Uncle Ling had always been concerned about the Eastern Palace, and when he married Jiang as his daughter-in-law, he also took a fancy to the in-law relationship between Jiang and the Eastern Palace.

It was a pity that Madam Jiang was only a daughter from a collateral branch of the Jiang family. Although she has a relationship with the Ying GuoGong ^[1]Duke Ying mansion on a regular basis, she didn’t have a close relationship with the Crown Princess. Even if she wanted to be close, she was not qualified.

He didn’t expect that today’s unforeseen misfortune would lead to a relationship with the Imperial Grandson, which can be regarded as a surprise.

This was a lifesaving favor. In the future, they can go and meet the Crown Princess to express their thanks, and it won’t look like they are there to flatter or ingratiate with the Eastern Palace.

Moreover, the Crown Prince was injured when he led the army a few years ago, and his health has not been very good since then. Most of the affairs of the Eastern Palace were presided over by His Royal Highness, the Imperial Grandson.

The Imperial Grandson was precocious since he was a child, and he had a photographic memory. At the age of ten, he memorized the Four Books and Five Classics thoroughly, and at the age of twelve, he was able to explain them simply. He was proficient in all poems, songs, piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting. After the age of twelve, he handled the affairs of the Eastern Palace on behalf of his father. He was shrewd, deep, and decisive, even better than the Crown Prince at his age.

The Emperor loved his youngest son, King Yan, but he attached great importance to this eldest grandson. The Crown Prince was in poor health, so the Eastern Palace position was naturally coveted by the other princes. However, because the Imperial Grandson was extremely favored by the Emperor, no one could shake the Eldest Prince’s position as the Crown Prince.

Thinking of having the opportunity to meet the Imperial Grandson, Uncle Ling was overjoyed, and after a whole night of fear and anxiety, his mood suddenly brightened.

Uncle Ling’s good mood was apparent.

Ling Jingshu didn’t need much effort to guess why Uncle Ling was happy. Her heart also moved quietly.

Perhaps, this was also a great opportunity for her!

To deal with the Lu family, it was absolutely impossible for her to deal with Empress Xu and Princess Changping, who were all-powerful in the harem, on her own. If she can use the power of the Eastern Palace, everything will be possible…

In her previous life, she was far away in Jizhou, and she didn’t know much about the Capital. However, she also heard about the Crown Prince’s succession incident that shocked the entire Zhou Dynasty.

After the Imperial Grandson got married, he still had no heirs. At the same time, Shanxi province was hit by a severe drought and plagued by locusts, resulting in widespread devastation and corpses floating everywhere. It caused shock and concern not only among the court officials but also among the people. On behalf of the Crown Prince, the Imperial Grandson went out of the Capital to inspect the relief. On the way, he was assassinated by unknown assassins. When the Crown Prince heard the news, he vomited blood and fainted on the spot. He was seriously ill.

The Emperor was heartbroken that his eldest grandson died, and was filled with rage. Thoroughly investigated the assassination, and finally found Prince An and Prince Wang. In a rage, the Emperor put the two princes under house arrest.

As the Crown Prince’s health continued to deteriorate day by day, Empress Xu seized the opportunity to win over officials in the court and build support for Prince Yan. The Emperor, who already doted on his younger son, was susceptible to influence and eventually entertained the idea of changing the Crown Prince.

The details of the bloody and chaotic process remain unclear, and Ling Jingshu, who was imprisoned in the Lu family, could not possibly know the full truth. The only thing she was certain of was that the ultimate victors were Empress Xu and her son.

King Yan became the Crown Prince and ascended the throne as Emperor. After Empress Xu became Empress Dowager Xu, she secretly issued a secret decree to Lu’s house. That secret decree also became her death warrant…

She wanted revenge, and it seemed the best choice was to seek refuge with the Imperial Grandson.

The premise was that the Imperial Grandson should not be as short-lived as he was in his previous life.

