There is a god in the sky

Chapter 355 Palace Change 8

After leaving the palace, Li Ge did not return to the palace immediately, but wandered aimlessly through the streets.

When he saw a fabric shop with a kingfisher on its signboard, he went up and knocked on the door.

After exchanging the password, the door opened, and a hand pulled him inside.

On the rooftop across the street, Shen Lan sat with her arms crossed. She had only intended to visit the Prince Zheng's residence, but she never expected to see Li Ge there.

She didn't eavesdrop on their conversation, but subconsciously followed Li Ge all the way.

This seemingly ordinary fabric shop was actually his hideout; he really had multiple burrows.

Come to think of it, I should buy my own house; I can't keep living in the Xiao family mansion forever.

Now her story has spread throughout the capital, and she might be recognized on the street.

Having my own little house means I'll have a place to stay when Shen Zhiyuan comes back.

With Liu Engui dead, the Liu family could no longer make a living in the capital, and their search for Shen Qing was naturally put on hold.

Shen Lan calculated the money she had saved. It wasn't enough to buy a house in Bianjing, but if she took it back to Qingmu County, she could build an ancestral hall for all the people in the town.

It's unclear how long she was lost in thought, but Li Ge emerged from the fabric shop.

Just as Shen Lan was about to follow, she saw several shop assistants come out of the shop and leave in all directions.

Shen Lan didn't pay much attention; Li Ge was always acting mysteriously.

She followed him from the rooftop and discovered that he was taking the road back to the palace this time.

Just as she was about to go down and talk to him, several figures darted out of the darkness and surrounded Li Ge in the blink of an eye.

"Who are you?" Li Ge asked in confusion.

His decision to leave the palace was made on short notice, and he did not tell anyone. It was impossible for anyone to know his route in advance and ambush him.

"Surrender and the master will see you."

The man in black had a deep, resonant voice.

Li Ge suddenly realized, "You are the Tong family's assassins? If Old Master Tong wants to see his servants, he can just give the order. Why make such a fuss?"

Knowing he was no match for Li Ge, and not intending to fight back, he was about to surrender when he heard something fly past his ear.

A small knife struck the man in black squarely in the forehead, and he screamed and fell to the ground.

Li Ge turned around in surprise and saw Shen Lan jump off the roof, grab him, and run away.

The assassins caught up.

Shen Lan occasionally tossed out a few hidden weapons, asking Li Ge as she ran, "This won't do. Are there any of your men nearby?"

Li Ge followed her steps, panting as he replied, "Go east, and there's a place to hide just two streets away."

Shen Lan ran in the direction he told her to, and the pursuers behind her almost touched the hem of Li Ge's clothes several times.

But it's clear they don't want to hurt Li Ge.

"Did my saving you make things worse?"

Originally, Tong Yiwen probably wasn't sure whether Li Ge had betrayed the Empress, but now that she has appeared, he can probably guess.

"It's alright, they can't jump around anymore."

"really?"

"An 80% chance of winning."

Arrived.

Looking at the solemn government office in front of her, Shen Lan realized that the refuge Li Ge had mentioned was actually the Jinwuwei government office.

She turned to look at the pursuers behind her and asked loudly, "Are you sure you want to keep chasing us?"

The men in black retreated instantly and quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Several Imperial Guards on duty rushed out of the yamen and shouted, "Who is making such a racket here at this hour?"

Shen Lan pulled Li Ge along and continued running until they reached the foot of the imperial city, at which point they stopped.

The two sat on the ground, panting, looked at each other, and laughed at the same time.

Li Ge noticed a small white flower pinned to her sleeve and asked, "Has Shen Zhiyuan left Beijing?"

"Yes, let's go. We'll take Miaoniang back to her hometown for burial."

"Why don't you leave?"

Shen Lan asked curiously, "How can I leave before my case is closed? Liu Engui is just the beginning. I still have to watch the Tong family and the Crown Prince fall."

"Leave these to me, I won't let them get away with it."

"Li Ge, thank you." Shen Lan didn't know what to say.

The five of them each had their own circumstances, but compared to each other, she was the luckiest.

The pain Li Ge had endured was beyond what most people could bear. Even if she didn't agree with some of his actions, she wouldn't criticize him.

"Thank me for what?"

Shen Lan smiled and shook her head, not answering his question.

They knew perfectly well that taking the usual path would not avenge their family. Shen Lan thought she was fighting alone, so she took every step with extreme caution.

Upon arriving in the capital, they learned that everyone was struggling to survive, for only by surviving could they hope for revenge.

"By the way, my cousin and Miao Niang got married. You can congratulate him next time you see him; he'll be happy."

Li Ge paused for a moment, then laughed—a genuine smile.

“It’s a joyous occasion. I will prepare a gift for him. Miao Niang can die in peace now. Before she died, all she wanted was to see Shen Zhiyuan.”

Shen Lan was unaware of this, and her laughter turned into tears.

"She's so foolish. She risked her life to sow discord between the imperial father and son. What if she failed? Wouldn't she have died for nothing?"

"Everyone has their own choices, and as long as she feels it's worth it, that's fine."

Shen Lan looked up at him. "So, do you think it's worth it?"

To seek revenge, a man abandons his dignity and body.

Li Ge remained silent for a long time before taking out a purse from his sleeve and handing it to Shen Lan.

"I don't need sympathy. Although I was forced to get to this point back then, I have never regretted it!"

"What is this?" Shen Lan asked, taking the purse.

"The Empress's Phoenix Seal".

Shen Lan was so surprised that she almost dropped the things.

"You... how did you bring this out? What are you giving it to me for?"

Shen Lan held this hot potato, unsure of what to do with her hands.

"You keep it for me."

"What do you intend to do with the stolen Phoenix Seal?"

"The Empress has a private force that does not belong to the Tong family or the Crown Prince. This Phoenix Seal is her token."

"So you left the palace tonight for those people?"

"Yes, you'll hear good news first thing tomorrow morning."

Li Ge stood up, stared at Shen Lan for a while, and then whispered something in her ear.

"You..." Shen Lan's eyes widened instantly, her face full of disbelief.

"Shh...don't say it, just keep it in your heart. Don't tell anyone, including Xiao Ji."

Li Ge turned and left, leaving Shen Lan alone, bewildered in the wind.

She tucked the phoenix seal into her bosom, sighed at the dark sky, and truly felt that the capital was about to face a violent storm.

Inside the imperial prison, the prince's cell was no different from a private room.

Before the emperor issued an order to depose the crown prince, no one dared to treat him as a criminal.

However, no matter how well the prison was arranged, the prince was like a trapped beast, pacing back and forth restlessly.

He kicked the table over, and the delicious food on it, untouched, was scattered all over the floor, leaving a mess.

The jailer skillfully entered and tidied up, neither daring to offer advice nor speak, silently finishing his work and leaving.

A figure appeared outside the cell and said softly, "The Crown Prince is too impatient."

The prince's eyes lit up when he heard the voice. "Grandfather, you've finally arrived."