Chapter 96

“Dear Heavens! The back door of the side hall indeed leads to Chunshui Garden! This must be Yuhua Lake!”

Qiao Jiaojiao knew that many ladies attending the palace banquet liked to gather by the Chunshui Lake. Since there was no one here, it must be Yuhua Lake.

Qiao Diyi quickly glanced at the lake, afraid that the little figure of the Western Prince might already be floating on it.

Fortunately, the lake was calm, with nothing on it.

So, was the Western Prince still in the side hall?

There hadn’t been any noise from ahead, so was Consort Yu Zhao also in the side hall?

What were they both doing in there?

Not only Qiao Diyi was puzzled, but Qiao Jiaojiao was also completely confused.

In the side hall, the Western Prince was nestled in a small cabinet, holding a brocade box in his arms, looking completely shocked.

And Consort Yu Zhao, with the help of Liu Lu, was changing clothes.

Liu Lu’s worried voice kept droning on: “Your Highness, your favor with His Majesty is strong now. This servant has been thinking, perhaps you’re taking too much of a risk.”

“If Your Highness wants to know something, let this servant ask for you!”

Consort Yu Zhao, while changing clothes, showed a sarcastic expression on her delicate face.

“Favor with His Majesty? Liu Lu, others might say such things, but don’t you know my situation?”

“He lies on me all day calling out other people’s names. I’m almost sick of it!”

“Does he think I cherish his affection so much? A man who can’t forget the dead, I—”

“Oh Heavens, Your Highness, please don’t say anymore!”

Liu Lu’s face turned pale upon hearing this.

She knew her mistress used to be a dancer, a bit unconventional and casual, but such bold words were truly beyond the pale!

The Western Prince, upon hearing this, was so shocked that his eyes widened, his heart pounding!

He had just taken the gift prepared for Jiaojiao and was about to leave when Consort Yu Zhao burst in, saying:

“Liu Lu, hurry, give me the palace maid’s clothes you prepared!”

The Western Prince was stunned. Why would Consort Yu Zhao need to change into a palace maid’s clothes?

While he was still dumbfounded, Consort Yu Zhao had already started undressing. He could only hide in the cabinet, thinking he would leave after Consort Yu Zhao finished changing.

Little did he know, he would hear such blasphemous words!

“Alright, Liu Lu, don’t be afraid, I won’t say anymore. Let’s move quickly, so Shen Lang doesn’t get impatient.”

Shen Lang!?

The Western Prince’s mouth slightly opened.

The Shen Lang Consort Yu Zhao mentioned must definitely not be the Emperor, the Crown Prince was chaste and would not be involved with palace ladies.

The Third Prince left early due to illness, but that couldn’t rule him out.

There was also… the Second Prince!

Liu Lu sighed inwardly, knowing she couldn’t stop Consort Yu Zhao.

“Your Highness, please go ahead. This servant’s life was saved by your kindness in the past. Now, I will do whatever it takes to help you achieve your wishes!”

Consort Yu Zhao, after dressing neatly, was moved by these words.

“Liu Lu, among all in this palace, you have been the kindest to me. If I can leave the palace, I will take you with me!”

Liu Lu didn’t dare to hope, but she still smiled, “Thank you for your grace, Your Highness.”

Consort Yu Zhao turned around, “How do I look?”

Liu Lu nodded, “As long as your face isn’t revealed, there are no flaws.”

Consort Yu Zhao felt relieved, then pulled Liu Lu towards the back door.

“Liu Lu, lead the way quickly. That person has been tied up for so long, we don’t want her causing any trouble.”

Liu Lu reassured Consort Yu Zhao, “Your Highness, rest assured. I’ve instructed someone to leave her in an extremely secluded place, and no one dares to go to Yuhua Lake, so it’s fine.”

Creak—

The door to the back hall opened, and voices gradually faded away.

The Western Prince suddenly emerged from the cabinet, his face pale.

Someone dared to have a secret communication with a palace consort!

If… if that person was the Second Prince, did he expose this matter to eliminate the threat to the Crown Prince’s position?

Actually, a child’s thoughts and senses are the most sensitive.

The Western Prince felt that the Emperor treated the Second Prince exceptionally, and his gaze towards him was the most gentle.

The Emperor had never looked at the Second Prince the way he looked at him and the Crown Prince…

The Western Prince knew he was weak. He had initially wanted to go find the Crown Prince first.

But when he quietly opened the back hall door a crack and saw Consort Yu Zhao getting farther away with the palace maid, he realized the urgency of the situation.

If he went to find the Crown Prince now, he definitely wouldn’t catch up with Consort Yu Zhao and the person she called Shen Lang.

He didn’t want the Crown Prince to be suppressed by the Second Prince again.

The Crown Prince was the most outstanding heir, the one who could inherit the throne and bring peace to the people!

Thinking of this, the Western Prince squeezed the jade pendant at his waist, filled with infinite courage.

As soon as he had the evidence, he would make a scene. He would definitely make Consort Yu Zhao and her so-called Shen Lang face punishment!

Thinking of this, the Western Prince touched the gift in his arms and thought to himself:

“Sister Qiao, just wait a little longer. After I help the Crown Prince, I’ll give you the gift!”

Thinking of this, the Western Prince carefully placed the gift aside, then opened the back hall door and stealthily followed.

Qiao Jiaojiao and Qiao Diyi had already seen Consort Yu Zhao acting suspiciously.

Qiao Jiaojiao was torn between following Consort Yu Zhao to see what she was up to or going into the side hall to find the clueless one. Before she could make a decision, she saw the clueless one sneakily following Consort Yu Zhao.

He dodged behind trees, artificial hills, and stone pillars all the way. It seemed that he was tracking Consort Yu Zhao with great skill.

Seeing this scene, Qiao Jiaojiao suddenly felt fortunate.

[Could it be that the clueless one met with misfortune because he was following Consort Yu Zhao?]

[There must be something about Consort Yu Zhao! Her cause of death is probably not simple!]

Qiao Diyi didn’t need Qiao Jiaojiao to remind him; he had already silently followed.

Seeing this, Qiao Jiaojiao immediately nodded.

[Yes, the Second Prince is following stealthily. There’s no need for him to reveal himself. This way, we can catch the culprit who killed the clueless one! Let’s play mantis catching cicadas, with the yellow bird behind!]

On this side, three groups of people hurriedly rushed in the same direction. Meanwhile, in Chunshui Garden, Meng Guxue stood at the entrance of the arch leading to Yuhua Lake, nervously twisting her hands.

After the palace banquet ended, she had originally wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Shen Lang. However, when the Emperor left, Shen Lang hurriedly departed, making him difficult to find!

After much thought, she remembered the dream banquet where Shen Lang had taken her to see the statue of Lady Yuliu by Yuhua Lake.

Now in reality, although they hadn’t yet interacted, Shen Lang would probably go to see the statue.

If she went to Yuhua Lake in advance to wait for him, wouldn’t it be a perfect opportunity to have a peaceful conversation with him?

Thinking of this, Meng Guxue no longer hesitated and quickly walked through the arch, heading inside.