Chapter 68 Chapter 68 Run
Liang Hanzhang, however, disagreed with Zhuang Binghuai's thoughts. She believed that Emperor Jianping had approved her own death, and he had instigated it behind the scenes. His current expression of deep sorrow and grief towards the deceased was primarily motivated by his own reputation.
He was an emperor, and would face the detailed description of history books in the future. He knew best how to package himself and establish a reputation as a virtuous person.
Moreover, the Emperor and Empress were always a potential threat. Even if Emperor Jianping could tolerate her, the Emperor and Empress could not tolerate her as long as Emperor Jianping still wanted to be a filial son and as long as he still recognized the Emperor and Empress as his parents.
There is no perfect solution for this matter.
You see, even if a life was lost, weren't they still the closest of family? The Emperor and Empress, now retired Emperor and Empress Dowager, lived a leisurely life in the Western Garden.
They are the closest family to us.
Li Cheng sided with his parents. He held the ultimate say in the matter. If he didn't stand by him, Liang Hanzhang felt that reuniting with him and returning to Beijing with him would be an extremely irrational choice.
Doesn't he stop until he sees someone die? Then I'll die again and show him.
Liang Hanzhang's eyes were filled with the courage to fight to the death.
Madam Gao was now in her residence. If Emperor Jianping knew that Marquis Zhuang was involved with her, and that Zhuang Binghuai was the one who saved her, who knew how angry he would be.
While she was lost in thought, Zhang Laosan brought up the strange incident that had occurred in the Liang family shop this morning and the man who spoke Chang'an Mandarin.
After hearing this, Liang Hanzhang felt that time was running out. She knew that her house must be full of spies. If she wanted to successfully send Madam Gao out, it would probably take some effort.
She didn't know how far the Qinglong Guards had investigated, but she just hoped that she wouldn't implicate Madam Gao and Marquis Zhuang.
She leaned close to Zhang Laosan and gave him instructions in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
…
At noon that day, the Azure Dragon Guards spotted a carriage with the county government insignia slowly approaching the Liang Residence. Xu Yin and her mother alighted from the carriage, and the three of them exchanged pleasantries.
The county magistrate's wife had been asked to do so, and had only just begun to interact with Liang Hanzhang. Unexpectedly, after spending so much time with her, she actually fell in love with this cheerful woman.
This girl is very nice and sweet-spoken. How could she be as scary as the rumors say?
The Blue Dragon Guards received orders from their master not to alert the enemy and not to disrupt the normal life of the Liang Mansion. Therefore, they simply surrounded the Liang Mansion and did not dare to get close to investigate.
The carriage drove into the Liang Mansion, and Zhang Laosan led it to the backyard stable to feed the horses some bean cakes. After a circle, it drove back again. This time, Xu Yin and the others stayed for only half an hour before getting back in the carriage and leaving.
In the afternoon, Xu Yin's maid brought a stack of books and was led by Zhang Laosan to see Liang Hanzhang.
Liang Hanzhang talked with the maid for a while behind closed doors. After a while, the door was opened and the maid took the remaining books and left with Zhang Laosan.
From then on, the Liang family mansion finally became completely quiet.
Time slipped through our fingers, and in the blink of an eye, the clear and bright sky was covered with a layer of darkness.
Night comes slowly.
When Emperor Jianping went on a southern tour, important affairs of the court were supervised by cabinet ministers and the Imperial Household Department, but this did not mean that he could relax.
Although the emperor is not in Kyoto, he must know and understand all daily affairs, big and small, to prevent his subordinates from abusing their power and neglecting their duties.
In addition, Lingnan was not peaceful. There were many officials who secretly colluded with foreigners and plotted rebellion. Emperor Jianping also wanted to root out these pests and wolves one by one during this trip.
Therefore, he secretly summoned local officials, handled government affairs, and reviewed memorials. He was so busy that it was already late.
He twisted his neck and leaned back on the official hat chair, supporting his head with his elbows, his eyes slightly closed, his brows furrowed, and it was unknown what he was thinking about.
In the upper left corner of the table, there were some snacks wrapped in lotus leaves. They looked cold and some of them had traces of being bitten and tasted.
Ever since the Qinglong Guards bought the snacks and told Emperor Jianping the results of the portrait, he had not said a single word except for meeting with officials to instruct on important matters.
