Chapter 22

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Translator: Anne

Editor: Miqi

Proofreader: Kakashi

Rongrui, year 27. At the prince’s residence.

At this moment in time, it was three o’clock, and Prince Rui’s concubine selection competition began at six.

“Move, move, move, hurry up and move your boobs out of the way~ scram~!”

Many people in the crowd weren’t happy, they yelled in a shrill voice, but their voices were quickly drowned out by one after another.

People formed a dense crowd in front of the Prince’s residence. In front of the two formidable crouching, green tibetan lion statues were hundreds of tall and robust Imperial Bodyguards with sheathed swords, blocking the crowd from entering the gates of the residence. The doors were partially opened and seven to eight Ceremonial Officials were in the front courtyard, all with strained complexions, followed by numerous servants.

Half of the time had passed, and soon it would be time, but there was still no palace sedan (1). There were people coming to see the beauty. Everyone was anxious. However, for the sake of safety, no one could disturb the sedan chair. The prince’s mansion had opened a secret passage for the emperor, his ministers and the officials’ ladies. They entered the mansion through the secret door and crossed the Chencang secretly.

On one side, Fan Rusu, the always calm chief of the bodyguards, frowned slightly. The people couldn’t see the end of the street as there were thousands of them. There were a lot more people than when the crown prince had married the princess.

In the election, the people watched and bet on who they thought would become Princess Rui; it was very joyful. As a matter of fact, the political significance behind the princess’ position was of great importance. The candidate families approved by Emperor Zhu were either from the crown prince’s side, Prince Xian’s allies, Prince Xia, or Prince Ning’s allies. Even those ministers who had not yet taken a side could compete. Once one of these minister families were married to Prince Rui, the prince would pick a side, making his father in law support him, or Prince Rui would start his own faction. It was an intriguing event. When the emperor approved the selection of the imperial concubine, no one could understand his meaning.

“Master Fan.”

Fan Rusu sighed, he saw the blue robed middle-aged man beside him frowning, he said lightly, “My Lord, you must pay attention to it. That person will arrive soon, be careful not to startle him. Neither your family nor you would be able to bear the offense.”.

“Thank you for the advice.”

Fan Rusu hurriedly bowed, the eunuch in front of him was the emperor’s close attendant, his status was quite outstanding. The emperor had secretly entered the mansion, as per norma, Eunuch Mo should have been by his side, however, he was standing at the mansion’s gate because something was going on.

Because the person the eunuch was talking about was the crown prince! If it were not for this reason, the ceremonial officials wouldn’t have been so nervous! The prince did not enter through the secret door, instead he had chosen the main gate, but what was the secret?

He was a well-known sergeant, and his immediate superior was the emperor’s confidant. Several of his subordinates were friends with him. However, he had always adhered to his father’s teachings and remained neutral. Today he had been ordered by the grand minister to guard Prince Rui’s mansion and maintain the order.

When he was on duty in the palace, he had met the prince several times, however the man didn’t speak much. He only remembered that when there was a heated dispute among the officials in court, the prince stood up with his eyes slightly raised, and said a few words. After his words, the hall had fallen silent.

Fan Rusu didn’t dare to think about it anymore. He summoned two of the deputies standing beside him and whispered a few words. He looked at the crowd, checking. He remembered the obscene words he had heard and glanced in a certain direction.

The other party seemed startled, so he quickly turned his head. He looked like a 17 or 18 year-old boy with a handsome face.

There was a slight change in his heart, that boy was not an ordinary person, the worry and restlessness was easily noticed by the frown on his face. Fan Rusu was about to have a closer look, but a loud shout was heard. The crowd quickly lined up. Two sedan chairs escorted by dozens of bodyguards, started making their way to the gate of the mansion.

At the same time, in the crowd, the young man who had just turned his head sideways was fiercely pinched by the man beside him.

Footnotes

(1) Carriages carried by servants for aristocrats, and royal family members, basically cars for the ancient, rich and powerful people