Chapter 809: 376 Mother (first watch) Chapter 809: 376 Mother (first watch) The reason for such a speculation was that Xiao Liulang had told the older sacrificial priest that Princess Xinyang also had the Dragon Shadow Guard under her command. Regardless of why the late emperor had given Princess Xinyang the Dragon Shadow Guard, it at least indicated one thing—that Princess Xinyang held a significant place in the late emperor’s heart.
Indeed, had it not been for the information from Xiao Liulang, the old sacrificial priest might never have known that the relationship between this father and daughter was so deep.
Princess Xinyang’s birth mother was Consort Yu, who had passed away due to illness when the princess was thirteen years old. By that time, Princess Xinyang was grown up and there was no talk of her being adopted into another clan for upbringing.
The late emperor did not show her extra care for having lost her parents, and his treatment of her was not different from how he treated the many other princesses in the palace…
The old sacrificial priest shook his head.
It seemed there was still much that he did not know.
Gu Changqing was not of the same generation as Princess Xinyang, and was less informed about the circumstances at the time. He didn’t share the deep emotions of the old sacrificial priest.
He simply assumed the late emperor had always been extra fond of this daughter, merely unaware of it himself.
He carefully considered the current situation and said, “Princess Xinyang is not in Capital City, but she isn’t too far either. A swift horse and relentless riding will get you there in a few days…”
“She might not agree to see you,” said the old sacrificial priest.
Gu Changqing fell silent.
He understood that the old sacrificial priest’s words were true.
Ever since the young lord died in the fire at Guozijian, Princess Xinyang was overwhelmed with grief and lost control of herself, eventually leaving the heart-wrenching Capital City with her trusted servants.
She refused to see anyone associated with Capital City.
It was understandable, considering the blow of losing her son was too great for her. She didn’t wish to stir up painful memories, nor did she want to meet anyone that might remind her of her past in Capital City.
“We must at least try,” Gu Changqing said.
The old sacrificial priest did not argue, as both of them were not fools. On the surface, the simplest and most direct method was to steal back the imperial edict, but as long as the Dragon Shadow Guard remained in the hands of Empress Dowager Jing, they would not be able to retrieve it.
Even if they knew the contents of the imperial edict, they might still not be able to get it, but as the saying goes, “know yourself, know your enemy, and you will fight without defeat.” Once they understood the content of the imperial edict, they would know what Empress Dowager Jing’s trump card was.
Gu Changqing said, “Princess Xinyang is near Fengdu Mountain, right? Coincidentally, I have some business to attend to in that area soon, so I might as well pay her a visit on the way.”
“What are you going to Fengdu Mountain for?” the old sacrificial priest casually inquired.
Gu Changqing responded, “My grandfather sent me.”
It was probably about the secret army, but his grandfather didn’t elaborate.
It was rather strange, the last time his grandfather acted as if he was giving his last orders, handing over the tokens to them, only to take them all back the very next day.
The old sacrificial priest’s mood sank, “If you go to Fengdu Mountain, light some incense for an old friend on my behalf.”
“Sure,” Gu Changqing did not ask who the old friend was or what the relationship was with the old sacrificial priest, but simply asked for the address of the graveyard, then stood and took his leave.
As he reached the door, he unexpectedly encountered Xiao Liulang.
It was unclear how long Xiao Liulang had been there or how much he had heard, but ultimately, he was no outsider and there was no need to hide it from him.
Gu Changqing nodded in greeting.
Xiao Liulang nodded back in acknowledgment.
After Gu Changqing left the courtyard, the old sacrificial priest too stepped out. He looked at the slender and lonely figure of Xiao Liulang in the moonlight, opened his mouth, then suddenly did not know how to start.
After a long while, he sighed with shame, “I have some questions for Princess Xinyang… I apologize, perhaps I should have notified you beforehand, instead of involving her just like that.”
Even so, if given another chance, even if Xiao Liulang interposed, he still would have told Gu Changqing the same, hoping that Gu Changqing would seek an answer from Princess Xinyang.
It wasn’t just to overthrow Empress Dowager Jing, but also for Xiao Liulang’s safety.
Xiao Liulang was already caught in the midst of it all, and as long as Empress Dowager Jing remained, he would never be free from danger.
“Master, it’s getting late, you should rest,” Xiao Liulang interrupted, almost at the same time as the old sacrificial priest spoke; the near simultaneity meant that indeed the old sacrificial priest had started to speak first, but after only two words Xiao Liulang had picked up the thread.
The seamlessness of it, made it hard to tell if it was deliberate interruption or a mere coincidence.
The old sacrificial priest paused, then nodded, “Alright, I’m almost done here, you should rest too. You’ve had a hard day visiting the countryside, go to sleep early.”
Normally, given their relationship and usual practices, the old sacrificial priest would have shown concern and inquired about what exactly he had been doing in the countryside, for it is often such “political achievements” that truly contribute to the promotion of an official of the Hanlin Academy.