◇ Chapter 85 (85) I will kill him for you
The door was ajar, but when Emperor Jianguang entered, he didn't forget to close it tightly, as if afraid someone would escape. He stood with his hands behind his back, not even glancing at An Shiyi, who had been knocked to the ground by his palm. His fiery gaze followed Lian Zhi closely.
"Prince Zhulan is a distinguished guest of our Daning, Concubine Lian, you are overstepping your bounds." Emperor Jianguang touched the jade ring on his hand and reached out to touch Lianzhi's shoulder. When he met her extremely cold gaze, he resumed his usual gentle smile and asked the eunuch beside him to announce the decree.
Eunuch Lu unfolded the imperial edict in his hand. He was standing next to Lianzhi, so close that Lianzhi could clearly see the words by tilting her head. As her eyes swept over it, Lianzhi's pupils suddenly shrank.
"Prince Zhulan," the young eunuch reminded him, "you should kneel down to receive the decree."
"It's okay." Emperor Jianguang raised his hand to stop her, a smile of pleasure on his face. Even if Emperor Jianguang hadn't stopped her, Lianzhi wouldn't have knelt. He lowered his eyes, the dagger in his sleeve peeked out, flashing a cold light.
Just as he was about to announce the decree, the palace door was pushed open. Emperor Jianguang turned around displeased. When he saw that the person on the other side was the eunuch from the Imperial Study, his expression froze slightly. "What's the important matter?"
"Your Majesty, an urgent report has been sent back from Longxi. The Prime Minister and the Minister of War have important matters to report and are waiting for you in the imperial study!" The young eunuch reported hurriedly.
The military situation in Longxi must be related to the events in Mobei. With important matters ahead of him, Emperor Jianguang hurriedly led his men away, saying the imperial edict would be announced later. The hall was empty, leaving only Lianzhi and An Shiyi. An Shiyi clenched his fists tightly, his lip bleeding from biting.
"When did you fall in love with him?" Lianzhi squatted in front of An Shiyi. An Shiyi gave him a complicated look, "So what if you knew? Will you give me to him?"
That made sense. Even when she was with him, An Shiyi had already fallen in love with Chen Fengke. It was truly a complete betrayal. Lian Zhi curled her lips, and the dagger slashed across An Shiyi's trembling eyelids: "I will kill you sooner."
An Shiyi smiled bitterly upon hearing this: "I really don't know why he likes you. But I am Daning's concubine now, you can't kill me."
Lianzhi also laughed, and then quickly said in a cold voice: "Take advantage of this opportunity to send me out of the palace. Don't even think of any bad intentions, otherwise you will be blind for the rest of your life."
In the Imperial Study, the Prime Minister and the Minister of War respectfully presented the urgent report sent back by the King of Longxi. Emperor Jianguang was initially somewhat angry that they had interrupted his good time, but after reading the contents of the urgent report, Emperor Jianguang could no longer conceal his smile and laughed out loud, "Good, what a great King of Longxi!"
The secret report stated that within the month since the envoy's arrival in Beijing, the King of Longxi had led his army to capture another city in Mobei, capturing a Mobei general and two members of the Mobei royal family alive on the battlefield. The King of Longxi requested that the Mobei royal family be escorted to Beijing to await His Majesty's decision.
"In just one month, they've captured another city in Mobei. This is truly the work of the King of Longxi." The Prime Minister bowed, but didn't speak entirely on his behalf. "However, if the King of Longxi wishes to escort the prisoners to the capital, he must bring his army with him. Sending a vassal king commanding a large army to the capital is far too risky. Your Majesty, please consider this carefully!"
"Your Majesty, I think the King of Longxi is right," the Minister of War disagreed. "First, escorting the prisoners of war to the capital will inspire the people of Daning. Now that the Mobei envoy is in the capital, we have an extra bargaining chip in our hands. Secondly, it will let the Beihai Territory know that Daning has a strong military force and is not without good generals. Why should we be so tolerant of the Helan tribe? Thirdly, the King of Longxi has been entrenched in Liangzhou for a long time, and it's time for him to leave. Your Majesty, this is a three-pronged strategy!"
The Prime Minister sneered, "How do you know that the King of Longxi won't do anything unusual after entering the capital?"
"King Mu is also in the capital now and has not done anything unusual." said the Minister of War.
"That's because King Mu didn't bring his troops into the capital!" The Prime Minister was so anxious that his hair was about to fly.
The two argued endlessly, exchanging sharp words, and almost came to blows in the imperial study. Emperor Jianguang also knew that they were not really refuting each other's views, but simply seizing the opportunity to suppress each other because they were not on the same side.
Although the Minister of War was his trusted confidant, Emperor Jianguang disagreed with his point of view. However, he also felt it would be inappropriate to follow the Prime Minister's advice and not allow the Prince of Longxi to enter the capital. When the two men argued until their faces were red and their energy was exhausted, Emperor Jianguang slowly spoke, "Have you two, my dear ministers, decided who is the winner?"
The two men knelt down quickly: "We dare not."
