Chapter 576: Chapter 576: Wife and Children Return to their Maternal Home

The lady-in-waiting by the Empress’s side was named Chi’er.

Upon hearing Nanny’s words, she was greatly surprised, “I thought the Emperor was suspicious of the Princess Consort. How could he allow her to leave the palace? Could it be that the Emperor has already found the real culprit and cleared the suspicion from the Princess Consort?”

Nanny shook her head, “I don’t know about that.”

However, the Empress sneered, “With the power of the Jiang Family, no matter whether Jiang Ning is the murderer or not, who would dare to keep her locked up all the time? Besides, there is still that one person in the Jiang Family.”

Everyone in the room knew exactly who that one person was.

The Empress suddenly exclaimed, “Now I understand.”

“What do you mean, Your Highness?”

“I remember that Lin Zizi’s birthday is around this time… Yes, that must be it. Princess Consort wants to go back to the Jiang Family to celebrate Lin Zizi’s birthday.”

Chi’er laughed, “If that’s the case, it’s quite possible.”

Nanny said softly, “The Jiang Family has great influence.”

With another cold laugh, the Empress said, “Even if the Jiang Family were just commoners, for the sake of celebrating Lin Zizi’s birthday, could our Emperor bear the thought of letting Lin Zizi be disappointed and not see her daughter?”

Nanny and the lady-in-waiting exchanged a glance, but neither spoke.

“First Lin Zizi, then Concubine Jin… How come such women are so likable?” the Empress said softly.

Chi’er hesitated before saying, “Your Highness, last time you let Lin Zizi meet the Emperor, but it seemed that he showed no difference in his attitude. Perhaps, in the Emperor’s heart, Concubine Jin is more important than Lin Zizi.”

The Empress picked up her teacup and smiled, “Yes, the living can never compete with the dead.”

…

Two days later, Jiang Ning personally dressed the two children in brand new clothes, put a small round hat on Wenzan, and combed two braids for Lingzi.

Dressed in festive and adorable outfits, she held one child in each hand as they got in the carriage and left the Imperial Palace, heading towards the Jiang Family.

Li Yuanyuan sent them off up to the gate of the East Palace, kneeling in respect as they left, before standing up.

They made sure to follow all the proper etiquette.

This time, Jiang Ning took everyone back home with her.

Apart from Gucheng and Xiaoman, Huang Ying, Chun, Xia, Qiu, and Dong, along with the wet nurses and maids for the two children, all went with her.

The whole entourage was quite impressive.

Upon the order of the Crown Prince, Mu Jian had already assembled two teams of the Right Imperial Guards and was waiting at the palace gates to escort Jiang Ning and her two children.

As the procession left the Immortal-view Gate, Li Hongyuan was sitting in Crystal Frost Hall, calmly writing.

“As your wife takes the children back to her family’s home, you don’t seem worried at all.” The Emperor’s somewhat aged voice came to his ears.

The Emperor was languidly lying on a couch behind a screen, idly playing with a string of beads, speaking unhurriedly.

“The Jiang Family is very safe, and they will return in the evening, so there is no need to worry,” Li Hongyuan said.

“What about Mu Jian? Is he also safe?” asked the Emperor, “I only agreed to let Jiang Ning go, not the two little ones. Can you be sure now that Mu Jian can be trusted? At this moment, he is leading a large group of Imperial Guards, surrounding your wife and the children. What if he has any ideas…”

The Emperor didn’t finish his statement.

Li Hongyuan had no choice but to stop writing.

“Emperor Father, without entering the tiger’s den, one can’t capture its cubs,” he said.

“Nonsense!” The Emperor was furious. “You caught a tiger cub? You threw your own child away too!”

“Please calm down, Emperor Father,” Li Hongyuan stood up and faced the screen. “With Gucheng’s protection, the Princess Consort and the two children will be safe.”

“You have a high opinion of that little stammerer,” the Emperor snorted.