When Jing Yan woke up, it was already afternoon.

He got up from the couch, dressed neatly, wearing a linen robe, and casually tidying his long hair, and walked to the half-open and half-closed window.

In the past, such a careless thing would not happen, but now there are not a few eunuchs and palace maids left in the East Palace of the Prince, so naturally there are some things that cannot be taken care of.

It was still raining outside, and the palace was deserted and there was no one. The sound of drizzle was heard. The wide banana leaves were hanging weakly. The blooming pomegranate flowers fell all over the ground, soaked in mud and rubbed, and no longer had bright colors.

Jing Yan didn't care much, pursed his thin lips slightly, pushed it hard, and the window was completely opened, so he could see a little farther away. The imperial palace guards wearing golden armor strictly guarded all parts of the Eastern Palace. Not to mention humans, they couldn't even fly out.

Those golden and stunningly bright and seem to burn the eyes.

Jing Yan lowered his eyes slightly and stopped looking at these.

Now is the midsummer of the 17th year of Yuande, and it is a turbulent autumn.

A major case occurred in the court half a month ago. The important military general Chen Xun was written by the censor, saying that he was treasonous. This was a major event. Emperor Yuande personally sent the Dali Temple Minister to verify it. Sure enough, several letters of affair with the enemy country were found at General Chen's home, including two dragon robes and crowns, and countless gold and silver treasures. General Chen's family of more than 100 people were imprisoned. Emperor Yuande was furious and decided to be beheaded and displayed on the spot for half a month. Everyone in the court was in danger, for fear of being involved in this major case.

This was originally a matter of the previous dynasty and had nothing to do with the harem. It’s a pity that one thing was that Emperor Yuande’s queen was also surnamed Chen, and that was the daughter of the thief who was plotting against the rebel this time, and Jing Yan was the grandson of the thief.

The daughter of a criminal minister cannot bear the heavy responsibility of the queen. Empress Chen was stripped of her title by Emperor Yuan De that day and was imprisoned in the cold palace. She kowtowed to Emperor Yuan De yesterday and admitted her mistakes, and then hanged herself at night.

She could not get any mourning and honor even if she died. She could not even enter the imperial tomb. She wanted to find a place to bury her casually.

Jing Yan will never be the crown prince anymore. How much honor and favor he had in the past disappeared when the Chen family was taken down and no longer existed.

Everyone in the palace understood that the wind had long changed.

Jing Yan walked out of the bedroom, Zhou Mingde, the eunuch in Queen Chen's harem, stood outside the bedroom gate, respectfully blessed, and whispered softly: "The Queen's funeral has been handled, and your highness can be assured as possible."

Jing Yan's body shook slightly, closed his eyes, and settled in the same place for a while before asking in a hoarse voice: "Where is the mother, where is she buried?"

Zhou Mingde's back collapsed, and he seemed to be unable to stand up straight, without any energy at all. He answered word by word: "I asked someone to find a place on the hill next to the lake. There are mountains and waters, and in spring there are rhododendrons all over the mountains and fields. The Queen should like it." He is an old man in the palace, and many disciples under him. Even if most of them are high and low, there are always a few who are somewhat conscientious and are willing to help a little at this time.

Jing Yan no longer asked, but just responded.

He continued to walk forward and sat on the cold main hall. As expected, this afternoon, the emperor's decree for the handling of the prince should have been sent.

There was silence around him. Zhou Mingde served a cup of hot tea. After finally putting it in a safe manner, he knelt down with a plop and kowtowed three times.

"Sixteen years after the Empress entered the palace, I have also been with a little eunuch from the Washing Bureau to the present. Now that the Empress has left, I am afraid that no one will take care of me. Even if there is one, it is better to use our family to be as skilled as possible. I just hope that I can break up as soon as possible and serve the Empress."

Jing Yan drank a sip of hot tea. After receiving these few prayers, he did not get close to him. He just said politely, "Then I'll bother my father-in-law to take care of my mother."

Zhou Mingde smiled and saw that he had seen Jingyan, who had grown up from such a small ball to what he is now. He was only fifteen years old and had to take on these things before he was over.

The thick curtain blocked the light outside, and only a few candles were lit in the palace. Jing Yan's expression was dark and hard to see in the faint light, and no one could see it clearly.

He remembered something and asked lightly: "By the way, has the child been sent out?"

Zhou Mingde was stunned and realized that Jing Yan was referring to Qiao Yu, the original prince's attendant.

Two days ago, the Imperial Guard sent all the eunuchs from the East Palace to send out. Jing Yan secretly asked Zhou Mingde to change Qiao Yu into the clothes of the eunuch, hide his identity, and stuff it into the group of palace servants. However, time was in a hurry, Jing Yan had only had time to say a few words, but he did not see him being sent out with his own eyes.

Qiao Yu's life experience is complicated, and she has a deep connection with the Chen family. She has always been hidden in the East Palace by the prince and rarely comes out. Zhou Mingde has never had much contact with Qiao Yu, and just listened to his parents and relatives, he has no good feelings.