Sometimes I stare at the snacks wrapped in lotus leaves on the table, wondering what I am thinking.
Everything is the calm before the storm.
Xia Chang, a member of the Azure Dragon Guard, had been waiting outside the palace for a long time, but he did not dare to enter without the emperor's summons.
It was Li Fu who discovered it and gently reminded him, "Your Majesty, General Xia is waiting outside."
Xia Chang had something to report, and what he was talking about was only related to the young lady from the Liang family. Li Cheng straightened himself and told someone to come in.
After Xia Chang entered the room and bowed, he recounted in detail everything that had happened in the Liang Mansion today, including Xu Yin and her mother's visit, how many times Zhang Laosan had gone out, and how long the little maid had stayed at the Liang Mansion.
Such details, told in great detail.
After saying that, Xia Chang reported another strange thing: "Your Majesty, in addition to Madam Liang and the security guard Zhang Laosan, there seems to be another woman living in the Liang Mansion."
Li Cheng: "Who?"
Xia Chang: "From a distance, she seems to look somewhat like Lord Zhuang's mother."
It was not that he deliberately tried to sow discord between His Majesty and Zhuang Binghuai, but that the woman did look very much like Madam Gao.
Xia Chang often went out to handle cases and had met Mrs. Gao several times. He still had some impression of Mrs. Gao's appearance.
Moreover, Madam Gao also came to Nanzhou with Lord Zhuang, right here in Tang County. This is bound to arouse people's imagination.
If Lord Zhuang gets involved in this matter, I'm afraid...
Li Cheng frowned, and his drooping eyelids suddenly lifted up. A strong sense of hatred was brewing in his dark eyes, as if he was about to explode in anger in the next second.
He asked again about the previous details, his voice anxious: "You said Xu Yin brought her mother to visit, and then sent a maid to deliver the book?"
Xia Chang: “Yes.”
Li Cheng: "Since you're here, why don't you just send the books all at once? Why do you have to order the maid to come again?"
Xia Chang didn't understand what he meant, so he said carefully: "Maybe he forgot?"
Li Cheng sneered, his tone suddenly sharp. "Why didn't you come earlier or later? Why did you come today? And you even asked the maid to come again. Didn't you say that Zhang Laosan closed the shop and left this morning before selling all his things?"
"I'm afraid that kid has gone back to inform others." Emperor Jianping had stood up at some point, holding in his hand the scroll that the Qinglong Guard had taken out to interrogate people.
The woman in the painting is wearing a hazy red dress. She is looking down and smiling softly. Her eyes are gentle, and her hands are gently placed on her lower abdomen.
This was when she was just pregnant with Li Huaizhou. There were no important events in the court, and he and Zhang Niang stayed together in the mansion every day, seeing each other day and night.
At that time, a faint ray of sunlight happened to shine on the woman, and the light and shadow moved with time.
The woman sitting there, radiating a maternal glow, left Li Cheng mesmerized for a moment. Then, he painted this scroll.
The person in the painting is still there, but the relationship between her and her husband seems to be separated by thousands of mountains and rivers.
Li Cheng didn't understand why the two of them had come to this point.
The emperor opened his mouth to give instructions when one of Xia Chang's subordinates suddenly came to the palace to ask for an audience. While Xia Chang was meeting the emperor, other Azure Dragon Guards came to report the news.
It only means that something happened in the Liang Mansion.
Emperor Jianping's hand trembled, and he accidentally tore a corner of the scroll. He didn't care at the moment, and said in a deep tone: "Announce!"
The Azure Dragon Guard general hurried in, knelt on one foot, and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, there's a fire in the Liang Mansion!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jianping stumbled for a moment. He held onto the table beside him and said calmly, "Why don't you go put out the fire?"
As soon as the fire started, the Qinglong Guards discovered it and quickly organized firefighting. However, Maoyan Lane was too far from the county river, and there was a strong wind tonight. Once the oil spilled on it ignited, it instantly filled the entire Liang Mansion.
The fire was huge, like a giant monster, baring its fangs and claws in the darkness.
Qinglong Guard: "As soon as we discovered it, we quickly put out the fire. However, the fire was unexpected, and it started in Madam Liang's backyard. By the time we arrived, Madam Liang's backyard was already in ruins."
