"What about the First Prince now?"
Su Fan was mainly worried about Xiao Yan, wondering how he was doing.
"I don't know about that. Wen Yan told me about these things."
Cheng Yaoyin and the others ran an inn; how would they know so much about the palace? If it weren't for Wen Yan, they might not even know the specific reasons for the change in the Crown Prince.
"Alright, you guys carry on."
Su Fan nodded, knowing he wouldn't get any more information from Cheng Yaoyin.
"Are you leaving without dinner?"
Cheng Yaoyin said urgently as Su Fan was about to leave.
"No, you're busy. I won't disturb you."
Su Fan waved goodbye to them and left the inn.
Wen Yan might know a little more than Cheng Yaoyin, but it was likely limited, and he wouldn't be able to uncover any secrets.
"It seems I have to go to the palace."
Su Fan decided to visit the palace.
That day, Su Fan appeared at the main gate of the palace.
He swaggered into the palace.
"Lord Su."
The soldiers at the gate respectfully greeted Su Fan without any obstruction.
Su Fan nodded slightly and walked straight into the palace.
Upon entering the palace, Su Fan headed directly to Xiao Yan's residence.
The First Prince's residence.
"Lord Su."
When Su Fan arrived, he was stopped by a palace maid outside.
"I want to see the First Prince."
Su Fan frowned and said to the palace maid.
"The First Prince is unwell and cannot receive visitors."
The palace maid looked directly at Su Fan and said.
Su Fan's brow furrowed.
"Aren't you going to report it?"
Su Fan felt something was amiss. Why would this palace maid refuse him without even attempting to report it?
"The First Prince said he doesn't want to see anyone."
The palace maid told Su Fan.
"Just say it's me who wants to see him. Go and ask. If he still refuses, then I'll leave."
Su Fan was determined not to leave until he saw Xiao Yan.
"Let him in."
At this moment, the door opened, and Zhao Ling'er appeared before Su Fan, saying to the palace maid.
Zhao Ling'er was formerly the Crown Princess, and now could only be considered a Prince's Consort.
Su Fan nodded at Zhao Ling'er and then walked past the palace maid into the room.
In the room, Xiao Yan was lying on the bed looking weak.
"Xiao Yan! What happened to you?"
Su Fan hurried forward and asked with concern.
He had learned from Cheng Yaoyin that Xiao Yan had lost his position as Crown Prince, but he hadn't mentioned Xiao Yan being injured.
"It's good to finally see you, cough cough!"
Xiao Yan was very happy to see Su Fan. The excitement caused him to cough, aggravating his wound.
"Take it easy, be careful of your wound."
Zhao Ling'er immediately stepped forward to care for Xiao Yan with concern.
Seeing this, Su Fan sighed. Although Xiao Yan wasn't much of a person, he had found a good wife.
"What happened to you?"
Su Fan asked Xiao Yan with confusion.
Xiao Yan waved his hand.
"It doesn't matter. We'll drink together when I'm healed. I'm not the Crown Prince anymore, so no one can control me."
Xiao Yan said to Su Fan with a relaxed expression.
"Still drinking? You look like this, don't drink yourself to death. What exactly happened?"
Su Fan said speechlessly.
Xiao Yan shook his head, not intending to elaborate to Su Fan.
"Let him rest well."
Zhao Ling'er said to Su Fan.
Su Fan nodded and walked out of Xiao Yan's room with Zhao Ling'er.
"What exactly happened?"
Su Fan said to Zhao Ling'er.
Xiao Yan was unwilling to say, but Zhao Ling'er must know what had happened.
"It's all because of the position of Crown Prince."
Zhao Ling'er sighed and said.
She then explained the whole story to Su Fan.
It was roughly the same as what Cheng Yaoyin had said, but Cheng Yaoyin didn't know that before the Third Prince's attempted coup in court, he had already sent people to injure Xiao Yan. The injuries were extremely severe, and he almost lost his life.
It was also because of this that the Emperor was willing to pass the position of Crown Prince to Xiao Zhihong.
"Xiao Zhihong did this?"
Su Fan frowned and asked Zhao Ling'er.
Zhao Ling'er remained silent, but it was obvious to anyone that Xiao Yan's injuries were related to Xiao Zhihong.
"Has anything else happened in the palace recently?"
Su Fan asked Zhao Ling'er.
"Nothing much has happened? If you want to call it a big event, it's that your big day is in a few days. Congratulations."
Zhao Ling'er forced a smile and congratulated Su Fan.
"What?"
Su Fan was stunned. What was going on? His big day, and he didn't even know?
"What big day? What's going on?"
Su Fan asked, completely bewildered.
"You don't know? Didn't His Majesty betroth the Princess to you? Your wedding is in a few days."
Zhao Ling'er asked Su Fan with confusion.
Su Fan knew nothing. He hadn't been back for a while, so how could he know?
"No, I haven't been back for so long. Who is the Princess marrying?"
Su Fan asked with confusion. If he hadn't returned today, who would the Princess marry?
Su Fan suddenly had a bad premonition.
Had the body in this world truly come alive?
"Have you seen me recently?"
Su Fan asked Zhao Ling'er.
This was very important to Su Fan, as it would confirm whether his guess was true.
"Yes, I saw you from afar by His Majesty's side."
Zhao Ling'er nodded and said.
Su Fan was shocked.
That's right, absolutely right!
The him in this world had truly come alive!
Su Fan didn't know how or why the him in this world had always had self-awareness, but this was indeed a threat to him.
"Thank you!"
Su Fan thanked Zhao Ling'er and left immediately, heading towards the Princess's residence.
He wanted to ask Xiao Xue'er. Since Xiao Xue'er was going to marry him, she must have seen him. He hoped to find some information from her.
Su Fan did not go directly to his own residence. If the body in this world had truly gained self-awareness, going there now would be like walking into a trap.
The Princess's residence was already being prepared for the wedding, with palace maids and eunuchs busy everywhere.
Upon seeing Su Fan, they immediately knelt and paid their respects.
"Your servant greets the驸马爷."
By this time, they were already calling him 驸马爷.
Su Fan's face showed no joy, only seriousness.
"You may all withdraw."
Su Fan waved his hand, dismissing the palace maids and eunuchs.
The palace maids and eunuchs wisely left the Princess's residence.
Su Fan walked to the door and gently knocked.
"Enter."
Xiao Xue'er's voice came from inside.
Su Fan pushed the door open. Xiao Xue'er was applying rouge and powder in front of the mirror.
"Is something wrong?"
Xiao Xue'er, thinking it was a palace maid outside, asked without turning her head.
Reflected in the bronze mirror, Xiao Xue'er saw Su Fan.
Xiao Xue'er immediately turned around with excitement.
"Su Fan!"
Xiao Xue'er was overjoyed, wishing she could pounce on him right now.
"Wait!"
Su Fan immediately held up his hand to stop her.
"I have something to ask you. Please calm down."
Su Fan knew how impulsive Xiao Xue'er could be, so he gave her a heads-up in advance.