"Really? But I have to tell you,"
Huangfu Yi smiled slightly: "None of that matters anymore. No need to say anything, I know."
Qi Qi was at a loss for what to do.
...
Qi Qi finally learned some general information from Huangfu Yi: the Prime Minister was not only in contact with the Marquis of Ding'an, but also with the eunuchs around Emperor Yongping in the palace. They were preparing to mobilize troops inside and outside the capital to escape south from the palace gates, and were about to falsely accuse the two princes of plotting a rebellion and convict them of treason.
In the original storyline, eunuchs also played a major role in this palace coup. However, because Qi Qi subtly hinted to Huangfu Jue beforehand, Huangfu Jue developed suspicions and was prepared, secretly suppressing the power of the eunuchs over the years.
In the original story, Emperor Yongping stayed in the palace the whole time...
No, that's fake news. Didn't Emperor Yongping suffer a stroke and stay in bed for several days?
Qi Qi asked anxiously, "Where did you get this information from?"
Huangfu Yi pondered, "The spies from before... do you mean there's some other story behind it?"
Qi Qi then told him about it again. Huangfu Yi's news with Gu Siyan was good, but there were problems in the palace. This false news seemed more like it was deliberately spread by the palace.
What is the purpose?
Huangfu Yi noticed that Lai Bao, who was usually carefree, was in a state of deep worry.
I had to comfort him, saying, "Don't worry, he might have been prepared."
Qi Qi said: "..."
The grain reserves in various granaries have long been depleted. Gu Siyan's army is currently locked in a stalemate with the Ding'an army around the Huai River. Gu Siyan's army has made prior arrangements and can hold out for a while longer, but the Ding'an army and the capital certainly cannot hold out that long. The excessive consumption of grain and the rapid decline in manpower mean that if they continue to hold out, by the time of the original story, the capital will be empty. Therefore, Huangfu Jue and Huangfu He cannot be allowed to fall into danger now.
"Yiyi, what do you think?"
Huangfu Yi said leisurely, "Don't look at me like that. I only said I won't kill him. Whether he lives or dies is none of my business. Besides, have you forgotten that I am still the Great General of Xianbei?"
Qi Qi suddenly had a flash of inspiration and stood up abruptly: "Then, with you, the Great General, coming to the Xia Kingdom... the Xianbei won't take this opportunity to invade the Xia Kingdom!"
Huangfu Yi looked hurt: "You doubt me?"
He seemed a bit sentimental these past few days. Qi Qi was careful not to accidentally touch a sore spot, so she immediately cupped his face and frantically stamped her hand on his face: "I was wrong, I was wrong!"
After Huangfu Yi had been kissed halfway through, he said leisurely, "But you're not wrong. The Xianbei did send people to gather information, but I wasn't among them."
Qi Qi: "..."
Huangfu Yi: "Besides missing you, there's something else."
Qi Qi: "Huh?"
Huangfu Yi looked towards the palace: "I originally planned to use the Xianbei to destroy the Xia Kingdom, but I didn't expect to have a Gu Siyan. With someone like him around, I'm afraid the old man will die before I arrive."
Qi Qi: "So..."
Huangfu Yi: "This time, no matter what, kill him first."
...
Taking advantage of the relative calm in the capital these past few days, Huangfu Yi settled Qi Qi in and headed towards the palace.
Qi Qi was still left in what was supposedly a safe place with Xiao Fuzi and several guards, and he was angry for half a day.
These people never take Qi Qi with them when they do anything!
This feeling of knowing a little bit about everything but not really understanding anything is not good.
As soon as Huangfu Yiren left, the two eunuchs discussed the matter amongst themselves in the room and immediately decided to run away. At the very least, they would send a message to the palace. After learning where they were, they began to make plans.
"So what do we do now?"
Qi Qi: "This place is seventy miles from the capital. Although it is not far from the garrison, there are more rebel soldiers and refugees. We should go out and inquire first before making any plans."
Xiao Fuzi: "..."
Qi Qi: "..."
Well, that's like saying nothing at all.
Be careful. Those pale-cheeked, red-lipped eunuchs who can't lift a finger or do anything heavy will be either in someone's bed or in a big pot of stewed meat in less than half an hour after they leave.
Qi Qi shuddered at the thought of that scene.
The shopkeeper was quite capable to open at this time. Qi Qi went to inquire and learned that the rumors in the capital had changed from that the Zhenbei Army was going to invade to that the city was only open to people and not allowed to leave because they were going to hoard the people as reserve food!
"Isn't it all because of that cruel, incompetent, and tyrannical official who favors those who oppress the people and never cares about their lives? Now the people are angry and resentful... This is divine retribution..."
The court officials had long been considered villains by the masses. As Qi Qi listened, he discovered that quite a few of them were actually criticizing Huangfu Jue, since he was now in charge of both people and money... However, he wasn't solely responsible for things like setting tax rates and allocating officials, and it would be wrong for anyone to do those things.
In times of war, peasant uprisings are always predictable; it is out of fear that humanity can unleash courage never before seen.
If the capital is in such chaos, what about the smaller towns below? The innkeeper, calculating his next move, glanced at Qi Qi and said, "The world is too chaotic; it's best for a distinguished person not to travel alone."
Qi Qi asked in confusion, "Boss, your shop is doing quite well. May I ask who your owner is?"
The boss paused for a moment: "The customer is certainly direct, but this is not something I can say."
The two had no choice but to go upstairs again. Xiao Fuzi said, "What he said makes sense, but where is there a place that is absolutely safe? Sigh."
Qi Qi: "We're just ordinary people. Let's just wait for the big shots to come and save us. Sometimes, we shouldn't be too independent. Relying on ourselves only causes trouble for others..."
Xiao Fuzi glanced at him sideways: "What, are you waiting for the Fifth Prince to come back?"
Qi Qi asked earnestly, "Brother Fu, are you good at kung fu? Can you take on ten people at once and then drag me away?"
Xiao Fuzi was silent for a moment: "Your Highness has had a very difficult time these past few years..."
Qi Qi was terrified of these relationship issues: "Just cut me in two."
Xiao Fuzi immediately said, "Then we'll leave the top half for His Highness, so he can at least talk to him. That would be good."
Qi Qi: "..."
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