Before he finished speaking, everyone present felt a dark shadow passing by in front of them. When they reacted, only the edge of the emperor's bamboo-green clothes was left.
Liang Mansion.
As the fire grew bigger and bigger, the wooden structure of the house soon could not hold on and continued to collapse with the crackling sound of the fire.
The flames dyed half the sky red. Nearby residents who noticed the disaster also stood up and came over with buckets of water to help put out the fire.
When Emperor Jianping arrived at the scene, the courtyard, which was used for entry and exit during the day, had become a ruin in an instant.
He rushed from the official post station and did not dare to stay for a moment, for fear that he would hear the news that she had died in the fire at night.
He had just learned that she was still alive, his dead heart had just come back to life, and the prince had just learned that he still had a mother. Everything was so beautiful, but in the blink of an eye, someone suddenly told him: all of this was gone.
Emperor Jianping wondered why this had happened. Had she discovered him and, overcome with fear, contemplated death? Or had someone known her true identity and wanted to take her life? Were those people sent by the Empress Dowager?
Li Cheng was trembling all over, as if he was in the coldest days of winter. He hoped that the horse under him could run faster, but he was afraid that if it ran too fast, he would see a scene that he did not want to face.
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
He gripped the reins tightly and waved the whip continuously in the silent night.
After the fire died down, the Qinglong Guards went in to search but found no dead or charred bodies. Could this be an empty house?
After hearing the report from Qinglongwei, Li Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did he realize that his inner clothes had been soaked without him noticing.
The little prince also clamored to come over, and Li Fu had no choice but to bring the prince over. The prince ran towards his father on his short legs, tugging at his father's sleeve, tears in the corners of his eyes: "Father, what's going on? Mother..."
He didn't dare to say what he hadn't finished speaking.
Li Yan touched her son's head and comforted him: "Don't worry, mom is fine."
Li Huaizhou: "Then why..."
Emperor Jianping: "Father cannot explain it to you right now. Can we talk about it later?" Even he himself did not understand the whole story, so how could he answer a child's question?
Besides, in this situation, he was not in the mood to answer.
The Qinglong Guards discovered another clue. In the entire house, only the stable was not burned so badly, and the roof had not collapsed yet.
Inside the stable, the trough where the cattle and sheep drank water and ate was uncovered by the layer of straw, revealing some soft soil. Emperor Jianping had it pried open.
The mud was only a thin layer on top. When it was removed, there was a wooden board about a foot square. There was nothing hidden under the board.
When the wooden board was pried open, a newly dug cave was revealed. Hidden in the cave was the little maid wearing Madam Liang's clothes.
When the little maid saw everyone standing there, she knew that her hiding place had been discovered. Perhaps because she was too timid or for some other reason, she fainted from fright.
When Li Cheng saw this man, he immediately flew into a rage. He shouted, "Bring Zhang Laosan up here!"
While fighting the fire, Zhang Laosan was hit by a falling wooden beam, leaving several wounds on his body. He looked dirty and disheveled, as if he had crawled out of a filthy gutter.
Even so, Zhang Laosan still held his head high and his face calm, as if he would not change his expression even if the sky fell.
He was only seventeen or eighteen, still a young man, but he was already handsome and tall. He was seven feet tall and dressed in a coarse linen shirt, but his temperament was not that of a simple guard.
Whenever Li Cheng thought about the past five years, it was this half-grown boy who had been with Zhang Niang, living in the same house and even in the same yard with her.
What happened next? Did they end up living together? Would Zhang Niang be tempted by such a handsome man? Could she harbor other feelings for him?
When Li Cheng thought about the fact that this untouchable could have close contact with Zhang Niang every day, the anger in his heart could not be suppressed and burst out.
His voice was deep: "Where is she?"
Zhang Laosan was fearless and looked straight at Li Cheng: "Who is she? I don't understand what you are saying, sir."
Li Cheng clenched the big knife in his hand and sneered: "Don't be silly, you and I both know this 'her' very well. If you insist on being stubborn, I have thousands of ways to torture you into speaking."
Zhang Laosan was still fearless and spread his hands and said: "Then torture me, sir. Whether I tell it or not, I can't escape this step."
Li Cheng gritted his teeth, his face showing undisguised rage: "Alright, you're looking for death!"
"Qinglong Guards, take him away and use all the interrogation methods used on prisoners in the Imperial Prison!"
