He left the palace with the two princes.

Chen Sheng had already made preparations, arranging for the delivery crew to leave at night. They always used the side gates of the palace, and under the cover of darkness, they could easily make their escape. Meanwhile, Yan Huaiqing had also arranged for people to meet them at the imperial estate.

"How do Mengmeng and the others get there?"

Lin Yuqiao was a little anxious. She could pretend to be a eunuch, but Mengmeng and the others were too young and obviously wouldn't be able to blend in.

Chen Sheng planned to put Mengmeng and the others in sacks and move them out like cargo. However, Lin Yuqiao felt that was too dangerous. If the little ones couldn't help but move around inside the sacks, they would be discovered immediately.

"Does Your Majesty have any ideas?"

Time was short, and Chen Sheng couldn't think of a better idea yet. The Third Prince disguising himself as a eunuch would work, but the Fourth Prince was too young, and his target was exceptionally clear.

"Tomorrow I will send someone to the Imperial Household Department to get a batch of raw materials. You send over a box, and discreetly drill a few small holes in the bottom of the box. When we return, put the two princes in the box and take them out of Yanqing Palace. You protect them first, and we will leave together after I sneak out tonight."

Lin Yuqiao had a sudden inspiration and came up with an idea, but she would not be able to take care of her son for at least half a day.

"Alright, I understand. Let's leave it at that."

After thinking it over, Chen Sheng decided it was feasible and agreed. He had to leave no later than tomorrow night; otherwise, he feared the Empress might do something to the Consort and the Third Prince.

"I understand. Just make sure you have someone you can trust."

After arranging the plan, Chen Sheng left in a hurry. Lin Yuqiao couldn't sleep anymore, so she called in Granny Fang, Granny Jiang, and others.

"Your Highness, does Chief Steward Chen have any plans?"

Granny Fang asked with a hint of expectation.

"Yes, arrange for me to leave with the two princes tomorrow night. His Majesty was not attacked."

After Lin Yuqiao finished speaking, she saw the undisguised joy on everyone's faces, especially Granny Jiang, who was so happy that she cried.

"If I leave smoothly tomorrow night, the nanny sent by the Empress will find me gone the next morning. Detain the nanny for at least a day; after that, His Majesty might return."

According to Chen Sheng, Liu Heng has been traveling from the border town for 14 days now, and he should be able to return to the capital in about three more days.

Now that she had a plan, she had something to look forward to and wasn't as lost as before. She even had an idea when she thought of Consort Ning, who was also imprisoned.

After she leaves tomorrow night, it would be best if someone could distract Liu Kang and the Empress, keeping them from thinking about her for the time being. Otherwise, what if Liu Kang launches another city-wide manhunt for them if Liu Heng doesn't return?

Lin Yuqiao called Wei Jiang over and told him the good news that Liu Heng was alright. Wei Jiang was so excited that he burst into tears.

"I have a task for you. After we leave the day after tomorrow, find a way to contact the people at Jinghe Palace and tell them that the Second Prince has been poisoned. Have them pass on the news to Consort Ning. The Second Prince's body is currently in the back room of Zhaoning Palace. Consort Ning will certainly not remain indifferent."

If she does something to cause trouble for the Empress and Liu Kang, the three of them will have more time.

As for the Empress, she was still somewhat uneasy because Liu Kang had directly poisoned Liu Yan in Kunning Palace.

"The Empress Dowager can just announce to the public that Liu Yan raped a palace maid in Kunning Palace and was killed by the maid in resistance."

Liu Kang had already come up with an excuse for Liu Yan's death. The shadow that had haunted him for years had disappeared so quickly that he was somewhat bewildered.

However, now that Liu Kang has completely shaken off his worries, and thinking that he will soon be the most supreme person in the Great Qin, he is unusually energetic.

"The Imperial Concubine has also sent people to keep an eye on things, and we'll deal with it once we receive a letter from the border town."

Liu Yan has already died suddenly. It's too hasty to deal with Consort Gui and Liu Yang now. Liu Kang thought for a moment and then said to the Empress.

The Empress nodded. Her heart was in turmoil, and she had no time to think about anything else. She was only worried about whether the people Liu Kang had sent to the border city could complete their mission.

