Feng Gu received the order and walked out of the imperial study. He was in such a hurry that he bumped into someone head-on.
When Feng Gu looked up, he immediately knelt to confess his fault, "It is this servant's recklessness. However, this servant is currently carrying the Emperor's imperial decree. After this servant delivers the Emperor's will, I will personally apologize to the Fourth Prince."
Xie Jinglan's white brocade boots were stepped on with a dark bird's footprint, but he did not seem angry. He personally helped Feng Gu up, "It was I who was reckless. I heard there was news from Luoyi, so I rushed over to inquire. Steward Feng, you also know that the Empress Dowager has been worried about the Seventh Brother's safety."
Feng Gu felt guilty for a while, and after a long pause, he said, "With the Emperor's divine protection, the Seventh Prince will surely have a safe journey."
Xie Jinglan smiled faintly, like a graceful gentleman, "Steward Feng is right. This time when I went to Luoyi, the Empress Dowager repeatedly tried to stop me, but the Seventh Brother was determined, saying that he must achieve merits and accomplishments, and only then would he not disappoint the Emperor. For this, the Empress Dowager cried for several days, saying that after raising him, she had raised a wolf in sheep's clothing."
As if thinking of something, Xie Jinglan quickly took a food basket from Huo Nian Gong and handed it over, "This was secretly made by the Seventh Brother at my residence before he left. He's quite stubborn and didn't tell me anything, otherwise, he wouldn't be sending it to the Emperor only now."
Feng Gu hurriedly took it, "Fourth Prince, please rest assured, this servant will definitely deliver it to the Emperor."
The conversation in the courtyard was not loud, but the imperial study was too quiet at this moment, so the people inside heard the conversation in the courtyard clearly.
Emperor Xiaochang's flustered heart suddenly felt a pang of bitterness.
It was true that he had many sons, but he truly treated the Seventh Prince differently.
There were many princes without a birth mother in the harem, but only the Seventh Prince caught his eye.
In his childhood, the Seventh Prince would cry if he didn't see Emperor Xiaochang and smile when he saw him, making Emperor Xiaochang act as both father and mother. He held the Seventh Prince in his Dragon Visage Palace for five full years before he could reluctantly send him to the Empress's Phoenix Ceremony Palace.
After all, he had raised him with his own hands, so how could he not cherish him dearly?
Thinking of Luoyi now, Emperor Xiaochang felt that it was not so terrifying anymore.
A short while later, Xue Yongnian entered the imperial study.
At the same time, a basket of pastries was placed before Emperor Xiaochang.
When the lid was opened, Emperor Xiaochang, looking at the strangely shaped, ugly, and shriveled pastries inside, felt his old father's heart completely overwhelmed with emotion.
When he looked up again, Emperor Xiaochang's stern gaze visibly softened considerably, "Luoyi City is suffering from an epidemic. Fortunately, Director Zhang is accompanying the army this time. Xue Yongnian, I order you to mobilize five thousand troops to Luoyi immediately and find the Seventh Prince and the Second Prince to escort them out of the city for the time being. As for the citizens within the city… I want you to assess the situation and act judiciously. If Luoyi is truly lost, it will not be too late to burn the city."
Emperor Xiaochang's order undoubtedly gave Luoyi a glimmer of hope.
Soon, the news reached the ears of other ministers in the court.
The military officials were all filled with emotion, tears streaming down their faces.
Regardless of anything else, Luoyi had a chance to survive.
Thus, they would also be worthy of the heroic spirits of the Ji family who died fighting for Luoyi!
Xie Jinglan was about to leave the palace when he was stopped by Zhi Nan, the Empress's attendant.
"The Empress requests the Fourth Prince to visit the Phoenix Ceremony Palace for a moment."
Xie Jinglan knew that his mother would not summon him for no reason, so he followed Zhi Nan to the Phoenix Ceremony Palace.
Inside the Phoenix Ceremony Palace, Empress Zhong saw Xie Jinglan enter and beckoned him with a smile, "I just heard that the Emperor has made a decision regarding Luoyi. I assume you played a significant role in it. Fortunately, Zhi Nan did not waste her efforts making those pastries."
Four or five days ago, her son had instructed Zhi Nan to make some pastries.
