Confined, Yet Still Bent on Abusing a Scion of an Upright Scholar Family? The Crown Prince Was Bound to Fall

Madam Chun took a half-step closer.

" Su Tan."

She glanced at Liu Ruyan, but the words caught in her throat.

"They drank poison."

The raindrops pounded on the window paper, growing more and more urgent with each patter.

Liu Ruyan loosened her sleeve.

Is Su Tan still alive?

Madam Chun closed her eyes briefly.

"Alive."

"They've moved the people into the abandoned wine cellar."

"She drank the poisoned wine, vomited once, and is now barely clinging to life."

Gu Moran looked at her.

What is the relationship between Tao Wujiu and her?

Liu Ruyan responded.

"Many years ago, Tao Wujiu stayed at the Flower-Between Pavilion."

"At that time, his ear was already broken, and he had burn marks on his wrist."

Nobody in the building wanted to go near him.

" Su Tan and I were young and didn't know fear, so we often went to see him."

Madam Chun added a sentence.

He said he treated Su Tan like a daughter.

At this point, she glanced at Liu Ruyan.

"Then I realized, the taste wasn't right."

Gu Moran turned to Liu Ruyan.

"Are you close to Su Tan?"

Liu Ruyan's gaze remained fixed on the damp cloth for a moment.

"She once took a drink for me."

"The guest's drink was spiked."

"She was sick for three days after drinking it."

Gu Moran didn't pursue the matter further.

The moment she loosened her sleeve, the answer was already given.

She's going.

Madam Chun added, "Your Highness, the Second Prince's Residence's people are looking for Tao Wujiu near the old warehouse."

Gu Moran's fingertips stopped at the edge of the damp cloth.

How did they manage to track them down to the old warehouse?

Tao Wujiu escaped through the back gate of the Danpu shop in the east of the city.

Madam Chun spoke a little faster.

" The Second Prince's Residence had already sent people to search outside the alchemy shop. Some neighbors said they saw him get into an empty wine delivery cart."

The car eventually stopped in the alley behind the Flower-Between Pavilion.

"That old warehouse was originally where the building stored its wine."

Gu Moran looked at her.

"Where is the Imperial City Bureau?"

"When the Imperial City Bureau was inspecting the alchemy shop, they discovered that one of the slaves handling the medicine was missing."

"They also found remnants of old wax and wine seals from the old warehouse of the Flower-Between Pavilion in the backyard of Danpu."

Madam Chun glanced outside the door.

"They've already followed the tracks and asked the porters."

"They'll arrive in half an hour at most."

Gu Moran looked towards the courtyard gate.

The sound of rain outside Misty Waters Courtyard was fine and dense, completely masking the footsteps of the servants in the Prince's Mansion.

If we go out now, Liu Ruyan will get involved.

If they don't leave, Su Tan will fall into the hands of the Imperial City Bureau, and Flower-Between Pavilion's dark patterns will be sent to the Emperor's desk.

The worst possible image is forced into my mind.

The emperor stared at the hidden patterns on the elixir, Chen Dehai read out the old storehouse of the Flower-Between Pavilion, Liu Ruyan was brought into the palace, Noble Consort Chen's face turned pale, and Eunuch Zhang lowered his head and remained silent.

Gu Moran pressed the screen down.

" Ruyan will remain in the manor."

Liu Ruyan raised her eyes.

I want to go.

You can't go.

"It's still uncertain whether Su Tan is alive or dead; I must see her."

She picked up the inkstone from the table, placed it back beside the inkstone, and turned to fetch a gray-blue cloak.

The hairpins have been removed.

She also took off her earrings.

She held the veiled hat in her hand.

Gu Moran watched as she carefully placed the faint trace of osmanthus fragrance from her hair into a small box.

She was using the safest method to see a sister who might die.

Gu Moran swallowed back her words of refusal.

" Madam Chun, is there a safe path?"

Madam Chun immediately replied, "Yes, go through the back gate of Misty Waters Courtyard."

"First, take the old water channel of the Prince's Mansion, then turn into the secret passage of the old warehouse of the Flower-Between Pavilion."