He said, "Why is Your Highness still thinking about him? His aunt is Feng Thief. The current situation will probably be like a fish in water in the future and have a bright future!"

The Feng Thief refers to Concubine Feng, who has been favored in recent years and has given birth to two princes and a princess. She has always been interested in the phoenix zodiac sign and is eyeing her. Her father is also a general, but Chen Xun has always been suppressed by him. The contributions are not revealed, and he has long complained. The Feng family doesn't know how many moves the Feng family has made in this incident.

Jing Yan held his forehead and said slowly: "Qiao Yu is a child anyway, and he doesn't understand these things. Besides, if that child is still in the East Palace, do you think he can still live?"

Zhou Mingde thought about it and realized that Concubine Feng sent Qiao Yu to the East Palace back then, but she had no intention of bringing the child back alive. The situation in the palace is like this now, and Qiao Yu died in the East Palace, which was in line with Concubine Feng's wishes and happened to sue the prince again in front of the imperial court.

In fact, if there are too many things, or less, Yu Jingyan will be fine. Anyway, there are enough crimes on him. But he still took the time to arrange for Qiao Yu to leave safely, and also reminded him to reveal the identity of Concubine Feng's nephew to others in three days, and must be in public, so that Concubine Feng would not be allowed to deny it and secretly attack him. It can be said that he could not think about Qiao Yu very well.

The first time Jing Yan and Qiao Yu met were three years ago.

It was a summer night. When Jing Yan came back from outside the palace to school, Empress Chen smiled and told him that a new attendant had been added to the palace. She was quite innocent and cute, and she was still childish and attracted people to herself.

Jing Yan was not interested, but was urging by Queen Chen a few times to ask the child to come back for snacks. He had to carry a lantern and walk along the gallery in the backyard while searching. Suddenly, he heard a lot of noise from the left and saw a dumpling in the flowers not far away.

Jing Yan frowned slightly, walked down the steps and went closer to see.

He was a very beautiful and delicate child, only eight or nine years old, and he could vaguely see in his facial features that he would become a beauty in the future, with red lips and white teeth, and two round dimples when he smiled. In addition, his skin was snow-white and his face was set against the bay red color, and he looked like pearls and jade, and he seemed to be able to produce bright light in the dark night.

It’s a pity that he looks so beautiful and quiet, but he mischievously rushes into the flowers. After a long time of rushing, he rolls all over the mud, but there is no trace of light in the paper-paste cage.

He was clumsy and didn't catch any one.

Jing Yan walked to him, holding a lantern, Qiao Yu raised her head, tears filled her eyes, as if she was about to fall out immediately.

He begged softly for the person in front of him who had never seen before, "Little brother, can you catch a few fireflies for me?"

That night, Jing Yan played outside for the middle of the night, caught many fireflies, and filled the small cage of Qiao Yu.

Finally, Qiao Yu burst into tears and laughed.

Jing Yan understood that he didn't want to see Qiao Yu cry because he couldn't get anything.

In the three years since then, Jing Yan has spent too much effort on Qiao Yu, and there is no shortage of this last point.

But there is only one time.

It would be better for them to never meet again in the future, if they meet...

Jing Yan's heart suddenly became stagnant, and he no longer thought of Qiao Yu.

About half a quarter of an hour, the emperor's will indeed come.

Liang Changxi, the eunuch in front of the imperial eunuch who was sent the order, walked over from the rain and mist. He was tall and thin, wearing a stone green robe and black boots, with golden thread rolling beside the robe, holding the imperial eunuch in both hands, followed by two little eunuchs who were attending the service, holding black umbrellas on the left and right, and even a drop of rain could not leak the golden cloth.

Liang Changxi crossed the threshold, and the two eunuchs hurriedly put away their umbrellas and stepped in with his footsteps. The black umbrella dripped with water, and could clearly hear it in the quiet main hall.

Liang Changxi frowned and turned his head to scold, "Which rule do you learn from? How dare you bring the dripping umbrella into your master's place?"

The two eunuchs on both sides were trembling with scolding, and hurriedly ran out again and packed up the black umbrella. They didn't know the rules for their masters, but they knew the rules for placing high ground in the palace. If the prince was almost not the prince, who would take Jing Yan seriously?

Liang Changxi didn't. He had been with Emperor Yuande for more than 20 years. He sat in a very stable position and was particularly calm by nature. He could not easily see joy or anger. Even if he knew what was written in this imperial edict, he would not have any irregularities with Jingyan.

As expected, the decree was indeed abolished. There are only a few reasons, saying that the prince Jingyan was stupid, had poor knowledge, was not sincere in dealing with others, formed cliques and for personal gain, could not bear the burden of the people of the world, could not bear the sacrificial and unfilial piety, was demoted to common people, imprisoned in the Taiqing Palace, and could not take a step for his life.

Zhou Mingde had experienced so many storms and did not dare to listen anymore. He only glanced at Jing Yan's back from the corner of his eyes. Jing Yan did not move, and he knelt for a while before kowtowing to thank him.

