Chapter 128: New home

Dongfang Yan's eyes darkened, and he ordered, "Zhao An, send someone to tell the Marquis of Changning that the Princess Consort's status is precious and it is not suitable for her to stay out overnight."

He knew exactly what kind of person Lin Xiao was. Previously, when Lin Ruzhen married over, Lin Xiao thought he had grasped the hearts of both daughters and actually had the audacity to come and ask for an official position.

Giving Lin Qingyue face, he used his connections to place Lin Xiao in a lucrative position in the Ministry of Revenue, and the old man was so happy he almost knelt to him at the time.

This time, there was no worry that Lin Xiao wouldn't "persuade" the Princess Consort back for him.

Perhaps Lin Qingyue wouldn't give Lin Xiao face, but as long as the Lin family had no place for her, she would have to obediently return to the Wangfu.

As long as Lin Qingyue returned to the Wangfu, Dongfang Yan would let her see Lin Ruzhen's miserable end; that was the sincerity he offered her.

Even if she still had any unhappiness in her heart, he would slowly make up for it in the days to come.

After all, she was a woman who had once loved him deeply; he didn't believe he couldn't win her heart back!

Just after returning to the Jin Wangfu, the person sent to deliver the message also returned.

"Prince, the Princess Consort did not return to the Marquis of Changning's Mansion."

"Didn't return?" Dongfang Yan placed the teacup heavily on the table, "Did the Princess Consort not arrive home yet? Did you deliver my words?"

"Reporting to Prince, the words have been delivered. Marquis Lin said they would wait at home, and once the Princess Consort returns, they will personally send her back."

Dongfang Yan waved the servants away, picked up his tea, sipped it slowly, and waited quietly for Lin Qingyue to be sent back.

Although Lin Qingyue was the legitimate daughter of the Hou Mansion, when she married, Lin Xiao didn't give much dowry.

Before she was married, Lin Qingyue's reputation was not good, and among all the famous ladies and noblewomen in the capital, not one had a friendship with her. Even if she wanted to stay, there was nowhere to go.

Dongfang Yan had also sent people to greet all the inns in the capital. No one dared to take in the Jin Princess Consort.

The only place she could go was the Xuanjing Division.

But the Xuanjing Division was full of a bunch of rabble from humble backgrounds, and they were all men, so it was even more impossible for them to take her in.

After she hit a wall everywhere and found she had nowhere to go, she would naturally return to the Wangfu.

Thinking of this, Dongfang Yan felt that Lin Qingyue was truly too stubborn. She could have returned gloriously with him just now. Having to sulk with him, if that's not stupid, what is?

Zhuque Street, Lan Yuan.

In front of the gate, a group of servants lined up to wait respectfully. The steward had even looked at the portrait several times, engraving the new owner's appearance in his heart.

So, the moment Lin Qingyue appeared, he recognized her immediately and welcomed her respectfully, "Servant Quan Fu, welcomes the master home!"

The other servants also bowed in unison, "Welcome the master home!"

Lin Qingyue jumped off her horse, threw the horse whip to Quan Fu, and asked, "Are you all the Crown Prince's people?"

Quan Fu said, "We were before. But from now on, we only have you as our master."

Lin Qingyue laughed, "A clever person. Let's go, take me to see my new home."

She wanted to divorce Dongfang Yan, so she had originally planned to set up a home for herself. Since Dongfang Qi gave it in advance, she would not decline. Anyway, she deserved it.

The new home was even better than she expected.

According to Quan Fu, this courtyard was originally the late Empress's dowry. But whether it was the Empress or the Crown Prince, they usually lived in the palace and rarely came over.

Occasionally, when the Crown Prince missed the late Empress, he would come over to stay for a few days.

Therefore, everything in the garden was kept very well and could be moved into directly without renovation.

The main courtyard had long been cleaned, and the bedding and bed curtains had all been replaced with new ones.

