The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Chapter 299 While feeling sympathy, Zhiwan couldn't help but think of herself.

When news of the deposed crown prince reached the capital, Princess Chang Le fell off her chaise longue.

Shen Longjin was startled and quickly picked her up.

"Did Your Highness hurt yourself in the fall?"

Of course it hurt when you fall.

But Princess Chang Le had no time to worry about that now. She turned to Yuan Bao, who had come to report the news, and asked once again, "Is what you said true?"

“It’s absolutely true. The deposed crown prince has been personally escorted back to the capital by Commander Shen. The Emperor has also issued an edict to Prince Rui, appointing him as regent and acting as the head of state.” Yuanbao’s face was beaming with joy.

"This is wonderful!" Princess Chang Le exclaimed happily, kissing Shen Longjin on the cheek. "You are truly my lucky star."

Shen Longjin was stunned for a moment, then looked down at the woman in his arms.

Princess Chang Le didn't notice his unusual behavior and went straight to Yuan Bao, asking, "Has Prince Rui received the news?"

“I think I received it,” Yuanbao replied.

Princess Chang Le was overjoyed, "Brother Rui, we've finally waited for this day!"

Shen Longjin put her down and asked Yuanbao, "Do you know what exactly happened?"

"It is said that the Crown Prince was promiscuous in temples and allowed his men to abduct innocent women and force them into prostitution. After being deposed by the Emperor, he even held the Emperor hostage with a weapon, intending to harm him. If it weren't for Lord Lu's meticulousness and agility in subduing the deposed Crown Prince, the consequences would have been unimaginable. It is said that when the deposed Crown Prince was taken away, he blamed everything on Lord Lu, vowing that he would haunt Lord Lu even as a ghost." Yuanbao told him everything he had found out.

"Lu Zhan?" Princess Chang Le was taken aback, seemingly lost in thought.

Shen Longjin noticed the expression on her face and asked, "Do you suspect that everything that happened today was orchestrated by Lord Lu?"

Princess Chang Le glanced at him in surprise, seemingly not expecting him to be so perceptive as to have thought of it as well.

She didn't hide anything, nodded, and said confidently, "It's him!"

Ever since she went to the Zhi residence to persuade Lu Zhan, she has been waiting for Lu Zhan's reply, but so far, Lu Zhan has not given her any reply.

She thought Lu Zhan didn't want to get involved in the political struggle because of his family traditions, but she never expected that Lu Zhan had been secretly plotting to bring down the Crown Prince.

Lu Zhan was indeed ruthless and decisive in his actions.

They've taken action so quickly.

Countless things were planned and executed during this process.

Thinking of this, she instructed Yuanbao, "Go and invite Miss Zhi here."

Yuanbao went immediately.

Princess Chang Le picked up her teacup, took a sip, and sighed, "Lu Zhan's cunning is truly terrifying; he's quick to anger and unleash his fury." She couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive.

Seeing her apprehension, Shen Longjin comforted her, "Although Lord Lu is a man of deep cunning, he is also a man of clear-cut gratitude and resentment. Your Highness has never been at odds with him, so there is no need to be afraid. On the contrary, Your Highness should do your best to win over and treat a man of such talent as Lord Lu well on behalf of Prince Rui."

Princess Chang Le was taken aback and looked at him in surprise, "You don't seem to have had any contact with him, how do you know so much about his character?"

Shen Longjin paused for a moment and then explained, "I have reviewed the cases he has handled over the years. Not only is he meticulous, but he is also fair and just in handling cases, without a single mistake. Moreover, during his tenure, he always did things personally and worked diligently. He is an invaluable pillar of the court."

Princess Chang Le nodded upon hearing this. "He may seem cold and ruthless, but he is strict about the law and has his own set of principles." She then looked at Shen Longjin. "The autumn imperial examinations are coming up soon. How are your preparations going?"

"It's alright," Shen Longjin said conservatively.

"Study hard. If you pass, you can participate in the imperial examination next year. But don't put too much pressure on yourself," Princess Chang Le said.

