THE FLOWER PALACE'S SECRET

Chapter 52: The Beginning of Chaos

No one would have thought that the news that the Queen Mother had fallen ill would spread so quickly that it even exceeded the speed of the wind. No one expected it anyway, the small flames that were almost extinguished were ignited again.

In the politics of the Ling Empire palace, the fall of the Queen Mother was a fortune. The Queen Mother's absence in government affairs and the harem palace paved the way for some parties to strengthen their position and bring down others. The ministers and officials who defected their brains used this opportunity to reap huge profits.

The Emperor was still lying in his palace, and the Queen Mother fell into helplessness. Who wouldn't miss this golden opportunity?

The malicious ministers' cunning tactics affected nearly half of the judicial process. Not only did they become bold, but they also tried to urge and force Crown Prince Lin Yang. Young men who have not had much experience in government often falter due to intervention and games, ministers said. Crown Prince Lin Yang was often caught up in confusion and dilemmas.

The palace became a place of influence. The palace is no longer a sacred place of pure duty. The Ling Imperial Palace was now turned into a hell for those who could not strengthen the standing. Mutual accusation, slandering, insinuation, everything becomes a lie that seems real. There were no clean eyes, no filtered tongue.

That manipulative situation was also felt by Lin Zian. The man became estranged again. He seemed to know no one and was unknown to him. His relationship with the people beside him was only limited to greeting and nodding his head. During court hearings, Lin Zian was often silenced and not given the opportunity to speak.

Lin Zian was of course worried. She was worried that her brother would turn into a greedy one due to the influence of the cunning officials and ministers. Disaster would definitely be unavoidable if Lin Yang became a chess pawn and the puppet Crown Prince.

When the court of the palace was over just a moment ago, he chose to go to Ruo Shui Palace to calm down. His mind is still in a rage. Now, Lin Zian was also in a dilemma situation. He doesn't know what to do. Lin Zian had no chance to choose.

Just a moment ago, a decree that came out of Lin Yang's mouth shocked everyone. How not, his brother suddenly made a decision without negotiating first with all the officials of the country.

The content of the decree was the decision that a peace marriage with Xiaxi's daughter, Princess Duanmu, would be carried out within the next two weeks. However, the point that makes everyone stunned is not about the accelerated marriage time, but the person who must do the peace marriage.

Crown Prince Lin Yang, who was originally going to have a peace marriage with Princess Duanmu changed his decision. She instead ordered Lin Zian, her own sister to marry Princess Duanmu. This certainly caused a commotion during the court meeting. Some clean ministers strongly opposed the decision.

How not, the marriage with Princess Duanmu was no joke. The marriage was an important one that affected the fate and future between Xiaxi and Ling. The fate of both countries is at stake.

Emperor Xiaxi did not mention with whom his daughter should marry. As long as the man was a member of the Ling royal family, Emperor Xiaxi would approve of him. But, to Lin Zian, appointing him as a prince who should marry Princess Duanmu was a form of discrimination and oppression towards her.

He just lost his wife. The wounds in his heart had not healed. The whereabouts of Shen Yanzhia had also not been discovered. How could she marry another woman when the woman she loved was unknown whether she was still alive or not? Moreover, the woman he had to marry was a woman who was already considered like a younger sister by Shen Yanzhia.

It would have been better if he had never set foot in Rouwu, stayed at the border and stayed away from the hot political situation in the palace. Lin Zian wanted to remain a wasted Second Prince and still retain his Young Noble General title.

Lin Zian stared at the painting of the late Crown Prince Xiao Yanzhi hanging inside Ruo Shui Palace. He recalled Shen Yanzhia's statement a few weeks ago when they finished discussing with Tang Yin.

"I'm not Prince Yun's real daughter" Shen Yanzhia said as she whispered.

"Wangfei, are you sure?"

Shen Yanzhia nodded. Lin Zian could not hide his shock. He was just about to investigate this, but Shen Yanzhia had even gotten the truth first.

Shen Yanzhia paused her words.

"In that year, Prince Yun was on his way home from Baindu after carrying out an assignment to see the control of the territory under the rule of Duke Wu's father. Prince Yun spent almost a year and a half in Baindu. But, suddenly in the residence Yun was born a baby girl."

"Then?"

"The Yun family said that the baby girl was the son of a new concubine whom my father married while in Baindu. But, come to think of it, there was no definitive information regarding that identity. Perhaps the attention of the people was distracted at the death of Crown Prince Xiao Yanzhi and the Emperor."

Lin Zian was riveted. His wife's words at the time made sense.

"I checked my birth records to confirm the truth. Crown Princess Han Yuanniang disappeared, and is said to have died because only her clothes and blood were found. I asked some people and finally found out that back then, Crown Princess Han Yuanniang was pregnant. If that was the case, then there was only one possibility," Shen Yanzhia paused, she almost shed tears.

"You are the daughter of Crown Prince Xiao Yanzhi and Crown Princess Han Yuanniang" Lin Zian said.

Shen Yanzhia nodded.

"It is only fitting that your emotions become unstable every time you come into contact with the name of the Crown Prince's uncle. You also cry a lot when you hear or see the painting."

"I just want to know, why the father and the Queen Mother kept all of this a secret. It's only fitting that the Queen Mother loves me more than anyone. All this time, he's been protecting me."

"But, wangfei, my question is where is Crown Princess Han Yuanniang now? If only the rest of the clothes were found, he would probably still be alive."

"That's what I need to find out the truth."

The shock regarding the truth of Shen Yanzhia's identity was still fresh in Lin Zian's memories. He felt there was a bigger scenario behind all this. The tragedy of eighteen years ago must have been connected to the current events.

Lin Zian stared back at Xiao Yanzhi's painting. The painting still looks like a living painting.

"Uncle, what should I do now?"

...***...

Hello, for those of you who want to read my other work, you can find yes, the title is The Little Consort. Thank you:)