Everyone who grew up by her side knew that Zhi Nan's pastries were the most unsightly and unpalatable.
Empress Zhong had been puzzled at first, but now everything was clear.
Xie Jinglan respectfully paid his respects to Empress Zhong before sitting on the other side of the couch, "The Fifth Brother is ill at this time, which will naturally make the Emperor uncomfortable. Moreover, the illness is the same as that in Jingzhou years ago, which will naturally evoke the Emperor's fear. Fortunately, the Emperor still holds the Seventh Prince dear."
Empress Zhong frowned slightly, "If Luoyi is burned, both Little Seven and the Second Prince will perish there, and there will be fewer contenders for that throne. The Fifth Prince's wishful thinking is quite elaborate."
Xie Jinglan smiled faintly, "Mother is right. I'm afraid Consort Xi will now use this as an excuse to continue her troublemaking."
Empress Zhong unhurriedly called Zhi Nan to her, "Go to Consort Xi's palace and say that I have some acquaintances among the proprietors of the Four Great Medical Halls. If Consort Xi is truly unwell, I will invite the proprietors of the Four Great Medical Halls to the palace to examine her."
The imperial physicians in the palace were as slippery as loaches, saying whatever would save their lives.
However, the proprietors of the Four Great Medical Halls were dedicated to saving lives and healing the wounded, practicing medicine with a benevolent spirit.
If the one at Consort Xi's palace was truly innocent, then let the proprietors of the Four Great Medical Halls lend a hand.
Zhi Nan went to Consort Xi's palace as ordered and returned shortly after, "Consort Xi said that upon hearing that the Fifth Prince was safe, her body is already well."
Empress Zhong's eyes curved with a smile.
As expected, that mother and son pair wished for Little Seven to die in Luoyi.
Xie Jinglan slightly curved his lips, "Mother is wise."
Empress Zhong, however, said, "You can see all my moves clearly, but what you are doing, I am becoming more and more confused about. This trip to Luoyi seems like a good opportunity to earn military merit, but everyone knows how difficult General Mu Man of the Turkic tribes is. When Ji Zheng Yong was alive, he couldn't even achieve a victory, and you are sending Little Seven there like this. Aren't you afraid he will get into trouble?" Su Dan Novel Network
Xie Jinglan turned his head and smiled lightly, "Mother, please rest assured, your son has found a good teacher for Little Seven."
Empress Zhong did not believe it. She knew her son best. "With Little Seven's temperament, who can he possibly obey?"
Xie Jinglan replied truthfully, "The Eldest Daughter of the Ji family, Ji Zizhao."
Empress Zhong was stunned, "You mean that famously useless young lady of the capital?"
"Rumors are just words to deceive the eyes of the world. I have had several dealings with the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family. This young lady is meticulous in her thoughts and has a deep mind. It was she who orchestrated the downfall of my Second Brother. Now, she sees through the Fifth Prince's character and has therefore pledged allegiance to me."
Empress Zhong was truly surprised, "It's rare to hear such praise from you."
For a young girl to have such capabilities was truly not to be trifled with.
Xie Jinglan's gaze became distant for a moment, as if he saw that ever-calm face again, "She is worthy."
Empress Zhong looked at her son for a long time, her gaze flickering.
Xie Jinglan stayed for a moment longer before rising to leave.
Zhi Nan, thinking of the rumors in the city, softly murmured to Empress Zhong, "It is said that the Ji family is also in turmoil. After the First Madam of the Ji family hanged herself, there was a second wife. It is said there is also a son..."
Empress Zhong's expression was not pleasant.
With a son, there was succession.
If the Ji family were to become a major threat to the Emperor again, it would not be optimistic.
"Let Sun Ce handle this matter. Temporarily suppress the news of the Ji family having a private son. If that Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is clever, she will know what to do when she returns."
Zhi Nan nodded, "The Empress's concern for the Fourth Prince is actually far greater than the Fourth Prince imagines."
Empress Zhong slowly raised her eyes and looked at the courtyard where Xie Jinglan was no longer present. She seemed to be muttering to herself, or perhaps in helplessness, "I just hope that in his heart, there is something to tie him down. Only then will he continue on the current path and be able to live longer..."