Chapter 123: A New Day
A night passed, and a new day arrived.
In the winter morning, outside the Imperial Study, Princess Pingcheng, wrapped in a thick cloak, stopped the eunuch.
The eunuch also knew that Princess Pingcheng was the only one who could enter without announcement in His Majesty’s presence, so he paid respects and fell silent.
Princess Pingcheng walked in and saw the Emperor sitting behind the desk, one hand holding a memorial, the other supporting his forehead with his eyes closed.
“Father Emperor.” Princess Pingcheng called softly.
The Emperor raised his head, bleary-eyed: “Pingcheng is here. What time is it?” He squinted at the sky outside, “Why are you up so early? You don’t have school today. Sigh, don’t study so hard. You need to rest a bit.”
She hadn’t said a word yet, but Father Emperor had already said so many caring words. Father Emperor’s love for her would never change. Princess Pingcheng was full of smiles and listened carefully before speaking: “I got up as usual early, but I don’t plan to study. Today I’m going hunting with Imperial Brother, then staying at the temporary palace for two days. I came specially to tell Father Emperor.”
So that’s how it is. The Emperor was immediately delighted and said yes repeatedly.
“Father Emperor, did you stay up all night again?” Princess Pingcheng asked with a pout.
The Emperor laughed heartily: “No, no.” He shook his head as he spoke, “It was that rascal Wei Jiao. He came in the middle of the night demanding a reward instead of sleeping, and kept me from sleeping well.”
Wei Jiao. Princess Pingcheng quickly asked: “Is his illness better?”
She had only learned that Wei Jiao was ill after seeing him return to the palace earlier.
She had even sent a palace maid in her place with gifts to express condolences.
But the palace maid hadn’t seen him, and Wei Jiao hadn’t responded.
The Emperor snorted: “I think he’s even sicker than before. In the middle of the night, he knocked on the palace gate. See, the censors’ memorials were all submitted this morning.”
Princess Pingcheng smiled and said: “Everyone in the capital complains that he causes unrest as soon as he returns, but they don’t know Father Emperor suffers from it too.”
The Emperor nodded repeatedly: “Yes, yes.”
His daughter was so good with words. One joking remark comforted him. If it were the Prince of Donghai, he would only clamor to arrest Wei Jiao.
The Emperor’s smile grew even more affectionate.
“Don’t take the exam matter to heart. My daughter is the most sensible and outstanding daughter under heaven.” He couldn’t help saying.
The smile on Princess Pingcheng’s face paused slightly, and her gaze turned to the desk, where an answer sheet was mixed in with a pile of memorials.
Though she couldn’t see the name, she recognized it as the one from the National Academy exam.
Father Emperor, always keeping it on the desk, looking at it carefully.
“Father Emperor, you shouldn’t take it to heart.” She pretended to be annoyed, “I’ve long forgotten it.”
The Emperor laughed heartily and apologized. Princess Pingcheng didn’t stay longer and took leave to leave.
The Emperor sat in front of the desk and stretched lazily. Chatting and laughing with his daughter for a moment eased his fatigue.
Although he was still a bit sleepy from Wei Jiao’s disturbance, Sun Shu’s remnants had been cleared, and Qin’an City had been taken.
He stood up and walked to the map nearby, his gaze circling Longxi. For now, Wei Cui wasn’t submitting but also didn’t dare to rebel…
Next, Wei Cui wouldn’t dare to act rashly.
The Emperor breathed out lightly, but then frowned again.
However, there was still one hidden danger: that little prince from the previous dynasty.
As long as this little prince was around, it caused unease.
He didn’t know where this little thief was hiding.
“Someone come.” He turned and ordered, “Summon Wei Jiao!”
……
…….
The sky brightened fully, and the side gate of Duke Ding’an’s Mansion opened as a luxurious carriage drove out.
The carriage and horses were ones only Madam and Young Lady could use, but there were no servants, servant women, or maidservants clustered beside the carriage, unlike the grandeur when Duke Ding’an’s Wife or Young Lady went out.
“This young lady is going out so early?”
“Where to? Does Madam know?”
“Who dares to ask? They opened the gate when told. She’s someone rewarded by His Majesty and the Empress. No one dares to stop her.”