Emperor Yuande gave another command, saying that no matter whether it is father or son, or monarch or minister, there is nothing to say with Jing Yan and there is no need to meet again.

There is indeed no need to meet again.

After Liang Changxi finished the matter, the Golden Armored Imperial Guard walked in in a mighty manner and wanted to take Jing Yan to Taiqing Palace, but he couldn't even wait for a moment.

Jing Yan's face was cold, his phoenix eyes closed slightly, and there was no trace of light in his eyes. He turned his head and looked at Zhou Mingde who was kneeling beside him. This was probably the last time.

He thought for a moment and said, "When I come to my hometown, I will give you a word for the orphan. Then he said, the emperor's kindness is so great that there is no need to worry about the orphan anymore."

After hearing this, Zhou Mingde couldn't help but tremble. He grabbed Jing Yan's wide sleeve and got up to say a few more words to the prince. However, the leader of the guard with the knife was getting closer and closer, with awesome momentum and approaching in front of him.

Jing Yan turned his head and his voice was so light that it was almost gone. "There is another saying, those people, one by one, will go down to accompany her, so that the queen of mother should not be too anxious."

When he said this, he showed the only smile that had been like a wisp of wind in early spring. His words were filled with a deep sinister and coldness, but he couldn't help but make Zhou Mingde's heart tremble when he listened.

Zhou Mingde was stunned. He couldn't help but think that this was their crown prince. If the prince had waited for a few years and could be older and intervened in the affairs of the court, how could the Chen family and the queen have reached this point?

The imperial guards surrounded Jing Yan and hugged him and left the East Palace in a dazzling golden yellow.

Zhou Mingde could only vaguely see Jing Yan's tall and thin figure. He did not stop for a moment and gradually disappeared into the rain and fog. From then on, the mountains and rivers were high and the waters would never meet again.

Taiqing Palace is the most remote place in the palace. According to legend, after Taizu entered the world, a prince coveted the throne and couldn't help but rebel. After Taizu noticed it, he was detained in Taiqing Palace for life. Since then, Taiqing Palace has become a place to imprison princes and grandchildren. In just over 200 years, countless dragon sons and phoenix grandchildren died here.

The dispute over the throne has been like this since ancient times, and there is no tolerance for any warmth.

When the group walked to Taiqing Palace, it was almost dark in summer, but the rain had not yet stopped. Taiqing Palace was not a good place. The wall was extremely high, more than twelve feet, and three-inch long thin iron needles were slowly covered on it to prevent anyone from climbing. In addition, there was not even a tall tree around. If there was any movement, it would be clear at a glance. The walls and iron needles were well decorated, but the bricks and tiles were worn out, and the steps were broken, and half of them were left unattended.

Jing Yan put away the umbrella and was about to push the door in. Liang Changxi said: "The eldest prince entered Taiqing Palace today and needed a small eunuch to serve him. The slave had sent someone to the eunuch's house to find a young, obedient, sensible, and strong, and loyal to the royal family. Only then can he be with you for the rest of his life."

The usual rules are the same. Once a prince enters the Taiqing Palace, he will not take a step in his life. Those trivial matters of life are all run by the eunuch who is accompanying him.

This is a lifelong thing.

Jing Yan leaned to the left of the eaves, avoiding the rain, as if he didn't care much, so he just agreed, "Please make an arrangement for me,"

After waiting for a long time, he waited for a long time. Because he was too anxious, he seemed to have made a mistake in choosing a young eunuch. Liang Changxi couldn't stand it anymore and sent someone to urge him. He got news that the eunuch office was carefully selecting and coming immediately.

It was already dark, and there were clusters of black shadows around him, and nothing could be seen. Jing Yan was tall and the eaves of Taiqing Palace were low. He raised his hand and took off the lantern hanging in front of the door.

The lantern was probably made of red paper, but after so many years of wind and rain, not only did it reveal almost half of its skeleton, but the color faded, leaving only a bleak manuscript. Jingyan asked for fire, but the candle wick inside was not rotten yet, and the candlelight was barely lit. The candlelight swayed and jumped in the wind on the cold iron door.

Finally, a short and fat eunuch led a small eunuch about three feet tall to come in the wind and rain. He first kowtowed to Liang Changxi, and then quickly pushed out the shrunk child behind him.

The little eunuch was about ten years old, his clothes were wrinkled and unfit. His trousers and robe were covered with mud and water, and he fell on the ground wet, as if he was about to fall into the child's feet and could not move.

The short and fat eunuch patted the eunuch's back hard and shouted, "Why don't you come and see your ancestor Liang, and your future master!"

He just took a few steps forward and raised his head in fear.

Jing Yan moved the white lantern, which just shone the small area.

Just one glance made Jing Yan's pupils tighten, and he almost couldn't catch the lamp handle on his hand.

Just like three years ago.

In the darkness, there are only magnificent lights here, and there is a beautiful, vivid, and extremely familiar face.

It was Qiao Yu, who was red-eyed and desperately endured her tears and did not dare to speak out.
Chapter completed!