"Without passing through the main gate of the Prince's Mansion."

"They don't even go through the main hall inside the building."

Gu Moran looked at Liu Ruyan.

"If you see Su Tan, you are not allowed to approach her first."

Liu Ruyan fastened the cloak's straps.

What if she's about to die?

Gu Moran remained silent for a moment.

"We'll talk about it when we meet."

Liu Ruyan stared at him.

Will Your Highness save her?

"Save them if you can."

"Even if I can't save her, I will never let her suffer any injustice."

Liu Ruyan's shoulders relaxed slightly.

Thank you.

Gu Moran looked at her buttoned-up cloak.

The greyish-blue color suppressed her usual softness and charm. Standing in the rainy night, she exuded a clear-headedness cultivated in the old days of the Flower-Between Pavilion.

He reached out and pulled up the collar of her cloak for her.

Don't thank me too soon.

"It's easy to get in this way, but it might not be clean to come out."

Liu Ruyan let him button up her collar.

As her fingertips brushed against the side of her neck, her eyelashes fell and then lifted again.

Your Highness's hands are cold.

Gu Moran at her.

"Warm it up for me when I get back."

Liu Ruyan's lips moved slightly, but she didn't reply.

Madam Chun lowered her head, pretending not to hear.

The three of them left through the back door.

Outside the back wall of Misty Waters Courtyard, there is a narrow gate with old firewood hanging on the outside, indicating that it has been abandoned for many years.

Madam Chun pushed aside the woodpile, and the door hinges clicked softly.

The smell of damp wood hit my face.

Gu Moran stepped inside first.

The soles of my boots touched the stone steps, the water seeping through the edges of my shoes, making my insteps tingle.

This secret passage is well hidden.

Even he, the master of the royal palace, didn't know.

Liu Ruyan followed behind, the edge of her cloak brushing against the wall.

Gu Moran back and grabbed her wrist through the cloak.

The force wasn't strong, just enough to make her avoid the protruding brick corner on the wall.

Liu Ruyan didn't struggle.

Madam Chun carries a small lantern in front, its light only illuminating the three steps beneath her feet.

"Your Highness, please be careful."

"This road is old; there's a puddle on the third road from the left."

Gu Moran asked, "Who built this road?"

Madam Chun's steps were steady.

"It was renovated after the major owner took over Flower-Between Pavilion."

" Uncle Fu knows too."

Gu Moran stepped over the edge of the puddle, his shoes sliding half an inch on the moss.

He leaned against the wall, his palms covered in a layer of wet mud.

Uncle Fu knew that too.

I'll have to ask him when I get back to the mansion alive tonight.

The study in the Hall of Proper Beauty Eastern Palace of the Eastern Palace.

The rain pattered against the carved window frames, making a jarring sound.

Gu Moyuan paced back and forth in the study, where shattered porcelain shards and torn official documents littered the floor.

Crown Princess Chen Qinglan carried a bowl of red date soup, bowing her head as she walked around the broken porcelain.

She was wearing a moon-white dress today, and the hem of the dress was stained with tea and ink as soon as it touched the ground.

"Your Highness, please have some soup."

Chen Qinglan placed the soup bowl on the corner of the table.

"Father's anger was only momentary. Once it is determined that Ye Qingyun brought about his own destruction, His Highness's confinement will be lifted."

"Get out of here."

Gu Moyuan raised his hand and swept it across.

The soup bowl shattered on the ground.

The scalding soup splashed onto Chen Qinglan's skirt, the heat seeping into her calves through the fabric.

She didn't back out.

He crouched down, picked up the tray, and began picking up the broken pieces of porcelain from the ground, one by one.

Seeing her like this, Gu Moyuan's anger flared even more.

"Why pretend to be so virtuous?"

"I've fallen to this state entirely because of your incompetent father."

"If I had known, I should have..."

He paused, then didn't continue.

Chen Qinglan's hand, which was picking up porcelain shards, froze in mid-air.

