Chapter 106 Resignation He is insatiable and greedy.

The next morning, the distant mountains were still shrouded in mist, but the two of them had already walked out of the mansion hand in hand.

Song Xieqing helped her onto the carriage. Considering that the morning court session was still an hour away, he lifted the curtain and went inside, sitting next to her.

"...You're not going to court?" Zhu Hao raised an eyebrow and gently shook his arm. "Don't worry, I will return to Huaicheng obediently and will never change my route again."

Song Xieqing smiled and said nothing.

The carriage rumbled on, and the bells hanging on the canopy swayed with sounds.

Seeing that Song Xieqing had not yet gotten out of the car, she gradually lost her smile. "You..."

"I'll be back once you leave the city." Song Xieqing saw that she looked nervous, as if he had ruined some of her plans. After he finished speaking, the woman sitting opposite him nodded, obviously relieved.

Song Xieqing looked her up and down without missing a beat. Seeing that the mark on her neck had disappeared, he felt relieved. He had tried his best to restrain himself and knew his limits yesterday, but her skin would turn red easily if he applied even a little force. Fortunately, it disappeared quickly.

Seeing him staring at her the entire time, Zhu Hao tilted his head and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Is the medicine ready to be applied?" he asked in a low voice.

The carriage was silent, with only the crisp sound of the wheels rolling over the bluestone bricks and the sound of the bells hitting the wind. Seeing that she was silent for a long time, Song Xieqing's heart tightened again. Although he still had some confidence in himself... he was not as familiar with this matter as she was.

Seeing his serious expression, Zhu Hao couldn't wait to carry her back to the house for a thorough checkup. She couldn't help but smile, "Didn't I tell you it's okay? Normally, it won't hurt the next day... Don't let those storybooks fool you."

But the man's face flushed slightly. He leaned over and skillfully lifted her up to sit on his lap. "...Are you just laughing at me?"

Zhu Hao felt that Song Xieqing like this was quite rare. A hundred years later, he had experienced a hundred more years. Even if he had never experienced it himself, he had seen pigs run. But now, he was just in his early twenties, especially green and easily embarrassed. However, his mouth and body were very hard... and his strength did not diminish, as if he was tireless.

She felt like teasing him, so she put her arm around his ear and asked deliberately, "It's still some distance outside the city..."

After saying that, she climbed up his waist and intertwined her fingers with his. When they were close, they encountered a bumpy ride on the carriage, and the two collided. The restlessness she felt in the morning was even worse than yesterday, and it easily caused a heat that burned into her skirt.

The young man beneath her was tense all over, with a wrinkle on his strong waist that was particularly noticeable. Yet, he stiffened his neck and said in a hoarse voice, "Pianpian, get off."

It was beyond her expectation. Zhu Hao suddenly felt bored and stepped away from him, standing quite a distance away from him, picking up the sweet pastry and biting it.

"I wish you well. Don't just bully me." Seeing that she actually retreated, Song Xieqing felt a little disappointed. Seeing that she remained silent, and fearing that she would be annoyed, he took the initiative to move closer and whispered, "I'll teach you how to get down... First, because the carriage is not soundproof..."

Zhu Hao looked up and saw that he had lowered brows and clenched fists, his voice still a bit hoarse from suppression. "Secondly... although it's a bit far from the city, it's only a few cups of tea after all. I'm afraid I..."

He stopped talking and just stared at her, hinting at something.

Zhu Hao suddenly remembered his tireless entanglement yesterday, and even when they were bathing in the middle of the night, someone even had the urge to push her against the bathtub until the water temperature gradually cooled down and the clear waves turned into turbid waves. Zhu Hao immediately understood the deep meaning of his current intention.

He is insatiable and greedy.

He thought it was too short, and once the knife was unsheathed, he couldn't retract the blade.

Zhu Hao took the last piece of sweet pastry between her two fingers and put it into her mouth. Seeing that she still didn't say anything, Song Xieqing frowned slightly. Without saying anything, he trapped her in a corner of the carriage, leaned over and bit her lips. As he pulled away, he said, "It's a sweet pastry made with golden osmanthus."

She didn't know what was wrong with him. A hundred years ago, he liked to taste the cream on her lips, but now...

Zhu Hao said unhappily, "Don't you always dislike sweet things?"

Song Xieqing chuckled softly, like a cunning fox who had succeeded, "Did I come here to taste the sweet pastry?"

He leaned over and whispered in her ear. This time it was Zhu Hao's turn to blush. She quickly pushed him away and kept scolding him.

When the young lady was angry, she always frowned, but the corners of her eyes were slightly raised. Her pearly teeth bit her lips, bringing out a bright red color, which was very adorable.

