Quick Transmigration: What to Do When the Male Supporting Character You Saved Becomes Obsessed with

Chapter 158 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (62)

Zhuang Yuxun followed Lu Liruan's gaze and looked at Lu Yuhua, who seemed nervous and timid.

She was clearly terrified, knowing that what she was doing would plunge others into utter ruin, but she still did it. What was she thinking?

The Marquis of He'an's residence has been avoiding the area as much as possible. Anyone can see that the Marquis of He'an only wants to protect his own family, yet someone still dares to provoke him.

They've gone to any lengths to bring down the Crown Prince, do they really think everyone else is a fool?

When Lu Yuhua met Zhuang Yuxun's cold, mocking gaze, she trembled, shrank back against the wall, and hung her head, looking utterly pathetic.

"Where is my father?" Lu Liruan stood up and asked the soldier without regard for the guards.

"The Marquis of He'an is being interrogated." Upon seeing that it was Lu Liruan, the officer still answered curtly.

After that, he remained silent, simply guarding the place dutifully, remaining impartial and indifferent despite the panicked expressions of the ladies.

"Let me see my father! Who are you people? What right do you have to search the mansion like this! Are all the people from the Dali Temple bandits?" Lu Liruan raised her voice, sounding very angry.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess, would be better off saving your energy... This commotion is really unseemly." Madam Lu Er coughed lightly from the side and said sarcastically.

She always did this, as if she could elevate her own family's lofty status by belittling the daughters of the Marquis of He'an.

Although she still didn't know what had happened, the Marquis of He'an's birthday banquet was ruined. When she came today and saw the harmonious scene at the mansion, she had already felt bitter. Now that she saw the Marquis of He'an's mansion in such a bad state, she was actually pleased.

"What makes you think you can lecture me?" Lu Liruan retorted like a flaming firecracker, showing no mercy whatsoever.

Madam Lu had always thought Lu Liruan was an easy person to manipulate; otherwise, why wouldn't she have dared to break off her engagement and instead marry the crippled crown prince? She had never seen Lu Liruan refute her when she used to belittle her, but today…

"you!"

"What? Since you call me Crown Princess, you know who I am and how you dare to lecture me? Who do you think you are!" Lu Liruan said, referring to the Second Madam Lu, but her eyes swept over Lu Yuhua.

Feeling extremely guilty, Lu Yuhua tugged at the Second Madam's arm, his face filled with tension.

Madam Lu the Second clearly realized that Lu Liruan was angry, and the more she talked, the more embarrassed she would be in the end. Her face turned red and white in turns, and she had no choice but to shut her mouth in a huff.

Lu Liruan wanted to attract everyone's attention: "I want to see the Crown Prince! Let me out!"

"Your Highness, please allow the palace to investigate thoroughly..."

"What? You want to detain the Crown Princess without cause? Who gave you permission to do this? I want to see the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!" Lu Liruan sneered and walked straight to the door.

The officers and soldiers dared not point their weapons at Lu Liruan, and were at a loss for what to do: "Please wait a moment, Your Highness... I will go and consult the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

Lu Liruan had already reached the door when she heard this, so she stopped and crossed her arms: "I'll wait here."

A short while later, the officers and soldiers returned and nodded, saying, "This way, please."

Zhuang Yuxun followed Lu Liruan.

"Miss Zhuang..."

“I have nothing to do with the Marquis of He’an’s mansion, otherwise let me take care of the Crown Princess.” Zhuang Yu Xun said.

The officer had clearly received orders: "Follow me."

The people behind them watched quietly, and no one dared to say anything.

After Lu Liruan and Zhuang Yuxun came out of the courtyard, the soldiers escorted them out of the courtyard gate and then handed them over to another soldier to guard them.

The soldier and Zhuang Yuxun exchanged a glance. Zhuang Yuxun didn't speak, but gently squeezed Lu Liruan's wrist.

Lu Liruan understood what she meant: she knew this person.

The two silently followed the man quickly toward a secluded spot. As Lu Liruan walked, she realized that she had never been to this place before.

The Marquis of He'an's mansion was very large, and Lu Liruan had not walked every road.

When they reached a courtyard wall, the man stopped and said, "Your Highness, Miss Zhuang, you need to get out from here."

"Is there anyone still watching outside?"

"The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices has ordered them to guard the front. Once we exit from here, we'll leave along the small path."

Lu Liruan looked at the wall and thought to herself that she was really going to be a thief in her own home this time.

Before she could even speak, she heard a rustling sound coming from the top of the wall. Zhuang Yuxun shut her mouth and stared at the sound. She saw a person dressed in a tight-fitting outfit climb over the wall and look down.

It is He Pingyan.

