Eight hundred and eighth chapter back to the palace
The third prince's suppressed low cry of pain in the carriage would certainly not escape Ah Liu's ears. However, he did not board the carriage to check what was going on, nor did he ask questions. Instead, he used his eyes to signal the coachman to follow him in the carriage.
In this regard, the driver Zhang Yuan, who had just recognized the third prince and was accustomed to Ah Liu's behavior, naturally did not dare to say anything nonsense.
No wonder Zhang Shou's carriage was quietly driven out today. It turned out that the prince had quietly left the palace!
And when this man and his car met up with the generals of the Ding family of Duke Zhao's Mansion, although Ah Liu was two people when he left, he was also two people when he came back, but one of them had become a coachman and a carriage, and everyone
Although they looked at each other in shock, since they had all been singled out or even beaten in a group by Ah Liu - a kind of group beating where one person beat a group of people, they still didn't dare to ask any more questions.
Even when Ah Liu directly gave the order to return, they were full of doubts and still obeyed the instructions. After all, the madam had given instructions before, and they would listen to Ah Liu in everything today. However, some smart people had already vaguely felt that,
The carriage must not be empty, there may be someone there.
In response to this, the third prince in the car breathed a sigh of relief. After the initial burning and stinging sensation, he felt a slight sense of coolness. However, the smooth silk bandage tied on the moving carriage was not the same.
It was an easy task. After finally tying it up, he put on his pants again, but when he moved a little, he felt the stinging pain from the friction of the fabric on his inner thighs.
But after all, this was much more comfortable than riding a horse on the way back, so of course he couldn't complain anymore. After all, he had already involved many people today, and he didn't even know what the situation was in the palace at the moment. Therefore, when someone came from outside the carriage,
When Ah Liu's low voice reminded him that there was food under the car seat, he didn't even have much appetite at all.
"When you return to Beijing, at least it will be Shenzheng or even Youshi. Don't be hungry."
Hearing this, the third prince hesitated for a moment, and finally reached under the seat to explore, and finally took out a small and exquisite food box. This food box was only about the size of two palms at most. It was small and exquisite, but tall.
There are three floors.
He opened the first layer and saw several neatly arranged silver rolls inside. Looking at the second layer, it was a layer of jujubes as big as a little finger, and the third layer had four grids.
They were all pickled vegetables. There were no common candied cakes or the like. The third prince breathed a sigh of relief. He ate two rolls with meat dates and pickled vegetables, but then he felt thirsty again.
It was only then that he remembered that he had been driving so slowly all the way without drinking any water. He thought for a moment and did not ask Ah Liu. Instead, he put the food box back and reached under the seat to take it out.
.Since Ah Liu just mentioned diet, it is impossible to have only snacks and no drinks.
But this time, he actually took out a cattail bag. Inside the cattail bag was a small coat. When he untied the coat, he found a purple clay pot inside. Probably because there was charcoal burning under the car, the purple clay pot was
It was actually a bit warm, and the water inside was also warm and sweet. The taste was not like the tea he often drank, but more like monk fruit.
At this time, he noticed that there seemed to be a note in the cattail bag.
After bending down to take out the note, he unfolded it with one hand and saw that it was Juanxiu's small regular script. Zhu Ying had clearly prepared it and left it to him - "When I saw this word, I thought you had accomplished something."
.After returning to the palace, remember not to take all the responsibilities alone, otherwise the Queen Mother and I will not be able to spare you!"
The third prince was stunned at first, and then he felt dumbfounded. Others were eager to shirk responsibility when this happened, but according to Zhu Ying, if he told his father that it was all his own idea, please don't blame others...
Zhu Ying and the Queen Mother will settle the score with him!
However, looking at this naturally arrogant tone, he felt extremely caring and warm. He folded the note and put it into his arms solemnly. Then he breathed a sigh of relief and took a sip of tea.
He wrapped the purple clay pot in his small coat and put it back in the cattail bag. He didn't want to ask someone to stop him on the way to change clothes because he drank too much water.
The journey was bumpy, and the mood was completely relaxed. He didn't even think about whether he would face an angry father after returning to the palace. The carriage was very warm, and the third prince fell asleep without knowing it.
When he opened his eyes amid the commotion, he found that a thick velvet cloak had appeared on his body at some point. It seemed that someone had covered him up.