"Yes!" Qinglongwei took the order and took Zhang Laosan away.
Zhang Laosan was a lowly person and had never heard of the Qinglong Guard, but he knew about the Imperial Prison.
This is a place where the government detains the most vicious criminals. I heard that the jailers there are completely devoid of humanity and are all vicious and evil.
Could it be that Liang Dongjia's ex-husband was actually a member of the official family? He immediately realized that the reason why Dongjia ran all the way to Nanzhou was because her husband's family was too powerful and could cover the sky with one hand?
Thinking about it this way, everything makes sense.
Li Cheng ordered his attendants to take the men away, and then immediately ordered, "Xia Chang, immediately send men to close all the gates of Tang County and station guards at the edges. Anyone who leaves the city at night will be arrested!"
Xia Chang took the order and left.
"Zhao Kun! Send two teams to track them along the official road near Tang County!"
"Wang Feng! Take a team of Azure Dragon Guards and rush to the dock immediately. Strictly prohibit all boats from leaving. If you hear of any suspicious individuals escaping by boat, send people after them immediately!"
"Li Fu! You personally take people to the County Magistrate's residence and thoroughly interrogate Xu Yin and the County Magistrate's wife!"
Everyone took the order and left.
The little prince stared blankly at his father and asked, "Father, what about me?"
"You go with your father to find your mother." Facing his beloved child, his voice finally revealed a rare hint of vulnerability.
Li Huaizhou looked at his father's gloomy and furious face and nodded slightly.
A subordinate invited Zhuang Binghuai over. Emperor Jianping waved his sleeves, his eyes icy and cold, as if staring at a dead man: "Marquis Zhuang, why did I invite you here tonight? I believe you already know."
Zhuang Binghuai naturally knew this. He thought Liang Hanzhang would choose the first method, but he didn't expect that he would just run away like that, and even after he tipped off the person.
If the emperor tracks him down here, he will definitely not let him go.
When Zhuang Binghuai was a teenager, he was chosen to be the prince's study companion and practice martial arts with him. In his eyes, there is no such thing as betrayal.
But now, what has he done?! Not only did he help deceive His Majesty, he also helped Liang Yuan escape and hide from His Majesty! He, he has committed a great crime!
However, whenever he thought of Zhang Niang's tearful and lonely appearance, his heart would always soften, and he would break the rules for her again and again.
Zhuang Binghuai also felt that he was crazy. He was simply unreasonable.
But no matter what, he betrayed His Majesty and should be punished. This is inevitable, and he has been prepared for it.
Zhuang Binghuai knelt and saluted: "I have committed a grave crime by letting the Empress go without permission. Your Majesty, please punish me!"
Li Cheng looked at him coldly, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes. Soon, his voice became calm again: "Punishment is inevitable, but before that, you must tell me the true whereabouts of Zhang Niang."
"Your Majesty, this..." Zhuang Binghuai hesitated.
Li Cheng was furious. With a swish, he drew his sword and held it in front of him. "Zhuang Binghuai, do you still want to deceive the emperor?!"
Zhuang Binghuai had no intention of deceiving the emperor. On the contrary, he had been feeling extremely guilty since he had deceived the emperor because of Liang Yuan five years ago. He wanted to tell the emperor the true whereabouts of the queen, but he had promised the queen that he would not betray her.
Zhuang Binghuai suddenly felt that he should not agree to things so casually with others in the future.
Seeing that he hesitated, Emperor Jianping increased the force of the sword in his hand, and blood flowed from his neck.
"Zhuang Binghuai, you are serious, it's great!"
"It seems you don't want this life anymore. Well, I'll solve it for you!"
Emperor Jianping was completely bewildered. His murderous intent was overwhelming him, and all the blood was gathering in his head. He couldn't think, and all he wanted was to kill without restraint. He wanted to taste the blood, and he wanted to see everyone fall under his sword!
The emperor is no longer mentally normal.
Li Huaizhou ran out and tried to use his small body to block the knife for Zhuang Binghuai. Zhuang Binghuai thought that he would eventually die today, but he did not expect that the little prince would disregard his own life and block the knife for him, a sinner.
The sharp Zhaoyue Sword was only half an inch away from the little prince. Zhuang Binghuai's heart was in great fear. If His Majesty accidentally injured the prince, what would happen if such a smart and clever prince was injured because of him?