Quan Fu also made a register of the antiques, calligraphy, paintings, and other famous items in the garden and presented them to Lin Qingyue for her review, "His Highness said, everything in this garden belongs to the new master. Including all the antiques, gold and silver utensils, you can dispose of them as you wish."

Lin Qingyue took a look and threw the register back to Quan Fu, "You were in charge before, and it will remain the same in the future. I have no other requirements here, only loyalty."

"Yes! We will be loyal to you from now on."

Quan Fu and these people were the Crown Prince's confidants, so they naturally understood the rules and didn't need much worry.

Lin Qingyue thought about calling Bi'er back later; it would be more appropriate to use her.

Imperial Palace.

Qi Zhaodi had long received news that the Crown Prince was about to return to the city and had been waiting anxiously.

When he saw Dongfang Qi return safely, the old father's tears couldn't help but well up, "My son has finally returned! No need for etiquette, no need for etiquette! Are your soul and spirit all restored? Is there any place where you feel uncomfortable?"

He grabbed Dongfang Qi for a thorough questioning and inspection, and only after confirming he was unharmed did he breathe a sigh of relief, "My son has turned danger into safety this time, and will surely be blessed with great fortune in the future!"

Dongfang Qi then recounted the whole journey, including the ambush at Yixian Canyon, and the Jin Wang appearing halfway and offering evidence that the Li Wang was the mastermind behind the ambush.

After seeing the evidence, Qi Zhaodi said, "The Li Wang dared to plot against you; I will issue an edict tomorrow to strip him of his title! As for this Jin Wang..."

Dongfang Qi said, "The Jin Wang appearing there must also have had ulterior motives. It's nothing more than wanting to sit back and reap the benefits."

Qi Zhaodi pondered, "Dongfang Yan is the only direct bloodline of your Imperial Uncle. As long as he does not directly rebel, for the sake of your Imperial Uncle, I will not touch him."

Dongfang Qi also knew that his father and the old Jin Wang were brothers, and out of love for the house and its crow, he was also extremely tolerant of Dongfang Yan.

Therefore, Dongfang Qi only said, "Father cares about brotherly love, which is naturally understandable. I only hope the Jin Wang will not disappoint you."

Qi Zhaodi's expression was solemn, and after pondering for a moment, he said, "Since my son has returned, there is no need for those vassal kings to remain in the capital. I will issue an order in two days, telling them to resign from their positions in the capital within three months and return to their fiefs."

As long as the heir to the throne is still there, the wolfish ambitions of those people are nothing to fear.

Qi Zhaodi added, "This time you returned from hardship, Deputy Envoy Lin, Xie Shouzheng, and Duke Luo all have meritorious service. How do you plan to reward them?"

Dongfang Qi said, "Uncle is the Beiyuan Regional Military Governor, controlling one side, so it's not good to move him again. Let Luo Qing remain in the capital."

Qi Zhaodi nodded, "That's fine."

Dongfang Qi added, "As for Xie Shouzheng, reward him with more gold and silver."

Xiao Hui was not greedy for power in the court, and his personality was simple and straightforward, so the Crown Prince still hoped he would continue to shine in the Xuanjing Division without being drawn into the vortex of politics.

Besides that, the most important point was that the people of Qi were extremely afraid and repulsed by demons and evil spirits. Keeping Xiao Hui away from political circles was also to protect him, so he wouldn't be calculated by those with ulterior motives if his identity was exposed.

"As for Deputy Envoy Lin..." Mentioning Lin Qingyue, Dongfang Qi's tone became exceptionally cautious, "There might be some problems between her and the Jin Wang."

Dongfang Qi knew that the relationship between Lin Qingyue and Dongfang Yan was not a good match at all. But they were married by imperial decree, and unless Qi Zhaodi spoke personally, a casual divorce would be a crime of deceiving the Emperor.

Therefore, the person who tied the bell must be the one to untie it. ===== CHAPTER 129 =====