The Duke's Daughter is Reborn

Chapter 446: The Winter Turbulence in the Imperial City

In the dead of winter, the clouds were as thick as ink, pressing heavily over the capital, like an invisible mountain, hanging heavily on everyone's heart. The north wind was biting, like countless sharp ice blades, cutting through the oppressive and silent air.

The trees on both sides of the street had long lost their last bit of green, leaving only bare branches trembling in the cold wind.

The news that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was about to leave Beijing for Jiangnan exploded like a blockbuster bomb in the hearts of all forces in the imperial city.

In the East Palace, the guards were dressed in neat armor and stood solemnly on both sides, like cold statues. Their eyes were fixed on the gorgeous carriage, which was carved with exquisite four-claw dragon patterns, shining mysteriously in the dim light.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, dressed in a black robe and wearing a crown on his head, slowly walked out of the East Palace. His figure was as straight as a pine tree, his temperament was noble and majestic, and every step he took seemed to step on everyone's heart.

Following behind him were a group of followers and advisers with different expressions.

In the imperial study, the charcoal fire was blazing, but it could not warm the chill between His Majesty's brows.

At some point, heavy snow began to fall from the sky.

The emperor stood in front of the window, looking at the heavy snow falling outside the palace wall in the distance. His thoughts were like the snowflakes flying in the sky, chaotic and heavy.

"Has the prince already set off?" The emperor's voice was low, revealing a subtle hint of vigilance.

The eunuch at the side bowed his head and replied: "The news that came earlier said that the convoy has left the East Palace."

"The prince acted in a high-profile manner this time."

The emperor had mixed feelings towards his eldest son.

He knew that the prince had been extremely talented and capable since childhood.

During this trip to Jiangnan, Lao Wu must have set a lot of traps, but based on the prince's ability, I'm afraid these actions of Lao Wu are just scratching the surface and cannot hurt the prince's foundation.

By the time the prince returns to the capital, he will have already recovered Jiangnan and brought with him a powerful force that is enough to shake his imperial power!

By then, not only will the prince's prestige in the court increase greatly, but military power and food will also be in the hands of the prince.

As an emperor, how could he not worry about the growing power of the crown prince and the threat he would face? After all, the "Yuan" in the Tianyuan Dynasty was his own "Yuan"!

In this cold winter day, the emperor's worries spread like this endless wind and snow, covering the entire Forbidden City.

The Fifth Prince's Mansion was extremely luxurious, with carved beams and painted buildings, demonstrating the royal family's wealth and dignity everywhere.

During this period, due to the series of blows suffered by the Fifth Prince, the Fifth Prince's Mansion was shrouded in a deeply irritable atmosphere.

The personal adviser hurried over from outside the palace, his steps were urgent but steady. He stopped a few steps away from the Fifth Prince and bowed respectfully: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has left the capital as planned."

The Fifth Prince's gloomy expression suddenly brightened up, sweeping away the sadness of recent days. A hint of excitement flashed in his eyes, and he slowly said, "Oh, is the news accurate?"

The counselor quickly replied, "It is absolutely true. The prince has left the capital with his confidants and is heading in the direction Your Highness has set. Everything is just as Your Highness expected. The prince has indeed fallen into the trap."

Suddenly, the Fifth Prince stood up and paced back and forth in the room: "I have been planning for so many days. It is worth it that I have revealed all the details of the Bai family. I have finally lured Yuan Ruiyuan to Jiangnan."

The counselor smiled flatteringly and said, "Your Highness is very wise, and this plan is linked together. Even if the prince finds out, he has no choice but to act according to Your Highness's plan.

Now that the Crown Prince has left the capital, the power in the court will inevitably change. This is a great opportunity for Your Highness to rise up and fight back."

The counselor then echoed, "Your Highness is wise and brave, and will surely achieve great things. Now we just need to wait for news from the Crown Prince, and then act accordingly. Your Highness's grand ambitions and hegemony are just around the corner."

The fifth prince turned around, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes: "Humph, if something happens to the prince, those forces supporting him will not be afraid. I will let them know who is truly qualified to sit on the throne."

After saying this, the Fifth Prince picked up the wine glass beside him and drank it all in one gulp, as if he had already seen the day when he would ascend the throne.

The various forces hiding in the dark are also watching this scene closely.

In the study of Duke Song's mansion, Song Hongwen frowned, his eyes revealing a hint of uneasiness. He knew very well that the prince's departure from the capital had disrupted the original balance of power in the capital, and an undercurrent of struggle was about to begin.

"Once the prince leaves, the situation in the court will probably undergo significant changes. We must make plans early." Song Hongwen whispered to the staff beside him.

The aide nodded slightly. Now that the Fifth Prince was in decline, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince should have taken advantage of the good situation to pursue victory. However, he went to Jiangnan and left the court, the main battlefield of power. It was really puzzling.

After thinking for a while, the staff member replied, "Your Excellency, don't worry too much. The Third Miss in the mansion has been staying in the Queen's palace these days. Perhaps, the Duke can think of a way to ask the Third Miss?"

The third young lady is in the palace, so she will probably get the news faster than everyone else.

Thinking of his second daughter, Song Hongwen couldn't help but frown, feeling a little hesitant and uncertain. His mind kept replaying his second daughter's face and every detail of her past, making it difficult for him to make a decision.

For a moment, he fell into another round of deep thought.

The prince's motorcade gradually disappeared at the end of the capital, leaving behind only a cloud of flying dust and biting cold wind.

The imperial city seemed like an empty city with its backbone removed, filled with unprecedented tension and anxiety.

The forces of all parties are beginning to stir like long-dormant beasts, and a war without the smoke of gunpowder is about to break out in this cold winter.