They had no way back; they could only hope to hear news of Liu Heng's death soon so that Liu Kang could rightfully ascend the throne.

What should be done with Prince Pei and his associates?

The Empress remained worried, thinking of the ministers imprisoned in the Wenhua Hall. When Liu Kang ascended the throne, would they truly support him after being treated this way?

"It's alright, it's just that the urgent matter was handled with utmost urgency. They'll understand."

Liu Kang wasn't worried about this. They would have no choice but to support him when the time came, and besides, he already controlled most of the troops in the capital camp. Who could resist him?

☆、87|

The next morning, Lin Yuqiao, as planned, sent someone to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to request a batch of raw materials.

But a moment later, Granny Jiang rushed in and said, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! Our Yanqing Palace is surrounded, and none of our people can get out."

Lin Yuqiao was so startled that she dropped her cup to the ground, inwardly groaning. She should have acted yesterday; they had missed their best opportunity, and now they were all stuck.

The original plan is no longer feasible, and staying any longer is dangerous. We don't know if Chen Sheng will have any solutions.

"Is the disciplining nanny not coming either?"

After sitting blankly for a while, Lin Yuqiao looked at the sky outside and remembered that the nanny who made her kneel and listen to her reprimands every day had not appeared.

"Yes, they haven't arrived yet. What are the Empress and the Crown Prince planning to do..."

Jiang Mama's face was filled with terror. His Majesty had not yet returned to the capital. If the Consort and the two princes could not find a chance to leave the palace, what if the Crown Prince sealed off the palace and used the Consort and the prince as hostages? Or what if the Crown Prince became even more ruthless... Jiang Mama dared not think any further.

"How many people are gathered outside? Are they palace guards?"

Trying to calm herself down, Lin Yuqiao continued to ask Jiang Mama questions, wanting to know what was going on.

"It seems so. I don't know how many people are involved. I'll go and take another look."

Granny Jiang clutched her chest, hurrying to leave. Having something to do at times like this was better; whenever she was idle, it felt like a heavy stone was weighing on her chest.

"Don't worry, there's always a way. Have them check how often the guards change shifts."

Lin Yuqiao took Jiang Mama's hand and held it firmly, trying to calm her down. At this moment, the more anxious she was, the less options she had.

"I respectfully agree."

With her expression no longer so flustered, Granny Jiang nodded. After Lin Yuqiao let go of her hand, she walked out with much more composure.

After having someone clean up the broken pieces on the ground, Lin Yuqiao went to the side hall to see her two sons.

"Mother."

Mengmeng was reading a book, and Guaiguai was practicing calligraphy. When they saw Lin Yuqiao arrive, they both stood up and bowed.

"Sweetheart, baby."

Lin Yuqiao hugged her two sons tightly, all her fear and anxiety transforming into a heavy sense of mission. She would definitely protect her sons and get them away as soon as possible.

"Mother, when can we go to the Imperial Study to study?"

Mengmeng looked up at her and asked.

Since Liu Kang confined the ministers to the Wenhua Hall, the palace has been sealed off, and their tutors are not allowed to enter the palace, so Mengmeng and the others have had their classes suspended.

“In a few days, all the tutors will fall ill, and Mengmeng and Guaiguai will also get a few days off.”

Lin Yuqiao couldn't think of any reason at the moment, so she could only give a perfunctory reply.

"oh."

Unlike the adorable girl who was overjoyed to hear about the holiday, Mengmeng noticed that her mother's expression was off, but she considerately refrained from asking any further questions.

Kissing her two sons' foreheads one by one, Lin Yuqiao couldn't help but feel a strong resentment towards Liu Heng. How could he be so cruel?

When news of Liu Heng's assassination attempt suddenly spread, the situation in the capital descended into chaos. Liu Kang also went mad and lost his mind. They, on the other hand, were now in the hands of Liu Kang and the Empress, their lives and deaths no longer in their own hands.

The thought of Liu Yan's poisoning sent chills down Lin Yuqiao's spine. Liu Kang had gone all out, and she had already deeply offended the Empress; the next to be dealt with would definitely be her and her two children.

