Chapter 72: The Prince's Power, Xie Ci is Determined to Win
In the pitch-black underground culvert, the rushing rainwater splashed down the culvert and filled the entire buffer pool. There was a dark wind blowing past, which was actually quite cold.
But for some reason, Xie Ci suddenly felt dry in the mouth.
Gu Guan's face was very close, but it was too dark in here, so I could only vaguely see the outline of her face, her straight and slightly upturned nose, and her eyes were unclear, hidden in the dark shadows.
But Xie Ci could feel her gaze, starting from his chest muscles, sweeping up along his collarbone, shoulders and arms, slowly lingering on his Adam's apple and jawline, and finally landing on his face and eyes.
Xie Ci felt that her gaze was full of fire, and the place where it swept across was like a line of fire. His mouth was dry, his whole body felt like it was on fire, his Adam's apple rolled up and down, and his heart was pounding as if it was about to jump out.
She was on top, their faces were so close that she couldn't see clearly, but she stared down into his eyes. As they looked at each other, their breaths mixed together, and they could clearly feel the smell and temperature of each other's breath.
This subtle atmosphere and scorching temperature made even Xie Ci vaguely aware that something was different.
Finally, Gu Guan placed one hand on the moss. The slippery feeling gave her goose bumps. Then she heard a hissing sound. Although it wasn't from the child's side, she jumped up with a start and said, "Xie Ci, quickly take the child down."
In fact, the whole process only took a few seconds, short yet long. It seemed like there was something extra in the air, a sticky and greasy feeling.
She stood up together, and Xie Ci suddenly felt a sense of loss, but the blushing feeling had not faded away. He quickly jumped up, took the swaddle down, and dropped it to the ground.
He has a slender figure, a wasp waist and monkey arms. This kind of dark environment can actually best show a person's charm. Xie Ci is as agile as thunder and as quiet as falling leaves. The tall and strong man in fine armor landed on the edge of the pool, standing like a pine tree, as if standing on the top of a mountain.
This outline and figure are extremely perfect.
He tiptoed and came over here.
Gu Guan was standing in a relatively wide corner. She tilted her head slightly to look at Xie Ci. The person in front of her was the same as before, but seemed a little different.
She recalled the feeling just now, savored it carefully, and couldn't help laughing. She didn't laugh out loud, but in this place, there was no other sound except the sound of water, and the sound of her two laugh-filled breaths became unusually clear.
Xie Ci also felt something was different. When he heard her laugh, his cheeks suddenly became hot. He held the swaddle and casually touched the girl's face. He had never touched the child with anything messy or insect-like. He stared at her without blinking. He was nervous and blurted out, "Wanwan, does it look like we are having a child?"
He was already standing in front of her, with a swaddling baby in his arms between them. For some reason, he suddenly thought of the future when he and Gu Guan had a child, and this would be what their family of three would look like.
He blurted out in a panic.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Xie Ci realized that he had said the wrong thing. Gu Guan burst into laughter, and the sticky atmosphere was instantly swept away.
Gu Wan: “???”
She subconsciously looked down at Xie Ci who was holding the swaddled baby, and her mind automatically imagined a dad wearing a headscarf who was about to be driven crazy by the baby. She laughed out loud. Oh my God, Xie Ci was really a genius who ruined the atmosphere!
Gu Guanxiao didn't dare laugh too loudly and quickly covered her mouth. Although the flap door on the ramp was closed, there must be a ventilation hole nearby. She was afraid that someone would hear her loudly. She chuckled and patted Xie Ci's forehead, "Why don't you leave now?"
After a while, her eyes gradually adapted to the darkness, and she could now see the base and the moss-covered area clearly. She pointed at a black patch, which was slippery moss, so she jumped lightly to the innermost small patch without wet moss, and walked and jumped along the edge of the pool, carefully walking towards the outlet of the canal.
Thanks: "..."
He hated himself so much, but Gu Wan's hearty laughter showed her extremely happy mood. The ambiguity was gone, but the atmosphere was extremely light and there was a hint of sweetness. Xie Ci's shoulders slumped for a moment, but he was no longer upset in a blink of an eye.
She walked forward and he immediately followed.