Emperor Jianguang glanced at them and suddenly remembered something else: "When you reported to me just now, didn't you say that Lord Bai had received this information first? Where are the others?"
The Prime Minister was afraid that he would be angry, so he quickly said, "Your Majesty, Minister Bai and the Liangzhou Post Envoy are at the Ministry of Rites."
Lianzhi disguised herself as a young palace maid and followed An Shiyi's servant out of the palace on the pretext of doing some business. What a joke! How could he really stay in the palace and wait for the imperial edict?
The guards at the palace gate didn't dare to stop the imperial concubine's men and let him out. As expected, Bai Kang was gone. He didn't know how long he had been unconscious. Seeing that it was still daytime, he probably hadn't been in the palace for long...
While he was thinking, a large hand grabbed his arm and pulled him into his arms. Lianzhi subconsciously leaned back to allow Bo Kang to hold him tighter.
They arrived at the Ministry of Rites, and Bai Kang pulled him into the inner chamber. The officials nearby were curious about who Bai had brought back with him. Their faces were obscured, so they couldn't see them clearly. Could it be some special envoy from Liangzhou?
Forget it, forget it. I'd better not interfere in Lord Bai's affairs to avoid getting scolded.
"Lian'er, why are you leaving the palace just now?" Bo Kang's forehead veins bulged. "It's been nearly three hours."
Lianzhi couldn't help but frown when he heard that name. When he thought about what An Shiyi had just said, that Emperor Jianguang would call him that, he couldn't help feeling disgusted.
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, his expression forbearing yet mixed with a bit of grievance, Bo Kang suddenly became even more anxious. He grabbed Lianzhi's shoulders and shook them violently: "Did someone bully you? What happened? Can you tell me?"
"Don't call me that." Lianzhi curled her lips. Seeing how nervous Bai Kang was about him, she was originally just angry, but now she felt a little aggrieved. "Go get me some water."
Bai Kang quickly found a teapot and poured Lianzhi a cup of tea. He usually didn't have to pour his own tea, and he couldn't find the teapot and cups, so he was in a panic. Lianzhi watched, chuckling to herself, and her mood brightened.
As the steaming hot tea was brought to her, Lianzhi came up with a plan and wanted to tease Bo Kang again, "Why are you so anxious?"
"How many hours have you been in the palace alone? How could I not be anxious?" Bai Kang pleaded in a low voice, "My dear, please tell me quickly."
When the time was right, Lianzhi wiped her tears and narrated the events of the palace with exaggerated details. Finally, she added, "I saw the contents of the imperial edict. Just now, Chen Fengke was planning to make me a concubine right away..."
Before he could finish his words, Bai Kang hugged him tightly, with such force that he almost pressed him into his flesh.
"Bao Kang? I haven't finished yet." Lianzhi blinked blankly, and her curly eyelashes swept across Bai Kang's chest, making it itchy.
Bai Kang, waking up from a dream, quickly let go of him, but didn't answer for a long time. Lianzhi hadn't wanted to tell Bai Kang the whole story, firstly because it was unnecessary, and secondly because she was afraid that Bai Kang would ruin his plans if he knew. But he also wanted to test the waters, to see if Bai Kang would get jealous and crazy because of this.
It seems that he has gone crazy. He should not have told this to Bai Kang earlier. A good person has become mute. After all, what's the point of Bai Kang being angry? He doesn't care what Bai Kang thinks.
The atmosphere was becoming awkward, and the silence in the inner room was so deep that the whispers of people outside were deafening. Lianzhi changed the subject, "From what An Shiyi said, he and Chen Fengke already have a personal relationship. Chen Fengke is a member of the imperial clan and rarely even entered the palace. How could he be related to my secret guards? Could they have known each other since childhood?"
The more Lianzhi thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong. She touched her chin and said, "How many people do you have left that can be mobilized? Let them and my people go investigate together."
"Maybe it's not that complicated." Bo Kang said solemnly, "Didn't An Shiyi disappear after the palace coup?"
"You mean, he fell in love with Chen Fengke at that time, so he changed sides at the last minute?" Lianzhi asked, her eyes widening in disbelief. "That shouldn't be the case. You're wrong."
Bai Kang smiled and said nothing.
The eunuch outside the door brought two plates of oranges. Bo Kang slowly peeled them and pushed them in front of Lianzhi: "I have something important to take care of. Don't go out. I'll take you out secretly when I leave."
When the important matter was mentioned, Lianzhi stopped the person and asked, "What happened in Longxi?"
"It's not a big deal." Bo Kang said, "I'll be back soon."
This wait lasted another two hours.
It was already past the time for Bai Kang to leave the palace. He asked the eunuch who stayed behind to inquire and found out that Emperor Jianguang had asked Bai Kang to stay to handle official business and he might not be able to return until late at night.
"The master said that you should follow Master Qinghe back to the palace first." The young eunuch was Bai Kang's confidant and a trustworthy person. He took out a set of clothes and asked Lianzhi to leave with him. There was a lot of noise at the palace gate. A group of palace servants were guarding there, and no one knew what they were doing. Listening carefully, I seemed to hear words like "someone ran away" and "someone was chasing".
