Chapter 387 Killing the Enemy! Luo'er Bravely Saves the Empress Dowager!
Li Qinglu listened intently to the secrets of the previous dynasty.
"Died in the Zhong family? How is that possible? Isn't the Zhong family the prince's maternal family?"
Madam Pei: "Yes, it's the Zhong family."
"It can be said that the Wenchang Marquis's mansion was dozens of times more powerful and influential in the court back then than it is now."
"With a concubine in their family and a prince who was greatly favored, even if they already had a crown prince at the time, how could they not have ulterior motives?"
"But His Majesty today, when he was still the Crown Prince, was also outstanding and had an undeniable imperial bearing."
"However, His Majesty's favor has caused the Zhong family to harbor disloyal intentions."
"How can I allow someone else to snore beside my bed?"
"So, she took action."
The "she" in "Madam Pei" refers to the current Empress Dowager, who was the Empress in the past.
Madam Pei: "How could she just stand by and watch someone take away what belonged to her and her son?"
"Back then, she plotted to kill that prince in the Zhong family. At first, the Zhong family thought it was an accident and felt extremely sad, as if the sky had fallen and the earth had collapsed."
"Later, when she noticed something amiss and discovered the truth, she complained to Emperor Taizong indignantly, but by then the Imperial Noble Consort had already gone mad."
"The Zhong family ultimately made a mistake, falling a step too late. The Empress's people have already seized most of the power in the court."
"Even Emperor Taizong could only swallow his grief and cough up blood, and he simply banished the Empress to the Cold Palace."
"The position of Crown Prince was still preserved by Emperor Yan."
"It wasn't until His Majesty ascended the throne that she emerged from the cold palace and assumed the high position of Empress Dowager."
"The Zhong family was forcibly appeased by Emperor Taizong back then, and they have not fought or competed for anything all these years. They seem to have let go of everything, but I'm afraid they have long harbored deep hatred for Emperor Yan and the Empress Dowager and her son."
"Although on the surface the Zhong family is at its zenith, in recent years no one in the Zhong family has reached the third rank or above, and no woman in the Zhong family has been able to enter the imperial harem."
"The Zhong family appears to be at its zenith, but it will be difficult for them to regain their former glory."
"I've also heard that all six sons of the Zhong family are outstanding talents, but they have been suppressed and it's difficult for them to get promoted."
"Now that they have suddenly colluded with the Lotus Sect to rebel, I am not surprised at all."
Li Qingluo was puzzled: "Since the Zhong family is a hidden danger, has His Majesty never thought of eliminating them step by step over the years?"
Madam Pei: "I heard that it was an imperial edict given to the current emperor by Emperor Taizong out of guilt before his death."
"Your Majesty must swear an oath that as long as the Zhong family has no intention of rebellion, Your Majesty will continue to ensure the prosperity of the Zhong family for three generations."
After three generations, all grudges should be settled.
However, the Zhong family itself did not survive beyond three generations.
Li Qingluo finally understood.
The Zhong family's sudden rebellion stemmed from deep-seated resentment and long-standing hatred.
Moreover, they were dissatisfied with the current treatment of the Zhong family by the emperor.
Like a frog being slowly boiled in water, the Zhong family was gradually driven to the point of rebellion...
It's also because Emperor Yan is now senile.
They clearly used to be wary of the Zhong family.
Now, the Zhong family has been given a chance to rebel, even though it's a Xia Miao family.
Of course, Li Qingluo only dared to think this in her heart.
As for the Zhong family, with just a flick of their finger, the Lotus Sect had them hooked up on their pirate ship.
Moreover, the Zhong family has great ambitions this time. Seeing that the Empress Dowager has also come to Xia Miao, they actually want to take down Emperor Yan and the Empress Dowager, mother and son, and even the Crown Prince and Empress, mother and son.
but……
Li Qingluo suddenly shuddered.
Are the Empress and the Crown Prince also involved in this matter?
After all, the relationship between the prince and the Lotus Sect is complex and difficult to explain.
"Grandmother, the Zhong family cannot win."
The Zhong family thought this was a golden opportunity.
However, they never expected that Duan Rongshi would come directly to this Nanshan Villa to report back after returning from suppressing the bandits.
This is probably the only thing the Zhong family overlooked.
Therefore, Zhong Liulang kept wandering around in the woods, following the two princes and the princess.
The Zhong family used fake civilians to lure Emperor Yan and his entourage back to the Nanshan Villa.
They wanted to trap the emperor, close the door, and seize the throne.
But with Duan Rongshi present, the outcome of today's battle is not up to the Zhong family.
Just then, another group of people rushed in, shouting, "The Empress Dowager, that old witch, is right here—"
"kill!"
"Take the head of that old witch, the Empress Dowager, to avenge the deep-seated hatred that has festered within the Zhong family—"
Sha Wu, wielding his knife, charged forward.
But this group of people numbered more than ten, and each of them was extremely skilled.
Li Qingluo led Old Madam Pei backwards.
Suddenly, a long arrow flew in through the window and nearly pierced the Empress Dowager's head.
The Empress Dowager screamed in alarm and immediately crawled under the table in a panic.
Aunt Fang shouted, "Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor—"
"Protect the Empress Dowager—"
Li Qingluo picked up the Biluo Sword: "Grandmother, let me go take a look. You stay inside and protect the Empress Dowager, and wait for me to come back."
Madam Pei didn't waste any words: "Luo'er, your life is of utmost importance!"
Li Qingluo and Que'er followed and fought their way out.
