Chapter 52. He coughed up blood. He was already dead.
After the four went down, Bai Du turned around and covered the cave entrance.
It's not too conspicuous, but it also ensures that Lu Zhouxue and the others will be able to see it when they arrive.
After concealing himself, Bai Du turned around and said, "Let's go, Princess, this way please."
"Um."
Jing Hui nodded.
The tunnel was dark. Jing Hui walked in front, Bai Du carried a lantern on one side, and Lian Zhu and Bai Zhi followed behind.
The tunnel was so large that two people could walk side by side without feeling crowded, and the further you went, the more you could see how ingenious the tunnel was.
The group stopped at a fork in the road. There were five paths in front of them, and they paused in their tracks.
Bai Du asked, "Princess, where would you like to go first?"
"Is there a road leading to the palace?" Jing Hui asked casually.
Bai Du was taken aback.
How could that be possible?! Digging a tunnel into the palace? He's practically asking for death!
"Ha ha."
Bai Du chuckled dryly and said, "Princess, you jest. Who would dare dig a tunnel into the palace? Haha."
"What about the General's Mansion?"
The general's mansion is not far from the palace. We'll go to the general's mansion now and then find a way to get to the palace at night.
Bai Du glanced at Jing Hui and said somewhat guiltily, "...Yes, but I swear to God, I never went in!"
Jing Hui ignored him and said, "Lead the way."
Lianzhu stopped Jing Hui and said, "If they want to capture you, they will definitely guard the General's Mansion first. Azhu, go to Bai Du's house first, and then we can discuss this further."
Jing Hui glanced at Lian Zhu, then at Bai Du.
Lian Zhu said that she had already thought of what was going on, but now, she couldn't let others be implicated because of her.
"Sooner or later, I'll have to go to the palace, even if I have to..."
Jing Hui looked at the fork in the road, her eyes as calm as still water, and said, "This princess also wants them to come and invite me."
The dignity of the imperial family and the dignity of a princess must not be trampled upon by thieves!
With a resounding voice, Lian Zhu looked at Jing Hui and suddenly smiled.
"I've grown up."
He exchanged a glance with Bai Zhi, their eyes filled with the same unwavering determination, and said, "In that case, we will stay by the princess's side and protect you at all times."
"Thank you, brother."
Jing Hui nodded to them, then looked at Bai Du and said, "Lead the way."
"yes!"
The three walked towards the outermost tunnel, which was still damp, indicating that it had been recently dug.
The path was also very narrow, from being able to accommodate three people walking side by side, to only being able to accommodate two people, then to barely one person passing through, and finally to struggling to move forward while clinging to the wall.
Just as Jing Hui was feeling the pressure on her chest and was almost unable to breathe, Bai Du, holding his breath, excitedly said, "Princess, we've arrived!"
It was still dark all around, and they were still underground. Everyone looked at Bai Du, who said, "This is the place, but I haven't dug through yet. Please step back a little."
Upon hearing this, Jing Hui, Lian Zhu, and Bai Zhi stepped back.
As if by magic, Bai Du pulled a small shovel from his waist, put the lamp aside, bent over, and huffed and puffed as he dug a few inches forward, even creating a step.
Finally, after a few more thrusts with the shovel, a large hole, big enough for one person to pass through, appeared.
As the sunlight gradually peeked through, Jing Hui saw the large tree in the northwest corner of the General's Mansion's backyard through that ray of light.
"Princess, please."
Bai Du wiped the sweat from his forehead and said.
Jing Shouted, regaining his composure, nodded, and said, "Thank you."
The three of them walked out of the cave one by one, and Jing Hui looked down at Bai Du, who was still in the cave.
"Princess, rest assured, I will go to the other side right now and bring all your people back."
"good."
After he left, Jing Hui said, "Brother, hide this cave. I'm going to the main hall first."
"good."
Jing Hui went alone to the main hall.
She could see the main gate from there, and she wanted to see who was coming today.