Gu Wan hopped around the corner, her figure light and flexible, wearing short boots and a ball-shaped hairdo with tied sleeves. He followed her for two steps, then stood there and looked at her for a while. He tapped his feet on the stone foundation and rubbed them twice, then suddenly asked in a low voice: "Wan Wan, have you found any feeling yet?"
He also gestured a little with his hands.
Gu Guan couldn't help but laugh. He was indeed immature, but not stupid.
She turned around and smiled, "Yes."
She followed his example, holding up two fingers and indicating a small amount. "A little bit, this much."
Although she really only moved her finger a tiny bit, originally one inch, and then deliberately retracted it half an inch, Xie Ci didn't care about that. He held his breath, his heart suddenly filled with joy, "Really? Really?!"
Is it really there?
He flitted down beside her and asked repeatedly. Gu Wan chuckled twice and quickly said, "Keep your voice down."
"Go away, you fool!"
She knocked his head twice and said, "There might be a snake here." The rustling sound from before rang out again, and she almost got goosebumps.
Xie Ci's mouth was grinning almost to the back of his ears. How could he not listen? He immediately responded, put his arm around her waist, and leaned forward to rush over.
…
This drainage ditch may have been an alternative retreat route, with a continuous row of stone foundations on both sides above the water level.
However, due to the continuous autumn rains in recent days, the water level of Taiye Lake has risen sharply, and the rushing water continues to flow to the drainage channels in all directions. The drainage channel under the imperial city is one of them, and the water level has never dropped.
Xie Ci put his arm around Gu Guan's waist with one hand, and the narrow drainage ditch gave him the feeling of walking on a flowery path. Gu Guan felt funny in his heart, but besides being funny, he also felt another kind of happiness.
When they reached the narrowest part, the water had already covered the stone foundation, so they simply gave up on the narrow, mossy stone foundation. Xie Ci held her on his head, and she rode on his shoulders as he waded through the water. Gu Wan didn't care about anything else. She held the baby in her arms and leaned forward carefully, her head almost brushing the top of the canal. She also shielded the baby's face, afraid anything would fall in. Children are different from adults.
Alas, this child is so well-behaved, but it’s a pity that she is Yu Manzhen’s daughter. It really makes people feel a little complicated.
Children get hungry easily, so the two of them had to evacuate as soon as possible, otherwise if they started crying, it would be a big trouble.
Fortunately, the process of leaving was relatively smooth. After successfully passing the narrowest section, the two of them returned to the stone foundation. Xie Ci leaned over and flew at high speed all the way, and soon arrived at the drainage ditch.
The mouth of the channel narrowed, and a dragon head sprayed water out directly into the Jinshui River. However, at this point, it was no longer difficult for Xie Ci. He listened for a moment, took the big and the small, took a deep breath, and flew out along the top wall of the channel. With a golden hook upside down, he turned over and stuck to the outside of the white marble river guardrail.
The view in front of him suddenly became clear. The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. The cold wind of late autumn blew across the river. It was already the second watch of the night. The dark night brought the greatest convenience to Xie Ci. He looked around and found that he was already in the outermost circle of the outer court. In the distance, several carriages left the government office and came over. They had just passed the inspection of the imperial guards.
Xie Ci still had the outer armor tied to Gu Guan's back. He had originally planned to change it and then go find the rendezvous points Yin Luo mentioned, but he simply gave up. Xie Ci quickly slipped into the government office building opposite, took a turn, and rolled to send Gu Guan to the bottom of a carriage. He waited for a while holding the swaddling clothes and got on the second carriage.
The wheels rumbled, and after about a cup of tea, the two of them left the outer court and successfully left the imperial city.
After thanking the unknown carriage owner, Xie Ci made a little noise in front. The coachman looked up and saw Gu Guan lying on the street as soon as he let go. He got up and ran into the alley on the side.
There was no need for any secret signals, the two of them had a perfect understanding of each other. Gu Guan ran all the way to the end of the alley, and Xie Ci had already rushed over. The two held hands and ran along the street which was not yet under curfew.
The wind in late autumn is already very cool, but it was a bit hot on the way out. Gu Wanhu, it feels so comfortable, the free air is so refreshing.
