Chapter 257 The Fake Prince

After asking Wu Zetian for permission to go to Liuzhou, Di Renjie and Zhao Ji prepared to go to the East Palace to bid farewell to Crown Prince Li Xian after leaving the palace. Huan Bin also brought guards to see them off.

However, when everyone rode to the east gate on horseback, they saw large carts carrying soil driving out of the corner gate of the East Palace.

"What's going on?" Di Renjie's face showed surprise and doubt.

Huan Bin was also confused: "I don't know. I didn't see these large vehicles yesterday. I think they have started construction in the East Palace."

Zhao Ji's lips curled up into a smile: "I have to say goodbye to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince anyway, so I'll know once I ask."

Di Renjie looked in the direction where the cart was going away, as if thinking about something.

Several people dismounted and came to the East Palace to ask for an audience with Li Xian, but were politely declined by the palace servants, who said that the prince was ill and not suitable to see guests.

Zhao was eager to see the excitement and deliberately added fuel to the fire by saying, "Is the prince in trouble? Is it serious? Lord Di is also an expert in medicine. We just happened to be here today, so why don't we ask Lord Di to take a look?"

Several eunuchs were embarrassed when they heard this, and said evasively: "Your Highness the Crown Prince just caught a cold, so there is no need for that!"

Di Renjie stroked his beard and smiled, not caring at all: "This old minister was sent by the emperor to take up his post, and I came to see Your Highness before I left. Since Your Highness is not feeling well, this old minister will come to see you again after I return!"

Several eunuchs felt relieved upon hearing this. Just as they were about to see the guests off, they saw Crown Prince Li Xian, supported by the eunuchs, slowly walking into the hall.

"Sir, please stay!" Li Xian's voice was weak.

Zhao Ji looked up and saw that Li Xian was pale and looked sick, and it seemed that he was indeed unwell.

Di Renjie quickly stood up from his chair and went to greet him: "Alas, Your Highness, you are embarrassing me. If you are not feeling well, why bother to come out to greet me?"

Li Xian forced a smile and said gratefully, "The Lord has given me a new life, and I will always remember it. How can I not see you and General Zhao coming to say goodbye?"

Di Renjie quickly supported Li Xian, led him to a seat, and comforted him gently: "Your Highness, your words are too serious. Please take a seat!"

Li Xian slowly sat down on the main seat. Although he felt tired, he still greeted everyone gracefully: "Lord, General Zhao, General Huan, please sit down. Tea is served!"

This action made Zhao Ji marvel at it. He wondered where this fake guy was chosen. He was so graceful and tactful.

Di Renjie thanked the prince, Zhao Ji and Huan Bin also sat down, and the eunuch served tea.

Zhao Ji couldn't suppress his curiosity and couldn't help but look at Li Xian a few more times.

Li Xian also cast the same look at Zhao Ji, as if he could see through his inner thoughts, and asked softly: "General Zhao, do you have anything to say?"

Zhao Ji quickly retracted his gaze, put on a warm smile, and said, "Oh, that's right. Just now, I and Di Gong passed by the side gate of the East Palace and saw many large carts passing through. Is there any groundbreaking work going on in the palace?"

Li Xian did not shy away from it and nodded, saying, "Yes, to enhance the scenery, a lotus pond will be built in the back garden."

Di Renjie frowned when he heard this. "Lotus pond? If I remember correctly, no earthwork can be done in the East Palace without permission. It must be approved by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I wonder if the internal affairs of this palace have been notified?"

Li Xian seemed to be having a hard time holding on, coughed a few times, and then replied: "Of course, I informed the eunuchs before we started the work."

Di Renjie nodded with satisfaction: "That's good. Your Highness, it's not that the old minister and Chengyuan want to meddle in other people's affairs. You are very clear about the current situation in the court."

"Wu Sansi and his men have always been evil, and your majesty has been in a bad mood recently. The court situation is very sensitive, and you must not make any mistakes or give others a handle, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous!"

Li Xian sighed softly, his eyes full of gratitude: "Lord, I understand what you mean!"

Di Renjie spoke earnestly and continued, "Recently, I heard that His Majesty issued an edict accusing Your Highness of being addicted to wine and women and neglecting state affairs. This is not a good sign. Your Highness, please put the overall situation first and the country first!"