The layout of the general's mansion was the same as before, but there were many unfamiliar faces and a noticeable increase in the number of servants. When they saw Jing Hui, they hurriedly bowed, and many of them looked at Jing Hui as if he were a ghost.
During this period, it is likely that many people have planted their spies in this mansion.
Jing Hui sneered, the coldness in her eyes growing even deeper. What did they take her for!
Did they think she was someone who could be easily bullied?
Just as she was about to reach the main hall, someone suddenly appeared behind her and blocked her way. She looked and saw that it was Ayan, whom she hadn't seen for many days.
Ayan looked around and stepped forward, saying, "Princess, something terrible has happened in the palace! Why have you returned?"
When Jing Hui saw A Yan, she felt inexplicably at ease. She smiled, but there was no warmth in her eyes.
"This princess will not be a coward, why can't I come back?"
"When I was in the palace, I desperately tried to see His Majesty. He told me that you must not return to the capital. He said he would handle the palace coup and then bring you back!"
Ayan knew Jinghui's inherent royal pride, so she didn't try to persuade her further. Instead, she told Jinghui about things in the palace that Jinghui didn't know: "The situation in the palace is complicated, but the people who started the rebellion aren't so reckless as to want the throne. It seems they just want you, Princess, to show your face!"
"In that case, it's even easier to explain."
Jing Hui stepped into the main hall, walked straight to the seat of honor, and said, "The spies in this residence have already gone to report the news. I, the princess, will simply wait. Do you know anything else? How are my father and the prime minister?"
Ayan came out to find Jinghui; wherever Jinghui was, that was her home.
Seeing Jing Hui like this, Ayan felt relieved. She went up to pour Jing Hui a cup of tea and said, "His Majesty's poison was a slow-acting poison given to him by the Fourth Prince in collusion with the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. This kind of poison is easy to use. A small amount can make His Majesty weak and unconscious, while a large amount may cause him to die in his sleep. They dare not do this yet because His Majesty has not yet revealed... where the imperial edict is."
Jing Hui picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked, "Has the Empress Dowager made any moves?"
"After hearing about this, the Empress Dowager went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation immediately. But after I left, I heard that the Empress Dowager also wanted His Majesty to change the will, but she probably wouldn't allow the Fourth Prince and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat to harm His Majesty, after all, they are her own sons."
Ayan said, "I don't know if the rumors are true or false."
"Empress Dowager."
Jing Hui closed his eyes and chewed on those two words.
The Empress Dowager began to wield power even before Emperor Jingwen was born. If Emperor Jingwen had not been a prince, the Empress Dowager would probably have seized power herself and become an empress.
The Empress Dowager loved Emperor Jingwen, but she also loved power.
During Emperor Jingwen's illness, the Empress Dowager regained control of the power, showing that she still had the will to serve him.
It's just unknown whether the Empress Dowager simply didn't want a woman to ascend the throne, or whether she didn't want her to ascend the throne at all.
Ascending the throne.
"Has the Empress Dowager not left the Hall of Mental Cultivation yet?"
"Yes, it's been four days since they went in."
Jing Hui loved reading history books and knew the intricate relationships within the royal family, noting that the intimacy among royals often involved appeasement for power.
Jing Hui would rather the Empress Dowager, who is currently in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, be held hostage by the Fourth Prince and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
Jing Hui could clearly see how much her father, the emperor, respected and loved this empress dowager.
If she also...
Jing Hui stopped thinking.
The fourth prince, Jingyan.
Such a virtuous and upright person was actually a facade.
Shangshu Ling (Minister of the Imperial Secretariat)
Xu Tengyuan.
Xu Yanchen.
How could someone as shrewd as Xu Tengyuan collude with Jingyan?
Jing Hui opened his eyes and instructed A Yan, "When we enter the palace later, go directly to Consort Yue's palace and search for any outsiders hiding there."
Ayan paused for a moment, then nodded, "I will obey the princess's command."
