Chapter 144: Welcoming the Capital, the Hongmen Banquet
Because there were quite a lot of injured people, although Shang Yuwan was anxious, he had to slow down his pace.
Along the way, Xiao Qingji and Xiao Tong did not make any movement. Perhaps they were intimidated by the incident of Emperor Chengming using Yanmen and Caixia Town.
But this also means that once they step into Kyoto, they will have to face countless attacks.
The crisis and the unknown were getting closer and closer, and Baijialou was constantly sending news. Shang Yuwan was busy except for eating, drinking, defecating, urinating, and sleeping. He and Xiao Qingxu and Xiao Qinggu worked together to deal with the correspondence. The secret guards turned a blind eye to their actions. They also changed from being sneaky at the beginning to being open and aboveboard, often making the scene dizzying.
It was hard for Xiao Qinggu, as she had never dealt with such complicated matters before. Her mind was now filled with news about various families in Kyoto. She had a bitter face every day, and could only relax when she was having meals.
Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu watched and gave orders at the same time. They also had to take on the important task of teaching Xiao Qinggu how to handle these matters. Xiao Qinggu also worked very hard and learned very quickly. Sometimes he could apply what he learned to other situations and would also make some suggestions on the side.
Of course, they would still avoid certain people and their orders were not too obvious.
Lu Heying and the others disappeared from time to time, and Yi Buyuan and Yuan Feng had also disappeared. It was unknown where Shang Yuwan and the others had sent them. The secret guards pretended not to see anything, and Bailipu and the others, distracted by Yuan Ji, also didn't notice the problem.
One day half a month later, Xiao Qinggu lifted the curtain, stuck his head out, and his eyes were dark.
She saw the city walls of Kyoto from afar, and her eyelids, which had been drooping for many days, finally opened up.
"It's almost here!" She had just finished saying this when she suddenly became dispirited again, shrank back, and continued to read the letter obediently.
Once they enter Kyoto, all kinds of monsters and demons will appear. If they lose, they will either die or be imprisoned for life. What is there to be happy about?
"......" Kyoto was right in front of her, and Xiao Qinggu suddenly thought of her aunt Xiao Tong.
Is it true that my aunt tolerates me in everything because she looks like me?
Xiao Qinggu's eyes dimmed a little, but soon regained their composure.
She could guess the reason why Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu didn't tell her directly. Since they didn't want her to find out, she just pretended to know nothing.
If she really knew the truth, she might not be willing to accept it.
Shang Yuwan also knew that they were getting closer to Kyoto. Although everything seemed normal on the surface, he could hardly read the letter when he was holding it.
A trance? Nostalgia? Like a dream?
None of them.
It was only two days before Qingming Festival, and Shang Yuwan felt a little scared.
He was afraid that he would not be able to take revenge and protect his family. He was too ashamed to offer sacrifices to his parents and family members during his lifetime, and too ashamed to see them after his death.
"Wanwan."
Xiao Qingxu called out softly, bringing Shang Yuwan back to her senses.
She was slightly stunned, "Huh?"
Before Xiao Qingxu could say anything, Xiao Qinggu handed him a meat pie listlessly.
"Eat something. A full stomach will help you think better."
Xiao Qinggu felt that he was dying, really about to die.
No wonder my elder brother and his wife always look like they have everything under control. How can they not be smart if they can hold so much information in their heads?
Seeing her half-dead appearance, Shang Yuwan smiled, took the meat pie and took a small bite.
After Qiao Ping showed the guards the pass, they marched into Kyoto in a mighty procession. Whether it was an order from Emperor Chengming or the people themselves, Lu Heying, Bai Xiaoye, and the others noticed that soon after they entered Kyoto, the people were already lining the streets to welcome them.
Flower petals danced in the air, and the faint fragrance of flowers filled the air, leaving no place for shelter. The welcoming procession was long, and the cheers were loud, almost as loud as welcoming a general back to the capital.
It is not surprising that the people were overly enthusiastic. The reason for this lies in the explanation given by Emperor Chengming to the people of the world:
After helping Luzhou City overcome its difficulties, Fifth Princess Xiao Qinggu continues her travels among the common people, where she stumbles upon the illegal trafficking of women in Caixia Town. Heartbroken over his wife's untimely death, Prince Qi Xiao Qingxu secretly journeys to Yanmen to reminisce about her childhood home, only to discover something unusual within the city. Determined to uncover the truth and the mastermind, the two risk their lives, ultimately secretly relaying a message to the emperor and collaborating to dismantle the Yanmen spies and Caixia Town's women trafficking den.
