Looking at Tai'an from the full moon

Chapter 173 The Crown Prince's Instructions

"The prince's oral instructions:

The late emperor passed away, and all the princes had to observe mourning for him. According to the ancestral system, the mourning period was three years. The late emperor made great contributions to the peace and prosperity of Tai'an during his lifetime, and his contributions were passed down after his death, so his descendants should observe the full mourning period for him at the Beiguan Imperial Mausoleum.

......"

When Xiao Zuochen and the other two heard this, they thought that Xiao Zuoming was looking for an excuse to send him away. They thought that it would be good to leave Tai'an City earlier. After all, before the new emperor ascended the throne, this place was a place of controversy. Moreover, the imperial mausoleum was in Beiguan, which was Chu Yao's territory.

Just as the three were about to respond, Kido spoke next.

"...

The eldest prince, Xiao Zuoqing, had been deeply loved by the late emperor since he was young, so he was specially ordered to go to the Beiguan Imperial Mausoleum to observe mourning for the late emperor for three years.

The Sixth Prince Xiao Zuochen was gifted and intelligent but weak. The Crown Prince, mindful of their brotherly love, allowed him to stay in the palace's Buddhist temple, copying sutras for the late emperor every day to show his filial piety.

Although the seventh prince Xiao Zuosi is young, he has reached the age of enlightenment and cannot be raised by the queen all the time. Therefore, from today on, he will live in the East Palace and be taught by the crown prince Ming himself.

Your Highness Prince Yun, do you have any objections?"

Xiao Zuochen looked at Mu Dai and found that the smug look in his eyes had not diminished. Xiao Zuochen was very curious. Xiao Zuoming was not familiar with Mu Dai before, so why was he so happy when Xiao Zuoming ascended the throne?

"Can the king ask Eunuch Kido a question?"

"Oh, His Royal Highness Prince Yun is the master, and I am just a servant. If the master wants to ask me questions, of course you can~"

Having said that, there was a mocking look on Eunuch Kido's face, as if he already had a new backer.

"What benefits did Xiao Zuoming promise you?"

"Why does Your Highness Prince Yun ask this?"

Kiyo pretended to be surprised.

"Otherwise, why did the eunuch suddenly fall in love with the Third Prince?"

After hearing this, Mu Dai leaned close to Xiao Zuochen's ear and whispered.

"But if I don't side with the Third Prince, do I have to side with you, Your Majesty? Hmm? Haha~"

"Ha ha..."

After hearing this, Xiao Zuochen also started laughing.

"Then why don't you choose King Qing?"

Xiao Zuochen continued to ask.

"Your Highness Prince Qing? Is Your Highness Prince Yun talking about the Prince Qing who claimed to be ill and did not attend the morning court?"

When mentioning Xiao Zuoqing, the mockery in Mu Dai's eyes became even stronger, and his tone seemed to say that His Royal Highness Prince Qing is a waste!

Xiao Zuochen understood from his eyes that Xiao Zuoqing was not possessed by Emperor Mingren! Then there are only two possibilities: one is that Xiao Zuoming is the one possessed. The other is that Emperor Mingren is really dead! But if he is really dead, why would someone steal his body? What is the purpose of stealing his body?

Xiao Zuochen suddenly felt a little regretful. If Emperor Mingren was really dead, it would be fine. But if he took over Xiao Zuoming's body, then Xiao Zuoming would keep him in the palace, and his situation would be very dangerous!

Xiao Zuochen turned to look at Liuli, who was also frowning with a worried look on her face. But she couldn't say anything in front of Mu Dai, so she could only shake her head slightly, indicating that Xiao Zuochen should not act rashly now. Xiao Zuochen naturally understood the current situation, and stretched out his hand to Mu Dai, making a "please" gesture.

"I understand. Master Mu Dai, please take care. I won't see you off."

Seeing Xiao Zuochen still looking so noble despite being in such a state, Mu Dai could not help but snort coldly and was ready to leave. However, the maids and eunuchs behind him did not move. Mu Dai turned around and saw the servants before remembering that he still had something to say, so he turned around reluctantly.

"Your Highness Prince Yun, the Crown Prince has asked me to tell you that during the time you are praying in the Buddhist temple, you will be served by these palace maids and eunuchs. As for the others!"

Mu Dai looked straight at Liuli and Teng Sen.

"Others are not worthy of guarding the late emperor's body, please leave the palace today~"

Now that Mu Dai had finished speaking, he flicked the whisk in his hand and really left, leaving behind a group of expressionless palace maids and eunuchs.

When Liuli saw Mu Dai leaving, she was about to say something to Xiao Zuochen when the leading palace maid immediately stood up.

"Your Highness Prince Yun, we are servants ordered by the Crown Prince to serve Your Highness. The servants have already cleaned the Buddhist hall. Your Highness, please move in immediately."

The palace maid seemed to be speaking respectfully, but she was about to come up with the other eunuchs to pull Xiao Zuochen away.

"You dare!?"

The angry shout scared everyone so much that they trembled. When they looked up, they found that it was Yun Bai and Yun Qiao.

"master!"

The two men walked up to Xiao Zuochen and checked him, making sure that he was not hurt and glared at the servants.

The leading maid straightened herself, adjusted her expression and continued.

"Your Highness Prince Yun, the Crown Prince has ordered that all idle people in Lingxiao Garden must leave the palace today. Anyone who violates the order will be punished for treason..."

"Who are you threatening!?"

Yunqiao got angry. Even if the third prince ascended the throne, what could he do? The few people around him were not enough to fight against them.

"Cloud Bridge."

Xiao Zuochen stopped Yunqiao. He knew that there were no capable people around the Third Prince, but there was no need to start a conflict over this. After all, Xiao Zuoming was ordered to succeed the throne. As long as he didn't go too far, he was willing to play along with him.

"They will leave before the palace gates are locked tonight. When they leave, I will naturally go to the Buddhist temple. You don't have to watch me here."

"This... But the prince..."

The palace maid was about to retort, but Xiao Zuochen's face turned cold.

"Do you think that if I kill you now for the crime of treason, will the prince convict me?"

The leading palace maid was frightened by Xiao Zuochen's sudden cold tone, and hurriedly bowed her head to admit her mistake.

"It's my fault. Your Highness Prince Yun, please do as you please. We will stay outside the courtyard and won't come in to disturb you."

Xiao Zuochen ignored them, and the servants went outside the courtyard to "stand as punishment". However, they started whispering as soon as they got outside the courtyard.

"What bad luck! I used to dream of serving King Yun, but now whoever serves him will be in trouble!"

"Yes, on one side is the Crown Prince and on the other side is Prince Yun, and we poor people are the ones suffering in the middle! What do you think, after the Crown Prince ascends the throne, will he...?"

"Alright, alright, all of you keep your mouth shut. If someone with ulterior motives hears it, I'll punish you for making irresponsible remarks about state affairs!"

"Okay, okay, just stand there."

"..."

The yard became quiet. Xiao Zuochen and others looked at each other and went back into the house together.

"How are Yun Feng and the others?"

Yun Feng and Yun Qian were both seriously injured that day, but fortunately the white-bearded old man happened to rush back and saved their lives with snow ginseng. Now they have to recover slowly.

"They are all out of danger. Yun Feng has woken up, but he can't move. Yun Qian is still in a coma."

Xiao Zuochen nodded.

"I'm glad you're okay. That's good news."

"Then what do we do next?"

Liuli looked at Xiao Zuochen.

"Next, of course, we have to think of a reasonable way to escape!"