The Vice Minister Sun learned about his daughter’s demotion and her confinement to the Cold Palace after the morning court session had concluded.
Last time, it was his actions that incited the Emperor’s wrath, and this time it was his daughter’s actions. Courtiers who were not familiar with Vice Minister Sun now implicitly distanced themselves from him.
Naturally, Vice Minister Sun was not qualified to plead with the Emperor, thus even trying to inquire about Lady Sun’s situation was fruitless.
"Why don’t you go and ask Prince Xuan? Last time, the reason you were reprimanded by the Emperor was precisely because of the reason provided by Prince Xuan, wasn’t it?" Lady Sun cried, her eyes red, as she sobbed and wiped her tears with a handkerchief.
"Silence!" Vice Minister Sun snapped, startled, and after ensuring no one was paying attention outside, he lowered his voice: "How can you speak such words recklessly? If it reaches the Emperor’s ears, we wouldn’t keep our heads."
"I don’t understand great principles; I only want to know how our daughter is doing. That’s the Cold Palace, my lord. Can you really bear to leave her there without inquiring?" Lady Sun continued her crying plea.
Vice Minister Sun walked back and forth, irritated.
"My lord, please make a trip to Prince Xuan Mansion. Consort Zhuang has her place in the palace. I don’t hope for our daughter’s restoration; I only wish that she won’t suffer hunger or thirst in the Cold Palace. That’s all I hope for, my lord."
Vice Minister Sun felt overwhelmed by Lady Sun’s crying.
Finding no alternative, he could only proceed to Prince Xuan Mansion, hoping to meet Prince Xuan.
To his surprise, Vice Minister Sun arrived at Prince Xuan Mansion only to find it empty. The mansion’s people said Prince Xuan had scheduled an appointment and left the mansion before noon to attend it.
Vice Minister Sun sighed and left; while passing Wangbao Building, he suddenly heard people discussing.
"Prince Xuan and Miss Yan are truly a perfect match, talented gentleman and beautiful lady."
"Indeed, I heard before that Miss Yan might be the future Princess Consort Xuan. Seeing how they interact now, it seems like good news is approaching."
Vice Minister Sun approached the two talkers and spoke gently: "May I inquire, is the Miss Yan you speak of the one from the Prime Minister’s Mansion?"
"Yes indeed."
Hearing this, Vice Minister Sun’s eyes brightened immediately; Prince Xuan’s scheduled meeting was apparently with Yan Xiyue.
"Could you tell me where Prince Xuan and Miss Yan went?"
The two exchanged a glance, pointing in a direction.
Vice Minister Sun looked up, and it was indeed the largest tavern in the Capital City—Wangbao Building.
In the private room on the second floor of Wangbao Building, Yan Xiyue had just left, and Yan Zixuan was currently listening to Chi Gu report the intelligence he had collected.
"Prince, the Vice Minister Sun requests audience." Chi Jin’s voice came from outside.
Chi Gu vaulted through the window, returning to hide in the shadows.
"I pay my respects to the Prince." Vice Minister Sun, as soon as he entered the private room, attempted to kneel.
"Vice Minister Sun, there’s no need for such a grand gesture. Please sit down and speak slowly." Yan Zixuan gestured towards Chi Jin.
Chi Jin bent over to support Vice Minister Sun and helped him onto a chair.
"I shouldn’t have bothered the Prince today, but alas, lacking any other means, I can only seek help from the Prince with my dilemma, hoping you can offer some counsel." Vice Minister Sun shook his head and sighed, speaking with difficulty.
"Oh?" Yan Zixuan chuckled softly: "I wonder what matter Vice Minister Sun is referring to?"
Vice Minister Sun smiled bitterly: "I heard that my youngest daughter in the palace, due to offending Li Xiurong, was demoted by the Emperor and even thrown into the Cold Palace. Both my wife and I are terribly worried, but the harem is not a place we can trespass. Hence, I came to beseech the Prince to see if you could help deliver some Silver Tael to Lady Sun..."
Yan Zixuan didn’t hear a thing of Vice Minister Sun’s later words; all he could think of were those three words—Li Xiurong.
In just a few days, Yu’er has become Lady Xiu Rong?