Chapter 77: Rebellion, you have only these fancy tricks, and you still dare to stand before me...
The setting sun shone on the straw in the stable.
Qu Qianyi passed by here and heard faint sobbing sounds, so she walked over out of curiosity.
Under the faint golden light, a handsome young man stood beside the stable, washing the mane of a white horse while sobbing with tears in his eyes, looking both funny and pitiful.
Qu Qianyi took a closer look and found that this poor little guy was the eighth prince Xie Yubo.
"Your Highness, are you in a bad mood?"
Her voice was soft, and Xie Yubo, who was silently crying, was stunned. He quickly raised his sleeves to cover the tears on his face, fearing that others would see his embarrassing side.
"Your Highness?"
Xie Yubo lowered his sleeves and called out with a sob, "Sister Qu, why are you here?"
"I heard someone crying and couldn't help but come over to take a look," Qu Qianyi asked gently, "Did they have a fight?"
"No, I was just kicked out by Sixth Brother..." He said in a wronged tone, "He seems to really hate me."
Qu Qianyi looked at Xie Yubo. Although the Eighth Prince was young, he rarely acted like a child. He usually looked calm and gentle, but it was rare to see him express his emotions so openly.
She had heard about what happened between Xie Yuting and Xie Yubo. Back then, Xie Yubo gave Xie Yuting a piece of cake, which caused the prince to be poisoned and almost died. From then on, the two no longer had any contact.
She knew very little about the secrets involved and had asked her father, who was the Minister of Justice, but he only said that it was a royal secret and should not be passed on to outsiders.
I can guess about 70% of it, and Xie Yubo must have taken the blame for others.
Xie Yuting was not a fool, and it was impossible for him to put the blame on the young Eighth Prince, so...
Qu Qianyi looked at Xie Yubo and said, "His Royal Highness may be deliberately distancing himself from you. Eighth Prince, don't let him down."
"Deliberately alienating?" His face showed doubt and confusion.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was so young and someone wanted to harm him. It was difficult for him to protect you while protecting himself. So I guess he distanced himself from you just to protect His Highness and keep you away from danger."
Xie Yubo was stunned for a long while, frowning and relaxing his eyebrows many times, and finally he was half-believing and half-doubting, muttering to himself: Really?
Qu Qianyi had excellent hearing and immediately said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is not a heartless person. Your Highness will understand if you think about it carefully."
"Some things and some people cannot be judged by appearance alone."
"Then I have been making things worse by bothering him all these years..." As he spoke, Xie Yubo almost burst into tears again.
Qu Qianyi smiled and said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will surely feel relieved to see that Your Highness is safe, and will not feel upset."
After hearing the comfort, Xie Yubo's depressed mood instantly dissipated, the traces of tears had dried up, and his handsome face faced the setting sun, clean and bright.
"Thank you, Sister Qu. I feel much better now."
"I was just guessing. I hope Your Highness doesn't blame me for being reckless."
"Sister Qu seems to know Sixth Brother very well. I've suspected this before," Xie Yubo asked suddenly, "Do you like him?"
Qu Qianyi was shocked. Had she shown it very obviously before?
"Why do you say that, Your Highness?"
Xie Yubo analyzed, "Because I always stare at Sixth Brother, I accidentally discovered that you also often stare at him, but you are more covert in your behavior. It is worth learning from you."
Qu Qianyi: “…”
Don't imitate this kind of thing.
"Your Highness, I have long since let go of the Crown Prince," Qu Qianyi said calmly and seriously, "Please do not mention this matter again in the future, otherwise it will embarrass His Highness."
Xie Yubo nodded: "I understand. After all, Sixth Brother already has someone he truly loves."
Suddenly, there was a loud noise outside the stable.
The sound was heavy and dangerous.
The old slave who was in charge of looking after the horses stumbled over and shouted at them, "Oh no, Eighth Prince! Prince Rong is rebelling! The palace is full of rebels! Run!"
Xie Yubo's personal guards arrived late, holding countless weapons of all sizes, and advised Xie Yubo to leave the place quickly and find a safe place to hide.
Now, Emperor Liang and his concubines are trapped in Liangxin Palace, and near Liangxin Palace is where the ministers live.
The situation was critical, Xie Yubo looked at Qu Qianyi.
Qu Qianyi said: "I have to go find my father."
Xie Yubo immediately said: "I will escort you there." After that, he took the long sword from the guard and prepared to mount his horse.
"I appreciate your kindness, Your Highness."
Qu Qianyi led a horse out of the stable, snatched a bow and arrow from the guard, put the quiver on her back, held the reins with both hands, and jumped onto the horse quickly and neatly.
Her long, emerald green skirt fluttered in the wind. In the setting sun, her eyes lit up. She smiled and said, "Your Highness is still young and may not know this, but back in the Chongwen Hall, my horseback archery skills surpassed all the other princes."
"So, Your Highness, there is no need for an escort."
hiss--
The horse neighs.
"drive!"
She rushed out like an arrow, her sleeves blowing in the wind.
Xie Yubo was slightly surprised, then mounted his horse and followed closely behind him towards Liangxin Palace.
