Chapter 258: Chapter 244 Are You Trying to Kidnap Me?
The old military physician from Luoyang will arrive in the capital tomorrow. Fu Zhen sent Guo Song overnight to fetch Zhe Yu’s recent prescription.
Ever since Zhe Yu woke up, the Zhe Family isn’t as easy to enter anymore. Fortunately, Fu Zhen had dealt with two maids previously, and she hadn’t held back that night. Till now, those maids are still well-behaved, so getting a prescription and inquiring about the illness is not difficult.
Having just obtained the prescription here, and preparing to discuss with Pei Zhan how to bring the old military physician to the door, Yang Tong and Zhang Cheng walked in from the front courtyard.
Upon seeing Fu Zhen, they quickened their steps: "Young Madam! Are the news from the Xu family still important to us?"
Fu Zhen replied, "Of course they’re important. What did you hear?"
Yang Tong said, "Just now, the two of us saw Princess Rong hastily heading towards the Xu family with only a maid."
"Heading to the Xu family at this time?" Fu Zhen glanced at the sky, as black as ink. "It’s already the end of the Xu hour. Why is she sneaking around?"
"More than sneaking; she even dressed more plainly than usual."
Fu Zhen became even more puzzled upon hearing this.
The fact that Xu Yin’s behavior regarding the Yongping matter surely displeased Prince Rong’s Mansion, and Princess Rong showed extraordinary affection for her daughter Yongping. If not for the emperor and empress’s restraining attitudes, she might have already sought trouble with Xu Yin. So why is she heading to the Xu family at such a late hour?
"Why are you talking in the courtyard?"
At this moment, Pei Zhan pushed open the slightly ajar window from the study, leaning his elbow on it, watching them.
Fu Zhen lifted her skirt and ran over: "Do you have time?"
Pei Zhan looked at her through the window: "What do you need?"
"Such a beautiful night, how about the two of us take a stroll?"
Pei Zhan glanced at the overwhelming darkness of the sky, then returned his gaze to her face: "You are in high spirits indeed."
Fu Zhen patted the windowsill: "Are you coming or not?!"
Pei Zhan climbed out of the window directly: "Lead the way."
...
If it were another household, Fu Zhen could have taken guards with her, even if it was a Vice Minister Mansion of the third rank, they might not have been able to stop them.
But Fu Zhen had seen the skills of those guards around Xu Yin, which necessitated roping in Pei Zhan.
Upon reaching the gate of the Xu family, Pei Zhan first ordered several guards to scout inside. As expected, in the seemingly calm and ordinary Vice Minister Mansion, even a single cat’s cry elicited an immediate response.
However, for Pei Zhan and them, these were minor matters. A group of them naturally diverted the other’s attention. Just at this fleeting moment, Pei Zhan stealthily and silently slipped inside with Fu Zhen.
That day, when she followed Zhang Feng into the Xu family, Fu Zhen took note of the Xu Mansion’s internal layout. It was just a residence with three courtyards and a side yard, roughly discernible.
The west side yard at the front had a dim light, likely places like a study, while the main courtyard was brightly lit, but not many voices were heard.
However, the front courtyard was the most heavily guarded area.
The northwest corner of the rear courtyard also had a lit yard, with eunuchs moving about. Fu Zhen said, "That must be where Yongping is confined. Let’s take a look!"
As the couple approached the courtyard wall, a sharp voice rang out from inside:
"What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Fu Zhen straightened her slender waist: "It’s Princess Rong!"
Pei Zhan listened carefully, exchanged glances with distant guards, then pointed to the corner of the house: "Go there!"
Fu Zhen, however, wanted to go to the rooftop. Pei Zhan had already taken her towards the corner: "We’re not the only ones visiting tonight; there are already people over there!"
Fu Zhen: "..."
Under the rooftop, Princess Rong was looking in shock at Yongping in front of her.
"How could your father and they have any big secrets? If they had secrets, how could they not tell me?!"
"But that’s what Xu Yin said!" Yongping’s face was taut. "He said there’s a huge secret between Father and them, and it’s because of this secret that they’ve always been siding with Zhang Shicheng and Mrs. Zhang!
"Consort, why do you think Father wouldn’t lie to you? I used to think Xu Yin wouldn’t lie to me either, but he ultimately did! He made me deeply believe that he was a man of deep feelings and loyalty, but he wasn’t! He was completely using me! So why can’t Father deceive you?"
Yongping’s eyes used to be full of pride, but now they were filled with hurt, resentment, grievance, and anger.
Princess Rong frowned, turning aside with a wave of her sleeve: "I’ve been married to your father for decades, and I understand him to some extent. Your father has no ulterior motives towards me.