There was still no movement outside the door, but the servants in the courtyard were all harboring their own secrets. Ayan looked at Jing Hui's cold and stern expression and asked, "Princess, are you hungry?"
Jing Hui shook his head, his eyes fixed on the gate.
"That……"
Ayan wanted to ask Ayu how she was doing, but seeing Jinghui's haggard appearance, she didn't say it.
Jing Hui knew what she wanted to ask. Ayan and Ayu had grown up together since childhood, so it was only natural that they cared about each other.
"They'll be alright."
Jing Hui blinked.
Last night, in his panic, Lu Songyuan pushed her out the door and closed it before A Yu could come out.
When Jing Hui peeked through the crack in the door, she not only saw Lu Songyuan's glasses, but also A Yu waving at her.
Jing Hui added, "She, he, they will all be alright."
It sounded like she was talking to Ayan, but it also sounded like she was comforting herself.
Ayan nodded firmly and said, "With the princess here, everything will be fine!"
Jing Hui turned to look at A Yan and curled the corners of her lips.
Ayan looked at Jing Hui's chapped lips, her eyes welled up with tears, and then poured Jing Hui a glass of water, saying, "Princess, you have never suffered like this before. Please have some water."
Jing Hui took the cup and drank it.
What is this? The innocent Jing Hui of the past, if she loses those two most important people to her, she will probably never appear again.
Jing Hui leaned closer to the chair, closed her eyes, and planned to take a short nap.
Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves reached my ears.
The orderly thud of horses' hooves and the steady rolling of wheels.
Heading towards the General's Mansion.
After the palace coup, the three streets outside the General's Mansion were surrounded. At this moment, the only source of such noise is probably someone from the palace.
Jing Hui opened his eyes and looked at the gate.
Several Akhal-Teke horses passed by the gate, revealing an incomparably magnificent carriage behind them. The carriage came to a complete stop when it was directly facing the gate of the General's Mansion.
The carriage door opened, and a eunuch jumped off first.
Jing Hui recognized that it was a eunuch from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The carriage bench was placed in place, the carriage door was opened again, and the eunuch stepped forward, raising his arm to wait for the person inside to come out.
First came a pair of Shu brocade shoes with gold thread outlines, followed by a bright yellow robe, then a jade pendant with a dragon design, a dark cloud-patterned waist belt, a snow-white fox fur cloak, gold earrings with clusters of flowers, and a gold crown and black hairpin on her head.
What a vulgar sight.
Jing Hui thought Jing Ao had come back to life.
The man stood on the carriage shaft, looking directly at Jing Hui. He was backlit, so his face was indistinct, but Jing Hui could clearly see him smile.
It is Jingyan.
"Oh."
Jing Hui sneered, sat upright in the chair, and looked at him.
Jingyan grabbed the eunuch's arm and got off the carriage. He took long strides, and the jingling of his clothes and accessories made a lot of noise. It was clear that he was in a hurry to get to Jing Hui, but he still maintained his composure and walked slowly.
“Ah Zhu”.
The first thing Jingyan said as he stepped through the door was to call out to Jinghui Azhu.
Jing Hui ignored him, so he walked over and sat down to Jing Hui's left, saying directly, "It's good that you're back. Come with me to the palace."
"Enter the palace."
Jing Hui chuckled, glanced at Jing Yan, and asked, "If I, this princess, enter the palace, will I ever come out alive?"
"certainly!"
Seeing that Jing Hui did not refuse directly, Jing Yan's eyes lit up, and he leaned towards Jing Hui and said, "Of course, Azhu, the palace is our home, a home you can go back to anytime."
"Yeah?"
"yes."
Jingyan looked at Jinghui and said, "I have been looking forward to your return home day and night. This place is not suitable for you, Azhu. Lu Songyuan is not worthy to be your consort. You should be carefree in the palace."
“I am carefree in the palace because my father is there.”
Jing Hui looked coldly at Jing Yan and asked in a pressing tone, "Jing Yan, what have you done?"
Jingyan was stunned for a moment.
