Chapter 602: Sensation in the Imperial Capital 3

Cuilü frowned and said, "Steward Xu, who on earth is it that warrants such concern from you? Concubine Meng is unwell, as you well know. The imperial physician instructed that she must not leave her bed for seven days, otherwise…"

Steward Xu waved his hand to interrupt the Maidservant, nearly stomping his feet in frustration. "His Highness Prince Jin! His Highness Prince Jin is heading towards our residence with a massive crowd in tow, and word is he's here to collect a debt! With the Crown Prince away and no one to take charge, Concubine Meng must get up, no matter how severe her injuries!"

"Collect a debt?" Before Cuilü could react, Concubine Meng had already rushed out, throwing on a cloak. "Who did you say is here to collect a debt?"

Because her injuries from yesterday were severe, Concubine Meng's steps were unsteady, and her body swayed as if she were about to fall.

Cuilü rushed forward to support Concubine Meng, preventing her from falling.

"Yes, I heard it's for debt collection!" Steward Xu was drenched in sweat, pacing anxiously.

Concubine Meng also grew extremely anxious.

The Crown Prince's reaction yesterday had been so intense; it was clear he must owe a staggering amount… For His Highness Prince Jin to come in person, this debt… this debt was impossible to avoid.

Concubine Meng gritted her teeth. "Where is His Highness the Crown Prince?" With such a major event occurring, had he actually gone into hiding?

"I don't know!" Steward Xu was also frantic.

"How can you not know? Aren't all the gates of the residence guarded?" When the Crown Prince went out yesterday, he had clearly returned shortly after.

Steward Xu pulled at his hair in desperation. "This old servant is also puzzled. There's no record of His Highness the Crown Prince leaving through the main gates, and Prince Jin's men are guarding every direction… Even if the Crown Prince had wings, he'd find it hard to fly away, yet he's simply gone!"

Concubine Meng's stance faltered, and she nearly collapsed.

Cuilü was quick to catch the wavering Concubine Meng, her disdain for the Crown Prince's actions growing in her heart.

In an instant, Concubine Meng understood. There was a secret passage in the Crown Princes Residence, and the Crown Prince had used it early on to flee and escape his debts.

He caused the debt himself, yet he ran away so quickly, leaving this mess for her, a woman, to endure. To think he is the Crown Prince of a nation; he is so lacking in responsibility. If he were to ascend the throne, what kind of misery would the people under his rule suffer?

Of course, Concubine Meng didn't think that far ahead; she only knew that she now felt nothing but contempt for the Crown Prince!

At that moment, a servant boy ran in frantically. "This is bad! This is bad! His Highness Prince Jin has broken in!"

Steward Xu was both frustrated and anxious. "Didn't I tell you all to stop them first?"

"Steward Xu, we tried to stop them! But that's His Highness Prince Jin! With one wave of his hand, our men fell in droves. How—how—how are we supposed to stop him!" the servant boy cried out, feeling extremely aggrieved.

Others might be easy to block, but His Highness Prince Jin… his majesty was more terrifying than ten Crown Princes combined. Who would dare stop him? Steward Xu had no choice but to push the heavy responsibility onto Concubine Meng. "Concubine Meng, we need you to take charge here…"

She had enjoyed the luxuries of the Crown Princes Residence for several years and had acted as the de facto Crown Princess for just as long; surely she should be the one to shoulder this responsibility?

Thinking of Prince Jin's decisive and cruel methods… Concubine Meng's body swayed, and she was on the verge of fainting. Fortunately, Steward Xu was sharp-witted; he shouted loudly, "Concubine Meng, given Prince Jin's temper, if no one in charge goes out, I'm afraid he'll tear down the entire Crown Princes Residence!"