Chang Fu was silently enduring unprecedented pressure. If Zhao Huan made any mistake, he would definitely be blamed for his death if he failed to report it.
But the prince has given an order not to mention his trip to Yizhou to anyone, not even the princess.
Changfu could only grit his teeth and carry out the prince's orders unswervingly.
Just when Zhu Lian was at his wits' end, a high-pitched voice suddenly came from outside the palace door: "Princess Xuan Ding has an audience!"
The sudden summons made Zhu Lian's heart sink. She understood that His Majesty was furious, and someone from Prince Ding's palace had to come to the palace today to meet the emperor.
Xiao Xia panicked and said: "Today is the day to fulfill the contract. There must be an undercurrent in the court, and the Cai family members will not let go of this perfect opportunity to suppress the palace."
"Princess, just think of a reason to refuse. Never enter the palace."
Although Zhu Lian is a princess, she is also a female prostitute. Even if she is summoned by His Majesty, she can refuse, as long as the eunuch who delivers the order can go back and explain the situation.
Although Zhao Ji is mediocre, he is not a tyrant and he is tolerant towards civil servants, let alone his daughter-in-law?
Even if he pushed it, he would not offend Long Yan.
But there are some things that are useless just hiding from them, you still have to face them when they should be faced.
Zhu Lian took a deep breath and made up his mind: "As a royal concubine, I cannot retreat at such a critical moment."
"Since His Majesty summoned me, I will go and explain the situation, so that the prince will not be guilty of deceiving the king."
Seeing that Zhu Lian insisted on entering the palace, Xiaoxia's heart suddenly became cold, but she had no good solution and could only keep praying to the prince to come back quickly.
After Zhu Lian dressed up, he was escorted by Xiao Xia and Chang Fu, and followed the eunuch who delivered the order to the palace.
When he arrived at the palace gate, Zhu Lian did not rush in, but turned to look at Changfu and said seriously: "Since you are unwilling to betray the prince, I will not force you.
"You only need to tell me whether the prince is well."
Zhao Huan went to Yizhou to sneak attack Gaotuo Mountain, which was an adventurous move full of dangers. It would be too false to say that there was no danger.
But Changfu firmly believed that Zhao Huan would be able to come back safe and sound because Zhao Huan would not leave Zhu Lian and Zheng Qingyun alone.
Changfu clenched his fists and responded in a deep voice: "Princess, please rest assured, even if there are mountains of swords and seas of fire, the prince will definitely come back to you."
Hearing this, Zhu Lian couldn't help but close her eyes. She had already guessed that Zhao Huan had gone to Yizhou.
The thing I was most worried about finally happened.
Zhu Lian saw through it but did not point it out. Now she could only obey God's will. Before entering the palace, Zhu Lian gave her last instructions.
"Today the palace is in trouble. I have asked Yu Shu to take the concubine to Kaifeng Mansion to take shelter."
"If you are unable to fulfill the contract, you will do everything you can to escort Qingyun out of the capital, and live the rest of your life anonymously."
"I will stay here to bury the prince."
After saying that, Zhu Lian resolutely walked towards the palace under the tearful gazes of Changfu and Xiaoxia.
After a while, the eunuch's shout echoed in the hall.
"Princess Ding came into the palace to pay her respects."
Although the civil and military officials in the court lowered their heads, everyone was looking at Zhu Lian from the corner of their eyes.
Standing in the solemn court hall, Zhu Lian did not have any fear. She did not wear the luxurious coat given to her by Zhao Huan, but the torn coat with holes that had been ridiculed by countless people.
With light steps, he advanced step by step, surrounded by jackals, tigers and leopards.
Even Zhao Ji, who was sitting on the throne, couldn't help but secretly praise Zhu Lian in his heart. Zhu Lian was indeed both capable and political. Not to mention comparing himself with the princesses, even if he stood next to the noble concubines in the harem, he would not be inferior in the slightest.
On the contrary, Zhao Huan's rebellious son was somewhat unworthy of Zhu Lian.
"Concubine, I have appointed Princess Zhu Lian to meet Your Majesty."
Because all royal women wear heavy crowns, they only kneel and do not kowtow.
Zhu Lian bent his knees and tapped them gently on the ground, but kept his body straight and said in a soft but decent voice: "Hail, Your Majesty."
This decency alone made Zhao Ji very satisfied. This is the majesty that a royal woman should have.
In addition, Zhu Lian did not shirk and accepted the summons to the palace, which also made Zhao Ji quite impressed.
Again, that bastard Zhao Huan is not worthy of Zhu Lian!
"I summoned you to the palace, do you know why?"
Zhu Lian blurted out without thinking: "The promise of Yizhou."
Although Zhao Ji liked Zhu Lian, he could only hate Wu Jiwu and snorted coldly: "The king once boasted that he went to Haikou and captured the heads of Gao Tuo Mountain in one month."
"Today is the deadline to fulfill the contract, why does the king still refuse to show up?"
"This matter is not only a father-son agreement between me and the king, but it is also related to the country and the country. It is a major matter of the country. If the king cannot fulfill the agreement, then it is my turn to fulfill the agreement."
"Not only must he be convicted of deceiving the emperor, but Zheng Qingyun must also be sentenced to death!"
Zhu Lian had long expected this outcome, so he did not react much. This calmness only attracted criticism.
The first person to stand up was Cai Tiao, the fifth son of Cai Jing, who was also the fifth-rank minister of Xuanhe Palace.
The so-called servant system of Xuanhe Palace, to put it bluntly, is Zhao Ji's "advisor". In addition to official duties, he also helps Zhao Ji with his poems, songs, and pleasures.
Cai Jingnai is the prime minister and has great power, so Cai Tiao's position as a servant is naturally extremely valuable, and he can even directly go to the palace to participate in political affairs.
He not only has Cai Jing as his biological father as his backer, but also has the favor of His Majesty, so he naturally speaks with confidence.
"The day to fulfill the contract has come, but King Ding still refuses to show up. He clearly knew that Haikou could no longer be realized, so he hid and actually pushed the woman out as a shield. It is really unreasonable!"
"His Majesty did not directly order the seizure of Prince Ding's Mansion, but the Emperor's grace has already been so great. Princess Ding is so calm and relaxed when facing His Majesty. Could it be that she is treating important national affairs as a child's play?"
"Why don't you quickly bow your head and admit your mistake to Your Majesty in exchange for His Majesty's forgiveness?"
Now that someone has taken the lead, the surrounding treacherous ministers and traitors will naturally not be polite at all and begin to besiege Zhu Lian one after another.
"Since you went to the palace, you should have suffered for King Ding, why don't you kowtow and confess your sins!"
"Hmph, hasn't Prince Ding always been so heroic? Why did he hide behind a woman at the critical moment? The majesty of the royal family has been completely defeated by Prince Ding!"
"Why don't you quickly kowtow to His Majesty and admit your mistake? Is it possible that at this time, you still have illusions about Prince Ding?"
Faced with the pressure from Cai officials, Zhu Lian couldn't help but tighten his fists, and the pressure in his heart doubled.
But no matter what, she couldn't kowtow and admit her mistake, otherwise everything would be a foregone conclusion.
The prince will definitely come back, for sure!
At this moment, Cai Tiao struck hard again: "How dare you be so arrogant under your authority? Your Majesty should punish him for the crime of disrespect!"