allonlinenovel Chapter 290 Autumn Hunting
Chapter 290 Autumn Hunting
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing'an's face grew even more gloomy, and he immediately summoned the guard who had come to the palace to report the incident for questioning.
The guards who were watching over Phoenix Mountain entered the palace and reported, "Your Majesty, Phoenix Mountain is on fire. We discovered it in time, otherwise the fire would have spread to the other courtyards."
They were able to enter the city smoothly even when the city gates were closed because they held the token given to them by Emperor Jing'an.
“Your Majesty, this fire started at night, which is very strange. It doesn’t seem like a wildfire caused by the heat.” The guard continued, “We investigated immediately and found no suspicious persons.”
Phoenix Mountain is very vast. Although it is considered a forbidden area and guarded by soldiers in secret, it is still difficult to prevent arson.
Emperor Jing'an couldn't help but wonder if someone had discovered the secret of the villa and was setting a fire to test it first.
He thought of the secrets hidden in the villa and the dream he had just had, a hint of anxiety showing in his eyes.
"I will increase manpower for you, and arrange for people to patrol every intersection in shifts," Emperor Jing'an said in a deep voice. "Guard the villa strictly and do not allow anyone to approach. Anyone who disobeys will be executed first and reported later."
Emperor Jing'an did not punish the guard, who breathed a sigh of relief: "Your subject obeys the decree."
Emperor Jing'an dispatched men to Fengxing Mountain, and later secretly sent people to guard the mountain range bordering Fengxing Mountain.
Anyone found acting suspiciously should be apprehended immediately.
With Emperor Jing'an's actions, the situation in the court instantly became tense.
In the inner palace, Consort Ling keenly sensed something unusual and sent a letter to Prince Yu, requesting that he come to the palace for a talk.
Prince Yu did not reply to Consort Ling's letter, nor did he enter the palace to see her.
In her anxiety, Consort Ling wrote a letter to her younger brother, Ling Zhongshi, asking him to go to Prince Yu's residence to inquire about the situation.
Upon arriving at Prince Yu's residence, Ling Zhongshi was placed under house arrest in a side room by the Grand Tutor before even meeting the prince. It was feared that Ling Zhongshi would again hinder Prince Yu at a crucial moment.
After the Chamberlain finished his business, he went to report to Prince Yu: "Your Highness, your uncle is imprisoned in the Prince's residence. If this matter reaches the Empress's ears, it will likely disturb your peace. Would you like to send a letter to the Empress to inform her of the situation?"
Prince Yu looked at the letter in his hand, automatically ignoring what the Grand Tutor had said.
Phoenix Mountain caught fire, and the guards watching over it entered the city overnight.
Not only were the guards able to enter the city unimpeded at night, but Emperor Jing'an also increased the number of people stationed at Fengxing Mountain.
The fact that Emperor Jing'an became more irritable and easily angered during the morning court sessions these past two days, and that he had to summon the imperial physicians several times, indicating that his liver fire was getting worse, is enough to demonstrate the importance of Fengxing Mountain.
At this moment, a guard reported at the door: "Your Highness, the Director of the Armory and the Director of the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War have been arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
The Arsenal Department was responsible for the replacement, manufacture, and storage of military equipment, while the Military Selection Department was responsible for the promotion and transfer of military officers. These two departments were of vital importance.
Now that the doctor has been arrested, that knife hangs over Prince Yu's head.
Prince Yu changed into casual clothes and went to the palace to pay his respects to Emperor Jing'an.
When Emperor Jing'an summoned Prince Yu, he was drinking medicinal soup.
When Prince Yu saw that Emperor Jing'an did not look well, he handed the medicine bowl to the eunuch, pressed his ribs uncomfortably, and leaned back in his chair.
He asked gently, "Father, how is your health?"
Emperor Jing'an, having recovered from the throbbing pain in his ribs, looked up at Prince Yu.
Prince Yu's face was gentle, like a clear breeze and a bright moon. It was hard to imagine that beneath such a face lay an insatiable ambition.
Did Prince Yu think that because he destroyed the evidence of what he did at the Ministry of War, he could escape being traced back to him?
Once something is done, it's impossible to leave no trace.