Struggling to support his body and sit up, he unbuttoned the curtains and looked outside, only to see that he had entered the capital. At this time, he was passing by the Dongsi Archway, surrounded by people, and there were rows of shops along the street.
It seemed very lively at that time of year. He couldn't help but lie down at the window and watch for a while. After a while, he was so cold that he sneezed.
Then, he saw Ah Liu's condescending and reproachful gaze.
Knowing that Ah Liu was blaming himself for not leaning out like this, being easily caught in the cold, and easily recognized by others, the little prince quickly retracted into the car, fastened the curtain buttons again, rubbed his hands together, and patted them again
Patting his forehead. Not long after he continued walking like this, he heard Ah Liu's voice coming from outside: "We've arrived at Dong'an Gate."
After running back and forth on the road for three hours in the middle of winter, although the servants and generals of Zhao Guogong's mansion were all well-trained, they couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief when they saw that their destination had been reached. Seeing Ah Liu step forward and Dong An
The guards at the gate negotiated, and then the carriage was let in without any questioning. They couldn't help but look at each other.
Who is this person in the car? If there is really an important person, they did not see this car when they escorted him before!
Ah Liu, who came back, didn't mean to explain at all. He just nodded slightly and said: "You have worked hard today, you can go back first!"
After saying this, he left the group of people who were extremely confused and rode straight to catch up with the carriage in front. After a while, the carriage stopped at Donghua Gate, and the few guards who were guarding again performed their duties much more.
After someone came up to check Ah Liu's tooth tag, he smiled and said hello: "Xueshi Zhang followed the emperor back to the palace before, but he still hasn't come out yet. Who else did Master Liu escort?"
The third prince in the car suddenly heard that his father, who had gone to the public school before, had brought Zhang Shou into the palace. He immediately took a breath. Since he had instructed Lu Sanlang to try to let the news out after he left, he
Naturally, he had thought about such a possibility. But now that it had really happened, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive in his heart, and he hesitated for a while before getting out of the car.
After leaving the palace, he had already taken off his eunuch's robes and changed into simple casual clothes at the Duke of Zhao's mansion. So when he got out of the car, several guards were a little confused at first, but after all, some of them stared at him with wide eyes.
After a while, he exclaimed: "Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Your Highness the Crown Prince? Because the Third Prince doesn’t leave the palace very often now, and even when he leaves the palace, he always sits in the carriage early. Therefore, many of the guards here really don’t recognize him. When they suddenly heard this exclamation, they were all dumbfounded.
They glanced at each other, and then they all hurriedly saluted.
Facing these people who were saluting, the third prince hurried away without any guilt. Instead, he stopped, nodded slightly, and then entered the Donghua Gate as if nothing had happened. Ah Liu was waiting for the young prince to move forward.
After a few steps, he glanced at the stunned guards, and then followed them calmly.
As soon as the two of them left, several guards looked at each other, and then almost exploded - not talking about the kind of explosion, but their heads exploded with a bang - I had never heard of it before.
I have never seen His Highness the Crown Prince leave the palace. How did he get there?
It would be fine if the person did not go through the Donghua Gate. If they did go through the Donghua Gate, if they go back and investigate from above, can their heads be saved? You know, guarding the palace gate has the heaviest responsibility. This is dereliction of duty.
, no one can afford to suffer.
While everyone was crying in unison, Ah Liu suddenly left and returned. After he arrived in front of several guards, he said lightly: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that his matter has nothing to do with you. It was the Queen Mother who took him out of the palace.
.”
Several guards looked at me, and when they raised their heads and wanted to ask Ah Liu what was going on, they found that after he just explained it like this, he walked away. Although he couldn't figure out the details for a while, he thought about it again.
If it was really the Queen Mother who took the Prince out quietly in the car, they really couldn't find it, so they had no choice but to comfort themselves with Ah Liu's words as a life-saving straw.
No one dared to think that if the Queen Mother did not admit this, they would still have to take the blame.
After catching up with the third prince again, Ah Liu asked softly: "Is it really okay?"
"Brother Six, are you saying that you are blaming the Queen Mother?"
The third prince knew that Ah Liu's question was not about him appearing calmly in front of people, but about confessing that the Queen Mother had taken him out of the palace. He laughed and said, "Originally, I wanted to say that everything was my fault and it had nothing to do with anyone, but looking back, father
If the emperor wants to ask how to get out of the palace, he will have to bring the Queen Mother in. What's more..."
