She felt a pang of guilt, as Qing He had once gone to the Tujue in her stead, and she could not bear to send another to their death.
As Princess Ling Yao, she had responsibilities to uphold, and this time, she would not falter.
"Stop talking. The Imperial Guards have already entered the courtyard. Yu Liu, don't panic. He won't do anything to me immediately. You still have time to make arrangements."
"Miss! You mustn't!"
"Listen to me!" Ling Yao smiled at Qu Linglong, "Linglong, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep it from you."
"Xue Niang, you are pregnant..."
"It's alright. The fact that the Imperial Guards are here in such a grand fashion means he intends to act openly. I am Princess Ling Yao. At most, I'll be sent to the Tujue, but Xiao Shan will not allow it. I believe he will come to my rescue soon."
"I will go with you. I refuse to believe he would dare to openly attack the royal family," the First Prince declared fiercely. "Anyone who dares to stop me, I will kill. Let's see if those dogs dare to stab a prince."
"Very well, it shall be so." Seeing that the situation was decided, Yu Liu wasted no more words. "I will immediately gather the Xian Wang Sect to rescue you."
The First Prince and Ling Yao left Ting Yu Yuan together.
"Everyone, halt!"
The guards of the prince's mansion retreated, and the Imperial Guards parted to the sides. Grand Tutor Lu strode forward.
"Princess, it truly is you!"
He gritted his teeth, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.
This Princess Ling Yao was truly cunning! She had killed his youngest son and used the name of Princess Ling Yin. If it weren't for Prince Runan's accidental slip, he wouldn't have become suspicious and investigated the imperial family's secrets.
The Emperor loved her the most, so he would make the Emperor taste the pain of losing his beloved daughter.
He had failed to kill her on the road to the marriage alliance, and now she had returned of her own accord. This time, he would never let her go!
She had killed his youngest son and completely captivated his eldest son. She was truly a great calamity.
"Grand Tutor Lu, even if my imperial sister has made a mistake, it is for Father Emperor to decide. You have brought so many Imperial Guards to surround my prince's mansion without authorization. What is the meaning of this? Are you overstepping your bounds?"
"Your Highness, the old minister could bring so many Imperial Guards only because I received the Emperor's decree. As for you, Your Highness, you are guilty of harboring a criminal. The Emperor has decreed that you, Your Highness, must also be punished. Take them all away!"
Father Emperor is completely under his control. He says whatever he wants!
It infuriates me!
This old scoundrel!
After receiving imperial favor for so many years, he commits such treasonous acts. He is truly a heartless, ungrateful wretch!
What loyalty and kindness can one speak of with a usurper? Ling Yao shook her head at the First Prince, not even glancing at Grand Tutor Lu.
"Prince Runan arrives—"
Just as the Imperial Guards stepped forward to take away the First Prince and Ling Yao, the sedan chair bearing the gilded character "Run" stopped steadily before the mansion gate.
Princess Ling Yao was intercepted by Prince Runan.
Grand Tutor Lu was furious and unwilling, but it was to no avail. He stared gloomily at the departing sedan chair, his cheeks twitching with rage.
The First Prince sneered, "It seems Grand Tutor Lu has made a wasted trip. Go home and rest. Looking at your complexion, it's dark and purplish, like the precursor to a stroke. Take care!"
You're the one who's going to have a stroke!
But immediately, he stumbled, and his attendants quickly supported him. He rolled his eyes and fainted.
"Oh dear! It truly is a stroke! Hurry back and prepare for the funeral! Don't die at my mansion gate, how inauspicious!"
The First Prince leaped several steps away, entered the mansion, and ordered the guards to close the gate tightly.
The remaining Imperial Guards looked at each other, their attendants pale with fright. They called for a few people to help carry Grand Tutor Lu back.
Prince Runan was a refined and gentle man, over forty years old, yet he appeared as youthful as a young man. His face was kind, and he was humble and polite, his eyes always carrying a benevolent gaze. Furthermore, as the only prince in court and without a princess, he was considered an excellent prospect by many unmarried young ladies in the capital.
However, Prince Runan was a man of deep affection. Ever since the legendary Princess Consort passed away, he had not taken another woman.
Yet, this could not be entirely believed. Ling Yao recalled the woman who alighted from the carriage that day, walking very close to Uncle Prince Runan, as if they were a couple.
"Ling Yao, no matter how you returned, stay in the palace for now. The situation on the border is unstable. We'll discuss it further when things are clearer." Prince Runan's voice carried a gentle reassurance, the tone of an elder showing affection to a younger generation.
"Thank you, Imperial Uncle," Ling Yao replied with a faint nod.
The Taiji Hall of the Imperial Palace was staffed by Prince Runan's men, and the new commander of the Imperial Guards was also Prince Runan's man. It could be said that in the current Imperial Palace, Grand Tutor Lu's men occupied only a small portion, while all important positions were controlled by this uncle.
"Imperial Uncle, how is my Father Emperor? Will he be angry when I return?" Ling Yao's tone was cautious and wistful, the tone of a young girl who had not seen her father for a long time.
Prince Runan sighed, "Your Father Emperor is ill and cannot see anyone for the time being. We'll speak when he recovers."
"Father Emperor is ill? Is it serious? Elder Brother said Father Emperor still attended court a few days ago."
"Perhaps he has been too tired these years, and his spirit is a little weary. Don't worry, he will get better."
"Mm."
Prince Runan's answers were flawless, and his apparent worry seemed genuine. Ling Yao, inexperienced in such matters, could not detect any issues.
The sedan chair entered the Imperial Palace without obstruction and proceeded directly to Feng Que Lou.
She hadn't expected Prince Runan to still have her reside in Feng Que Lou. Wasn't Ling Xi living there?
"Don't worry, you are not being imprisoned. It's for your safety. It's best not to wander around. Ling Xi is also living here now, so you sisters will have company."
"Thank you, Imperial Uncle."
Prince Runan smiled faintly, beckoned a guard to escort Ling Yao inside, and then turned to leave.
How strange. How could he be so composed? The situation in Jing Kingdom was so dire, yet he seemed not to worry at all.
Ling Yao watched him depart unhurriedly.
"Ling, Ling Yao?"
The Second Prince rubbed his eyes, looking at the person before him in disbelief.
"Is it you? Little sister?"
Although there were some minor changes, this was indeed his little sister!
How could this be? Was he dreaming?
"Second Brother."
Carved railings and ornate buildings, glazed golden tiles, artificial mountains and flowing ponds, before the lotus pond, after a year's separation, brother and sister were reunited.
"I'm back," she said with a smile, her eyes brimming with tears.
Second Brother, you've grown thin, tanned, and dispirited. Before, you were like clouds in the sky, pure and unstained by the dust of the world, smiling with youthful innocence, bringing joy to the heart.
He was the purest youth in the world, and no color could match the pure white of his flowing sleeves.
His eyes held starlight, rushing in with the winds of the outside world, bringing brilliance to her monotonous life.
"Little sister! The most famous Eight Treasure Duck in the city, I hid it in my sleeve and brought it in secretly. Don't let Father Emperor find out, eat it quickly."
"Little sister, I heard a song today, it's very interesting, I'll sing it to you."
"Little sister, the sugar figures I brought today were confiscated by Father Emperor's guards. I'll bring you more next time."
Little sister, don't worry, Father Emperor only spanked you ten times. I'll come to see you again in a few days.
Little sister...
Little sister...
Only one person called her that, her twin brother, Feng Shijin.