His mother, Concubine Qin, is attending to his father, so he has to rush there as soon as possible to rest assured.
Along the way, we indeed encountered many rebels.
Xie Yubo's brows were solemn. Prince Rong actually raised such a large number of private soldiers in private. It was obvious that today's rebellion was not a sudden impulse, but had been planned for a long time.
Prince Rong's private soldiers all wore dark blue sleeve scarves and charged into battle with great momentum.
On the way to Liangxin Palace, soldiers blocked the road. Xie Yubo swung his sword and slashed at them. The sharp blade was exposed and blood splattered.
During the fight, he noticed that Qu Qianyi had ridden far away. She stood tall, with three long-feathered arrows on the bowstring. She narrowed her eyes and took aim.
Whoosh whoosh.
Three arrows fired at once!
Three rebels in the distance fell to the ground one after another, shot by arrows and unable to get up.
Qu Qianyi put away her bow and arrow and rushed forward.
Xie Yubo then realized that what Qu Qianyi said was true. Her riding and archery skills were indeed outstanding, and she was hard to find a rival among the princes.
It turns out that she can do more than just play the piano and recite poetry. Sister Qu is right, some people really can't be judged by appearance alone.
Before long, they passed five gates and killed six generals, gradually approaching Liangxin Palace.
Outside the Liangxin Palace, the Royal Guards fought fiercely with the rebels. The roars that reached the sky were deafening, and the smell of blood spread for thousands of miles.
High up in the palace, the emperor overlooked the chaotic battlefield.
"Your Majesty, the person leading the rebellion seems to be His Royal Highness Prince Rong." Concubine Qin's voice trembled.
Emperor Liang's illness had not yet fully recovered, and now he was faced with a rebellious son. He looked pale and his steps were unsteady, and he needed Concubine Qin to support him steadily.
"Unfilial son! This unfilial son! Cough cough cough..." He was so angry that he coughed violently, his eyes were red and swollen.
"Where are the Imperial Guards? Why are there so few of them?" Emperor Liang was the first to notice the disparity in military strength. "Where are the rest of the Imperial Guards?!"
Xiao Zhongzi hunched over and said, "Your Majesty, most of the imperial guards are now unconscious after drinking the iced drink bestowed upon them by the emperor. It seems they have been drugged..."
"When did I ever give them iced drinks?!"
"Eunuch Fuxi ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare it..." Xiao Zhongzi's voice became lower and lower.
Emperor Liang's eyes were bloodshot. "Traitor! Fuxi actually betrayed me! How dare that slave boy! Ahem!"
Qin Guiren quickly patted his back, her voice gentle, "Your Majesty, please calm down. The dragon's health is the most important thing."
"With such a small number of troops, what can we accomplish..." Emperor Liang felt a splitting headache. "Where is that rebellious son?"
Xiao Zhongzi said, "I saw His Royal Highness Prince Rong and his personal guards heading towards His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince's palace."
Emperor Liang suddenly realized that Xie Yuwei might think that he would pass the throne to the fourth son, so he rebelled in anger and wanted to force him to make him the crown prince?
Ever since the second son was imprisoned, he had indeed considered making the fourth son the crown prince. However, the fourth son was conceited and he hesitated for a long time before making up his mind.
I originally thought that after the younger princes grew up, there might be better options. Unexpectedly, the eldest son, who has always been the most honest and obedient, was so impatient, exposing his wolfish ambitions!
It turns out that none of his sons are good people. It's really heartbreaking.
The sounds of fighting were getting closer and closer, and Emperor Liang was so angry that he almost vomited.
Concubine Qin whispered to comfort him, "Don't be sad, Your Majesty. Perhaps Prince Rong just wants the position of Crown Prince and won't necessarily harm Your Majesty. Otherwise, he would surely bear the infamy for eternity. He wouldn't make such a move unless it was absolutely necessary."
Emperor Liang naturally understood this truth. Emperors have always been particular about legitimacy. Many emperors who rebelled and usurped the throne were stabbed in the spine and cursed for thousands of years in history books, and could not rest in peace even after their death.
Xie Yuwei is not a fool, and he will definitely threaten him to write an edict to change the crown prince.
Looking at the Imperial Guards who were gradually losing to the rebels, Emperor Liang was filled with desolation and felt bitter. Was he really going to pass the throne to the eldest prince?
Originally, he wanted to pass the throne to the prince of his most beloved woman, but unfortunately Concubine Qiu was not up to the task, and all his efforts were in vain.
As for the mother of the eldest prince Xie Yuwei, Concubine Meng had passed away for many years, and Emperor Liang suddenly discovered that he could no longer remember what Concubine Meng looked like.
Emperor Liang tilted his head to glance at Concubine Qin, who was lowering her brows and looking docile. Concubine Qin had been extremely docile since she entered the palace, but her eighth prince Xie Yubo was always chasing after Xie Yuting, which made him very unhappy.
After much thought, he figured out a lot of things. It might be a good idea to pass the throne to the eldest prince. Then he could depose Xie Yuting and avoid finding many excuses in the future.
