Yuan Zhao looked at him, his throat seemed to be blocked by a huge rock, and he couldn't speak for a long time.
She held his hand tightly, and her eyes gradually turned red.
But she knew that she couldn't say no for the sake of her country and her family.
She closed her eyes slightly and could only say, "Okay."
…
Imperial decrees and news arrived one after another from the capital.
As soon as the news of Emperor Xuan's serious illness spread, the entire court had not yet recovered from the shock, and then the second imperial edict came: the crown prince would govern the country.
The first order Yuan Cheng issued after taking over the government was to reinstate Huo Yan to his original position as general, while demoting Prince Yu to deputy general and clearly announcing that all Northwest War operations would be under the command of Huo Yan.
When this decree was issued, it was like a thunderclap, causing the entire court to boil over.
"What does your Highness mean by this? Isn't this openly supporting the Huo family?"
"Huo Yan's reinstatement? Does the Eastern Palace really want to join forces with the Huo family to control the government?"
"Your Majesty is seriously ill. This change at this time is too strange. Could there be another hidden reason..."
"Why demote Prince Yu? This goes against His Majesty's previous order!"
…
There was a lot of discussion and suspicion in the capital, and many ministers were dissatisfied and even angry about this.
The matter of Huo Pingchang had not yet come to a conclusion, and no one could explain Emperor Xuan's sudden illness. The situation was already turbulent both inside and outside the court.
This decree of reinstatement made the situation even more confusing.
What's more, rumors began to spread in Beijing -
Some people hinted that the crown prince had ill intentions towards Emperor Xuan, and that Emperor Xuan's illness might be related to the Eastern Palace.
"The Crown Prince was already dissatisfied with Your Majesty when he asked for the princess's marriage..."
"Did the Eastern Palace think His Majesty was meddling too much and just took action?"
"The Crown Prince's first step in governing the country is to support Huo Yan. It seems that the Eastern Palace has colluded with the Huo family a long time ago."
"If this matter is not thoroughly investigated, how can the court be at peace?"
Rumors spread everywhere, and the entire capital was shrouded in an atmosphere of panic.
The Eastern Palace did not respond much to this.
Yuan Cheng's attitude has always been firm, and this decree of reinstatement is imperative.
He knew that the war in the northwest could not be delayed and Huo Yan was the only key figure who could quickly stabilize the border and deter the Northern Qiang.
He did not explain too much to the court, nor did he have time to pay attention to the rumors.
At the same time, the Huo family once again became the focus of discussion among court officials because of this imperial edict.
Many people privately speculated whether the Eastern Palace and the Huo family really had some unknown relationship.
"The East Palace and the Huo family...are indeed in cahoots with each other."
"Huo Yan has been reinstated, but Huo Pingchang hasn't given an explanation yet. How can the court officials feel at ease if this matter isn't explained clearly?"
The controversy in the court intensified, and some ministers even jointly wrote a letter requesting a thorough investigation of the Huo family.
…
In Yuan Cheng's letter to Yuan Zhao, he only reported good news and not bad news.
He asked her to stay in Liangzhou and not return to the capital with the children for the time being.
He also told her that her father's life was not in danger and she didn't need to worry too much.
Just follow Huo Yan's arrangements.
After reading the letter, Yuan Zhao felt a little doubtful. She vaguely felt that something was not right.
That night, Yuan Heng, Huo Yan, and everyone else returned to the general's mansion.
The family gathered together, and Huo Yan explained the next arrangements:
"Tomorrow I will lead the troops to the front line of Yucheng." He glanced at everyone as he said this, and it was obvious that he had already made up his mind. Then he turned to Yuan Heng and said, "Ah Heng, stay in Liangzhou City. Liangzhou is a fortress, and we must not take it lightly."
Yuan Heng in the corner hadn't spoken a word since he came in, and now he just nodded.
Yuan Zhao observed Yuan Heng, whom he had not seen for quite some time. He saw that his expression was normal, except that he looked a little tired. He did not seem unhappy about being demoted.
Huo Yan continued, "A Sheng... come with me, and He Lianyu..."
Yuan Musheng responded with an "OK", understanding what Huo Yan meant and had no objection to this arrangement.
Huo Yan looked at Yuan Xuan again, and Yuan Xuan stood up faster than him.
"Uncle Huo, I want to go to the front with you. My father had already gone to war when he was my age."
Huo Yan looked at him and asked solemnly, "Are you sure?"
Yuan Xuan nodded heavily.
He knew what was happening in the capital, and he knew that this was the most dangerous moment, and he couldn't always stay under the wings of others.
But Huo Yan still shook his head.
"You and Nannan stay and take good care of your aunt and Xiaoyu. If there's any news about Zhizhi, we'll need you."
Yuan Xuan gritted his teeth and wanted to say something, but was stopped by Yuan Nan'an.
Yuan Nan'an shook his head at him, and he stopped talking.
After everything was arranged, everyone dispersed.
Yuan Xuan was a little unhappy. Yuan Nan'an caught up with him and said, "Cousin!"
Yuan Xuan stopped and waited for her to come over. He took two more steps before asking, "Nannan, you work so hard every day. Don't you want to go to the battlefield?"
Yuan Nanan was stunned. She thought he was going to blame her for stopping him, but she didn't expect that he was thinking about this.
"Of course I want to go..." she replied softly.
"Then why are you stopping me? If I can go, you can go too..." Yuan Xuan was a little confused.
Yuan Nan'an smiled, then realized his other intention, and simply pulled him to sit in the corridor.
"Cousin, the battlefield is not that simple. You and I are still young. What we should do now is to obey the commander's orders."
"Since Daddy has ordered us to do so, we will do as he orders."
"Besides, everywhere is a battlefield. The front line is a battlefield, so isn't Liangzhou City one of them? And the capital is also a battlefield..."
Hearing her words, Yuan Xuan lowered his head.
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