"It's alright." Emperor Jing'an asked, "Jing'er, is there anything you want to say to your father?"
Prince Yu remained silent for a moment, then looked up again, his clear, bright eyes revealing his concern for Emperor Jing'an.
He suggested, "Father, you are busy with state affairs day and night, and rarely have time to rest. Now that the annual autumn hunt is approaching, why don't you put the autumn hunt on the agenda and take the opportunity to recuperate?"
Upon hearing Prince Yu's words, Emperor Jing'an's smile faded: "In your opinion, when should the autumn hunt be arranged?"
Prince Yu bowed and said, "I will leave it to Father Emperor's arrangement."
When Emperor Jing'an saw Prince Yu, a glimmer of hope still lingered in his heart: that Prince Yu had come to confess his crimes.
Unfortunately, my wish came true.
Now that Prince Yu has proposed the autumn hunt at this critical juncture, he probably has ulterior motives.
Emperor Jing'an looked down at the two memorials on his desk, which were proposals from the Ministers of Personnel and Rites regarding the autumn hunt.
His gaze deepened, and he said casually, "The autumn hunt is scheduled for two days from now."
-
The Duke's Mansion, Lanxue Garden.
After Shen Qingtan heard that Prince Yu had entered the palace, news spread that the autumn hunt would take place in two days.
The Ministry of War's oversight and the officials involved, despite undergoing severe torture, failed to implicate Prince Yu. Prior to this, Prince Yu had remained silent, suggesting that the cases involving the arrested officials were likely not directly related to him.
Now that the doctors from the Military Selection Department and the Military Treasury Department have been arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Prince Yu couldn't help but go to the palace, probably because these two people are deeply involved with Prince Yu.
That evening, when Zhao Yi returned home, Shen Qingtan helped him wash his hands while asking, "Second Master, was the autumn hunt proposed by Prince Yu?"
“During the morning court session, the Ministers of Personnel and Rites raised the matter of the autumn hunt, but His Majesty declined to comment.” Zhao Yi took the handkerchief handed to him by Shen Qingtan and wiped his hands. “Today, Prince Yu came to the palace and raised the matter of the autumn hunt, and His Majesty just set it for two days from now.”
"With the situation so dire, Prince Yu still has the interest to go on the autumn hunt. I suspect he's planning to do something there to offset the crimes he committed in the Ministry of War."
Shen Qingtan frowned: "Could it be that you're planning to rescue the emperor?"
Zhao Yi said in a low voice, "Prince Yu is cautious by nature. If we were to devise a plan to save him, we might not even have a chance to survive if we are not careful."
Shen Qingtan thought about it and realized it was indeed too risky.
Besides this, what other methods could Prince Yu use to save himself?
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Shen Qingtan's mind: "Northern Qi?"
Zhao Yi pondered, "A marriage alliance with Princess Guangning might be a way to divert trouble eastward."
Upon hearing Zhao Yi's words, Shen Qingtan couldn't help but recall the events at the flower-viewing banquet, when Consort Ling and Prince Yu plotted against Princess Guangning and were unwilling to marry her.
Now that Prince Yu has been driven to the brink of despair, does he want to resolve the crisis through a marriage alliance?
Shen Qingtan recalled the despair in Princess Guangning's panicked eyes when she was in the side hall, a look of utter isolation and helplessness on her face.
Regardless of whether Prince Yu had any designs on Princess Guangning, to be on the safe side, she still planned to send a message to Princess Guangning, asking her to make an excuse not to go on the autumn hunt.
-
Before we knew it, it was time for the autumn hunt.
Emperor Jing'an and his ministers went to the hunting grounds together.
The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain, and Zhao Yi helped Shen Qingtan down from the carriage.
When I went out, the sky was cloudless.
Now that they've arrived at the hunting grounds, dark clouds loom overhead, as if a storm is brewing.
Shen Qingtan was somewhat uneasy.
At this moment, the fourth madam came over and took Shen Qingtan's arm. "Niece-in-law, the weather has changed so quickly. Let's hurry up the mountain."
“Alright.” Shen Qingtan was about to go up the mountain with the Fourth Madam when she turned around and saw a figure in the crowd. She suddenly stopped in her tracks.