Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 131 Zhaoming Temple

Several days after Xiao Hengzhi left, Jiang Mian stayed at the mansion.

He issued a decree that Jiang Mian was not allowed to leave the mansion, nor was she allowed to send anything out.

The guards were replaced with elite soldiers, and they did not back down an inch no matter how she threatened them.

She vaguely remembered that the days she went to Zhaoming Temple were around these few days, but Wen Qian had not replied for a long time.

She was extremely anxious, not knowing what method Wen Qian had come up with, nor whether she could even cross the threshold of the mansion.

Around noon, a message came from the palace that an eunuch from the Empress's side had come to deliver a message to her.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mian was slightly taken aback, and a few doubts immediately arose in her mind.

What is the message from the Empress?

Could it be... related to praying for blessings at Zhaoming Temple?

She hurried to the front yard, where her father-in-law was quite polite to her.

"Miss Jiang, Her Majesty the Empress has specially instructed me to inform you that you will be attending the prayer ceremony at Zhaoming Temple tomorrow."

The edict was brief, and it was clear that the Empress was not very sincere in inviting her.

Jiang Mian was puzzled. The Empress had always disliked her and had targeted her in every way in her previous life. Why would she invite her to travel together?

However, this imperial decree became the opportunity for her to leave the palace.

No matter how strictly the Prince's Palace guarded them, they couldn't stop them this time.

She then looked up and nodded slightly to the eunuch, her tone respectful: "Thank you, sir. Jiang Mian will certainly accompany you respectfully and live up to the Empress's great kindness."

The father-in-law nodded and turned to leave.

The next day, before dawn, Jiang Mian washed and dressed herself in simple clothes.

Just as he was about to order someone to prepare a carriage, the gatekeeper came to report that the Crown Princess was waiting outside the mansion.

Jiang Mian walked to the gate of the mansion.

Jian Wenqian, dressed in a light green dress and wrapped in a thick cloak, was standing outside the door, peering inside.

"Qianqian." Jiang Wan approached, her tone tinged with surprise, "Why are you here so early?"

Upon seeing her emerge, Wen Qian immediately hurried forward to greet her: "Sister Wan! I wanted to come earlier, so you don't need to bring a horse. How about we ride together?"

"Riding together? I'm afraid that would disturb the peace and quiet of the Marquis and his wife."

"Father and Mother will ride in another sedan chair; it will be fine."

Jiang Mian turned her head to look at it. Her carriage was indeed very large, and it could easily seat five or six people.

Anyway, with the emperor's entourage in front, no one cares about these formalities when noble families travel, and she can accompany Wen Qian all the way.

She nodded: "Okay, then wait for me a moment."

Soon, Jiang Wan finished packing her things and came out.

The carriage was heated with charcoal and had several hand warmers, making it a completely different temperature from the outside.

Jiang Wan joked, "This carriage is so warm; your husband must be worried that you'll catch a cold on this trip."

Wen Qian smiled sweetly: "The young master is becoming more and more mature, and he is very proper in his work. He treats me very well."

"Once he takes a liking to you, he will definitely take very good care of you."

Seeing her shyness, Jiang Wan asked again, "By the way, yesterday Her Majesty the Empress sent someone to deliver a message, and after thinking it over... did you go and speak to her?"

“Hmm.” Wen Qian nodded without hesitation. “I know the Prince keeps a close eye on you. If it weren’t for Her Majesty the Empress’s personal order, he certainly wouldn’t have let you leave the mansion. So a few days ago, I went to the palace to ask Her Majesty the Empress for permission.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan gasped.

Wen Qian usually seems very timid, but I never expected her to be so bold in doing these things.

The relationships within the palace are incredibly complex, yet she dared to rashly ask the Empress for help.

Fortunately, Li Zhijing is now highly regarded by the emperor, and she also has a Grand Tutor uncle in the palace.

The Empress must have felt it would be difficult to refuse, so she reluctantly agreed.

Jiang Wan rubbed her forehead and sighed softly, "This time, we owe you a lot."

Wen Qian smiled and shook her head, then took Jiang Mian's hand: "Sister Mian, there's no need for you to say anything more. I'm just happy that you can use me."

The two chatted and laughed all the way.

