Chapter 934: Throw This Greasy Thing Out for Me

"Next step..." the Masked Man gave that person a glance.

The person instantly drew in his body.

"Heaven's secrets must not be revealed."

"Yes! It's my fault for speaking out."

The one‑month term passed in an instant.

Lord Zhongyi Bo married the Imperial Teacher's granddaughter, while the Ning Prince's Mansion married his brother‑in‑law; the double wedding, organized by both mansions, set the whole Jingcheng abuzz.

On the day of the bride's reception, the Ning Prince's Mansion was festooned with lanterns and streamers; scarlet brocade ran from the returning garden all the way to the mansion's outer gate, and even the old tree in the courtyard was draped with red‑brocade flower balls.

Xiao Er, clad in a crimson brocade robe with a golden‑threaded soft sash at his waist, stood before the bridal sedan, his large hands repeatedly clenching and releasing at his sides.

He was nudged from behind by Lu Qi, which reminded him to lift the sedan curtain.

Lu Qi whispered, "Brother, hold steady, don't sway."

The sedan curtain was drawn back, revealing Song Shujun in a full‑red wedding dress with a phoenix crown and rosy veil; she lowered her head, staring at the ground exposed beneath the red headdress, and stepped out gracefully with the bridal attendant's support.

After the wedding ceremony concluded, the banquet outside began.

Just as the revelry was in full swing, a loud proclamation rang from the doorway: "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

The guests in the hall all rose together.

Xiao Ze entered, accompanied by only a few attendants, striding in.

He raised his hand to signal that no bows were necessary, scanning the people in the room.

Tuan Tuan's flushed little face rushed into his arms: "Third Elder Brother! Why did you only just arrive?"

She lifted her face, eyes sparkling: "Second Uncle has already finished the ceremony!"

"Let me tell you, when Second Uncle performed the ceremony his hands trembled! Luckily Seventh Uncle steadied him!"

Xiao Ze looked down and saw Xiao Tuanzi in a pomegranate‑red dress, a hairpin bestowed by the Princess of Long on her hair, along with the pearl hairpin she always wore.

Xiao Ze bent down and lifted her: "Where is your Second Uncle now?"

"Going to see the bride!" Tuan Tuan clung to his neck, whispering conspiratorially into his ear, "Sister Song looks so beautiful today!"

"Second Uncle stammered the moment he saw her, even turning 'Bride' into 'Liang... Liang...'"

Xiao Ze couldn't help laughing, tapping her nose: "You look lovely today as well."

Tuan Tuan swayed her little head proudly, then suddenly remembered something, tugging his sleeve and pointing toward the banquet: "Third Elder Brother, look! Seventh Uncle is over there!"

"Did you know? Third Elder Brother, Sister Su has two little babies in her womb!"

"Seventh Uncle said he would hold back the wine for Second Uncle, but ended up getting drunk himself!"

"Look, look..."

Xiao Ze listened to her chattering nonstop about this and that, laughed, and looked in the direction her finger indicated.

Sure enough, Lu Qi was slumped by the table, his face red as a boiled prawn, still clutching a wine cup, mumbling incoherently, "One more drink."

Xiao Ran was waving a chopstick before him: "Lu Qi! How many?"

Lu Qi squinted, stared for a while, then waved his big hand: "Chopsticks! I'm not drunk yet!"

Chen Hao laughed so hard beside him his back bent.

Xiao Ze withdrew his gaze, watching the excited, dancing Xiao Tuanzi in his arms, and gently patted her back: "Go play, Third Elder Brother will go see Lord Song and your father."

"Alright!" Tuan Tuan slipped out of his arms, stretched her little legs and ran.

After only a few steps she turned back, solemnly reminding, "Third Elder Brother, you must drink less!"

Xiao Ze bent over, reaching to gently rub the top of her hair: "Why?"

Tuan Tuan declared confidently, "If you all lie down, who will play with me?"

Xiao Ze straightened, nodding slightly: "Alright, Third Elder Brother has noted it."

Tuan Tuan finally nodded in satisfaction and turned to run away.

She weaved through the guests and ran to Gongsun Yue's side.

"Xiao Yueyue!" Tuan Tuan plopped onto the brocade stool beside him, "Did you see the bride's face?"

