He still didn't know what to do, but for now, the best course of action was to secretly escort his mother, grandmother, and siblings safely to the capital, ensuring they wouldn't be bullied on the way.
On June 15th, a grand entourage set off for Qin Province to escape the summer heat, with officials, their families, palace maids, eunuchs, and various servants, totaling over a thousand people.
It was said that early this morning, when the massive group departed, there was a commotion in the residence of Consort Yu.
But she believed that the final list of those leaving the palace was personally decided by the Emperor, so she could only vent her frustrations within her own quarters and dared not make a scene in public.
As for Consort De, she herself wasn't going and initially didn't intend for the third prince to go either. It was Jiang Xinyue who had the fourth prince plead with the Emperor, insisting that his third brother join them. Only then did the third prince get to accompany Jiang Xinyue and leave the palace for some fresh air.
The Xuanwu Emperor sat in the carriage, pushing the ice basin closer to Jiang Xinyue: "Why did you insist on bringing Xuan'er along?"
Jiang Xinyue had intended to answer his question first, but the next moment she widened her eyes: "Your Majesty, what is the third prince's name?"
"Shen Mingxuan, why?"
Jiang Xinyue hastily lifted the carriage curtain and waved to Xiao Xuanzi who was following behind.
Xiao Xuanzi ran up quickly: "Your Highness, what are your orders?"
"What was your name before you went to the Palace of Exile?"
Although puzzled, Xiao Xuanzi still answered honestly: "I entered the palace at the age of seven. The chief of the Internal Affairs Department gave me the name Xiao Xiangzi and assigned me to the Flower Management Department to tend to the flowers. Later, because I accidentally broke a pot of Green Cloud, which was the favorite of Eunuch Chang, he said I was an ill-fated person and changed my name to Xiao Xuanzi, demoting me to the Palace of Exile."
Green Cloud was a rare variety of chrysanthemum, known for its green stems and slightly green petals, especially the outer petals that extended downwards like colorful clouds, beautiful and ethereal.
However, every plant and drop of water in the palace belonged to the noble masters. How could a eunuch claim "Eunuch Chang's favorite Green Cloud"?
Jiang Xinyue understood that Xiao Xuanzi was subtly implicating Eunuch Chang.
Having nearly been wronged by someone, Jiang Xinyue also looked at the Emperor: "Xiao Xuanzi was of low status then, unable to reach the higher masters, so it's normal he didn't know the third prince's name. But the chief eunuch of the Flower Management Department often had to deliver flowers to the various palaces. Wouldn't he know that the third prince's name contains the character 'Xuan'?"
To claim ignorance would be implausible. Eunuchs who could rise to such positions were no ordinary people. They would investigate even the number of family members of the palace ladies to curry favor and advance.
Xiao Xuanzi also had the composure. Even if he didn't know the third prince's name before, after serving Jiang Xinyue, he became a prominent eunuch in the palace.
Yet, he didn't rush to complain to Jiang Xinyue or seek trouble with Eunuch Chang in private. Instead, he waited for an opportunity like today, allowing his master to discover the issue and seek justice for him.
He was someone who never bothered his master to stand up for him.
The Emperor already showed displeasure. Seeing this, Xiao Xuanzi quickly pleaded guilty: "I deserve death. I didn't know my name clashed with the third prince's. If I had known, I would never have changed it."
Jiang Xinyue tugged at the Emperor's sleeve: "I didn't know either before today! Every day I called him the third prince, never asking his name."
The Xuanwu Emperor patted her hand: "I'm not blaming you."
He was displeased with the fact that Eunuch Chang dared to use a name that clashed with the third prince's.
Wang Dequan stood outside the Emperor's carriage. As soon as the Emperor lifted the curtain, he leaned over: "Your Majesty..."
"Have Shi Liang return and demote the chief eunuch of the Flower Management Department. Send him to the Palace of Exile."
He wasn't intending to let Xiao Xuanzi... No...
Just as he finished speaking, he turned to Xiao Xuanzi: "Having a name that clashes with the third prince's is not good. From today, you should revert to your original name, Xiao Xiangzi."
Xiao Xiangzi's heart leaped with joy: "I thank Your Majesty for the grace."
Who knew how terrified he was every day with the name Xiao Xuanzi, fearing that Consort De might suddenly take offense.
Jiang Xinyue then poured a cup of warm tea for the Emperor: "The third prince didn't lose his voice due to poisoning. I believe it's psychological. I hope this summer retreat can help him speak again."
What psychological reasons could cause him to lose the desire to speak?
Jiang Xinyue felt that having the third prince explain to his father would be more credible.
Inside the carriage were Nanny Xiang and Xi Que. Nanny Xiang was holding the sixth prince, and Xi Que was still suffering from a severe leg injury.
Wet Nurse Lu, who needed to breastfeed, couldn't undress in front of the Emperor, so she sat in the carriage behind, along with Shuang Jiang and a few maids serving Jiang Xinyue.
The sixth prince's feeding was scheduled. At the appointed time, Nanny Xiang would carry him to the rear carriage for feeding.
Jiang Chuan stayed behind to guard Hexi Palace. Jiang Xinyue promised him to join next year's summer retreat, leaving Xiao Xiangzi to guard the home.
The sixth prince was only two months old, not yet aware of his surroundings. He ate, slept, and occasionally lay in the carriage in a daze.
Yet, the Xuanwu Emperor still enjoyed playing with him, especially when the sixth prince occasionally smiled, giving him a great sense of accomplishment.
The princes' and princesses' carriages followed behind the Emperor's. The third prince, fourth prince, and the second princess were in the same carriage, eating, playing, and enjoying the scenery along the way.
The eldest princess, having celebrated her twelfth birthday, felt regretful for not being able to share a carriage with her younger siblings.
As a result, just two hours into the journey, she began to feel car sick.
Fortunately, the Imperial Noble Consort had inquired about the conditions of the young masters and prepared motion sickness medicine and snacks like dried tangerine peel and oranges.
The eldest princess's snacks were mainly light and sour, helping to alleviate the dizziness caused by motion sickness.
Qin Province wasn't too far from the capital. The location of the summer palace was meticulously chosen to be cool yet not too distant, otherwise, a month or two of travel would mean the summer would be over.
From here to the summer palace, it would take two days by carriage and one day by boat, totaling three days.
Qin Province, nestled between mountains and rivers, had mild seasonal differences, neither too hot nor too cold, making it an ideal place to live.
Moreover, the construction of the summer palace in Qin Prefecture had stimulated the local economy. Today, Qin Province's prosperity could rival that of the capital and Chang'an.
Two days later, the royal procession heading to Qin Province stopped at a magnificently renovated dock, heavily guarded by soldiers.
The Xuanwu Emperor helped Jiang Xinyue down from the carriage, preparing to switch to a boat.
"Help... save me..."
Suddenly, a woman in grey coarse cloth broke through the guards and ran towards Jiang Xinyue and the others.
