Xiao Jingyun, as Crown Prince, acting as regent, gave everyone hope.
Civil and military officials gathered around, offering congratulations. Zhu Ziming, the Minister of Rites, intended to bring up Liu Xiangnan's matter again, but seeing his colleagues only offering felicitations to the Crown Prince and not mentioning any specific affairs, he swallowed the words back. Su Dan Novel Network.
After accepting the congratulations, Xiao Jingyun announced the adjournment of the court.
Many civil and military officials looked back as they left, casting a glance at the Hall of Diligent Governance.
For a long time to come, they would not be able to come here again. The Crown Prince was regent, but he was only allowed to handle state affairs, not to preside over the court in place of the Emperor. Therefore, future reports would have to be made at the Crown Prince's Palace.
Only after everyone had left did Bai Han rush to Emperor Xiao An's study.
Seeing Bai Han enter, Xiao An merely raised his eyelids slightly, "Are they all gone?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the ministers have all left."
Xiao An slowly closed his eyes, "After Jingyun becomes regent, the first thing he will do is undoubtedly try to clear the names of Liu Xiangnan and the others."
"Isn't this exactly what Your Majesty intended?" Bai Han also smiled.
Unexpectedly, Xiao An shook his head.
"No, this is not my intention."
Saying this, Xiao An slowly stood up, "Rescuing people should not be rushed. Clearing their names and releasing them after he truly ascends the throne will be a move to win over the hearts of the people."
"I have just imprisoned them, and he, upon becoming regent, immediately releases them."
"Is this not clearly putting on a show for others to see!"
Hearing his words, Bai Han immediately came to his senses, "Your Majesty, perhaps I should go remind the Crown Prince, to have him be a little more cautious."
"Yes, not only do you need to remind him, but you also need to arrange another matter."
"Do you remember what the Supervisor Zhang He reported a few days ago?"
Bai Han was stunned for a moment, then instinctively replied, "Zhang He said that a celestial dog will be eating the moon in a few days!"
Xiao An nodded, "Yes, do you understand what I mean?"
Bai Han immediately bowed, "This subordinate understands. This signifies a disaster star, and bad omens for the south."
Bad omens for the south, naturally meant bad omens for Xiangnan. Liu Xiangnan would naturally be caught in the crossfire. If there were no rumors, then rumors must be created to keep Liu Xiangnan in prison.
Bai Han turned and hurried out of the palace, catching up with Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun before he left.
"Your Highness, please wait!"
Hearing the call, Xiao Jingyun instinctively stopped and turned to see Bai Han, "It's Guard Bai, has my father summoned me?"
Bai Han shook his head, "Your Highness, may I speak with you in private!"
Xiao Jingyun waved his hand, and Zhou Quan and the others behind him tactfully retreated about ten to fifteen feet.
Bai Han then lowered his voice and said softly, "Your Highness, His Majesty specifically sent me to tell you, not to deal with the matters of Marquis Liu Xiangnan and the others too hastily?"
Hearing this news, Xiao Jingyun was taken aback. This was exactly what he had planned.
According to the rule of a minor court session every three days and a major court session every five days, Xiao Jingyun intended to handle this matter at the major court session five days later.
Seeing that Xiao Jingyun seemed not to understand, Bai Han had to explain again, "If His Majesty imprisons them, and you immediately release them, the civil and military officials will surely see that it is a staged act, and it might damage Your Highness's reputation!"
Hearing these words, Xiao Jingyun came to his senses. He thought about it and realized it was indeed so.
Seeing his silence, Bai Han continued, "Furthermore, since Marquis Liu has already been in prison for so long, if it ultimately backfires, wouldn't the Marquis's suffering have been in vain?"
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun was moved. He thought the argument was very sound. Since Liu Xiangnan had already suffered injustice, that injustice should be made to have value.
Xiao Jingyun made up his mind in his heart to wait a while longer.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. On this evening, Liu Che and Liu Tie, along with the Liu family guards, Chen Xiaobei, Huang Ying, and Princess Lianhua, sped into Wannian City like lightning.
Upon arriving at Liu Xiangnan's mansion, the seals on the door immediately made them realize that the situation was likely more complicated than they had imagined.
The Liu family members, who had been waiting there, along with Liu Ce and others, led them to a nearby inn to meet Liu Kai.
Naturally, they exchanged long sighs upon meeting. After understanding the whole situation, Chen Xiaobei knew that this would not be resolved quickly.
"Head Steward, everyone, it seems the key to this matter still lies with the Crown Prince. Besides him, I don't see any better way to persuade the Emperor."
Liu Kai sighed deeply, "Yes, I think this is the only way. We will have to visit the Crown Prince more often later!"
After discussing Liu Rumei's matter.
Chen Xiaobei's gaze searched around outside of Liu Kai and Zheng Ke.
Seeing this, Liu Kai couldn't help but cup his fists and ask, "Village Chief Chen, what are you looking for? Our young lady has been taken by the Emperor, and we probably won't see her for a while."
Chen Xiaobei knew that Liu Rumei had been arrested. He was looking around for Feng Xiaoyue.
It was Liu Ce who understood Chen Xiaobei's thoughts. He immediately said to Liu Kai, "Head Steward, why isn't Feng Xiaoyue staying at the same inn with you all?"
Hearing this, Liu Kai revealed a hard-to-describe expression, "Ah, Miss Xiaoyue is with some martial artists and is not staying at the inn. Oh, she is said to be staying at a horse trading shop in the horse market."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, bid farewell to Liu Ce and the others, and turned directly towards the horse market in Wannian City.
Although he had never been here, the Lotus Cult Leader knew this place clearly; he was a frequent visitor to Wannian City.
Led by the Lotus Cult Leader, Chen Xiaobei successfully found Ramu's residence.
As night approached, Ramu arranged for people to prepare for drinking. It seemed that all they did day after day was eat and drink.
As a few people sat around the table, they heard someone outside announce that Chen Xiaobei had arrived.
Hearing the name, Feng Xiaoyue jumped up and ran outside. Laerduo and Yang Zhi exchanged a glance, smiled, and quickly got up to greet them.
Seeing Feng Xiaoyue rush out, Chen Xiaobei's face broke into a smile. Fortunately, Feng Xiaoyue was safe.
"Brother Xiaobei, why are you here!" Feng Xiaoyue exclaimed with joy. Then she looked at Huang Ying and the Lotus Cult Leader. Especially when she saw Huang Ying, she realized she had been a bit too unrestrained. After all, someone else's wife was present. She quickly curbed her overly exuberant smile and bowed to them as well.
"Greetings, Cult Leader, greetings, Sister Huang Ying."
Huang Ying smiled slightly, stepped forward, and gave Feng Xiaoyue a tight hug, "I was so worried about you these past few days. Before I came, Sister Hongyu also instructed me to ensure your safety."