Chapter 452: Drifting
The words "I really didn't expect His Majesty to be so impatient" comforted the empress dowager's anxious heart a little.
As long as Rong Que is eager to send her away, there is no doubt about it.
Although I didn't get a response from Prince Teng, as long as I leave this deep palace, I will have unlimited opportunities.
There was nothing to pack, and before dawn, a small carriage drove out of the palace and took the empress dowager to the Lotus Temple in the West Hill.
When the news reached the Daqi Inn, Prince Teng was having breakfast . He choked on his millet porridge and looked at his trusted attendant in disbelief, "Why would they suddenly send someone to the Lotus Temple when everything was fine?"
The confidant said, "Just now, I met the guard who was following the Queen Mother. There was not much time, so he hurriedly explained that it seemed that the incident of Xu Ma falling from the sedan chair was traced back to the Queen Mother by the Emperor. The eunuchs who were arrested all said that the Queen Mother originally wanted to attack Su Qingqing, but the servants mistook Xu Ma for Su Qingqing.
The emperor was furious and immediately ordered the person to be sent to the Lotus Temple."
Prince Teng knew what it meant to send someone to the Lotus Temple.
Yu Yang disappeared, and he was tricked again at the palace banquet yesterday. That's when Prince Teng decided to think about how to join forces with the Queen Mother and achieve his previous goal when Su Qingqing gave birth. But now he has been moved out of the palace.
The Queen Mother is gone, how can he carry out his plan?
No matter how powerful he is, as a prince of a foreign country, it is impossible for him to get his hands on other people's palaces. The only people he can use are the Queen Mother's people.
Prince Teng was having a headache when suddenly a spy he had sent out to look for Yu Yang came in. "Prince, there's news."
Prince Teng's originally melancholy eyes lit up, "How is it?"
"There's someone with the Queen Mother at the West Hill Villa. This morning, they delivered a message to the palace, but the Queen Mother had already been taken away. They didn't know where she was being taken, and we happened to meet them. They said Yu Yang was being placed at the West Hill Villa."
Prince Teng was stunned, and then burst into laughter.
This is God’s help.
He was just worrying about what to do when the Queen Mother left the palace, when he received this news.
"Sure?"
The spy said, "I have already sent people to investigate the West Mountain Courtyard. News should be reported back tonight at the latest. In addition, I made a special investigation and found that the West Mountain Courtyard and the Lotus Temple seem to be very close.
Moreover, when I mentioned to the person who came to deliver the message to the Empress Dowager that the Empress Dowager would be sent to the Lotus Temple , that person immediately became excited. It seemed that the Empress Dowager might have someone there.
Perhaps the Queen Mother was sent to the Lotus Temple because of her own arrangement."
Prince Teng paused in twiddling his fingers, his eyes flashing with excitement.
The Queen Mother has never been someone who can be easily manipulated. It is impossible that she has been imprisoned for such a long time without taking any action.
But the guard Rong Que, who was bribed by the Queen Mother, didn't mention anything about the Queen Mother's arrangements when he came to deliver the message today. Is it because he didn't know, or...
Prince Teng felt that this matter was a little unusual. He had to meet the Queen Mother immediately to ask about it clearly. Only after he had understood could he proceed to the next step. Su Qingqing's due date was getting closer day by day. If he couldn't take action on the day Su Qingqing gave birth, his chances in the future would be even slimmer.
"Make arrangements immediately. This prince wants to see the Queen Mother."
Prince Teng turned around and gave instructions to his confidant beside him, who immediately carried out the order.
As soon as he left, Prince Teng said to the spy, "Go to the Lotus Temple and keep an eye on it. Find out the situation of the guards there."
The spy asked, "What about Yu Yang?"
Prince Teng waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about it for now. Let's see the Queen Mother first and make arrangements. Since the Emperor has left Yu Yang in the West Mountain Villa, the guards there must be strong. It's unlikely that we can get him out directly."
The spy understood, said nothing more, and turned around to carry out his mission.
Soon, the spy brought back news, "Your Highness, because the Queen Mother suddenly passed away today, there was chaos at the Lotus Temple, and our people discovered something."
The spy's expression was secretive, causing Prince Teng to raise his breath. "What?"
"The reason the Queen Mother went to the Lotus Temple might be because there's a special person living there. That person is twelve years old. Twelve years ago, when the late Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty stayed at the West Mountain Courtyard, someone saw a concubine from the Lotus Temple go there."
Even a fool can understand what this means.
"What about the child?" Prince Teng almost stood up from his chair. "Is it a boy?"
The spy said, "Yes, this matter has been kept secret. The Queen Mother may have heard the news recently, so she tried to go to the Lotus Temple. Although the child grew up in the Lotus Temple, he has not fallen behind in learning. It can be seen that he has a capable teacher.
I heard that the Second Prince's wife's father, Lord Qin, had once been the Grand Tutor to the late Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty. Later, Lord Qin suddenly suffered a stroke and passed away not long after.
Prince Teng's eyes widened. "You mean, Master Qin is not dead, but has become a teacher to that child? How is that possible?"
The spy said, "I don't know if it's true, but someone has seen the Second Prince's wife go to the Lotus Temple several times. As a prince's wife, why would she go to such a place?
If Lord Qin were still alive, he would be able to explain it clearly."
Prince Teng could no longer sit still.
If there really is such a child, then the Queen Mother's departure from the palace to the Lotus Temple must have been planned. She must have someone she can use, and maybe she can bring down Rong Que.
If it’s true…
no!
He had to see this child.
"Make arrangements as soon as possible. This prince needs to see the Queen Mother as soon as possible. No... no need to make arrangements. Let's go today. Today is the first day that the Queen Mother will be at the Lotus Temple. Firstly, they haven't settled in properly yet, and secondly, Rong Que certainly wouldn't expect this prince to go there today. Prepare the car immediately!"
In the palace.
Imperial study.
He Chao stood in front of Rong Que and said, "A quarter of an hour ago, Prince Teng left for the Lotus Temple."
Rong Que played with the jade bracelet in his hand, "Have you arranged everything for the child?"
He Chao said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Everything has been properly arranged. I have always kept that child close to me and trained him. He has a strong ability to adapt. He knows exactly what to say and what not to say, and when to say it."
Rong Que sneered, "Give the order. In half an hour, we will encircle and destroy the Lotus Temple."
He Chao received the order and turned and left.
As soon as he left, Rong Que instructed Ming Lu, "Pass the order down and invite all the envoys to the West Mountain Villa. I'll let them hunt, eat meat, and bathe in the hot springs."
In the afternoon, a large group of people set out towards Xishan Villa.
Halfway up the mountain, a guard reported back that a tree had suddenly fallen on the mountain road ahead, blocking the way and requiring a detour.