If she had died at the hands of Liu Kang or the Empress, her greatest hatred wouldn't have been for the mother and son, but for Liu Heng. She would have become a vengeful ghost and never let Liu Heng go! It was all his inexplicable actions that put them in this predicament.

When Chen Sheng learned that Yanqing Palace had been sealed off, even though he remained calm, he was still uneasy.

It seems the previous plan will have to change.

Just as he was busy preparing another plan, a tall but unfamiliar man named Huang Men suddenly pushed open the door to Chen Sheng's room.

Just as he frowned, the man glanced left and right, then suddenly produced a token. Seeing the four characters "As if the Emperor were personally present" engraved on the clear, dark green token, Chen Sheng's expression changed, and he immediately knelt down.

That dragon token was used by Liu Heng specifically to contact his secret guards and spies. These people were deeply embedded in the palace, and apart from the relevant personnel, the others were not familiar with each other. Chen Sheng was one of them.

"His Majesty has returned to the capital. He instructed the lord to quickly take the Imperial Concubine, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince out. We came through a secret passage. After the lord takes the Imperial Concubine to Qionghua Garden, we will then take the Imperial Concubine and the two princes and escape through the secret passage."

Upon hearing that the Emperor had returned to the capital, Chen Sheng visibly breathed a sigh of relief, although he hadn't expected His Majesty to arrive from the border city so quickly.

"Now that Yanqing Palace has been sealed off by the Empress's guards, does Your Excellency have any plans?"

Upon closer observation, Chen Sheng realized that the person in front of him was not a eunuch. Judging from his calm demeanor, he guessed that this gentleman might be a close attendant of the emperor, so he spoke very politely.

The newcomer was none other than the swordsman who had always been by Liu Heng's side. Upon hearing that Yanqing Palace had been sealed off, he frowned slightly. After a moment's thought, he looked at Chen Sheng.

How many people are gathered around the front and back doors?

Then, holding his sword and listening to Chen Sheng's report, he realized that there weren't many people at the back gate, and in the blink of an eye, he had an idea.

"I'll contact the palace's spies in a bit. Tonight, I need you to send someone to set fire to Mingying Hall. Then we'll take advantage of the chaos to sneak into Yanqing Palace and bring out the Consort and the two princes."

"good."

Chen Sheng nodded in agreement.

Holding the sword, he was very familiar with the palace's terrain. Mingying Hall was close to Zhengqing Hall, where Liu Yan was located. If a fire broke out at night, everyone would surely panic. Yanqing Palace was also relatively close to Zhengqing Hall, and there were only about twenty guards surrounding the back gate. They could deal with the people there and then leave in the chaos.

The Yanqing Palace was surrounded by empty halls. After exiting through the back door, there was a narrow corridor. The innermost and front sides were dead ends blocked by side walls. There was only one exit on the outer side, which was used by the eunuchs and servants to pass through and transport night soil and garbage.

If they act swiftly and force the people into this corridor, they can quickly kill all twenty-odd of them without leaving a trace. Furthermore, because the back door is secluded and sparsely populated, they can escape the palace through the secret passage before being discovered.

That evening, after dinner, Lin Yuqiao stayed with her two sons, feeling restless. There was still no word from Chen Sheng; if she didn't hear from him tonight, she would have to fend for herself tomorrow.

"Your Majesty..."

Suddenly, Granny Fang entered excitedly, and then Lin Yuqiao saw two unfamiliar eunuchs.

Chen Sheng was most skilled at disguise, so he never revealed himself when he walked around the palace. This time, he took the opportunity to bring his apprentice in through the back door. He first found Granny Fang in the back hall, and Granny Fang led him into the front hall without any hindrance.

"Your Highness, please change your clothes quickly and leave with me, taking the two princes with you."

It was still Chen Sheng, but he looked different, and Lin Yuqiao didn't recognize him. However, after hearing his words, she didn't have time to be surprised. She immediately changed into the palace maid's clothes as he instructed, and without having time to say anything else, she could only give her two sons some instructions.

"Your mother will take you out of the palace to see your father. You must not make a sound on the way."

