The Queen Mother waved her hand in disdain, not understanding how her own son could not even understand this. Had she been her son for so many years in vain?
Prince Cheng was horrified, suddenly feeling somewhat pathetic. He didn't know how his nephew had obtained the Emperor's Sword, but now that he had it, he should have handed it over to his father. His hesitation made anyone suspicious of his intentions.
What's more, Xu Xianshan must have waited for such an opportunity for a long time. No matter whether Lu Anyuan really wants to rebel this time, his father-in-law will definitely have people instigating him in the northern border. Maybe he will be crowned emperor directly.
Humph, old boy, your trick of poisoning yourself is nothing more than an attempt to exonerate yourself. The Queen Mother and my brother who is the Emperor may not be able to guess it, but I know you very well!
"Yin'er, do you remember what mother said?"
Prince Cheng quickly recovered and bowed deeply, "Yes, mother, don't worry, I will definitely seize this opportunity and will not fail like I did three years ago..."
"Cough, cough, cough!" The Queen Mother coughed three times. Prince Cheng immediately realized his mistake, lowered his voice, and quietly left the Yian Hall - but he did not go through the main gate, but through the secret passage under the glazed screen of the Yian Hall.
The emperor originally ordered himself to backfill the hole, but his mother secretly stopped him. Not only did she not seal it, but she also dug the original entrance and exit of the secret passage back to the foot of Yian Palace. Otherwise, how could Prince Cheng be able to enter the palace in the middle of the night?
The Queen Mother sighed as she watched Prince Cheng disappear. Only then did she reveal the doom and weariness that befitted her age and status. "Alas, after all, I only have this one son. He has no claim to the throne. How can I bear to watch my own grandson bow down and worship someone else as emperor? All this I do is for this little bloodline!"
Nanny Han nodded, a look of heartache in her eyes. Even if the Queen Mother was indeed overly threatening, it was because she valued Prince Cheng. The Queen Mother was right.
"The Empress Dowager always plans everything for Prince Cheng, and I'm truly impressed. According to what you said, the Emperor has read this secret letter and tacitly approved your placing Princess Xiaoyi under house arrest. So when will he announce the news of Prince Xiaoyi's rebellion to the ministers?"
The empress dowager's eyes were heavy. In the early years, in order to appease the emperor's heart, she took a lot of medicines that were harmful to her body, and even pretended to be crazy. Although she didn't need to take medicine deliberately now, she was old after all, and it was a bit harmful to her health.
Nanny Han only saw a few green flames flickering in the empress dowager's eyes as she listened to her words, "The emperor is very sensitive, and I know he's definitely sent people to verify the authenticity. Moreover, news from the northern border will arrive early tomorrow morning. By then, he will be furious in the court."
"But Queen Mother, it's just a sword. We have all witnessed how much the Emperor values Prince Xiaoyi in recent years. He values him even more than the Second Prince back then. He really can..."
"You don't understand. The Emperor comes from a poor background, and he values legitimacy above all else. Just because the previous Emperor lost the sword that symbolized the Son of Heaven, the Emperor went to great lengths to have it found, even sacrificing Prince Ping Song's life. The Emperor knew his most cherished prince had ulterior motives, and he couldn't tolerate it."
"I feel relieved when you say that. Then we just have to wait until tomorrow. Once Prince Xiaoyi is confirmed to be a traitor, there will be no one left among the princes who can be used. By then..." Nanny Han did not say anything else, but a smile was already on her lips.
When the Queen Mother saw this smile, she became a little annoyed for a moment, then she calmed down, said she was sleepy, and let her leave.
Inside the same palace, the breathing of the two people in Yixiao Pavilion had gradually evened out. However, Siqin was guarding the outer room, genuinely sleepy. Meanwhile, Xu Yixing was adjusting his breathing inside the room, his eyes wide open.
Hearing a slight noise outside, she sat up and waited quietly.
Sure enough, the door was pushed open soon, and the person who came was Ying Jiu.
"I thought it was Ying Wu who came. How about Si Qin?"
Yingjiu bowed, and it would be best for Yingwu to disguise himself and come in. However, no matter whether he disguised himself as a palace maid or a eunuch, there were many rules for walking around in the palace, which was not as practical as this light skill.
"A little calming incense, Miss Siqin should have a good sleep."
Xu Yixing felt relieved and motioned Ying Jiu to continue.
"News has come from the northern border that King Xiaoyi obtained the Emperor's Sword in Miaozhou, but failed to hand it over in time."
Xu Yixing paused. This news was brought back by his own people, which is usually one or two days earlier than the court. He has already wasted a day in the palace. Could it be that this news would reach the emperor's ears tomorrow?
But what puzzled her even more was that the Queen Mother received the news two or even three days earlier than her. How was that possible?
"I have learned about this matter from the Queen Mother today. Her information came very quickly, and I am afraid that Your Majesty has already seen it. How do you explain it?"
Ying Jiu thought for a moment and said, "Unless her information didn't come from the same time, our people have been following the prince the entire time, so it's impossible for them to know later than them."
Xu Yixing understood. This situation could have either occurred because the Queen Mother, aided by divine intervention, had foreseen that Lu Anyuan would obtain the Emperor's Sword, or because someone had already recognized the Emperor's Sword after it was taken from the capital and reported it back to the capital. Great, great, great. It looked like Lu Anyuan definitely had a spy.
"So did Lu Anyuan really rebel?" This was the question that Xu Yixing cared about most, and it would also determine what attitude he would use to respond to the questions from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor tomorrow.
"This..." Ying Jiu was a little stunned. He didn't understand what the Emperor's Sword had to do with whether to rebel or not.
Xu Yixing was so angry that he laughed. Could it be that Ying Jiu thought that the sword was called the Emperor Sword for nothing?
"Just tell me, is there anything unusual in the news?"
Ying Jiu understood this time: "No, it's just that the prince got a sword called the Son of Heaven and didn't hand it in."
Xu Yixing nodded. It seemed Ying Jiu had indeed come to deliver the news. Could he be reading it to me from the note? And a sword called "Son of Heaven"? How dare he say that.
"Then I have an idea. How is the Xu Mansion?"
"Nothing has changed. The general hasn't woken up yet."
"Hmph." Xu Yixing snorted coldly. Awakening wasn't determined by whether someone opened their eyes or not. "There may be some changes in the court tomorrow. Those of you in the capital should be on standby."
Stand by? What order? Ying Jiu didn't understand the meaning, so he stood in the room in a daze.
"You don't need to ask me anything. Just know that if necessary, I might ask you to enter the palace, kidnap me, and then flee to the ends of the earth. Do you understand?"
"Yes! I will prepare the things for the journey right away." Ying Jiu received the accurate request, and his spirits lifted. He quickly jumped over the wall and disappeared in the moonlight on the palace wall.
Hey? Why are you so excited? If I were to go on the run, you'd have to suffer.
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