Farewell Flower Festival

Chapter 144

After Luzhu sent Chaoyan away from Kunning Palace, Chaoyan said that she knew the way back and didn't need anyone to lead the way. Luzhu then took the little palace maid who led the way and left first. Then Chaoyan took Feicui and Amber to Hengyuan.

After arriving at Heng Garden, Chao Yan saw that the gate was ajar. She pushed the door open and saw a servant in white sweeping the fallen leaves on the ground with a broom. She knocked on the door twice to attract the other party's attention. When the other party came over, she asked if Miss Yin was there. The other party nodded and said that she wanted to see Miss Yin. The other party led her to the Wenxing Tower.

On the way, Chaoyan asked Priest Yu Chen about his health, and the other party nodded.

When they were almost at the Wenxing Tower, the white-clothed servant turned around and led the master and servant to the garden at the back. After passing through a moon-shaped door, the group entered the garden, and then passed through another moon-shaped door into a quiet and elegant courtyard. A bluestone path meandered to the main house in front, surrounded by green bamboos on both sides, adding to the tranquility.

There were two maids standing outside the house. When they saw someone coming, one of them walked down the steps to greet her. The white-clothed page boy took Chao Yan to the back and then said goodbye.

The maid bowed to Chao Yan and asked her to wait for a moment while she went into the house to report. After the maid entered the house, Chao Yan admired the bamboo in the yard for a while, and then the maid came out to invite Chao Yan to come in. Chao Yan asked Feicui and Kohaku to wait outside, and she followed the maid in.

Yin Lin lay on the couch on her side, supporting her head with one hand and reading a book with the other. After the maid brought Chao Yan over, she left.

Yin Lin did not stand up to greet her, nor did she ask her to sit down. Chao Yan sat down on the stool by herself. Yin Lin moved her eyes away from the book and glanced at Chao Yan. She said, "The princess came to see me on purpose, so I guess she didn't come to drink tea."

Chao Yan didn't beat around the bush and asked, "Have you visited the Queen?" Yin Lin asked, "Princess, are you going to interrogate me?" Chao Yan said, "You are not a prisoner now, there is no need to interrogate you. If you really want to interrogate me, I won't be the one to interrogate you."

Yin Lin smiled coldly and said, "Princess, if you have anything to say, you can just say it. There are no outsiders here."

Chao Yan asked directly, "Do you want to be the emperor's concubine?"

Yin Lin smiled coldly again, seeming to be quite disdainful of the question, and said, "Did the Queen ask you to be a lobbyist?"

Chao Yan said, "Since you don't want to enter the harem, why bother saying unnecessary words."

Yin Lin put down the book in her hand and looked at Zhao Yan with a cold and distant gaze, as if she was irritated. Her tone also became indifferent. "The princess doesn't live in the palace, but she insists on managing the palace's affairs. It's a bit too much. It's not the princess' turn to tell me what to say or do."

Chao Yan calmed down silently, stood up and said, "Since the second lady thinks I am meddling in her affairs, I will go back first." After that, she turned and left.

Yin Lin looked at Chao Yan's leaving back, with a thoughtful look on her face.

After coming out of the house, Chao Yan left with Jadeite and Amber.

After leaving Heng Garden, the three of them walked to the wooden bridge and found a person standing opposite.

It was none other than Han Lie.

Seeing that it was Han Lie, Jade and Amber looked at each other, wondering what his intentions were.

When Chao Yan saw him, she didn't hide or dodge, but walked across the bridge with Jadeite and Amber.

The more you dodge, the more it seems that you have something to hide and can't let it go.

Han Lie felt a little uncomfortable when he saw her coming over so confidently, but he still had a smile on his face. After she came over, he bowed and said, "The emperor asked me to ask the princess, is the queen feeling better?" Chao Yan replied, "She is feeling better, but the person who tied the bell must untie it." She glanced at Hengyuan behind her and said to herself, "If the emperor had explained it to the queen earlier, the queen would not be in such a bad mood."

"The emperor had previously planned to marry Miss Yin II to me." Han Lie said in a half-joking tone.

Chao Yan was surprised when she heard this, and asked with a hint of gossip, "Is it because she doesn't want to marry you?"

Han Lie said, "She doesn't want to get married, and I don't want to marry her either, so the emperor gave up." He glanced at Zhao Yan again, who seemed a little uncomfortable. He changed the subject and said, "The emperor has been unable to sleep or eat because of the rumors these days. The Tianwu Guards in the palace have already conducted a thorough investigation. The rumors must have been spread outside the palace."

Chaoyan was thoughtful, and Han Lie mentioned that the outside of the palace was investigated by Governor Yuan of the Nine Criminal Department. He had met the emperor alone a few days ago and reported something. The next day, Eunuch Wu came to the palace to meet him. Chaoyan said that she and Mu Tianling didn't know what happened that night. Han Lie reminded her that Mu Tianyuan and Mu Tianling didn't have a good relationship before. If they wanted to find a scapegoat, those with ulterior motives would naturally draw their attention to Prince Ling's mansion.

Han Lie sent Chao Yan and the other two to the palace gate, and Mu Tianling was also waiting at the palace gate. When Chao Yan saw him, he immediately walked to his side, not daring to delay for a second. Han Lie bowed to Mu Tianling and left.

Mu Tianling looked at Chao Yan again, his eyes were not blaming, just a little sour. Chao Yan reached out and held his hand, and asked him with concern how long he had been waiting, and asked about his well-being. He asked her to get on the carriage first as it was cold standing outside.

After getting on the carriage, Chao Yan looked at him once, twice, and three times. Mu Tianling looked normal and didn't ask anything. Although it seemed nothing was wrong, it was a bit problematic that he didn't speak.

After the carriage stopped at the gate of the palace, Mu Tianling got off first, then reached out and held Chaoyan down. Without letting go, he carried her inside. Chaoyan blushed with shyness, and whispered to him to put her down, but her voice lacked any momentum and instead sounded like she was acting like a spoiled child.

After returning to her residence, Chaoyan felt too embarrassed to face anyone tomorrow, so she buried her face in Mu Tianling's arms and dared not show it. Until she was gently put on the bed, she blushed again. Just as she was about to explain, he blocked her mouth.

The next day, after Mu Tianling went out, Chaoyan lay lazily on the couch. Last night came to her mind and her face turned red again. At this time, Feicui came to report that Qiaoer, the maid beside Han Min, was here.

Chaoyan restrained her expression, tidied her clothes and asked Feicui to bring people over. After Feicui brought Qiao'er over, Qiao'er bowed and greeted Chaoyan, and said that Han Min wanted to see her. Chaoyan then took Amber and Feicui and followed Qiao'er to the Prince Rui's Mansion.

When he arrived at Prince Rui's mansion, Mu Tianqi had just returned from court. After exchanging a few words with Chao Yan, he went to the study.

When Chaoyan saw Han Min, the first thing she noticed was her belly. Han Min blushed slightly and felt a little embarrassed. After asking Chaoyan to sit down, she also looked at her belly and quietly asked her if she was pregnant. This time it was Chaoyan's turn to feel embarrassed.

Chaoyan saw that she was sewing clothes for the children and looked in good spirits, so she came to help with needlework. The two chatted about the recent rumors. Han Min asked Chaoyan about her visit to the palace yesterday. Chaoyan said that she went to visit the Queen. Han Min asked about the Queen's health. Chaoyan said that she looked fine, but she was still in a bad mood. Han Min felt sad, and Chaoyan also felt sad, and advised Han Min not to think too much, and the most important thing now was to take care of his health.