Chapter 311: Where Could I Go
Xie Shi'an was dragged out by Qiutong and thrown to the ground.
He fell, picked himself up, and raised his head, saying, "I came to see General Yun off, but without a proper identity, I didn't show myself."
A chill appeared in Chu Yi's gaze.
The chill was like a blade, striking straight at Xie Shi'an's face.
His heart tightened involuntarily—such intense killing intent.
He clearly sensed that Prince Pingxi wanted to kill him.
Simply because he had appeared in a place where he shouldn't have.
Xie Shi'an couldn't help but take a step back, opening his mouth to say, "I just arrived and didn't hear anything..."
He had indeed just reached the official road and hadn't had time to eavesdrop before Yun Silin and the Eighth Prince had already left...
Chu Yi, of course, knew he had just arrived.
His desire to kill Xie Shi'an wasn't because of his presence here, but because he had long wanted to deal with this person.
It just so happened that Xie Shi'an had crossed his path.
"Your Highness."
Yun Chu spoke up, placing a hand on Chu Yi's arm and shaking her head gently.
Chu Yi immediately withdrew the murderous aura around him.
Xie Shi'an breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
Yun Chu took two steps forward, her gaze scrutinizing him before settling on his collar. "Didn't you join the Gongxi Royal Mansion as a counselor long ago? Why are you still wearing patched clothes?"
Xie Shi'an instantly became uneasy, turning his head awkwardly to hide the patch on his collar.
Although he had entered the Gongxi Royal Mansion, his young age and the trust placed in him by Prince Gong Xi had made him the target of bullying and exclusion by almost everyone in the mansion.
Each month, after receiving his monthly stipend, he had to use the silver to treat those people to meals and drinks, trying to ease the tension and prevent them from speaking ill of him in front of the prince.
With all his money spent on maintaining relationships, he had no choice but to compromise on food and clothing.
The color of the patch on his collar was exactly the same as the fabric—he didn't know how his mother had noticed it.
Perhaps it was because she cared about him that she could be so observant.
"It seems Prince Gong Xi is not as magnanimous as the rumors suggest," Yun Chu shook her head. "That is not a good place for you."
Xie Shi'an smiled bitterly. "Then where else could I go?"
Yun Chu's lips parted and closed, then closed and parted again, before she finally sighed. "I promised to keep it a secret for her. Never mind."
Xie Shi'an keenly sensed that this "her" must be related to him.
He hurriedly said, "Princess Consort, please speak plainly. I will not spread it."
Yun Chu hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "You are siblings. I believe you won't tell outsiders."
Xie Shi'an's heart skipped a beat.
His elder sister, Xie Ping, was supposed to be guarding the imperial mausoleum for the Anjing Prince—what could have happened?
Had she died, or gone mad...?
"Ping Jie'er... she..." Yun Chu paused before continuing, "She is now Consort Wu of the Eastern Palace."
"What?!"
Xie Shi'an was utterly stunned.
He had thought Yun Chu was going to tell him that Xie Ping had died unexpectedly and that he needed to retrieve her body from the imperial mausoleum.
He had even been considering whether to handle the matter himself or send Xie Shiwei...
Never in his wildest dreams had he expected to hear this news.
His eldest sister, who had never been particularly clever—how had she gone from being the consort of the Fourth Prince to becoming the Crown Prince's woman?
"I think you could seek refuge with the Crown Prince," Yun Chu said softly. "With Ping'er paving the way for you, your life under the Crown Prince should be easier. At the very least, you won't have to wear patched clothes."
Xie Shi'an was dumbfounded.He had already taken a stand against his mother and chosen to serve the Gongxi Prince, yet his mother still worried about whether he could wear decent clothes.
It had been a very, very long time since he had felt such concern.
For a moment, a myriad of emotions overwhelmed him.
"Thank you... Princess Consort."
He lowered his head.
He could never side with the Crown Prince.
In his view, the Crown Prince was as foolish as a pig. His current smooth sailing was only due to the Empress backing him. Once the Empress fell from power, the Crown Prince would inevitably be deposed.
He would never choose a ship destined to sink.
"No matter what choice you make, we will always be on opposite sides. Just follow your heart," Yun Chu said. "But please remember, you must keep Ping'er's secret."
After speaking, she lifted her skirt and stepped into the carriage, with Chu Yi following closely behind.
Once the carriage had moved a short distance, Qiutong, seated by the door, asked, "Aren't you worried, Princess Consort, that Xie Shi'an might use Xie Ping to persuade the Crown Prince and the Gongxi Prince to join forces?"
Chu Yi replied, "A low-level counselor and a low-ranking imperial concubine who has taken someone else's identity—even with all their abilities, these two cannot sway the thoughts of the two princes."
Yun Chu smiled. "Xie Shi'an now knows this significant secret and will surely exploit it to the fullest."
It was just a pity that Xie Ping was uncontrollable, and the Gongxi Prince might not be willing to heed Xie Shi'an's advice on everything.
She was quite curious about what would happen next.
"His Majesty has just issued an edict for me to gain experience in the Ministry of Works," Chu Yi changed the subject. "I may be quite busy recently, so there's no need to wait for me for dinner."
Yun Chu nodded.
The Ministry of Works was the least valued among the six ministries, overseeing fields, water conservancy, construction, and transportation. While it lacked favor from above, it was highly regarded by the common people.
She believed it was a good placement.
As the two conversed on the road, Xie Shi'an also returned to the capital and made his way back to the Gongxi Royal Mansion.
As a royal mansion staff member, he could enter through the side gate by showing his token. He headed to the Gongxi Prince's study but found many people waiting in the courtyard.
Those waiting were all counselors.
The counselors submitted national policy proposals daily. If the Gongxi Prince favored their ideas, they would be generously rewarded and their status elevated.
Lately, the Gongxi Prince had been facing difficulties, and the counselors were equally anxious, standing there in fear.
Seeing Xie Shi'an approach, the counselors instinctively blocked the study door.
Xie Shi'an, only thirteen years old and blind in one eye, had enjoyed the prince's favor since arriving at the mansion, causing the others to feel a strong sense of crisis.
Xie Shi'an observed their actions but remained calm. There was no need to compete—ability would prove everything.
The counselors entered the study one by one to report, each emerging dejected. Finally, it was Xie Shi'an's turn.
The Gongxi Prince sat in his chair, visibly irritable, his expression dark and gloomy.
The recent series of incidents had cost him his father's trust. Though he held the title of prince, he had no substantive position.
If this continued, the court would be divided between the Crown Prince and the third prince.
"Your Highness," Xie Shi'an bowed before looking up. "Might I accompany you to the palace tomorrow?"
The Gongxi Prince frowned. "Why do you want to enter the palace?""I wish to prove one thing," Xie Shi'an replied. "If this matter proves true, Your Highness will be able to deliver a fatal blow to the Crown Prince."
"Oh?" The Gong Xi Prince grew interested. "A fatal blow? Are you certain it would be fatal?"
A smile appeared on Xie Shi'an's face. "If I speak even one word of falsehood, I shall submit to Your Highness's punishment."
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