The two smiled at each other, rushed out along the alley and entered Daweifang. There were people and cars coming and going on the street and the shops were still open. By the time they got here, they had completely escaped.
The two of them stopped and looked back at the Vermilion Imperial City at the end of Tongtian Street. Gu Wan leaned over to take a look at the baby. The girl was fine, dozing off. The autumn breeze was blowing, and she fanned herself and asked Xie Ci casually, "How have you been lately? Has anything happened?"
If this father and son from the royal family fight, Xie Ci will definitely be affected.
Gu Guan has been locked up for more than half a month and doesn’t know anything about the outside world, but looking at the tunnel, it seems to be quite lively. I wonder how things are going on here?
Unexpectedly, Xie Ci fell silent for a moment after being asked this question. After a while, he said softly, "Last night, the Emperor handed the case of the Crown Prince's treason to me. When the Eastern Palace raises an army to usurp the throne, I must capture him on the spot and spare no one who follows the rebellion."
When Xie Ci said this, his tone was gentle, because he was talking to Gu Wan, but as he spoke, a kind of bone-chilling coldness gradually revealed itself beneath the gentle tone.
From this angle, he could just see the palace gate. The huge imperial city with golden tiles and red walls looked like a giant beast lurking in the darkness under the night sky.
Xie Ci has been very happy. Just now, they were running hand in hand, as if they were riding the wind.
But as soon as the topic was brought up, his joy faded visibly.
Xie Ci pursed his lips. The streets were bustling with people and cars, but the hustle and bustle was silently and quietly drifting away, feeling out of place. He said expressionlessly, "Wait for the rabbit, catch them all in one fell swoop, and personally raid the East Palace."
These twelve short words were shocking. Xie Ci looked up at the towering central axis of the imperial city. The lofty roof of the Yuquan Palace stood high above the ninety-nine white marble steps, looking down coldly at the entire Zhongdu and even the world in the darkness.
Xie Ci smiled without any smile: "He also sent two people, Xue Rongan and Liao Kai, to gather the civil and military forces under the Eastern Palace.
The wind whistled past, and after the hot sweat faded away, the cold autumn wind slowly made people's hair stand on end.
The night was dark and gloomy. After the bustle faded away, thick darkness engulfed everything in all directions.
It is covering us little by little from all directions.
Gu Wan: “…”
She was surprised. In just half a month, it had come to this?
——Gu Wan understood Xie Ci’s words almost instantly. Damn, this old emperor is too vicious! He doesn’t leave Xie Ci any chance to survive. He really wants to turn him into a knife that can be thrown away after use!
But it would be wrong to say that Gu Wan was not mentally prepared at all. Because of the original book, she had some understanding of the emperor. She also guessed what other measures the old emperor would take besides hostages. She even discussed it with Xie Cifang and others before entering the palace.
But she never expected that when she covered her heart, the attack would come so quickly and so viciously!
…
The autumn wind was howling. Before the first snow of early winter fell, on the day Xie Ci was taking Gu Wan home, he received a late-night message from Lu Haide, "Xie Ci, His Majesty has ordered you to inspect the troops at the Beijing Camp at the beginning of the evening tomorrow. You must then enter through the Xide Gate and arrive at the Xuanwu Gate of the Imperial City before the beginning of the evening!"
It was a day that everyone thought was ordinary. There was even a fierce fight between the emperor and the emperor, which led to many people staying overnight in the government office and working late into the night to discuss countermeasures.
On this night, the palace gates had just been locked, but many people were waiting silently.
Li Yi, who was overwhelmed by the affairs of state, suddenly threw down the file in his hand, stood up and walked to the west window. The window was not opened. He stood in the room, staring at the faint light and the window screen at the corner of the red wall not far away. He held the Huanghuali bracelet in his hand and kept turning it quickly.
This was the first time that Li Yi was at the core of power in the entire dynasty, and the first time that he personally came into contact with this shocking huge vortex that could strangle countless people.
There will still be tension.
He thought silently in his heart, wondering how Xie Ci is doing now?
In the other two places, Feng Kun and Lin Guozhang had already returned home before nightfall.