Hearing her mother's words, Guai Guai wanted to say something, but Meng Meng immediately covered her mouth.

"Be good, listen to me."

After being glared at seriously by Mengmeng, he obediently pouted and didn't say anything more.

Chen Sheng carried Guai Guai, while the eunuch he brought carried Meng Meng, and Lin Yuqiao followed behind, running all the way to the back hall. As she ran, she was thankful that she had come prepared, wearing comfortable clothes; otherwise, how could she have run like this?

They hurried along, but fortunately it was nighttime and the light was dim. Granny Fang had cleared the area outside the palace for them beforehand, confining everyone inside and extinguishing all the lights outside. Therefore, none of the eunuchs and palace maids in Yanqing Palace saw them.

After exiting through the back door, the task of carrying the sword was completed. They then escorted the people towards Qionghua Garden. At this time, all twenty or so guards were found dead in the inner corridor.

She didn't have time to look in that direction, but Lin Yuqiao smelled blood and her face turned pale.

On the way, Chen Sheng led them along the least crowded routes, weaving through the shadows and blind spots outside the various palaces.

Lin Yuqiao jogged alongside Chen Sheng, her nerves on edge, terrified of encountering anyone else. Peng Jian and the other guards followed behind, providing protection.

Because Qionghua Garden was located in the Western Six Palaces, in a remote area, there were usually few people there, and it was pitch black at night, which made it convenient for them.

After arriving at the garden outside Qionghua Garden in the dark, they headed straight for the artificial hill. Holding his sword, he felt around on the rocks of the artificial hill for a while, and suddenly, with a sound, a rock on the artificial hill slowly rose up, revealing an arched passageway that could only be passed by one person at a time.

"Your Majesty, let's go quickly."

Holding the sword, he urged Lin Yuqiao to go in first. After two guards took Mengmeng and Guaiguai and went in, he followed them in. He pressed a mechanism in the doorway, and the doorway slowly closed.

After watching them go inside, Chen Sheng and his young apprentice also took advantage of the night to leave quietly.

Lin Yuqiao continued walking forward in the dark, passing through a long, dark corridor, only to find it blocked by stones, leaving her with nowhere to go.

Lin Yuqiao turned around and felt someone pass by her, press something on the stone, and then the stone slowly moved up.

Unlike the pitch-black road just now, the stone corridor behind the doorway was lit up, and someone was already waiting there.

"This servant respectfully welcomes Your Highness."

Xu Yi had been waiting there for almost a day, and when he finally saw Lin Yuqiao, he couldn't help but show an excited smile.

After exchanging greetings, Lin Yuqiao asked him about Liu Heng's situation as they walked.

"His Majesty traveled day and night and arrived in the capital yesterday at noon. He is currently waiting for Her Majesty in a courtyard on the outskirts of the capital."

Xu Yi briefly told him about the situation on the road, and emphasized how worried Liu Heng was about the three of them, mother and children.

Lin Yuqiao glanced at him. He was clever, but after all this commotion, she still hadn't calmed down. How could she easily get rid of her resentment?

"Mother, may I speak now?"

Guai Guai felt very wronged. He had been holding it in all night and was very uncomfortable being held. If he hadn't known that his mother was always by his side and that the road was pitch black, he would have been scared to tears long ago.

To avoid being seen, they always chose to walk in the shadows. Guai Guai is a little afraid of the dark, and even Lin Yuqiao tripped over it several times.

"That's good, that's good. You're amazing, baby. You didn't make a sound at all."

Lin Yuqiao hugged Guai Guai and kissed his cheek hard. On the way, she was still worried that Guai Guai might make some noise and be heard again.

Fortunately, my son was very cooperative. Tonight was the most he has ever been in his life, and he was the most obedient he has ever been.

"Waaaaaah~~~~(>_<)~~~~I was so scared just now, it was so dark..."

Back in her mother's warm and soft embrace, Guai Guai finally let out the tears she had been holding back all along, her chubby little hands still tightly wrapped around Lin Yuqiao's neck.

"My dear, it's alright, it's alright. We'll be able to see your father soon."

After patting the boy's back to comfort him, Lin Yuqiao turned to look at Mengmeng and reached out to shake Mengmeng's hand.

