Chapter 459 - 459 456 Dyke_1

Chapter 459: Chapter 456: Dyke_1 Chapter 459: Chapter 456: Dyke_1 Kid had the maids retreat to rest. She wrapped iron sandbags, heavier than usual, around her arms and legs, preparing to practice with her spear in the courtyard.

Before leaving, she suddenly halted, her eyes filled with a chilling aura as she looked towards the window.

“Master, Second Young Lady instructed me to report King Liang’s movements to you.”

It was the voice of the hidden guard from last time. Kid lifted the Bamboo curtain and stepped out of the room. The hidden guard immediately knelt and kowtowed without daring to raise his head. He could only see Kid’s white martial arts shoes bathed in the warm light of the setting sun filtering through the tall trees.

Kid absentmindedly adjusted her sleeve and asked with lowered eyes, “What trouble has King Liang stirred up this time?”

“Reporting to Master, I had orders to keep an eye on King Liang. Today, King Liang stayed in a private room at Shifang Pavilion for over two hours and met a young lady… I discovered it was the carriage from Minister Dong’s Mansion at the Honglu Temple, so I came to inform you!” The hidden guard spoke rapidly.

Kid paused while adjusting her sleeve, suddenly recalling Dong Tingzhen’s distracted manner and the way she touched her bracelet earlier in the gazebo.

Minister Chen’s legitimate grandson, Chen Zhaolu, was currently one of the most sought-after young men in Dadu City. Personally educated by Minister Chen, he was upright and gentle. Many noble families wished to marry their daughters into the Chen family. Any girl who received such attention would be glad, even if it didn’t result in a marriage proposal, it could still raise her status.

So, even if Dong Tingzhen didn’t want to marry Chen Zhaolu, she should still feel some joy, not irritation!

Unless she had someone else in her heart.

Kid’s palm tightened. King Liang deceiving Dong Tingzhen… could it be because of her uncle, Dong Qingyue, the Governor of Dengzhou?

Could it be that King Liang no longer planned to relentlessly target the Bai family and wanted to involve himself in the struggle for the throne?

King Liang lacked many abilities, but when it came to deceiving women… he was always spot on!

The Dong family, whether it was her grandmother, her uncle, or her cousins, valued loyalty and sentiment above all.

If King Liang used mutual affection as an excuse to deceive Dong Tingzhen into wholeheartedly marrying him, then even if the Dong family didn’t participate in the struggle for the throne, they would still stand on King Liang’s side.

Previously, during the emperor’s birthday banquet, Kid had thought that King Liang had secretly gained the support of King Xian of the South. He would surely use King Xian’s troops in the future. But who would refuse to have more troops at their disposal?

Moreover, King Xian’s only daughter, Princess of Nandu, Liu Ruofu, was already promised to the Fourth Prince of Daliang. Without a marital alliance, given King Liang’s cautious nature, he wouldn’t use King Xian’s troops unless absolutely necessary. King Xian also wouldn’t easily lend his troops to King Liang.

In short, the alliance between King Liang and King Xian wasn’t firmly tied by a marital bond.

So, King Liang set his sights on the Dong family’s suitable-aged legitimate daughter, Dong Tingzhen.

Kid clenched her fist tighter. Her cousin’s loyalty must not become a tool for King Liang to manipulate the Dong family. Her uncles must not be exploited by King Liang, like she was in her previous life, serving him like cattle and horses.

“Where is King Liang?” Kid’s eyes glinted with dark light.

“King Liang went straight to the Imperial Palace after leaving Shifang Pavilion,” the hidden guard said.

After waiting for over two hours to see Dong Tingzhen, he went straight to the Imperial Palace?

Kid’s brows furrowed as she lowered her eyes in thought. Soon, she connected Chen Zhaolu’s marriage proposal with King Liang’s hurried visit to the Imperial Palace.

King Liang was likely entering the palace to request an Imperial Edict for marriage!

Kid gripped her fist, about to call for someone to prepare a horse, but realized this matter needed thorough planning. She quickly calculated in her mind.

“Go tell Second Young Lady to spread the news that the Liang Mansion bought a large amount of saltpeter to make ice sculptures as an offering to the emperor, demonstrating King Liang’s dutifulness and setting an example for all princes. Quickly!”

The hidden guard responded and disappeared from Qinghui Courtyard.

Two matrons guarding outside Qinghui Courtyard were about to slack off, sitting on a stone stool, intending to shell peanuts. Suddenly hearing the courtyard door open, they hurriedly stuffed the peanuts into their pockets, bowed their heads and greeted, “What can we do for you, Eldest Young Lady!”

“Go have two horses prepared, waiting at the north side gate!” Kid looked at the other matron, “You, go summon Fourth Young Lady to meet me at the north side gate!”

Today, Kid and Bai Jinzhi were bestowed the titles of Princess and Commandery Princess. Many came to present gifts. Leaving through the main gate would be too conspicuous, so they could only depart from the north side gate.

“Yes!”

The two matrons swiftly took their orders and went about their tasks.

Kid, without even changing her clothes, waited at the side gate until Bai Jinzhi came running hastily. She lowered her voice and instructed, “You go to the Crown Prince’s Mansion and tell the Crown Prince that there’s a rumor outside that King Liang is personally making ice sculptures to win the emperor’s favor, setting an example for all princes. And just now, King Liang entered the palace, possibly to request an Imperial Edict to marry the daughter of the Minister of Judicial Review, Dong Qingping… the niece of Governor Dong Qingyue of Dengzhou. King Liang has started vying for favor in front of the emperor and is making marriage alliances to draw power from Dong Qingyue in Dengzhou. His intention to seize the throne is becoming evident. The Crown Prince should be wary!”

“What?!” Bai Jinzhi’s eyes widened, “Wasn’t Cousin Tingzhen supposed to be betrothed to Minister Chen’s grandson, Chen Zhaolu? How did King Liang get involved?”

Kid had no time to explain to Bai Jinzhi and only said, “Don’t ask too many questions! Go! The horse is ready outside the gate.”

“Okay!” Bai Jinzhi walked out a few steps, then returned, “Eldest Young Lady, should I ask the Crown Prince to enter the palace to stop it?”

“Relay my words as they are. Saying too much will seem deliberate. Someone will remind the Crown Prince to enter the palace!” Kid added, “You can casually mention to the Crown Prince that during the emperor’s birthday banquet, Lady Qiu, whom King Liang presented to the emperor, repeatedly spoke in favor of King Xian and Liu Ruofu. It’s uncertain whether King Liang has secretly aligned with King Xian.”

“I understand! Rest assured, Eldest Young Lady!” Bai Jinzhi dashed out like lightning.

When Kid arrived at the Dong Mansion on horseback, Dong Qingping was sitting under the osmanthus tree in the rear courtyard playing chess with Dong Changyuan.

Hearing that Kid went directly to Dong Tingzhen, he was pleasantly surprised, “Did the sisters not just meet? It’s good… have the lady prepare to keep Kid for a meal. Since Kid gained the title of princess through martial arts, and her mother is not here, we should celebrate properly for her. Lucky that Changsheng and Changqing took the two younger sisters just now and have not yet reached Yanque Tower.”

He turned and instructed his attendant, “Go follow and call back the two young masters and young ladies heading to the poetry contest at Yanque Tower. Tell them the Princess of Zhen has come and they should return!”

Today at Yanque Tower, there’s a poetry contest. The young masters and talented youths of Dadu City all headed to join the fun. According to custom, those with sisters reserved private rooms early, allowing the ladies to watch for novelty. Should they fancy someone, it could be considered for future marriage.