Both of these things were great achievements. In this way, Shang Yuwan's name and identity were easily covered up, and the fact that Xiao Qingxu was the owner of Baijia Tower was also handled lightly.
Emperor Chengming intends to cover it up, and the Zhao family's previous experience is still fresh in people's minds. This is a time when the people are rejoicing. Who would dare to go up and use Shang Yuwan's identity and Baijialou to embarrass the emperor?
Let alone the common people. All they wanted was a peaceful and happy life. Naturally, they disliked corrupt and incompetent officials, as well as enemies who disrupted their lives. They were especially fond of the good officials above them. How could they not be thrilled that the princess and Prince Qi had eliminated two disasters for Dayu?
A pale and thin hand lifted the curtain on the left side of the carriage, and his jade-like face came into the eyes of the people.
Xiao Qingxu's mask only covered his missing left eye and the remaining part of his face that had been disfigured. In his childhood, he had a rather feminine appearance. Now fully grown, even with the loss of one eye and the disfigurement of his features, his features remained gentle. If he tried to conceal the cold glint in his eyes when he looked at others, a hint of gentleness, like a benevolent bodhisattva, would always emanate from his brows. The exquisite silver mask also added a touch of nobility to his appearance.
Xiao Qingxu hadn't been seen in public for years, even wearing a mask covering his entire face at his wedding. Revealing his face in front of so many people, coupled with the fact that he had deliberately avoided showing the left half of his face, caused many young girls to scream.
“…” There were so many people staring at them, it was really lively.
Xiao Qingxu smiled politely at the people outside, then regardless of how loudly those people shouted, he lowered the curtain and his eyes fell on Shang Yuwan.
He and Shang Yuwan sat face to face, with a mountain of letters piled up between them, and Xiao Qinggu, who was dizzy from reading the letters.
Shang Yuwan had already read all the letters on the way here, and had learned about the current family power in Kyoto and various changes, big and small.
"Wanwan."
Shang Yuwan looked at him with clear eyes and nodded.
The corners of Xiao Qingxu's lips curled up slightly, and Xiao Qinggu's spirits also lifted.
Emperor Chengming has arranged a celebration banquet for them tonight, but there is still a tough battle to fight!
Xiao Tong naturally had an invitation to the celebration banquet specially set up for them. What some people didn't expect was that Xiao Qingji, who was confined to the East Palace, also received an invitation.
You must know that after the urgent report from Yanmen was delivered to the emperor that day, Xiao Qingji was immediately summoned to the palace. Although Emperor Chengming did not let anyone know what they discussed at the time, Xiao Qingji hurried into the imperial study under everyone's noses, so it was inevitable that someone would secretly try to guess the emperor's intentions.
There were enemy spies in Yanmen City and a black market of women being sold in Caixia Town. Why would Emperor Chengming send Xiao Qingji there for no reason? The hero who uncovered these conspiracies was not their Crown Prince.
It is not an exaggeration to call this banquet the Hongmen Banquet, as many people are watching it.
Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu both knew why Emperor Chengming hadn't used the events of Caixia Town and Yanmen City to severely punish Xiao Qingji. Although they didn't say it explicitly, Xiao Qinggu also knew it.
That old guy is very smart and has been pushing things behind the scenes. Even though he is thousands of miles away, he can still get things done very well.
He knew that Shang Yuwan and others wanted to help Xiao Qinggu fight for the throne, and that Xiao Tong and Xiao Qingji were both troublemakers. The Dayu royal family was in chaos, but he was able to hold back his anger and suppress the matter, giving the world a reasonable explanation and the title of "criminal punished."
Dark Moon Pavilion and Jishitang were demolished, and the private soldiers and weapons at Yanmen, along with the Langjiang people hiding there, were dealt with by Qiao Ai and his men. Xiao Tong and the Langjiang Empress suffered heavy losses. As for the identity of the "culprit," Emperor Chengming did not specify, but what other country could the enemy spies appearing at Yanmen be from?
Emperor Chengming didn't even have to move a finger, the fire automatically burned onto Empress Langjiang.
He put all the credit on Xiao Qinggu and Xiao Qingxu, which was nothing more than putting them on the fire and making them stand on the ring with Xiao Tong and Xiao Qingji.
Who lives and who dies depends on who is stronger and who is weaker.
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