When they arrived at the city gate, Jiang Mian saw through the sedan curtain that the ceremonial guard at the city gate was already fully prepared and ready to depart, with the nobles' sedan chairs lined up in a row.

The formation was orderly and imposing.

Wen Qian kept staring into the distance, her eyes fixed on it.

Jiang Wan followed her gaze and found that she was looking at Li Zhijing.

The journey was not far, only passing through one city to reach the destination, and four generals accompanied and protected the emperor.

One of them was Li Zhijing.

This was the first time Wen Qian had seen Li Zhijing in military uniform. Unlike usual, he looked even more imposing and extraordinary in his military attire on horseback.

As if sensing her intense gaze, Li Zhijing turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the carriages before landing on Wen Qian in the distance.

Wen Qian was slightly taken aback, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face, before she lowered her eyes and looked away.

Jiang Mian took in the scene and was about to say something when her gaze was drawn to another figure.

Ning Zhi stepped down from the prince's sedan chair with light steps and a big smile on his face, reaching out to greet someone.

The person he greeted was Chi Yu.

The two looked extremely intimate; Ning Zhi even supported her forearm by the side of the sedan chair and helped her into it.

Jiang Mian's smile froze instantly.

The smile Ning Zhi gave Chi Yu, and that familiar gentleness, made her heart tighten suddenly.

She forced herself to calm down, took a deep breath, and shook her head, thinking:

No, Ning Zhi has never had any romantic feelings for Chi Yu.

Perhaps it was an intentional arrangement by the Empress, or perhaps it was for the sake of proper etiquette.

Ning Zhi always puts the overall situation first, which is why he treats people with such courtesy.

That must be the case.

Not long after, the auspicious time arrived.

As the drums sounded, the procession for praying for blessings at Zhaoming Temple began its journey.

Li Zhijing and three other generals lined up on either side of the emperor and empress's palanquin, their eyes piercing and their expressions cold.

The remaining soldiers surrounded the procession on both sides, protecting the sedan chairs of the noble families, forming layers of guards, their steps were neat and their demeanor solemn.

The group continued on their way, passing through dense forests with swaying trees and the air filled with the moist scent of earth.

As dusk fell, the road ahead appeared even darker.

When passing through Yunchuan, local officials had already set up a temporary palace near the Yunchuan post station.

The noble families were housed in nearby villas.

The courtyard was spacious and divided into several elegant rooms, each with its own. Although not as luxurious as a palace, it was tastefully furnished and extremely thoughtfully arranged.

Li Zhijing and several generals were stationed on the side closest to the imperial palace, a central position that allowed them to both protect the royal family and direct the outer defenses.

As night deepened, Jiang Mian sat by the window, listening to the faint sound of patrolling footsteps in the distance.

She had not met Ning Zhi today, and now that he was staying at the imperial palace, it was even more difficult for a lone man and woman to meet.

Upon reaching the outside of the villa, they saw Li Zhijing standing guard nearby.

She quickly stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Zhijing, I need your help with something."

Hearing the voice, Li Zhijing turned to look at her: "What is it, Second Sister?"

"I need to see His Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Zhijing's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then he said in a deep voice, "The palace is heavily guarded, and Your Highness's residence is even more heavily guarded. It would be inappropriate for you to go alone so late at night. If you have any messages, I can convey them for you."

Jiang Wan knew he had reservations, and said softly, "This matter is complicated and needs to be explained in person. You only need to inform His Highness, and he will surely see me. Please be accommodating..."

Li Zhijing looked at her, his brows furrowed slightly, his eyes deep.

A moment later, he waved to the guards beside him to step back, and personally led her to the courtyard where the Crown Prince was staying.

"Then please wait here for a moment, I will go in and inform them."

"Thank you."

Jiang Mian stood outside the courtyard gate, her tense nerves relaxing slightly.

The surrounding area was brightly lit, the courtyard was quiet, and the faint sound of a zither could be heard.

A short while later, Li Zhijing walked out of the courtyard.

Jiang Wan hurried over and asked, "How is it? Will Your Highness let me in?"

"His Highness is currently watching a play with Miss Chi and is probably unable to receive you."

"With Miss Chi?"

Li Zhijing took a look.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mian's eyes turned slightly cold, and then she felt something was amiss.

Why is Ning Zhi so close to Chi Yu after only two months apart, while ignoring her completely...?