Chapter 451: Chapter 443: No Coincidence

Mrs. Liu Sr. was doing well, but upon suddenly discovering such a matter, she felt conflicted, wondering whether to tell her granddaughter.

But what good would it do? As her own husband said, Sister Ning can’t do anything, and the Dingyuan Marquis is the one responsible, being the lord of both houses.

Lin Youning, however, was unaware of her grandmother’s worries. After returning to the mansion with her big brother, they washed up and sat on the soft couch to play chess. When they were together, they didn’t like having servants around, so they sent everyone away.

Lin Youning then conveyed her brother’s words, “…it seems now that big brother knows Nanny Wang well. When he sent Nanny Wang to the Pure Path Temple, I was worried that the Eldest Prince would go there looking for people. After all, it is the royal temple, but I thought maybe the Eldest Prince had some scruples. Now, listening to what big brother says, could it be that big brother has suspected for a long time?”

Having memorized the chess notations as a child, Lin Youning mostly followed them without having to think, while Gu Yifeng focused intently on the board as if trying to break the pattern. Only after placing a piece did he speak.

“I’m not only aware of Nanny Wang going to your father; now I suspect Prince Shou is at the Pure Path Temple as well.”

As Gu Yifeng’s words fell, the chess piece in Lin Youning’s hand dropped in surprise, “Really? Father is at the Pure Path Temple?”

If so, did this mean that when she used to visit the Pure Path Temple, she often encountered Prince Shou, but being strangers, they missed each other like unfamiliar faces?

Gu Yifeng sighed and stopped playing chess, “It’s just my suspicion. The Pure Path Temple is the National Temple. After the foreign princess entered the capital, she loved visiting there, and the Holy Emperor accompanied her several times. I investigated this. After the foreign princess left, the Holy Emperor never left the Imperial Palace, let alone visited the Pure Path Temple. The temple once built a small Buddhist Hall in the mountains for the foreign princess, mainly as a place for her to stay during visits. Now, with the whole world searching for Prince Shou, it was only after I had someone investigate the past that I discovered this. Now that Nanny Wang has gone to the Pure Path Temple, she too probably knows Prince Shou is there.

Although the Pure Path Temple belongs to the Royal Family, it’s still just a temple, known for its compassion. Prince Shou might have sought refuge there to escape, and years have quietly passed. With the departure of his wife and daughter, it’s possible he stayed there to find solace, further increasing the likelihood of his presence there.

Listening to her big brother’s analysis, Lin Youning thought if this information was confirmed, one could be quite certain that the person was indeed at the Pure Path Temple. “But if there was such a thing, wouldn’t the Eldest Prince also be able to find out?”

Lin Youning’s mind was full of questions.

“The Holy Emperor’s whereabouts back then were not something anyone could simply investigate.” Gu Yifeng smiled faintly, thinking Sister Ning, despite her perceptiveness, sometimes had overly simplistic ideas.

Lin Youning suddenly understood, “So the Holy Emperor knows where Prince Shou is? He instructed the Eldest Prince to look for someone merely as a test, and also had Grandfather go outside to recognize people, simply to push everything forward?”

Gu Yifeng nodded, knowing once he explained this, Sister Ning would deduce the subsequent events.

Lin Youning breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the Holy Emperor had long intended to suppress the Eldest Prince but lacked a justifiable reason. He probably wanted to use this opportunity to stumble the Eldest Prince so he wouldn’t have the capacity to do anything similar in the future.

It’s said the hearts of the Royals are as deep as the ocean, and upon thinking about it, isn’t this precisely the case?

Gu Yifeng stopped playing, collecting the chess pieces, saying, “It’s getting colder outside. With you expecting now, climbing the mountain isn’t convenient. Once your brother meets with the Holy Emperor, I will find time to go up the mountain with him. His return will certainly make the Eldest Prince watch us more closely.”

“The Eldest Prince has torn faces with big brother, so it’s indeed necessary for our brother to be cautious. These days, with the Eldest Prince planning a wedding and bringing a concubine into the residence, could he use this opportunity to do something else?” Lin Youning was worried.

“This shouldn’t be a concern. Now, the Eldest Prince is only focusing on the Crown Prince, even trying to find someone around the Empress to testify, so there isn’t time for monitoring us. But with your brother’s return, it might draw the Eldest Prince’s attention again.” Gu Yifeng didn’t mention anything about a cornered dog fighting back.

The Eldest Prince seems aware of the Holy Emperor’s intentions and is making a last desperate effort. For such a person, who knows what they might do? That’s why he’s staying in the mansion lately.

Back then, Sister Ning was poisoned. If he hadn’t doubted the Imperial Physician entirely, the child in Sister Ning’s belly might not have been preserved.

Gu Yifeng didn’t disclose this, fearing to frighten Sister Ning.

Lin Youning nodded, “Big brother’s concerns are not without reason. If that’s the case, when you both go to the Pure Path Temple, you should be cautious. When we went to the estate, the Eldest Prince acted; how much more with you?”

Lin Youning stood from the couch, and Gu Yifeng helped her up, but Lin Youning glared at him, “Big brother, you don’t have to be so tense. Now, whenever I move, the maids look frightened.”

It’s not even four months yet; who knows how they’ll react when it’s time to give birth?

Gu Yifeng said nothing, but helped her up anyway. “It’s cold outside. Normally, move around inside more. Snow is imminent, making the road slippery. Once those two maids marry tomorrow, Shanmoi will have to go to the front courtyard, leaving only Hailan to attend to you here. Perhaps I should borrow Nanny Chi from Mother’s side.”

Lin Youning laughed, “No need, I still have Nanny Guo, and with Hailan, it’s enough. Auntie is older and can’t be left without help.”

Thinking about it, Lin Youning inquired, “How is Sister Hui doing? I’m just worried she’ll keep feeling guilty that her mother’s exile to the farm was because of her.”

“She returned yesterday, looking quite spirited, now at Shi’an Garden. Brother Zong also brought her over.” Gu Yifeng helped her sit on the bed before releasing his hold. “If you’re feeling bored, have the girls from the Prime Minister’s Mansion come over to accompany you for a few days.”

Lin Youning nodded, “That sounds good.”

Though she knew her big brother had things to handle, leaving her alone at the mansion made him uneasy, so she complied to ease his mind.

Otherwise, with her own temperament, she wouldn’t need company.

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