"Mengmeng was amazing too! She was incredible tonight!"

Mengmeng rubbed his eyes. His mother was always like this, treating him like a little child, needing to be coaxed just like his beloved son.

He's grown up now, so if he can't make a sound, he won't. He's not afraid of the dark like my little one.

After winding their way through three or four stone gates, they finally emerged. The exit of the secret passage led to Gongjian Hutong outside the palace, a place specifically for eunuchs to stay overnight outside the palace.

After emerging from the house connected to the tunnel, a carriage was already prepared outside. Lin Yuqiao and her two sons boarded the carriage, while Xu Yi sat on the other side of the carriage, gesturing to the driver to leave. The others followed on horseback.

It was the dead of night, and the city gates were already closed. Xu Yi produced the palace access token he had prepared before the gate guards allowed him to pass. Outside the city, there were also Imperial Guards stationed; they were now under the Crown Prince's command and had all come from their original camps.

The carriage sped along late at night, the ride quite bumpy. Although a soft pillow had been provided, it was still uncomfortable. Guai Guai, already sleepy, was resting her head on Lin Yuqiao's lap, but her sleep was still somewhat uneasy.

Mengmeng kept rubbing her eyes, looking somewhat listless as Lin Yuqiao held her in his arms.

Just as her internal organs were about to be dislocated by the madness, she finally reached the end.

Lin Yuqiao had just reached the door of the carriage with her baby in her arms when she saw the curtain being lifted by a slender and well-proportioned hand.

Liu Heng first took the fussy and whiny baby from the car, then Lin Yuqiao stepped off the car on a stool and took Mengmeng from the car.

Lin Yuqiao had initially intended to ignore Liu Heng with a stern face, but his sudden whim had caused trouble for many people. Ever since receiving news of his assassination attempt and serious injuries, she had been living in constant fear.

Later, when Liu Kang sealed off the palace and Liu Yan was poisoned, she was terrified. Every night she would dream that Mengmeng was also captured by Liu Kang and the Empress and forced to drink poison. She would wake up crying every night.

She had suffered so much; he couldn't be let off so easily.

"Father!"

As soon as Mengmeng got out of the car, she quietly rushed over and hugged Liu Heng's leg.

He had been vaguely sensing that something was wrong these past few days. His mother was tense, and Jiang Mama and the others looked flustered. They even escaped from the palace overnight.

Mengmeng was old enough to understand that their actions tonight were an escape. He didn't know what had happened when his father returned from the campaign but didn't go back to the palace, but seeing his father here now, he instinctively felt he had someone to rely on.

With the Emperor by her side, her mother should no longer have to live in fear.

Liu Heng held Guai Guai in one arm and stroked Meng Meng's head with the other. After the long journey to Beijing, his heart had grown cold upon learning of his two adult sons' actions.

Seeing my youngest son's affectionate gestures now warms my heart.

Having not seen Liu Heng for a long time, Lin Yuqiao was truly shocked when she first saw him.

He had lost so much weight that his once handsome features had become extremely sculpted, with almost no flesh left on his cheeks. He no longer had the gentle, warm look he usually had, and instead appeared older and somewhat haggard.

His robes were too loose to tell, but she guessed he must be extremely thin.

He looked as if he had been seriously ill and was still not cured; he was even thinner than when they stayed in the deep mountains and forests for a few days back then.

Are you really alright? Are you hurt anywhere?

When Liu Heng placed Guai Guai on the bed in the room, Lin Yuqiao couldn't help but ask. After saying that, she realized she couldn't let him off so easily, so she bit her lower lip tightly, looking like she had said something she shouldn't have.

"No injuries."

Liu Heng spoke gently, casually touching her hair. Considering the change of location and the concern that the two children might not adapt well, Liu Heng settled Mengmeng next to Guaiguai, letting the two brothers sleep together.

Liu Heng sat gently on the edge of the bed, looking at his two youngest sons. Although he seemed perfectly normal, Lin Yuqiao could sense the overwhelming sadness emanating from him.

This turn of events, and Liu Kang's actions, must have made him very sad.

