Chapter 858 You Choose
Qian Qiyue and the wife of Marquis Wenxin naturally agreed without hesitation, because they knew very well that even if they could be well prepared tonight, King Hui and his men would not dare to touch them because of the clan members behind them. But this was not a long-term solution. Once King Hui and his men really held the queen hostage and secured their seat in the court.
These close confidants of the "previous emperor" will surely be eliminated. Sooner or later, something bad will happen to their fathers, their husbands, and their clan members. It's just like a blunt knife cutting meat and devouring them bit by bit.
Instead of doing that, it’s better to take a risk.
It’s just that Madam Cui...
Both of them looked at the people around them. They were willing to take risks, willing to risk their lives for Tang Ning, but Madam Cui was not like them. She and Tang Ning only had common interests, and taking the risk of taking Tang Ning out of the palace would be even more dangerous. If she was unwilling...
Qian Qiyue opened her lips and wanted to say something, but was stopped by the wife of Marquis Wenxin.
She knew that Qian Qiyue wanted to persuade Madam Cui, but persuasion alone would not be effective in such a risky matter. If she was not willing, if she was just forced or was too impulsive to persuade, and then regretted it at the last moment, it would only make things worse.
Tang Ning obviously thought the same. She looked at Madam Cui and said, "If you don't want to, I won't force you. I will still let Liang Guangyi and the others take you away. When you go back, just be careful and guard against the Cui family elders and others' covert tactics. They won't touch you openly until something happens to me."
Madam Cui was moved by Tang Ning's words. She hesitated for a long time before looking up and said, "Your Majesty, I want you to tell me the truth. Besides those people outside the palace, do you have other backup plans?"
Tang Ning shook his head: "No. If there were any other way, I would not let myself fall into such an embarrassing situation and let you accompany me to take risks."
Madam Cui pursed her lips and said, "So when you asked Prince Hui to send Princess Hui and the others to the palace, you already had this idea in mind?"
Tang Ning didn't hide it from her and hummed softly, "I've taken the Princess of Hui and the Crown Prince's Consort hostage. Prince Hui and his men, inspired by me, will definitely use the same method to hold hostages against me. There are only a few people in the capital who are on good terms with me and can force me to back down. I initially thought they would kidnap Madam Fu or A'ru, but I didn't expect they would kidnap you."
"No matter who it is, I will find a way to send one out."
Old Madam Fu is too old to withstand the torment, and Xue Ru is young and timid. Even if it were only Qian Qiyue and the wife of Marquis Wenxin, she would find other excuses, but Madam Cui is more suitable now.
She had little involvement with the palace, and her relationship with the palace was only one of interest. The favor she owed the Cui family was enough for them to come forward to protect her, but she would not trust them too much. Moreover, given the current situation of the Cui family, even if Madam Cui went out, it would not hinder the plans of King Hui and others.
After all, in the eyes of outsiders, she is also from a noble family.
Tang Ning spoke out her thoughts and plans without reservation, and then looked at the person in front of her: "When I saw you and Aunt Jun and the others being brought into the palace just now, I was happy, because your status is more suitable than anyone else to take me out of the palace."
"But I also know that you, me, and the royal family are just interested in each other. I won't force you to take me out of the palace."
Madam Cui laughed bitterly at her words and said, "Isn't this just asking for something, Your Majesty?"
She had already been branded as the queen, and even if she was not taken out of the palace, Prince Hui and his men would still settle accounts. Moreover, the queen had just said that she would protect her openly, but the words "the secret tactics of the Cui family elders and others" were enough to leave her with no way out.
Tang Ning said softly, "You can choose."
Madam Cui's wry smile widened. "Your Majesty, are you taking revenge on me for threatening you with the matter between His Majesty and Southern Qi?"
Tang Ning didn't say anything, just looked at her calmly.
Madam Cui said, "Okay, I'll escort the Empress out of the palace."
…
The hall was quiet for about two quarters of an hour. Just when Duan Zhiru and the others were getting a little impatient, someone came out from the inner room.
Yue Jian led Madam Cui to the front of the palace, accompanied by a capable dark-robed secret guard. She held up the imperial seal and said, "This is what the Empress promised you. I hope you won't forget what you promised her."
Duan Zhiru's face was filled with joy: "Okay, we'll send Madam Cui away right away."
Yue Jian, however, blocked the way: "The Queen ordered the two of us to escort Madam Cui out of the palace..."
"no!"
Min San refused without a second thought: "She can leave the palace, but you can't!"
"Why, are you going to go back on your word?"
"Tang Ning" walked out from the inner room, stood in front of the palace door, and looked at the people outside with a cold expression.
Wang Huailu quickly said, "Don't overthink it, Queen. It's just that these are turbulent times, and it's really not appropriate for the people in your palace to go out..."
"Tang Ning" sneered, "Then when can I get out? Do you still want to lock me and my servants in Yongzhao Palace for the rest of my life?"
"Don't forget, you are not forcing the emperor to abdicate tonight. I am heartbroken over the passing of the Grand Empress Dowager and worried about the whereabouts of His Majesty. I am afraid of the unrest in the court, so I am giving in to the aristocratic families."
"I can use my illness as an excuse to stay in Yongzhao Palace, but if not even one of my closest associates shows up outside, do you think you can appease Wu Kui and the others? Once the news gets out of the palace, they'll definitely become suspicious. If they don't see my closest associates outside, they'll just think something's happened to me. If they rush into the palace, can you stop them?"
The expressions of the people outside changed.
Liang Guangyi frowned and said, "Let them send Madam Cui off."
"Prime Minister Liang!" Duan Zhiru said anxiously, "These two are the Queen's confidants. Who knows what they will do after leaving the palace?"
"Tang Ning" sneered, "I am in your hands. What can they do? I just don't trust you. She knows everything about tonight. Who knows if you will kill to silence her? I owe Madam Cui a favor. I must keep her safe."
"And I do need someone to appease Wu Kui and the others. Otherwise, if there's a mutiny in the capital and it spreads to the border, who will rescue Your Majesty?"
She openly told them that she would let Yue Jian and the others meet Wu Kui and the others. These cold words actually made Duan Zhiru and the others feel more at ease.
Liang Guangyi glanced at Shi Qingrong, who quickly spoke up, "She has some truth to her words. Wu Kui and the others are reckless and act impulsively. Besides, it's impossible to keep the people in Yongzhao Palace secret forever. That would only arouse suspicion."
"If the outside world really knew that the Queen was under house arrest, something bad would happen. It's not just Prince Hui who wants the throne..."
He pointedly said something, and then said ruthlessly:
"The Queen is still in the palace, and the daughter of the Qian family and the wife of Marquis Wenxin are also in our hands. These two will definitely not dare to turn against us. If they really dare to do anything, we can kill the Queen and the others. Without their master, the secret guards are like dogs that have lost their home."
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