He then straightened up and looked at Jing Hui.
After a long while, Jingyan gave up. He shook his head and smiled helplessly, "Father is fine. The rumors are not true. He is waiting for you to return to the palace."
"What about Lu Songyuan?"
Jing Hui stared at Jing Yan and asked, "Why did you insist on killing him?"
A hint of malice flashed in Jingyan's eyes, but it was almost instantly concealed. "Azhu, I didn't kill him."
The assassins encountered along the way, including those from the Xiaolishan Hot Spring Palace, all had their techniques trained at the same time, and it was through extremely rigorous training.
Xu Tengyuan was just a minor official; he could never possibly have the ability to train so many people.
There was no one else but Jingyan.
"A complete liar."
Jingyan sighed, "If you want me to speak but don't believe me, then go directly to the palace to see Father Emperor. You'll believe whatever Father Emperor says."
"Why are you in such a hurry to bring me to the palace? Is it because you're eager to get something, or have you exchanged something with someone?" Jing Hui noticed a hint of anxiety in Jing Yan.
Jingyan said, "Azhu, I just don't want you to stay in this general's mansion. It's dirty here. Let's talk at home or in my carriage."
Fearing Jing Hui might disagree, Jing Yan softened his tone, "Okay? Father really misses you."
The person before me seemed to be a completely different person from the once upright and virtuous fourth prince.
Jing Hui and Jing Yan looked at each other for a moment, then stood up and walked outside.
Emperor Jingwen was in the palace, and Jing Hui was determined to enter the palace no matter what.
Jingyan was delighted to see this and quickly followed Jing Hui. When the two walked out of the general's mansion, a large number of people had already gathered on the street in the distance.
Their eyes were filled with inquiry.
Jing Hui walked to the carriage, and Jing Yan, disregarding his status as a prince, quickly reached out his hand, signaling Jing Hui to grab his arm.
Jing Hui didn't even glance at her, and called out, "Ayan."
"Yes, Princess."
After Jing Hui helped A Yan into Jing Yan's carriage, she looked at Jing Yan, who seemed unusually excited for some reason, and said, "A Yan doesn't need to come with me."
"Princess!" Ayan cried out in alarm.
Jing Hui gave her a look, and A Yan instantly stood still.
She realized that if she stayed under Jingyan's watchful eye, she would probably never be able to enter the harem.
Jingyan was overjoyed to see this. He got into the carriage, closed the door, sat down next to Jinghui, and looked at her.
Jing Hui ignored Jing Yan's gaze. She leaned against the back of the carriage and opened a crack in the window.
The carriage slowly began to move. Jing Hui turned his head to look at Jing Yan and then realized that the way this man was looking at him today was so strange.
Would you like some water?
Jingyan turned slightly toward Jinghui, their clothes brushing together. Jingyan looked down, a flicker of excitement in his eyes, then looked up to see Jinghui looking at him warily.
Your lips look a little dry.
Are you out of your mind?
Jingyan's smile froze on his face as he said, "I just care about you."
"No need."
Jing Hui scoffed softly, then tugged at his clothes and leaned against the window, looking out.
Anping Street was bustling with people, and many people stood on both sides of the road looking towards this place. At this time, Fugui Tower also became crowded, with a huge, throng of people gathered there.
The scenery I saw made me feel annoyed.
Just as she was about to look away, she suddenly noticed a hairpin in the hair of a person wearing a straw hat behind the pillar.
The sun and moon shine together, and flowers bloom in profusion.
It's Lu Songyuan!
Jing Hui gasped for breath. He's alright, thank goodness!
At this moment, Lu Songyuan also raised his head and looked leisurely at Jing Hui. As the two looked at each other, Lu Songyuan smiled at Jing Hui.
It was a carefree and unrestrained laugh.
Jing Hui had never seen him like this before.
Her nose tingled, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
"Ah Zhu, what do you see?"
Jingyan's gaze remained fixed on Jinghui. He noticed something was wrong with her, so he got up and approached her, following her gaze to look outside.