At this moment, they were in the large study in the mansion. The huge windows were open, and the northwest wind whistled into the room, rustling the papers. However, the room was different from the quiet inside and outside the imperial city. Two people were sitting and the other standing.
This storm will come in an instant.
And at this moment, they are all the chess players behind the scenes.
…
It was a shocking night.
Cumulus clouds obscured the stars and the moon, and the night was pitch black. Gu Guan followed Xie Ci on horseback, galloping on the road to the Beijing camp.
The back of the man in front of me, his heavy black-armored body tensed to the extreme.
The old emperor didn't even give Xie Ci any help. Instead, he selected his own soldiers. Qin Guan and others were arranged to join the camp headquarters after entering the Beijing camp.
He smiled coldly, and it was indeed thorough.
Xie Ci hurried to the barracks in the middle of the night, knocked on the gate with a golden order, and delivered an oral order to block the news. After counting the soldiers, he quickly entered from the Xide Gate, crossed the long street and headed straight for the imperial city.
The cavalry galloped across the bluestone street like thunder. Many people didn't understand what was going on and quickly closed their doors and windows.
There was no suspense in this battle to capture the rebels. The old emperor had already dealt with the people underground, and the failure of Crown Prince Li Min was expected. The old emperor even had several layers of imperial guards deployed for security. Xie Ci was just the one who was pushed to the surface.
Wearing dark heavy armor, black helmets, long swords with red tassels, and the sound of military boots hitting the ground one after another, they broke open the door of the East Palace, captured all the people inside, tied them up and dragged them out.
After capturing the failed rebellious crown prince, he cleared out the rebels in the imperial city and headed straight for the Eastern Palace. He then ordered his troops to split into several groups and rush to the residences of the confidants of the Chancellery to capture the traitors.
At this time, the sky was already getting light.
The overall situation has been determined and martial law has been lifted.
However, what Xie Ci had to face was not just the coercive tendency of the old emperor.
There was a light rain last night in the middle of the night, soaking the white marble floor. Inside the Eastern Palace, there were cries and shouts, and even the Crown Princess and the Emperor's eldest grandson were dragged out in shackles.
Xie Ci stood in the autumn wind with a cold expression, while dozens of people came running towards him from a distance, including old, middle-aged and young people, but most of them were trembling old men and people in their thirties or forties.
In the palace, there are still many people who dare to walk towards this side at this time.
They are all the backbone of the royalist party.
There were even many who were his father’s former mentors or like-minded comrades, and some even owed him a debt of gratitude.
"Your Highness! Your Highness! The Emperor's eldest grandson, please let him go. Oh, Crown Princess, how dare you, how dare you!——"
The East Palace was in ruins, the ground was stained with blood, and these people were dizzy and questioning each other harshly.
When asked, Qin Guan Chen Luo could only say coldly and expressionlessly: "Those who plot treason must be executed! Your Majesty has ordered that all members of the Eastern Palace be detained pending trial."
With the clatter of military boots, they headed straight for the residences of the officials of the Chancellery and other officials of the prince's faction who were involved in this incident.
Uproot them all, leaving no one behind.
Among those who could come here at this time, there were many prime ministers, all of whom were highly informed people. In just half an hour after the martial law ended, they already knew the whole cause and effect.
Xie Ci's heavy armor was soaked, a strand of hair hung down inside the helmet, and his face was as cold and heavy as last night's rain.
Zhang Yuanrang, the former Minister of Punishment and current Deputy Prime Minister of the Council of State, Zhang Ningyuan's uncle, was shocked and angry. He slowly turned back and slapped Xie Ci in the face with his backhand.
The man with a long black beard and angry eyes said hatefully, "I really regret that I helped you back then!"
Xie Yun, Xie Ping and others drew out their swords with a "swish".
Xie Ci raised his hand to stop them.
He raised his head slowly and said nothing.
…
In one day, everything was settled.
That evening, Xie Ci withdrew his troops and returned home.
The oil lamp in the room had been lit, but Gu Wan liked brightness, so after he entered the study, he picked up the lighter and lit the lamp beside the desk.
