***
Jade Kingdom.
Jing Kingdom "borrowed" grain from Yu Kingdom. It wasn't until the grain reached Jing Yan's hands that Yu Chuyi received An Chenghuan's questioning and the news from the Dragon Tiger Camp. After reading it, he immediately summoned the generals of the Dragon Tiger Camp to question them.
Yu Chuyi sneered: "I didn't know that Yu Kingdom had become Jing Yan's rear base. Is he just sending grain when he needs it? If he needs people one day, won't you have to fight for Jing Kingdom?"
"This humble general dares not. This humble general is merely acting in accordance with His Highness's golden decree. His Highness said that seeing the golden decree is as if seeing His Highness, and this humble general has no choice but to comply."
The Dragon Tiger Battalion commander knelt upright, his words devoid of any remorse.
“Jin Ling,” Yu Chuyi’s eyes were icy cold as he walked step by step to the Dragon Tiger Camp general and held out his hand, saying, “I’ve forgotten, where is Jin Ling?”
Since Rong Ying had exchanged the gold token for grain, the gold token should be returned. The Dragon Tiger Camp general took the gold token out of his pocket and presented it with both hands.
Yu Chuyi held the golden token in his hand, glanced at it briefly, and muttered a mocking laugh: "He really surprised me."
Immediately, he threw the golden token into the furnace and said coldly, "From now on, without the golden token, you will no longer need to obey its orders, otherwise I will not let you off the hook."
The Dragon Tiger Battalion commander paused, then clenched his fist and replied, "Yes."
After the generals of the Dragon Tiger Camp left, Yu Chuyi felt a tightness in his chest. He couldn't suppress it and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Yu Chuyi looked at his hands covered in blood, and his panic was visibly palpable.
He turned and staggered to the table, picked up a bright yellow handkerchief and kept wiping the bloodstains, trying to wipe them away, but no matter how he wiped, more and more blood appeared.
Yu Chuyi could no longer contain himself. He threw down the handkerchief and hurriedly called out, "Someone, bring me the medicine."
...
Empress Dowager Zheng has been unable to eat or sleep lately because of the rumors about Jing Lu, so Consort Zheng and Princess Zhao Nianfu of Jing Lu often come to visit her.
Empress Dowager Zheng glanced at Consort Zheng, then turned to look at Zhao Nianfu, her gaze finally settling on Zhao Nianfu. She said thoughtfully.
“Nianfu, let your father talk things out in court when he has nothing to do. How could Lu’er possibly rebel?”
"Listen to the rumors these days. Even in the inner palace, I can't get any peace and quiet. If this continues, it might become true in just a few days."
Zhao Nianfu looked worried and embarrassed, and her eyes soon turned red. She clutched a handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of her eyes.
“Grandmother, it’s not that my father doesn’t want to do his best, but Prince Jing is keeping a close eye on him. Since he started helping my father with government affairs, he has been ruthless and has eliminated many of the support my father has cultivated for His Highness.”
“Prince Jing was not only recommended by His Highness the Crown Prince, but he also has the guidance of His Highness the Crown Prince’s confidants. Now, Father dares not make any moves easily, otherwise there will be many people eyeing Father’s position.”
Prince Jing, also known as Jing Shuo, has been ruthless in his methods since he entered the court just over two years ago. He always opposes the people Jing Lu needs.
Zhao Nianfu's father was originally a respected Left Prime Minister in the court, but now he is constantly hampered and targeted by Jing Shuo for every little mistake he makes. He is being forced into becoming a laughing stock in the court.
Zhao Nianfu also felt sorry for her father at home.
Empress Dowager Zheng was surprised that Zhao Zuo Cheng had to be wary of Lian Jingshuo. She slapped the gold-embroidered pillow under her elbow, full of resentment.
"Jing Shuo is quite arrogant, actually causing the other side to revive from the ashes when it seemed hopeless."
"With the Crown Prince and Jing Shuo joining forces, isn't Lu'er in grave danger this time?"
Consort Zheng was in a state of great anxiety and confusion. She knelt down in front of Empress Dowager Zheng and cried repeatedly.
"Your Majesty, you must protect Lu'er. Lu'er is usually so well-behaved. How could he know he was guilty and still lead the soldiers back?"
