bookrandom Chapter 59 A Tricky Situation
Chapter 59 A Tricky Situation
Chen An was shocked by Xiang Lan's words. He felt a mix of emotions and held Xiang Lan's hand tightly, filled with guilt and reluctance.
"Xiao Lan, how can your husband bear to let you face such a predicament alone?" Chen An's voice was low, his expression pained, yet helpless.
His gaze lingered on Xianglan's exquisite face, unwilling to look away for even a moment.
Xianglan forced a smile, stroked Chen An's face, and said gently, "Husband, don't worry. I have my own plan. If you insist on going your own way, you will only cut off our escape route."
“I know you have some misunderstandings about His Highness Prince Shou, but His Highness is not a heartless person.”
Chen An sighed softly, feeling as if a heavy stone was pressing down on his heart, making it hard for him to breathe.
"Xiao Lan, I will keep this promise, but if the situation changes, please let me know immediately." Chen An forced himself to agree, suppressing his heartache.
Xianglan nodded, her eyes filled with affection, and said softly, "Don't worry, my husband, as long as we are of one mind, we will eventually overcome this difficulty."
The night was deep, with only a gentle breeze rustling through the air.
Although Xianglan was still reluctant, she knew she had to make a choice. She looked at Chen An deeply, then turned around resolutely and disappeared into the darkness of Qishan Temple.
Chen An stood silently in place, his thoughts churning like a surging tide.
He knew that what Xianglan said was true, but in the current situation, he was just a small pawn, and the uncontrollable situation always made him feel uneasy.
Meanwhile, in Li Mao's palace, Lady Wang was on tenterhooks.
"Your Highness, what exactly does Gao Chen want to do?"
Wang asked with concern, gently clutching her handkerchief, her heart filled with unease.
Li Mao's expression was solemn. He smiled faintly and said, "They just want to cut off my source of income and make me be punished by my father."
Just then, Li Mao's confidant quickly reported the news.
"Your Highness, Miss Xianglan has been acting strangely lately. I suspect she has some kind of connection with Gao Chen."
Li Mao frowned slightly: "Xianglan is my person. I have all her weaknesses in my hands. She will never betray me."
"She and her husband had a deep affection for each other and had been separated for many years. Therefore, it was my arrangement that Xianglan was able to secretly leave the palace tonight to meet Chen An."
Upon hearing this, Wang's worried expression finally eased a little.
Li Mao chuckled and said, "The timing should be about right for the palace banquet in three days."
After all, they'd already been poisoning that cheapskate emperor for so long...
A few days later, at dusk, Chang'an was brightly lit, and lanterns of all shapes and sizes hung inside and outside the palace.
Finally, the grand palace banquet arrived as scheduled.
Imperial relatives and numerous court officials gathered together.
Xianglan was dressed in gorgeous clothes, and she shone brightly in the crowd.
She moved gracefully and elegantly through the banquet, displaying a remarkable demeanor.
The ministers couldn't help but pay close attention to her every move, secretly speculating about her identity.
It wasn't that he was attracted to her beauty, but rather that she looked remarkably like Consort Wu Hui.
As a concubine, Xianglan had no official status at this banquet, but wherever she went, her gaze followed.
At that moment, she felt a cold gaze fixed on her.
Xianglan looked in the direction of the sound and found Gao Chen watching her coldly from not far away.
Under Gao Chen's deliberate arrangement, Xianglan had no choice but to step forward and pretend to comply.
Gao Chen gave a forced smile and said, "Miss Xianglan, your outfit today is truly stunning."
Xianglan smiled slightly and replied, "You flatter me, Eunuch Gao."
Gao Chen, with a clear understanding, calmly said, "If Miss Xianglan has any unresolved worries, she must not act alone. I will certainly help her."
As soon as Gao Shen finished speaking, he waved his long sleeves and strode away.
Xianglan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the castrated dog was going to target her again.
At this moment, a palace attendant slowly approached and whispered, "Miss Xianglan, the Prince requests your presence here to give you a few words of advice."
Xianglan was startled. After politely thanking him, she slowly walked over to where Li Mao was.
"My lord, are you looking for me?"
Li Mao's gaze was gentle as he said calmly, "Shall we proceed according to plan?"
"Your Highness, I have always strictly followed your secret orders and have never made the slightest mistake," Xianglan replied with a firm gaze.
Li Mao nodded slightly and said, "Okay, remember, you must hide yourself today and absolutely do not offer any toasts."
"The slave family understands."
After saying this, Xianglan followed the palace maid and slowly left, eventually disappearing from everyone's sight.
At the same time, Gao Chen sent someone to summon Xiao Xizi.
"Xiao Xizi, has anything unusual happened lately?" Gao Chen asked with a deep gaze.
Xiao Xizi quickly replied, "Reporting to Eunuch Gao, everything is normal, there is nothing unusual."
After a moment of contemplation, Gao Chen said cautiously, "Li Mao is no ordinary person. We cannot let him continue his schemes. We must act now."
He knew very well that Prince Shou, though seemingly harmless, was actually plotting something far-reaching, and that the slightest misstep would surely result in him being held hostage.
"Summon Chen An, I have important matters to discuss with him," Gao Chen instructed slowly.
Before long, Chen An, dressed as a eunuch, strode over.
Although her mind was in turmoil and she didn't know who to trust, she still managed to keep her emotions hidden from others.
"Eunuch Gao, what are your orders?"
Gao Chen smiled slightly and said calmly, "Is there any progress on the task I assigned you last night?"
Chen An's heart tightened, and he replied, "There are no new developments for the time being, but I will remain vigilant."
In reality, Chen An didn't take it seriously at all.
He was only thinking about stalling for time, trying to persuade Lan and take her away.
Gao Chen nodded slightly, a sly glint in his eyes: "Alright, this matter is of utmost importance and cannot be overlooked."
Chen An was filled with vigilance. He knew that Gao Chen would not easily trust him, but for Xiang Lan's sake and for his own sake, he had to remain calm.
At this time, the banquet was still being prepared.
The eunuchs were busy moving tables, chairs, and benches.
The dancers and musicians were all nervously preparing.
The petite palace maids lined up to serve the food.
Before long, Li Longji, dressed in a dragon robe, sat upright on a dragon carriage and appeared in front of the banquet hall, escorted by the imperial guards.
All the civil and military officials stood up, bowed and clasped their hands in greeting towards Li Longji, saying, "Welcome, Your Majesty."
Li Longji slowly stepped down from the imperial carriage and, amidst the welcoming cheers of civil and military officials, walked with Consort Liu on the red carpet in the center of the banquet.
Li Longji took the lead and sat on the dragon throne, followed by Consort Liu.
Immediately afterwards, Li Longji waved his hand and said, "Please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The civil and military officials all expressed their gratitude and then took their seats.