Song Xieqing suddenly realized that he was being pretentious just now.

Zhu Hao picked up another piece of sweet pastry, turned his head away and ignored him, but saw Song Xieqing walking out of the carriage, not knowing where he was going. Zhu Hao rolled up the curtains on both sides of the carriage, and the carriage had already driven out of the prosperous area of ​​the inner city. After the changes in the palace, the streets were sparsely populated, not to mention it was still early and it was in the outer city, with almost no pedestrians and it was quiet.

Not long after, Song returned with Qing.

Zhu Hao glanced up and thought he had left.

Song Xieqing looked calm as he raised his hands to drop the rolled-up curtains layer by layer. The carriage fell into darkness. Zhu Hao vaguely sensed something unusual, but before he could think about it, he was lifted up by him. The silk belt around his waist loosened, and he let him put his hands above his head and tied him up with the silk belt.

...learns quickly.

In the midst of a dilemma, Zhu Hao kicked him and asked, seemingly knowing the answer, "What did you do when you went out just now?"

Song Xieqing leisurely untied his leather belt and tossed it aside, letting her lie on top. Their fingers intertwined, the buds, dripping with pearls and dew, had already blossomed under the drizzling rain. His breath was hot on Zhu Hao's neck. "Tell them not to ask any questions or come in, no matter what they hear."

Luanling masterpiece.

…

Song Xieqing left. Zhu Hao spent a long while combing his hair in the carriage. When he came out, he saw that the attendants were all standing quietly with their hands down, their faces as usual. He didn't know what kind of coercion or inducement Song Xieqing had just used...

The attendants around the carriage originally thought that Zhu Hao just wanted to take a breath of fresh air, but unexpectedly, this lady untied the horse from the carriage. Everyone was troubled for a moment. Seeing that she insisted on doing so, a servant dressed as a boy had no choice but to lead a reddish-brown horse from the back.

"Young Master has ordered...if Madam must ride a horse, then give her Biaofeng. Biaofeng can travel a thousand miles a day and has a gentle and affectionate temperament."

Zhu Hao gently stroked the horse's mane, her eyes smiling and her brows relaxed. She climbed onto the horse and found that the saddle was covered with thick cushions. Zhu Hao wanted to try out the new mount, but her little finger penetrated the reins and pulled empty.

Although it was only a moment, she saw it clearly this time.

Zhu Hao stood there in a daze for a long time, then he whipped his horse and galloped towards Yangyang Avenue.

…

For the past half month, in addition to the daily morning court sessions, it was common for a group of ministers to discuss state affairs in the imperial palace until late at night.

As things gradually settled and they waited for God's will, the bright moon outside the hall gradually faded away, and the morning sun hidden in the clouds was rising. The ministers had worked hard all night and dispersed in groups of three or two. Only Song Xieqing was still standing in the hall.

Jiang Zhi turned his gaze to the lone minister in the hall. For some reason, his complexion had become extremely bad, his lips were almost colorless, and he almost couldn't stand steadily during the meeting just now.

The emperor came down in person.

A few steps away, the minister bowed politely and said, "Your Majesty, please know that I wish to resign."

The emperor was silent for a long time before he said, "Must the Imperial Preceptor leave? Lord Song was his teacher, so why can't he be mine?"

Song Xieqing simply said, "Your Majesty, you understand why I have to leave."

He naturally understood this. Moreover, since Daying had decided to surrender, there was no reason for the imperial teacher of the old dynasty to remain in office.

Afterwards, the ministers in front of him actually kowtowed and bowed, "Moreover, I am guilty. Although Shuanzi was not the true heir to the throne of the late emperor... I was the one who taught him and succeeded him as the new emperor. When he was in power, people's livelihood was in decline, heavy penalties and taxes were imposed, and loyal and good people were executed. This was his fault. My service as the emperor's teacher is also my fault. Although Shuanzi is gone now, I cannot escape the blame. Therefore, I am unfit to serve as an official."

The emperor sighed.

Song Xieqing took out two scrolls of bright yellow silk and held them up with both hands. "These two imperial edicts were bestowed by the late emperor during his lifetime. Since I have resigned from my post, there is no point in keeping them, so I am returning them to Your Majesty."

The so-called former emperor naturally refers to his father, not Shuanzi.

Jiang Zhi did not shy away from the idea and directly unfolded one of the plans, saying that Huai City would return to the country and be governed in the same way as his own city. Daying would not interfere in internal affairs for twenty years, and taxes would be exempted for ten years. If a neighboring country invaded Huai, Daying would unite the entire country to fight the enemy.

So why did he keep it secret for so many years?

