THE FLOWER PALACE'S SECRET

Chapter 32: The Death of the Prince

An envoy from the northern border area came to face the Crown Prince at the court of the palace. The emissary soldier carried a roll of mail tied to a red ribbon. Without removing his armor, the envoy rested before the Crown Prince and the ministers.

Lin Zian, after being forced by Shen Yanzhia was finally willing to enter the palace and attend the court led by her brother. Seeing the messenger coming, he immediately asked for permission to take the letter he was carrying. Lin Zian was very confident that the letter came from Bai Ru whom he left last autumn when he returned to the capital.

An uneasy feeling enveloped Lin Zian's heart. The letter must not be happy news. During his time as a military general on the northern border, the red ribbon was only used to describe emergency situations or dangerous situations. If this letter came to the palace this fast, it means that something is not right with the situation at the border there.

"Didi, what's the letter?" asked Lin Yang after giving Lin Zian permission to open and read the letter.

"Something has happened at the northern border. The general I sent to serve there is in danger" Lin Zian replied. His face clearly showed as much concern as he could bear for everyone here not to see him.

"Then what should we do?" asked Lin Yang after Lin Zian finished speaking.

"Someone has to help her."

The court hall began to boisterously filled with the voices of ministers and officials who were arguing. In an instant, the solemn atmosphere of the court changed like a bustling market. Those officials and ministers were busy discussing who was worthy of being sent to the northern border to help the soldiers and General Bai Ru.

"What if we send Marquis Zingyuan, Zhi Haoyan to leave?" the Minister of Defence's.

"If we send Marquis Zingyuan, the eastern border will loosen. Moreover, the number of soldiers that were under the control of Marquis Zingyuan was only around three thousand soldiers." The proposal of the Minister of Defense was dismissed by the Minister of Supervision.

"In that case, why don't we just send the Second Prince? Isn't General Bai Ru his old comrade?" The Prime Minister suddenly made a sound. Hearing his name being mentioned, Lin Zian turned to stare at the old prime minister sharply, waiting for the continuation of the word he was about to say.

"The Second Prince was resounding in battle with General Bai Ru. I think he's the most suitable candidate to leave" the Prime Minister continued.

Lin Zian stared lazily at the old minister. Already he expected, someone would always disturb his calm. Someone will always try to find a way for him to leave the capital immediately. Under the pretext of such a military affair, it was unlikely that Lin Zian could refuse and ignore him. After all, the safety of the soldiers on the northern border and the safety of Bai Ru were more important than her image as the Second Prince who did not care about royal politics.

"But my sister just got married a few months ago. I'm worried that his departure is straining his harmonious family" said Lin Yang. The Crown Prince clearly disagreed with the Prime Minister's proposal.

"Your Majesty, going to the battlefield at the border is his duty as a prince and a military general. Please don't mix state affairs with family feelings."

Not mixing state affairs with family feelings? Has the Prime Minister's brain been damaged by being consumed with age until he forgets that his two daughters were sent to the palace as concubines in the name of state interests? Did this old Prime Minister go stupid to forget that a country is built on the power of a family? Then why can he say not to mix the two?

Lin Zian was getting fed up with the situation in this court. If he survives until the court meeting is over, his head could break filled with the rants of the officials and ministers who ostensibly do not want to stop pestering him to death. Lin Zian looked at her brother who was sitting on the edge of the Emperor's throne. Lin Zian discovered a worry from Lin Yang's facial features.

"Because Mr. Prime Minister has said it, then I can only accept it with ease. Then, I beg you to resign."

Without waiting for the approval of her brother, Lin Zian left the court hall. He could clearly hear the ridicule and ridicule of the officials who talked about his disrespect behind him. They even said that Prince Qin was completely unethical, leaving the courtroom without permission and calling him disrespectful to the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

Lin Zian had even forgotten that he was the Second Prince of the Ling mainland at the moment. He felt himself to be just a puppet used to strengthen and weaken power. If he is strong, he will be considered rebellious. If he is weak, then the officials and ministers will not give him face. Lin Zian preferred to be an ordinary person. He preferred when he could freely roam and mingle without the status of imperial saint in the military barracks, mingling with tens of thousands of soldiers who had long been under his control.

After all, who gave him such a title?

"Are you really going?" shen Yanzhia asked when Lin Zian had just arrived at the Qin residence.

"Where do you know?"

"Don't you know that walls and poles have eyes and ears?"

The news of his planned departure to the northern border just spread. In fact, the conversation about it had just passed a moment ago. Other than the gossipers, the palace people turned out to be very good at spreading the news. This ability to eavesdrop on them will definitely be very useful if used to be a spy!