"Okay." Shen Longjin's dark eyes closed slightly.

Looking at his long, thick eyelashes covering his eyelids, and his handsome and gentle appearance, Princess Chang Le's fingers twitched, and she was about to touch his face when Yuan Bao returned and reported, "Your Highness, Miss Zhi is not here."

Princess Chang Le immediately withdrew her fingers into her sleeve, coughed lightly, and asked, "Where did she go?"

Shen Longjin noticed her little actions, and a faint smile flashed across his eyes.

“It’s said he went to a temple to fulfill a vow,” Yuanbao replied. “A temple?” Princess Chang Le was stunned, remembering what Yuanbao had said earlier—that the Crown Prince was involved in illicit affairs in temples…

Thinking of this, she became somewhat uneasy and hurriedly ordered Yuanbao to find out who the Crown Prince's sexual partner in the temple was.

She was finally relieved when she learned it was Wei Jinyi.

……

Zhiwan was unaware of what had happened in the capital. After arriving in the town with Tong Da, she found an inn to stay at.

After settling in, the two ate something. Seeing that it was still early, Zhiwan decided to stroll around the town.

Tong Da felt that this place was quite a distance from the capital, and it was impossible for the Crown Prince's men to track him here, so he nodded in agreement.

The town lacks the hustle and bustle of the capital, but it possesses a tranquility and peace that the capital cannot offer.

However, the town was small, and Zhiwan and Tongda finished exploring it quickly.

On the way back, a beggar suddenly rushed in front of Zhiwan with a broken bowl, startling her.

"Young lady, please have mercy and give me some money for a meal."

Tong Da's expression changed, and he immediately stepped in front of Zhi Wan, waving his hand to shoo her away, saying, "You stinking beggar, get away from here."

"Grandpa, young lady, please have mercy! I haven't eaten for days..." the beggar pleaded, wiping away tears.

Zhiwan had recovered by now. She saw that the beggar was dressed in tattered clothes, was so thin that he was skin and bones, and had a dirty, dark face. His hair was matted together because he hadn't washed it in a long time. But his eyes were bright and big, and she could vaguely tell that he was a woman.

Upon seeing this, Zhiwan was immediately moved with pity. She took a silver ingot and handed it to Tong Da, saying, "Tong Da, give this to her."

Tong Da took it and put it into the bowl in the beggar's hand.

"Thank you, young lady and old man. Good deeds are rewarded. You will live to be a hundred years old." The beggar immediately nodded and bowed.

Looking at the female beggar, Zhiwan felt sympathy and couldn't help but think of herself.

If she hadn't been so lucky, with the help of wet nurse Chen and the adoption by her aunt, she might have ended up as a beggar, begging on the streets for a bite to eat.

Thinking of this, Zhiwan couldn't help but say to the female beggar, "Take this money and do some small business. Don't go begging on the streets anymore."

"Thank you for your guidance, young lady," the beggar said gratefully, clutching the silver.

Zhiwan shook her head, said nothing more, and took Tong Da back to the inn.

Unbeknownst to the two, the beggar did not leave. He remained standing there, watching them enter the inn, a strange look flashing across his face.

After returning to the inn, Zhiwan planned to rest in her room for a while, but unexpectedly bumped into someone coming downstairs.

"I'm sorry," Zhiwan quickly stepped aside and apologized.

The man paused for a moment before saying, "It's alright."

As they passed each other, Zhiwan saw through the veil on her head that the person was wearing a mask.

She paused, feeling something was off.

Wearing a mask in broad daylight—is there an injury on your face? Or are you unable to show your true face?
She suppressed her doubts and was about to look away when she saw the man pause and suddenly turn back to look at her.

When she was caught red-handed while looking at someone, Zhiwan couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

But soon she remembered that she was wearing a veil, and she calmed down.

Fortunately, the man didn't say anything and quickly left the inn.

"Is the girl alright?" Tong asked with concern.

Zhiwan shook her head. "It's nothing."

Before going inside, she remembered something and asked, "Around when will my cousin arrive?"