Chapter 142 Palace Change
Mingxi was not worried about this at all. After much hesitation, she told Minglan her guess.
"Now is a critical moment. Prince Yong may attack at any time. If the imperial city is lost and the palace is not defended, what can you do?"
Minglan was silent for a moment, then said: "Mother, if that day really comes, His Majesty and the Empress will not be able to protect themselves, how can I be safe? Anyway, I can't refuse the Empress, so I can only take it one step at a time."
Mingxi had no choice but to prepare for Minglan as much as possible and let her bring more self-defense items. Unfortunately, even self-defense weapons could not be brought into the palace. She could only let Minglan bring more chili peppers and pepper powder, which could always be brought into the palace. She also insisted that Minglan wear armor before letting her leave.
Xiao Tao was about to reach out to help Princess Pingning get off the carriage, when suddenly, a series of neat and heavy footsteps came from the direction of the imperial city, shaking the air.
Princess Pingning trembled slightly, and Xiao Tao was quick to support her steadily.
At this time, Changbai and Changfeng were respectfully saluting Duke Qi who had just got off the carriage. Their eyes were also involuntarily attracted by the sudden sound, and everyone looked towards the direction of the imperial city. The majestic palace complex, although still standing, was inexplicably shrouded in a sense of desolation, as if a building was about to collapse.
Wang Ruofu was arranging matters in the mansion and was a step late. As soon as she arrived, she heard the shouts of the soldiers. She was startled and rushed to the mansion gate. Seeing that everyone was still standing there in a daze, she couldn't help but slap her thighs anxiously.
"Don't be stunned! Hurry and get into the mansion. It's not safe outside!" Her voice was full of urgency.
After hearing this, everyone came to their senses and hurriedly walked into the Sheng Mansion.
Qi Heng looked around but did not see Minglan. He walked quietly to Xiaotao and asked softly, "Xiaotao, where is your girl?"
Xiaotao looked worried, her eyes reddened and she almost cried, "My girl was urgently summoned to the palace by the Empress." The princess
turned around when she heard the words, and Duke Qi also cast a concerned look at her. Qi Heng's body froze and he asked in a daze, "When did it happen?"
Xiaotao was worried about Minglan and really cried, "My girl left the house before me. She should have just arrived at Kunning Palace to see the Empress."
Just as Xiaotao expected, Minglan had just paid her respects to the Empress, but not in Kunning Palace, but in His Majesty's Funing Palace.
The Queen received Minglan in the Funing Palace. She was very happy because the Emperor had awakened. Seeing Minglan still had the heart to joke with her, she said, "I've always said that you are a blessed person. The Emperor woke up when you entered the palace."
However, this joy was soon diluted by the sudden bad news.
The eunuch who entered the palace with Minglan didn't wait for the Queen and Minglan to speak again. He knelt on the ground with a thump, "Prince Yong is forcing the Emperor to abdicate!" The eunuch's voice was sharp and urgent, and the atmosphere in the palace changed suddenly.
The Queen was shocked when she heard this, as if she was hit by a heavy hammer. She asked in disbelief, "Isn't Prince Yong trapped in the palace? How... How could he appear outside the imperial city with his troops?" Her voice was full of disbelief and fear.
The eunuch replied, "Your Majesty, it is absolutely true. Prince Yong is already outside the Imperial City. The people of the Imperial City Office are still holding on, but they won't be able to hold on for much longer."
"Where did Prince Yong get all the troops in just one night? Also, wasn't his armory confiscated?" The Empress was still unwilling to accept this bad news. "
Someone in the Imperial Guards has betrayed us. General Yang Huaide was assassinated. The situation is critical. The command of the Imperial Guards has fallen into someone else's hands. Prince Yong has also assembled the Imperial Guards and the foreign soldiers. The Imperial Palace is in danger! I hope Your Majesty and Your Majesty can escape from the palace!" The eunuch witnessed all this in front of the palace gate. Worried about the safety of the Emperor and the Empress, he hurried back to report the news.
"Leave the palace? Is there a way to leave the palace?" The steady old man's voice sounded again with some vainness. Minglan looked up and saw a beautiful concubine helping His Majesty out of the inner hall.
"I have been in power for more than 40 years, working hard for the Song Dynasty. I never thought that in my later years, I would suffer such a disaster because I had no son to inherit the throne. I knew that Prince Yong was not capable of such a great responsibility, but I never expected that he would have such a wolfish ambition!" The emperor's words were full of anger and helplessness. In addition to excitement, the violent cough was like a sharp blade tearing at his chest, and every breath seemed extremely difficult.
Seeing this, the concubine beside him hurried forward and gently supported his back, hoping to relieve him a little pain.
"Your Majesty, it's useless to scold him now. The most urgent thing is to leave the palace and avoid it!" The Queen urged him. She knew that at this critical moment, any delay would be fatal.
His Majesty and the Queen looked at the eunuchs kneeling below with expectation in their eyes.
The eunuch saw this and quickly reported the emergency information he knew in detail: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Prince Yong has led his elite troops to surround Xuande Gate, but even if they force their way through, Daqing Gate can still hold out for a while and buy us some time. As for Donghua Gate and Xihua Gate, there has been no movement, but I don't know if there are rebels guarding them, waiting for people to fall into their trap. To be on the safe side, I boldly suggest that Your Majesty and Your Majesty should secretly leave the palace from Gongchen Gate in the back garden. This route is more concealed and safer."
When the Queen heard what the eunuch said, her brows knitted, and she turned to support the other side of the emperor and asked worriedly: "Who else in the palace can take on the important task of escorting Your Majesty?"
The eunuch was embarrassed and almost in tears. "Only I can wait for the eunuchs. The generals of the Yulin Army are guarding the gates of each palace. It is difficult to allocate enough people to escort Your Majesty and Your Majesty."
At this time, Minglan stepped forward and said, "I am willing to escort Your Majesty and Your Majesty out of the palace. I am not talented, but I have some martial arts skills and I am willing to swear to protect Your Majesty and Your Majesty with my life." The Queen
heard this and her eyes showed deep relief and emotion, while the Emperor coughed violently again. The cough was heavy and rapid, as if it was going to use up all the strength in his chest.
Even though he was supported by the Queen and concubines, the Emperor's body seemed very weak and was about to fall. The emperor suppressed his discomfort, took a deep breath, waved his hands, and his tone revealed unquestionable determination, "With my body, I have no escort from a carriage. Even if I try to support myself and escape from the palace, I am afraid I won't be able to hold on for long. Even with the convenience of a carriage, I am afraid I can't escape the suffering of a long journey. I have made up my mind. I will stay here and wait for that rebellious son to see if he really dares to kill the emperor!"
As the emperor spoke, he finally ran out of strength and sat down. His body really couldn't support him.
"Your Majesty~" The Queen tightly grasped the Emperor's sleeve, her eyes full of reluctance and determination, "Your Majesty, why must it come to this? We still have a chance to escape, we can't just sit there and wait for death! If the rebels really kill us, how many of these people in the palace can escape?"