"Indeed, Your Majesty, the imperial palace has been infiltrated by assassins. I rushed here with my entourage," Princess Zhaoning said with a bow.
"Very well, I am safe. Go and check on your mother, the Empress," the Emperor replied.
Princess Zhaoning secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She gestured to the young maid and others, and they quickly left the grand hall.
After they had walked a considerable distance, the young maid sidled up to Princess Zhaoning. "The Imperial Tutor must have been monitoring you from the shadows, which is why he reacted so swiftly."
Princess Zhaoning nodded. "Yes, if we miss this opportunity today, it will be even more difficult for us in the future."
"Let's go and see my mother first."
Princess Zhaoning, with the young maid and others in tow, went to see her mother, Consort Shu.
After the reunion, mother and daughter exchanged pleasantries.
Consort Shu held Princess Zhaoning's hand. "Feng'er, why have you brought so many people this time? And they are all unfamiliar faces."
Princess Zhaoning did not conceal anything and recounted her plan from that morning.
Consort Shu was startled upon hearing this. "My child, why are you so impulsive and rash?"
"If you wish for the Emperor to designate you as Crown Prince, you must choose a better opportunity."
"Mother, I couldn't wait any longer. Besides, it's easier to handle things when my brother is not at home," Princess Zhaoning said with regret.
Consort Shu sighed. "But Sun Yuliang detected your movements and brought people to protect the Emperor in advance."
"Yes, all my efforts were in vain." Princess Zhaoning could not help but sigh.
"No, this is not a case of all efforts being in vain; I fear this will lead to a complete loss."
Princess Zhaoning looked at her mother in surprise, her face filled with confusion. "It's not that serious, is it?"
"You know Sun Yuliang's character. After you left, who knows what he will say to the Emperor!"
"Mother, what should I do then?" Princess Zhaoning grew anxious.
"Just as the Imperial Tutor pleases the Emperor and wins his trust, you should do the same," Consort Shu said, slowly standing up.
"When you return, make a grand show of taking your entourage to Baogen Temple to burn incense, and say it is to pray for the Emperor's blessings."
"From Baogen Temple and back, it will take at least three to five days. You should return then."
"Mother, Baogen Temple is only half a day's journey away. How can I stay for so long?"
Consort Shu smiled slightly. "Take your people to Qingniu Mountain to deal with the troubles outside."
Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoning stood up. "Mother's foresight is beyond my comprehension."
Consort Shu waved her hand with a smile. "I am merely an ordinary woman. How could I have thought of this? This morning, the old Prime Minister, Fang Zheng, sent someone to inform me of all this."
"He also said that if you came to see me, it would mean the plan had not succeeded."
After hearing these words, Princess Zhaoning felt a deep sense of respect for Fang Zheng.
"The old Prime Minister is indeed as wise as the gods."
Consort Shu nodded. "The old Prime Minister also said that after you succeed, you must send word back immediately. He will then swiftly take action to eliminate the Imperial Tutor and help you ascend the throne."
Princess Zhaoning could not help but give a thumbs-up. "Ah, the old Prime Minister's plans are meticulously laid out. Truly remarkable."
At this moment, the young maid beside them spoke up. "Your Highness, Consort Shu, since he will be killed sooner or later, why not kill the Imperial Tutor Sun Yuliang first, and then have the Emperor proclaim the Princess as Crown Prince?" Sudian Novel Network
Princess Zhaoning waved her hand. "If I were to kill the Imperial Tutor first, and then ask my father to make me Crown Prince, the Crown Prince could rally support from Qingniu Mountain. The world would respond, and I would be in a very passive position."
"Therefore, the Crown Prince must be dealt with first."
"After the Crown Prince is eliminated, the old Prime Minister will swiftly eliminate the Imperial Tutor. The Emperor will have no choice but to make me Crown Prince."
After listening to Princess Zhaoning's analysis, the young maid could not help but give a thumbs-up.
"My grandfather is truly amazing."
After returning home and making preparations, Princess Zhaoning indeed took her entourage and left the capital in grand style, heading for Baogen Temple.
Upon hearing this news, Imperial Tutor Sun Yuliang could not help but smile.
"Excellent. It's good that she's out of the city. All her actions will be clear to us then."
At this moment, the peerless Daoist beside him spoke. "Imperial Tutor, do you not think this is a golden opportunity?"
"The Emperor has only one son and one daughter, and neither of them is in the capital. If you seize this chance..."
Imperial Tutor Sun Yuliang waved his hand. "No rush, no rush. Let's wait and see. Xiao Jingyun and Xiao Jingfeng will eventually fight. When two tigers fight, one will be wounded."
As Princess Zhaoning led her entourage out of the city, Chen Xiaobei, along with his team, ventured deeper into the cave once more.
This time, without any worries in the back of their minds, their progress was naturally smoother than the previous day.
Of course, Chen Xiaobei, to be on the safe side, made the trail markers even denser, creating a mark almost every ten meters, and several more at each turn.
Without sunlight, they had no way of knowing the time. After walking for an unknown duration, they stopped when they felt hungry.
Chen Sanliang looked around. "From yesterday's position, we must have covered about ten li."
Chen Sanliang's family had always been old hunters, and Chen Xiaobei found his judgment reliable.
"Alright, let's eat something first."
Everyone scattered and found some dry stones to sit on.
Chen Xiaobei had only taken a few bites when he felt a cool breeze blowing behind him.
Although it was cool in the cave, the wind was not strong. However, the wind in this particular spot was unusually strong.
Chen Xiaobei instinctively looked back. About ten meters away, there was an area that was particularly dark.
Could it be another cave entrance?
Chen Xiaobei picked up a torch and stepped on the gravel, walking closer. It was indeed a large cave entrance, more than three meters high.
"Hurry over here, everyone. There's another cave here."
Hearing his call, everyone quickly gathered around.
Chen Sanliang stretched his torch into the cave and looked inside. He then picked up a stone from the ground and threw it in. He heard the stone rolling and rumbling inside for a long time before finally falling silent.
Chen Sanliang nodded. "The bottom inside is hard and seems quite flat. I'll go in and take a look first."
He then stepped inside.
Chen Xiaobei immediately called out, "Don't go too far. Come back quickly when I tell you to stop."
Chen Sanliang walked forward step by step, holding his torch carefully.
Chen Xiaobei watched him nervously from behind.
Chen Xiaobei had already made up his mind. If there was a turn ahead, he would immediately call Chen Sanliang back, not letting him disappear from his sight.
Chen Sanliang walked for about half a li and indeed came to a turn. Chen Xiaobei quickly called out to him.
"Brother Sanliang, stop walking. Come back quickly."
Chen Sanliang stood where he was, holding his torch and looking forward. Suddenly, with a look of surprise, he shouted back to Chen Xiaobei, "Brother Xiaobei, come quickly and see! Such beautiful stones."
Hearing his shout, everyone rushed forward eagerly.
Chen Xiaobei, walking at the rear, was also stunned by the sight when he arrived.