Chapter 362 Return to the City
Sure enough, several figures rushed out from behind the house, and rustling sounds were heard in the bamboo forest.
"Your subordinate Zhao Xiaohe greets the princess."
Behind Zhao Xiaohe, a large group of people quickly appeared and saluted in unison, "Greetings, Princess."
Qin Qingyao knew that Dugu Yu must have left someone to guard her, but she was still shocked to see so many people, and she became more and more nervous.
If there was nothing wrong, why would Dugu Yu send so many people to protect her?
And this Zhao Xiaohe, isn't he the young general she met on the way to Wangjiang Tower with her third brother when she just traveled through time?
At that time, he said that he was determined to join Dugu Yu's Yanling Army.
“How many people are here?”
Zhao Xiaohe replied respectfully, "Princess, there are 327 people here, and I am the captain."
The Wei family father and son came out to call Qin Qingyao to eat. Seeing this scene, they were also shocked. "Madam, it's time to eat and take medicine. The master specifically instructed you to eat on time before he left."
Qin Qingyao returned to the house and said to Zhao Xiaohe as she passed by him, "Come in with me."
"Tell me what happened in Yulin City after mid-November, and what did the prince do with so many people today?"
"Princess, I have been with the Yanling Army the entire time and have never left the barracks. Therefore, I don't know much about what happened in the city."
Qin Qingyao looked at Zhao Xiaohe with a serious face, which didn't seem like he was lying. "Then what do you know? Tell me."
Zhao Xiaohe did know some things, but the prince had repeatedly instructed him not to mention anything about the palace and the Qin family in front of the princess.
But the prince also said that the princess's orders were his orders, and he must obey the princess 100% and not disobey her.
The tone of her words was as if if the princess ordered them to draw their swords against the prince one day, they should immediately rush forward without saying a word...
Therefore, Zhao Xiaohe confessed honestly, "I only know that on the day the princess was injured and came to the military camp, two fires broke out in the palace. The first one was in Yulan Hall, which is also the mourning hall for His Royal Highness Prince Ning."
"This fire not only burned the remains of His Royal Highness Prince Ning, but also killed Concubine Qin Shu, the Empress, and the Emperor."
Qin Qingyao couldn't believe her ears. "What did you say? Concubine Qin Shu? The emperor, the queen, they're all dead? Burned to death?"
"Yes."
Qin Qingyao took a deep breath and tried to digest this incredible fact. If Prince Ning's body was in the palace, it would not be surprising for Concubine Qin Shu to return to the palace.
But how could that fire burn them all to death?
"According to His Royal Highness, it was Concubine Qin Shu who, driven mad by the loss of her son, deliberately murdered the Emperor and Empress. He pinned all the blame on Concubine Shu, and that same day, he imprisoned everyone in the Qin residence in the Sky Prison for interrogation."
Qin Qingyao lost hold of the medicine bowl in her hand and it fell onto the table.
"What else?"
"That afternoon, a fire broke out in the Imperial Clan House. It was said that His Royal Highness Prince Duan was burned to death. The whereabouts of Minister Qin are unknown, and there is still no news to this day."
"Where's my third brother?"
"General Qin has been with the Yanling Army, and the prince has not allowed him to return to the city alone."
"What do you mean by not allowing him to return to the city alone?"
Zhao Xiaohe lowered his head, sweat dripping down his forehead. He felt that he would be in big trouble when the prince returned. "Early this morning, the prince and General Qin led 4,000 Yanling troops back to the city."
Qin Qingyao's heart was beating like a drum, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Why? What are they going to do?"
"Today is the ceremony to establish the new emperor and empress. At the same time..."
"At the same time what?"
"It was the day when the entire Qin family was executed."
Qin Qingyao froze at the table, feeling as if he had been struck by lightning. Suddenly, his whole body turned cold.
She knew that Dugu Yu must be hiding something from her, but she couldn't imagine no matter how hard she tried, that while she was recovering from her injuries, the world had been turned upside down.
Although the old emperor's death was different, it was still the same as in the book, sudden and clean.
Although the Qin family members were not defeated one by one and did not suffer any crimes or torture, they still could not escape the fate of the entire family being killed.
"The new emperor is Ling Jingyu?"
"yes."
"Then the queen, is she Lin Xiafeng?"
"yes."
Qin Qingyao closed his eyes and clenched his trembling fists.
Dugu Yu said that he was going to the city to visit his parents today, and that he would take her to celebrate the New Year with his parents. So, he and his third brother led people to rob the execution ground, right?
them……
Two lines of tears flowed down her face. Qin Qingyao really hated herself for being useless. She had worked hard for two whole years, but nothing had changed!
She thought of the original novel, where Dugu Yu was shot to death by arrows under the palace wall and his body was trampled to pieces by war horses. It was a very cold day, but his whole body was soaked with sweat.
"The Yanling Army has 5,000 soldiers. Why did they only bring 4,000? Where are the others?"
"While the princess was recuperating in the army, the Yanling military camp was surrounded by the new emperor's troops. When we broke out, we sacrificed hundreds of our brothers, and only 327 of us remained."