…

After returning to the cabin, Bai Yu lighted the candlestick first.

Bai Yu waited on Ling Jingshu to take off the blood-stained dress and put on a clean new dress. The long hair scattered behind her was also combed into a simple bun.

“This blood-stained dress, servant girl put it away first. I will quietly take it to the kitchen and burn it later.” Bai Yu whispered.

Ling Jingshu’s eyes were a little complicated, and she hummed slightly. After a long time, she said in a low voice: “Baiyu, I killed someone today…you saw it with your own eyes, will you be afraid of me?”

Baiyu replied without thinking, “How could it be? I only hate that I was far away from you at that time. I wish the dagger was in my hand, otherwise, there was no need for the young lady to do it herself. “

Ling Jingshu’s heart warmed.

Bai Yu sighed worriedly again: “The servant girl is only worried that if this matter spreads, it will damage the young lady’s reputation. Talking about marriage in the future will always be unpleasant…”

Which family will dare to marry a woman who has killed someone as a daughter-in-law?

“It doesn’t matter to me. “Ling Jingshu said lightly, “I have no intention of getting married. “

Bai Yu: “…”

Bai Yu consoled her earnestly: “Miss, this kind of thinking is unacceptable. After all, women are going to marry and have children…”

A knock on the door interrupted Bai Yu: “It’s me, open the door. “

It’s Ling Ji!

Bai Yu hurriedly went to open the door, and Ling Ji walked in. He gently put the things in his hands on the table: “Ah Shu, these are your things. “

It was her dagger!

The blood on it has been washed clean.

Ling Jingshu pursed her lips and said in a low voice: “Tángxiōng, I…”

“I have given orders for tonight. No one should spread the word”. Ling Ji quickly interrupted Ling Jingshu: “As for the guards of the Eastern Palace, Commander Wang also issued a strict order that no one is allowed to mention what happened tonight. I will not tell my Father about this. So, you don’t have to worry. “

No one will know that you killed a bandit tonight!

Ling Jingshu was a little surprised but more moved and grateful: “Tángxiōng, thank you.” 

However, Ling Ji sighed and said with a face of shame: “If you talk about gratitude, it should be our family who should be grateful. If it weren’t for you, those bandits would have killed us before they left.”

And we watched you leave with the bandits.

Seeing the guilt on Ling Ji’s face, Ling Jingshu felt warm in her heart.

In her previous life, she had never had any contact with her tángxiōng, nor could she have any affection. After a few days of contact in this life, a brother-sister relationship had already been born.

“Tángxiōng, don’t blame yourself.” Ling Jingshu’s tone also became lighter: “If it was you at that time, you would definitely have made the same choice as me. Fortunately, His Royal Highness came to the rescue in time, and we are all safe and sound.” 

Ling Ji also smiled, and sighed: “Yes! I have never experienced such a thrilling night in my life. It will be hard to forget about this night my whole life.” 

After a pause, he said: “Many guards were injured this time. Most of the boatmen were also injured. It seems that the waterway is not peaceful. It is best to return to the Capital with His Royal Highness. Not only can we borrow some people, but also the road will be safer.” 

The night attack by the bandits is really frightening.

It’s better to go back to Beijing with the Imperial Grandson to feel secure.

Ling Jingshu was also secretly planning how to get close to the Imperial Grandson, and she echoed with a smile: “My tángxiōng is very thoughtful, and what he said is very true.”

While talking, Ling Xiao, who had changed into new clothes, also came over.

Ling Jingshu immediately put away the dagger and put it under the pillow again.

The corners of Ling Ji’s mouth twitched slightly, and he wanted to say, “It’s better to put such a dangerous thing in a box and not under the pillow”. But then he thought again, the world was unpredictable. Could anyone guarantee that they won’t meet any more bandits tonight, and not find a reason to this dagger?

So Ling Ji silently stopped talking.

Perhaps, in the future, he should secretly get a sharp dagger for self-defense.