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墨書 Inktalez
No one knows what happened that night at Xuan Shi Mansion, nor does anyone know what Ouyang Hao said to his wife and daughter.
After that night, the defenses of Xuan Shi Mansion became loose on the outside but tight on the inside, and the entire mansion seemed to suddenly become busy. No one knew what Xuan Shi Mansion was preparing for. Even those who tried various methods to investigate found no clues and could only speculate whether something significant was about to happen at Xuan Shi Mansion.
As time passed with all the busyness, fewer people paid attention. After all, who has the time to focus on Xuan Shi Mansion all day? Thus, the usually low-key Xuan Shi Mansion quickly faded from people's sight.
"Xin'er, do you like these clothes? Are you satisfied?"
"Xin'er, do you think these dried flowers are enough? Do we need anything else?"
"Xin'er, do you think we need to add more pastries and snacks?"
"Xin'er..."
Madam Ouyang pulled her daughter around the house, checking here and there, keeping herself quite busy. Before she knew it, her room was piled high with items, fully stocked with food and necessities.
"Mother, why don't you take a break? Just leave these things to Liu Ying and Liu Lu," Ouyang Zixin sighed inwardly, thinking how her mother truly...
"You say that so easily. They are just young girls; it's inevitable that they won't do things perfectly. How can I rest assured if I don't supervise them myself..." Madam Ouyang completely ignored her daughter's suggestion to take a break and continued to have Ouyang Zixin help her sort through the items in the room.
The day of parting was approaching. Ouyang Zixin felt just as reluctant as Madam Ouyang. Having never traveled far from home or experienced being away from her parents, since the day she decided to leave the capital, Madam Ouyang had grown increasingly haggard. Every day she bore dark circles under her eyes and red eyes while pretending everything was fine. Was it possible that her eyes were merely for show? Could she not see clearly?
When parents are present, one should not travel far; if one must travel, it should be done with caution.
Since parting was inevitable, Ouyang Zixin sincerely did not want to see Madam Ouyang in this state. She had tried to persuade her many times, sending a barrage of words into Madam Ouyang's ears, but it was of no use.
Well then, since it was futile, she might as well go along with her. Ouyang Zixin felt helpless but could only muster her spirits to accompany her mother as they walked around the room again and again, repeatedly checking those items that had already been prepared.
During the busy preparations for Ouyang Zixin's journey at Xuan Shi Mansion, a distinguished guest arrived in the Capital of the Departed Nation.
Both military generals and civil officials of the Exiled Nation received an edict from the palace, instructing them to warmly welcome this guest—Yun Tianmo, the Ninth Prince of Cloud Nation. If it weren't for the prior knowledge that the King of Ink had left the capital to seek medical treatment for the Seventh Prince, everyone, including the Sovereign, would have been taken aback upon hearing that Yun Tianmo was coming to the Capital of the Departed Nation.
Although the Exiled Nation and Cloud Nation had always maintained a neutral relationship without any animosity, the sudden arrival of a prince leading an army could easily lead to unfavorable assumptions. Now, with the King of Ink openly declaring his identity and striding confidently onto the land of the Capital of the Departed Nation, it instead brought a sense of relief; as long as he wasn't leading troops to invade, they could treat him well and send him on his way afterward.
As per tradition, the security of the imperial capital was overseen by Guardian Mystic Ouyang Hao. Just when it seemed that Master Xuan would have a difficult time this time, news suddenly came from the palace. During Yun Tianmo's visit, security in the capital would be managed by Third Prince Nangong Tuo, while Master Xuan, who had always been trusted by the Sovereign, was not mentioned at all.
"Are you sure about this news?"
How could security in the capital be so crucial that the Sovereign would set aside Ouyang Hao and appoint his own son instead?
"Absolutely accurate!"
Could it be that the winds were changing in the capital? For a moment, speculation about Ouyang Hao losing favor created an unusual atmosphere over the city.
Some attempted to gauge the Sovereign's thoughts but were quickly reprimanded when they spoke up. From then on, no one dared to bring up this matter in front of him. Others approached Third Prince Nangong Tuo to inquire; although they spoke freely, they still received no substantial answers and ended up being dragged away for a beating under accusations of trying to sow discord between princes and ministers.
Why did everyone go to court to probe instead of visiting Xuan Shi Mansion to speak with Ouyang Hao directly?
Who was Ouyang Hao? He was a favored minister and also a solitary figure; there was truly no one in the capital who could claim close ties with him. Thus, approaching Xuan Shi Mansion was a dead end—no one would foolishly venture there.
Given the status and position of the nobility in the capital, after several fruitless attempts at probing, they naturally ceased their entanglements, leaving the Sovereign with peace and quiet. However, those young scions from various families around Nangong Tuo were not so easily dismissed; many were unafraid of repercussions and continued to pester him relentlessly.
In the end, it was unclear who leaked information stating that Ouyang Hao had not lost favor and that Third Prince did not rise by stepping on ministers' shoulders. The reason Third Prince took over security in the capital was entirely due to Ouyang Hao voluntarily requesting a temporary leave from his duties. It was reported that there had been a fierce argument between them in the national study. According to insiders, if not for their respective positions as sovereign and minister, they might have come to blows. Ultimately, it was the Sovereign who compromised, giving Ouyang Hao a sound thrashing with a national rod (essentially a form of corporal punishment), leaving him with a remark that since he wished to take time off, he should return home to recuperate properly.
"Master Xuan, don't blame me; I’m just as fed up," Nangong Tuo squinted his eyes. He couldn't believe that such news would spread; those who lacked insight would dare to bother him again. It was already humiliating enough for a prince to serve as a substitute for a minister without having people constantly coming around to annoy him.
"Your Highness..." The smile on Third Prince's face was truly unsettling...
"What happened?" With a proud smile fading from his face, Nangong Tuo adopted a serious expression, as if the earlier smug person was not him at all.
"You let such news spread, Sovereign... do you know?"
In a good mood, Nangong Tuo was about to pick up his brush to express his feelings, but he was reminded by the guard beside him and suddenly felt a wave of sorrow wash over him.
Father...
"Send for the carriage; I need to go to the palace to see Father!" The poor guard was grabbed by the collar by Nangong Tuo, who shouted in anger, nearly deafening him.
"Where did Nangong Tuo go?" Just as Nangong Tuo left, Yun Tianmo arrived.
Yun Tianmo, one of Cloud Nation's Nine Commanders, appeared at the residence of the Third Prince without anyone noticing, even while preparations were still underway in the imperial capital for his arrival.
The guards at the Third Prince's residence did not seem surprised by his appearance; it felt like just another ordinary occurrence for this Cloud Kingdom Prince to show up at the Exiled Nation prince's residence.
"This... Third Prince has gone to the palace." To apologize.
"Hmph, no brains." Yun Tianmo remarked before disappearing.
Of course, he did not leave through the front door. By this time, he should still be on his way to Exiled Nation and it was not suitable for him to show himself in the imperial capital.
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