He didn't know if Ah Liu had seen the note in the cattail bag on the carriage, but after hesitating for a while, he still said truthfully: "What's more, sister Yingying specially left a note to warn me, don't do it all by yourself, otherwise she will look back.
Just settle the score with me!"
Regarding Zhu Ying's statement, Ah Liu, who had just been ordered by the third prince to send a message to the guards, was not surprised at all. He only felt that it was reasonable. So, he thought about it and said: "I'll see you later.
The Emperor, Young Master, and His Highness the Crown Prince do not need to help me excuse myself. Although the eldest lady asked me to do so, I also agreed to it myself."
The third prince was slightly startled, but in the end he did not stop or look back. He just nodded slightly and said: "Okay, I understand!"
This simple sentence seemed to be without any personal feelings, but in fact he was very grateful to these people who helped him unconditionally without blaming him for his nonsense. No one knew whether his father would tolerate him as he did before. Being willful, no one knows whether my father will get angry again.
Knowing that since his father went to Ciqing Palace, he must still be there at this moment and would not return to Qianqing Palace, so he naturally rushed there directly. As for the surprised expressions when he met some officials along the way when they saluted. He just pretended not to see his eyes.
When the third prince finally saw Ciqing Palace, he saw only a figure rushing over. It was Chen Yongshou who had been waiting here with the emperor for a long time. When he saw the young prince, with his beard and tail intact, appeared in front of him In front of me, the steward of Qianqing Palace breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly ushered people inside without even bothering to salute.
"My Royal Highness, you are finally back! The Emperor is waiting in Ciqing Palace, with Bachelor Zhang accompanying him. He doesn't see anyone, he doesn't listen to anything, and he doesn't let anyone go to the Queen Mother to inquire... If you don’t come back, Academician Zhang will be anxious to death!”
Seeing that the third prince's expression changed as expected, he immediately rushed in with the wind at his feet. Chen Yongshou was a step behind, but he quickly wiped away the sweat beads on his forehead that should not have appeared in this winter, and then suddenly realized that there was something wrong. A burning gaze fell on his face. He turned his head in surprise, only to find that the person staring at him with bright eyes was not Ah Liu?
He was stunned for a moment, and then heard the young man's faint voice: "Young Master, are you really anxious?"
Chen Yongshou immediately looked unnatural. In fact, the emperor sat there with a tigerish face, neither eating nor drinking, but Zhang Shou seemed very carefree. He even checked the third prince's homework with the help of Lu Sanlang, and then He actually read the book with great interest in the place where the prince was studying - after all, this place was also equivalent to a small library. Zhang Shou ate most of the refreshments that the emperor did not eat.
But why did Ah Liu insist on pursuing this? Wasn't he trying to emphasize the seriousness of the matter?
Knowing that Ah Liu was not easy to fool, he could only lower his voice and said: "Brother Xiao Liu, I am afraid that His Highness the Crown Prince will still be stubborn and will anger the Emperor and implicate Academician Zhang. I know that Academician Zhang is also very anxious. He might..."
Ah Liu quickly chased after Chen Yongshou before he could finish what he said. Instead of listening to people talking nonsense here, he might as well follow him quickly to prevent anything from happening! However, with his extremely fast steps, he saw that the third prince had directly collided with him. When he opened the door and went in, he had already grabbed the door curtain with one hand. However, he squinted his eyes and saw clearly what was going on inside through the gap in the door curtain, but he suddenly stopped in an emergency.
As a result, Chen Yongshou, who was lagging behind, couldn't catch up quickly and almost hit his back. Fortunately, Ah Liu turned around and grabbed him, so the poor steward of Qianqing Palace didn't fall down. However, Ah Liu was beaten by Ah Liu. When Liu dragged him to the side, he was still a little confused.
"Stop talking." Ah Liuyan said three words concisely, and then his ears perked up.
Just now, he saw the emperor standing in the center, facing the third prince, while Zhang Shou stood two steps behind the emperor, as if he had noticed that he was about to follow him, and at that moment he gently shook his head. Shaking his head. So, he stopped abruptly and even pulled Chen Yongshou, but he was still a little worried after all.
At this time, he heard the emperor's voice coming from inside: "Sanlang, you left the palace privately without telling me, are you having fun?"