When Mengmeng closed her eyes and fell asleep, Liu Heng stood up. When he looked away from his son, he saw that she was already in tears.

"What's wrong?"

After taking her out together, Liu Heng wiped away her tears and asked her in the moonlit courtyard.

Why did you suddenly do that?

The current outcome is certainly not what Liu Heng wants. Thinking of Liu Yan's death and Liu Kang's rebellion, Lin Yuqiao feels sorry for him and forgets her own grievances.

She was speechless, overwhelmed with emotions, and could only sob in his arms. After a long while, she finally managed to choke out, "Do you regret it?"

Do you regret it?

Liu Heng looked at the sparse shadows on the ground, his eyes stinging.

After winning the battle at the border town, he prepared to return to the capital. Instead of staying in the camp, he stayed in a courtyard in the recaptured border town.

Unexpectedly, someone attempted to assassinate him while they were off guard. Fortunately, he had many guards around him and he never let his guard down. However, the assassin committed suicide by poison after being captured.

Judging from their appearances, these people were not of foreign race. Liu Heng concluded that they were sent by someone from the Qin Dynasty. Most likely, they were one of his brothers in his fiefdom.

The princes were still not obedient enough. Thinking that reforms in the court were almost complete, Liu Heng decided that the next step was to focus on the princes he had enfeoffed. Their power in their fiefdoms was too great, amounting to a small court, which was detrimental to his rule.

Looking at the dozen or so corpses lying on the ground, Liu Heng suddenly remembered the news he had received earlier that day about what was coming from Kyoto, and an idea suddenly came to him.

In the capital, Grand Secretary Yan Huaiqing, having been entrusted by Liu Heng, was secretly evaluating Liu Kang's actions during his regency. He was not very satisfied with Liu Kang's performance, and presented a list of everything the Crown Prince had done during his regency, ultimately deeming it "mediocre."

A mediocre crown prince would never become a great emperor, and Liu Heng's heart wavered greatly. The matter of choosing an heir has always been the most difficult for an emperor, and he was no exception.

Ultimately, in order to test Liu Kang and to eliminate any disloyal princes, Liu Heng made an extraordinary decision.

If he were stabbed and his fate unknown, the court would surely descend into chaos upon hearing the news. Such a massive upheaval, if Liu Kang could successfully maintain control of the situation, would mean he had passed the test and would remain the crown prince.

If that fails, then he will resolve to find another successor. As for Liu Kang, he will still try his best to find him a secure future.

After making up his mind, Liu Heng took the opportunity to cover up the news, pretending that he had really been attacked and stabbed, and stopped showing his face. The imperial physicians who accompanied him gathered in his bedroom every day to pretend to have a consultation, and brewed medicine every day as if it were a real thing.

Soon, everyone in the villa and the camp knew about his assassination attempt. To maintain the situation and prevent the Quanrong from taking advantage of the situation to launch another attack, Liu Heng only secretly sent someone to inform General He Qingran.

After learning the truth, He Qingran kept the entire central army stable, and the situation in the border city camp was still under control.

When the news reached the capital, Liu Heng instructed the Grand Secretary Yan Huaiqing to make some arrangements, and then he led a small group of people on a light journey.

Throughout the journey, Liu Heng remained somewhat unsettled. He wasn't worried about the situation in the capital becoming chaotic; that was exactly the situation he wanted. He was certain that once he returned, he would restore order.

He was worried about Liu Kang; he couldn't predict what he might do. And what about Liu Yan if Liu Kang couldn't withstand the pressure?

Deep down, Liu Heng still hoped that Liu Kang could control the situation.

If Liu Kang and Liu Yan couldn't withstand the pressure, he thought he would be disappointed. After all, of all his sons who had grown up, only these two were worthy of his careful teaching and upbringing in their early years, yet they were becoming increasingly unsatisfactory, which was also his failure.

Moreover, while in the border town, news from the palace indicated that neither Consort Zhen nor Consort Ning had exhibited any unusual behavior. The true culprit—who manipulated Consort Zhen to harm Mengmeng—has not yet been identified.

Liu Heng was worried about the safety of Lin Yuqiao and her two children if things got chaotic in the capital.

