Chapter 223: Vicious Female Supporting Character vs. Childless Emperor 67
The handwriting on the letter was as scrawl as a dog's crawl, with many mistakes and omissions. It was also written with burnt charcoal and was dirty.
Prince Jin took the letter and read it three times. It was indeed Zhao Hei's handwriting. The bandits in the mountains were not well educated, so it was good enough for them to write like this.
"I thought Zhao Hei had died a long time ago, but I didn't expect him to hide under the emperor's nose and send a message back. He has made such a great contribution, I must reward him!"
Prince Jin walked back and forth in the dark room holding the paper ball, extremely excited. "If this is true, it is a godsend. We must not fail this time. We must kill the dog emperor!"
Hu Batian and Zhao Hei are both bandit leaders. They didn't get along when they were bandits, and after they came to the side of Prince Jin, they fought openly and secretly.
Hu Batian had a lot of people and great power, so he became the confidant of Prince Jin and was even sent out to assassinate the emperor, while Zhao Hei only followed the prince as a guard.
When the assassination attempt failed last time, His Royal Highness Prince Jin did not blame anyone and even buried his dead brother, but he felt very sorry.
The guards around the emperor are so powerful, he doesn't believe that Zhao Hei has the ability to send a message back. It is most likely a trap.
"Your Highness, I don't think it's true. It's not that I look down on Zhao Hei, but that fellow has never even seen the emperor. How does he know that the one from Taoli Village must be the emperor? If he is wrong, it's not a big deal if he can't kill the emperor, but you, Your Highness, will be in danger."
King Jin also thought this made sense. He ordered people to bring in the carrier pigeon for inspection, and then put the letter paper on the fire to roast it. A line of charred patterns appeared on the letter paper, which was the secret code for their communication.
"Both the pigeon and the letter paper have our marks on them, so they can't be fake. Zhao Hei has lived in the capital with my son for a long time, so he must have had the opportunity to meet the emperor, so he shouldn't be wrong."
"We can't wait any longer. Thinking of my son still suffering in prison, I can't sleep or eat. Batian, if you are afraid, you don't have to go. I won't blame you."
Hu Batian could not stand such words. He knelt down and put his head on the ground. He said in a rough voice: "Your Highness, I am too ashamed to face my brothers. As long as Your Highness says a word, we brothers will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
Prince Jin was satisfied and helped Hu Batian up personally.
This time when he entered the capital, he could not bring the troops from Jinzhou, and could only bring the bandits he had recruited.
These bandits were not very smart and could barely read or write, but they believed him simply by putting on a show and were willing to work for him.
He would never allow the bandits around him to unite as one. It was he who contributed to the dislike between Hu Batian and Zhao Hei for each other.
Therefore, Hu Batian's words would naturally be discounted by him.
"I also understand your concerns. It is a good thing to be cautious. Our brothers can't afford to lose any more lives. I am worried about Chang'er, but I can't let my brothers die in vain. Send someone to keep an eye on the movements in Taoli Village. When the time is right, we will strike and kill them!"
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Taoli Village.
Long Lin was roasting a chicken in the yard. He first hollowed out the pheasant's stomach, smeared it with spices, then stuffed the chicken's stomach with fruits and vegetables, wrapped it with lotus leaves, and put it into the fire.
He cooked very smoothly. Although he was not good at cooking, he knew how to play to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses. As long as he learned a few simple and delicious dishes, he could win Huan'er's heart!
The spices are all prepared by the chef from the imperial kitchen, and I guarantee that Huan'er will fall in love with them as soon as she tastes them.
The aroma of roast chicken wafted through the yard, making people's appetites rise.
Aunt Ji was stunned. This emperor was a little different from what she had imagined. Not to mention the emperor, there were not many husbands in the world who were willing to cook for their wives.
Her husband was also a capable man around Mrs. Ji. He was away on business all year round and had never been unfaithful to other women. He was considerate to her, but when he came home he just sat there waiting for dinner and never went into the kitchen.
Ji Yunhuan was sitting in front of Wang Xiuping's bed.
Wang Xiuping's health had been poor for a long time. After taking the drugs, she felt dizzy these days and couldn't get out of bed. She had to take medicine every day to stay healthy.
She felt guilty and struggled to get off the bed. "It's all my fault. I almost caused a disaster. I'm already very grateful that the young lady and aunt don't blame me. How dare I ask you to take care of me."
"I'm fine. I'll go help Aunt Ji with her work now. I won't eat for free. I can do a lot of things."
After a few days of recuperation, Wang Xiuping's face gained some flesh, and her sunken cheeks became plump, making her look younger. If she dressed up properly, she would become a beauty.
Ji Yunhuan pressed the person down on the bed, stuffed the medicine bowl into her hands, and comforted her: "Don't be afraid, no one here will scold you for eating for free, and no one will chase you away."
"Sister Xiuping, you shouldn't have lived this life. You are beautiful, well-educated, and must be a lady from a wealthy family. If you trust me, you can tell me anything. I won't hide anything from you. My father is the prime minister. I can help you with any grievances you have."
Wang Xiuping drank the medicine spoonful by spoonful. It was so bitter that she seemed unconscious. Only tears fell one by one, dripping into the bowl, and she swallowed it into her stomach along with the bitter medicine.
She leaned against the head of the bed, looking at the birds flying outside the window, vaguely recalling the old days. She almost forgot what she looked like.
"I am from Pingshan County, Jinzhou. My father is a local squire. My family is wealthy and I was spoiled since I was a child. Until one year, my father picked up a boy from somewhere. The boy was skinny and looked quite pitiful. My father said that he had lofty ambitions, so he asked him to study and practice martial arts with my brother and serve as his book boy."
"He was better than my brother in every way. He soon surpassed my brother. All the young men in the county were overshadowed by him. I was young and ignorant of the world. He always came to see me, and I... fell hopelessly in love with him. I even broke up with my family for him..."
Wang Xiuping couldn't stop crying. If she could go back on her own time, she would never fall in love with that book boy!
When her father brought someone home, she would throw a tantrum and try to drive the person out, the farther the better. In this way, nothing would happen, her family would still be able to live well, and she would still be the treasure in her family's hands.
Ji Yunhuan sighed, patted Wang Xiuping's back distressedly, hugged her and comforted her, "This is not your fault, and the Wang family has never done anything wrong to him."
"Some people are born like this, selfish and ungrateful. Once they gain power, they will kill all those who have seen their flaws."
"You know all about his past. You are lucky to be alive. You don't have to blame yourself. Just focus on recuperating. Don't worry, I am not helping you for nothing. I will tell you when I need you."
Wang Xiuping finally vented the depression that she had suppressed for so long. She felt relieved and fell asleep while crying.
Ji Yunhuan had already been attracted by the aroma in the yard, and she ate most of the whole roast chicken.
Long Lin knew that King Jin's men were snooping around, but they wouldn't take any action. He was just worrying about how to lure them out when Ji Yunhuan suddenly came up to him, hugged his neck and said coquettishly:
"Brother Ling, it's so boring to stay in the house every day. Let's go to the back mountain to get some fresh air. No need for others, just the two of us, okay?"
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