It doesn't matter who the throne is passed to, as long as it's not Xie Yuting.
He had gone to great lengths to weaken the military power of the Queen's mother's family, the He family, and he could not afford to fail at the last moment.
Emperor Liang said to Concubine Qin: "Help me go to the inner hall and write an imperial edict."
Qin Guiren's expression changed, and she bowed her head and said, "I obey your command."
The fighting continues.
The side hall of Liangxin Palace, the backyard.
The concubines in the harem gathered together, each of them crying bitterly. The Imperial Guards were few in number to begin with, most of them having been transferred to protect His Majesty. Now they had no one to use, and the rebels were about to attack...
The concubines wiped their tears and cried until they were hoarse.
"What should we do? His Majesty doesn't care about our lives at all. Those rebels are killing people blindly. What if..."
"Wow, I haven't even gotten the throne yet, I'm not willing to give up..."
"Let's find a place to hide."
"Where is there to hide? The Liangxin Palace is surrounded. If we go out, we'll be chopped into pieces!"
boom--!
With a deafening sound, the door of the side hall was knocked open.
"Oh no! The rebels are coming!"
"Don't kill me, I'm just a noble man!"
The leading rebel leader looked around and shouted: "Capture them alive first and wait for the master's next order!"
"Help!"
The concubines in the hall were in chaos, and their cries resounded through the sky.
At the critical moment, a bright crimson figure descended from the sky, holding a red tasseled spear in her hand, her clothes fluttering and rustling. She swung the spear in her hand, and the tip of the spear emitted a cold light, drawing a sharp trajectory in the air.
Queen He Wanhong stood in the wind, her spear flowers like thunder, a smile on her lips, and said with great pride: "Sisters, retreat behind me. I am here today and will not let you get hurt even a hair!"
"Come and fight!"
She leaped into the air, wielding her spear with great momentum. The swords, spears, and halberds collided and rubbed against each other, making a clanging sound that shook the earth. He Wanhong, relying on herself alone, displayed the momentum of fighting against a hundred enemies.
Under her attack, Prince Rong's private troops were defeated one after another.
The leader looked at He Wanhong in disbelief, unable to believe that the queen who had lived in the deep palace for so long could be so terrifying!
He Wanhong saw what she was thinking and said proudly, "My He family has been generals for generations, and we've practiced real martial arts on the battlefield. You're just showing off your fancy moves, and you dare to embarrass yourself in front of me!"
Crack! The long gun pierced the rebel's chest.
Blood spurted out.
The stunned concubines hugged each other, and some burst into tears: "I will never laugh at the Queen's constant sword-fighting again. Woo woo, I really deserve to die!"
"The Queen has come to save us sisters, regardless of past grudges. She is our great benefactor, wuwuwu..."
"Wow, I was so disrespectful to the Queen before, I'm so stupid..."
He Wanhong, who was fighting in the front, shouted: "Why are you crying? Say something encouraging and cheer them up!"
The other concubines immediately wiped away their tears and started shouting.
"The Queen is mighty!"
"The Queen is invincible!"
…
The palace pharmacy was as quiet as usual. The personal guards followed Meng Shuzhang closely, helping him carry the medicinal materials.
The young guard had only followed the prince after he returned home. He didn't understand his temperament or thoughts, so he asked in confusion, "Prince, why don't we hide? It's a mess outside. What's the point of us moving the herbs?"
Meng Shuzhang concentrated on collecting medicine: "Do you know why most of the Imperial Guards are unconscious?"
"I heard he was drugged."
"Yes, so this prince is going to make an antidote to make them wake up immediately, the sooner the better."
The young guard was surprised: "Sir, I heard that this knockout drug is different from ordinary drugs. Several doctors just said that there is no antidote that can immediately sober up. You..."
"Do you look down on me?"
"No, I just think... it's better to go out and kill the enemy. Hasn't the prince been in the military camp for many years?" The young guard stammered.
"To tell you the truth, I've never been to the battlefield in my time at the military camp. I've been following the military doctors to treat patients and save lives every day. I've seen a lot of knockout drugs like this. You can definitely make the antidote with me," Meng Shuzhang said, crossing his arms. "Don't tell my father, or he'll break my legs!"
"Is this true..." The little guard widened his eyes and moved the herbs more skillfully.
If we can really make an antidote, it would be a great achievement!
"Prince, I believe you!"
The sky was dark, with only a few stars sparsely scattered in the sky.
The palace is surrounded by dense forests.
The neighing of a horse broke the silence, and people in the dense forest looked up.
Under the moonlight, a girl in a goose yellow silk dress rode over on horseback, the night wind ruffling her black hair, and her round eyes shone like stars.
The horse's hooves crushed the moonlight and crushed the dead branches. Jiang Yueying reined in the horse, grabbed the reins, raised a black iron token, and shouted: "Where are the cavalry guards?"
The commander of the Cavalry Guard immediately stepped forward and led a group of soldiers: "Greetings, Master!"
Jiang Yueying looked at the Cavalry Guards, who had never been deployed before, and said firmly, "Follow me tonight to charge into the Tingshan Palace and help the Eastern Palace quell the rebellion!"
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