Chapter 110

Fu’an respectfully retreated and closed the palace door.

It was still chilly at night, and the third prince couldn’t help but cough lightly.

During the day, taking advantage of the chaos in the Funing Palace, when all the courtiers and household members were hurriedly leaving the palace, he disguised and escorted Sheng Xiuran out.

She was a young lady from a noble family, pampered since childhood. If left to fend for herself, she probably wouldn’t survive.

So, he decided to be a good person to the end, gave her some money, and pointed her to a destination.

His own body was not useful. When the empress still harbored hopes, she had asked the emperor for grace to take him out of the palace to Huguo Temple to worship Buddha.

On the way to Huguo Temple, there was a relief agency that took in many homeless children.

At that time, he felt pity and persuaded the empress to donate some money to them.

He still remembered the young woman from the relief agency, with a round face, looking very friendly. He wondered if she was still working tirelessly for the children in the relief agency.

Miss Sheng couldn’t do heavy work, but she was well-educated since childhood, proficient in literature, music, chess, and calligraphy.

He thought, letting Miss Sheng send some money to the relief agency and then stay there to teach the children to read would be a good idea.

Of course, this was only his suggestion. After all, it was dangerous to be discovered there, as it was near the capital.

Whether Miss Sheng accepted it or not was entirely up to her.

Before leaving the palace, she thanked him solemnly, asked for paper and pen, and left this letter behind.

She said, “Third Prince, since the Sheng family encountered a drastic change, you are the only one willing to show kindness to Xiuran.”

“Xiuran sincerely thanks you and is willing to pray day and night to heaven, pray to Buddha, and bless you with peace and health.”

“This letter… it contains the earth-shattering secret you told Xiuran. If you want to read it, read it. If you don’t, burn it.”

“Xiuran thanks the Third Prince here, and we may never meet again!”

She knocked three times, and with Fu’an’s help, successfully blended into the crowd of courtiers’ families leaving the palace, leaving this ruthless cage.

With these thoughts, the third prince slowly opened the letter in his hand.

…

After a while, there was suddenly the sound of bowls and plates breaking in the hall, startling Fu’an who was standing guard outside.

His heart tightened, and he called out, “Your Highness?”

There was no response from inside the hall.

Fu’an trembled all over, ignoring the third prince’s instructions, and hastily pushed open the palace door.

Peering inside, he saw the third prince lying on the ground, convulsing uncontrollably, foam also spilling from his mouth.

And not far from him, a piece of paper had already burned to its end, the fire gradually dying out, leaving behind a pile of black ashes.

“Your Highness!”

Fu’an shouted in panic, rushing into the hall.

…

That night, news of the sudden death of the beloved concubine Yu Zhaoyi and the punishment of house arrest for a year for the second prince spread throughout the capital.

The wives of various families sighed one after another upon hearing this news.

Just earlier at the banquet, they had witnessed the graceful dance of Yu Zhaoyi, but who knew that in just a few hours, she would completely disappear from this world.

As for the matter of the second prince being confined, the courtiers couldn’t help but wonder, what mistake had the second prince made?

When the news reached the Qiao family, Madam Qiao was preparing to wash Qiao Jiaojiao’s face and put her to sleep, while Qiao Zhongguo was focused on carving a small statue for Qiao Jiaojiao.

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi walked in from outside, both with joyful expressions.

“Dad!”

“Oh, you scared me, nearly messed up the carving!”

Qiao Zhongguo was deeply engrossed in his carving, and Qiao Diyi’s loud voice startled him!

Qiao Jiaojiao peeked out from behind her face towel, her eyes shining brightly.

【Has there been news from the palace? Oh, I’m as curious as a cat scratching, come on, big brother, second brother, spill the beans!】

Qiao Tianjing knew that Qiao Jiaojiao was getting impatient, so without further ado, he began:

“Dad, the news is out. Yu Zhaoyi died suddenly, and the second prince has been confined to the ancestral house for a year.”

【What? What? What did you say? The male lead is confined to the ancestral house for a year?】

Qiao Jiaojiao was taken aback, her face showing both shock and excitement.

It’s important to note that in the original work, the male lead is the chosen one!

No matter what he wants to do, even if he encounters setbacks in the short term, he can always turn the situation around and be unstoppable!

Being confined to the ancestral house for a year may not have a decisive impact, but it’s still a rare victory!

【Finally, Emperor Yong’s conscience hasn’t been completely eaten away by dogs! Since he agreed to confine the second prince to the ancestral house, it means he’s not pleased with him either!】

【Speaking of which, the male lead is courting death. He even dared to touch the father’s concubine. What man could endure that?】

The entire Qiao family: “…”

Here it comes again, rough words but logical!

“The second prince will enter the ancestral house tonight, accompanied by an old servant. The eldest princess has a deep affection for her brother, and she personally sent him to the palace gate.”

Qiao Tianjing continued to relay the information he had gathered.

Qiao Jiaojiao’s mind stirred slightly.

【Old servant? I know, is it that… that Mr. Li! No, wait, his surname seems to be Liu, no, what was his surname?】

Qiao Jiaojiao hesitated for a moment, then relaxed her brows and eyes.

【Forget his surname, he’s still an important character!】

【That old servant is someone brought from the northern country by Princess Yuliu. If the second prince can connect with people from the northern country, he must be the intermediary!】

【Tsk, I remember this is a loyal servant, wholeheartedly devoted to the second prince!】

【During the Lantern Festival, when people from the northern country assassinated the crown prince, they all died, but at that time, the male lead probably hadn’t colluded with people from the northern country yet. I wonder how far they’ve progressed in their cooperation now.】

Qiao Zhongguo’s expression instantly became serious when he heard this.

Indeed, even if the second prince is confined to the ancestral house, they still can’t relax!

Nowadays, the royal court of the northern country is in constant turmoil due to the matter of the crown prince. What they fear most is that King Jinyu will set his sights on the second prince!

After all, he has no offspring, and the second prince, as his nephew by marriage, can be considered the only close blood relative.

From ancient times, people have been protective of their own interests. King Jinyu probably doesn’t want the throne to fall into someone else’s hands.

Qiao Tianjing deeply understood that the existence of the northern country is a thorn in his father’s heart.

Now that half of the Qiao family’s secret guards are at his disposal, he needs to have a good discussion with his father to keep an eye on the second prince!

With Qiao Jiaojiao getting results, she also felt relieved.

In this way, the major obstacle of the original story, the early death of the silly and sweet female lead, can be said to have been completely overcome!

She yawned deeply, unable to help but think:

【Being able to force the second prince into the ancestral house, I’m sure the empress and the crown prince played a significant role in it. But unfortunately, such an exciting confrontation scene, I didn’t get to see it!】

【The crown prince is clever, he’ll surely be puzzled. How could his brother just happen to save the silly and sweet female lead?】

【Huh—】

Thinking of this, Qiao Jiaojiao also realized that something was wrong.

【Today, the silly and sweet female lead went to the side hall to get a gift, and the second prince didn’t even know she was in danger, so why did he jump over the wall and rush to the back door to intercept someone?】

Qiao Diyi heard this and was completely dumbfounded.

Oh my goodness, how can he explain this?