"What are you doing here?" Zhuang Yuxun was taken aback.

"The Second Prince in the palace won't let me go with my father." He Pingyan landed as lightly as a piece of paper, with only the sound of fabric rubbing together.

"Worried that you'll share the credit with him?" Zhuang Yuxun snorted. "He has no tolerance for others whatsoever. What great things can such a fool accomplish?"

The Second Prince has always been like this in court. He claims to be good at reading people's hearts, but in reality he is just petty and intolerant, always suspecting whoever he sees. He is suspicious and ruthless.

“Come on up, I’ll take you there.” He nodded to Lu Liruan.

"Has the Crown Princess thought this through? Entering the palace now means her future is... uncertain." He said earnestly.

"Don't say discouraging things here!" Zhuang Yuxun knew Lu Liruan's determination and that no matter what happened, persuasion would not change her mind. He didn't want Lu Liruan to worry even more.

“If the Crown Prince were awake, he would surely ask the same question,” He Pingyan said in a flat tone.

“Then let him wake up and ask me himself,” Lu Liruan replied casually, her eyes fixed on the wall. She then turned to Zhuang Yuxun and asked, “How do I get up there?”

Zhuang Yuxun glared at He Pingyan secretly, then walked to Lu Liruan's side: "Hold onto my waist, I'll take you upstairs."

Zhuang Yuxun took two steps back. Even with the weight of a person on her, she was still agile. She touched the wall with her toes and used her arms to grab the top of the wall. In no time, she steadily sent Lu Liruan over.

Lu Liruan was still a little dazed when her feet touched the ground.

"What's wrong? Are you scared?" Zhuang Yuxun saw Lu Liruan still hugging him blankly and touched his forehead.

She was a bit taller than Lu Liruan. At this moment, she looked down at him as if she were petting a small animal in her arms. Zhuang Yuxun had rediscovered that feeling from when she was a child in the border region, playing with lambs.

"Shall I go with you?" she said earnestly.

“It’s alright. If you show up in the palace, someone might use it against you again. Just send me back.” Lu Liruan’s tone was calm and firm.

They boarded the carriage prepared by He Pingyan and sped off towards the palace.

When Lu Liruan appeared at the palace gate, holding Ji Shumin's token, the guards at the gate opened the side gate and invited Lu Liruan in.

Lu Liruan hurried along, her heart finally at ease, it seemed that things hadn't escalated inside yet.

Or perhaps the Second Prince did not expect that he would escape from the Marquis of He'an's residence and rush back to the palace, and therefore did not set up a checkpoint there.

Zhuang Yuxun stood still, while Lu Liruan walked alone toward the open palace gate, waving back to indicate that she was alright.

After being transferred to a sedan chair, Lu Liruan was sent back to Songjingyuan. The outside of the courtyard was the same as usual, seemingly no different.

Lu Liruan became suspicious and went inside. The little eunuch guarding the door exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess!"

Xiao Xizi came out from inside when he heard the noise. He was in a hurry, his hat was askew, and his eyes widened when he saw Lu Liruan.

"Mother, Your Majesty, you...you've returned?" Lu Liruan knew from his expression that he was aware of the situation.

"What, is it a big deal that I'm back?" Lu Liruan glanced sideways at the people in the courtyard.

Qinghe came out of the house: "Your Highness, has the birthday banquet at the Marquis of He'an's residence ended?"

"Don't hide it from me, I know everything." Lu Liruan sighed. Was she too trusting of Ji Shumin's words, or was she just too oblivious? How could she... not notice anything at all?

"Your Highness, how is it?" Lu Liruan arrived at the door, but suddenly hesitated to go in.

I heard that Ji Shumin's illness this time was sudden and severe, so much so that he didn't even leave a word.

Lu Liruan had been on edge the whole time. She hadn't felt anything before, but now her chest felt like it was being squeezed, and she was too afraid to face Ji Shumin, whom she didn't know what he was like.

Stopping in her tracks, Lu Liruan asked first, "Did he tell you what to do?"

"No." Qinghe no longer concealed anything: "Now... we are just waiting for His Highness the Crown Prince to wake up."

"Have the Second Prince's men arrived?"

"I don't know what's going on."

Whether the situation has changed, or someone is holding back the Second Prince's actions, or something else... everything seems shrouded in mystery.

The secrecy was really well done!

Lu Liruan muttered to herself.

Ji Shumin was used to having complete control over everything; he had the ability and the brains to do so.

He appears violent and arrogant, but deep down, he is the one who embodies the utmost caution in speech and action.

"I'll go in and take a look." Lu Liruan took a deep breath and walked into the dark room.

The window was blocked by a heavy curtain, preventing any breeze from entering. The bitter smell of medicine permeated the air, making the atmosphere even more somber.

