How terrifying is it that someone can mobilize a powerful elite force without even needing a tiger tally?
That's why Xue Huai'an wanted to marry Qin Su so much; he knew that the Gongwei Army could create miracles.
"Even if I agree, the Imperial Guards won't."
Guarding the palace is the duty of the Imperial Guards; weren't they just taking jobs away from the palace?
"I will handle this matter; Commander Kim need not worry."
With the Empress Dowager's support and Emperor Mingyang's tacit approval, the Imperial Guards shouldn't have too much trouble.
Commander Jin was extremely unwilling to be ordered around by a woman, but he happened to have the Tiger Tally and was also His Majesty's man, so he had no choice but to obey.
"I have no objection, provided you can convince the Imperial Guards."
"Alright, let's talk about the current situation and the arrangements for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet."
Qin Su asked Lu Luyue to fetch a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and then stood in front of the table to sketch.
She didn't know much about the palace, so she could only give General Yue and Commander Jin a general overview.
"When the time comes, we'll coordinate with the Imperial Guards from within and without, and there won't be any problems."
Commander Jin responded, his opinion of Qin Su slightly changed.
Although he didn't know why this person was suddenly getting involved, it didn't seem like a joke.
He spoke with great detail about the palace's security layout, his earnestness quite unique.
Qin Su put down her brush and said solemnly, "This matter concerns the safety of His Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and everyone in the palace. I urge Commander Jin to take it seriously."
Commander Jin met Qin Su's eyes and could see her seriousness, as if she had something to say to him.
For some reason, Commander Jin felt a little awkward and uncomfortably tugged at the straps on his armor. "Don't worry, I won't be careless about this."
He wouldn't make things difficult for a young girl.
Perhaps she's a little different from other girls.
"Then I'll leave it to Commander Jin. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first. You'll come with me during the regular month."
"good."
After leaving the military camp, Qin Su asked Lu Yue, "Aren't you sure you're not worried that Commander Jin might disobey you?"
"If you're not afraid, why should I be? Besides, he's His Majesty's man; the tiger tally represents His Majesty. How could he not obey?"
The two exchanged a knowing smile, everything understood without a word.
They rode to the Jinwuwei area, and things went more smoothly than expected, supposedly because Chief Steward Deng had come to give them instructions early in the morning.
Now everything is ready, only the imperial kitchen remains to be prepared.
Qin Su left her regular monthly duties at the Imperial Guard and went back to the palace, forcing herself to stay awake and deal with the Imperial Kitchen.
Time flies. These past few days, Qin Su has been keeping a close eye on the Imperial Kitchen, and her whole body is in a state of tension.
Xue Huai'an also seemed to have noticed something amiss. He first saw Qin Su and the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard riding horses at full speed on the street, and then he noticed something unusual from Kang Lin.
Two days ago, Kang Lin's portrait was posted in Beijing, and his crimes were listed directly.
Xue Huai'an never expected that Kang Lin would be a spy from an enemy country, but the whole story made sense.
Why was the atmosphere in the capital so tense those few days, like the calm before a storm? Yet Kang Lin, a prince consort born into a family of farmers and scholars, possessed a large number of assassins and secret guards, and his spies were spread throughout the capital.
It must be admitted that Kang Lin was a remarkable figure. Xue Huai'an believed that if he were in Kang Lin's position, he could also have accomplished such a massive undertaking in just a few years.
Kang Lin clearly had the opportunity to leave, but he didn't. Why was that?
Putting himself in Kang Lin's shoes, Xue Huai'an realized that he would definitely seek revenge against Da'an, not Emperor Mingyang. Therefore, what he was about to do was extremely serious.
The best opportunity for revenge was at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
But he had a deal with Kang Lin, and he couldn't tell His Majesty about it directly.
If you can't expose yourself, then how can you take advantage of this opportunity to the greatest benefit?
Xue Huai'an also began to make his own plans.
...
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day of the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Qin Su had been in the palace the day before and had not returned home. The next day, she went out with the Empress Dowager.
The atmosphere in the palace was very lively, and there was not a trace of danger.
Qin Su helped the Empress Dowager sit down, then quickly went to find Qin's mother, greeted her briefly, and then returned to the Empress Dowager's side.
The Empress Dowager was in a high position and could see the whole scene.
Qin Su saw Xue Huai'an and Chen Yirou sitting in the back. The two took the opportunity to be affectionate with each other, pretending that no one else was around.
Qin Su quickly shifted her gaze; she remained on edge at all times.
"You're very nervous," the Empress Dowager suddenly whispered to her.
Qin Su gave a wry smile and lowered her head, saying, "Yes, I don't know exactly when they will make their move. Don't worry, Your Majesty, my plans are very thorough."
"I am not worried. Life and death are preordained, and wealth and honor are determined by Heaven."
Qin Su: ??? Is this something you, as the Empress Dowager, should say?
"What's with that expression? Am I wrong? Some things can't be forced. Don't be too nervous, it's bad for your health."
Qin Su was even more puzzled.
Is stress bad for your health?
The Empress Dowager showed no sign of distress and continued, "Don't drink alcohol, and avoid certain foods."
"Don't drink chicken soup either. Eating meat is more nutritious. Soup is full of oil."
Qin Su blinked, puzzled.
The Empress Dowager's words were very pointed.
Does she know something?
Qin Su thought carefully and couldn't think of anything she had revealed. Could it be that someone in the Empress Dowager's palace knew medicine and had revealed it without her knowledge?
"Yes, thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager nodded, and the Empress suddenly turned her head and said with a smile, "Mother seems to really like the Qin family's daughter."
Qin Su's eyelids twitched upon hearing this form of address. Just as she was about to say something, the Empress Dowager spoke up: "Empress, please watch your words. Qin Su is hardly your sister."
Her attitude was completely different from when she was facing Qin Su; she seemed to have reverted to the indifferent and serene woman she had first met.
The Empress wasn't angry and continued smiling, "I only did so because I felt a connection with Miss Qin. By the way, I heard that Miss Qin entered the palace in the middle of the night a few days ago..."
Before she could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager's face turned cold. "That's not true. If the Empress is so idle, she should educate the princes properly and not ask about such trivial matters."
The Empress immediately shut her mouth and gave Qin Su a disapproving look.
She once thought Qin Su wouldn't be willing to enter the palace, but who would have thought that she had even deceived herself.
What respectable young woman would sneak into the palace in the middle of the night and drag a man away from another woman's bed? It's utterly absurd.
She also contacted Qin Su a few days ago, but each time Eunuch Xi failed to catch her.
She was extremely upset.
Officials stepped forward to present their congratulatory gifts and say auspicious words. With so many people, Qin Su's ears were ringing.
Before long, a man crept over. He was wearing dark blue armor and looked quite imposing. Qin Su recognized him; he was a member of the Imperial Guard.
"Girl, the person has been caught."
"However, those people were too good at fighting, and many of us were injured."
Qin Su nodded, "Send the injured brother to Huichuntang and ask His Majesty for reimbursement."
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