Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 214 Part 2

Chapter 214: Chapter 214 Part 2

"Mother, this is something my brother’s man risked his life to bring back. The longer we keep it with us, the higher the risk. Only by delivering it to the Crown Prince as soon as possible can we turn danger into safety,"

Uncle Li immediately nodded in agreement. The young lady was absolutely right. Considering the severity of the soldier’s injuries, he must have been pursued on his way here, which further indicates that someone is after this item. If so, wouldn’t that put the entire Jiumu Mansion in danger?

"Then why don’t we have Uncle Li take some people to deliver it? Wouldn’t that solve the problem?" Madam Xia still felt uneasy about her daughter taking on such a dangerous task.

Xia Zhiqian immediately grasped her mother’s hand, comforting her,

"Mother, we have to take a chance now. Perhaps this item is related to our brother’s safety at the Northern Border. I promise, once I arrive at the Crown Prince’s Mansion, I will plead with the Crown Prince to send people to escort me back safely. Please be assured."

When Madam Xia heard her son’s name, she became somewhat bewildered. Her son had sent the item from thousands of miles away, even using his personal token; all of these signaled the importance of the matter.

"Mother, please rest assured. I will have Uncle Li prepare several carriages, each heading in different directions. This way, the possibility of encountering danger can be significantly reduced."

Uncle Li immediately nodded in agreement.

"Miss, this is a good plan. There are three or four roads leading to the Crown Prince’s Mansion. I will arrange for four carriages to set off together."

Xia Zhiqian immediately nodded, and Uncle Li went to arrange the carriages. Several servants were awakened in the middle of the night, and without a word of complaint, they harnessed the carriages and waited at the side door.

Xia Zhiqian donned a black cloak, covering her entire face, as did a few maids, all similarly cloaked. Once they left the house, Xia Zhiqian boarded a carriage, which then sped off toward the direction of the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

Xia Zhiqian clutched the bamboo tube tightly in her hand. Although she was unaware of its contents, it could be an opportunity for her. Xia Zhiqian knew there were some things she could fight for on her own.

With each bump of the carriage, Xia Zhiqian’s heart throbbed nervously, her grip on the bamboo tube never relaxing, nor did she change her posture, until the carriage came to a halt. The Old Steward quietly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, cautiously surveying the surroundings.

"Miss, we’ve arrived."

Xia Zhiqian snapped back from her tense trance, almost forgetting to disembark. When she stepped out, and saw the grand doors of the Crown Prince’s Mansion, did she come to her senses and realized that she was truly standing before them, rightfully and openly.

Xia Zhiqian looked toward Uncle Li. The grand doors of the Crown Prince’s Mansion were shut tight, and even if there were guards on duty, they were likely asleep by now.

Uncle Li personally went to knock on the door, while the accompanying servants parked the carriage in a corner next to the Crown Prince’s Mansion and followed closely, alert and watchful in the silent tension.

"Dong dong dong—" The sound of bronze striking was piercingly loud in the dead of night.

Yet what surprised everyone was that, before the knocking ceased, the door had already been opened. The guard who opened the door looked sternly at the three people outside.

"Sir, I am Xia Zhiqian of the Jiumu Aristocratic Clan. Tonight, I have unexpectedly received a confidential letter from my brother at the Northern Border, which he specifically asked me to deliver directly to the Crown Prince," said Xia Zhiqian, barely concealing her nervousness, her voice still trembling with haste.

The guard heard this but did not move. Xia Zhiqian, slightly taken aback, immediately retrieved an item from her sleeve and handed it over—it was the token.

After examining the token, the guard finally looked at Xia Zhiqian.

"The three of you, please come in." Xia Zhiqian finally breathed a sigh of relief as she followed the guard through the gates.

As the door closed behind her, Xia Zhiqian realized that the corridor ahead was brightly lit, reflecting off the rippling lake beside it.

Xia Zhiqian paused briefly, wondering if it was normal for the Crown Prince’s Mansion to be so brightly lit at such a late hour, but almost immediately, she dismissed the thought as several guards emerged from the other end of the corridor.

The two leading guards were tall and striking, their military garb imposing, their strides as sleek and powerful as leopards, causing Xia Zhiqian to involuntarily bow her head.

One of the guards glanced at Xia Zhiqian as he passed by her, but with urgent matters at hand, he did not stop to inquire and walked past her.

"Lord Qi Yu," she only overheard one of the guards calling out to the man as they crossed paths.

Clearly, something important had occurred, and even at this hour, guards were being dispatched from within the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

Their guide did not halt his steps but instead led Xia Zhiqian and Uncle Li into a summer hall on the right-hand side rather than proceeding down the corridor.

"Miss Xia, please wait here for a moment while I go to inform the Crown Prince."

Without any courtesy, the person who had opened the door turned and left immediately, leaving in the summer hall only two lamps, clearly lit in haste as the wax beside the wicks had not yet melted.

Xia Zhiqian did not sit down, nor did Uncle Li dare to let his young mistress do so in the Crown Prince’s domicile. Even though his heart ached for his mistress enduring such a rough journey without a moment of rest, he dared not act rashly.

Before long, Xia Zhiqian heard the footsteps of the man returning.

"Miss Xia, please follow me."

Xia Zhiqian immediately handed her cloak to the servant and, together with Uncle Li, followed the guard through the corridor they had just crossed, passing another pair of guards who this time did not even glance at them.

Xia Zhiqian had a hunch that something had happened that night, and although she did not know whether it was linked to the secret letter she was holding, she could not help but grip the letter tighter.

"Miss Xia, please," the guard glanced at Uncle Li, who wanted to follow, yet he did not prevent him. Another guard was already waiting at the door for them.

Xia Zhiqian followed the guard for a distance of another room, where a guard was stationed at the entrance. This guard’s attire was different from that of the guide but bore some resemblance to Lord Qi Yu, whom they had encountered upon entering the mansion.

"Lord Qi Ling, I have brought the guest," the guide announced.

Xia Zhiqian immediately felt probing eyes upon her and tried to stay calm. Despite only catching a fleeting glimpse moments earlier, this Lord Qi Ling appeared even more handsome and distinguished; could he and the other be the Crown Prince’s most trusted aides?

That must be the case, otherwise, they would not possess such an air. It was an aura earned from years spent by the Crown Prince’s side, like jade meticulously polished.

"Miss Xia, the Crown Prince is inside, along with several other lords discussing matters. Follow me in, and when the Crown Prince asks you something, just answer honestly," Lord Qi Ling instructed as he parted the curtains.

In a daze, Xia Zhiqian could only make out a few words and hurriedly nodded in agreement. As her voice trailed off into silence, she entered the room.

Xia Zhiqian looked up and immediately realized it was against etiquette to do so but, in a swift gesture, her eyes met two faces—both exuding a noble and jade-like elegance, yet distinct in character. For a moment, she could not discern which one was the Crown Prince Zheng Congyuan.

"I, the humble girl, pay respect to the Crown Prince," Xia Zhiqian immediately knelt down, subtly angling her body to cleverly mask the embarrassment of not recognizing the Crown Prince.

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