Gongsun Yue shook his head, nudged a bowl of sweet soup toward her, and took a few sips himself: "How could I see? She's in the bridal chamber!"

Tuan Tuan lifted the bowl, gulped a big mouthful of sweet soup, and sighed contentedly: "Sister Song looks truly beautiful today!"

She set the bowl down: "When Seventh Uncle got married, Sister Su also looked beautiful; I just told Mother I want to wear a dress like that too!"

"Let her make one for me as well! I'll wear it to Master's place so he can see!"

Gongsun Yue nearly choked on the sweet soup, coughed several times before recovering, and silently shifted the bowl toward himself.

Xiao Ze walked up to Xiao Yuanhang and Song Jingxian, and the two bowed in unison.

Xiao Ze extended his hand to support: "Today is Lord Zhongyi Bo and Miss Song's joyous day; no need for excessive ceremony."

He looked at Xiao Yuanhang: "I'm here to ask for a cup of celebratory wine."

Xiao Yuanhang personally poured a cup of wine and presented it with both hands.

Xiao Ze took it and drank it in one gulp: "Lord Zhongyi Bo has fought for the country for many years; today he has found a good match, and I rejoice for him as well."

Song Jingxian looked at the young Crown Prince, his face showing emotion, and bowed again: "Thank you, Your Highness, for gracing us with your presence."

Xiao Ze quickly supported him: "Lord Song is the Father Emperor's teacher; do not over‑pay your respects."

He drank two more cups, then lingered no longer and took his leave.

As he prepared to leave, he searched among the guests for Tuan Tuan's figure.

He saw Tuan Tuan bumping heads with Gongsun Yue, murmuring something unknown.

He smiled, turned, and walked away.

The next morning, in Fengyi Palace.

Si Yu entered the sleeping hall and ordered the other palace staff to leave.

Mu Rong Jin's heart trembled—could the note have appeared again? What does that person want Palace to do?

After the palace attendants withdrew, Mu Rong Jin rolled over and rose: "What is it?"

Si Yu knelt before the couch, took two items from her sleeve, and cupped them in both hands before her.

A note and a tiny paper pouch.

Si Yu's voice trembled: "Mother, Your Majesty, these two things together are—are—what I just saw."

Mu Rong Jin took the note, unfolded it, glanced at it once, and her complexion changed abruptly.

She clenched the note tightly in her hand and remained silent for a while.

Si Yu knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe.

"Fine, very fine indeed!" Mu Rong Jin's voice squeezed out between her teeth, "If you want a palace banquet, Palace will hold a palace banquet, and now you have set your mind on Che Er!"

She slammed the note onto the couch, her chest heaving violently: "Palace may let you manipulate me, but Che Er is absolutely out of the question!"

She looked at her sleeping son in the cradle: "How old is Che Er? He just managed to sit up and can't even speak!"

Si Yu shakily picked up the note to read.

"Apply this to the young prince's body; red rashes will appear instantly. Apply in the morning, bathe in the evening and they will disappear—no pain, no itch. If you doubt it, you may try it first."

Si Yu plopped onto the ground: "This, this…"

Mu Rong Jin's eyes filled with tears, her voice choked: "Does he intend to use Che Er, make Che Er feign illness, or to harm Che Er?"

"But Your Majesty," Si Yu recalled the Crown Prince's assassination attempt and that peony brocade handkerchief, "If you do not listen…"

She gritted her teeth: "The paper says it only causes some red rashes, no pain, no itch, and they disappear after an evening bath…"

"So what of it?" Mu Rong Jin cut her off sharply, tears streaming, "Today it's a red rash, what will tomorrow bring?"

"And the day after? If Palace complies this time, he will become more severe, pressing step by step! Then, can Che Er's life still be saved?"

"Burn the note and throw this pickled, greasy thing out for me!"

"Mother, Your Majesty…"

"Go quickly!"

"Yes!"

But the next day, the note and the medicine pouch reappeared.

Mu Rong Jin didn't even look at them and ordered Si Yu to deal with them as she had yesterday.

On the third day, the note was gone.

It turned out to be a peony brocade handkerchief, wrapping an identical medicine pouch.