Three hundred and twenty-seven, isn't this the person guarding this bamboo house? Qin Qingyao looked at Zhao Xiaohe without saying a word, waiting for him to continue.
Zhao Xiaohe sighed barely perceptibly and continued, "These people are now under the command of my subordinates and obey the orders of the princess. The prince said... said..."
"It's okay, just tell me the truth, I can bear it."
"Yes, the prince said that if he fails to live up to the princess's expectations and fails to bring the Qin family back, he will let his subordinates take these people to escort the princess away from Yulin City, and she will never be able to return in this lifetime."
"The prince said that you all should obey my orders, right?"
"yes."
"Then let's gather. We'll set off in one stick of incense."
"Where is the princess going?"
"Yulin City."
"yes!"
Qin Qingyao couldn't eat anything, but she still forced herself to drink the remaining medicine in the bowl.
An incense stick later, Qin Qingyao looked at the more than 300 people gathered at her doorstep, climbed onto the warhorse Zhao Xiaohe had prepared for her, and followed the footprints left by Dugu Yu's horse, heading all the way to Yulin City.
…
Lin Xiafeng persuaded Ling Jingyu to enthrone her as queen. In fact, the process was not difficult at all. She didn't even use things like the Five Puppet Powder.
She just offered Ling Jingyu a clever idea.
Ling Jingyu pretended to be a filial son in the palace for more than ten days. After the emperor and empress finally left the body, he went back to the prince's residence to take a look. This time, Lin Xiafeng seized the opportunity.
"Your Majesty, Dugu Yu is a man of sturdy character, and he does have some ability to lead troops in battle. Furthermore, he holds great prestige among the people. If we let him escape like this, I'm afraid there will be endless troubles in the future, and Your Majesty will have trouble sleeping."
"Do you think I don't know the pros and cons of this? But he's hiding tightly now, and the people are protecting him. What can I do?"
"Ah..." Lin Xiafeng said with great melancholy, "It was clearly him who disrespected the late emperor and the emperor. You said he had ill intentions, but no one in the world believed you. Instead, a few rumors that came out of nowhere moved them to tears."
"The people of this world are so ignorant. I am truly worried."
Lin Xiafeng's words were clearly a slap in the face to Ling Jingyu. He had just ascended the throne and had no time to be proud. Was Lin Xiafeng saying that everything he, the emperor, said was bullshit in front of Dugu Yu?
This world belongs to the Ling family, not the Dugu family!
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. I'm just worried about you... Also, I think Dugu Yu definitely didn't escape on his own, but is waiting for an opportunity to counterattack."
"Instead of waiting for him to fully prepare and cause trouble, Your Majesty should take the initiative and lure him out. This will allow the people of the world to see the ugly face of their most compassionate and kindhearted general."
Ling Jingyu glared at Lin Xiafeng fiercely, "That's easy for you to say. He hasn't even shown his face for such a long time. How can we lure him out?"
"Your Majesty, how could you forget the family in the prison?"
"Heavenly Prison? Are you talking about the Qin family?"
"That's right, it's the Qin family. Everyone in the world says that Prince Wu Ling is deeply in love with the princess. How could he not care about the princess's parents and his nephews?"
"Concubine Qin Shu killed the late emperor and the empress dowager. The Qin family has committed heinous crimes and deserves death. You have just ascended the throne and need some thunderous measures to establish your authority. So, why not start with the Qin family?"
"Firstly, it is to warn the court officials and wake up the minds of the civil and military officials, so that some of them will not have some unclear fantasies."
"Secondly, if King Wu Ling watches the Qin family being executed without even coming out, wouldn't that demonstrate his callousness? His good reputation among the people would simply fall apart."
"If we destroy his lofty image in the eyes of the people, wouldn't it be much easier for the emperor to arrest him in the future?"
"If the prince is truly a man who values love and cares about his family, then he will definitely come to the rescue out of desperation. When that happens, Your Majesty, all you need to do is set up numerous ambushes around the execution ground. I guarantee that if one comes, one will be killed, and if two come, a pair will be killed!"
"Even if Dugu Yu is extremely powerful, he can't die. However, he has disobeyed the emperor's will, disobeyed the emperor's order, and attempted to rob the execution ground. Each of these is enough for you, Your Majesty, to kill him a hundred times."
"Even if we openly and blatantly issue a nationwide warrant for his remaining followers, it would be justified. No one could accuse Your Majesty of the slightest fault. What do you think?"
He felt that he was naturally very satisfied!
"Feng'er really didn't disappoint me. She's still so smart and clever, and I love her so much!"
Lin Xiafeng lowered her head and smiled shyly, "It is truly a blessing for me to be able to help Your Majesty with his worries and difficulties. However, Your Majesty will be very busy with government affairs from now on, and I was born outside the palace, so I am afraid it will be difficult for me to do anything for you."
Ling Jingyu lowered his head and kissed the corner of Lin Xiafeng's lips, "What else do you want to do for me?"
"To be honest, the death of Princess Wu Ling was actually my doing."
"oh?"
"Your Majesty doesn't believe me?"
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