A large group of people.
Jing Hui also turned to look, but Lu Songyuan was gone.
"Close the window, don't let yourself get cold."
Jing Hui remained silent, letting Jing Yan close the window.
She leaned against the carriage and closed her eyes.
Thinking of Lu Songyuan in the shadows, Jing Hui felt a lump in her throat again.
He had never stood in the sunlight of the capital, and she was determined to make him appear before everyone with dignity.
The carriage traveled smoothly into the capital city without any obstacles, arriving at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Jing Hui stepped down from the carriage and saw that the gates of the Hall of Mental Cultivation were heavily guarded, just as Ayan had said.
"Go in, Ah Zhu, your father is waiting for you."
Jing Hui stepped into the hall. The curtains inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation had been removed, making it very bright.
The palace was very quiet. We walked straight to Emperor Jingwen's sleeping quarters.
There were only three people in the hall.
The Empress Dowager sat on the bed, feeding Emperor Jingwen medicine, while Xu Tengyuan sat on the couch by the window, flipping through memorials.
When Jing Hui came in, the three of them looked over at the same time, and then looked away at the same time, which was quite comical.
Seeing that Emperor Jingwen's complexion was rosy and he did not appear to be suffering from illness, Jing Hui was delighted.
"Greetings, Father Emperor—"
Before Jing Hui could finish speaking, someone suddenly grabbed his neck from behind.
It is Jingyan.
Jingyan hugged Jinghui from behind, one hand across his waist, the other outstretched, the tiger's mouth gripping Jinghui's neck, forcing him to tilt his head back and lean on his shoulder.
"you……"
Jingyan dares to be so bold!
"Ah Zhu!"
When Emperor Jingwen saw Jing Hui being held hostage, he pushed aside the medicine bowl that the Empress Dowager was holding and shouted, "You bastard, let go of Azhu right now!"
The medicine spilled all over the Empress Dowager. She picked up a handkerchief from the side, wiped her hands, and pressed down on Emperor Jingwen's hand, saying, "Your Majesty, don't be anxious."
"That bastard, he'll hurt Ah Zhu!"
"Won't."
The Empress Dowager turned and glanced at Jing Hui, then said to Emperor Jingwen, "He won't, Your Majesty. As long as you hand over the imperial edict, he will release Jing Hui immediately."
"Mother!"
Emperor Jingwen cried out in despair, "You handed this empire to me, and now you're going to hand it over to a traitor?!"
The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor and said, "He is your son. Jing Ao and Jing Yang are dead, so he should be the one to succeed to the throne."
"He isn't!"
Emperor Jingwen's eyes nearly bulged out as he shouted, "I was blind before, letting a hungry wolf roam right under my nose. Mother, wake up! Xu Tengyuan is lying to you! He only wants his son to succeed to the throne. I can find you any male concubine you want. Just release Azhu, okay?"
Jing Hui's struggling movements lessened, and a hint of confusion appeared in her eyes.
What's going on?
Xu Tengyuan, who had been sitting by the couch, stood up when he heard Emperor Jingwen say this. He straightened his clothes, glanced at Emperor Jingwen, and then walked towards Jingyan.
Stopping beside the two, Xu Tengyuan glanced at Jing Hui, then reached out and patted Jing Yan's head.
His tone was full of concern as he said, "My son looks really good in this outfit."
Jing Hui heard Jing Yan chuckle behind him, "Thank you, Father."
Father?
He is Xu Yanchen!
But wasn't Xu Yanchen already dead?
Jing Hui could no longer hold back, "What exactly are you talking about?"
Xu Tengyuan glanced at Jingyan, then walked to the Empress Dowager's side, put his arm around her waist, patted her affectionately, and said, "Come with me to sit by the window. After this matter is settled, I will accompany you back to change your clothes."
The Empress Dowager, who usually had a cold shoulder towards Jing Hui, leaned on Xu Tengyuan's shoulder like a shy daughter and said, "Okay."
