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Chapter 610: Adorable Bao Zhuzhu
Chapter 610: Adorable Bao Zhuzhu
Prince Jin asked, "Uncle, do you know the consequences of opening the Imperial Mausoleum?"
Hu Lie replied, "Your Majesty and the Miao King are sworn enemies. Perhaps they have already turned on each other inside the mausoleum."
Prince Jin listened to his ramblings and gave a cold snort. "Do you really believe that, Uncle? Have you forgotten about the child?"
Hu Lie said dismissively, "How important could a child be? If he needs a beating, he'll get one."
Prince Jin frowned. "Uncle, I understand you want to save Qi'er, and I want to save him too. He is my only son, and my desire to save him is even more urgent than yours! However, if Father Emperor emerges from the mausoleum, both the Prince Jin Residence and the General’s Mansion will be doomed!"
Hu Lie paused. "I will act cautiously to ensure that the Long Princess’s people do not track me."
Just as Prince Jin was about to say something, Hu Lie added, "If they do manage to follow me, I have a backup plan. I will ensure that everything goes smoothly."
Prince Jin asked suspiciously, "What do you plan to do?"
Hu Lie gazed into the endless night. "Cut off the fuel at the source."
---
Meng Qianqian gave the Empress a sedative. The Empress had briefly awakened during the day but soon fell back asleep. She had been bedridden for days, worrying herself sick over the Emperor, and the palace attendants had not grown suspicious.
After dark, Meng Qianqian left the palace.
Being the Long Princess had its advantages; she could come and go without reporting to anyone, even the regent, Prince Jin, could not interfere.
Upon arriving at the Crown Prince’s Mansion, she went to Master Ziwu’s courtyard.
Master Ziwu, looking like a kidnapped old man, sat in his chair with a drooping head, feeling utterly hopeless.
The room was crowded with people, and his despair deepened.
What kind of life had he led since coming down the mountain?
"Master, I apologize for the inconvenience. We will hold our discussion in your room today", Lu Zhaoyan said.
Master Ziwu had no intention of getting involved. Did anyone remember that he was an old man on the verge of death?
No elderly person should have to endure such torment every day.
Wasn’t an old man’s life worth anything?
He glared to the left, where Lu Zhaoyan was adjusting Liu Qingyun’s cloud sleeves.
His lips twitched, and he glared to the right, where Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian were holding hands.
He couldn’t stay in this broken mansion for a single day more!
Fifteen minutes later, Prince of Fu arrived.
"Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law."
He bowed and greeted Lu Zhaoyan and Liu Qingyun.
The smooth way he called Liu Qingyun "Second Sister-in-law" pleased Lu Zhaoyan.
Lu Zhaoyan smiled. "Please, sit."
He took a seat at the head of the table, while Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian called him Uncle.
Since they were now allies, there was no need to hide anything. Lu Zhaoyan had already explained their current situation to Prince of Fu while sending Cui Hu to fetch him.
Prince of Fu asked, "What do they plan to do?"
Lu Zhaoyan replied, "Opening the underground palace is inevitable. Before and after it is opened, there will likely be several actions taken."
Meng Qianqian nodded. "First, let’s talk about Gongsun Liuying. If I were her, I would want Lu Qi to die in the underground palace. As for Prince Jin and General Hu, I think they have three plans. One, to kill the Emperor but not the Miao King, as they need the Miao King to take the blame."
"Two, to kill Lu Fengyin. Now that Lu Fengyin’s threat has surpassed the Crown Prince’s Mansion, he has become Prince Jin’s greatest threat."
"And the third?" Prince of Fu asked.
Lu Yuan’s lips curled into a slow smile. "To kill me."
Meng Qianqian nodded again. "That’s right. If there are no successors, then Prince Jin’s only disadvantage would be eliminated."
Prince of Fu drew in a sharp breath.
Meng Qianqian asked, “Uncle Five, do you find it cruel?”
Prince of Fu's expression was complex. “I’ve always known that my eldest brother is ambitious, but I never imagined he would go so far as to kill his own father and kin for personal gain.”
He sounded a bit sad. “Second Brother, we’ve finally come to this.”
Lu Zhaoyan said earnestly, “Even if the Father Emperor hadn’t ascended to the throne, this moment was inevitable.”
Prince of Fu smiled. “I was just feeling a bit sentimental. I apologize for making you laugh, Second Brother.”
Lu Yuan said lazily, “The imperial city is about to get lively.”
Meng Qianqian said, “With Brother in the secret passage, I wonder how many people they will send.”
Lu Yuan snorted. “You should worry about yourself. The palace is vast, and there are countless ways to harm someone. The Empress isn’t necessarily the caring sister-in-law she pretends to be.”
Meng Qianqian replied, “I’ll be careful.”
“Take care, Meng Xiaojiu.”
“You too, Lu Yuan.”
Lu Yuan looked at her deeply, his eyes revealing a tumult of emotions.
At this moment, they were about to fight together.
And each would go on their own mission.
Meng Qianqian felt his gaze and guessed his plan.
It was a risky move, but also the simplest and most direct.
“Come back alive.”
She said.
Lu Yuan replied with a playful tone, “I still owe my grandmother a grandson, so of course I’ll come back alive.”
He looked at Lu Zhaoyan and Liu Qingyun, who was half-asleep. “I’m leaving Mother in your hands. If anything happens to her, you’ll never set foot in the Bai Family Gate again.”
Lu Zhaoyan: Rebellious son!
He then looked at Prince of Fu, his attitude much more courteous. “Uncle Five.”
Prince of Fu cleared his throat. “Go with peace of mind. Remember to bring back your grandfather and maternal grandfather. My mother says they owe her a lot of gambling debts. I’m actually here to collect.”
Lu Yuan: “...”
---
When Lu Yuan returned to the courtyard to pack, Lu Zhaoyan entered the house.
Despite recognizing each other for some time, the father and son still felt a bit awkward around each other, aside from their usual bickering.
Since their relationship was already strained, Lu Yuan didn’t bother changing into night clothes.
He tucked a dagger into his waistband and brought along some poison and healing balm.
Additionally, the servants had prepared some dry rations.
The two men were silent.
Lu Zhaoyan broke the silence first.
He handed a bundle to Lu Yuan. “I’m not sure what you like, so I had the kitchen make some random things.”
“Hmm.”
Lu Yuan casually stuffed the poison into the bundle.
Lu Zhaoyan, enraged, yanked open the bundle and tossed the poison aside. “You want to die, but don’t drag Zhaoyao into it!”
Lu Yuan looked at the table full of pastries and clothes, even a rattle, and sneered. “Do you even know what I like? Is there anything I like here?”
It was all for the little brats!
Lu Zhaoyan glared at the rebellious son, rummaging through the pile of snacks and toys for children.
He pulled out a small paper packet.
“Donkey meat pie.”
Lu Yuan: “...”
---
In the underground palace.
Emperor Liang and the Miao King had already reached the entrance of the Imperial Mausoleum.
No matter how much noise they made, no one came to open the entrance for them.
Both men knew what had happened.
The Miao King was practically writing "scorn" on his forehead. “Tsk, serves you right for being blind!”
Emperor Liang ignored him.
Bao Zhuzhu pouted, her little mouth downturned. “Great-grandpa.”
The snacks in her pocket were long gone.
Although they had some dry rations these past few days, they didn’t suit her taste.
She had lost weight.
She was no longer the cute and adorable Bao Zhuzhu!(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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