The answer was obvious. With Shuanzi's tyranny and the people in dire straits, how could he possibly treat Huaicheng well? And as a young ruler of a city, he abandoned his people and journeyed to a foreign land, precisely to leverage his power, using Great Ying as a shield for Huai. However, belonging to a state was no joke, nor was it simply a matter of reliance. Even if Shuanzi had been promoted to Imperial Tutor during his reign, it wouldn't have earned him the trust of his people. In his eyes, there were no suitable candidates left in the Ying Dynasty, let alone the declining power of the Ying Kingdom. How could it possibly protect Huaicheng?

Therefore, he chose to leave.

If the army enters Ying from Huaicheng, it may be able to avoid many dangerous passes and at the same time reduce the loss of food and fodder to a great extent. Given the current weakness of Ying, passing through Huaicheng is no less than heading directly to Yingdu. His so-called resignation is nothing more than choosing another wise leader.

Jiang Zhi looked indifferent. What's more, he thought, "Well, after all, Daying has decided to belong to Qing Kingdom... Moreover, he has already issued an order that there is no need to hunt down Lan Yuan anymore. Others may be puzzled, but doesn't he understand?"

Lan Yuan was just going back and forth from where he came from. As for killing Shuanzi... At that time, Shuanzi was already at the end of his rope. Since there was no profit to be made, he was just getting rid of a pawn for his master.

Then, he unfolded the second secret decree, and his eyes suddenly fixed, because it was an imperial decree with a jade seal but without a single word on it. The deep meaning behind it was self-evident.

Jiang Zhi's heart was shaken, and he looked at the kneeling minister with a complicated expression. This man held a high position, held two secret decrees of the previous emperor, and also had a jade order that allowed him to enter and leave the palace at any time, but he had not done anything wrong and was willing to be just a minister.

The loss of this vital pillar of our country is a great regret for the country and the people.

The emperor personally escorted his minister out of the palace. It was still dark, but this man did not hesitate to enter the chaos of alternating day and night. He walked calmly, without any confusion, and without fear of the future. In the end, he was swallowed up by the black and white at the end of the towering white jade steps.

A man came out of the hall, confined to a wooden chair with inlaid wheels.

Jiang Zhi approached slowly and smiled silently at him, "For three whole years, he hasn't put a single stroke of his pen on the blank imperial edict. As long as he wants it... high official positions, generous salaries, beauties, fiefdoms, and even the throne, he can have it."

"It was precisely because Song Lang was such a man that the late emperor dared to entrust him with such an important task." Mei Lianqing sighed deeply, then revealed the cruel truth: "... He did not disclose either of the two secret orders, precisely because of Yingguo..."

"I know, precisely because Great Ying has long been hollowed out."

Mei Lianqing paused. It was rare for Jiang Zhi to call himself "I", but his tone revealed a bit of the stubbornness that was unique to young people.

But at this moment, he no longer wants the young man to regard himself as emperor.

Mei Lianqing had prepared a speech, but before he could begin, the young man spoke first: "When the time comes, no matter what, in the annals of history, only the name 'Jiang Zhi' will be written, and no changes will be made. Although he has paid with his life, someone should appease the public anger. Some truths are not suitable for public disclosure... This is also my last bit of selfishness, and it is the last thing I can do for my brother as an elder brother. I will bear the blame and the eternal infamy, but now I only wish the well-being of my people, and I will have no regrets."

Civil and military officials and even the common people in the capital were all involved in the palace coup, but only a few saw the full picture. The common people stood far away in the middle of the night and mostly knew that there was a coup in the palace. They originally thought that it was Prince Ling who started the rebellion, but when they stood at the steps with their weapons in hand, they saw the disgusting face of a tyrant - it was not difficult to cover it up.

"It's the duty of the monarch, and also my responsibility as an elder brother."

Perhaps, during the Daqing period, he had been by Shuanzi's side, and Shuanzi hadn't been pleased. Otherwise...why would Shuanzi have stumbled so far? Or perhaps, on a certain day, at a certain moment, his seemingly gentle words and actions had become like a knife cutting through human organs to Shuanzi, stabbing him countless times while he was still covered in wounds. Or perhaps, at some crossroads, he hadn't acted like a competent brother to hold him back.

The young man who was unwilling to take on the throne half a month ago now decided to put on a dragon robe that looked bright yellow but was actually stained with blood, and walk alone to the end.

"What's more..." The emperor turned and faced the rising sun, revealing a pale face. He smiled faintly, "I, my time is running out, isn't it?"

The light of heaven parted the layers of clouds and fell on the emperor's face, making his skin look gray and fragile, and even the blood vessels were faintly visible.

Mei Lianqing felt mixed emotions, hating her own frail body that prevented her from kneeling before the emperor.

