THE FLOWER PALACE'S SECRET
Chapter 40: Reports
As the morning sun greeted Rouwu city, and as the townspeople were preparing to start the day, Lin Zian was already preparing to leave in palace clothes. The white robe accented with gold embroidery on its beautiful edges dangled, not too long and not too short. Her hair was bunned exactly like most young men in general. It's just that, the decoration in the bun is more luxurious because it is made of silver.
Shen Yanzhia helped him put on his belt. The woman also slipped a light green ornate jade hanger in the gap of her husband's belt. Shen Yanzhia looked at Lin Zian from head to toe, ensuring that Lin Zian's perfect appearance was without lacking anything.
“Alright, you can go,” Shen Yanzhia said.
The woman turned around about to leave Lin Zian. The man suddenly pulled Shen Yanzhia until the woman's body was docked to his. For a moment, both of their eyes met.
“Let go of me!”
“Why? Didn't you hug me tight last night?”
The man chuckled. It was very pleasant to tease Shen Yanzhia because the woman's face was always flushed and instantly enraged. To Lin Zian, Shen Yanzhia's angry face was very cute and cute when angry.
Lin Zian took a very tiring journey to arrive on time. The fastest route took him one week to cut into four days by riding alone. It does not stop during the day, when at night it only rests for a while. It's more excruciating than being on the battlefield.
If last night he had come late for a while, Shen Yanzhia might have already become a lifeless body. Lin Zian saw clearly when his wife's body was thrown down from the city tower. He immediately jumped off his horse and caught the small body after using the science of lightening the body.
“That's because you saved me!”
Seeing Shen Yanzhia rebelling, Lin Zian grew even more anxious.
“You don't want to say hello to your concubines?”
“Couple?”
Shen Yanzhia nodded.
“They came a few days ago.”
“Why is there a concubine in my residence?”
“You don't want to ask your father's wife?”
Lin Zian frowned. He was annoyed that Consort Duan seemed to be deliberately harassing the peace in his residence. A concubine? How could he get a concubine when he was not at the residence? Moreover, not just one person, but three!
Facing Shen Yanzhia alone was enough to make him bother. Now, plus three more people. Most princes do have fun when they get a concubine without having to choose themselves.
They usually ask questions like, Is she beautiful? Is he talented? Does he come from a respectable family? But to Lin Zian, the arrival of the concubine was a disaster. The man will have a hard time dealing with the days in the future.
“We talk later.”
Lin Zian then left. His chariot drove fast across the streets of the capital.
After a long while, the man arrived in front of the palace gate. A guard came up to him and helped him get off the train. Lin Zian then walked down the magnificent courtyard that had stood for hundreds of years with firm steps. One by one he climbed the stairs until he reached the entrance of the open court hall. Inside, he could see dozens of ministers lined up waiting for the meeting to begin.
The ministers' attention was sidetracked when a eunuch informed them that the Second Prince had entered the hall. They were shocked to not expect the Second Prince to return so quickly without any notice. As Lin Zian walked through the ranks of the ministers, their eyes suddenly followed every step of his foot until he had completely reached his place, on the altar of the prince, which was located right in front of the ranks of ministers facing directly on the throne of the Emperor.
Not long after, the other eunuchs shouted informing him that the Crown Prince entered the hall. When Lin Yang reached the hall, Lin Zian and everyone who was there lowered their heads in salute and said a long life prayer to him. After that, everyone within the court hall was welcome to raise their heads as they were.
Lin Yang glanced at Lin Zian who was standing some distance before him. The man smiled. Lin Zian smiled back while looking down respectfully as her brother glanced at her. This was the first time he had reunited with Lin Yang after a few months.
The Crown Prince did not want to waste much time. The court meeting starts immediately. Some advanced ministers report things in turn. They also often argue over requests for advice and criticism from the reports they submit. When it was Lin Zian's turn, the Prime Minister preceded him.
“Your Highness, the Second Prince returned after a war without any notice. Doesn't he deserve to be punished for causing concern for our kingdom?”
Lin Zian screeched. The old man's tongue was very good at gleaming, just like his daughter, Consort Duan. In the past, the Prime Minister was so adamant in pushing Lin Zian in front of Lin Yang to go to the border. Now, after he returned, the old man was still trying to get him cornered. Fortunately, he had no relationship with the old man. His visit to the residence a few months ago was also never Lin Zian had considered. Otherwise, Lin Zian actually went into the crocodile pit.
