Bai Ruozhu had previously discussed this with Jiang Yichun, feeling that sohow this matter couldn’t be separated from the secrets hidden in Zhaoti Temple. However, Bai Ruozhu faintly felt sothing was not quite right.
The secret of Zhaoti Temple was to confirm whether the new Emperor had awakened the rfolk Bloodline. If the second prince’s faction feared this would affect his ascension, they might want to destroy Zhaoti Temple’s secret. But why was the second prince poisoned?
Moreover, the ones who ca after her were clearly afraid she’d rescue the second prince, or perhaps they’d discovered their conspiracy. It was evident they weren’t allied with the second prince after all.
She also suspected that it could be She Zongyi’s revenge against them. She Zongyi surely received communication from that strategist and wouldn’t let taking the ships slide so easily. Yet, it was under She Zongyi’s support that the second prince seized Datong.
If She Zongyi sched against them from the start, it would be one thing, like the initial attack by the Shadow Ninja. But now it’s the critical mont to save the second prince, so why make a move against them?
Jiang Yichun speculated at the ti that there was another group. They had preemptively assud it was She Zongyi, and their judgnt might be sowhat off.
"Clearly, the opposing side wants to prevent the second prince from becoming the Emperor. Do you think it might be the Crown Prince and the people behind him?" General Chisong suggested.
Everyone was a little taken aback; the matter had indeed escalated to a struggle for succession, but they were rely envoys and didn’t wish to beco involved.
Jiang Yichun bowed and said, "We are new here and really do not understand the situation in Fusang, nor are we well acquainted with the two princes. It is truly difficult to make a judgnt."
General Chisong waved his hand. "Don’t be too nervous. Today’s discussion is just a private matter among us, with nothing to be concerned about."
Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun exchanged a quick glance. It was evident that General Chisong did not favor the Imperial family, so why was he so concerned?
"You might not know, but Anben in the court strongly supports the Crown Prince. The Anzhen Family has a very deep foundation," General Chisong added.
Anben was Lingzi’s father; Bai Ruozhu had t him once, and she only thought he was a scholar, so where did he get such big influence?
"Anben?" Jiang Yichun feigned ignorance. "Then please, General, take the lead in investigating what exactly is going on."
General Chisong suddenly looked towards Bai Ruozhu, "I heard Bai went to Zhaoti Temple to treat Master Puru. Not long after returning, you were attacked. Did anything happen, Bai?"
Well, what should co has finally co.
"Master Puru’s condition was quite unstable. I scolded him a bit out of frustration, asking him to take care of his body. After all, if the patient doesn’t cooperate, even a doctor can’t do much." Bai Ruozhu feigned concern. "Could it relate to the fire at Zhaoti Temple? Or did the other side hold a grudge because I saved Master Puru? But Master is a monk; how could he make enemies?"
She had laid out her questions, and naturally, General Chisong couldn’t provide answers, seeing her so, he found it inappropriate to doubt further.
Fortunately, the al went without incident. The group bid farewell to General Chisong and returned to the Posthouse.
"Master, sothing’s wrong. Lingzi is missing!" Teng Ya anxiously approached as soon as she saw them return.
"What do you an missing? Have you checked the whole Posthouse?" Bai Ruozhu asked urgently.
Teng Ya’s eyes were red with anxiety, "We’ve searched everywhere. Could it be She Zongyi’s people took her away?"
Yuan Licheng furrowed his brows and said, "Although my Array might not trap every Ninja, it wouldn’t be silent for soone to break in and capture a lively person and leave. Lingzi probably went out on her own."
Bai Ruozhu knitted her brows, "Does Lingzi not know the danger? How could she go out on her own?"
"We still need to visit Master Puru at Zhaoti Temple; it’s not convenient to delay. Let’s have Mo Beishan’s n search for Lingzi," Jiang Yichun suggested.
The three-day agreent had already arrived, and she indeed couldn’t afford to delay.
Mo Beishan nodded, "Leave it to ."
"Alright, you all be careful as well," Bai Ruozhu instructed, then picked up the dicine box and headed to Zhaoti Temple with Jiang Yichun by horse carriage.
Before, Jiang Yichun following might have seed overly cautious. But since they had just been attacked by Ninjas, it seed more reasonable for Jiang Yichun to be by her side for protection.
The two talked intermittently in the carriage, both staying vigilant about the situation on the street to avoid another Ninja attack.
"Huh..." Bai Ruozhu, peeking through the gap in the carriage curtain, saw two figures by the roadside and exclaid softly in surprise.
"What’s the matter?" Jiang Yichun leaned over, his lips brushing her left ear, causing her face to flush. He must have done it on purpose!
She regained her composure, pointing to the two won on the street, "That is Princess Ya’an from the Royal Family; I’ve t her once. I just don’t understand why she’s dressed as a commoner with blackened skin. What’s she planning?"
Saying this, she instructed the guard to slow down the carriage.
"Ma’am, I believe Master Puru might not be able to help. His injuries haven’t healed, and it’s probably not the best ti to et him," Ya’an’s maid said softly.
"Stop advising . If no one helps , it will indeed beco a matter of disgrace!" Princess Ya’an said angrily, her face sinking.
The maid’s face showed distress, anxiously saying, "Please don’t ntion that anymore. You can’t say such things. What if soone hears?"
Princess Ya’an seed aggrieved, "What’s there to fear? How much Chinese do the commoners in the street understand? Otherwise, I would have spoken to you in the Fusang Language."
"Better be cautious. If you continue this way, Lady Ya’an would feel heartbroken," the maid continued to advise.
"Heartbroken? I think she’s blinded by power. If not afraid of Father knowing her ambition, I would have sought his help, not needing this hassle to see Master Puru."
"But it’s not that serious. Please don’t act recklessly." The maid spoke earnestly.
Princess Ya’an raised her chin arrogantly, "I was raised in Zhongyuan culture. Zhongyuan people wouldn’t act this way. In my eyes, I absolutely cannot accept such practices!"
Bai Ruozhu listened with curiosity, muttering, "What practices? Couldn’t they speak more clearly? It’s tiring to hear."
"Maybe Fusang people have so unique preferences different from Zhongyuan. We should move on; following further might raise suspicion," Jiang Yichun advised.
Although reluctant, Bai Ruozhu understood the gravity of the situation and instructed the coachman to head to Zhaoti Temple.
As soon as they arrived, they were brought before the Emperor.
Upon seeing the Emperor, Bai Ruozhu was taken aback. In just three days, the Emperor had beco so haggard, his eye sockets sunken, and his temples had grayed.
The Emperor smiled at them and said, "I often visited Zhaoti Temple to pay homage to the Buddha in the past, so staying here for a few days is not unusual. However, nobody in the Palace knows I am here now."
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