The room was brightly lit, and Gu Guan whispered to Xie Ping to get some ice water and a cotton handkerchief.
But Xie Ping and others left as soon as they returned home.
Ice water and a towel were quickly brought over. Gu Wan said cautiously, "Xie Ci, can I apply a facial mask to you?"
One side of Xie Ci's face was swollen, and Zhang Yuanrang exerted all his strength.
However, after a day, Xie Ci's emotions had calmed down. He took off his helmet and touched his face, "Okay."
He also slowed down his voice and said to Gu Wan: "Don't worry, he hit me if he wants, it's okay."
If it were any of those people, Xie Ci would not have been beaten in vain, but Zhang Yuanrang was the only one who had not forgotten the favor of saving the women of the Xie family, so he just took the slap.
Xie Ci took off his heavy armor, took off his underwear that was soaked by the rain and was about to dry, and went to take a hot bath. After coming out, Gu Guan also changed into casual clothes. He was half lying on the recliner. Gu Guan wrung out an ice handkerchief and applied it to the left half of his face.
In the huge study, the partition door was wide open, and the large lantern hanging under the eaves was spinning in the wind. The halo of light it cast was neither too much nor too little, but it was unable to completely drive away the darkness of the courtyard. The screen wall at the end was immersed in the pitch-black night.
After a day and a night of resentment and gloom, Xie Ci's mind became calmer than ever before.
"He wanted me to be a knife."
"But I don't want to be a knife!" Xie Ci was determined to gain the prince's power.
"From now on, I want to be like Feng Kun!"
Xie Ci said in a hoarse voice, lying on the recliner.
The last words were cold and powerful.
Xie Ci's hands, which were placed on both sides of the recliner, suddenly clenched into fists, veins bulging, as he spoke each word.
Gu Guan listened to his hoarse voice and the suddenly sharp eyes and face, and shook his hand to express silent encouragement and support.
Alas, Gu Wan knew this would happen sooner or later. In his previous life, he had mixed feelings about the royal family and the imperial court, and after struggling, he gave up on revenge. If it weren't for the destruction of the mountains and rivers, he would have left. But in this life, it happened more than a year earlier. After learning the truth, he finally took the opposite path.
This is also what Gu Guan wanted him to do, to live towards death.
But this may be the darkest and most depressing time in his life.
It was even better that he got slapped but had no way to deal with it, because it was very likely that he and Zhang Yuanrang would eventually become mortal enemies.
Xie Ci's eyes were a little red, and he reached out to cover his eyes. Gu Wan knew that apart from his father, brother and her, he was actually very tough, otherwise he would not have come this far. This was the first time he cried because of something other than these two things.
Xie Ci held her hand in his backhand. Her hand had touched the ice water and was icy cold. He quickly put down his hand that was covering his eyes and held her hand in his palms to warm it.
But he was reluctant to let her put down the hand that was applying facial mask to his face. After thinking about it, he took another dry cotton towel from the side and let her pad her hand.
Holding her hand, I quietly put my head on her shoulder and felt her body warmth. It seemed as if even the haze in my heart was gradually driven away.
Xie Ci sat for a moment and said, "This is the path I've chosen. My second sister-in-law once said that no one knows whether it's right or wrong until they reach the end."
Xie Ci told himself this.
He took a deep breath, his eyes glaring: "He wants me to die, but I won't die!"
All the insults, all the attacks, just come at me! Xie Ci felt an unprecedented sense of indomitable will in his heart. He snorted coldly and said word by word: "Didn't he let me be a knife?"
They also sent Xue Rongan and Liao Kai to take over the power of the Eastern Palace after the fall of the Crown Prince. The Eastern Palace was quite powerful. They were clearly using Xie Ci as a tool to prevent him from breaking free and becoming more powerful. "I'll take it!"
Get the power of the East Palace!
He has to bear the infamy, so he will bear it to the end and make it a reality. He must be rewarded for what he has done!
Even if it means becoming a powerful official like Feng Kun, I would not hesitate!
When Xie Ci said this, he suddenly stood up. He was wearing snow-white pajamas and only a black cloak. There was an iron-blooded calmness between his brows. His posture was no less heroic than that of his father and brother in the past, as deep and majestic as the abyss.