“Does Mr Prime Minister not want the happy news I brought?” Lin Zian boldly refuted the Prime Minister.
“My sister came carrying something very important. Didi, what news did you bring?”
Lin Zian took out something from under his cloak.
Everyone in the hall was shocked. They did not think there was such a thing. Lin Zian really brought happy news. The ministers discussed with each other, debating the peace agreement with the Xiaxi kingdom, which has been a bitter enemy for decades.
“In a few weeks, the daughter of Xiaxi will come as a messenger of peace. I'll tell Fuwang. Prepare everything well!” lin Yang's orders were on everyone.
“Sister, stay alert. We do not know what plan Emperor Xiaxi is preparing through her envoy's daughter,” Lin Zian remembers. Wherever and under any circumstances, everyone should remain vigilant.
Lin Yang nodded. After his sister was done and after all the reports had been submitted, the court meeting was dissolved. Lin Yang then invited Lin Zian to go see the Emperor. Lin Zian was about to refuse, but his brother pulled his hand and dragged Lin Zian to the Emperor's personal palace.
...***...
Shen Yanzhia locked the door to the room of the Eastern Pavilion. The woman now stood arrogantly staring at Lin Zian who was sitting down while writing something. Shen Yanzhia's hands were folded on her chest. Seeing Lin Zian who had remained calm when he acted, Shen Yanzhia became suspicious. He squinted his eyes, but it had no effect on the man.
“Say, what happened in court? You gave them face?”
Lin Zian shook his head gently. The man played his fingers on a piece of paper. His soft fingers incised the ink slowly, etching the beautiful calligraphy arranged into a string of spring poetry.
“You don't want to tell me?”
Lin Zian shook his head back. Shen Yanzhia looked at the man in annoyance. He really felt played.
“Good. In that case, I won't tell you anything I got while you were away,” Shen Yanzhia threatened as she turned around to leave. Lin Zian's eye tail caught Shen Yanzhia's movement. He immediately jumped up and held his wife's wrist and took her into his arms.
“Why did you become more grumpy after I left?”
Shen Yanzhia pursed her lips. He did not refuse the hug, but did not return it either. Shen Yanzhia enjoyed every second she passed in Lin Zian's arms without a fight. After a long while, Lin Zian let go of his embrace and let Shen Yanzhia form a distance.
“I asked the guy.”
“What's the answer?”
“He's a former soldier. The blood letter was given directly to him by the late Crown Prince.”
“He told who poisoned him?”
Shen Yanzhia shook her head. At that time, he was in too much of a hurry to straighten the topic of conversation to the blood letter before the person answered who told him to drink the poison. It's also too emotional. Lin Zian understood the emotional change in Shen Yanzhia. The man rubbed Shen Yanzhia's head gently.
Shen Yanzhia then told her everything she knew what had happened that day. Sometimes he lowered his voice. He also recounted when he could not contain his emotions and almost harmed the person. After she finished telling the story, Shen Yanzhia continued by recounting her meeting with Mo Ran and Zhi Hao’er the other day.
“We found a bright spot,” said Lin Zian.
“But, I cannot finish it,” complained Shen Yanzhia.
“It's okay. We solve all these mysteries together.”
Shen Yanzhia pulled the tip of Lin Zian's shirt as if she was begging for something.
“Why?”
“Please promise me that you will not leave again,” Shen Yanzhia said softly.
“I'll try.”
The sound of knocking on the door shifted the attention of the two. Outside, three women were waiting quietly. Xu Chi shouted to inform him that the three women wanted to meet Lin Zian because they had not had time to visit him earlier this morning when Lin Zian was preparing to enter the palace. Shen Yanzhia looked at each other with Lin Zian.
“Three of your concubines are coming. They can't know I'm here.”
Shen Yanzhia jumped out of the back window without waiting for the approval of Lin Zian. The woman's body fell right on top of the beautiful flowers that were blooming the result of her hand skills. Seeing the flowers being broken and broken, Shen Yanzhia regretted. The beautiful flowers are a mess.
Lin Zian looked at him from inside the room. The man shook his head at the careless behavior of his empress. This woman could never be careful!
...***...
