Chapter 187 A glimmer of hope

Wei Xingzhong and Qi Yue entered the tent and bowed, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"

After the ceremony, Wei Xingzhong said excitedly, "Your Majesty, I heard that there was an assassination attempt just now. I was deeply ashamed that someone with such evil intentions had sneaked into the military camp. When the Northern Expedition is over, I will voluntarily relinquish my seal and apologize!"

"Today's matter is meaningless if it is investigated further. I have not called you here to accuse you of any crime, but for a more urgent matter."

"Yes, I will obey your orders."

Xiao Chenglan raised his eyes and looked at Fu Wanquan: "Go to the cabinet on the right and take out the jade scroll. I want to draft an edict."

Fu Wanquan hurried to get it, prepared the pen and ink and brought it to Xiao Chenglan.

"I fear unrest will soon break out in the capital. I will dispatch 30,000 troops back to quell the rebellion, and I entrust this task to Jiang Zhao. You have all witnessed Jiang Zhao's performance. Today, I will reward him with the title of Marquis and bestow upon him the title of Dingguo."

After these words were spoken, the three of them were stunned.

The two words "Dingguo" carry great weight, but if there is a change in the capital, only these two words can suppress the rebellion.

Wei Xingzhong and Qi Yue bowed to Jiang Zhao.

Xiao Chenglan added, "Since we're withdrawing 30,000 troops, you two need to rethink your strategy."

Wei Xingzhong waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. The advantage is already in Daye. Even if a hundred thousand are withdrawn, I can still continue to push north."

Xiao Chenglan nodded slightly. "Your contributions in this battle will be recorded. When you return to the capital someday, I will personally bestow upon you the title of Grand General."

Wei Xingzhong and Qi Yue were stunned. Just now they felt a little bit resentful about Jiang Zhao having a more famous title than theirs at such a young age, but now their minds were full of the three words "General".

The title of general is easy to obtain, but the title of general is another matter. Even without a title, the general sounds impressive. If one can obtain the title of loyalty and bravery, or the title of great power like General Gu, it would be perfect.

"Yes, I will definitely live up to your majesty's expectations and sweep across the northern border!"

The tip of Xiao Chenglan's pen was dipped in ink, and his hand holding the pen was shaking a little, but he still wrote the imperial edict with a smooth stroke.

"The rebels are causing chaos. I am far away from home. I now order Marquis Dingguo to return to the capital to purge the emperor's court, eliminate the rebels, and support Crown Prince Xiao Chen'an to ascend the throne as regent. The Empress will act as regent. I also appoint Song Zhang and Ge Huaichuan as ministers to assist the Crown Prince in governing the country. All rebels will be executed without any need for surrender..."

Xiao Chenglan wrote very quickly. Before the ink was even dry, he asked Fu Wanquan to take it to Jiang Zhao.

"Take this decree I drafted back to the capital, enter through the Qingwu Gate, the main gate of the imperial palace, and read it out before everyone. Although I am being ordered to do this in a time of crisis, I trust you."

Jiang Zhao's arms were shaking when he took the decree from Fu Wanquan's hand.

He never thought that there would be a day when he would be able to decide the fate of the world with an imperial edict.

However, he was only shocked and not afraid. After all, the queen and the prince mentioned in the imperial edict were his sister and nephew respectively.

"Your Majesty, even if I risk my life, I will protect the Empress and the Crown Prince and allow them to enter the Chengqian Palace to restore the throne!" Jiang Zhao kowtowed heavily.

When he raised his head again, he saw His Majesty, whose face was pale, suddenly spit out a mouthful of blood. Everyone in the hall shouted in unison:

"His Majesty!"

Xiao Chenglan gripped the edge of the couch with his knuckles, pulled off the Nine Dragon Pendant that symbolized his imperial status from his waist, and handed it to Jiang Zhao.

"This is my explanation of the situation. I have finished my official business. I have some personal matters to attend to. Please step forward."

Jiang Zhao quickly knelt forward and said, "Your Majesty!"

Xiao Chenglan gritted his teeth and said, "I have no choice but to prepare for the worst. If I can't survive this night, simply place this jade pendant in the coffin. My body will not be placed in the imperial mausoleum. I will be buried with...with your sister."

Jiang Zhao held the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant, stunned. Once an emperor was buried in an imperial mausoleum, it would never be opened again. Your Majesty, what was this...

