Capital city, official residence.
Zhao Muyun leaned on the couch, his face paler than paper.
Court Judge Sun had just given him an injection, suppressing the poison that was about to start stirring again.
The confrontation and emotional uproar in the Golden Palace almost exhausted his energy that he had forced himself to concentrate.
Tang Yanhai and Wu Shangzhi stood by with serious expressions.
Carrier pigeons continuously brought urgent news from Shuozhou: the Tartars were besieging the city and their offensive was unstoppable, while the reinforcements from Xijing were nowhere to be seen!
"Boss Zhao, can Old Han and the others hold on?" Tang Yanhai's voice was hoarse and his eyes were bloodshot.
Zhao Muyun closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling slightly, his voice weak but clear:
"Tell Han Zhong... hold on... reinforcements... will arrive..."
He knew it might be a lie, but he had to give his men who were fighting so hard a little hope.
"Prince Yinji of Jin has requested a secret audience." A night watchman from the capital reported in a low voice.
Didn't Yinji come to the capital with Yinyao? He actually came secretly.
If this were discovered by the prince's people, they would definitely make a big fuss about it.
Zhao Muyun opened his eyes, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes: "Let him in."
Yinji was dressed in casual clothes, looking hurried, with anxiety and a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes:
"Master! The military situation in Shuozhou is extremely urgent! Li Dingguo is holding his troops in place. This is clearly the Crown Prince's intention. He wants to use the Tartars to destroy your foundation!"
"My father has gone to Jinyang City and found the governor of Hedong Province. He has requested that Daizhou, Xinzhou, and Lanzhou mobilize a total of 5,000 troops to rush to Shuozhou day and night. They should arrive in three days at most!"
Zhao Muyun was shocked!
Prince Jin really took action!
Hedong Jiedushi Pei Lun was in Xijing and took most of Hedong's troops to participate in the battle to quell Li Jingang's rebellion.
The military strength of the various prefectures in Hedong Road has reached its limit.
The King of Jin went to see the Governor of Hedong Road and asked him to find a way to send troops. Firstly, this exposed their personal relationship. Secondly, sending troops from the three Zhechoufu was already cutting off the source of the problem.
And it’s so fast!
Five thousand soldiers and horses...this is a huge investment!
He remained calm, "Your Highness, I appreciate the kindness of His Highness the Prince of Jin. However, mobilizing such a large army may lead to criticism from both the government and the public, and even more so, I'm afraid Your Majesty will become suspicious..."
"I don't care about that anymore!"
Yin Ji interrupted him, speaking hastily, "If Shuozhou is lost, everything will be over! Father said this is a timely help, not a trade! I only ask Master... if you have the energy to spare in the future, please take care of my Prince Jin's Mansion!"
He changed the subject and lowered his voice, "Also, there's news from the palace that the Queen seems to be quite concerned about Sister Yao... and her words are full of probing, as if she's trying to use Sister Yao to contain you and me. Master, you need to make plans early!"
Prince Jin's reinforcements, Yin Yao's situation in the palace...
The information brought by Yin Ji was like two keys that instantly opened up a new chess game in Zhao Muyun's mind.
Prince Jin is taking a gamble!
I bet that Zhao Muyun can defend Shuozhou, and I bet that he can become a powerful foreign aid for Prince Jin's Mansion in the future!
And Yin Yao became the most sensitive chess piece in the game between the two sides.
"Muyun...I understand."
Zhao Muyun said slowly, "Please tell His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin that I will always remember the kindness of the reinforcements! The soldiers and civilians of Shuozhou are also grateful for your kindness! As for the princess... I know what to do."
After seeing Yinji off, Zhao Muyun struggled to sit up and spread out the letter paper. His hand holding the pen trembled slightly, but his pen fell with a sharp edge:
"My dear brother Han Zhong:
Reinforcements have been dispatched and will arrive in five days! You must hold your ground and wait for help! With powerful crossbows as your spearhead, Mo Dao as your shield, and flesh and blood as your fortress! Even if we fight to the last man, we will not allow the Tartars to set foot in Shuozhou! When I return, I will drink a toast with you! Zhao Muyun's handwriting."
He handed the letter to Tang Yanhai and said, "Use the fastest carrier pigeon to send it out!"
After doing all this, Zhao Muyun seemed to have exhausted all his strength. He collapsed on the couch, coughing violently, with a trace of black blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.
Outside the window, the night in the capital was as dark as ink. Only in his room was a solitary lamp on, burning stubbornly in the endless darkness.
......
Deep in the imperial palace, in the warm room of Fengyi Palace where the queen lives.
Yin Yao sat on an exquisite embroidered cushion. The table in front of her was filled with delicacies and seasonal fruits, but she had no appetite.
The queen sat at the top, smiling gently, asking about everyone's well-being, and her words were full of love, but in the depths of her shrewd eyes, a trace of scrutiny and calculation flashed from time to time.
"Yao'er, you've really suffered this time. Look at how thin your face has become."
The Queen held Yin Yao's hand and said affectionately, "The same goes for Zhao Muyun. I didn't protect you well enough, and you got scared. You almost..."
"Alas, thankfully, His Majesty has already severely punished the treacherous officials. You can rest assured and stay in the palace. Once Zhao Muyun recovers from his injuries and Shuozhou is stable, I and His Majesty will personally officiate your wedding. We will make sure it's a grand occasion!"
Yin Yao lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corners of her clothes.
The queen's care was like a gentle shackle that made her breathless.
She remembered the hideous wound Zhao Muyun had left when he lifted his robe sleeve in the Golden Palace, remembered how he had been poisoned to save her, and remembered the dark mass of enemy troops outside Shuozhou City...
A strong urge surged in my heart.
She suddenly raised her head, looked directly at the Queen, and said in a voice filled with unprecedented courage and determination: "Your Majesty! Yao'er...Yao'er doesn't want to get married!"
The smile on the Queen's face froze instantly, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes: "Oh? Yao'er, what do you mean? His Majesty has granted us a marriage, a match made in heaven, how can this be treated as a joke?"
"This is no joke!"
Yin Yao was determined, her voice rising, "Yao'er... Yao'er already has someone in her heart! She doesn't want to marry anyone else! Besides... besides, Captain Zhao... he might not be willing in his heart!"
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