Three years have passed, and the Crown Prince still harbors ulterior motives towards Su Yao of the Chancellor's Residence.

"Your Highness, my father is utterly loyal to the Eastern Palace."

"Loyalty?"

Gu Moyuan chuckled.

"He occupies the position of Grand Censor, wielding the power of the Censorate's channels of communication, yet he's like a useless bum."

He walked up to Chen Qinglan, his boot tip stopping at the edge of the broken porcelain.

"Back then, the third prince sought to marry six women from different families in the Hall of Supreme Ultimate, a move so outrageous that the entire court was ashamed to even look at him."

"Your father, as the head of the Censorate, did not consider remonstrating to the death, nor did he lead the Court of the Censorate and the Court of the Palace Censorate to kneel at the Meridian Gate. Instead, he watched helplessly as the Emperor issued six imperial edicts in succession to bestow marriages upon you."

Chen Qinglan stood up and placed the broken porcelain shards into the tray.

"Your Highness, His Majesty's mind was already made up at that time."

"If Father insists on remonstrating to the death, he will only be accused of interfering in politics."

"The reputation of the Censorate among the upright officials will also be dragged down."

"Reputation?"

Gu Moyuan turned away with a flick of his sleeve.

"He's just afraid of dying."

"It's just incompetence."

"Now it's all right."

"The third son has the Chancellor's Residence, the Grand Commandant's Residence, and the Imperial Academy all tied to his side."

"On the day of the wedding, six families were married off at the same time, a truly glorious occasion, making even me, the Eastern Palace, a laughingstock."

He turned around and stared at Chen Qinglan.

"If your father had stopped this marriage back then, would I have been forced into confinement by Ye Qingyun?"

Chen Qinglan lowered her eyes, looking at the darkened soup stains on her skirt.

"Your Highness, things have come to this point; further words are pointless."

Gu Moyuan clenched his fist in his sleeve.

He wanted to slap her.

Shatter this face that is always perfect and never flawed.

But he couldn't.

Chen Qinglan is the eldest daughter of Chen Shili, the Imperial Censor.

Once the news of the Eastern Palace Princess's beating spreads, the Censorate's desks will be piled high with memorials tomorrow.

Bullying the principal wife is a moral failing.

These eight words are enough to get him punished by his father again.

That's enough for the second and third sons to laugh at them behind their backs.

Gu Moyuan swallowed his anger and sneered.

Why did you stop talking? Aren't you all very talkative in your family?

"Are you mute?"

Chen Qinglan gave a slight curtsy.

"If Your Highness finds me an eyesore, I shall take my leave."

Gu Moyuan pointed at her.

"From today onwards, you will move to the side hall."

" The Eastern Palace will halve your allowance."

"I'd like to see how much secret money your high-minded father can give you."

Chen Qinglan's fingers rested on the edge of the tray.

The porcelain shard pressed against my palm, and the pain crept up my skin, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart.

She still bowed.

"Your Majesty, I obey."

Seeing her unyielding attitude, Gu Moyuan felt even more choked up.

"If your father can't drown his second and third sons with his spittle, then he's truly useless!"

Seeing you so dejected makes me feel bad.

Chen Qinglan paused for a moment.

The sound of rain pressed in from outside the window.

She didn't turn around, and continued walking out with the tray in her hand.

The entry barrier is a bit high.

Tears streamed down her face as she stepped over it.

Smack

It fell onto the blue bricks.

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[Thanks to 2154 for the flowers, Nianwan for the flowers, Xiatong for the inspiration capsules, Jonas for the milk tea, Qiushan for the flowers, Hua Wuque for the inspiration capsules, and all the babies for their loving support.]

[Since no one's with me on May 20th, let's celebrate Children's Day together. Wishing all the little ones that when they grow up, they'll still be loved and cherished like children.]

[The courtesan needs to eat soon. I'm currently writing the Yi Prefecture fiefdom chapter, secretly raising money and food to support my army. I also have the outline for the new Chosen One. Baby, if you have any suggestions, please let me know! Anyone who wants a cameo role, please sign up!]