Yan Zifang had gone to the Liang Residence to look for her. He said that Lu Qi and Sheng Chumu had fallen out and had fought. Yan Zifang said that Lu Qi was injured and even took out his jade pendant and a letter. She was worried about her brother’s injury and followed Yan Zifang out of the city.
Yan Zifang did not say much as he pointed to the front. “You will see him after you turn that corner.”
Lu Yingying decided to trust him one more time as she turned onto the mountain road. She saw a wooden hut amongst the forest. She breathed out and rode to the hut. As soon as she dismounted, she ran into the hut.
“Brother! Brother!” There was no one on the outside, she ran further inside. However, she did not see any sign of Lu Qi.
When she turned around, she saw Yan Zifang close the door. She immediately became alarmed. “You lied to me?”
“I lied to you. The truth is your brother is not injured. At this moment, he should have already left Chang’an. However, I only saved Lu Qi, because I like you and I can’t watch him die.” Fu Rou said before that his actions were still that of the pirate. He admitted to it and he would not change.
Lu Yingying walked around Yan Zifang and headed for the door.
Yan Zifang did not hold her back. “Yingying, Grand Prince Liang is not going to survive. You are safe here.”
Lu Yingying turned back sharply. “What did you say?”
Yan Zifang replied, “Grand Prince Liang colluded with the Crown Prince to rebel. He is going to be executed for attempting to rebel.” Moreover, he was the one that sent the letter to the Emperor and he spoke very badly of Grand Prince Liang. Grand Prince Liang’s future was set.
“Rebel?” Lu Yingying thought back on Grand Prince Liang’s behaviour the past few days. He had indeed been behaving quite strangely. Moreover, the Crown Prince and Prince Han’s struggle was open.
She muttered to herself, “Grand Prince Liang, how can you be so foolish…” The Emperor agreed to let him stay in Chang’an as long as he did not create trouble. He could have had a peaceful life.
“The Emperor already knows about the Crown Prince and Grand Prince Liang’s plot to murder Prince Han. He is rushing back from the Hot Spring Palace. When the Emperor is back, he will punish the rebels. When that time comes, I am afraid that the entire Chang’an will be dyed red. Grand Prince Liang’s household will also be implicated.”
Lu Yingying headed towards the door again. Yan Zifang could not help but hold her back. “Where are you going?”
She did not turn back. “I am returning to the Liang Residence.”
“A couple is like a pair of birds. When trouble comes, they will fly their own way. Moreover, you were forced to marry Grand Prince Liang! Did you forget what a despicable man he is? Did you forget how he tortured you in his residence? What about the scars on your body? Have you forgotten about those?” He really could not understand. “And don’t you like me?”
She pulled her hand with all her might. “Let go of me!”
“In order to save you, I have been extremely busy. However, you are willing to die with a man that abuses you.” He was not willing to let go, anger burning in his eyes. “Aren’t you hateful?”
“Who is the one that is hateful?” She found it funny. “Back then, I begged you earnestly but you did not care about anything. Now that I am married, you are trying all ways and means to get me back. You're the hateful one, Yan Zifang! That’s right, I did not want to marry Grand Prince Liang but I could not disobey the Imperial Decree. Where were you when I had no choice but to force myself to smile and marry into the Liang Residence? Grand Prince Liang has done many wrongdoings, but he is finally repentant. He is starting to know how to treasure things. I am trying my best to be a wife and I don’t want to betray him when he is at his lowest point. What is wrong with that?”
“You are always thinking about others, but have you thought about yourself? Do you really want to be Grand Prince Liang’s wife? Then why do you try every way to not remain in the same room as him? You are deceiving yourself!”
Lu Yingying was horrified and embarrassed. She slapped Yan Zifang. “How dare you...pry into other people’s privacy.”
Yan Zifang’s expression did not change. “To know yourself is to know your enemy. That is how you can defeat them. Ever since Grand Prince Liang married you, he became my enemy.”
As he spoke, he took off his belt. She became frantic, “What are you trying to do? Yan Zifang, if you dare to violate me, I will bite my tongue and commit suicide!”
He carried her and pressed her down onto the bed. Using his belt, he tied her wrist to the bedpost. He wanted to laugh but did not. “At this point in time, how can I have crooked thoughts?” He then turned serious. “It is dangerous out there. You have to stay here.”
She blushed and could only attack him with words. “I hate you!”
He accepted it calmly. “I deserve it.”
Chapter 81.1: Protect
Sheng Chumu barged into the Internal Attendant Department and demanded to know where Sun Lingshu was. He held a long sword in his hand aggressively and no one dared to block him.
As soon as Fu Rou heard the news, she rushed over. Sheng Chumu glared at her. “Court Lady Fu, hand over the Crown Princess.”
He was always the dumb one, always thinking of being with her and passing their days simply and happily. He never cared about whether he offended others. She was the smart one, always assessing the situation. She talked about pompous rules, handed things smoothly and made everyone like her. How could she always stand on the opposite side of him, siding with his enemy?
“The Crown Princess is part of the Royal family. Imperial Concubine Wang and the Emperor will be the ones punishing her. Neither the Ministry of War nor the Ministry of Justice is allowed to interfere. These are the rules.” She understood his anger but she could not let him make a mistake. She had to protect him!
“The palace rules can go to hell! That vicious woman poisoned her own sister and made my sister the scapegoat, causing her death. To cover up her crimes, she killed my younger brother. Why are you still protecting her?” He had fallen in love with a heartless woman, maybe it was time he woke up. “Move aside, she must pay with her life!”
“Even if we ignore palace rules, there is still <<Great Tang’s laws>>. You can’t punish someone for your own personal reasons. The Crown Princess has committed crimes of murder. But if you kill her, you are committing a crime as well. Even though it is understandable, the law will not permit it. I don’t want you to make a mistake in a moment of rashness.” She wished that he could understand her.
“You talk all about the laws and rules as if you were thinking for me. It is actually because you want to continue being the Court Lady of the Six Offices. You want to protect the power that you spent so much effort to achieve. You want everyone to know that what you say goes!” Anger filled his head as he spoke irresponsibly. “Fu Rou, tell me the truth. We have known each other for so long. Have you ever treated me wholeheartedly? Do you care about how I feel? If you care even a little bit, then you should know how I am feeling and let me through.”
“I can’t allow you to enter.” Because this was a path of no return.
“Are you going to move?” He pulled out his sword.
“No!” She was going to use her life to protect him.
Sheng Chumu gritted his teeth, he was about to strike out when the door to the Internal Attendant Department opened.
Prince Han walked out of the room in a daze. The white silk that he was holding fell to the ground. He smiled through the tears streaming down his face. “Consort, this time, I did not let you down…” He muttered to himself as he walked past Sheng Chumu and Fu Rou.
A female official peered her head in and shrieked, “The Crown Princess is dead!”
Sheng Chumu snorted as he followed Prince Han out. Fu Rou was stunned for a moment before she let out a long sigh. With Prince Han’s move, it will cause trouble to never end.