The servants at the doorway muttered and watched the carriage leave through the gate toward the street.
“Mister Liu might not dare accept this gift.” Yang Luo smiled as she looked at the wrapped small bundle.
Not only had Liu Chan moved back to live in the small alley, but Father Liu and the disciple were also leaving the capital the day after tomorrow.
Today, besides sending luggage to Liu Chan, Mo Zheng had also prepared a gift for Father Liu.
It was one of the two ancient books from the Li Family.
Sure enough, upon arriving at the small alley, when Liu Chan learned of the gift, she quickly waved it off: “Too precious.”
“This is our intention.” Mo Zheng insisted on giving it to her, “This incident brought a lot of fright to Mister Liu. Though it ended well, we can’t ignore our mistake.”
She smiled again as she spoke.
“Actually, the library has many rare ancient books, said to be on the top shelf. We should have a chance to see them.”
Liu Chan’s eyes lit up immediately. She was also a straightforward person, so she no longer refused and accepted it.
“Where are Mister Liu and Young Master Cheng?” Yang Luo asked, looking around the courtyard. The house was quiet after they entered. Mister Liu, as the elder, didn’t come out, and Young Master Cheng was chatty and cheerful, yet he was nowhere to be seen.
Liu Chan smiled and said: “They went to the street to shop. Previously, because of my matter, they had no heart for strolling. Now that the dust has settled and they’re leaving, they’re buying some capital souvenirs.”
So that’s how it is.
Yang Luo thought of something.
“Then I’ll go buy some vegetables and meat too, to make a farewell banquet for Mister Liu today.” She said.
Liu Chan quickly said: “There’s still food at home.”
“Then we’ll prepare what’s at home first.” Mo Zheng smiled and said, gesturing to Yang Luo, “You go to Sister Tao Hua next door and buy some from her family’s butcher shop.”
Yang Luo understood this was to have Sister Tao Hua accompany her when going out, and agreed before leaving.
Liu Chan didn’t persuade further and went into the kitchen with Mo Zheng to start preparing the meal.
When the fire was burning vigorously and the water in the pot was bubbling, as Liu Chan was talking about what classes she hoped to hear when school reopened, a few bird calls came from outside the door.
Mo Zheng, holding the fire poker, sat up straight.
“Oh.” She said, “I forgot something.”
Liu Chan quickly asked what.
“I need to pick some good paper to practice writing. I’m not satisfied with what my uncle’s family prepared.” Mo Zheng said, standing up, “I’ll go to the street to find A Sheng and Sister Tao Hua, then buy it together and come back.”
Liu Chan nodded unconcerned, watching Mo Zheng put down the fire poker and walk out, turning back at the doorway to instruct her.
“Stay home and watch the fire. Don’t go out.”
Liu Chan smiled and nodded in agreement.
……
…….
Mo Zheng stood in the alley, looking at the beggar child squatting at the street corner, and placed a handful of money into their empty bowl.
“Thank you, young lady.”
“Young lady is kind-hearted.”
The beggar children thanked her noisily.
Mo Zheng looked at one of them and asked softly: “What happened?”
That beggar child said softly: “Young Lady Yang Luo disappeared.”
Disappeared. How could a person suddenly disappear? Mo Zheng looked toward the street, her hand at her side clenching.
It was those people, coming again.
…….
…….
The incident happened very suddenly.
Yang Luo didn’t even know what happened.
She had clearly followed the shop assistant from the bookstore up the narrow stairs of the bookstore, and just as she stepped onto the second floor, her foot slipped into emptiness, and she fell.
She heard her own scream and Sister Tao Hua’s sharp shout right behind her. The next moment, someone yanked her and dragged her into some place, and Sister Tao Hua’s voice overhead disappeared.
Her vision was a dim yellow, bumping into walls all around, as if she was in a sealed box.
Yang Luo’s heartbeat pounded like a drum.
Was this an accident?
Did the bookstore stairs collapse?
But she quickly dismissed the thought.
There were no so many accidents in this world.
Especially for her.
This was an ambush.
She had been caught.
It was those people who wanted to kill her, coming again!
Those people who wanted to kill her had come again!