"Your Majesty, you can't do that! Even if it's just a plan, you are the Son of Heaven, how can you not be buried in the imperial mausoleum to be worshipped and worshipped by future generations? I guess you don't want the empress to be buried with him. Then, where will Your Majesty's soul rest in peace after so many years?" Wei Xingzhao objected.

"Yes, Your Majesty, please think twice before acting."

"This is also an imperial edict!" Xiao Chenglan raised his voice a few notches, looked at Wei Xingzhong and Qi Yue, and motioned them to go down first.

After they left, Xiao Chenglan squeezed Jiang Zhao's arm and told him one last thing: "If the situation in the capital really reaches an irreversible point, don't worry about the Crown Prince and the throne, just protect your sister. Since Xiao Chen'an is the crown prince, it is his duty to die for the country, but your sister is different... your sister is different..."

After saying this, Xiao Chenglan spat out another mouthful of blood and completely fainted.

Jiang Zhao's heart trembled as he watched the scene before him. Those words just now were actually spoken by His Majesty.

His Majesty's feelings for his sister are far deeper than he thought.

He realized something belatedly.

At the beginning, His Majesty sent him to the southwest border camp, saying that if he had the opportunity to make meritorious service, he would be able to be of help to his sister.

He thought that as long as he climbed up, his sister would live a better life and have a higher status, but he was completely wrong.

My sister doesn't need his help at all.

When he was still struggling in the military camp, his sister became the queen, and his sister's child was born as the prince. He benefited from his sister's help.

Just now, His Majesty rushed forward to protect him in order to protect his sister's only blood relative.

If it weren't for today's incident, he would have no chance to provide any help to his sister.

Jiang Zhao clenched the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant in his hand, lowered his head, and called out softly, "Brother-in-law."

Fu Wanquan couldn't help but wipe away his tears, but he remembered His Majesty's instructions and said quickly, "Young Marquis, I'm afraid you will have to leave for the capital tonight. Your Majesty, Doctor Xu and this servant are here with you."

With the imperial edict in his hand, Jiang Zhao knew the situation was critical. He nodded, and without wasting a moment, he stood up and walked out of the tent.

**

The night in Zhaohua Palace was also deep and dim.

Jiang Yingli paced back and forth in Zhaohua Palace. The concubines in the palace gathered late at night and sensed a hint of unusual aura, but they didn't dare to speak.

Lian Qiao hurried in, and Jiang Yingli immediately stepped forward and asked, "How is it? Has Qi Liang arrived?"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I've arrived. I'm weak and can't walk very fast, so I'm sorry to have caused Your Majesty any worry."

Everyone saw Zheng Lan'er walking slowly towards them.

Ever since she fell ill, she has been staying at home and they haven't seen her for a long time. At first glance, her skin has become much paler and she looks sickly.

Seeing her coming, Jiang Yingli finally felt relieved and held her hand, which was cold due to illness: "I'm glad you're here."

Jiang Yingli returned to the main seat and looked at the concubines, who were all on edge and didn't know what was going on. She said bluntly, "There might be unusual movements in the palace. Be prepared."

As soon as the words fell, many concubines stood up in fright.

"Palace coup?!"

As soon as these two words were spoken, the hall exploded with screams one after another.

"Hush, I know you're all scared, but remember not to lose your composure before the enemy attacks. I called you here because I have a plan. Follow me first."

The more chaotic the situation is, the more a backbone can stabilize people's hearts. Jiang Yingli calmed everyone down with just a few words and made them follow her obediently.

Everyone entered a side hall in Zhaohua Palace that was covered with cobwebs. Jiang Yingli fumbled around on the wall and pressed down a gray brick.

A wall flipped over, revealing a dark staircase extending underground.

There was actually a secret room, and the concubines covered their mouths in shock.

Jiang Yingli asked Lian Qiao and Qiu Xia to hold the lamps on both sides, and signaled the concubines behind her to follow her in.

Last year, His Majesty transformed the palace next to Zhaohua Palace into a garden, and this secret room was built at that time.

It must be said that it was His Majesty's foresight that allowed her and her concubines to find a glimmer of hope.

In fact, in addition to this secret room, there is also a secret passage under Zhaohua Palace that leads directly to the outside of the palace.

Perhaps, when the emperor built the Zhaohua Palace and the secret passage for his favorite concubine, he had the same thoughts in mind as her Majesty.

They are all trying to give their loved ones a glimmer of hope in the face of possible crises in the future.