"You scoundrels! You're all scoundrels! Mother, wake up—!"
The Emperor Jingwen's heart-wrenching voice echoed throughout the vast hall. Jing Hui looked at him, two lines of clear tears streaming down her face.
"Who are you?"
Jingyan lowered his head and rubbed his earlobe against Jinghui's ear, saying, "My name is Xu Yanchen."
"Jing Ao said you're dead."
Xu Yanchen smiled and said, "His mother dared to frame me, so she should bear the consequences."
"What's the meaning?"
Jing Hui was taken aback. "You sent someone to kill Consort Yue?"
"That idiot deserves to die."
Jing Hui felt a chill run down her spine. In the hall, she and Emperor Jingwen were completely isolated and helpless. What was she to do...?
Jing Hui looked at the Empress Dowager.
"it's useless."
Xu Yanchen looked at Jing Hui and whispered in her ear, "My father has put a curse on her. She only loves my father now, Azhu. She can't hear any voice other than my father's. The mother curse is in my father's hands. He can do whatever he wants, just like a puppet."
"Evil magic".
"We will stop at nothing to achieve our goal."
Xu Yanchen affectionately rubbed his cheek against Jing Hui's head.
"You, cough cough, let go of Ah Zhu!"
Emperor Jingwen was given so many drugs; his rosy complexion was just an illusion. He had long been drained of his energy.
He leaned against the bed, panting heavily, and said, "Let her go..."
"What can you still control now?"
Xu Yanchen held Jing Hui tightly and said, "Hand over the imperial edict and change it to my name. I will immediately issue an edict to make Azhu the empress."
Jing Hui froze. "What are you talking about?"
"Ah Zhu, I fell in love with you at first sight many years ago. Father's plan will come true this year. We originally agreed that I would marry you after I ascended the throne. Who would have thought that the emperor would make you marry that commoner Lu Songyuan? Ah Zhu, I love you. Wouldn't it be better if you stood with me?"
Before today, Jing Hui only considered him family!
She closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and said, "Disgusting!"
You will fall in love with me.
After Jingyan finished speaking, he looked at Emperor Jingwen and asked, "Where is the imperial edict?"
Emperor Jingwen coughed up blood and looked at Jing Hui, saying, "Release Azhu."
"I won't let go."
Xu Yanchen, holding Jing Hui hostage, walked a step away from the bed, stopped, took out a small knife from his pocket, and pressed it against Jing Hui's collarbone.
"Many prostitutes have tattoos, and Ah Zhu's collarbone is so smooth, it's also very suitable for tattoos."
Our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents. In Daliang, only the uncouth would disregard the blessings of heaven and harm themselves to get tattoos.
Xu Yanchen knew what Emperor Jingwen cared about most; more than death, torture and humiliation were what he couldn't bear.
"You dare!"
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
Xu Yanchen smiled indifferently, "Azhu will be mine sooner or later. It's no different to stab her than to stab me."
"puff--"
Emperor Jingwen was indeed so angry that he vomited blood.
Jing Hui quickly said, "Father, don't listen to him anymore."
Emperor Jingwen glanced at Jing Hui and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Don't touch Ah Zhu."
"It's too late. Now I not only want the throne, I also want Ah Zhu."
"Xu Yanchen, let's talk this out."
Lu Songyuan saw Jing Hui just now, which means he must have met with that group of Northern Border soldiers. Jing Hui didn't know how many people Lu Songyuan brought from the capital, but the look in Lu Songyuan's eyes just now told Jing Hui that he would definitely come.
Ayan is in the palace and can provide assistance at any time.
Therefore, rescuing Emperor Jingwen is only a matter of time.
She wanted to stall Xu Yanchen.
"Ah Zhu, don't get any funny ideas."
Xu Yanchen said, "Someone just sent word that Lu Songyuan is dead."
"let me."
Jing Hui turned his head and glanced at Xu Yanchen, saying, "Let me ask my father."
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