minister Manor to see older brother Yan.” She still did not feel settled, what if older brother Yan was in danger, what can she do?

How did this daughter become so obstinate, Yang Zhi Lan started to get angry but she did not blame her and instead sighed before speaking, “Xuan-er has forgotten that he just got married?”

That sentence suddenly pulled out all the strength from Yan Ru Xuan and she stumbled into Yang Zhi Lan’s arm. Her tears started to fall uncontrollably, “That is right, at this time older brother Yan should be accompanying his wife to tour around. Where would he have time to bother about me.”

The mournful murmurings seem to be mocking herself and Yan Ru Xuan’s face once again lost vigour. Yang Zhi Lan’s heart ached as she gently pat her back and softly spoke, “All right, Mother will send you back.”

This time Yan Ru Xuan did not make a commotion and woodenly followed Yang Zhi Lan towards the direction of Qing Xuan Hall.

*****

Fu Ling had been hiding behind the big tree next to Xi Xia Palace. Only after seeing the Empress Dowager and her party leaving in a hurry, she then walked over to the back door which servants use and waited. Fu Ling was only there when she saw Yao Chan carrying a bucket out. Yao Chan looked at the surroundings for a while before placing the bucket by the door and ran towards her.

She came out in such a short time which made Fu Ling worried as she urgently said, “Did you get it?”

“En.” Yao Chan took a white jade seal from her sleeve and handing it over to Fu Ling. With a look, Fu Ling confirmed that it was Empress Dowager Yang Zhi Lan personal seal. Fu Ling took out several similar letterhead from her pockets. Before she open them, she looked at Yao Chan and Yao Chan immediately understood and quickly turned around, not daring to peek or glance. Even though her back was against Fu Ling and she was two to three steps away, she was looking around alertly and covering Fu Ling.

This person was discreet and know when to retreat. She was someone that can be of use to Mistress and this was definitely a good thing. Due to time constraint, Fu Ling dare not be distracted and the most important thing was to stamp quickly. As Fu Ling uses the seal, her eyes inadvertently glance at the contents. This… This turns out to be the private letters between the Empress and the Seventh Prince of Liao Yue? Fu Ling’s hands could not help but shake. Lou Furen’s tacit of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth was indeed very smart.

After ensuring that everything was stamped, Fu Ling handed the seal back to Yao Chan and urgently said, “Quickly put it back.”

“Yes.” Yao Chan’s palms were filled with sweat and she did not speak any more when she quickly went back to Xi Xia Palace on the same route she came from.

For Yao Chan to steal the seal today, it was considered that she had truly seek refuge under Mistress and considered as one of Mistress’s people. This way she did not need to die any more. Fu Ling was secretly relieved. Folding the doc.u.ments and placing it in the chest pocket, she quickly ran towards the northern gates.

Fu Ling was very cautious and prudent along her way. When she finally saw the northern gates, her footsteps got bigger.

“Stop there.” A harsh male voice berated. Fu Ling stop in her steps and her mind started to spin. This is the northern gate and listening to the footsteps behind, it should be a team of guards patrolling at the gates. Fu Ling look down at her clothes and after determining that it did not look abnormal, she then turned to face the people behind.

Behind her was a platoon of over ten Imperial guards. The person standing in front should be the one that call her to stop. Fu Ling look up slightly at that person and immediately meet up a pair of cold and silent eyes.

Ming Ze… Fu Ling silently cursed, how did she meet him again! Fu Ling unconsciously clenched her hands.

<script>