With tears in his eyes, he shouted, "Your Highness, no!"
Fortunately, Li Cheng reacted quickly. The moment the prince blocked his attack, he turned the Zhaoyue Sword and chopped it to the side.
The Shining Moon Blade escaped from its owner's hand and flew straight towards the osmanthus tree not far away. The next moment, a deep gash appeared on the thick trunk of the osmanthus tree.
Zhuang Binghuai was so frightened that tears streamed down his face. He hugged the little prince and cried, "Your Highness, I am but a lowly person. How can I deserve your kindness?"
"If something really happened to Your Highness today, I would never be able to rest in peace for the rest of my life!"
The little prince did not take the blame for him in vain, he grasped the essence of the problem, his young face full of seriousness: "Master Zhuang, I don't know why you concealed it for mother. Maybe mother asked you to do so, or maybe you couldn't say it out of moral obligation. But as mother's only two living relatives, father and I are the ones who most look forward to reuniting with her."
"You must believe that Father loves Mother the most. He is Mother's bedside companion, and I was born from her womb. We will not harm her in any way! On the contrary, we will protect her. Master Zhuang, please speak quickly. If you delay, what will happen if Mother encounters danger outside?"
"She's a weak woman who doesn't know any martial arts. How can she resist the evil people in this world?"
"Master Zhuang, we are all the same. We all want to protect Mother. Now that Mother is in danger, why can't we unite and face the outside world together?"
Zhuang Binghuai didn't quite believe what Liang Hanzhang said. Zhang Niang said that His Majesty wanted her life, and so did the Emperor and the Queen Mother.
However, His Majesty has always been very concerned about Zhang Niang's safety, which is not what she said. Besides, even if His Majesty really can't keep Zhang Niang, don't we still have the little prince?
He was a piece of flesh that fell from Zhang Niang's belly. Blood is thicker than water, and the little prince is naturally loyal to his mother. His Majesty dotes on the child and obeys everything the prince says.
As long as the prince is there, Zhang Niang will not be in any danger of her life.
What on earth is he worrying about?
After thinking it through, Zhuang Binghuai collapsed all over, and only then did he realize how great a sin he had committed before.
…
Liang Hanzhang had now disguised herself as an old woman and was heading southwest with the help of the coachman.
She had originally planned to travel to Guangzhou by sea, but the boats at the pier didn't leave until dusk. Every moment she waited would increase the risk.
Liang Hanzhang didn't dare to be careless. He simply changed his mind and took an ox cart out of Tang County, heading southwest towards Yizhou.
She only hoped that Emperor Jianping would believe that she had truly perished in the flames. Although finding no body in the ruins would arouse suspicion, as a good citizen like her, where could she go to find a body?
Moreover, time was running out, and she had no choice but to take this risky approach.
She clasped her hands together in a praying gesture, hoping that everything would go well in the future and that Mrs. Gao and Zhuang Binghuai would not be implicated because of her.
The driver was a young man who often delivered letters to Liang Hanzhang. The man who drove the oxcart was ill and could not drive. The young man was kind and, upon hearing that Liang Hanzhang was in trouble, he immediately decided to take half a day off and drive for her.
Liang Hanzhang sat in the car, and outside he saw the sturdy and broad figure of his younger brother. He asked, "Why is Madam Liang leaving in such a hurry?"
Of course Liang Hanzhang couldn't tell the truth, so she made up a lie: "My mother is eighty years old and is dying. My family wrote to me asking me to go back and see her for the last time."
As she spoke, she couldn't help but wipe her tears with a handkerchief.
The little brother's earlobes were as red as blood, and he shyly comforted: "Mrs. Liang, don't be sad, your mother is a lucky person, it's God's blessing, nothing will happen to her."
Liang Hanzhang was sobbing and didn't answer him.
The young man was even more shy. It was not a good idea to listen to the woman crying behind him. He hesitated for a long time before finally taking out a candy from his pocket and handing it to the woman behind him with a slightly stiff hand.
"Mrs. Liang, when you are sad, just eat some candy and you will feel better."
Such a young man is truly untainted by the filth of the world. In his eyes, everything seems clean, pure, and not dirty.
Liang Hanzhang suddenly felt very sorry for him. What if he was finally discovered and implicated this little brother? What would he do?
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