"Dad, have a cup of ginseng tea."
Shangguan Wanning saw that the light in her father's study was still on, so she went to make a cup of ginseng tea and brought it over.
"Ning'er, why are you still awake so late?"
Shangguan Yue put down the document in his hand and pinched his nose tiredly. "You are a girl, you can't stay up late."
"I'm fine." Shangguan Wanning said as she looked at the official document.
Shangguan Yue laughed and said, "Want to know Jing Rui's news?"
"I don't want it." Shangguan Wanning's cheeks turned slightly red and she quickly denied it.
"He has retreated back to the interior of the country. The Turkic troops are relentless in pursuit and have already lost three cities. The Emperor will soon hold him accountable."
Shangguan Wanning lowered her head in silence and sighed deeply.
"The Queen Mother and the Empress have been running around for Ling Yuwen these days, and the court is not at peace. Ning'er, try to go out less and don't come to the palace to pay respects, understand?"
"Dad, I know."
“It’s time.”
Shangguan Yue walked to the window and looked at the bright moonlight in the night sky, his eyes full of melancholy.
At the morning court the next day, some court officials impeached Ling Ruiying for treason and collusion with the Turks to invade the border, and produced an alliance treaty signed by Ling Ruiying and the Grand Prince of the Turks.
Ling Ruiying was shocked, and he immediately thought of Shangguan Wanning who had returned to the capital from the southeastern prefecture.
He looked towards Shangguan Yue. The old fox stood there calmly and unperturbed, obviously having known about it in advance.
"Your Majesty, I am innocent." Ling Ruiying knelt down quickly. The moment he lowered his head, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
After reading the alliance treaty, the emperor was furious and immediately ordered the removal of Ling Ruiying from all his official positions. He also threw him into the Sky Prison and immediately sent people to search the Ling Mansion.
For a while, the capital was in chaos.
Ling Ruiying had been pushing himself to the edge of the cliff these days for his son's affairs. Now he was in prison, and if he didn't fight back, he would die.
Late at night, Ling Ruiying killed the jailer and the imperial guards guarding the Tianlao and escaped. He quickly summoned his trusted secret guards, notified the garrison troops outside the city and his own personal troops, and prepared to attack the palace, kill the emperor and take his place.
Ling Ruiying surrounded the capital city at lightning speed, and the emperor was so angry when he found out.
"Your Majesty, there are only a few soldiers guarding the capital now. It will take some time to mobilize troops from the surrounding areas. If Ling Ruiying attacks the city at this time, I'm afraid..."
The emperor had a headache. He looked around and asked, "Who is willing to defend the city?"
There was total silence in the hall.
The capital is the core of the imperial court, and is mainly staffed by civil officials. Military officers are basically left in local areas to garrison. Even if there are those waiting for orders in the capital, they are minor characters.
Who dares to fight against the famous Ling Ruiying?
"Your Majesty, I have a recommendation for someone who can temporarily guard the capital and ensure the safety of the people." Shangguan Yue stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, please be clear about this. I think that the only person in the capital who can compete with Ling Ruiying is the Prince Consort."
The emperor's eyes lit up.
The Zheng family has been a family of famous generals for generations. If Zheng Binghong had not married the eldest princess and was unable to serve in the court, he would definitely have been a famous general who could have made great achievements.
The emperor made a prompt decision and let Zheng Binghong take charge of all the troops in the capital to confront Ling Ruiying to delay time.
Both sides are waiting.
Waiting for their support.
Ling Ruiying captured the people around the capital and threatened the emperor to release Ling Yuwen.
"My dear ministers, what do you think should be done?"
The emperor didn't want anything to happen to the people of that entire town, but if he released Ling Yuwen, it would be difficult to explain to the wealthy businessmen in the city.
"Your Majesty, if releasing Ling Yuwen can save thousands of lives, it's okay to release him temporarily. But..."
Shangguan Yue frowned and raised other concerns.
"I'm afraid Ling Ruiying will go back on his word. We released Ling Yuwen, but he still wouldn't let those people go. It would be best if we could send someone to negotiate with him and make him retreat thirty miles and leave the town."
"I'm afraid he... may not agree." The emperor had some concerns in his heart.
"Your Majesty, please find someone to negotiate with him."
"Who do you think can take on this important task, Lord Shangguan?"
Shangguan Yue smiled slightly and said, "Xiao Yujue."
Xiao Yujue was once the crown prince, but now he has been demoted to a commoner. But it is undeniable that he is the emperor's biological son.
In fact, everyone could see that Shangguan Yue wanted Xiao Yujue to take this opportunity to rebuild his prestige and lay the foundation for his return to the court.
"Your Majesty, since it has been proven that Ling Yuwen is the murderer of the girl, he is innocent. No matter what, his ability is obvious to all. Now that the country is in crisis, every citizen has a responsibility. Your Majesty might as well give him another chance."
The emperor glanced at the court and saw that no one raised any objection. After careful consideration, he issued an edict to restore Xiao Yujue's innocence and return him to the court, still serving as the crown prince.
Xiao Yujue left Mozhulin and, as the crown prince, took Ling Yuwen and Ling Ruiying to negotiate.
When he arrived at the city gate, the families of the victimized girls blocked his way.
"Your Highness, this beast committed such a heinous crime. If the court lets him go so easily, how can we, the common people, trust the law?"
Xiao Yujue walked down from the sedan chair. He could understand the feelings of the family members at this moment.
He bowed to everyone, which made everyone present tremble with fear.
"Everyone, I know that this is unfair to you. However, we cannot help but save those who are still alive. I promise you that I will avenge your daughter. Ling Yuwen, he will be punished."
Xiao Yujue pulled out a dagger from his waist, cut his palm, and blood dripped down.
"I swear with my blood. If I cannot do this, I am willing to die as an atonement, with thousands of arrows piercing my heart."
Xiao Yujue had said this, and it was not easy for everyone to stop him.
What's more, this was the decision of the imperial court after all.
They were unwilling to do so, but still made way.
"Thank you very much."
Xiao Yujue took Ling Yuwen out of the city and came to Ling Ruiying's camp to set up camp.
He saw the open space was full of innocent people kneeling, including the elderly, the weak, women and children. He secretly clenched his fists and followed the soldiers' instructions to Ling Ruiying's tent.
As soon as he entered, Ling Ruiying slapped Xiao Yujue on the chest.
Xiao Yujue took a few steps back and barely swallowed a mouthful of blood.
"You really don't like your father, the emperor. When the court was rich and powerful, he made you endure poverty. Now that the court is in trouble, he pushes you out to die?"
Facing Ling Ruiying's ridicule, Xiao Yujue straightened his chest and said with a smile: "This is our Xiao family's business. I have brought your son here. Can you release those people?"
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