Fu Rou sighed, “What now?” Shouldn’t she be the one that is hesitating?
Yang Bo said, “Wait for me to leave before you consume it. You are the court lady of the Six Offices. After you take the medicine, you will fall to the ground, your heart will stop beating and you will stop breathing. If other people see me in here, I will be doomed. Let’s not make it such that your death is fake and mine is real. I am leaving.” After he walked out, he even helped to close the door. His voice entered from the small gaps of the door, “Wait for me to walk far before taking it.”
Fu Rou sat alone for a while. After she thought that it was about time, she muttered to herself, “Father, Mother, Fu Yin, Shan’er, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, I will fight to live. So you all have to be safe.”
Fu Rou tilted her head back, ready to eat the Fake Death Pill. However, the door was pushed open forcefully. This time, the one who interrupted her ‘suicide’ was Sheng Chuling.
Sheng Chuling stared at the pill in her hands, and immediately took it. “What is this?”
“Don’t bother about me. Give it back.” Fu Rou immediately snatched it back.
“If not for Elder Brother’s orders, I can’t be bothered with you.” He really could not understand the relationship between these two. It made him confused as to what to call her.
“Did Chumu ask you to come? But you are too late, even if you send the news now, it won’t make it in time.” She had no way out.
Sheng Chuling mumbled, “What choice did I have? Yesterday night, Elder Brother was busy trying to send your parents out of Chang’an…”
Fu Rou suddenly grabbed onto Sheng Chuling’s arm. “What did you say? My parents?”
“I came to find you especially for this.” He did not idle. “Elder Brother wanted me to tell you that he has already sent your parents, your sister and your what second uncle...anyway, they have all been sent off to a place that only Elder Brother knows. You can rest assured.”
“Really?” Fu Rou was delighted.
Sheng Chuling looked weirdly at her. “Of course it is true. Did you think I have nothing to do so I came here just to entertain you? I will only do that for Xinnan. Eh? Why are you so emotional?”
“Concubine Yan was lying to me. My parents are safe…” She looked at the medicine in her hand and rushed to throw it away. As she thought about it, she started to feel fear. But when she thought about Chumu, a sweetness came into her heart. “How did Chumu know that Concubine Yan would try to attack my family? How did he send my parents out of Chang’an before Concubine Yan? He is too amazing.”
“Of course, Elder Brother is an exceptionally talented general. He has the ability to predict things. So Sister-in-law--” Forget it, Elder Brother probably will not repeat this again. He should just call her Sister-in-law. “In the future, you better be submissive, respectful…”
Fu Rou looked at him coldly and Sheng Chuling quickly changed his tone. “Actually, Elder Brother values you greatly. Ever since he returned from Daci’en Temple, he has sent someone to secretly protect your family. However, the people that he sent said that he found suspicious people lurking near your second uncle’s house. Perhaps they were here to scout first. Elder Brother was worried that your family would be in danger and immediately sent them out of Chang’an.”
Fu Rou could finally feel relieved. She turned to take out an intricate puppet from the cupboard behind her. “For you.”
“For me? Or for Elder Brother?”
“For you.” She was grateful to him too. “Chuling, you gave me the news that I wished for the most. I know that you don’t lack anything in the Duke Lu Residence and can only give this to you. This was given to me by a subordinate out of respect. Take it for Princess Xinnan, she will definitely like it.”
“Xinnan really likes this kind of children's toy. She is so childish.” Although this was what Sheng Chuling said, he also enjoyed playing with those things. “Thank you, Sister-in-law. I am going to Xinnan’s place for my duty. Do you have anything you want me to tell Elder Brother?”
Fu Rou did not even think about it. “Tell Chumu that he is the most indomitable, mightiest and capable man in my heart.” Now, passing on a message is not easy, she could not be reserved anymore. She had to take the chance.
Sheng Chuling coughed, “Oh my god, Sister-in-law, you usually don’t say romantic things but when you do, it is huge. It is even more cringey than Elder Brother.”
Fu Rou watched Sheng Chuling walk out. Her legs gave way and she fell to the ground.
“Fu Rou ah Fu Rou, Prince Zhou was right. You are too na?ve. You almost gave away your life just because of what someone else said. You always think you are smart but you were deceived by your own cleverness.” She let out a long breath and patted her heart. She had a rare moment of wittiness. “I must definitely not let Chumu find out, if not he will scold me to death.”
Fu Rou walked over and picked up the Fake Death Pill and placed it in a small bottle. She shook it lightly and listened to the sound of the pill rolling in the bottle. Her expression became serious. Next time, she would use it correctly.
Chapter 93.2: Golden Branch
Xinnan manipulated the puppet. All of its four limbs were active and even the head could turn. It was an extremely adorable toy. In the past, she would not bear to let it go. However, now she found it dull.
When her Imperial Mother was around, she was rarely stressed. Her brothers, Crown Prince and Prince Han, would always protect her. Although she knew they were fighting, she distanced herself from it. However, everything changed after her Imperial Mother passed away. Both her brothers were now in prison and her Imperial Father was ill. Concubine Yan was controlling the entire palace. No matter how immature she was, she knew that she should try to stay in her own palace. Ever since Grand Prince Liang tried to pick a fight with Chuling for no reason, she understood that if she wanted him to be safe, she had to lay low.
Sheng Chuling saw Xinnan frown. He knew exactly what she was worried about. However, he pulled open his mouth and brought his face in front of her, making a funny face.
“Why? Do you now like it? I know that this tiny thing is not as cute as me. But you should just accept it. It is from Sister-in-law.”
Xinnan’s mood was brightened by him for a moment before she went back to her melancholy state. “I like it. Thank you.”
“If you like it, then don’t give such a sad face. You make me upset.” Sheng Chuling stretched two fingers out and touched the dimples on Xinnan’s face. “Learn from me. Smile brightly.”
“You just look happy but you actually have a lot of worries.” Sheng Chuling had lost an elder sister and a younger brother. Xinnan was afraid that in this chaos, they would lose each other as well. “Chuling, let’s get through any difficulties together. You don’t have to pretend to be happy in front of me.”
Sheng Chuling froze slightly before a flicker of emotion ran through his eyes. He lightly held her. “My Xinnan is so understanding. You understand human emotions so well. I have good taste.”
Xinnan remained in his embrace quietly. “This is my home yet I am feeling more and more afraid to stay here. Every time your roster ends and it is time for you to leave, I am afraid that you will not appear ever again.” What is scarier is that if something like that happens, she would not even know who to ask for help.
“Don’t worry, I am intending to ask my superior to stay in the palace temporarily. Then I can always accompany you.” There have been movements in the palace and he was worried.
Xinnan’s expression was bitter. “Linghu Deguan is dead and Concubine Yan’s men are in charge now. It may not be so easy.”