Li Xian nodded heavily and vowed: "According to the teachings of the elder, Li Xian will definitely change his past mistakes and never make the same mistake again. Please rest assured!"

Di Renjie smiled and said, "Very good. After I leave, I hope Your Highness will consult with Jian Zhi, Yao Chong and other wise ministers when encountering problems, and be sure to act with caution."

Huan Bin, who was standing by, seemed to express his admiration: "Di Gong's sincerity is admirable!"

"Yes, yes. I am extremely grateful for your kindness!" Li Xian also responded.

Zhao Ji watched quietly from the side and noticed that Huan Bin and Li Xian were communicating with each other through their expressions. It was obvious that the two were very familiar with each other. Di Renjie bowed and said, "In this case, I will not bother you any more. Goodbye."

Li Xian stood up again in a sickly tone: "I'll see you off!"

Di Renjie stood up and said, "This is what a minister should do. Why bother thanking you, Your Highness? Your Highness is not feeling well. Please stay and have a good rest!"

"Go and see the elder off for me!" Li Xian ordered his servants to see him off.

Di Renjie bowed and said goodbye. Zhao Ji and Huan Bin put down their tea and followed Di Renjie out.

After the three men walked away, Li Xian straightened his back, his expression frighteningly gloomy, completely different from the "Li Xian" just now.

Di Renjie walked out of the East Palace quickly, turned around and said to Huan Bin: "General Huan, after I go to Liuzhou, I hope you can send someone to secretly monitor the East Palace and find out the matter of the lotus pond!"

Huan Bin was surprised, but reacted quickly: "I will obey your orders!"

Di Renjie waved his hand: "You go first!"

"I'll take my leave!" Huan Bin rode away.

Di Renjie waved his hand to signal Huan Bin to leave, and then he and Zhao Ji returned to Di Mansion, preparing to set off for Liuzhou.

On the way, Zhao Ji asked tentatively: "My Lord, what do you think is going on in the East Palace?"

Di Renjie smiled slightly and shook his head gently: "Your Highness, something is wrong today."

"What's wrong? Your Highness is just unwell." Zhao Ji said with a smile.

Di Renjie's eyes were deep and his brows were furrowed. "Chengyuan, you have been to the East Palace. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is a cautious person and dares not do anything out of line."

"I try to avoid as much trouble as possible, for fear of being caught. As a result, I first indulged in wine and women, and now I suddenly want to build a lotus pond..."

As he spoke, Di Renjie shook his head, feeling extremely confused.

Zhao Ji just nodded, he also had doubts in his heart. The performance of this "prince" was quite different from the fake one in the original world line.
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Liuzhou city, Qingyang Inn.

There were two guests living in Room No. 1, one was a white-haired old man and the other was in his prime, they were Kui Wenzhong and Yuan Tiangang.

Both of them were meditating and regulating their breathing on the bed.

Yuan Tiangang's eyelids opened slightly, and he slowly exhaled a long and deep breath.

Kui Wenzhong noticed something and turned to look at the old man: "Old master, do you have any instructions?"

Yuan Tiangang slowly said, "When will Xiaomei and Lu Cheng arrive?"

Kui Wenzhong replied, "Wu Xiang has already passed the news. As long as we can keep it from Xiao Qingfang, they should arrive today!"

As he was speaking, there was a sudden, sharp and forceful knock on the door, interrupting the silence in the room.

"Who is it?" Kui Wenzhong vigilantly clenched the bamboo knife beside him.

A gentle smile appeared on Yuan Tiangang's face, and he said affirmatively: "Xiaomei and Ah Cheng are here."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiaomei's familiar voice came from outside the door, confirming it. "It's me, Xiaomei."

Kui Wenzhong looked at Yuan Tiangang, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but then he quickly regained his composure and walked quickly forward to open the door for the two of them.

Xiaomei and Lu Cheng walked into the room, and Yuan Tiangang had also stood up.

As soon as Lu Cheng stepped into the room, his eyes met Yuan Tiangang. He was overwhelmed with emotion and burst into tears. He knelt on the ground and choked up, "Old... Old Master! Lu Cheng misses you so much!"

(End of this chapter)