Chapter 141 The Storm is Coming
Jiacheng knew that Princess Yong had a headache and often had trouble falling asleep. He also heard that she took medicine before going to bed, so he stopped disturbing her. After thinking for a while, he walked towards Prince Yong's courtyard.
Before she arrived at Prince Yong's courtyard, she saw General Li, who was usually calm and steady, bringing her eldest brother and third brother into Prince Yong's courtyard in a hurry. There was a bit of secrecy in their actions, and they looked around from time to time, as if they were afraid of being noticed by someone. The Lord of Jiacheng County felt strange. The guards of the palace seemed to be particularly sparse tonight. Although the rest of the courtyard was quiet, at least the lights were dim. Only Prince Yong's place was pitch black, which seemed particularly abrupt.
When General Li's eyes inadvertently passed by Jiacheng's hiding place, she instinctively shrank into the dark, with more doubts and uneasiness in her heart.
She followed them quietly and followed them into Prince Yong's courtyard. The three of them walked straight to the door next to the study, which was usually tightly closed. That was where Prince Yong placed his weapons, and no one was allowed to enter on weekdays. Now, the room was emitting faint candlelight, and the shadows of people could be vaguely seen, accompanied by the sound of weapons colliding.
However, not long after, everything in the house returned to silence, the candlelight suddenly went out, and the shadows disappeared without a trace. Jiacheng secretly observed in the dark and waited for a long time. There was no movement in the house, but where were General Li and his eldest and third brothers?
Jiacheng was full of confusion. He walked towards the room bravely, slowly approached the door, and gently pushed it open. The room was dark and there was no sound. Jiacheng was very confused. He replayed the scenes in his mind, trying to find the answer. Before
Jiacheng could figure out what was going on, a strange sound came from outside the house - it was the dull sound of iron colliding and the soft hum of war horses. Because Prince Yong's residence was close to the outer courtyard, these sounds were particularly clear in the night sky.
Jiacheng's heart sank, and he quickly left the room and walked out of the courtyard. Just after taking a few steps, he bumped into the panicked steward of the palace.
"Steward Liu, why are you so panicked?" County Lord Jiacheng asked him unhappily.
"County Lord, our palace is surrounded by the imperial guards! No one can leave the palace now. The gatekeeper just opened the door to see what was going on outside, and was shot dead by the imperial guards with an arrow!"
"What did you say? The palace is surrounded?" Jiacheng could hardly believe his ears, "Who is so bold? How dare they surround our Yong Palace?" Jiacheng was angry.
Manager Liu looked anxious, his eyes full of disapproval of Jiacheng County Lord, "My Lord, who can order the imperial guards? This matter is of great importance, please get out of the way, let me go to the prince to make a decision!"
Jiacheng's heart suddenly sank when she heard this. The only one who could dispatch the imperial guards to surround the palace was the one on the dragon throne. She instantly understood the heavy meaning behind the imperial guards surrounding the palace. Thinking of the scene in Prince Yong's courtyard just now, Jiacheng County Lord couldn't help but ask herself, did my father have foresight? What I just saw, did my father take my eldest brother and third brother away? What about my mother, myself, and my other brothers? Did my father give up?
Thinking of this, Jiacheng's heart was gripped by endless doubts and fears. Jiacheng felt unbelievable. Obviously, her father had planned everything well, and that position was within reach. She would soon be the most honorable princess of the Song Dynasty. Why did everything suddenly fall through? This series of doubts weighed on her heart like a huge rock, making her almost suffocated.
The next day, Sheng Mansion
"Was the Prince Yong's Mansion surrounded by the imperial guards last night?"
Sheng Hong's voice suddenly rang in Chengxin Garden. He was having breakfast with Mingxi. Dong Rong hurried over and whispered. The news was like thunder, which made Sheng Hong raise his voice involuntarily and shouted out in shock.
Dong Rong glanced at Wei Xiaoniang who was looking at him. Since he had heard it all, he might as well say it directly, "Yes, at midnight last night, the imperial guards sent soldiers to surround Prince Yong's mansion. Because it was late at night, the news did not spread until this morning."
Sheng Hong was shocked when he heard it at first, but then his face showed joy, "This may be a good thing for our Sheng family. Yesterday, I was still worrying about how to hide the news of Minglan's return, fearing that the Lord of Jiacheng County would retaliate, and even more worried that Prince Yong would cause trouble for us. Now it seems that Prince Yong's family is all imprisoned. It really is God's help to us."
Unlike Sheng Hong's joy, Mingxi's expression was a little complicated, revealing a hint of worry.
"The siege of Prince Yong's mansion means that the Empress has evidence of his military buildup, and it also proves Prince Yong's rebellious heart. But this man is cunning, how could he only have one trick up his sleeve? Even a cunning rabbit has three burrows. Although the Empress's move was quick, there is no guarantee that Prince Yong has no tricks up his sleeve."
Mingxi sighed, looked at Sheng Hong, and said firmly: "I guess Prince Yong is no longer in Prince Yong's mansion now."
Sheng Hong was surprised and puzzled, "How do you determine, Yi'er?"
"Prince Yong is aiming for the throne, so he must have made all the necessary plans and is prepared to fight to the death. Although he is arrogant and rebellious, he is not stupid and would leave a way out for himself and his descendants. Where is that way out? Prince Yong's family all live in Prince Yong's Mansion. There must be something hidden in Prince Yong's Mansion, such as
- a secret passage!"
Mingxi looked fixedly at Sheng Hong. Hearing that, Sheng Hong broke out in a cold sweat, "If it's true as you said, then..."
"I'm afraid a fierce battle is inevitable!" Mingxi said decisively.
Then he ordered, "The family must be on high alert immediately and not go out unless necessary in the next few days. The guards must defend strictly and each courtyard must be well guarded. Don't tell the old lady and the children about this for the time being, so as not to panic. In addition, the master must send people to the homes of relatives and friends to remind them to strengthen their defenses. The world is in turmoil, so take care of yourselves."
After thinking about it, Mingxi still felt uneasy. Hualan's husband's family, the Earl of Zhongqin, was born with military generals, so there was no need to worry about that. However, the Duke of Qi's Mansion was no match for the people from the Prince of Yong's Mansion last time. This time?
"Master, why don't we invite the princess and the Duke of Qi to our house as guests, just in case."
Sheng Hong thought about it and felt that it was not a bad idea, so he nodded in agreement.
The family took action quickly, but Sheng Hong still had to report to the Ministry of Rites in the next few days. Mingxi was worried about his safety and put armor on Sheng Hong. "This is all for precaution. We can't bring weapons for self-defense in the palace. If you really encounter something, don't show off your ability. Be sure to protect yourself."
After Sheng Hong left, Mingxi was still thinking about countermeasures and what else can be prepared in advance. Suddenly, the eldest lady came to ask Minglan to come in, saying that the palace summoned her.
Mingxi hurried to Minglan's room, only to see Minglan changing her clothes and going into the palace.
"Why did the queen summon you to the palace at this time?" Mingxi was worried.
Minglan didn't think much about it and seemed quite relaxed. "Maybe the queen is in a bad mood and called me to accompany her. Don't worry, mother. The Lord of Jiacheng County is surrounded in the Prince Yong's Mansion and has no time to take care of him. I will be safe."