The Gilded Cage

The little girl smiled innocently, holding her father in one hand and a sugar figurine in the other, walking through the lively market, pointing at the new toys on the street, and talking. She looked just like the most exquisite porcelain dolls he had seen in the Taiji Palace when he was younger.

In his heart, she should always be so carefree and laugh wholeheartedly.

“A’Ning, without your father, I would not be where I am today, so no matter what, I will always give him justice.”

He held her face with both hands, and his eyes were calm and firm as he enunciated clearly.

Chu Ning listened to this and felt a complex feeling in her heart. She shook her head and said, “Father’s words were only from the bottom of his heart, everything today, in the end, is what Your Majesty has fought for and obtained for himself. I am very grateful that Your Majesty can remember my father.”

“Don’t worry, when the matter between the Zhao family and the Crown Prince is finished, I will overturn the case for your father. Not only this matter, but your other relatives, I will also protect them.” He rubbed her hair, and his tone was certain, “I don’t need your gratitude, as long as you can live at ease as you did then.”

Thinking of the past when she was dependent on her father, Chu Ning’s eyes welled up, but when she met his sincere gaze, a thousand words in her heart turned into just one short word.

“Yes.”

……

The next morning, before dawn, Liu Kang had been anxiously and quietly waiting outside the Guijin Temple.

The Emperor did not return to Ganlu Hall overnight, but in a little more than half an hour, the night watch of the palace attendants would change, which would only open them up to more criticism.

At this point, he even wanted to enter the temple in the fear that the Emperor would be too intoxicated with her to even wake up.

He was more than a little anxious and overwhelmed when the small side door finally opened with a creak. Xiao Kezhi came out with a quick step in good spirits, saying, “Well, it’s late, go back.”

Liu Kang secretly sighed in relief and trailed behind the emperor.

“Your Majesty, last night, in the East Palace, someone went in and out. That person was dressed as a guard, but as soon as he left, he was escorted away by people waiting near the city gate.” He recalled the news he got two hours ago while walking and lowered his voice to report.

Xiao Kezhi sighed “Well.” It was obvious that this man was Zhao Lun meeting with Xiao Yu in private.

He tilted his head to look at the starry sky, which had become dimmed by the brightening glimmer of the morning sun, and pondered the news sent by Jin Jiang’s men a few days ago.

He had carefully examined the three major clans of Bozhou that he had selected last time, and after repeatedly thinking about it, he had chosen an official named Wang Su as his successor.

Wang Su, a native of Bouzhou , had stayed in Yuezhou for several years during his years as an official, and his positions were mostly related to the military and government, and he was a clean person with a solid track record, so he was able to take on the important task of guarding the frontier.

It was time to move on to the wedding ceremony of the Crown Prince and Second Lady Zhao in a month or so.

He didn’t care how Xiao Yu wanted to prepare, because he wouldn’t have any chance to do anything.

When he returned to Ganlu Hall, he didn’t rush to dress and eat, but rather went to the bookcase and quickly wrote down two secret letters, sealed them with his own hands, and then summoned Jin Jiang into the hall and instructed, “You personally go to Bozhou, give these two letters to Wang Su and the governor of Bozhou, and tell them to act according to the arrangements here as soon as possible. Remember, don’t alert others.”

Jin Jiang’s face was solemn, and he tucked the letters close to him. After saluting, he hurried out of the hall and left before the court meeting.

The day was getting brighter and brighter, the palace people and chambermaids were starting to move around, and the originally silent and cold Ganlu Hall was gradually coming back to life.

Liu Kang came in with a few people carrying hot breakfast, and after arranging the plates one by one on the dining table, he said with a smile, “Your Majesty, it’s time to have breakfast.”

Xiao Kezhi picked up the bowl with soup and drank some. Feeling comfortable and satisfied, he remembered something, whispering again and instructing, “Have someone go to Chuzhou.”

Liu Kang froze for a moment before remembering, and could not help but ask, “Do you want to bring the two young gentlemen of the Chu family back to Changan?”

“Wait a little longer, just watch over them secretly.” He bit into a mutton bun, “In a month’s time, bring them back again.”

“Understood.”

Liu Kang knew the emperor was already poised to strike and not going to pretend with the crown prince anymore, but unfortunately, the crown prince’s side remained unaware and was always kept in the dark.

It seemed that, in a short while, the East Palace would really be changed immensely.

After finishing the meal, the chamberlain came in with water, let him rinse his mouth, change into his regular clothes for the court meeting, and rebound his hairpieces.

Everything was ready, Xiao Kezhi stood up and walked out of Ganlu Hall to Taiji Hall.

April days had been a little hot, and the morning sun was a bit much to bear.

Somehow, he always felt that something was missing. After walking out for a moment, he frowned and said, “Send a bowl of chilled cherry milk dessert later.”

The late spring and early summer weather was just right for such a sweet and sour thing.

“Send some to Guizhen Temple as well.”