"The Emperor just left and you went straight to Cixi Palace. If this falls into the eyes of those with ulterior motives, they'll probably start gossiping. How come you're becoming more and more brainless?"
The young master was scolded without any explanation, and he was also angry. However, he had known since childhood that his older sister could not tolerate anyone disobeying her, so he had no choice but to swallow his anger and listen. The Empress Dowager's temper flared up, and her expression softened a little.
"What's the matter that you have to rush to the palace?"
"Does Your Majesty know that the Emperor has left Bianliang City?"
"Everyone knows about this. Even I, who don't concern myself with other people's business, have heard about it. Wasn't he on a southern tour? It seems to be about opening a canal in Dengzhou, which is indeed a matter of benefiting the people."
"Does the Empress Dowager know who the Emperor brought with him?"
Seeing that the Empress Dowager did not understand his meaning, the Western Grand Master asked in a deep voice.
The Empress Dowager thought for a moment and said, "I heard that he took some officials who know about water conservancy with him, and the Empress was also taken away by him. It's better to take her away sooner rather than later, so that I won't be annoyed by seeing her. If anything happens to her, she can blame it on me."
The Empress Dowager showed no interest in these matters. The official below her, Xi, spoke slowly with a somber expression: "The Emperor actually brought Prince Zhaoyang with him on this southern tour?"
"He brought Prince Zhaoyang with him," the Empress Dowager repeated, somewhat taken aback. Then her eyes widened as she stared at Minister Xi below her. Minister Xi nodded again: "That's right. His Majesty took Prince Zhaoyang to Songzhou. His Majesty has always disregarded Prince Zhaoyang. What do you think his intention is in doing this?"
The Empress Dowager, who had previously been indifferent, now became cautious and began to seriously consider the meaning behind Feng'er's actions. Why did he take Prince Zhaoyang on the southern tour? Prince Zhaoyang was notorious and disliked, a womanizer with no talent, and the Emperor had never paid him any attention. The fact that he took him on this southern tour was truly unusual.
"Empress Dowager, do you think it could be?"
Before the Western Lord could speak, the Empress Dowager's expression suddenly changed, and she said in a deep voice, "Don't let your imagination run wild."
The Empress Dowager stopped Master Xi from speaking, and then waved for the old maid Ying to leave.
As Yingma walked out, she pondered the words spoken by Lord Xi and the Empress Dowager. Why were they so sensitive about the Emperor taking Prince Zhaoyang on his southern tour? It was truly strange. Moreover, what was Lord Xi trying to say earlier? The Empress Dowager had stopped him and then asked her to come out. The Empress Dowager didn't hide many things from her, so it must be something important. What exactly was it? She didn't know. In any case, it was better for her not to know about royal affairs, otherwise her life would be shortened.
As Ying Mama walked out of the main hall of Cixi Palace, the Empress Dowager's expression softened somewhat, and she sighed as she looked at her younger brother.
"Watch your words from now on. Do you have a death wish, or do you think the west family has been too well-behaved lately?"
"What does the Empress Dowager think we should do now?"
When the Grand Master asked for instructions, the Empress Dowager waved her hand and said wearily, "Alright, you can go back now. I know what I'm doing, so don't interfere anymore."
She was worried that letting them get involved might bring disaster.
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, west Daren's face darkened slightly, but he did not protest. He repeatedly agreed and then excused himself from Cining Palace.
The imperial procession set off southward, and the people of the prefectures and counties along the way welcomed them. Fortunately, the emperor had issued an edict forbidding extravagance in all prefectures and counties. At present, the people in the south were short of food, and extravagance was not allowed. Therefore, in each place they arrived at, the local officials did not dare to be extravagant and did everything according to the emperor's orders, keeping things simple.
This made the local people respect the emperor and empress even more, and they were praised wherever they went.
