The Crown Prince Manor, Xu Mingzhu's courtyard.
"Your highness our spies just reported that the Crown Prince has returned to the manor his carriage just rode past the gates" Xu min whispered in her lady's ears. Xu Mingzhu was lying reclined on a reclining chair.
"That's good, if I hurry I can greet him in at the gates" Xu Mingzhu replied Standing quickly and running out of the room. Xu min and the other servant quickly followed the crown princess consort.
As Xu Mingzhu got closer to the Entrance, she quickly reduced her pace and began walking gently. Xu Mingzhu arrived just as the crown prince got down from the carriage.
"Mingzhu greets Your highness" Xu Mingzhu said standing in front of the Crown Prince.
Zhongshan Huang raised up his head and looking straight at replied "Hmm"
Xu Mingzhu was about to say more when the crown Prince turned back and stretched out his arms leading a veiled lady dressed in white.
Xu Mingzhu was so surprised that she didn't know how to react. Zhongshan Huang has never brought a woman home. Xu Mingzhu was about to voice her question when the crown Prince next words left her speechless
"I will have to trouble your highness to arrange the East courtyard for Madam Lin"
Xu Mingzhu was about speaking her mind when Xu min held onto her palm tightly.
*it's nothing to worry about I will have the servants set up the East courtyard. Sadly due to the short notice, the rooms will not be ready until tomorrow. Why don't I house her until then"Xu Mingzhu said maintaining a smile
"I will leave that to you" Zhongshan Huang said and walked towards his private rooms.
"Xunzi have a room set for Madam Lin and lead her there" Xu Mingzhu said and walked away.
Lu Xiaolian's private rooms.
"Your highness, the Crown Prince is back and he returned with a veiled lady dressed in white" Yao Yao whispered into Lu Xiaolian's ears. Lu Xiaolian was combing her hair in front of the the mirror but on hearing this she dropped the wooden comb shocked, looking at Yao Yao through the mirror she said "What" She kept on looking back at Yao Yao expectantly almost like she expected it to be a big joke. A few seconds later after finally getting convinced that it was very true, she said "and the crown princess consort?
"Her highness was very surprised" Yao Yao replied.
"Am not surprised at that, even I can't possibly tell his highness reasons for doing this. This isn't his style" Lu Xiaolian said thoughtfully.
"What was her highness reaction to this development"Lu Xiaolian continued
"She was very calm and even overed to house her until the east courtyard was ready" Yao Yao replied.
"I was also surprised by her highness response to this" Bie liu said finally getting over the initial shock that left her incredibly speechless until now.
"Her highness wouldn't want to get on the Crown Prince's bad side now will she. It is still too early to say that after all her highness doesn't need to word out her opinion to send the massage across" Lu Xiaolian said in low tones. When they heard a knock on the door. Lu Xiaolian turned and gave Bie liu a sign to check who it was. Bie liu nodded and walking to the door pushed it open.
"Your highness" Bie Liu said after opening the door and saw the Crown Prince standing at the door. Bie liu opened the door wide and stood aside for the Crown Prince to enter after which Yao Yao and herself left the room.
"Your highness have a seat" Lu Xiaolian said standing. Zhongshan Huang nodded and walked over to the tea table and took a seat. Lu Xiaolian also sat next to him.
"I just got back from Jiangxi casino" Zhongshan Huang said.
"Did you discover anything new ? Lu Xiaolian asked.
"No they already knew i was investigating the casino but not who I am, so they must have an informant within the Ministry of justice. Father Emperor charged the ministry with the investigation but he put me personally in charge of the investigation he had his suspicion that there were spies in the ministry" Zhongshan Huang Replied.
"Jiangxi casino like any other establishment in the red light district deals in information. I guess we failed to put into consideration how far their reach was" Lu Xiaolian said.
"I couldn't get much information on the surface but by observations I suspect that they deal in far more than that" Zhongshan Huang said.
'And the veiled lady that returned with you ? Lu Xiaolian asked.
"She's from Jiangxi casino,I suspected she was sent to spy on me" Zhongshan Huang said.
"You will have to explain everything to the Emperor and Empress" Lu Xiaolian said
"I will do that after morning court. I will have someone keep an eye on her" Zhongshan Huang replied
"I will pay her a visit tomorrow to see how she's settling in" Lu Xiaolian said.
"Good I will have to trouble you to handle that. Xu Mingzhu is not very reliable and I fear that they are bound to butt head with euch other"Zhongshan Huang replied shaking his head. He has never been fond of Xu Mingzhu. She has always been arrogant and selfish, too set in her ways to think any further. Initially he thought that he could handle her, that she won't let her father control her but she proved him wrong and someone lost her life. He wasn't going to let that happen again.
"I will try my best, I don't think we should be worried about only the crown princess consort but also Jang Suyin. If you ask me she's relentless in her fight to be Empress" Lu Xiaolian replied with a sigh.
"Your right sadly the imperial family is indebted to the Jang family I can't do anything yet. The Grand tutor has his hands deep in corruption but there has been no solid proof" Zhongshan Huang said with a frown.
"I am aware my father also suspects that he is guilty of war crimes during his time in the army but there hasn't been any solid proof just whispers. I always wondered why you married her but now I know" Lu Xiaolian replied
"I had to marry her to avoid the First Prince and the Gao Family getting anymore stronger. The Jang family is connected to western Xia by marriage and the Emperor has always had his eyes on Great Wei" Zhongshan Huang said
"With western Xia growing strong you would like to avoid an attack. But that is inevitable I fear, western Xia just united in marriage with Zhou state. they now have a strong military ally" Lu Xiaolian Replied.
"Yes that's why we are getting ready, if they should attack we will be prepared to stop them" Zhongshan Huang said standing and looking out of the window.