"Someone must leave for some to calm down. My brother's position must be strong first, only to be free from all the annoying things that shackle this," explained Lin Zian as he opened his royal robe. He then attached it to a wooden hanger near his study table.

"Lately you've been in my East Pavilion a lot, do you really want a baby?" asked Lin Zian.

"What did you say?"

"Say you really want a baby."

"Are you finding a baby dealer?"

This woman still doesn't seem to understand.

"Why should I buy? Don't you know we can make it?"

Shen Yanzhia was speechless looking at Lin Zian. Her forehead shriveled, trying to guess the meaning of her husband's words.

"You don't believe that I can actually burn down your pavilion if you say things I don't understand anymore?"

The air temperature in the East Pavilion suddenly became hot. Lin Zian and Shen Yanzhia clashed against each other sharply and with frowns. Their eyes were like a ball coming out of a hole. In the past few moments, Lin Zian turned his gaze to the side and stopped his eye contact with Shen Yanzhia.

"Well, I won't say it again."

"It's the first time you've gone far and it's gonna be a long time."

Shen Yanzhia's gaze was no longer as sharp as it had been. Now, this woman had started to behave normally as usual.

"We cannot decide to refuse."

Shen Yanzhia knew very well. The royal order cannot be refused. If the Emperor or the Crown Prince tells him to die, then he must die. Including the marriage decree that made her enter the Qin residence as the empress of Prince Qin that she could not refuse, Lin Zian's situation was not much different either. Moreover, Lin Zian's status and standing were so high that it was impossible to deny him at will.

But, knowing the man was about to leave at the beginning of this spring, he was a little unwilling! Now, the man was no longer a single knight who was free to roam and travel. The man now had an empress who was a status as a Queen Mother's favorite daughter!

"Even in early spring, I can't enjoy it with a husband. What power, I have to go through it alone."

Seeing Shen Yanzhia complaining, Lin Zian's heart became unbearable. The words that Shen Yanzhia spoke, although insincere, still left a mark on her heart.

This woman was so free before. Shen Yanzhia must have gotten used to enjoying every spring festival in a crowd and freedom. Now, after he officially married her, the woman could even only enjoy the beginning of spring alone inside this desolate residence.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Then, I will return to Prince Yun's residence now."

"can't. Why do you have to go home?"

"I don't want to see you go!"

Shen Yanzhia turned around then walked out of the East Pavilion. Today Lin Zian had him upset again. If he remained here as long as Lin Zian left, what difference would it make to be locked up alone in a golden cage? The situation would be different if it were in the residence of Prince Yun. Besides being able to chat with her father, Shen Yanzhia could also watch over the person who was poisoned by the Blue Grass and was in the process of grooming Ru Xiaolan easily. His days will not pass without a meaning.

Shen Yanzhia had locked herself inside the Western Pavilion since this afternoon. When the moon was shining in the early spring night, the woman did not open the door and revealed her nose. The dinner hour had passed for a long time and Shen Yanzhia had not called any servants to bring her any food.

Lin Zian stood in front of the tightly shut entrance of the Western Pavilion. His velvet black robe fluttered flying by the wind. A few steps behind him, Tan'er stood up while lowering his head.

"He really didn't come out?"

"No, Young Master. Miss hasn't opened the door since this afternoon." Tan'er lowered his head.

The waiter was shocked when he heard the sound of the door breaking. He gaped when he saw the door of the room of the Western Pavilion open due to Lin Zian's kick. The man just walked in without saying a word.

Inside the room, Shen Yanzhia was engrossed in gazing at the jade hanger and occasionally chugging the already almost stale cold tea. The woman did not care at all about the loud noise from the door of her room that Lin Zian had forcibly opened. Even when the man was standing right behind him, he turned his head for a while and returned to his own activities.

"You're not going to be looking for fun with the others out there, are you?"

"Of course not. What am I doing it for?"

"Goodoo. If it is, I will destroy the entire contents of this residence!"

Lin Zian took off his robe. He then slipped it onto Shen Yanzhia's back who was only wearing light purple tipped clothes.

"It's still early spring. Don't let yourself be like this.”

Shen Yanzhia focused on staring at the jade hanger in her right hand.

"I'll be back before the peak spring festival."

"really?"

Lin Zian nodded.

"Then keep your promise! Tan'er, let's go!"

Lin Zian blocked Shen Yanzhia's wrist. The woman then sat back to her original position.

"You're still going back to Yun's residence?" lin Zian asked as he looked at the beautiful face of Shen Yanzhia who was illuminated by the candlelight. Shen Yanzhia nodded lightly.

"Let's stay here before I go."

...***...