When making this plan, he immediately thought of their situation, so Liu Heng also made a point of instructing Yan Huaiqing to leak the news of his safety to Chen Sheng, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department. Chen Sheng was someone Liu Heng trusted in the palace and had kept a deep secret. He was able to stabilize the situation and find a way to protect the Consort and her son.

If the Imperial Concubine and the others are in danger, Chen Sheng should take them out of the palace to avoid trouble.

He then traveled through the night and was unable to receive news in a timely manner, which made him even more anxious. He rushed to the capital with little rest along the way, hoping to take control of the situation as soon as possible.

No matter what Liu Kang and Liu Yan do, he should go back early so that things can be settled.

Although Yan Huaiqing was watching over him in the capital, Liu Heng was still somewhat uneasy.

It must be said that Liu Heng's premonition was remarkably accurate. As soon as he settled in the outskirts of Beijing, he rushed to receive news, but the series of reports he heard were all unexpected. Or perhaps, he had been avoiding seeing this situation.

When Prince Pei and his entourage entered the capital from their fiefdom, the ministers had their own agendas, and the powerful families were eager to make their moves. Liu Kang lost his composure, but none of this surprised him too much.

However, Liu Yan and Prince Fuling then joined forces to assassinate Liu Kang. Liu Kang imprisoned his ministers in the palace, closed the palace gates, took over the troops of Zuo Chongxiang, the vanguard commander who had defected to him, and the Jingwei Battalion, imposed martial law in the capital, and sent Zuo Chongxiang to the border city to take over the central army. He also wanted to assassinate him, which made Liu Kang feel extremely disheartened.

Compared to the Prince of Pei sending assassins to kill him upon hearing the news of his serious injury, Liu Kang's actions were even more unacceptable to him. There is no injury in the world more profound than being betrayed by one's own son whom one has personally nurtured.

Especially after hearing the news from Chen Sheng that Liu Kang had poisoned Liu Yan, Liu Heng was utterly heartbroken.

However, Liu Yanxian had ulterior motives. He took advantage of the chaos in the capital to develop his own network of connections, maintained close ties with powerful families, and accepted the overtures of Prince Peixian and Prince Fuling. All that was fine, but in order to gain power for himself, he conspired with outsiders to assassinate his own brother, which saddened Liu Heng.

When he was vying for the throne, he had also been assassinated by the crown prince and lost one of his sons. Liu Yan's ruthlessness stirred up these negative memories in him.

Liu Yan had more men than he had expected, and had even secretly trained his own assassins, showing he had never been a trustworthy person. Thinking of the information from the secret guards that Liu Yan had visited Consort Ning in the palace before sending assassins to kill Liu Kang, Liu Heng couldn't help but feel resentful towards her.

Now that Liu Yan is dead, Liu Heng is more inclined to believe that it must have been the vicious Consort Ning who instigated Liu Yan to do such a thing.

Liu Heng was heartbroken and sighed at Liu Kang's current actions. His test had completely eroded his eldest son's pure and kind nature, driving him to madness for power—something he never wanted to see. This so-called test had failed.

The father and son becoming enemies became the final outcome, a tragic scene that also served as a wake-up call. Nothing in this world can be completely under his control; he shouldn't have been so confident in himself.

Before he could clean up the mess, he could only send someone with a sword to quickly retrieve Lin Yuqiao and her child from the secret passage. Given Liu Kang's actions, he feared the Empress was also becoming restless in the palace. He also knew about her making Lin Yuqiao kneel and listen to her lectures every day, and he was even more worried that the Empress might become ruthless and ruthless in dealing with her.

The Empress and Consort Ning are both vicious people, and their upbringing of their children has had a negative impact on Liu Heng. He now feels disgusted by both of them.

In his plan, the only unexpected element was Lin Yuqiao and her son. The situation was much worse than he had anticipated, and he couldn't accept that they would be innocently implicated.

Therefore, after returning to Beijing, his heart was constantly in turmoil. Another concern was that he had already lost one son, and the other would never return; therefore, he absolutely could not allow anything to happen to the remaining two younger ones.

