The news of Huo Pingchang's "treason" spread quickly throughout the streets and alleys within a day.
The only source of information is the portrait that came from nowhere.
In the portrait, Helian Chang was wearing Northern Qiang clothing, but his face was completely that of a Central Plains person.
Before Huo Pingchang died for his country, he was a deputy general in the army. Many people still remember what he looked like.
The ministers in the court were arguing fiercely.
Some people believe that a portrait alone cannot prove anything and may even be a frame-up.
The other party insisted that the person in the portrait was Huo Pingchang, and brought up various suspicious points about the battle in Jifeng Valley that year.
But more and more people believe that there is a "traitor" in the Huo family.
The so-called "traitor" is naturally the most legitimate reason, but behind the scenes, many forces think that this is a great opportunity to drag Huo Yan into the water.
Over the past ten years, Huo Yan has been almost the backbone of the Northwest Army, firmly holding the military power in his hands.
Many people wanted to get a piece of the pie, but Huo Yan was a tough nut to crack.
He does not associate with aristocratic families, nor does he make friends with other camps.
Even in the past ten years, the relationship with the prince has become much weaker.
In the past six months, after Yuan Zhao returned to Beijing, many people saw that Huo Yan and Yuan Cheng and Yuan Zhao had become closer.
How is this possible?
With their powerful combination, when Yuan Cheng ascends the throne in the future, the Huo family will become powerful again.
This is a situation that other families and forces do not want to see.
Now, as long as they insist that the Huo family is guilty of treason, Huo Yan will naturally lose his position as a general.
If this position were to become vacant, how many people would be scrambling for it!
More importantly, once the position of general becomes vacant, the power in the army will inevitably change drastically.
This is a perfect opportunity to consolidate power in the military.
With such an opportunity coming their way, the entire capital city had its own thoughts.
The happiest person among them was Concubine Shu.
She released a lot of information in Linhua Palace and actively contacted court officials from all over the place.
A smile appeared on his face, which had been gloomy for a long time. "That's great! That's great!"
She held a golden hairpin in her hand, sat in front of the mirror and tried it on her head, saying softly,
"If we can overthrow Huo Yan this time and let Heng'er take the opportunity to take the position of general, not only will Yuan Cheng's power be severely damaged, but Heng'er will also have a chance to turn things around!"
Madam Zhao was doing her makeup behind her, her face wrinkled with a smile, "Your Majesty, your wish will surely come true."
"But, Your Majesty, who do you think released that portrait?"
Concubine Shu put down her golden hairpin and picked up a string of oriental pearls. "No matter who they are, they are on the same side as us."
Madam Zhao nodded when she heard this. "Then Your Majesty, would you consider the previous proposal...from the south?"
Concubine Shu raised her eyebrows and said nothing, "Let's talk about it later."
Speaking of this, she couldn't help but sigh, "Now Heng'er is the one who is worrying."
Nanny Zhao understood what she meant and said, "Your Majesty, please don't blame the prince. His Majesty has few children. The only ones close to your age are the Crown Prince and Princess Zhaohe. It's normal for the prince to have some affection for his brother."
"Besides, isn't it because Your Majesty sees that the prince is still interacting with the princess that he trusts the prince even more?"
"I'm sure the prince is well aware of what the queen is worrying about."
…
Even though they were mentally prepared in advance, Yuan Cheng and Huo Yan never expected things to happen so suddenly.
The court was in chaos. Emperor Xuan ordered the Dali Temple to work with several other departments to thoroughly investigate the matter and summoned Huo Yan to "return to the capital."
Now that all the spies are out in force, it is even more inappropriate for Huo Yan to show up in the capital.
Before he had time to return to the princess's mansion, Yuan Cheng sent people to hurriedly send him out of the city to create the illusion that he was rushing back to the capital.
Huo Yan could only ask Yuan Cheng to convey his message to Yuan Zhao, asking him to be careful and not to worry.
Although the princess's mansion was not affected, several children noticed that the atmosphere was strange.
They don't have to go to classes these days.
Yuan Zhao even told them not to go out casually.
Fortunately, Yuan Nan'an and Yuan Xuan were still sick, so it was no big deal for them to recuperate at home.
Yuan Qi Yu was the first to notice something was wrong.
He hadn't seen his father for several days, and his mother always looked worried.
That night, Yuan Zhao ordered the stable to prepare an ordinary carriage, and dressed up in disguise to make a low-key trip to the Huo Mansion.
The Huo family has closed its doors to visitors for three days. Now everyone is in a panic and has no idea how the Huo family is doing.
Huo Yan was not around, so Yuan Zhao wanted to go see Qiao and Huo Zhengze.
She didn't go through the main gate of the Huo Mansion, but informed the doorman at the side door.
Hearing that the princess was coming, the doorman went in to report and then came out to welcome Yuan Zhao in.
The atmosphere in the entire Huo Mansion was even more depressing and dull than the last time she came.
The servant led the way, and occasionally they met a few maids on the way. They either lowered their heads or huddled together, whispering about something.
"The Second Madam is reciting scriptures and said to take His Highness directly there."
Yuan Zhao nodded, and when she arrived at the place, she found that the servant had brought her to the Huo family's ancestral hall.
Qiao just knelt there with her thin back straight.
Yuan Zhao waved his hand, signaling the people around him to wait outside.
She walked forward lightly and noticed the tablet placed in front of her.
There was one piece missing from the last time she came.
She glanced around and saw that Huo Yan's father and mother were both there. The missing piece was... Huo Pingchang's tablet.
Yuan Zhao didn't say anything. She lit some incense and offered it. Qiao closed her eyes and didn't say a word or open her eyes from beginning to end.
After she finished burning incense, she noticed that when she came last, Mrs. Qiao only had gray hair on her temples, but now her hair is completely white.
Yuan Zhao listened to the rustling night wind outside and was silent for a while before saying, "Second Madam, the authenticity of the painting has not yet been confirmed..."
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