"What's wrong with you today? Why do you keep going offline!" Chu Yu complained irritably in her mind.
If the system had been there just now, she wouldn't have been so thoroughly suppressed by Jiang Ning'an. She couldn't even get a word in!
She was the female protagonist. Was it appropriate to be overpowered by the supporting female character like this?
[System No. 2500 has completed a self - check. No malfunctions were found.]
Chu Yu rolled her eyes impatiently.
"Never mind that. Why did Jiang Ning'an suddenly come back? Didn't you say she'd still be in the palace, causing trouble for the emperor for a few more months before she could come out?"
[System No. 2500 cannot directly interfere with the emperor's actions. Minor deviations are normal. However, the general trend of the story will not change. Please rest assured, host.]
Hearing the system's words, Chu Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as the general trend remained unchanged, she could endure these current grievances.
Anyway, it was only temporary.
Moreover, she had more important things to do now.
Chu Yu told Xiaocui to go back and pack up on her own. Then, she left the gate of the Princess Mansion and went to a civilian residence two streets away.
This civilian residence was a two - courtyard house. As soon as one entered, a cluster of green bamboo came into view. The courtyard was decorated very elegantly, with the faint fragrance of ink floating in the air. It was clearly the residence of a literati.
As soon as Chu Yu entered the courtyard, a man heard the commotion and walked out of the study.
The man had handsome features. Although he was thin, there seemed to be a unique charm about him. His blue robe made him look as straight as a bamboo, elegant and free - spirited.
Seeing Chu Yu, Xu Linchuan's originally cold gaze softened. He led Chu Yu to sit down by the corridor.
As soon as she sat down, Chu Yu got straight to the point. "Brother Linchuan, what exactly happened today?"
Xu Linchuan poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Chu Yu. "His Majesty suddenly came and took Jiang Ning'an away."
Remembering what had happened not long ago, Xu Linchuan's eyes dimmed for a moment.
Jiang Ning'an actually said that she didn't think there was anything good about him anymore.
What a joke.
He came from a humble background but still managed to become the top - ranked scholar with his own talent. His future was bright.
And Jiang Ning'an?
She only knew how to act arrogantly and domineeringly, relying on the emperor's favor. She was even capable of such despicable things as drugging people, yet she thought he was no good?
Xu Linchuan despised her in his heart, but saying such things would also damage his own image, especially in front of his beloved. So, Xu Linchuan didn't plan to say it.
Hearing Xu Linchuan's words, Chu Yu could only sigh.
In the past six months, the emperor had ruined her plans more than once.
But who could do anything about it? He was the emperor, and even the system was helpless against him.
"Fortunately, Jiang Ning'an has feelings for you, Brother Linchuan. As long as we can control Jiang Ning'an, His Majesty won't be able to do anything either."
Thinking of Jiang Ning'an, Chu Yu added, "Brother Linchuan, after all, Jiang Ning'an is a princess. In the future, you should treat her... more gently?"
She wanted to control the Princess Mansion, and Jiang Ning'an was the most important chess piece. She couldn't really anger the girl.
But Xu Linchuan didn't say a word.
Chu Yu lowered and then raised her eyes, which were already filled with hot tears, showing a hint of pleading. "Brother Linchuan..."
Looking into such eyes, Xu Linchuan's heart melted completely.
Fine. He had been too selfish.
Both were daughters of the princess consort. Jiang Ning'an had lived a privileged life since childhood, while Chu Yu had been raised in the countryside and had only recently been brought back to the capital. She had never really had a good life.
As long as Jiang Ning'an was around, Chu Yu would never see the light of day.
In terms of character, Chu Yu was a hundred times better than Jiang Ning'an. Why should Chu Yu live such a life?
Xu Linchuan sighed. "Yuer, don't worry. I will definitely help you."
He would do his best to achieve this for his Yuer.
Hearing this, Chu Yu finally broke into a smile through her tears. "Okay!"
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study.
The emperor and the chief councilor of the imperial secretariat had just finished discussing government affairs. Now they were sitting in the outer room, drinking tea and chatting.
"Your Majesty seems to be in a very good mood since you came back from outside."
The chief councilor had served two emperors. His hair was gray, but his eyes were still clear, showing no sign of cloudiness.
The emperor couldn't hide the smile on his face. "Zhaoyang has finally become sensible. I can finally put one thing to rest."
In the past six months, Jiang Ning'an had really given the emperor a hard time.
Fortunately, it was Jiang Ning'an. If it had been his own sons or daughters, he would have sent them away long ago, so as not to see them and avoid annoyance.
The chief councilor suddenly understood. "So it concerns the princess. No wonder."
"I heard before that the princess was deeply in love with Scholar Xu. It's really a good thing that she has finally come to her senses."
A deep and cold voice suddenly sounded.
This time, it was the only young man present who spoke.
The man was in his early twenties, about eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. He was wearing a light - green official robe, looking as upright as a pine or a bamboo.
As he spoke, his phoenix - like eyes were slightly lowered, making his facial lines even more sharp.
The emperor raised his eyebrows. "Rare. Even you, the silent one, can say such things."
Jiang Ye bowed expressionlessly. "His Highness the Crown Prince will surely be very happy to hear this."
The Crown Prince, Jiang Xuan, was very close to Jiang Ning'an on weekdays. As the former study companion and now the confidant of the Crown Prince, it was normal for Jiang Ye to show some concern on his behalf.
Neither the emperor nor the chief councilor took this matter to heart.
The chief councilor drank a cup of tea and then got up to bid farewell. Jiang Ye left with him.
After leaving the palace, Jiang Ye rode his horse aimlessly on the street.
As he walked, he turned his head and suddenly realized that he had come to the front of a mansion.
This mansion was the most magnificent and noble one in the capital. There were several large characters on the plaque—
The Mansion of the Princess Who Pacifies the State.
The gilded characters glistened in the sunlight, and the emperor's golden seal was stamped in the corner of the plaque.
While Jiang Ye was standing there for a moment, a gatekeeper came forward. "Sir Jiang, the mansion is not convenient for receiving guests."
Jiang Ye nodded slightly and took another look at the gate of the Mansion of the Princess Who Pacifies the State.
As he did so, he saw another person dressed as a gatekeeper come out of the mansion and trot up to him. First, he bowed to Jiang Ye, then whispered, "Hurry back. The princess has sent someone to inquire about the recent situation in the mansion!"
The first gatekeeper quickly responded and rushed back into the princess mansion.
Jiang Ye raised his eyebrows and rode away.
At this moment, inside the Mansion of the Princess Who Pacifies the State, Jiang Ning'an frowned tightly.
She had thought that since Chu Yu was so well - adjusted in the princess mansion, she must have bribed someone. So, while the servants were decorating the Wutong Residence, she asked Meng Chun to check the entire mansion.
The princess mansion seemed large and prosperous, but there were actually only a few key positions. Meng Chun was very capable and soon found out everything.
But everything was normal.
No one had been bought off.
Before her return, everyone in the princess mansion had a natural kindness towards Chu Yu and couldn't bear to refuse any of her requests.
At this time, Meng Chun rushed over. "Princess, I've also inquired at the gate. They said they just did as Miss Chu said without thinking too much."
Seeing that Meng Chun looked like she had something else to say, Jiang Ning'an said, "Just say it if you have something to say."
"Some people in the mansion were dissatisfied with you after they heard that you had sent Miss Chu to the servants' quarters. When I came back just now, I even heard them whispering about you behind your back."