It seems they are arresting him.
Fortunately, the palace guards at the door had not yet suspected the official, so Lianzhi left the palace smoothly and went all the way to Bai Kang's villa.
Eunuch Wen was caring for An Shi. An Shi had regained some spirits, willing to answer Eunuch Wen's questions, but only with words like "yes" and "no," refusing to utter anything else. Eunuch Wen, with a mournful face, said he had made a mistake. Seeing An Shi thank him today after drinking the medicine, he thought he had come to his senses, so he brought up a few past events. Unexpectedly, he ignored him again that afternoon.
"Don't worry about him, it has nothing to do with you." Lianzhi said, and went back to rest.
He was exhausted, but after sleeping in the palace for so long, he rarely felt like taking a nap. It was only after nightfall that the servant came to announce that Master Bai had returned and asked his wife to prepare to greet him.
This Bai Kang must be exhausted. He only stayed in the palace for a few extra hours, and he still wanted to greet him? Lianzhi muttered a few words, but she didn't stop walking and stood up to open the door with a very honest body.
Bai Kang stood outside the door, so quietly that Lian Zhi was startled. He was about to grab Bai Kang's hand when he suddenly smelled a strong odor of alcohol and sniffed: "Have you been drinking?"
Bai Kang pinched the tip of his nose. His once neat official uniform was a little messy. He closed the door with his backhand, buried his face in the top of Lianzhi's hair, and took a deep breath.
"Are you drunk?" Lianzhi asked tentatively.
Silence fell again. Bo Kang didn't answer. Arguing with the drunkard was clearly getting no response. Lianzhi dragged him to bed and ordered the servant to bring some sobering soup.
It's not like she hadn't seen Bai Kang drink before, but he was a good drinker and had never been truly drunk. But now, he couldn't even stand steadily, pressing his whole body against Lianzhi, his body also burning. Lianzhi threw him onto the bed, pinching her nose and asking someone to change Bai Kang's clothes.
"Baby." Bo Kang grabbed his hand, intertwined his fingers, and easily pulled him back into his arms. He murmured, "When can we kill him?"
Lianzhi looked at him in confusion, not knowing who he was talking about.
"I won't let him enthrone you. I will help you kill those who covet you and those who like you." Bai Kang spoke, and it was obvious who he was referring to.
The servant was about to come in, but was sent away by Lianzhi. Lianzhi touched Bai Kang's forehead, which was very hot. He didn't know if it was caused by a fever or drunkenness. He asked solemnly, word by word, "Bai Kang, do you know what you are talking about?"
"I'm going to kill him." Bo Kang also answered solemnly.
"Kill His Majesty?" Lianzhi's voice was very soft, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise, unable to suppress it. Bai Kang followed with a soft voice: "I said, I can't bear to see you marry and enter the palace, no matter what plan I have."
"So I'll do it. I'll put your plan into action. Don't go near him again. If you give me the command, I'll follow your lead, baby."
From his previous indulgence, to pretending not to know what Lianzhi was doing, to now personally admitting that he was willing to kill Chen Fengke for him. Lianzhi was even vaguely certain that the Queen Mother's poisoning must be related to Bai Kang.
Like all less radical loyal ministers, even if he disliked the current emperor and queen mother, Bo Kang would never have done something like poisoning the queen mother or murdering the emperor. Not only because it was a capital crime, but also because most people could not get over the "loyalty" barrier in their hearts.
But Bo Kang did it.
It was just to guard against the possibility that Emperor Jianguang would let him into the palace. After all, the imperial edict issued by King Mu clearly stated that he would be awarded a title - oh, now it was certain.
So Bai Kang couldn't stand it anymore.
Lianzhi hugged his neck, and the two of them lay down on the bed together, her big round eyes filled with confusion. He really couldn't understand why someone would do this for another person. His voice trembled slightly, "Bo Kang, I hope you remember what we said tonight."
The next morning, at the hour of Yin.
Bai Kang propped up his hungover head and sat up. He'd been incredibly depressed yesterday, even being kept in the palace to discuss the matter of the Longxi King entering the capital—though in the end, no conclusion was reached. He didn't know why His Majesty was always hesitating. If he had his say, the King of Longxi would have been barred from entering the capital, and he would have just sent someone to escort the prisoners.
Yesterday, on my way home, I drank some strong liquor in the carriage. All I remember is walking drunkenly back to the villa and seeing Lianzhi opening the door for him. So, I better be quiet and not wake her up...
Turning around, Lianzhi woke up and sat beside him, holding his official uniform. "Brother Kang, you're awake. Go to court soon."
The sun was rising from the west, and Lianzhi had gotten up so early for no reason? Bo Kang looked at him suspiciously, suspecting that the smell of his alcohol from last night had irritated Lianzhi. Just as he was about to apologize, he heard Lianzhi ask in a sweet voice, "Brother Kang, do you remember what you said last night?"
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