Gu Guan looked up at him. At this moment, she truly felt that the skinny boy who she had dragged out of the prison in the past had now grown into a real man, strong-willed and tall.
In a previous life that he didn't know about, Xie Ci was tightly bound by these things until the moment he died in battle. When he was dying, he looked up at the sky, the setting sun was blood-red, and his eyes could not close until his death.
After suppressing these things several times in his life, he finally managed to break free from them.
Although he was covered in blood and the process would be painful, Gu Guan believed that everything would be fine in the end.
——Gu Wan has actually always been a little worried. Although Beirong had been defeated in the Northwest War, she had previously thought that she didn't know whether her life would go the same way as before.
But after a period of close attention to the intelligence collected by Xie Jiawei and Liuyunwei from various places, as well as what she witnessed with her own eyes, Gu Guan was almost certain that Lao Lu could not escape.
The dynasty was in deep trouble and could not be saved by one or two big victories. Xie Ci and the others were in the middle of the situation and could not predict sudden changes, but she knew very well that as long as Hu Yande could give it a little more strength, the abrupt ending would probably happen again soon.
Anyway, all the signs made her feel that it would most likely follow the original track, with only minor differences in the details at most.
This is the final stage of storing strength. At this critical moment, Xie Ci was able to completely break free from the invisible control of the king's loyalty in a short period of time. Gu Wan was really happy.
She immediately said, "He doesn't let us live an easy life, why should we let him live an easy life?!"
This statement was extremely treasonous, but it touched Xie Ci's heart. He said hoarsely, "Yes."
He lowered his head and smiled at Gu Wan.
There were still bloodshot eyes, but his expression had completely calmed down.
Under the light, Gu Wan smiled brightly, and his heart felt warm. With Gu Wan's support, it seemed that no matter how many things happened, they were no big deal. No matter how many storms there were outside, his heart could erect a solid armor to protect her and them inside.
Xie Ci let out a long breath of foul air from his chest. After being comforted by Gu Wan, he felt completely relieved.
The two smiled at each other.
The lights were bright, and Gu Wan suddenly waved at him.
Xie Ci originally thought she had something serious to say, and she looked serious, but unexpectedly, after she moved closer, she straightened up and whispered in his ear, "You're so handsome."
The scene where Tie Xue Ping is so calm is so handsome that it makes you want to step down.
At this angle, Gu Guanchui glanced at his Adam's apple. She was very interested in this hard and sexy Adam's apple. After all, he was her boyfriend. She curled her lips and followed her heart and touched it with her index finger.
From top to bottom, the soft fingertips rubbed slowly and gently.
Xie Ci shuddered, almost cried out, and narrowly avoided swallowing it, his whole body bouncing.
But Gu Guan was in a very good mood. After touching him, he even looked up and flirted with him.
Xie Ci's face turned red, his heart was pounding, and his breathing became disordered. He immediately threw aside the old emperor and the power of the Eastern Palace, and his mind was in a mess.
Gu Wan chuckled, stepped back, and touched his Adam's apple again. It felt really good. "I'm leaving. I'm going back to sleep!"
Xie Ci didn't have time to react at all. He just stood there watching her giggle and walk out of the corridor like a butterfly flying through flowers.
Xie Ci's face turned red as blood. After a long time, he covered his Adam's apple and fell on the couch. He was dying, he was almost dead.
He also clearly felt the difference.
He originally thought that her agreement and holding hands were the best of the best, but he didn't expect that this new mode and the stimulation of unfamiliar senses would not work. He was almost dying.
The author has something to say:
Aoaoao, thank you, is it cool? Is it exciting? Keep up the good work and there will be more rewards hahahaha
Adam's apple, a sign of sexy men's hormones, as well as pectoral muscles and long legs, hahahaha
Don't blame Zhang Rangyuan. It was he who tried his best to uphold the original verdict for the women of the Xie family. It's a pity that from now on, they have different ideas and cannot work together.
I'm on a business trip this afternoon, so I'll update a little earlier today! Hehe, a big kiss to you all~ See you tomorrow hahaha (/≧▽≦)/
Love you guys!!
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