nucmednet Chapter 386 Prince Ning's Hesitation
Chapter 386 Prince Ning's Hesitation
Starting from the day of the palace banquet, Prince Ning spent two busy nights in the palace investigating cases, handling situations from all sides, and assisting the Capital Garrison and the Imperial Household Department in thoroughly investigating the Imperial Guards and everything within the palace.
It is to ensure His Majesty's safety.
He was only allowed to return home to bathe and change clothes on the second day of the month, originally planning to visit the Si family today. Regardless of whether Si Mutong wanted to see him or not, he was going to go.
Hearing the eunuch's words, he hesitated and did not immediately agree.
The eunuch spoke tactfully: "After all, he is His Majesty's son, and His Majesty is currently in a fit of anger. If he calms down and finds there are still doubts about this case, and blames him, I fear that Prince Ning will also suffer an undeserved disaster. Wouldn't it be better to go through the trouble now?"
Prince Ning did not agree immediately, and instead proceeded with the original plan to go to the Si family first.
Today, the streets are crowded with carriages. It is customary in the Great Zhou Dynasty to return to one's parents' home on the second day of the lunar new year, and this applies to nobles as well.
Prince Ning was taking a short rest against the carriage wall when there was a knock on the door. The coachman said, "Your Highness, Miss Gui from the Gui family requests an audience."
"Miss Gui?"
Prince Ning felt that he had absolutely no connection with Gui Shan. Apart from questioning her when he investigated the case of Zhao Ning and Feng Zizhou falling into the deep pit, they had almost no contact.
He nodded: "Let her come over and talk to me."
After saying that, he got out of the car.
Gui Shan came over and bowed, saying, "I saw Your Highness's carriage parked here, so I came to inquire. I have always been on good terms with the Third Miss Si, and I am very anxious because I do not know her situation. I cannot go to the Marquis's residence to bother you, so I had to boldly stop Your Highness's carriage. Please forgive me."
Prince Ning said, "It's alright, but I'm in charge of investigating the case and don't know how the Third Miss is doing."
Gui Shan looked disappointed and sighed helplessly. Perhaps seeing that it was still early, she talked to Prince Ning about other things.
"Miss Si is probably having a run of bad luck. Once she recovers, I'll advise her to go and offer incense. She was almost harmed by the Second Prince before the New Year, but I managed to see an opportunity and save her. However, she couldn't escape the Second Prince's scheme at the palace banquet..."
Prince Ning looked up at her and then understood her purpose.
It was a pretense that he came to inquire about the situation inside the palace; his true intention was to tell him that Si Muwan had been harmed by the Second Prince.
However, Prince Ning did want to know the truth.
Gui Shan didn't look at his expression. Seeing that he didn't refuse, she continued, "After the sisters got together, they went back to their respective residences. The Third Miss went to the market to buy things for her family. A street performer blocked her way. He almost spit fire and burned her. The Third Miss said she had seen the performer before. He was a guard from the Second Prince's side in disguise."
Prince Ning asked, "Why?"
Gui Shan said, "It's all because of the Second Miss. Not only did the Third Miss almost get into trouble that time, but before the garden party, the young master of the Si family's attendant went mad, and the Second Miss deciphered the wounds on his body..."
"What is it?"
Prince Ning's heart clenched suddenly.
Gui Shan said slowly, "I don't know the specifics, but it seems to mean... Si Mutong, you can't escape my grasp."
Prince Ning narrowed his eyes, staring at Gui Shan. He didn't believe her. But Gui Shan looked at him honestly. She had no reason to lie. Her purpose was simple: to prevent the Second Prince from having any chance of turning the tide, and she wanted Prince Ning to know.
Prince Guan Ning's attitude towards the second young lady of the Si family is something he can't ignore. It all depends on his choice.
Gui Shan sighed, "The Second Prince had tried to kidnap the Second Miss many times before. Even after His Majesty imprisoned her, he didn't give up. He even threatened the Second Miss with the lives of other members of the Si family... I don't even dare to think about what the Second Miss will do if the Second Prince comes back."
The carriage ahead has loosened; we can proceed.
Gui Shan quickly bowed and said, "I've been too talkative. I just said a few more words since it was still early. Please forgive me, Your Highness. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
She left in a hurry, but Prince Ning stood there in a daze for a long time.
He ultimately did not go to see the Second Prince.
Throughout the Spring Festival, the most discussed topic in Kyoto was the Second Prince and the Si family. The Second Prince was already out of favor, and the Crown Prince's family held absolute power. Now that the Second Prince had committed regicide and patricide, all hope was lost, and the Crown Prince's position as heir apparent was no longer threatened at all.
The story of the Si family's youngest daughter risking her life to save the emperor at the palace banquet and being carried into the Zichen Palace by the emperor also caused a great stir. Now she has been conferred the title of Consort Wan, and although her fate is unknown, the Si family is no longer the same as before, regardless of whether she is alive or dead.
Taking advantage of the frequent visits between aristocratic families during the Spring Festival, the Si family, with their quick minds, were thinking about how to build relationships, and the visiting cards they received every day were thick stacks.
However, the Si family's gates were tightly closed, and even the servants who went out to make purchases had to rush back to the mansion early in the morning, so that almost not even a fly could get in or out.
Si Xingzhi was ill for several days. After he recovered, he did not receive guests. He spent his days sitting in the courtyard watching the maids play with Shao Qin. Sometimes he would join in the play, appearing almost mad.
Si Muyan did indeed raise a few chickens in her yard, spending her days tending to her vegetables and raising them. Aside from occasionally visiting Xiaoxia, she ignored everything else.
Aunt Jin was genuinely worried about the two girls' condition. She said to her second sister, "With the third young lady gone, both the master and the eldest young lady have changed drastically. What are we going to do?"
Fortunately, there were no urgent matters to attend to in the early spring.
The second sister sighed, "I'll go check on Xiaoxia."
Xiaoxia'er's younger brother spent most of his time with her. With the government closing the school and the school also closed, and having no close friends, he spent his time at home either studying or playing with Xiaoxia'er.
Only Xia'er, innocent and carefree, had no idea what had happened and would hug her little brother's neck and ask, "Uncle, where's Auntie?"
The younger brother touched her cheek: "Auntie is sick and resting."
Xiaoxia said anxiously, "My aunt is sick. I want to go see her and take care of her."
Because Si Muyan always told Xiaoxia'er to just breathe in pain wherever she was in pain, Xiaoxia'er's innocent mind thought that if her little sister was sick, she should just breathe in pain.
The younger brother laughed: "Once your auntie gets better, let her come back to see you, okay?"
At this moment, a servant came over and said, "Young master, Chen Fang's parents are in the outer courtyard. They came to wish the steward a Happy New Year and wanted to ask for a favor by kowtowing to you, young master."
After Chen Fang became mentally impaired, his younger brother took him in at the estate and also left his parents there to do errands, which made it easier to take care of him. He also gave his family a lot of money.
His parents knew how to be grateful, which is why they wanted to come and kowtow to their master during the New Year.
My younger brother sent them a red envelope, but didn't go to see them. He sat under the eaves for the whole afternoon.
When his second sister came over that evening, he said, "Second sister, I've thought it through. As long as third sister is alright, and she's willing to enter the palace as a concubine, I support her."
The second sister was taken aback: "Why?"
The younger brother said, "Because my third sister thinks it's worth it. And I should also pull myself together. I am the only male heir, and I will be a man who stands tall and upright. Even if... it's not for others, it's for our descendants, for my little Xia'er."