The bed was dimly lit, and the thin blankets were so thick that it was clear how emaciated the person lying there was.

The door closed gently behind me.

Lu Liruan only stayed inside for a short while before pushing the door open and coming out.

Qinghe noticed that her eyes seemed a little red, but her tone remained calm and composed.

Lu Liruan had no idea what to do. She could still find clues about the Marquis of He'an's mansion based on her memory, but she had no idea what was hidden in Songjingyuan, or rather... what was being hidden by someone.

She didn't know what would happen next, and all she could do now was trust that Ji Shumin could arrange everything before he fell into a coma.

Before Lu Liruan could say a few words, a series of noisy footsteps suddenly came from outside!

Immediately afterwards, the gate of Songjingyuan was pushed open forcefully!

"who!"

As the eunuch at the gate spoke, Lu Liruan watched as a group of royal guards in armor surged into the courtyard. The dark, oppressive light fell on their gleaming armor, making the courtyard seem even more cramped.

"We are ordered to search Songjingyuan, make way!"

With a "whoosh," the sword was half-drawn from its sheath, and the leading guard placed his hand on the hilt, his face cold.

"On orders? On whose orders?"

Lu Liruan straightened her clothes, stepped out, and tilted her head slightly to look at the knife in the man's hand: "Threatening someone with a knife in the Crown Prince's palace garden, what, are you going to rebel!"

Lu Liruan shouted coldly!

"This humble official dares not." The guard was clearly surprised that the Crown Princess was actually in Songjing Garden at this moment. He took a step back and put his sword back into its sheath.

Lu Liruan sneered, "Dare not? I think you dare quite a bit! Who ordered you to do this?"

"Get out of the way! I need to see the Emperor! The Crown Prince's palace has been so offended; it's outrageous!" Lu Liruan walked toward the door.

The guards behind parted to the sides, and a man stepped out from the middle. He had a hint of impatience and smugness on his face, but he pretended to be humble and bowed slightly to Lu Liruan: "Greetings, Crown Princess. This matter was ordered by this prince."

"Second brother, what brings you here?" Lu Liruan asked with a puzzled look.

"I am here on the orders of my father, the Emperor, to investigate the robbery of government silver. I have come here for this very reason. I beg the Crown Princess not to obstruct me." The Second Prince said arrogantly.

"What does the robbery of official silver have to do with the Crown Prince? Second Brother has confused me." Lu Liruan showed no intention of stepping aside. Instead, she stepped forward and stood in front of him, meeting his gaze without any fear.

"I have investigated with the Dali Temple and found that the Crown Prince is suspected of colluding with robbers to transfer government silver. Today we will find out the truth!" The Second Prince said in a loud and righteous voice, as if afraid that Lu Liruan would not understand.

"Oh? Do you have any evidence?" Lu Liruan looked at his smug expression and coldly curled the corners of her lips.

“This evidence is hidden in Songjing Garden,” the Second Prince said with certainty.

"Second brother, since you know so much about this, did you personally watch the evidence being placed there? Or did you put it in yourself?" Lu Liruan asked him in return, staring intently at his expression. She noticed that his face stiffened slightly when he heard that he had put it in himself.

Lu Yushi is indeed of one mind with the Second Prince. I guess that the First Wife's harsh words and bitterness are not the truth. She is happily helping the Second Prince to scheme against the Marquis of He'an's mansion!

"Your Highness, please watch your words!"

“It is the Second Prince who should be careful with his words,” Lu Liruan said without backing down.

"Father Emperor knows that I will spare no effort to investigate this case. If the Crown Princess obstructs me, does she have something to hide?" the Second Prince said angrily.

If he could do something to Lu Liruan, he would have already pushed this troublesome daughter aside. With the Crown Prince's downfall, this woman won't have a good ending either!

“Since my second brother has come to make things difficult for a woman like me, he must already know that the Crown Prince is seriously ill today. You took advantage of this opportunity to come and force your way into the palace without Father’s permission. What are you up to?” Lu Liruan asked directly.

Sure enough, the Second Prince's expression grew increasingly grim.

"Princess Consort, stop making trouble! What if the evidence is destroyed if I leave today? Now that I'm here, I'm here to get an answer!" he said through gritted teeth.

"Without the Emperor's decree, I will not allow my second brother to humiliate His Highness to this extent!" Lu Liruan did not back down at all.

The two remained locked in a stalemate. Lu Liruan did not show any fear; she could only rely on the fact that the Second Prince would not dare to act too recklessly in the palace to stall for time.

Lu Liruan did want to see the Emperor's attitude. Ji Shumin had fallen into a coma after returning from his place, so how could he not know?

But the second prince managed to get right up to them...