…

Jiang Qin was heading north, intending to hide in the Rongdi tribe to avoid the limelight, but he ran into bandits along the way. Not only did he lose all his money, he almost lost half his life.

So he made another decision, turned around and went to Qing, taking an unconventional approach.

Isn't wealth and splendor something you have to earn yourself? Without gold, silver, jewels, beauties, and servants, what difference would that make to him?

After wandering around the posthouse for many days, finally, the military advisor of Qing State was willing to meet him.

Jiang Qin knew that he was one step closer to wealth and honor.

The Qing Palace was solemn and magnificent, piled with gold and jade. He knelt in front of the palace, and when he raised his eyes, he was dazzled by the pearls and jewels in the room.

"look up."

A clear, ethereal yet intimidating voice came from above, and Jiang Qin dared to look up.

What caught my eye was a rather young face. This person still had the spirit of youth, with a sneer on his lips. In such a solemn occasion, he was lazily holding a snow fox in his arms, as if he was in a leisurely garden rather than a court.

Jiang Qin couldn't help but think of Song Lang, who also held a high position at a young age. The military advisor of the Qing Kingdom in front of him should not be underestimated. He actually held power in his own hands, unlike Song Xieqing who pretended to be noble.

Jiang Qin bowed his head and said in a clear voice: "This humble servant greets Your Majesty."

When he said this, he was not talking to Qingjun, who was only ten years old, but to Zhenzhen.

He really acted as if he hadn't heard anything. He simply dropped the snow fox in his arms gently onto the ground. The coldness around him instantly melted away. He said softly, "A Zhao, eat some fruit in the garden first."

Ministers stood in the hall holding their tablets, but no one spoke. It was not until Xuehu turned out of the hall that Huanzhen stood up from the seat next to Qingjun and slowly walked towards Jiang Qin.

Jiang Qin's lips moved, his face full of smiles. All the court officials in the hall knew that this was another treacherous villain... Before coming, didn't he even find out the style of their military advisor?

As expected, before Jiang Qin could utter a single word, a pair of eagle-patterned boots, whirling with the wind, reached his head and stomped him hard onto the cold, hard jade bricks. His vision was distorted for a moment, and just as Jiang Qin was about to cry out in pain, he caught a glimpse of a man standing not far away—a massive figure, a tiger tattooed on his arm with its maw gaping.

His mind was buzzing with anxiety, like a thousand thunderbolts. How could Lan Yuan be here? Like him, had he fled to Daqing?

No, that's not right... He is clearly a death row prisoner in Qing State... How can he survive if he goes to Qing State?

After many twists and turns, it seemed as if something was about to surface, but Jiang Qin was helplessly defeated by the sole of the boot that repeatedly crushed his skull. He had to give up and beg for mercy, but blood was choking on his throat because of the heavy pressure.

He choked and said intermittently: "Military Advisor... I... I am willing to exchange the secrets of Great Ying for..."

"Hush." ​​Zhenzhen leaned forward slightly and smiled at him. "Since you've surrendered, do I need you? Will Lord Jiang have to carry Qing's secrets and beg for mercy from other countries in the future?"

As soon as he said this, Jiang Qin was hit hard in the chest again, and he bumped into the beam with a dragon engraved in gold behind him, vomiting blood all over the floor. He left the palace early in the morning and obviously didn't know that Yingguo had decided to surrender to Daqing.

The little emperor's shrill cry came from above. Without even turning his head, he said calmly, "Take His Majesty back to the palace."

"promise."

Immediately, he sat down in the seat where Qing Jun had just been, and actually crossed his legs. He glanced at Jiang Qin, who was barely breathing down the stairs, and smiled, "I'm keeping you alive."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qin forced a flattering smile. Although he didn't know where he had gone wrong, he struggled to get up and thanked him. But then he heard the voice of the head monk, which sounded like a poisonous poison, "Cut off his legs..."

A rare flicker of hesitation crossed his face. The man on the steps, with a red dot between his brows and a handsome, feminine appearance, should have been a Bodhisattva, compassionate to the eight sufferings of the world. But now, he looked like an Asura seeking revenge in the underworld. He asked with considerable interest, "Which leg of that Shangshu did you cripple?"

Jiang Qin was so sad that he lost his voice.

"In that case, chop off both legs." Zhenzhen stood up leisurely and walked out of the hall. "If he survives, send his legs to Song Lang 800 miles quickly. If he dies... chop off his head and pack it up and send it over."

When he reached the palace gate, he suddenly stopped and said, "If we send him off now, Song Lang will probably no longer be in Yingdu. He should be returning to Huaicheng."

He stared at the "dead body" in the hall and sneered, "Forget it, send it to Yingdu. We will be family in the future anyway, so just consider it a meeting gift."