She looked up and saw a tall young man dressed in black standing on the wall.
He bears a striking resemblance to Zhong Liulang.
She immediately guessed that it must be one of the Zhong family's sons.
As soon as she appeared, the man immediately drew his bow and shot an arrow, rushing towards her.
Li Qinglu's arrow landed on the horse's back.
All he carried with him was the Azure Sky Sword.
So she and Que'er could only hastily swing their swords to deflect the arrows. After taking cover behind a pillar, she shouted, "Young Master Zhong!"
“There are only innocent women, children and the elderly here. If your Zhong family wants to rebel and seize the throne, you don’t have to kill everyone.”
"Are there many innocent lives also going to die because of your Zhong family's treason?"
Zhong Sanlang: "Stop talking nonsense."
"Today, all of you must die—!"
"Consider it as being buried with the Duan family."
"And it also fulfills your loyalty and righteousness."
"Once we have killed you all, no one in the world will know what the Zhong family has done today."
Li Qingluo: "Then your Zhong family has really had a dream!"
After saying that, Li Qingluo turned around and shot out his hidden arrow.
Que'er then wielded her sword to deflect the incoming arrows for Li Qingluo.
Li Qingluo's flying arrow struck the man's thigh, while the man's subsequent arrows also injured Que'er's arm.
Li Qingluo, with Que'er by her side, pushed her into the house.
She stood at the doorway, blocking the constantly rushing experts and the arrows flying from Zhong Sanlang.
Seeing that the man's archery skills were superb, he kept shooting at her and even into the house.
Li Qingluo had no choice but to quickly retreat.
After she retreated back into the house, she quickly closed the door.
Then he crouched down and returned to Madam Pei's side, who was hiding by the pillar.
"Grandmother, Sha Wu and the two nannies can hold them off for a while. But you all need to find a safer place to hide first!"
"This person is a master archer, and the men he leads are also highly skilled in martial arts."
"It seems he's determined to take the Empress Dowager's life!"
After Li Qingluo finished speaking, the Empress Dowager trembled.
She raised her head, her somewhat cloudy eyes looking at Li Qingluo.
"Hahaha……"
"That bitch's offspring is really something."
"So many years have passed, and you still want to avenge her and her?"
"Ha ha ha ha……"
"Fine, then I'll go out and die, I'll pay for their lives with mine! This whole farce should end now!"
The Empress Dowager, speaking shakily, tried to get up.
A look of unwavering resolve, even unto death, appeared in his eyes.
Li Qingluo grabbed him tightly.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!"
"The Zhong family is not seeking revenge for Consort Zhong."
"It is the resentment they feel because you wiped out the Zhong family back then and destroyed all their desires that they shouldn't have."
"They don't hate that Consort Zhong and her son were ruined by you."
"But it was you who blocked everything for the Zhong family."
"In any case, the Zhong family's treason is a capital offense."
"No matter what happened back then, their indiscriminate killing of innocent people and the massacre at Nanshan Villa is the fault of the Zhong family."
"Let's go!"
Without saying a word, Li Qingluo forcibly pulled the Empress Dowager to the innermost part of the room and then opened the back window.
There was no one outside, but climbing out now would make one a target.
Only by hiding in this room can one be considered safe.
Li Qingluo quickly pulled out the cabinet and the bed.
Upon seeing her actions, Aunt Fang and the Empress Dowager stared in shock.
Madam Pei chuckled twice: "Heh...this girl has an inexhaustible amount of energy, making Your Highness laugh at her."
The Empress Dowager sighed, "Great strength, excellent!"
It'll be useful tonight, so it's good that it's powerful.
Li Qingluo built a safe barrier around their bed and cabinets.
"You all stay here. Unless someone sets a fire, you must not come out!"
After saying that, Li Qingluo picked up the Biluo Sword and charged out again.
Que'er wanted to follow, but Li Qingluo glared at her and stopped her.
"Are you trying to distract me?"
"Take care of your own injuries first, and look after my grandmother!"
When Que'er thought of the times when she was a burden, she could only bite her lip and watch Li Qingluo leave alone again with a wronged expression.
Madam Pei watched her retreating figure with worry and reluctance, only wiping her eyes after she had gone far away.
How could I not be worried?
The Empress Dowager weakly comforted her: "This girl is decisive, has a bold and generous personality, is upright and honest, can distinguish right from wrong, and is loyal and affectionate."
"He's a lovely child."
Madam Pei looked at her and thought to herself: Now you finally see it?
Empress Dowager: "Don't worry. I know everything about Xiao Wu and her."
Madam Pei warmly stepped forward to support her: "Your Majesty, please don't speak anymore, please rest well."
Outside on the wall, Sha Wu had already forced Zhong Sanlang down.
Li Qingluo rushed into the courtyard and got into a fight with these people.
But she was actually exhausted long ago.
He was just forcing himself to keep swinging his sword.
Until someone's blood splashed onto her eyes.
She couldn't help but blink, and thus missed the arrow flying towards her from Zhong Sanlang—
The arrow was deflected by a longsword when it was three inches from her chest.
Duan Rongshi led his guards and stormed in.
Sha Wu also seized the opportunity and cut off Zhong Sanlang's hand that was holding the longbow.
With Duan Rongshi's help, Li Qingluo also turned the tables and killed a master who had been fighting for a long time.
A loud booming sound came from outside.
And there was the roar of horns.
In the pouring rain, Duan Rongshi grasped her hand: "The Northern Army is here."
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