"If Lu'er had any ulterior motives, he would have led his men out to establish his own power base long ago. Why would he walk into a trap? Perhaps he encountered some injustice outside."
As she spoke, she subtly and sarcastically added insult to injury.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince has never promoted Lu'er elsewhere, but he specially dragged him to the battlefield. I even suspect that if Lu'er hadn't rushed back, he would have lost his life."
Empress Dowager Zheng was furious upon hearing this and immediately shouted, "How dare the Crown Prince! I have already given Lu'er an imperial edict of immunity from death. Whoever dares to kill him, I will go to His Majesty right now!"
She was still furious and got up to go to the Imperial Study to find Jing Huaixu.
Jing Huaixu was still waiting for Jing Lu to return and explain the reason when Empress Dowager Zheng arrived in a rage, blaming Jing Yan for Jing Lu's return.
Jing Huaixu said with dissatisfaction: "I know the Crown Prince's character. Lu'er secretly led a large army back to Pingkang City, but I didn't say he was guilty. I just waited for him to come back and explain."
"It is the Empress Dowager who is truly remarkable. She actually bestowed such a great favor upon Lu'er, allowing him to freely enter the city with the late Emperor's decree granting him immunity from death."
As he spoke, he said self-deprecatingly, "If he had that thing, he should have taken it out if he really didn't want to go. Would I have been able to disobey the late emperor's decree?"
Empress Dowager Zheng could not refute the imperial edict granting her immunity from death, but she felt deeply aggrieved about Jing Lufei's decision to go to the battlefield.
"I don't want him to go. If he really doesn't go, how can you, the Crown Prince, and the people make him feel good? Now that Lu'er is running back for no reason, what else could it be but a major incident?"
Jing Huaixu said solemnly, "No matter how big the problem is, he cannot abandon his commander and run away. I have not yet received a memorial from the Crown Prince pleading on behalf of Lu'er. You are worried about Lu'er, but I am worried about the Crown Prince."
He was giving the order to leave: "Mother, if you don't want anything to really happen to Lu'er, you should go back to the palace and wait there. I can then wait in peace for news of the Crown Prince."
Seeing that Jing Huaixu's heart was entirely with the Crown Prince, Empress Dowager Zheng was speechless.
She gave a soft snort and turned away.
...
News of the big argument between Empress Dowager Zheng and Jing Huaixu quickly spread throughout the palace.
When Yue Jiang heard about it, she didn't take it to heart. Instead, it was Empress Dowager Cheng who summoned her over.
Yue Jiang could see the changes in Empress Dowager Cheng. In the past two years, she had even received small trinkets from Empress Dowager Cheng for Zhang'er, so she made a trip there herself.
Inside the Yongshou Palace, Empress Dowager Cheng was nearly seventy years old, and her whole body looked even older. Not a single black hair could be seen. Because she spent her days chanting sutras in front of the Buddha, her already poor eyesight had been further smudged by the smoke, making it difficult for her to see clearly.
Upon seeing the figure that looked exactly like Yue Jiang approaching, she smiled gently and said, "You've arrived."
Yue Jiang nodded gently: "Grandmother Cheng."
Besides seeing the Empress Dowager Cheng, who had difficulty moving around, Yue Jiang also saw Jing Shuo. She knew that Jing Shuo was currently helping Jing Yan with his affairs.
However, due to Jing Shuo's rudeness towards her in the past, Yue Jiang has not had any dealings with him in the past two years.
Upon seeing Yue Jiang arrive, Jing Shuo respectfully bowed to her and apologized: "Sister-in-law, I have offended you in the past, and I apologize to you."
"Your Majesty, I do not presume to ask for your forgiveness. I only hope that you will trust me with what I am about to say."
Yue Jiang sensed something was amiss and asked tentatively, "Does it concern Your Highness?"
Jing Shuo nodded, took out a secret letter from his bosom, and handed it to Yue Jiang: "The secret letter that your brother just intercepted was sent by Jing Lu to his father-in-law, Prime Minister Zhao."
He hoped that Chancellor Zhao would inform Empress Dowager Zheng to help him bring troops into the city.
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