Before leaving the palace, Zhao Fang was intercepted by those from the Eastern Palace. The crown prince invited Zhao Fang to visit.
Zhao Fang did not refuse and went to the Eastern Palace. Besides meeting the crown prince, he also encountered a woman.
Finding her face familiar, Zhao Fang tried to recall the original character’s memories and finally remembered who she was.
The crown prince noticed that Zhao Fang was staring blankly at Lady Shen and smiled wider; it seemed he was correct in guessing that Zhao Fang had feelings for this woman! Fortunately, he had the foresight to bring her into his possession early on!
Seeing that Zhao Fang cared about this woman, the crown prince felt even more confident in his ability to control the situation.
“Your Highness, can you give this lady to me?” Everyone knew what was going on, and Zhao Fang was not polite, directly asking the crown prince for her.
The crown prince smiled and pointed to the intoxicated lady, saying, “If this young lady is willing to follow Zhao, then I will gladly help.”
The intoxicated lady was extremely nervous, looking at Zhao Fang with affectionate eyes, trying to suppress her excited emotions as she replied softly, “I am willing!”
Zhao Fang nodded, stood up, and said to the crown prince, “Thank you, Your Highness. I will take her away now.”
Seeing Zhao Fang so anxious, the crown prince teased, “We have only exchanged a few words, and now Zhao is already eager to leave me for the beauty, which hurts my heart.”
Zhao Fang replied earnestly, “I am indeed a bit hasty.”
The crown prince was taken aback before laughing a few times and said, “Alright, you may go!”
Zhao Fang glanced at the intoxicated lady and motioned for her to follow him.
After walking a few steps, Zhao Fang suddenly stopped, turned back to the crown prince, and said, “I have heard about Your Highness’s relatives selling positions and titles.”
The crown prince’s smile vanished instantly. He responded, “I understand. Thank you, Zhao.”
After Zhao Fang took the intoxicated lady out of the palace, he immediately had someone send her away. The intoxicated lady was confused and did not understand why Zhao Fang was hurrying her away.
“Seeing the expression of others can only lead to a struggle for survival. You shall be free from now on. The sky is vast, fly wherever you wish.”
With that, Zhao Fang turned and the courtyard door closed quickly behind him.
The intoxicated lady stood dazed, staring at the door. She was free?
Suddenly gaining the long-desired freedom, she felt as if she were dreaming, unable to believe it.
Wei, the manager, was in the carriage, urging the lady to get on.
Wang, the manager, and Yuan, who had appeared too frequently before the crowd, were already remembered by many. It was inconvenient for Zhao Fang to have them handle this, so he called upon Wei, who had just arrived in the capital, for assistance in sending the intoxicated lady away.
The intoxicated lady, still in a daze, got onto the carriage, quietly asking Wei, “Why doesn’t Zhao want me?”
Was she not good enough?
Once abandoned, a person easily slips into self-doubt and wild thoughts.
Wei absentmindedly replied, “Zhao is a gentleman. Everything he does is in accordance with gentlemanly conduct.”
The intoxicated lady seemed to understand partially.
Wei handed her a bundle and explained, “I have arranged for a new life for you. No one will know your past; from now on, you will be like a new person. Forget the past!”
The intoxicated lady felt lost, both hopeful and anxious about her new life.
Wei did not concern himself with her thoughts; after completing Zhao Fang’s tasks, he wrote a letter to Zhao Fang to report the situation clearly.
The emperor, upon learning that Zhao Fang had taken a beauty from the Eastern Palace, was quite surprised. He thought that Zhao Fang did not seem like someone who could be easily swayed by beauty. Upon investigation, once he learned the lady’s identity, the emperor understood somewhat. However, he did not expect that after Zhao Fang took her away, he would immediately send her out of the capital!
Ah, this was precisely the righteous act of the incorruptible Zhao Fang!
The emperor smiled, summoned the second prince, and personally instructed him to investigate the crown prince’s relatives who were selling positions and titles.
The second prince, showing no restraint, unwillingly said, “Father, I have been suffering from a severe headache lately. The doctor said I am overly fatigued and need to rest well! I wish to take a break for a while. How about letting Third Brother investigate this matter instead?”
The emperor stared at the second prince with a smile that was not a smile. He would not allow this son to escape; he wanted to force the second prince to confront the crown prince!
With a stern expression, the emperor rebuked sharply, “Nonsense! I command you to investigate this matter. If you shirk your duty, do you intend to defy my orders?”
The second prince clutched his head, looking pitiable as he cried out, “Father, I truly have a terrible headache! Oh, it hurts so much!”
The emperor rolled his eyes and coldly commanded, “You will investigate this matter whether you like it or not! Otherwise, you might as well die!”
The second prince seemed frightened, lowering his head and trembling as he obediently responded, “I will obey…”
After being reminded by Zhao Fang, the crown prince immediately took action to resolve the matter before the emperor acted.
However, the emperor quickly had someone arrest the crown prince’s relatives involved in the sale of positions. The crown prince was a step too late and had to think of another plan, gathering everyone to discuss strategies to resolve the issue.
The emperor, worried that the second prince would be negligent in his duties, had someone do all the preparatory work and presented the evidence before the second prince. All that was needed was for the second prince to step forward and accuse the crown prince in court.
However, the emperor still underestimated the second prince’s indecisive nature; despite providing him with evidence, he remained inactive. The emperor subtly hinted at the second prince several times during court sessions, yet the second prince appeared oblivious to the emperor’s intentions.
If it weren’t for the presence of other officials, the emperor would have been so enraged that he would have smashed something in the second prince’s direction.
Suppressing his frustration, in front of the court, the emperor directly pressured the second prince: “Second, I have heard that you have been investigating the sale of positions and titles. Have you uncovered the truth?”
The second prince, who had been dozing off, was jolted awake and realized the emperor was coercing him. His complexion shifted as he looked fearfully toward the crown prince and began to stutteringly report the investigation’s findings to everyone.
The crown prince managed to control his emotions and defended himself, saying to the emperor, “Father, I had no knowledge of this! I request you to investigate thoroughly! I will not condone any wrongdoing!”
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