Qingzhi felt that the relationship between the king and the princess seemed to have relaxed a lot since the princess got drunk that day.
The king still takes the princess horseback riding every day, and the princess also accompanies the king in the study to handle state affairs.
The two of them would occasionally have some conversations, although not much, but the atmosphere was finally no longer so cold.
She also realized that the king, who had always been ruthless and cruel, would only show his gentle side in front of the princess.
Qingzhi looked at these changes and felt relieved. She thought that as long as the king officially appointed the princess, everything would be fine.
However, Dota has been coming back later and later these days.
These past two days, I didn't even have time to take Yuan Zhao out for horseback riding.
Yuan Zhao didn't ask why.
Qingzhi is a member of the Eagle Guard, and she knows what is happening outside.
A few days ago, Dacheng sent a document about the identity of Grand Marshal Helianchang, requesting Beiqiang to send back the traitor Huo Pingchang.
In the Northern Qiang court, most people believed that although Helian Chang had rebelled against Dacheng, he had made contributions to the Northern Qiang in the battle of Jifeng Valley. In addition, Helian Chang had accumulated considerable power in the court over the past ten years, so these people believed that Helian Chang should be protected.
There is also a small group of people who believe that since Helian Chang could betray Dacheng, he might also betray Beiqiang one day, which is not credible.
It would be better to exchange Helian Chang and use this as a condition to exchange Yucheng and Longcheng, which have abundant water and grass on the border between the two countries, from Dacheng.
When Yucheng and Takicheng were mentioned, many ministers who originally supported Helian Chang became interested.
Yucheng and Longcheng have flat terrain and vast expanses of snow-capped mountains, water, and grasslands, making them suitable for both growing crops and grazing livestock. They are truly rare treasures in the northwest.
If these two cities could be captured, the territory of Northern Qiang would be greatly expanded, and the food and grass that could be obtained would double.
It's hard not to be moved.
But some ministers believed that Dacheng would never give up its two cities for a traitor.
There was much debate in the court, but the king never made a final decision on the matter.
Most of those who proposed handing over Helian Chang were the remaining conservatives in the court.
In their minds, after Dota, who was of impure blood, came to power, he cleared out the conservatives and promoted Helian Chang to be the Grand Marshal, so Helian Chang was naturally Dota's confidant.
These people were dissatisfied with Duota's rise to power, so they naturally wanted to take this opportunity to get rid of Helian Chang.
One or two of them jumped around the most excitedly, even saying that Dota had come to the throne illegitimately and had killed his father and brother, and that the second prince who was now imprisoned should be made king. Such words caused turmoil in the court.
Dota executed two people.
Therefore, I came back a little late these two days.
One night when I came back, Yuan Zhao was already asleep.
Before Duota entered the door, Qingzhi smelled a strong smell of blood on him.
She could probably guess what had just happened.
The king has always been cruel and extreme in dealing with people and things, using extraordinary means.
He seemed to realize it as well, and he lifted his sleeve to his nose and sniffed it, then said, "Prepare some water."
Qingzhi prepared hot water as he instructed. When Duota went to take a bath, he noticed the marigold petals placed next to the bathtub.
He thought of the smell on Yuan Zhao's body, thought for a moment, and scooped a spoonful of petals into the bathtub.
When he finished soaking, Qingzhi brought people in to pour water. Seeing that Duota had used the flower petals, she collected them.
Duota was outside and heard Qingzhi whisper to another maid beside her,
"Leave these petals here, the princess will still need them."
After saying that, Qingzhi came out with the flower petals wrapped in it. Seeing that Duota had not left yet, she bowed and said, "Your Majesty."
Dota stared at the petals in her arms and asked, "What does the princess want with these used petals?"
"The princess probably has nothing better to do than to throw some flower petals by the stream in the mansion every day."
After the snow on the top of the mountain melts, a stream flows through Chaoyuan all year round.
After finishing his meals every day to help digest his food, Yuan Zhao would sit by the stream for a while and throw away some useless flower petals.
The stream only flows to the grassland at the foot of the mountain and does not become a river, so it is not a big deal.
After hearing Qingzhi's explanation, Duota didn't ask any more questions. He just said "hmm" and left.
When he entered the inner room, Yuan Zhao was already sleeping on his side.
…
On this day, Yuan Zhao took a walk in the garden after dinner as usual.
In Chaoyuan, just as Dota said, the Eagle Guards' men in black were guarding here from morning to night without any relaxation.
Duota did not come back for dinner today, and did not even send a message to let Yuanzhao eat first.
Qingzhi's expression was a little different from usual, and she seemed a little irritated.
But maybe it was just Yuan Zhao's illusion.
When it was time to go to bed, Duota still hadn't shown up, so Yuan Zhao asked,
"Is your king very busy lately?"
When Qingzhi heard this, she smiled and thought that the princess was indeed changing slowly and had now started to ask about the king's whereabouts.
So she replied, "Your Majesty has been busy with court affairs recently, so the princess should rest first."
Yuan Zhao nodded, said nothing more, and went to bed.
Qingzhi covered her with a quilt, lowered the bed curtain and went out.
Yuan Zhao opened his eyes, and there was no trace of sleep in them.
She calculated in her mind the time when she started sending the secret signal, and it had been nearly half a month.
Did Huo Yan's people not notice it? Or did they miss it?
If this method doesn't work, we have to find another way.
However, she couldn't contact anyone else in Chaoyuan, so it was difficult to spread the news.
Duota's defense is too tight, and he is suspicious by nature. Any mistake will be discovered.
What should I do?
As she thought about it, she gradually felt sleepy and her eyelids began to twitch uncontrollably.
…
Although Chaoyuan was quiet, many places in Xiaoyue City were brightly lit.
The Eagle Guard's men in black searched house to house, causing panic among many people in the city.
"There are rebels hiding in the city. By order of the king, search every house!"
"Harboring the Rebellious King and colluding with him is a capital crime!"
"Hand over the rebel king and spare the lives of my entire family!"
…
On the back mountain of Chaoyuan, a black figure flashed by like a ghost, without making a sound.
He easily bypassed the traps and mechanisms on the mountain and sneaked into the garden without being noticed.
He also avoided the positions of the secret sentries that he had observed in advance and finally arrived at the courtyard where Yuan Zhao was.
There is only one Qingzhi in this yard.
He lit the incense in his hand and, just like the thief he encountered in the princess's mansion, knocked out everyone in the yard.
After confirming that there was no more sound in the yard, he gently pushed the door open and went in.
Walking around the screen, I saw the person lying on his side on the bed, having fallen into a deep sleep under the influence of the incense.
He turned her over and held her up, then took out a pill from his arms and fed it to her.
After a while, Yuan Zhao slowly woke up. All she saw was darkness, but she heard a clear and familiar voice:
[Mother! Mother, wake up!]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
