In the carriage. Shen Mingzhu wasn't sleepy today. Seeing Xie Lang struggling to keep his eyes open, she found it rather amusing and said, "Why don't you go back and rest for a few days?"
Xie Lang was startled, and all his drowsiness vanished. He gave Shen Mingzhu a half - smile and said, "Your Highness is being too polite. How could I miss such an occasion? I'm just a bit tired. It's quite normal."
Shen Mingzhu looked at the dark circles under his eyes, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded and said, "Alright."
But what on earth had Xie Lang been busy with these days?
Seeing the man in front of her on the verge of dozing off, Shen Mingzhu's eyes couldn't help but show a hint of curiosity. She casually handed the blanket beside her to Xie Lang and said gently, "Cover yourself up. Don't catch a cold."
Xie Lang suddenly opened his eyes, took the small blanket and threw it haphazardly over himself. Then he sank back into a drowsy state, closing his eyes and folding his arms.
Shen Mingzhu found his appearance rather funny. She sat there for a while, read a bit, but soon got bored. So she lifted the curtain and looked outside.
The temple they were heading to was the famous White Horse Temple in the capital, located halfway up the mountain. Since they hadn't reached the mountain yet, they could still travel by carriage.
But judging from Xie Lang's current state, would he fall asleep while climbing the mountain later?
This thought suddenly popped into Shen Mingzhu's mind, and she found it amusing. She glanced at Xie Lang, her eyes showing a gentle smile she herself wasn't aware of.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, Chun Tao outside said to Shen Mingzhu, "Your Highness, be careful. The path up the mountain is a bit steep, and the sedan chair may jolt. You must be cautious."
"Okay." Shen Mingzhu looked at Xie Lang's sleeping face. After answering, she added, "There's no need to rush today. Remember to go steadily."
Chun Tao was slightly surprised for a moment before saying to the people in front, "Go steadily. No need to rush."
Then, Shen Mingzhu lifted the curtain again and continued looking outside.
This was the third time she had come here since her brother's death. Although she only came once a year, she was extremely familiar with this path. There were peach trees here, and further up were maple trees. In autumn, it was a sight to behold in the capital, and many ladies liked to bring their children here to pay respects.
Li Xiyu's carriage was right behind. Shen Mingzhu leaned out slightly and saw that Li Xiyu was also leaning out at the same moment. She waved to Shen Mingzhu.
Shen Mingzhu couldn't help but laugh. She put down the curtain and turned around only to find that Xie Lang had woken up at some point. He was now looking at her intently.
"You..." Shen Mingzhu was startled. Looking at Xie Lang, she asked, "When did you wake up?"
"Just when you laughed." Xie Lang yawned.
"Do you want to sleep a bit more?" Shen Mingzhu couldn't help but chuckle when she saw the tiredness in his eyes. She reached out and pulled up the blanket that had slipped to his knees, saying gently, "It'll be a while before we arrive."
But Xie Lang shook his head and said to Shen Mingzhu, "I have something to tell you."
"Hmm?"
"I've been investigating this matter outside these days," Xie Lang said, paused for a moment, and after some hesitation, he continued, "A spy almost managed to get close to you a few days ago."
"Ah?" Shen Mingzhu was rarely a bit surprised. Then she said to Xie Lang, "Where is the person now? With you?"
"Yeah." Xie Lang responded and yawned again. "I've taken the person in."
"Shen Mingzhu," Xie Lang hesitated for a moment, sighed inwardly, and said to Shen Mingzhu, "Before the accident, there might have been spies planted around your brother."
"And... for some unknown reason, someone even used your brother's name to forcibly abduct a commoner girl. The person who wanted to get close to you these days came to the capital because his younger sister had been defiled and was being used by others."
Shen Mingzhu's eyes widened, and she instinctively retorted, "Impossible!"
Shen Mingjia was the crown prince. How could it be so easy for someone to infiltrate his entourage? Moreover, there were people sent by the emperor and the empress to protect him. There was no way anyone could directly target him!
If something really had gone wrong around Shen Mingjia, would her father and mother really not have known?
Shen Mingzhu instinctively didn't believe it. Her nails dug tightly into her palm, and a hint of solemnity appeared in her eyes.
"No, Shen Mingzhu," Xie Lang shattered her illusion. "If this wasn't done by someone around the crown prince, then it was truly the crown prince who did it. But he isn't such a person. And as the crown prince, he couldn't have been so lax in managing his subordinates. He must have been completely kept in the dark."
Shen Mingzhu was silent for a moment. She looked up at Xie Lang and said, "Thank you."
"Don't be in a hurry," Xie Lang replied. He reached out and patted Shen Mingzhu's shoulder gently. "One day, the truth will come to light."
But Shen Mingzhu suddenly remembered the faint uneasiness she had felt when parting from the empress dowager last time. She pursed her lips and said to Xie Lang, "What if the result is too unexpected?"
Hearing this, Xie Lang chuckled and continued to console her, "So what if it is? We're on the same side now. Who can hurt us?"
Shen Mingzhu: "..."
What did he mean by "on the same side"! Only bad people were said to be "on the same side". What kind of language was Xie Lang using! He was talking nonsense!
Shen Mingzhu instinctively rolled her eyes at him. When she came to her senses, she realized that the person in front of her might just be trying to cheer her up. So a faint emotion gradually welled up in her heart.
...
By the time they reached the temple, the sky was gradually darkening.
The abbot had sent a young novice monk to wait at the entrance. When he saw Shen Mingzhu getting off the sedan chair, the young novice monk stood there nervously, stuttering, "Your... Highness."
Shen Mingzhu saw that the young novice monk was about ten years old, with a cute round face. So she said gently, "You don't need to be so formal. Just call me benefactor."
The young novice monk didn't expect Shen Mingzhu to be so approachable. So he became a bit more at ease. He put his hands together in front of the two of them and said, "Two benefactors, my name is Xuan Ci. If you have any needs today, just come and find me."
Shen Mingzhu nodded slightly.
"Then... where would the benefactor like to go next?"
Shen Mingzhu said to him, "Let's go to the main hall first."
Not far from the main hall was a small hall where the longevity lamps of Shen Mingzhu and her brother had once been enshrined. Now, a memorial tablet for Shen Mingjia had been placed there.
Naturally, they needed to go and take a look.
Shen Mingzhu let out a long sigh in her heart. She turned around and saw that Li Xiyu had also gotten off the sedan chair. She walked over and said, "Shall we go and take a look?"
Li Xiyu heard Shen Mingzhu omit some words, but still sighed and nodded.
Following the young novice monk forward, everyone's expressions became increasingly solemn. When Shen Mingzhu saw Xie Lang looking at her, she casually took his hand.
Xie Lang's eyes widened.
[Why did Shen Mingzhu suddenly take my hand!]
[Does she suddenly realize that I'm reliable and is seeking comfort from me!]