Inside the luxurious four-wheeled carriage, Ye Lingfeng and Hai Ling sat upright. This carriage, which Hai Ling had modified, was smooth and comfortable, without the bumps of the old two-wheeled carriages. Hai Ling not only modified the wheels but also the interior furnishings. The soft couch design was more in line with the carriage, and it was covered with a long-haired soft carpet. A small table was placed on one side, so the emperor could handle government affairs inside the carriage without any disruption.
When the emperor left the capital, people from the western palace entered the palace, and this matter was soon reported to the emperor.
Ye Lingfeng's eyes were somewhat dark. He was becoming more and more convinced that there must be some secret between the west family and his mother. He was determined to find out what was hidden there.
"Your Majesty, we must be careful on this southern tour."
Hai Ling spoke softly, gently touching her belly with one hand. Her belly was round and cute, and the baby inside her moved every day, like a vibrant life. When she reached out to touch him, he seemed to be able to sense it, and he was especially well-behaved, just as Ye Lingfeng had said, he hadn't let her suffer.
Thinking of the child in her womb, Hailing's face was filled with maternal glow. Because of this, she could not tolerate the slightest mistake and was determined not to let anyone hurt her child.
During this southern tour, Shi Mei and Shi Zhu took care of all their needs, including food, clothing, lodging, and transportation. Shi Mei was skilled in medicine and Shi Zhu was skilled in poisons, so they were very careful about their diet and dared not make any mistakes. They had been traveling safely for six or seven days and soon arrived in Songzhou. However, even after arriving in Songzhou, they did not dare to be careless.
As for Prince Zhaoyang, who had come to Songzhou with their southern tour group, he was unusually quiet and listless. One of the accompanying officials asked him what was wrong.
Prince Zhaoyang said that he felt weak all over if he didn't have a woman for a day, so he had no energy at all.
These words immediately caused a burst of laughter from the people in the southern inspection team. Everyone felt that Prince Zhaoyang was beyond redemption. However, Hailing always felt that Prince Zhaoyang was not so simple, so she instructed Shilan to secretly keep an eye on Prince Zhaoyang and report to her if he did anything wrong.
At dusk, on the border between Songzhou and Lincheng, a large number of local officials waited on both sides of the official road.
Upon seeing the imperial carriage approaching, the prefect of Songzhou, leading all the officials of Songzhou, dismounted and knelt on both sides of the official road to welcome them, and spoke loudly.
"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome Your Majesty's southern tour. May Your Majesty be well."
Ye Lingfeng lifted the curtain and looked out, glancing at the dark crowd kneeling on both sides of the official road. His authoritative and deep voice rang out.
"Everyone, get up and proceed to the inn here."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the local officials stepped aside, and after the emperor's entourage passed, they mounted their horses and carriages, and the large group headed towards the Songzhou post station.
Although the Emperor had issued an order forbidding extravagance, he was to stay in Songzhou for a period of time, so the local prefect ordered the renovation of the post station. Although the post station could not compare with the luxurious mansions in the capital, it was still quite exquisite.
Many soldiers were stationed inside and outside the post station to protect the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor and Empress were staying in Songzhou and could not afford to make the slightest mistake. If anything went wrong, all the officials in Songzhou would probably lose their heads.
In front of the post station, a dark mass of people knelt. Besides the soldiers stationed inside, there were also local people. These people were eager to see the Emperor and Empress, so they begged the prefect. The prefect respected the people's wishes and selected some trustworthy people from among them to welcome the Emperor.
Under the cover of darkness, lanterns hung down. Outside the post station, no one was allowed to approach within a radius of nearly a thousand meters. Soldiers patrolled everywhere. Ye Lingfeng got out of the carriage first, and then reached out to help Hailing out of the carriage.
As soon as the Emperor and Empress stepped out of the carriage, the sea of people shouted in unison.
"Greetings to the Emperor and Empress! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"
After the crowd shouted, they dared not move, excitedly lying on the ground, until a deep, magnetic voice rang out.
"Everyone, please get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."
Everyone stood up. The prefect came over first and ordered the soldiers stationed in the post station to disperse. Then he gestured for the people to stand further away.
Finally, the Emperor and Empress were invited to the post station.