When Xu Yi was sent to pick them up, he waited in the courtyard until he saw them before he felt relieved.

As for her question about whether he regretted it, Liu Heng silently shook his head in his heart.

He was unwilling to see the current situation, and was also hurt by his son's betrayal; he bore his sorrow and pain alone. But this also profoundly proved that Liu Kang would not be the true master of this vast land.

Since he is not the ruler, if the ancestral legacy is handed over to him, it is fine if we cannot recreate the prosperous era. But if the dynasty collapses in the future, he will not be able to rest in peace even in the afterlife.

Therefore, he has no regrets, nor can he have any.

☆、88|

As dawn broke, Kunning Palace was brightly lit. Palace eunuchs and maids moved in and out quietly and without a sound. The Empress was in the main hall listening to reports of the fire in Mingying Palace.

The fire broke out suddenly, and it happened at night. Mingying Hall was also empty, with only a few eunuchs on duty. By the time the fire was discovered, it was already too late, and it couldn't be controlled for a while. It wasn't until the third watch of the night that the fire was finally extinguished.

"Has the cause been found out?"

The Empress hadn't rested since hearing the news last night, and now her eyes were slightly red. Regardless, a sudden fire in the palace was never a good omen, especially at such a crucial moment, making her anxious and uneasy.

"Yes, it's been found out. It was a eunuch serving in the back hall of Mingying Hall who forgot to close the window when he went out. The wind knocked over the candlestick on the kang table, which set the mattress on the bed on fire. With the wind that night, the fire spread very quickly, and by the time others saw it, it was too late to put it out. The eunuch has confessed and is being held in the interrogation office."

The head steward of Kunning Palace calmly gave his report.

The Queen rubbed her temples. Although the arsonist had been caught, a shadow still hung over her heart.

Since the news of Liu Heng's assassination and serious injury reached the capital, no further information had been received from the border town. Given the distance and the fact that Liu Kang's men were not expected to arrive so quickly, the waiting period was particularly agonizing.

Liu Yan had been poisoned, Consort Ning had been imprisoned, and Consort Gui and her son had also been imprisoned. It could be said that the entire harem was in her grasp, yet the Empress remained intensely uneasy.

After dismissing everyone in the hall, the Empress held a bowl of bird's nest soup and looked around blankly.

Perhaps she should act sooner to eliminate the potential threat posed by the Imperial Concubine.

Once Liu Kang's men succeed, no one in the world will be able to threaten them, mother and son.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps interrupted the Empress's thoughts. She frowned in displeasure and was about to reprimand him when she saw Liu Kang looking as if he had seen a ghost.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine and the others have disappeared!"

Liu Kang also knew about the fire at Mingying Hall. When he first heard the news, he was in the Imperial Study, gazing fascinated at the rosewood chair behind the desk, which was carved with nine dragons.

This chair, the one who sits on it, is given supreme power.

These days, Liu Kang has been resting in the Zhengqing Hall, but he is not staying in the hall where Liu Heng usually lives. Instead, he went to the back hall on his own initiative, and all the furnishings and items in the main hall are still the same as when Liu Heng left.

Although he is now in the Zhengqing Hall, no one dares to interfere with where he wants to live. In fact, if he wants, he can go to the Mingzheng Hall and sit on the dragon throne covered with a bright yellow cushion to experience the pleasure of being in the highest position.

But Liu Kang, who was about to have everything, just stood in the imperial study, looking at the dragon throne in front of him, not daring to get close enough to sit down.

Even though Liu Heng wasn't there, and he was the only person in the room, he still felt as if something was blocking his way, and his legs felt so heavy that he couldn't take a step.

Every time he approached the Imperial Study, his heart would leap into his throat, and he would be too terrified to look up, afraid of seeing the Emperor's disappointed gaze or hearing any negative comments about him.

Now, finally, those oppressive days have come to an end.

Liu Kang sighed as he looked at the chair before him. The moment to enjoy victory had not yet arrived. At this crucial juncture, Liu Kang felt a pang of fear.

Let's wait and see. Once we get news from the border town, he will eventually become the true master of the Zhengqing Palace and the master of the entire Great Qin.

Your Highness, Mingying